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In the Pacific Ocean, a large fleet is riding the waves. It was a huge fleet of hundreds of ships, surrounded by 12 steam warships emitting black smoke, and in the center were the transports and merchant ships that transported marines. This fleet was the one that set out from China to go on an expedition to Japan. This time, the operation was personally commanded by Lieutenant General Sun Hao, chief of operations of the General Staff Headquarters.

In the bridge of the cruiser "Shang Tang", Vice Admiral Sun Hao, Vice Admiral Wei Yong, commander of the 1st Fleet, and Major General Zhang Shun, commander of the 1st Marine Brigade, were discussing the next battle plan. In addition, the pirate leader Cui Apo is also in the bridge. Along the way, it was the guidance of Cui Apu's pirates that enabled the Chinese Navy's fleet to go to Japan smoothly. As pirates active in this area, Cui Apu and others are very familiar with the sea conditions here.

"Generals, we've already crossed the Kii Peninsula, and in two days, we'll be in Edo Bay." Cui Apu said to Lieutenant General Sun Hao and others. Along the way, Cui Apu has gained a deeper understanding of China's army. At the beginning, he was forced by the Xinhua Army and had to accept Xinhuaguo's recruitment, and it was impossible to say that there were no complaints in his heart. However, in just a few years, Xinhua has defeated so many powerful countries, and even the Western powers have been beaten to the ground, and it has occupied half of Chinese mainland. This made Cui Apu full of awe of the Xinhua Kingdom and the now established Chinese Empire, and he did not dare to be presumptuous. Plus these steam warships of the Chinese Navy. He was even more shocked. Although his pirate group roams the seas, he will not end much better if he fights the Chinese navy. The Chinese Navy can be like pinching an ant to death. Pinch them all to death lightly.

"Lieutenant Colonel Cui, then I'm sorry for you. When we conquer Japan, I will ask His Majesty the Emperor for credit. Lieutenant General Sun Hao said with satisfaction. Although Cui Apu is a pirate, he is famous in China's military intelligence bureau and has the rank of lieutenant colonel.

"General, this is what I should do. As a citizen of the Empire, I should contribute to the strength of the Viscount for the strength of the Empire! Cui Apu straightened his waist. Said sternly.

"Very good, this is the style of an imperial soldier!" Vice Admiral Wei Yong, commander of the Navy's 1st Fleet, also said.

"But, Lieutenant Colonel Choi. Pirates don't last long. Perhaps, you should think about it for your people. Lieutenant General Wei Yong said suddenly. His words made Cui Apu's face change greatly.

"General, is the Empire ready to destroy us?" Cui Apu asked with some panic. in his head. A word appeared. That is 'unloading the mill and killing the donkey', and it is obvious that when China takes Japan, they will be useless as pirates. After losing their effect, what will happen to them, then you can imagine.

"Haha, Lieutenant Colonel Cui, where do you think you have gone? How could our empire do such a thing? Not to mention that you are still one of the soldiers of our empire. General Wei meant. We laid down the seas of the entire East Asia after Japan. What is needed is peace. The Imperial Navy will not tolerate the continued existence of pirates. Whether it is supported by ourselves or those who are already in the zone, we cannot continue to stay in this sea. After all, the empire needed a stable environment to develop foreign trade. The pirate's existence will affect the economic development of the empire! Lieutenant General Sun Hao explained. The reason why Xinhua supported Cui Apu and others in the past was to let them rob Japan and North Korea, on the one hand, to weaken the strength of the two countries, and on the other hand, to raise military funds for Xinhua's army. In the past few years, the military of Xinhua has also gotten a lot of money. Of course, all this money is used to invest in the research and development of new weapons, or to compensate for the wounded and wounded soldiers, etc.

Cui Apu nodded, he understands this big truth. In any dynasty, only in troubled times, they pirates have room to survive. Once they enter the era of peace and prosperity, the government will not tolerate them to exist. Although East Asia is far from entering the era of peace and prosperity, the Chinese Empire is becoming stronger and stronger, and sooner or later it will unify the whole of East Asia. Now, they pirates should have made plans in advance.

Over the years, Cui Apu's pirate group has also made a lot of money. If you don't wash your hands now, these pirates will be able to at least become rich when they return home. However, these pirates have long been accustomed to a free life. If I go back to live a peaceful life all of a sudden, I'm afraid it will be a little uncomfortable. Cui Apu himself is a little reluctant to give up his current life, although it is a little dangerous, but this kind of freedom, unrestrained, is not exactly what they yearn for?

