Luke stood in the bridge of the Loyalty, and the sea in front of him and to the left and right was full of other ships of the Anti-Smuggling Fleet in the Cape District. Under the clouds, the sailors on deck prepared for the shelling, loading the smoothbore gun charge in front of a door and then being pushed out of the gun door.

It's just that the firing range of this type of artillery is very close, with a maximum firing range of 2,000 meters, which is more than three times different from the main guns of the "first machine" class. Fortunately, there are a lot of such smoothbore guns, and a battleship can be loaded with 30 to 40 guns, and once it enters the firing range, it will really rain down bullets.

Luke picked up his binoculars and activated the Thunder Fire Pupil to observe the glorious island in the distance. The "Loyalty" continued to bombard the sea in front of the port of Brilliant Island, and although the splashing water column was not dense, it made the port area even more chaotic.

Anyone who begs for a living at sea knows what shelling at such a distance means. Not to mention that there is no ship at sea that can confront a ship equipped with such a range of artillery, even the shore defense battery of Brilliant Island can only be passively beaten in the face of this kind of artillery.

As long as the opponent has enough shells, they can block the outside of all the firepower on the island of Glory, and call the targets in the harbor and the island one by one.

Now all the people of Brilliant Island can do is to get the ship out of here as much as possible, and even if they can't run, stay away from the mooring area of the Saxon engineering fleet.

The anti-smuggling fleet in Haijiao District waved warning flags and headed for Brilliant Island at full speed. The two steam airships that followed the fleet's movements flew past the group of ships and towards the palace on the hilltop of Brilliant Island.

Lady Tasia stood by Luke's side, her binoculars staring at all the targets on the island that might threaten her fleet.

"Chief Inspector, we have entered the range of the Brilliant Island Shore Defense Battery, and the other side has not attacked."

In the entire sea area of Brilliant Island, there was no other sound except for the shelling of the "Loyalty" every once in a while. 5,000 meters is the limit of the range of land-based artillery on Brilliant Island, and there is no movement in the fort of Gongwei Harbor.

Luke said, "Baron Jeff is a smart fellow. The fleet continued to advance, and when it reached the attack position, it concentrated all its firepower on the attack, giving the Saxon engineering fleet no chance. ”

"Yes, Chief Inspector." Lady Tasia gave the order through the pipeline communication system, and then said to Luke worriedly: "I still suggest that you and the Loyalty stop at the edge of the extreme range of the Brilliant Island Shore Defense Battery, and I will go to the Coral Reef and lead the fleet to attack. ”

Luke knew that Lady Tasia was worried that the Isle of Glory would not be able to withstand the blackmail and offer of the Saxon project.

Although the "Loyalty" has strong defensive capabilities, if the other side goes to the shit luck and hits an important position, the steel battleship will be hit hard.

Luke, on the other hand, said lightly, "If the Loyalty stops, the chances of the Isle of Glory attacking us will only increase." Instead, as long as the Loyalty keeps charging and rushes into the harbor of Brilliant Island.

I think the clever Baron Jeff will definitely withstand all the pressure. ”

Lady Tasia asked puzzled, "Why?" ”

Luke looked at the island that was getting closer and closer in front of him, and said, "The army doesn't need to know why, you can win this war with the fleet." ”

"Yes, Chief Inspector."

As the distance closed, the four Adonis-class steam warships in front of the anti-smuggling fleet in the Cape District launched an artillery bombardment on the Saxon engineering fleet that had entered the firing range. The fleet continued to advance, and in order to exert all the firepower of the entire fleet, it was best to stretch the artillery bombardment distance to within a thousand meters.

The warships of the Saxon engineering fleet were still lying on the docks, and smoke was rising from the chimneys of some of them. They wanted to get on the ground and intercept the approaching surprise fleet.

Cannonballs fell from the air. The ships are densely moored, so that the hit rate of the shelling is extremely high, as long as the shells are shot, they can always hit something.

The deck was full of panicked sailors, and many of them simply abandoned the ship and ran away from the dock.

On the palace at the top of the hill, Baron Jeff stared at the fleet from the sea with a telescope. His eyes were full of the glittering metal battleship, and his eyes seemed to fly through the telescope.

"It's so beautiful! No matter how much it costs, I'm going to buy one. ”

The old butler came to Jeff's side again: "Master, Captain Jonas is still waiting outside. He said......"

Jeff turned his head to look over, "What did he say?" ”

"If you don't come to the rescue of his fleet, you will completely offend the Saxon project. You will lose all privileges in this area, and the Cabinet will push the Empire to reclaim Brilliant Island and build it as an Imperial naval base. ”

Faced with this threat, Jeff had to reconsider his position.

