Chapter 885: Long Live the Ming Empire!

The weak body of the "Lin Yun" cruiser with a displacement of 1,300 tons advanced in the rain of bullets, and as the first battleship, at this time the captain Daniel Zhang had no choice but to rush forward against the fire of dozens of battleships on the opposite side. The number of corsairs on the opposite side has been increasing, and the visual inspection has exceeded fifty. The "Linyun" continued to fire heavily with four 75 cannons in front, and at the same time was constantly battered with solid bullets from the swarming enemy ships. Click, click, the wooden hull was constantly hit, but the "Lin Yun" was constantly moving forward. After the "200 meters" signal soldier let out a shout, he fell from the high mast and smashed the deck, blood spilled from the corners of his mouth, and there was no more life, but a pair of eyes were still looking ahead.

The substitute sailors climbed up without hesitation and stuck to their posts. The bulky Montini machine gun rang out violently at this time, and on the deck of a warship opposite, a bloody storm suddenly set off. The "pirate ship" that rushed to the front was instantly killed and wounded on the deck, and the power of the two Montini machine guns was so great that the opponent was not prepared for such a sharp weapon at all.

The distance was already very close, but the "Lin Yun" continued to rush forward, and it could not stop, and once it stopped, the fleet behind it would be destroyed. The battleship rushed directly into the enemy group, the rain of bullets flew in, the two 75 guns in the bow were smashed over, seven or eight soldiers were put down, and the other two were still spewing tongues of fire. An enemy ship on top of the muzzle was hit by four shells, one dead and wounded, and the entire superstructure was washed. The hull is crumbling, and the shipwreck is not far away. But the "Lin Yun" was no better, and the captain Daniel Zhang picked up a rifle and squatted on the side of the ship to shoot. The rudder has been broken, and the battleship is spinning in place, but fortunately, at this time, the exit is no longer blocked, and he can fight to his heart's content, and Daniel Zhang can be regarded as benevolent.

Five merchant ships rushed out and fiercely counterattacked with two 75 mountain guns in the bow. At this time, there is only one way forward, and to go back is to die. Everyone showed up in the combat positions, even the bosses of the merchant ships, they all shot with rifles, and as long as they rushed out, they had a chance.

The "Lin Yun" was still fighting, the hull was half submerged in water, and a 75 mountain gun in the bow of the ship was still roaring.

"Issuing the flag. Long live the Ming Empire. Daniel Zhang, who was covered in blood, closed his eyes after giving the last order. A shotgun pierced his stomach, leaving his intestines on the ground. The deck was covered with pools of blood, and there was no place to put your feet, but everyone continued to fight as if they hadn't seen it. Boom, another shot out. An enemy ship on the opposite side suddenly burst into flames, and there was a violent earthquake. The gunpowder exploded, tearing the battleship to shreds in an instant.

The mast had been broken, and the sailors had erected a navy red flag with a penny embroidered with the Great Wall. In the rain of bullets, the sailors waved the red flag vigorously. The body of the "Lin Yun" was seriously tilted, but the sailors clung to the railing with one hand to prevent the red flag from falling. The ship, still sinking, the soldiers with rifles in their hands. Still shooting at a time.

A merchant ship was set on fire, its hull was seriously tilted, and the captain ordered the flag: "Long live the Ming Empire, long live the Lin Yun." ”

All the ships hung up the red flag embroidered with the Great Wall, and the signal soldiers struggled to keep it steady, issuing the flag: "Long live the Ming Empire, long live the Lin Yun". Rushing forward, one ship after another, under intensive artillery bombardment, fought back, and rushed forward with all their might. The battered flagship "Bombay" rushed out of the strait, and at this time, the sea was full of fragments of warships. Fierce battles were still going on ahead, battleships were fighting, merchant ships were fighting, trying to break out of the enemy's encirclement, but all these efforts seemed to have no practical effect at the moment.

Five of the twelve merchant ships had sunk, five battleships had sunk one, and the rest were all wounded and still fighting to themselves. The situation of the enemy ships was even worse, and in the face of the heavy fire of the new cannons, the wooden hull was a big hole once it was shot. Despite this, the fleet was still facing a huge crisis, it was a premeditated ambush, and the number of enemy warships continued to increase.

