When the British fleet appeared at the mouth of the Pearl River, countless merchant ships and fishing ships were in a hurry to avoid these terrifying cannons. At that time, there happened to be a small patrol flotilla passing by, the British flagship Lion only fired a few shots, the bow and mast of the Qing dragon flag, the small fleet composed of two large boats and five medium boats fled to the mouth of the Pearl River at an almost desperate speed, so that the British did not even have time to put on a combat posture, the fleet had disappeared from the sight of the British fleet in embarrassment.

This made Brigadier Admiral Gerald, who ordered the shelling, speechless for a while, and couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "It seems that the distinguished ambassador, Mr. Macartney, is indeed right, such a navy, I can swear to God, I see it for the first time." ”

"I'm sure from now on, you'll see it often, in God's name." Beside him, Rear Admiral Ford, the commander of the fleet, had a mocking smile on his face. "Okay, don't pay attention to these little trash fish, Guangzhou is our destination. Pass my orders, set sail and speed forward, and tell our navy not to let those little loaches affect our plans to attack Canton. ”

"Yes, Your Excellency."

"Why, dear Liang, I don't think you seem to be optimistic about our trip. Do you think we will be defeated at the hands of your countrymen? Rear Admiral Ford turned his head and saw Liang Sanhuai, who was standing on the rear tower with his student Stang Dong and looking at the scenery, and from time to time introduced the surrounding scenery to Ambassador Macartney, and did not even express the slightest surprise at the actions of the British Navy, which made Ford feel a little unhappy in his heart, although he felt that Liang Sanhuai was a Chinese who was worth befriending, but his attitude made Rear Admiral Ford feel that he was despising the pride of the British Navy.

Regarding Rear Admiral Ford's question, Liang Sanhuai just smiled and shrugged his shoulders very westernly: "Dear general, I have no intention of offending you and the pride of the British Imperial Navy, but there are exceptions to everything, although I know very well that the navy of this empire cannot even be called a navy, but what if they are determined to defend it?" You know, when such a powerful fleet of ours appeared here, it was already doomed that our actions could no longer be concealed. ”

"Such a powerful fleet, if the other party has a little brain, it is clear that they will not be the opponent of the British Imperial Navy fleet, so they will definitely not be able to defend it." Liang Sanhuai's analysis made Macartney nod in agreement.

However, Rear Admiral Ford laughed: "Do you mean that our fleet of the British Empire has no way to break through the opponent's defenses?" ”

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"Hehehe, Your Excellency General, don't you think your question is too sharp?" Liang Sanhuai laughed, but his eyes looked at Major General Ford without showing weakness. "I am only your interpreter, not a good soldier, please pay attention to this, Your Excellency."

"That's right, if the opponent adopts the tactics of shrinking and defending, it will indeed be a headache, you know, what we need is a victory that shakes this empire, a hearty victory to achieve the effect." Macartney stood up and spoke out.

"You are right, Your Excellency, please rest assured that it will be up to our excellent naval and army soldiers of the British Empire to fulfill your wishes." Although Rear Admiral Ford was a little arrogant, he was not stupid, otherwise he would not have made a good rear admiral, so his answer was very maneuverable, and he pulled the army in by the way.

Colonel Henry of the British Imperial Army next to him bowed his head slightly: "I am happy to be the first British [***] officer to ascend to this empire as an officer of the occupation force." ”

"Of course, that is your duty and your honor, and let us look forward to the performances of the best soldiers of the British Empire." Staunton clapped his hands, looking pleased. He was very optimistic about the future of this war, and it can be said that he was a man of great interest in the British Empire, and at the same time, he was also a fanatical warmonger, and if he had not won the trust of his superiors and was sent to the East, it is very likely that he would have become a good British Emperor[***] man.

"A bunch of stupid birds who are self-righteous and have their tails cocked to the sky." Liang Sanhuai secretly sneered in his heart.

"Dear Liang, I know that we are attacking your homeland, which is a pity. You know, we are here to revive this empire and accept our Western civilization and exchanges, not to occupy her. Macartney admired Liang Sanhuai very much, he was very knowledgeable about the domestic political outlook of the Qing State, and during his visit to the Qing State, he gave him a very helpful interpreter, and even felt that his intelligence was enough to become an excellent politician, but unfortunately, the damn system of this country, and Liang Sanhuai offended the big people in the country, so he could only stay away from his hometown.

