Chapter Forty-Nine: The Fighting Method of the Sea
Led by the Korean guides, Hua Xianzu, Du Heng and the two black brothers Clairvoyant and Shunfeng Er finally arrived at the naval camp in Jeolla Bay, where the Korean naval division Yi Sunsin was located, after a long journey of nearly a month.
The North Korean guide, Cha Fanyou, was a civilian official under Yoo Sung-ryong, a member of the North Korean Senate, who was fluent in the Ming language.
On the vast sea of Jeolla Bay, all kinds of warships of the DPRK naval division are densely docked, including dozens of large capital warships Itanya ships, and more than 100 small and medium-sized warships and Baozuo ships. Of course, the most conspicuous are the three turtle boats docked in the middle of the bay.
The turtle boat is known as the secret weapon of the North Korean sailors. It was made by soldiers and craftsmen led by Yi Sunsin, then Jeolla's Left Provincial Navy Commander.
The turtle boat is 35 meters long, 11.08 meters wide and 5.02 meters high.
There are more than seventy cavities in the turtle boat, through which guns, cannons, or arrows can be fired. There are 26 cabins, including rooms and warehouses. The shell of the turtle ship was a large and thick cover, and there was a cross road on the cover that could be passed, and beyond the cross road, there were dense knife cones, making it difficult for the enemy to climb.
There is a furnace in the ship to burn sulfur flame nitrate, which produces toxic fumes, which are spit out through the turtle-shaped mouth of the bow of the ship, and spray at the enemy on the enemy ship, which can not only confuse the enemy's sight, but also cause great damage to the enemy.
There are 22 firing ports on the left and right sides of the turtle boat, 10 oars, and 12 entrances and exits. The upper cabin on the left is the captain's room, the upper cabin on the right is the officer's room, and there are 24 rooms in the lower cabin on the left and right, which are used as weapons hangars and soldiers' rooms respectively.
The turtle ship is equipped with sky, earth, xuan, yellow and other character cannons, a total of 12 on the left and right sides, and 1 at the bow and stern, a total of 14 guns.
The turtle boat was fully loaded with about 125 crew members. In close-quarters naval combat, the huge and hard turtle ship can not only be used to attack the enemy fleet, but also in the process of ramming, the dense knife cones on both sides of the hull can constitute a powerful killing effect on the enemy on the enemy ship.
The turtle ship was a relatively advanced warship in Asia at that time, with its ingenious structure, strong hull, fast speed and high firepower.
"All the heroes have come from afar, and I hope to bear with me!" When Hua Xianzu, Du Heng, Clairvoyant, Shunfeng Er and Che Fanyou walked into the camp of the Korean sailors, Li Sunsin had already led a team of men to greet them. Seeing the five people approaching, Yi Sunsin hurried up and greeted them.
Yi Sunsin was born into a family of declining scholars, and when he was young, his family was poor, and he was smart and clever, and he could ride and shoot well. When he was young, Yi Sunsin's career was not smooth, and he served as a supervisor of Jeong-eup County in Jeolla Province. When he was forty-seven years old, he was recommended by the Senate Yoo Sung-ryong and was exceptionally promoted to the post of Jeolla Left Sailor Commander.
In several encounters with the naval divisions of the invading Japanese army, Yi Sunsin led the Korean naval divisions to inflict heavy losses on the enemy's naval divisions. It played a vital role in boosting the confidence of the Korean military and people in the War of Resistance.
"General Li personally lined up to greet him, and he really killed Hua and the others!" Under Che Fanyou's translation, Hua Xianzu hurriedly stepped forward to return the salute.
"Hey, all the heroes of the Ming Dynasty traveled thousands of miles to help me fight against the Japanese invaders, how could Li not greet him?" Yi Sunsin said.
"Don't dare to be, don't dare to be, as soon as I entered the camp of this naval division, I saw that there were many warships in this bay, and the soldiers on the ships were all mighty and brave, which shows that General Li is eloquent and strategic, and he has a good way of governing the army! I waited for this time to learn from the general. In front of General Li's mighty sailors, how dare we talk about the word 'help'! Hua Xianzu said politely.
"Hahaha, I've heard for a long time that all the heroes have unique skills, so don't be polite in front of me Li. Come, come, let's not stand here, go and take a seat in our army's tent. Hahaha! Li Sunsin warmly welcomed several Ming heroes into the account.
When they came to Yi Sunsin's camp tent, everyone sat down with guests and hosts, and the soldiers of the water barracks had already sent all kinds of refreshments and drinks.
After taking his seat, Yi Sunsin once again solemnly expressed his gratitude to Hua Xianzu and others for their arrival, and then introduced his subordinate generals one by one.
