"The Indochina Peninsula stretches from the mainland to the southeast, wedged deep into a strong southwest monsoon front.

The arc-shaped coastline tangential to the southwest monsoon between 11°N-12 degrees north latitude is geographically responsible for two seafaring outcomes.

First, the strong southwest monsoon over the sea is cut off by the Indochina Peninsula, and from places such as Nha Trang in Quang Nam, the easternmost part of the Indochina Peninsula, the southwest monsoon changes to a southeasterly wind that follows the coastline to the north.

Second, the wind-sea current formed along the coast of the Indochina Peninsula, the western boundary current of the South China Sea will leave the coastline at 12 degrees north latitude and turn eastward, becoming the North Nansha Current. This current enters the deep waters in the center of the South China Sea and turns southward near 112 degrees east longitude, forming a headwind current during the southwest monsoon period, which we call the Nansha headwind current. During the southwest monsoon, this headwind current may have some tactical significance for federal control of the South China Sea, and we are still investigating it further. ”

"The strategic significance of the North Spratly Current is obvious, it spans the South China Sea and can quickly bring the fleet from Quang Nam to the Philippines, and soon you will see what it does."

……

Chen Shangchuan's modern navigation course began when he stepped on the deck of the Lianjiang. After many years, this is the first time that Shou Zhi is interested in taking up the whip. On the small Lianjiang, in the aft cabin classroom separated by canvas, Chen Shangchuan and Zhu Youliang, the prince of Hui, were the only two students. The teacher is also two, Shou Xu and Bai Duolu, the captain of the Lianjiang, take turns to indoctricate.

From the port of Hepu to Nha Trang in Quang Nam, the 650 nautical mile voyage Lian Jiang took 20 days. Changing the side of the wind and sailing in a zigzag, Chen Shangchuan experienced the sailing skills of a soft-sail gunboat.

At 12 degrees north latitude, the Lien Giang leans towards the sea off Nha Trang in Quang Nam.

"Your Excellency, we have found the home fleet."

"Thank you, Mr. Bai Duolu." Shou Xuan put away today's handouts, "Shengcai, let's stop here today, come with me." ”

The basis of all intellectual understanding is mathematics, and in addition to the way of Confucius and Mencius and the nihilistic logical interpretation of Confucian theory by Chinese literati for thousands of years, there is another kind of understanding of the world. Chen Shangchuan and Zhu Youliang had little foundation in modern mathematics, which made it very difficult to advance the orderly curriculum. Shou order opened a window for Chen Shangchuan, and the future road will depend on him.

Walking onto the deck, the shadows of the ships of the home fleet were moored one after the other, one at a time.

Takeshima gathered 8 federal warships, including 2 cruisers Nanhai and Rafael, 4 frigates and 2 notification ships, and the Lianjiang was built here.

Amid the rumbling gun salute, Shou Xuan boarded the Nanhai with his Admiral Banner. The signal flag is then hoisted and all captains are summoned to the flagship.

Prior to the orderly arrival, the fleet was commanded by Sterling, the deputy commander of the navy, who took the Raphael as his ship.

"When did the Dutch depart?"

Raheem Sterling: "Fifteen days ago, if nothing else, they would have arrived in the Philippines by now. ”

"What about the Sulus?"

Stirling: "The Sulu fleet was planned to follow the Dutch. ”

Shou Xiang closed his notebook, "Well, it seems that there is no more news for the time being, everything will only be known when we get to the battlefield." Gentlemen, go back and urge your soldiers, and we're going to give the Spaniards some color. ”

This is a joint combat operation.

Last year, the Federation was beaten at the mouth of the Pearl River, and the Navy had to respond. It just so happened that the Dutch's blockade of the Philippines also suffered a crushing failure, and the two sides hit it off. In order to thank Sulu for pressuring Brunei to recognize the Commonwealth's right to protect Sarawak in Borneo, the Order also brought the Sulu people to act together.

The fleet left the Quang Nam coastline, plunged headlong into the depths of the South China Sea, and disappeared in front of the Sentinel ships of the Quang Nam Naval Division, which made them greatly relieved.

Taking advantage of the southwesterly winds and the North Spratly current, the fleet sailed smoothly and at a high speed, with an average speed of more than 5 knots. Five days later, the fleet arrived at the mouth of Manila Bay, with Corregidor Island in sight.

Shou orderly opened the telescope, and the mouth of Manila Bay was originally full of merchant ships, which was very busy, but there was no ship at this time. On the Bataan Peninsula, black smoke rises into the sky. From near to far, endlessly.

Chief of Staff Harris: "It looks like the Dutch are raiding the Bataan Peninsula. ”

"There are no worthy targets on the Bataan Peninsula, send people ashore to capture the prisoners and find out what the Dutch are doing."

The most valuable targets for the Philippines were undoubtedly around Manila, and there were only a few Spanish and Pampanga villages and towns on the Bataan Peninsula, and it was not known whether the Dutch would be able to cover the cost of this military expedition.

Three hours later, the Marines brought the latest news.

The Dutch fleet suffered another crushing defeat at Cavite, the flagship was sunk, and the fleet commander Martin Murphy. Goetzen was killed. The Sulus carried out their freehand raids in Mindoro to the south.

Harris: "Your Excellency, what shall we do?" Entering Manila to join the Dutch? ”

Shou Xuan looked at the new plumes of smoke on the shore and quickly decided, "No, let's go south to find the Sulus." ”

The Spanish fleet outnumbered the Union Navy in Manila Bay by too much, and Orderly now did not intend to venture deep into Manila Bay. The only advantage of the Union Navy was about 1 to 2 knots faster. It was also in order to maintain the speed of the voyage that this operation did not carry transport ships and land, only the navy and marines.