He asked the butler, "What would my father do if he were still alive?" ”

"Always on the side of the winners. Remain neutral when you don't know who will win. ”

Jeff laughs, "It sounds simple, but it's hard to do. Now I have to make a choice, just who will be the winner? ”

The old butler looked out to sea.

The all-metal steam warship unexpectedly increased its speed, moving from the tail of the fleet to the forward position of the fleet, like a charging knight, and the momentum was unstoppable.

"Master, do you think there is something on the ocean that can stop this battleship now?"

"One-to-one, no. But with some special tactics, or by concentrating a large number of warships to besiege it, it can still be defeated. ”

"If not one, but a fleet of all such warships?"

Jeff looked back at the all-metal battleship.

"I see what you mean...... An all-metal battleship is not terrible, what is terrible is that the anti-smuggling fleet in the Cape District does not cherish it. The Cape of Angry Waves must have mastered its manufacturing technology and was able to build it in large quantities.

Brilliant Island belongs to the ocean, and we must have a good relationship with those who master this technology.

Captain Jonas please. ”

The old butler was a little puzzled: "Master, ......what do you mean?"

"It's a great place to see. Anyway, it's useless for Captain Jonas to return to the fleet, so it's better to admire this battleship that opens a new era of the seas here. I think the Saxion Project understands our struggles...... If they don't understand, it's not good for them.

The glorious island is mine, and no one can take it away. ”

After the old housekeeper figured it out, he said happily: "The master will definitely be able to earn more wealth than the old master." ”

Jeff took a sip of his wine: "I've earned more than him." The airship of the anti-smuggling fleet in the Cape District is almost here, so please come here as well. ”

"Yes, master."

After a while, Captain Jonas was led by the butler to the terrace. Dressed in a scruffy and dazed state, after an anxious glance at the situation in the harbor, he ordered Jeff: "On behalf of the Saxon project, I demand that the Isle of Glory be immediately attacked by the invading enemy fleet. ”

Jeff brought a glass, slowly poured the wine and stuffed it into Captain Jonas' hand.

"Captain, the other party is the Anti-Smuggling Fleet of the Cape District, which is subordinate to the General Intelligence Bureau of Angry Waves City. Attacking them on the Isle of Glory is a betrayal and a declaration of war against the Empire. ”

Captain Jonas threw his glass down the patio with a flick of his hand.

"No matter how powerful the General Intelligence Bureau of Angry Waves City is, it will not attack the fiefdom of the Imperial Baron at will. The incoming fleet was not the anti-smuggling fleet of the Cape District at all, they were impersonated by pirates.

Destroy them, protect the assets of the Saxon Project, and the Isle of Splendor will be rewarded in ways you never dared to imagine. Baron, don't try to provoke the Saxon Project, Lord Gabriel, the Prime Minister of the Imperial Cabinet, will not watch the Saxon Engineering fleet fall away. ”

"Calm down, Captain Jonas." Jeff waved the woman sitting on the throne away, and he sat down to drink, his face showing drunkenness: "Do you look at the sea and think that even with the support of Brilliant Island, your fleet can avoid the fate of destruction?"

If I had ordered my men to attack the fleet at sea, the shells of that all-metal steam battleship would have hit me in the face. It's not that I won't help you, it's that I can't protect myself. ”

In the face of Jeff's prevarication, Captain Jonas said, "Make an offer!" ”

"It's not about money, my life is priceless."

Captain Jonas stepped forward to threaten again, but the old butler immediately stood between him and Jeff. He warned, "Captain, please know what this place is!

And you are facing a baron canonized by Augustine the Great himself, do not be rude. ”

Captain Jonas had no choice but to step back: "I'm sorry, Lord Baron. Once again, I beg for your support, and the Saxon Project will compensate you for all your losses and reward you for your efforts. ”

At this moment two airships flew in and landed under the command of the palace guards.

Jeff said, "The chief inspector of the meteorite is here, let's hear the purpose of the other party's visit first." ”

"But......" Captain Jonas looked in the direction of the harbor, and the Cape District anti-smuggling fleet approached quickly. And those merchant converted battleships were turning, aiming their broadside guns at the ships of the Saxon project on the dock.

Jeff stopped talking, just took a sip of wine.

A bottle of wine was quickly drunk by him.

A group of spies dressed in the uniform of the Secret Intelligence Bureau approached, led by Karina.

Karina saluted Jeff, "Good day, Lord Baron." She is Karina, the confidential secretary of the Chief Detective of the Meteorite General Bureau of the Secret Intelligence Bureau of Fury Waves, and I have come to negotiate with you on the orders of the Chief Inspector.