Ancestor Hua also returned the salute and once again thanked Yi Sunsin for leading the crowd to greet him. Then, Du Heng and others were introduced to Yi Sunsin and his generals one by one.
"Okay, this first glass of wine, first of all, I would like to thank our Ming Sect Master for his generosity to our state. Let's toast to this! After listening to the introduction of Ancestor Hua, Yi Sunsin happily raised his wine glass, and after finishing the toast, he drank the wine in the cup with everyone.
"This second glass of wine is that I, Li, on behalf of all the officers and soldiers of our naval division, pay tribute to all the heroes of the Ming Dynasty who came from afar. Dry! Everyone drank the wine in their glasses as well.
"This third glass of wine, of course, I wish us all the best to defeat the Japanese as soon as possible!" Yi Sunsin's voice was loud and his eyes were blazing.
After Li Sunsin finished toasting, Hua Xianzu returned three glasses of wine on behalf of the team members who came, saying nothing more than polite words such as expressing gratitude.
After the ceremonial toast of both sides, everyone talked happily and the atmosphere became lively.
Just when everyone was staggering and drinking, there was a sudden discordant scene at the scene.
One of his subordinates was a general named Li Dai, who was very accustomed to water and was especially good at diving, and it was said that he could be submerged for several hours. When he heard Hua Xianzu introduce Du Heng and his superb underwater skills, Li Dai was a little unconvinced, and he wanted to propose that he try it with Du Heng at that time, but considering that the Chinese and North Korean sides present had not yet completed the expression of etiquette, he did not have a seizure.
Now, the etiquette of the two sides has been completed, and Li Dai began to challenge Du Heng with the strength of wine.
"I have heard that the 'Langli Jinjiao' is very watery, I don't know if I am willing to learn from Li?" Li Dai found an opportunity, stood up, walked to Du Heng's side, and said.
Hearing Li Dai's words, the big tent immediately fell silent, and the generals put down the wine glasses in their hands one after another, watching the development of the situation, and the atmosphere at the scene suddenly became solemn.
"This is General Li Dai under General Li, who is accustomed to water, and he tells you that he admires your water skills." Che Fanyou did not translate Li Dai's words to Du Heng.
Du Heng put down his wine glass and calmly looked at Li Dai who was standing in front of him, and he found that this was a middle-aged man of medium stature, with a shaved face, a mustache, and a somewhat similar body weight to Du Heng. This person looks a little thin, and he is wearing a well-fitting armor of a naval general.
Although Che Fanyou did not translate Li Dai's words to Du Heng, Du Heng already understood what the other party meant from Li Dai's provocative eyes.
"Hey, General Li, several Ming heroes have traveled thousands of miles to come to me, and when they are physically and mentally exhausted, they must not be rude, and they should not retreat quickly!" Yi Sunsin was a little unhappy.
Looking at the provocative demeanor of Li Dai and several generals behind him, Du Heng thought to himself: If you don't let them see the skills of my Ming Jinyi Guards today, and frustrate their arrogance, it will be difficult to coexist with them smoothly and carry out work in the future. So, Du Heng stood up and said loudly to Li Sunsin: "General Li, since Li is so interested in Du, Du is willing to accompany him. ”
"This ......" Yi Sunsin twisted his beard with his hands, and it was difficult to make a decision for a while.
"General Li, it's okay for them to talk to each other." Hua Xianzu stood up and said to Li Sunsin.
"That'...... Well, since both of you agree to fight, let's have a fight. How do you think you can learn from each other? Seeing that everyone agreed with each other, Yi Sunsin could not forcibly stop it.
"General, I have a bag of copper coins here, and I'll throw it into the sea under the Lion's Cliff later, and then we both jump into the sea at the same time to pick up copper coins, and whoever picks up more wins." Li Dai said to Yi Sunsin.
"Can Du Yingying agree to General Li's proposal?" Li Sunsin turned his head and asked Du Heng.
"Whatever the guest is."
"Okay, generals, all the heroes of the Ming Dynasty who came from afar, then let's go to the Lion Cliff together to witness the wonderful performances of the two heroes. I wonder what you think? Yi Sunsin put down the wine glass in his hand and looked around.
"Good!"
"Agreed!"
Everyone agreed, so they put down their wine glasses, rushed out, and walked to the lion cliff not far from the camp.
When they came to Lion Cliff, Du Heng and Li Dai didn't say much, and they each sorted out their clothes. Du Heng took out the money bag he was carrying, poured out some of the scattered silver taels and handed them to Hua Ancestor, and the empty money bag was ready to be used when going to the sea to pick up copper coins. Li Dai took off the heavy armor, leaving only the light clothes inside.
