Weihai Acropolis, the lobby of the general's house.

Although the attack plan has been confirmed, Xu Hongji, who is cautious by nature, still asked Simeno again: "Is there a big storm on Long Island?" Yesterday, the weather began to change suddenly, and the waves were as high as two meters when passing through Chengshan Point, have you considered this situation? ”

Simeno replied lightly: "Judging from the nautical charts issued, there are four large islands and more than a dozen islands and reefs to the north and west of Long Island, which just block the wind and waves in the north and east. ”

"According to our experience, the sea area west of Long Island is relatively calm waters, and the wind and waves are not too strong, which is very suitable for the mooring and resting of warships."

"More importantly, Long Island is only 7 kilometers away from Dengzhou, as long as Long Island is occupied, it can strike at the rebel fleet and the two batteries on the coastline at any time, and the rebel warships are not as good as our warships, and the rebel artillery is also very backward......"

"According to the judgment made by General Zhu in the report, the range of the rebels' artillery does not exceed 500 meters, while the effective range of our smallest 8-pounder naval guns and 12-pounder naval guns is 500 meters, 18-pounder naval guns are 800 meters, and 24-pounder naval guns are 1,200 meters, and it is completely possible to launch artillery fire outside the range of the rebel artillery."

"As long as the two artillery batteries on the coast are successfully destroyed, the sea passage of the rebels can be blocked in one fell swoop, and our combat mission will be completed."

"What if hundreds of rebel ships pour out to fight?" Zhang Gongwei asked.

Both Simeno and Vargas laughed, not knowing what to say to take care of the mood of the powerful marquis.

Calis, the former lieutenant of the Portuguese Navy and the current tactical instructor of the Freshwater Fleet, was an upright man, and he learned the official language very well, and when he saw that Simeno and Bagas were holding back very hard, he stood up and explained loudly:

"Your Excellency, Marquis, according to our understanding, and the experience gained over the years in the countries of the East. No one in the entire Ming Empire can surpass us in terms of tonnage, speed, firepower, and solidity, not even the huge fleet in Fujian, in the southeast of the Ming Empire. ”

"We have summed up the tactics of dealing with the siege of many small boats, and we can make full use of the superiority of naval guns, as well as the advanced flintlock pistols and powerful custom-thrown bombs equipped by the marines, to crush all enemies who dare to approach and delusionally want to board the ship to fight."

"We will be very happy if the fleet of the rebels in Dengzhou starts a naval battle with us. The children, who have been training each battleship for more than half a year, will also be very happy. ”

Zhang Gongwei, who didn't understand naval warfare, was speechless, Xu Hongji smiled and said to Zhang Gongwei that he agreed with Simeno and their opinion.

Zhang Gongwei immediately asked, "What should we do?" You can't let our 6,000 soldiers go with you to attack the tiny island of Long Island, right? ”

"That's right! And us, artillery and ammunition have been unloaded, what about 6 battalions of 3,000 brethren plus 73 field guns? Wu Jicheng, who was about to serve as the commander of Jinzhou Guard, also called.

Xu Hongji laughed: "What are you anxious about?" Rest for the night and march tomorrow...... Weihai to Dengzhou is less than 300 miles, with the new army's new algorithm seems to be 145 kilometers, with your marching ability to walk in three days. ”

Wu Jicheng quit: "How can this work?" The sailor will set off tomorrow and start early the day after tomorrow. We have so much baggage, and we haven't brought a single horse, I'm afraid we won't be able to get to Dengzhou after five days, even if we arrive in Dengzhou after five days, I'm afraid the war is over, and there's still a fart! ”

The generals laughed, and Xu Hongji was also happy, and after laughing, he felt that it was really a problem. He can ignore Wu Jicheng's complaints, but he can't ignore the feelings of his old brother Zhang Gongwei.

The Jiangnan Army Division led by Zhang Gongwei also carried a large number of artillery, ammunition and baggage. If the combined fleet really defeated the rebel naval division and destroyed the two batteries north of Shuicheng, and the rebels in Dengzhou City surrendered to Zhu Dadian in a panic, wouldn't Zhang Gongwei and his son, who had worked so hard to go north, come in vain?

So, the generals began to discuss how to solve the problem of marching, to see if there was a good way to get the combined fleet to seize the time to attack. It can also allow nearly 10,000 new soldiers to come to the city to participate in the battle.

Wu Jicheng was most anxious, fearing that his inability to participate in the battle and make meritorious contributions would affect his promotion to the post of commander of the Jinzhou Guard, so he loudly suggested: "The naval division will rest for two days before setting off, and our land division will hurry up early tomorrow morning." Strive to arrive in Dengzhou within three days. ”

"No! Who knows what the weather will look like in two days? ”

Zhao Shengwu, a general under Xu Hongji, refused, and Simeno and Vargas echoed it, and also brought out Zhu Daolin's prediction that there might be a snowstorm in early December.

In the end, Zhao Deyi, who was young and unappreciated, came up with a solution, he pointed to the map and said loudly:

"I don't think it's as good as this, the land division carries artillery and enough ammunition to fight a battle overnight on the transport ship, and the grain and grass baggage and baggage battalions, the craftsman battalion, and the two cavalry battalions without war horses that have been unloaded will escort the baggage to Dengzhou by land tomorrow morning, and all the warships will bring 3,000 marines to fight Changdao, and the transport ships will transport the new army here...... Red Rock Mountain, 7 kilometers east of Dengzhou City! ”

"I heard Brother Daolin say that the sea in the area of Hongshi Mountain is deep, and it is completely possible to put down Lu Shi in this bay, if you agree, I will lead the scout team to rush back to Dengzhou overnight, even if the road is slower, I can arrive at noon tomorrow, and notify Brother Daolin, who is stationed in the camp at the mouth of the river, to come and pick up the boat, so that there will be no delay on both sides."

Wu Jicheng and other generals applauded, three cavalry battalion commanders and two baggage battalion commanders shouted against it, and more than ten generals and colonels of the combined fleet immediately got together to discuss, and finally thought that this was the best solution at present.

After a solemn discussion between Xu Hongji and Zhang Gongwei, Zhang Deyi's opinion was adopted, and the generals in the hall immediately took action regardless of whether they were happy or frustrated, and the materials that had not been unloaded continued to remain on the ship, and the artillery and ammunition that had been unloaded were loaded on the ship again.

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Outside the west gate of the Acropolis, bonfires are blazing and torches are held high.

The 12 elites of the scout team were all wrapped in thick cotton coats and cotton hats, one person and two horses stood solemnly on both sides, Zhang Gongwei looked at his youngest son Zhang Deyi wearing a cotton hat and a cotton coat, and suddenly found that his son had grown up, and the fine yellow fluff on his lips had turned into a thick black mustache.

Zhang Dezhong checked his brother's tight broad belt again, and whispered to pay attention to safety and not to go too fast.

Zhang Deyi smiled and said that there was not a single star in the sky, and he couldn't be as fast as he wanted, and then fastened the ear guard of Lei Feng's hat, took a step back, stood side by side, saluted his father and eldest brother with a new army salute, turned around and got on his horse without hesitation, and led two guards and scouts to beat the horse and leave.

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