The first detachment of the Black Sea, which left the military port of Odessa in a formation, finally arrived in the sea near the fortress of Sevastopol in the Crimea after a sailing of almost three hours.

At this time, on the lookout on the hillside of the Sevastopol fortress, the reconnaissance sailors without night blindness observed the situation on the sea through binoculars, and all foreign ships that were spotted would be conveyed by the sailors on the lookout to the defenders in the Sevastopol fortress and the navy in the port of Sevastopol, so that they could enter the state of war as soon as possible.

When the first detachment of the Black Sea approached the sea area of the Sevastopol fortress, it was immediately spotted by the reconnaissance sailors on the lookout.

Seeing this, the sailors immediately informed the major of his unit about the fleet's approach to the Sevastopol fortress, and the major, after hearing the sailors' report, immediately frowned and asked: "You mean that there is a fleet of unknown sources heading towards the Sevastopol fortress?" ”

"That's right! I saw it with my own eyes! The sailor swore to the major in response.

"Did you see the flags flying from the fleet?" The Major asked the sailor again.

After remembering for a moment, the sailor shook his head and said to the major: "No! The light on the sea surface is too dim, and you can only faintly see a warship approaching through the lookout glass! ”

"Okay!" The major regretted that the sailors did not find the flag flying on the warship, and immediately informed the Supreme Commander of Sevastopol, Nakhimov, of the news.

"What? A fleet is approaching? Nakhimov kicked the vodka bottle off the ground and asked him.

"According to the report of my soldiers...... "The major was only able to tell Nakhimov what the sailors had just told him.

"That's it! I know! Nakhimov nodded and said nonchalantly: "If nothing else, you can leave!" ”

"However, those fleets ......" the major was still a little worried about whether those fleets would be enemies.

"I have my own way!"

Later, Nakhimov called one of his junior captains and gave him an order to immediately go on a steam clipper to reconnoiter the situation.

"Yes!" After hearing this, the captain hurriedly responded and left the office.

"I don't know who dared to invade here so boldly!" Nakhimov sneered when he had explained all this, then slumped his legs down on the table and took a relaxed position to close his eyes and recuperate.

No one knew better than him the defensive capabilities of the fortress of Sevastopol, and even if it was really an attack by the Ottoman Empire, it would not be possible to attack the fortress with those things in the hands of the Ottoman Empire.

Nakhimov was not at all worried about the enemy fleet, he was only worried about the superiors sent from St. Petersburg.

After all, as the commander of the Eastern Command Fleet of the Black Sea Fleet, he was supposed to be monitoring and hunting the Ottoman Empire at sea on the fleet, but now he is huddled in the fortress of Sevastopol for pleasure, which is really a loss of military identity.

However, Nakhimov did not believe that St. Petersburg would send a superior in such a short period of time, and that it was just at a time when he was busy.

On the other hand, the captain, driven by Nakhimov, immediately after leaving the naval barracks, rushed to the military port of the Sevastopol fortress.

At this time, a large number of ships were docked in the military port, the number of which was comparable to that of the fleet led by Kornilov.

The captain who arrived at the military port quickly jumped onto a steam speedboat and rushed to the steam engine ship under his control at great speed.

The captain, who entered the deck of the steam-engine ship, did not say a word of nonsense, and immediately ordered the soldiers to start the steam engine and raise the sails.

The sailors of the steam ship began to move after hearing the captain's order, and under the clear moonlight, the steam ship gradually moved away from the military fortress of Sevastopol.

The steam ships that left the fortress of Sevastopol made a journey of about 10 minutes and soon arrived in front of the fleet group.

Through the clear moonlight, the captain could see the sign hanging from the top of the mast, which was not the other fleet responsible for patrolling the eastern part of the Black Sea.

Aren't they supposed to patrol the eastern shore of the Black Sea? How did it end up here?

Suspicious, the captain ordered his bannermen to ask for some information through the flag.

The Bannerman used the flag to ask the opposing ship, and after a while, the Flag Soldier on the opposing ship immediately responded to them in the flag.