The purpose of our military operation is only to threaten the pirate fleet in Haijiao Harbor, and we have no intention of offending Brilliant Island.

After the pirates are eliminated, the Secret Intelligence Bureau of Raging Waves will compensate us in full for the damage caused. ”

After saying that, Karina presented her documents, as well as the official document signed and stamped by the General Intelligence Bureau of Angry Waves City.

Jeff gave the pretty Karina a few more looks, then took the document and looked at it carefully.

Jonas looked at Jeff nervously, if he admitted that the official document was true, it was the fleet that endured the sea was the Cape District Anti-Smuggling Fleet. Brilliant Island cannot openly attack the fleet of the Imperial Intelligence Bureau for the sake of a private fleet.

After reading it, Jeff handed the official document to the butler, and then asked Karina, "Is there only compensation?" ”

Karina smiled: "The other conditions are not something I can agree. But our Chief Inspector is aboard the Loyalty, and he will be on the island after the battle to discuss with you the next joint naval operations on Fishbone and Brilliant Island. ”

"He's on the Loyalty, is that the all-metal steam battleship?" Jeff was a little surprised by the meteor's arrival, but he still didn't admit the meteorite's identity.

'Yes!' The Loyalty is the lead ship of the 'First Engine' class capital ship designed by Chief Inspector Meteorite and built by Ibor Shipyard. As soon as the construction of the 'Loyalty' was completed, it was transferred to the anti-smuggling fleet in the Cape District to participate in the military operation to suppress piracy.

After this long-distance voyage and actual combat, the Ibur shipyard improved the design of the 'First Engine' class capital ship, and it was ready to receive orders for mass production. ”

Karina seduces Jeff according to Luke's confession when he came.

Jeff couldn't help but hold up his binoculars and look at the "Loyalty" at sea, only to understand why this all-metal battleship was so dazzling.

It turned out to be built in a hurry, and even the paint was not painted.

One can't help but sigh at the boldness of the chief inspector of the meteorite, and also at the reliability of the design of the "first machine", and of course, the strong shipbuilding capacity of the Ibur shipyard.

The more Jeff looked at it, the more he loved it, and the more he wanted to have it.

However, even if the capital ships of the "First Machine" class are mature and can be built in batches, they are not available on Brilliant Island.

Money can't buy it.

According to the normal situation, it is estimated that it will take more than ten years to own such a warship...... Or decades later.

Jeff thought of what Karina had just said.

"You say, Chief Detective Meteorite wants to talk to me...... What's next joint maritime military operation between Fishbone Island and Brilliant Island?

What a military operation. ”

When Jeff called out Chief Detective Meteor, Captain Jonas closed his eyes.

At sea, the anti-smuggling flotilla of the Cape District launched a full-scale artillery attack on the Saxon engineering fleet. A salvo of hundreds of guns of various types from more than 30 ships can rain tons of shells at stationary Saxon engineering ships.

Everyone in the port watched the one-sided massacre, and they all saw the shining "Loyalty" up close.

This is the first time that an all-metal steam battleship has been shown in a naval battle.

Karina also saw the scene in the harbor, and even though she didn't understand naval warfare, she could see that the advantage was on her side. Next, it's up to you to see if you can remove this last possible danger for the chief inspector.

I will not disappoint the Chief Inspector's expectations of me.

Karina showed her confidence and the momentum of an imperial agent, and replied to Jeff, "We are imperial agents, and all our actions are aimed at maintaining the stability and security of the empire. The seas, which are now under the control of the Empire, are being challenged on all fronts.

Chief Inspector Meteorite believes that not all maritime affairs need to be done by the Imperial Navy. Private maritime armed forces can play a greater and greater role in safeguarding the Empire's maritime interests......"

Karina's words came to an abrupt end here, as this was all Luke had said to her.

But in Jeff's ears, there was a vast blueprint.

How did old Jeff get his fortune?

It was the opportunity to seize the Empire's invasion of the Republic of Leo.

Now the Republic of Leo, which is developing rapidly, is speeding up the construction of its navy, and Brilliant Island has long felt the pressure from the direction of Leo.

The Chief Inspector of Meteorite is the eldest princess's person, and his meaning is obviously that the empire intends to support private maritime forces, and on the basis of maintaining normal diplomatic relations with Leo, suppress the rising strength of Leo's navy.

Jeff said to Captain Jonas, "Your Excellency, I am very eager to meet with Chief Inspector Meteor now, can you surrender first?" ”

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