In July, two typhoons swept across the South China Sea. One landed on the Leizhou Peninsula and the other landed on Hainan Island, and the local area suffered heavy losses.

Due to the typhoon, the order had to postpone the date of the fleet's departure.

In late August, seven battleships, one cruiser, 14 escort and notification ships, and eight fast transport ships, loaded with 8,000 officers and men of the army and navy, sailed out of the capital's military port.

Jincheng Riverside, Dutch Merchant House.

Klaas Ferhach, the United East India Company's senior merchant in the Commonwealth, opened the window to let the sea breeze take away some of the heat from the house. He walked over to his desk, picked up his quill, and wrote it down to the new president, Joan. Matt Solco's Report on the Business of the Federation.

"Your Excellency, I must truthfully report to you that our predecessor had cultivated a monster with fangs and claws. The monster was pounced on the Spaniards with menace.

Given that the United Provincial Republic and the Republic of England were already at war, and we were left with only 55 unseaworthy East Indian galleons. Neither we nor the English could get support from home half a world away, so our allies in Asia were extremely important. I suggest that the East India Commission re-examine its relations with this pirate state. ”

The Anglo-Dutch declared war on July 28, 1652, nine months after news reached Asia.

After the Netherlands ended its war with Spain, Portugal was the only weaker opponent left in the world. The Netherlands auctioned off large warships built during the war years, and the navy shrank to an unprecedented degree.

Cromwell duly threw out the Navigation Regulations, which was unacceptable to the Netherlands. Two of the strongest nations on the seas of the planet are at war.

The Dutch economy was deeply dependent on the United East India Company, and the large fleet of East India ships returning home each year determined the survival of the Netherlands in a state of war.

The United East India Company faced two wars, and the war with Portugal was halfway through and had to be continued. The British East India Company and the attack ships of the English Navy were eyeing the Dutch on their way back.

. C board of directors to strongman Joan. Matt Solko replaces Carl. Rainiers, head of the East India Company.

In his new role, Matsolko took on a tough job of rectifying the loose atmosphere in Batavia and proving to the company's employees that he was a van Diemen-esque conqueror.

Within the Confederation, the Consul Marmont was negotiating with the Anglo-Dutch companies in order to maximize the interests of the Confederation in the war.

And Chen Shouxu focused on the upcoming naval battle.

The Orca heraldic flag is unfurled in the wind on the foremast of the flagship Majesty.

The 3rd class battleship had two gun decks, with 24-pounder guns on the lower deck, 12-pounder guns on the upper deck, and 6-pounder light guns on the bow and aft decks.

The orderly command cabin was located at the stern of the lower gun deck, and the captain's quarters of the Majesty were upstairs.

The fleet consisted of 30 ships, which required a larger staff team to direct the voyages. In the entire fleet, only the Majesty is capable of carrying command personnel.

It was the first time that Order had such a spacious command cabin, the space on the battleship was precious, the bed for Order to rest was located between two 24-pounder guns, and all officers, including him, had to sleep with a variety of weapons.

The fleet took the most convenient route, took the western boundary current of the South China Sea and went north along the coastline of the Hou River, near 12 degrees north latitude, the North Nansha Current off the coast of Nha Trang in Quang Nam, and plunged headlong into the deep waters of the South China Sea.

The speed of wind and sea currents in the South China Sea is between 1 and 2 knots, and the fleet is windy on the starboard side, and sails with a crosswind, with a smooth wind and water, and can travel 120 nautical miles per day.

Six days later, the fleet arrived off the coast of the Philippines, slightly adjusted course, and sailed into Subic Bay.

Subic Bay is about 8 nautical miles long and 3-5 nautical miles wide. Located on the east side of the bay, Olongapo is a bay within a bay with a depression inward.

The coast of Manila Bay is home to the largest plains in the Philippines, which is conducive to farming and is the economic center of the island. Subic Bay is surrounded by green hills on three sides, and when the typhoon season arrives and the Pacific Ocean is stormy, Subic Bay is calm.

Subic Bay is like an open vice, and in the words of a feng shui master, it is the best military port in the Philippines.

Due to the mountainous barrier, the Spaniards have not yet developed Subic Bay, and there are only indigenous villages and towns on the shore, and the wharf facilities are very simple.

The bay was deep enough for warships to anchor very close to the shore, and sappers relied on indigenous facilities to build floating trestles.

After disembarking, the army cut down trees and set up two batteries, one inside and one on the sea, to protect the fleet at anchor.

The Spaniards were not slow to react, and two reconnaissance ships appeared one after another outside Subic Bay and were driven away by the cruising frigates.

Orderly aboard the flagship Majesty with Commander Thomas. Merlot discusses the battle plan.

"Thomas, starting tomorrow, send a frigate into Manila Bay to cut off the Spaniards' shipping."

"What are the principles of warfare after encountering merchant ships? Capture or sink? ”

"Tell the captain and the inspector that they can only be captured if it is certain that it is safe."

"Okay. Board the ship to inspect it, loot the most valuable things, and burn the ship. ”

"That's it, but we have to remind them that we are a regular navy, not pirates, so we need to talk about etiquette."

"Got it, no wonder you didn't take Barnaby's pirates."

Shou Xuan shook his head, "Barnaby has never participated in our training, and is useless in fleet warfare. Now that we've blocked Manila Bay, Barnaby can take the opportunity to hit Iloilo. ”

The weather was hot, and the two said a few more words, and Thomas poured two glasses of wine, and walked with Shou to the verandah at the stern of the boat to enjoy the sea breeze.

"My fleet is no worse than the Spaniards, why are you always worried?"

Order: "I'm not worried about the ship. ”

"Soldiers?"

"This is the first fleet battle in which many soldiers participated."

"There's always a first time for everything," Merlot said, lighting his cigar, "and you listen, it seems to be singing." ”

Shou Xuan listened quietly for a while, "It's Stirling's second squadron of battleships, what are they singing?" ”

Melo smiled, "The second squadron is singing 'Where Should I Go'." ”

The sailor's song, without musical instruments, is sung in a cappella.

Merlot couldn't help but snort.

"Where do I go, Johannes, where do I go?

Tommy said hey, hey, let's go, buddy.

Where do I go as a young sailor?

Majestic palaces, that's where you're meant to be.

Tommy said hey, hey, let's go, buddy.

In the majestic palace, Gans was at work.

Where do I go as a young sailor?

A majestic palace decorated with rabbit skins.

As a young sailor, I'm going there.

You are bound to the cape and the horn, and through the wind and waves.

This is where you are going. ”

The lyrics don't make much sense, and the tune is upbeat. Merlot danced and smiled at Order.