Thinking of this, Shi Shibiao was bored for a while, and after looking at the bow of the ship for a while, he turned around and returned to his command cabin, staring at the large map of Europe on the wall, Portugal and Spain border, but the two countries belonged to different camps, Portugal was not only an anti-French alliance, but also signed an offensive and defensive alliance treaty with Britain.

Portugal would never give up its interests in Europe for the sake of trade in the Far East, that is to say, once Portugal learned of the coming of the South Sea Fleet, it would definitely turn its face and deny people. If Spain deliberately leaked the news of the arrival of the Nanyang Fleet to Portugal, the Nanyang Fleet would most likely be in a desperate situation and embattled.

The only hope is France, because the war for the Spanish throne is actually a game between Britain and France, as long as France is at a disadvantage, France will not hesitate to accept the South Sea Fleet as a strong reinforcement, after all, there is no conflict of interest between the Qing Dynasty and France, and there is no bad relationship before, and the possibility of an alliance is still very large, however, if France is in an advantage, it is difficult to say.

Will Spain deliberately leak the news of the coming of the South Sea Fleet to Europe? Shi Shilu's brows couldn't help frowning slightly, what are the benefits and disadvantages of leaking their situation to Spain?

Fu Anding also followed into the command cabin, and seeing Shi Shiyu staring at the map and pondering, he hesitated for a long time before he spoke: "Marshal, Portugal, Britain and the Netherlands are allies, since the Portuguese know that we are here, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands will soon know the news, so let's continue to stay here and wait for a response?" Hearing this, Shi Shibiao turned around and asked, "What do you think?" Speak up and listen. "I think that we have a deep grudge against Spain, and we should not place our hopes entirely in the hands of the Spaniards, and perhaps France will welcome us more." Fu An said loudly: "The fleet's firearms and ammunition are not supplied at present, and if we use one point, we will lose one point, and we cannot afford to consume large-scale naval battles, and it is not appropriate to conduct large-scale naval battles before getting supplies." Marked. We should take the initiative to go to the ports of France in the Bay of Biscay and take the initiative to engage with France. "France will definitely ally with us?" Shi Shibiao stared at him and asked. "As long as Louis XIV is not confused, he will never refuse to form an alliance with me." Fu Anding said confidently: "France and I have always been friendly in the Qing Dynasty, but now we are at a disadvantage, so there is no reason for him to refuse." Hearing this, Shi Shibiu's face sank, and he said with a solemn expression: "You are self-righteous. The situation in Europe is changing at any time, there are many examples of winning more with less, and defeating the strong with the weak, and we know the news at least a year ago, who knows what the situation is now? Hearsay is not enough to rely on, for the way of the general, the most taboo rash, now the South Sea Fleet is alone, a little careless. will be in a desperate situation, how can it be so arbitrary. Assertions? ”

Fu Anding's face turned red, and he hurriedly stood up and said: "The handsome teachings, mark it and keep it in mind." ”

"Prince Yong has arrived." The guards outside the door raised their voices to report.

As soon as he heard that Yinzhen had arrived, Shi Shiyu was slightly stunned, hurriedly adjusted the military uniform on his body and went out, and when he went out, he saw Yinzhen and Wu Sidao coming briskly one after the other, and he hurriedly stepped forward to salute a military salute. Said: "The last general has seen Prince Yong. ”

Yin Zhen nodded and said, "General Shi doesn't need to be polite. ”

A few people entered the room and sat down, and Yinzhen asked, "I heard that the incoming warship is Portuguese?" ”

"Prince Huiyong. It's a small Portuguese fleet, and the attack can't be talked about, it should be here to find out what we are doing. Shi Shiyu bowed and said: "The last general has ordered them to stop approaching, but the Portuguese have always had contacts with the Qing Dynasty, and the last general thinks that he can take this opportunity to find out about the changes in the war situation in Europe from the Portuguese." ”

Wu Sidao interjected at this time: "General Shi, since Portugal is here to inquire about the news, why don't you let them in and let them have a glimpse of what is going on?" ”

Give them a glimpse of what's going on? What do you mean? Shi Shiyu glanced at Wu Sidao, he had already heard of this somewhat lame master, and knew that Yinzhen relied on him very much, and after a little muttering, he said: "The Portuguese are renting land in Macao for business, and they know very well about the combat power of our Qing Navy, if we let them know the scale of the Nanyang Fleet, won't our strength be exposed?" ”

"The South Sea Fleet's expedition to Europe and hiding its strength can certainly achieve its unexpected effect, but at present, Spain's attitude is unclear, and France is not clear about our strength, so we should be appropriately flexible." Wu Sidao said eloquently: "Let Spain listen to our reality, first, it can show sincerity to find out their intentions, and second, it is also conducive to asking them about the current situation in Europe."

In addition, it is not a bad thing for the South Sea Fleet to fight a war in Europe first, and then to form an alliance with France, so that we can be highly valued, and only then can we have enough capital to ask for more benefits. ”

Fu Anding was reprimanded by Shi Shiwei for this matter, and immediately said: "Mr. Wu, we don't know the situation in Europe now, if France has the advantage, after we fight with Britain, the Netherlands, and Portugal, France will sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight, unwilling to form an alliance with us, wouldn't the Nanyang Fleet be embattled?" ”

Wu Sidao smiled slightly, and said lightly: "The expedition of the Nanyang Fleet to Europe is related to the century-old strategy of the Qing Dynasty, we can't retreat without a fight, the two generals also have an understanding of the history of Europe, in the past hundred years, European countries have fought one after another, and there is also a war and peace between countries, and the one who plots is to seek hegemony."

My homeland is tens of thousands of miles away, it is impossible to dominate Europe, for France, it is the best reinforcement, even if France now has an advantage, it cannot be an absolute advantage, as long as he has the ambition to dominate Europe, there is no reason not to ally with us. ”

Hearing this, Shi Shiyu couldn't help but secretly praise Wu Sidao for seeing it thoroughly, no matter whether France wins or loses, there is no reason to give up the strong reinforcement of the Qing Dynasty, and he was silent for a long time before he spoke: "Mr. Wu has insightful opinions, but before forming an alliance with France, I am not in favor of letting go of a war."

Britain's claim to be the number one maritime power in Europe is not a false name, but a reputation won by defeating the Dutch and French naval fleets in numerous naval battles.

Let go of a war, if the losses are too great, the gains outweigh the losses, let alone an alliance with France and Spain, Spain may even take the opportunity to retaliate and fall into the ground, I would rather return without success than take this risk. ”