Mid-July. After doing a certain amount of preparation and training, I chose a sunny morning. Wu Tianxiao finally set sail with nearly 300 recruits, carrying some matches, and a small amount of cloth and ceramics purchased. Prepare to be shipped to Dongfan Island to trade with the natives. The ship was also loaded with a large number of bamboo grenades, and fire folds that led to the frenades, which went to trouble the remnants of the old Wakokang.

In fact, this ship has the size of 1,500 materials, and it has a carrying capacity of about 250 tons, and it can be driven by thirty or fifty people. It is necessary to arm sailors, 1,500 seagoing ships, and 150 or 60 people are suitable. Even with armed marines on board, 200 people were already full. Wu Tianxiao brought all the nearly 300 recruits, who belonged to the super full number, and occupied all the places on the boat that could sleep on the boat, and everyone had to sleep shoulder to shoulder. But there is no way, who called Wu Tianxiao himself a half-sailor, he didn't know how many people to bring with him. So you can bring as many people as you can.

And because the bamboo grenade had to be lit, the matches were not easy to use, so Wu Tianxiao still bought a large number of fire folds. Once the fire fold is blown off, the spark will burn for a long time, so the fuse used to light the grenade is very useful. Although it is not very convenient to use on weekdays, it is much more convenient than matches in combat.

Wu Tianxiao used rice paper and a homemade pencil in the cabin to record the scale of the compass swing and calculate the bearing. At the same time, he asked the ox knife juniper beside him: "We are sailing due east now, how should we go after leaving Zhoushan Island?" ”

In order to gain Wu Tianxiao's trust, Niu Dao Hui worked hard during this time, and put aside his past experience. At this time, Wu Tianxiao asked, and said skillfully: "When you leave Zhoushan Island, you have to time, and you will turn around and go south after walking for a quarter of an hour with the wind." Go straight south, a little west, and you will reach Dongfan Island in about one day and one night. ”

After hearing this, Wu Tianxiao thought about the memory in his impression. As a special forces soldier, he still has a certain understanding of the geography of various countries in later generations, let alone his own country.

After Wu Tianxiao determined the direction of the cow knife juniper, he looked at the six rounds of hourglass purchased, (Gui watch is a commonly used timing and positioning instrument in ancient times, but Gui watch relies on sunlight, and it is difficult to observe on rainy days.) The six-wheeled hourglass was made by Ming craftsmen before Jiajing) instructed Jia Youshi to let the ship sail east for a quarter of an hour, and then turn south.

The sea ship sailed in the designated direction, and Wu Tianxiao took the opportunity to teach Jiang Zhuang, Jia Youshi, Wu Dayou and others how to use the compass and the scale on the wooden plate to identify the direction of the sea ship's sailing. The others, except for the sail operator and the lookout, were required to stay in the cabin, and could only be divided into groups and take turns to go to the deck to let the wind out. In order to be afraid that these new crew members will be overstressed by the vast sea after staying on the deck for a long time.

The sea ship sailed for a day, and at night it was also drifting with the wind, leaving only Jiang Zhuang, Jia Youshi and others to take turns to guard whether the compass scale deviated from the course. Others were forced to rest.

Nothing happened overnight. The next morning, the ship did not know where it had sailed, and the sea was vast all around. Everyone was eating breakfast, and a fisherman-turned-lookout climbed the lookout pole to check the situation around after he had eaten his fill. Wu Tianxiao also came to the bow of the ship with a military telescope to check, and after a while, he found an island in front of the left from the telescope. After confirming it again and again, it was affirmed that although this island is not big, it does really exist.

Wu Tianxiao happily said to Jiang Zhuang, who was following him: "Tell the brothers that there is an island in front of us, and we are almost at our destination." ”

Jiang Zhuang happily went to pass the word after hearing this, and everyone came out of the deck to see what was going on, but after all, it was too far to see clearly.