The fleet again began to adjust to the wind.

Mindoro is more than 40 nautical miles south of the mouth of Manila Bay, and the traces of the Sulu people are easy to find, following the beacon fire of Mindoro Island. The large and jumbled Sulu fleet soon appeared before the Federal Navy, besieging the city of Batangas on the island of Luzon on the other side of the strait.

Harris put down his binoculars, "The Sulu people are so bold, Mindoro can't satisfy their appetite, and they actually have the idea of Luzon." ”

Behind the besieging army, a large number of Pampanga and Cagayan captives were escorted onto ships by the Sulus.

"I promised the Sultan of Bensu that I would eat all these prisoners of war, no matter how many they numbered. Luzon is more densely populated than Binduro, and apparently they want to capture more people. ”

"Sanya is so short of people?"

"No way, there was a massive malaria outbreak in Sanya two years ago," Shou Xuan smiled wryly, "The iron mine is underrun now." ”

The Tiandu Iron Mine is a hellish place, and miners don't survive more than three years unless they are immunized against malaria. Even with malaria immunization, other epidemics such as dysentery can kill people.

The Sulu people were shaken by the salute of the Union Navy, and the blue and white Bundu flag was waved in the wind, provoking cheers.

From the Sulu general Alimud, the order gets more information.

"The Dutch sent 12 warships this time and hit Cavite twice. It was the flagship sinking in the second battle. However, they still have 11 ships, and the Spanish fleet only has 7 ships that can be dispatched, and in terms of strength comparison, the Dutch are stronger. ”

"What are the Dutch doing on the Bataan Peninsula?"

Alimoud: "They were besieging the city of Abukai, Commander Gozen was killed, and the Dutch were desperate for revenge. ”

Shou Zhi searched the map for a while, Abukai is a small city with a small name, in the northeast of the Bataan Peninsula. Manila City and Abukai City are separated by Manila Bay, just 26 nautical miles.

"It would be better if you came early, maybe we could really take Cavite."

Seeing the expression on Alimoud's face, Shou Xuan shook his head and said, "The most scheduled date at sea is better than never." There is no need to talk about the past, how have you learned? ”

Alimoud: "Although the Dutch were defeated, the Spaniards were dragged by them in Manila Bay. Everything is going well on my side, and I have captured more than 3,000 young and strong prisoners of war, and I can fill my fleet as long as I capture Batangas. ”

"Hurry up, I don't think the Dutch will last long in Manila Bay."

The Sulu people had long been overwhelmed by the Spaniards, and their counterattacks were confined to Mindanao, and had not penetrated deep into the Philippine hinterland of Mindoro and Luzon for a long time. This time, it was also because the Dutch carried the main force of the Spanish fleet that the Sulu people were able to make a lot of money by going north.

"I understand, that's why I'm attacking Batangas, and only by taking the city can I quickly gain the population."

"I'll leave the South Sea and Raphael behind to reinforce you."

"That's great." Alimoud rejoiced, he was suffering from a lack of heavy weapons to strike at the walls. "The city has been conquered, and the spoils are divided between our two families."

"It's good to be captured." Shou Orderly nodded, "I see you brought a lot of fast galleys with you this time?" ”

"Yes, there are 16 of them."

"Lend me half."

"No problem, but what do you want these ships for? Your fleet is stronger than ours. ”

A smile tugged at the corner of Shou Order's mouth, "I need some clippers to go to Cavite." ”

……

Cavite is a narrow peninsula deep into Manila Bay, with a length of more than 7 kilometers and only 300 meters at its narrowest point. The peninsula is located 7 nautical miles southwest of Manila, with a land distance of more than 25 kilometers. The birthplace of Manila galleons, the Krabi Dockyard is located right on the tip of the peninsula. It is the largest and most technologically advanced shipyard in Asia.

Like Manila, Cavite was a fortified fortress with stone walls that were walled by the Spaniards and fortified by Fort San Antonio. The heavy artillery of the Spaniards was only 300 meters from the dock, and any attack on the dock could not escape this powerful fortress. Even if the Federation fleet joined the Dutch, the Guardian did not believe that the Coalition forces had the strength to capture the fortress, and besieging the fortress was never an easy task.

Unlike the Dutch's appeal, the Order did not want to capture the Krabi Dockyard, nor did he seek the honor of conquering the Spanish fortress.

All the Federation needed was the shipwrights who lived on the Cavite Peninsula and nearby towns, and there was no need to test the fire of Fort San Antonio's garrison.

A few days later, Shou Ling left Stirling to command the fleet and continue to fight the defenders of Batangas City. He quietly headed north at night with 2 frigates, 2 notification ships and 8 Sulu galleys.

During the day the next day, the fleet cruised off the mouth of Manila Bay, keeping a distance from the Spaniards' beacons.

At night, the fleet hung up its full sails and rushed into Manila Bay. There are no big ships to drag down, and the Federation's schooner frigates are fast. The Sulu galleys were light galleys with slender hulls and upturned heads, with no deck hanging jibs for faster short-range sails. Such ships were also used by pirates in the Mediterranean, and the entire coast of Western Europe, including the British, was their hunting ground, and the great powers had no choice but to pay an annual protection fee to avoid attacks on their own countries.

4 hours later. On the Krabi Peninsula, Fort San Antonio is lit up like a shining lighthouse.