"You don't have to, honorable ambassador, I love my country, but I hate this damn ruling class, and I don't mind if you use force to sober them up." Liang Sanhuai's words can be said to be from the heart, and there is no trace of hypocrisy.

This made Macartney very satisfied, in the West, it is not uncommon for commoners or aristocrats who are dissatisfied with the ruling class or political program at home, which is also one of the sources of chaos in Europe, so he does not think that Liang Sanhuai needs to deceive him.

"But, dear Liang, I don't think you're telling the truth." Macartney knows the trick of conversation.

"Oh, why do you say that, am I hiding something from you? Is it my life, or is it my past background? Liang Sanhuai didn't even blink an eyelid.

"No, no, no, that's not what I'm referring to, I mean, you don't seem to be optimistic about Major General Ford's actions this time, can you tell me why, don't deny it, dear Leung, I trust my eyes and my instincts, it's the potential that a diplomat needs." Macartney walked on the deck with Liang Sanhuai in his hands, watching the soldiers on board the battleship pointing to the shore, and these soldiers were very fresh by the scenery around them, which was very different from the West and India.

"I can't imagine it, but you can see it, honorable ambassador, your sharp gaze is really straight to the heart." Liang Sanhuai looked very emotional. "It's true that I'm not very optimistic, and there are many reasons for this, and I'm afraid it will be difficult to explain it for a while."

"It's okay, I'm sure this battle won't end anytime soon, after all, if the other side defends." Macartney laughed, stretched out his hand and patted the side of the boat, and little Staunton just listened quietly to the conversation between the two, this smart boy had already proved his intelligence on the way to the mission, so neither Macartney nor Liang Sanhuai had any intention of avoiding little Staunton.

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"Humen, there is Humen ahead, through here, our fleet can directly reach the city of Guangzhou." Staunton pointed ahead and shouted with some excitement.

"What's that?! Give the order to slow down the battleship and stop advancing. At this time, Rear Admiral Ford, who was carefully observing the coastline and reefs ahead with a telescope, suddenly gave a disorienting and loud order, but the excellent navy of the British Empire still carried out the order in the shortest possible time.

"What's wrong, Your Excellency." Staunton said with some dissatisfaction: "This is already very close to Guangzhou, are you going to stop the fleet here and wait for those Qing people to come and surrender?" ”

"Mr. Staunton, I am the supreme commander of this fleet, please be careful with your words, of course, if you insist on advancing, I will not stand in the way, but I hope you are prepared to accept the shelling." Major General Ford said to Staunton with a serious face, and handed the monocular in his hand to Staunton, who looked a little embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency General, it seems that I overstepped it, tsk, these Qing people really want to rely on these batteries to attack us?"

"However, such sparse batteries are really not much of a threat to our fleet, but I am not willing to waste our precious warships in such a place." Major General Ford carefully observed the batteries that were within his telescope's line of sight, and with his sophisticated gaze measured what level of fire would be needed to destroy those that were blocking their direction.

At this time, Macartney and Liang Sanhuai also noticed the abnormality here, and after Macartney hurriedly said goodbye to Liang Sanhuai, he rushed over, Liang Pengfei looked at the British who were pointing at the Humen Fort in front of him on the stern of the battleship, and the corners of his mouth showed a trace of undetectable smirk.

"Alright, dear little Staunton, it's time for us to go down." Liang Sanhuai patted the shoulder of Xiao Si Dangdong, who was clinging to the side of the boat, and said.

"But teacher, I want to see the scene of our British Empire warships firing, and I saw one in China last time, and it was really spectacular." Little Stang Dong blinked pitifully at Liang Sanhuai.

"This ...... Then you must get your father's permission, then, I can stay on deck with you. However, today's lesson still can't be pulled down. Liang Sanhuai played the role of a teacher, which seemed to be in place.

"Of course, thank you, teacher, this is what I told my father." Little Staunton jumped up excitedly, and then ran towards the aft tower of the battleship, and soon, Liang Sanhuai saw Staunton leaning down and listening to what his son said, patted Little Staunton on the shoulder and smiled and nodded at himself.

After a cheer, little Staunton ran over again: "Teacher, my father agreed. ”

"Okay, I already know, come on, let's find a place with a wider view." The corners of Liang Sanhuai's mouth showed a meaningful smile, and he led Xiao Si Dangdong towards the forward deck of the battleship. "Trust me, you're going to see a great show."

(To be continued)