Wu Tianxiao shouted again: "Ox knife juniper." ”

Niu Dao Hui was beside him, and hurriedly stepped forward and returned: "Master Wu." The villain is there. ”

Wu Tianxiao asked, "Let me ask you." Are there any small islands near Dongfan Island? ”

Ox Knife Hinoki returned: "Yes." There are several small uninhabited islands near the northeast of Dongfan Island. There are also some islands in the southwest, and there is a large island in the southwest, and I heard that there is an old nest of pirates on it, but it is not a pirate lair. ”

Wu Tianxiao asked, "I found a small island in front of the left side of the ship, where do you think we should be at this time?" ”

Niu Dao Hui returned: "I can't see the appearance of the island yet, but Wu Ye, you said that in front of the left, I estimate that we should be about to arrive at Dongfan Island." Because there are several small islands in the northeast of Dongfan Island, it is only an hour's voyage away from Dongfan Island. When you get closer, the villain should be able to determine it after seeing it clearly. Wu Ye. You can't go wrong. That compass dial you made is so good that we can't get lost. ”

Wu Tianxiao asked again: "Then are there pirates or pirates in this area?" ”

Niu Dao Hui returned a little nervously at this time: "There are really a lot of Japanese robbers in this area, because if we sail to the northeast, we are going to Naha." There were two routes for Fuso's Japanese to go south, one was to go west along the coast of Daming. One is to go through the Ryukyu Kingdom and go south through the port of Naha. Our current position is to take the route south of the Ryukyus Province through Naha, so it is not uncommon to encounter real Japanese kokos. ”

Wu Tianxiao nodded to Jiang Zhuang: "Pass the order." Tell your brothers to cheer up and be vigilant. ”

Before Jiang Zhuang could spread the word, a loud shout came from the lookout pole: "There is a sea ship... There's a sea ship behind us..."

When everyone heard this, they all went to the stern to check, and Wu Tianxiao also walked to the stern to see the situation, and he himself was surprised. Because the other party's ship was far away, everyone couldn't see what kind of ship the other party was. But Wu Tianxiao found out from the telescope that the other party was a widow, because the clothes of the other party's crew were very easy to identify.

Wu Tianxiao didn't say a word, and shouted loudly: "Listen to it." All of them checked their weapons and equipment and were ready for battle. Regardless of whether the other party is a widow or not, as long as it is not the ship of the Ming Dynasty, we will rob it damn well, and that boat is money and food. If you want to get rich, you have to be ruthless. ”

The crowd couldn't see what kind of ship the other party was, but the best way to boost their morale at this time was to grab money and food. Didn't everyone come out just for money? Therefore, Wu Tianxiao did not tell everyone that the other party was a Japanese boat, but first grabbed money and food to boost morale.

Everyone checked their weapons and equipment. A few archers and three musketeers, as well as a dozen people who had been trained for a long time and had killed the Japanese invaders, took the lead. Under the leadership of Jiang Zhuang, Jia Youshi, and Wu Dayou, those with spears and those with knives and shields took spears and shields, and they were eager to try.

Wu Tianxiao watched everyone check their weapons and continued to shout: "We have grenades, we have bows and arrows, and we have firearms. Even if the other party is a wolf, we will rob the fuck. ”

The crowd shouted: "Grab the money and grain, grab the money and food." Follow Wu Ye to make a fortune. ”

Wu Tianxiao continued to roar: "What if the other party is a widow? ”

The crowd shouted: "Kill, kill, kill, kill the widows, rob money and food." ”

Wu Tianxiao yelled: "Okay." Lower your sails and get ready for battle. Archers and musketeers listen to my orders and shoot me when they get close to range. ”

As soon as the sails were lowered, the other party's boat immediately approached quickly, and in a short time it was possible to see each other clearly with the naked eye. On the other side, it was obvious that this was the Ming Dynasty's ship, and they quickly chased after it.

When the cow knife juniper saw that he had met a real wolf, he became frightened and begged Wu Tianxiao: "Master Wu." Wu Ye. Give me a knife, and I'll kill the pirates." ”