"Du Yingying, can you get ready?" Li Dai asked Du Heng with contempt in his eyes.
"That's it." Du Heng stood steadily on the cliff, his tone was neither humble nor arrogant.
Li Dai threw a bag full of copper coins into the sea water below the cliff with his hand, and then said, "Then let's start?" ”
"Okay."
The two of them used their strength almost at the same time to leap into the sea under the Lion's Cliff.
Diving into the sea, what unfolded in front of the two of them was a wonderful and mysterious picture of the bottom of the sea. All kinds of underwater aquatic plants stretch their branches and leaves from the piles of corals on the bottom of the sea, and underwater fish of various colors and shapes swim freely among the branches and leaves. Schools of wheat wormfish swam between the legs of the two, their gills bulging and their sharp scales. There are also flying fish, single-fin fish, etc. The fantastical sight is dizzying.
Du Heng and Li Dai didn't bother to enjoy the beautiful underwater scenery, and both of them dived to the bottom of the water, their eyes wide open, and they were engrossed in searching for copper coins scattered on the rocks and coral reefs on the bottom of the sea.
Due to the complex topography of the seabed, the dense vegetation, the dim light, and the fact that the two of them had to be careful to avoid some dangerous underwater animals, these small copper coins were quite difficult to find.
About half an hour later, it was really difficult to find the scattered copper coins, and the two of them stretched their hands and feet almost at the same time and floated towards the sea.
Suddenly, Du Heng saw Li Dai's body beside him fall suddenly, only to hear Li Dai dance his arms in panic, as if he wanted to break free from some kind of restraint, and the money bag in his hand also fell due to panic, and the coins he had just picked up immediately scattered out, fluttering and scattered into the dark black seabed.
Du Heng immediately dived his body quickly and swam towards Li Dai, who was struggling. When he was about to approach Li Dai, Du Heng saw a terrifying scene, a huge octopus was using its long suction cup to coil Li Dai tightly, and quickly pulled it into the rock crevice at the bottom of the sea. Li Dai's entire waist was tightly wrapped, revealing only his head and two weakly waving arms.
The situation is very dangerous!
Du Heng didn't dare to slack off, quickly threw away the money bag in his hand, pulled out the two dragon spit knives he carried with him from his waist, and swam towards the giant octopus with his legs.
The octopus that entangled Li Dai and dived saw that someone had come to save him, and suddenly wrapped another suction cup in the depths towards Du Heng. Du Heng twisted his body in the water to dodge, and at the same time, with a wave of his right hand, at a very fast speed, he used the longer mother knife in his hand to cut off the suction cup stretched out by the octopus. The octopus was injured, and the whole body trembled in pain, and it was released from the entangled Li Dai, and then, with all the long suction cups, attacked Du Heng.
Du Heng couldn't dodge, and his waist was still tightly wrapped around the two suction cups of the octopus.
Du Heng's breathing began to become difficult. He fought hard, looked into the octopus's eyes, and stabbed the shorter knife in his left hand. A stream of blue blood immediately spurted out of the octopus's eyes, the octopus shook violently in pain, let go of Du Heng, who was tightly entangled, and squirted out a thick ink-like liquid from his mouth, fleeing to the depths of the sea.
Du Heng and Li Dai swam out of the water blackened by the ink sprayed by the octopus and struggled to swim to the surface.
Ascending to the platform on the Lion Cliff, Du Heng and Li Dai were both exhausted.
Li Dai took Du Heng's hand, stood on a high place, and then suddenly raised Du Heng's right hand high, and announced loudly to everyone: "At the bottom of the sea just now, it was Brother Du Heng who saved my life." He could have abandoned me, but he gave up his life to save me. So, today's winner is, Brother Du Heng! ”
From the time Du Heng and Li Dai climbed the Lion Cliff, the generals of the DPRK had already seen some eyebrows from the tired demeanor of the two. Both of them returned empty-handed, and with the skills of the two of them, if it wasn't for some accidents, it would definitely not be like this.
After Li Dai loudly announced Du Heng's victory, everyone immediately burst into a burst of enthusiastic shouts: "Du Heng, Du Heng ......"
Du Heng was deeply moved, he also raised Li Dai's hand high, and then shouted loudly: "Brothers work together to defeat the strong enemy!" ”
All the soldiers were once again infected, and shouted together: "Brothers work together to defeat the strong enemy!" ”
Yi Sunsin strode up to Du Heng and Li Dai, stood between the two, grabbed one with one hand, and said in a loud voice: "Soldiers, heroes, as long as we work together, we will be able to defeat the thieves and reorganize the rivers and mountains!" ”
"Work together to defeat the thieves and return my rivers and mountains!" The soldiers burst out with a burst of mighty shouts.