After hurriedly recording what happened today in the captain's logbook, and packed it in a closed box, Shi Guorui walked out of the captain's room. Stand in the most conspicuous position and calmly give command orders. "Don't let Lin Yun and the other brother ships die in vain, keep the formation and rush forward, rushing out of one counts as one, rushing out is victory."

At this order, the three merchant ships in front took the initiative to leave the course and moved to the sides, sending a flag: "The hull is seriously damaged, we will fight until the last moment." At this time, Shi Guorui's most painful thing is the equipment on the ship, some of the large-scale equipment are the latest products, and it is his responsibility to transport them safely to the place.

The battle began at nine o'clock in the morning and continued until four o'clock in the afternoon, and finally the sound on the battlefield gradually became inaudible. "Bang!" The last movement came from a battleship with only the mast visible, a red flag still fluttering at the top, and an officer holding the mast in one hand, bleeding from the corners of his mouth, smiling, firing the last bullet. It's a pity that this is a revolver, with only six bullets, and it is a little less powerful. So, at the last moment, a bullet went through his temple.

The fleet was completely destroyed, and in order to annihilate this fleet, Spain joined forces with Portugal and paid the price of sixteen battleships sunk and thirty-six heavily damaged. When the last battleship was sunk, it had already rushed to Malta, but here the battleship, which could not run fast at all, was caught up and sunk. The only thing to be thankful for was that just last night, a small boat was lowered, and two soldiers quietly rowed away. Fortunately, the boat docked smoothly, and the two soldiers walked along the coastline for a month, and finally successfully delivered the news to Egypt.

Louis XIV, who received the news first, immediately sent a signal of goodwill to England. This ambitious emperor was well aware of the consequences of the Ming Empire's anger. The British, too, were shocked by the news and quickly accepted the French goodwill. At this time, Europe suddenly felt the feeling of being dragged into hell by two fools. The reason why Portugal and Spain made such a move is actually very simple, the point is that the Suez Canal, once completed, the status of the Strait of Gibraltar as the throat of the Mediterranean Sea will be reduced by half. Meanwhile. The route to the Cape of Good Hope in Africa will become history. It soon became clear to both Britain and France that it was not only Spain and Portugal that were involved in this battle, but also the Netherlands. This small country, which has always had a good relationship with the Ming Dynasty, why did it also get involved?

In fact, the reason is very simple, the position of the Netherlands at sea has basically declined. This is the reason why the sea coachman provoked Daming. Only by defeating the Ming Dynasty will the Netherlands have a chance to regain its hegemony at sea. This is an unrealistic dream, but the Netherlands, which is also a European maritime power, has not thought about the question of whether it is realistic at all, and more opinions are focused on the "yellow peril".

The "shadow", who has been active in Europe, got the news one step ahead of Suez, and when it was transmitted back to Herosmangra, it was only half a month before the end of the battle. The European fleet sounded the alarm as soon as possible, and Yao Qisheng, Minister of Foreign Affairs Plenipotentiary in Europe. The order was given to fill all the fleets with supplies, all the personnel boarded, and the fleet immediately set off for the Americas, bypassing South America for the Ming colonies in North America. The European fleet of Angra Sansírísmo is not very strong, but it also has two steam ironclads, eight sail ships, and two domestic merchant ships moored here, making a total of twelve ships. Once you've filled up your supplies, drop everything you don't need. Set sail and leave immediately. The fleet didn't even bombard Herosport, and Yao Qisheng strictly ordered Ye Hai not to waste ammunition.

After three days and three nights, the fleet with full supplies left, and in order to ensure the endurance of the steam warships, two armed merchant ships were filled with coal. Yes, three European countries suffered heavy losses in the sneak attack. It was not possible to lay siege to the European fleet as soon as possible. Britain, which was originally very strong, chose to wait and see, while France hoped to reap the benefits, but quietly exported arms to the three countries, and did not intend to send warships to get involved.

After the successful escape of the European fleet. Britain, the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal officially announced their alliance with the Maritime Alliance, and Sweden, a Nordic country, announced its entry into the alliance after vacillating for half a month. France, on the other hand, continued to waver for a month, and then similarly announced its membership in the alliance. The purpose of the alliance was to provide assistance in the event of an attack on their overseas colonies and homeland. The Ottoman Turkish Empire, which had always been the great enemy of Europe, also extended an olive branch, but European countries rejected this signal out of concern considerations.