Perhaps seeing Cui Apu's hesitation, Vice Admiral Wei Yong, commander of the 1st Fleet of the Chinese Navy, said: "Lieutenant Colonel Cui, you should think about it carefully, and you don't need to make a decision now." Anyway, there will be some time before we take Japan. Of course, it's not impossible if you want to continue to be a pirate. ”

"General Wei? Will we still be able to continue to be pirates? Cui Apu's face was happy, and he hurriedly asked. If he could, of course he wouldn't give up on his current life. Although this kind of knife licking blood days may kill at any time, but this kind of business without capital is a huge profit! Otherwise, they would not have amassed a huge fortune in such a short period of time.

"Of course, the world's oceans are so vast, in addition to East Asia and the South Sea, there are also Western oceans. The waters west of the Strait of Malacca are still dominated by foreigners. There are also a lot of Western pirates there, and you can kill them, and grab territory with those Western pirates, and rob their cargo ships. Of course, according to the old rules, the Imperial Navy will provide you with convenience, even some protection. But you still can't do anything to the Empire's merchant ships, and half of the proceeds will go to the Empire. If one day the Empire takes control of the west of the Strait of Malacca, you will have to withdraw from that sea as well. Lieutenant General Wei Yong continued.

Cui Apu fell into deep thought, he knew that Lieutenant General Wei Yong's meaning was very clear, that is, to use them to attack Western countries. It will definitely be very dangerous to go to a strange sea to make a living. Not only will you encounter ferocious enemies, but also unfamiliar sea conditions. His pirate group will surely suffer heavy casualties. In addition, once the Chinese navy's sphere of influence expands there, they will have to withdraw again. It can be said that it is completely equivalent to giving the Chinese Navy a forward station. The only good thing is that they can continue to be pirates until the day they don't want to.

"General, wait until I go back and discuss it with my brothers, and then make a decision!" Cui Apu said. Although he has a lot of words among pirates, he still has to fully consider the opinions of his subordinates. If you keep talking about it, it's likely that something will go wrong.

"Hmmm! Lieutenant Colonel Choi, at least you have to make it clear to your brothers. Those who are willing to continue to be pirates go to the Indian Ocean on the same terms as before. If you don't want to continue to live this life, let them return to China and live a dull life! Lieutenant General Wei Yong said.

"Yes, General, I will respect the will of every brother." Cui Apu nodded. Of course, he himself has already made up his mind and is ready to continue his adventure. He is only forty years old now, and he can at least be able to gallop on the sea for more than ten years. When you are old and can't do it anymore, wash your hands again.

After solving this problem, everyone turned their minds to the war that was about to begin. In two days, the fleet will arrive at Edo Bay, which later became known as Tokyo Bay. At that time, the 1st Fleet of the Chinese Navy will open fire on the Japanese coastal defense positions, and after clearing the obstacles, cover the landing of the marines.

This time, the main target of the Chinese* army was the Edo shogunate. And Edo, located on the edge of Edo Bay, was the intended target of the Chinese* army. There, the vast majority of the Edo shogunate's army was assembled, and after capturing Edo, it was possible to destroy most of the Edo shogunate's strength. When the time comes, after the arrival of the two subsequent infantry armies, they can launch a war of destruction against Japan. Although there are now only three Marine brigades fighting with the fleet, there should be no problem in capturing Edo.

At this moment, Edo has fallen into turmoil and unrest. Tokugawa Iekei, the shogunate, ordered the shogunate's army to begin gathering in preparation for the Chinese* army in Edo. Of course, going to war is only a last resort, and if you can shake hands and make peace, even if it costs a certain price, then it is okay. For this reason, the old Nakabe Masahiro, who was in charge of foreign affairs, was ordered to wait at the southern tip of the Boso Peninsula, and as soon as he discovered the Chinese navy's fleet, he immediately went to negotiate with the Chinese, hoping to change the plans of the Chinese side and thus avoid war.

The samurai of the Tokugawa family have already begun to assemble in Edo. They carried their own katanas, ready to defend the glory of the samurai with the blood of their enemies, or their own. As the samurai who were supported by the Tokugawa family, it was time for them to be loyal to the Tokugawa family. Of course, these samurai basically don't know the power of the Chinese* army. They sit in the well and watch the sky, thinking that they are already the most powerful in the world. Only after the battle starts will they feel that they are so ridiculous.

On July 18, 1844, the Chinese navy's fleet arrived outside Edo Bay, and as long as it was connected to the Guò Uraga waterway, it was able to enter Edo Bay and launch a direct attack on Edo! (To be continued......)