On a sweltering afternoon, the air seemed to be stagnant, and in the silent Chancellery, everyone walked with caution. A clerk was called to the courtyard in front of him, and when he saw his lady looking in the courtyard, he hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Madam, why are you here?" ”

"I'm not coming? How could I not come? What's the big deal? Need you to keep watch for three days and three nights? Look at your clothes stink. No matter how anxious you are about the big thing, you can't forget to ask the family to send someone to say no? The woman's mouth tightened quickly, and she crackled. The man repeatedly, "Woman, my lady, tap, tap." ”

Seeing him, the woman asked in a low voice, "What, something really happened?" The man said in a low voice: "When it comes to military affairs, don't leak secrets." You hurry back, I'll go back after I'm busy in the next few days. ”

As he was talking, someone behind him spoke: "Go back, things are almost done here, and it's been hard these days." This lady, because of official business, your husband and wife can't see each other for many days, Chen Xie can't compensate you. ”

The couple turned their heads and were stunned when they heard the sound, Chen Xie, the first person in power today, was smiling and talking. Immediately, the man was ashamed and couldn't raise his head, and said in a loud voice: "Xiangye, in the opinion of the clumsy woman, don't blame you." His wife also hurriedly said: "I have seen Xiangye, the slave family does not know anything, and I haven't seen it home for a few days, so I found it in a hurry." It's all to blame for this person who killed a thousand knives, and he didn't know how to bring a word home if he had something. The slave family is disgraced. ”

Chen Xie waved his hand and smiled: "Don't get in the way, don't get in the way, it's not easy for your family to be a father-in-law, for three days in a row, all kinds of data have to be calculated by them." At this time of national crisis, not only he has worked so hard, but you have also made great contributions. Without you guarding the old and young at home, he would not be able to serve the country with peace of mind. ”

As he was talking, the guards came, the carriage was ready, Chen Xie waved goodbye, and hurriedly went out. The woman looked at her back and said, "Obediently, I see the living." I've heard he's 80 years old, right? looks much younger than the old man at home. This Chen Xiangye, I'm afraid it's really the reincarnation of the stars in the sky, right? ”

"What nonsense? I went to see the Nanjing Observatory, and the stars in the sky were all stars, just like the sun. Solar dwellers? Where did the gods and monsters come from? The man patted his chest and said a word, and the couple went out home together.

In the Capitol Building, all the members were absent, the scene was extremely depressing, and when Chen Xie appeared, there was a slight commotion at the scene. Chen Xie, who was standing on the podium, glanced back at Gu Yanwu, who was supposed to be recuperating at home but still insisted on being there, and after getting a nod of approval, he turned to everyone: "Honorable Mr. Speaker, honorable members of Congress. The content of today's speech is something that I and none of you want to happen. However, the incident did happen, and after repeated verification, it has now been determined that on the morning of seventy-six days ago, a fleet of the Ming Empire was attacked by a despicable sneak attack by European countries. The fleet and the fleet were completely destroyed, the Imperial Navy lost 2,000 heroes, and the Empire lost more than 5,000 good sons and daughters. So far, the exact losses have not been ascertained, but it is certain that only two heroes, carrying the hopes of all heroes, made the long journey back to Egypt. Here, I would like to call on all those present to observe a three-minute silence in memory of the heroes who fought until the very end. ”

Everyone stood up, even Gu Yanwu, who held on to the table and fought tremblingly.

"Rite over!" After three minutes, Chen Xie faced all the members of the National Assembly with a cold expression and a sonorous tone: "According to the explanation of Spanish diplomats, this is an act of piracy and has nothing to do with Spain. Well, the joke isn't funny at all. Here I would like to reiterate that the fact that the skull flag is a pirate joke on the warships of any maritime nation in Europe has actually always existed, and not just this time. According to investigations, six European countries, including England, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Sweden, have formed a so-called maritime alliance and formally signed it. What I want to emphasize here is that this is a conspiracy against the Ming Dynasty, as evidenced by the alliance of the six countries. This is not a war between the Ming Dynasty and any country, this is a war between the Ming Dynasty and the six European countries. ”

The scene erupted in thunderous applause, which lasted for a long time. Chen Xie signaled again and again, and the applause stopped. "Prior to this, the Cabinet had made great efforts to improve relations with European countries. To this end, we encouraged banks and merchants to deal with the French Empire, and even our merchants opened woolen mills in France....... (To be continued......)