The Flag Whisperer informed the captain of the situation, and the captain immediately said to the Flag Whisperer: "Let them follow us into the harbor!" ”

"Yes!" After receiving the order, the bannermen immediately left and delivered a simple message to the first Black Sea detachment.

The other party also used the flag language to show understanding.

The steam clipper was launched again, and behind him were the troops of the first detachment of the Black Sea.

Guided by a steam clipper, the fleet soon sailed to another military port southwest of Sevastopol.

All the ships of the steam clipper and the first branch of the Black Sea were moored in the crescent-shaped harbor.

Manned speedboats were placed at sea, and under Menshikov's orders, the entire fleet was left to rest in Sevastopol by speedboats, except for the necessary personnel.

Prince Menshikov and Vice Admiral Kornilov were naturally among them, and the speedboat slowly drove to the pier, where the captain who had just been in charge of guiding them stood at the pier early and waited for Vice Admiral Kornilov to arrive. (The captain did not know that Prince Menshikov was also on board)

As soon as Menshikov and Kornilov set foot on Sevastopol soil, the captain greeted Kornilov and another fellow he did not know (Menshikov).

"What about your chief? Where is he now? Menshikov did not save face at all in the face of the captain's overtures, and he angrily asked the captain about the position of Vice Admiral Nakhimov.

The captain looked at the old man in his 70s in front of him with an unkind expression, and then at Vice Admiral Kornilov.

"This is the commander-in-chief of the Crimea and the Caucasus, and from now on all naval and land forces will be under his control!" Kornilov said a word to the captain.

Upon hearing that Menshikov was coming to directly manage them, the captain immediately changed his attitude and told Prince Menshikov the position of Vice Admiral Nakhimov.

Menshikov immediately ordered the captain to lead the way in front, and since the anchorage of the warship was on the other side, this time the road was much rougher than when the captain left,

Menshikov, Kornilov, and the captain of the ship crossed a ravine called the Navy Pier to reach the perimeter of the Sevastopol Fortress, and then through the fortress group and barracks batteries, and finally reached the core area of the Sevastopol Fortress.

Menshikov and Kornilov, led by the captain, soon arrived at the naval camp and arrived at the location of Vice Admiral Nakhimov.

When the captain of the ship put Menshikov and Kornilov in front of Nakhimov, he startled Nakhimov, who had a leisurely look.

Nakhimov hurriedly got up and said aloud to Prince Menshikov: "Your Excellency, Prince Menshikov, why are you here!" ”

"Humph!" Prince Menshikov had a cold face and did not say a word.

Lieutenant General Nakhimov looked at Lieutenant General Kornilov with an embarrassed expression, he did not understand what he had offended the stubborn old man in front of him.

"Lieutenant General Nakhimov, this is the barracks, you should call him Your Excellency the Commander!" Kornilov, who was standing on the side, reminded him in a whisper.

After hearing Kornilov's hints, Nakhimov first struck a spirit, and now he finally understood why Menshikov put on a face for him as soon as he came.

At this time, he should be patrolling the eastern part of the Black Sea, not presence.

Menshikov, who came to inspect and direct the progress of the fleet on the orders of the "chairman" Nicholas I, was naturally not happy to see that he was still in Sevastopol.

"Your Excellency, I ......," Nakhimov wanted to explain to Menshikov.

Menshikov raised one to interrupt Nakhimov's speech and said: "Lieutenant General Nakhimov, I don't care what you have done before, but from now on, from the moment I come here, you must carefully carry out every order I make. Otherwise, you can get me out of the house right now. Do you understand? ”

"Got it!" Nakhimov immediately assured Menshikov.

With Nakhimov willing to obey his command and respect his authority, Menshikov did not want to care about all his previous mistakes, as long as he did not affect the next plan.

On the other hand, if Nakhimov influences his plans, or if he is willing to carry out the plans he has made, then Menshikov will not hesitate to replace him.

After all the previous mistakes were turned over, Menshikov asked: "Tell me if there is anything going on in the western part of the Black Sea that you are patrolling!" ”

Nakhimov told Prince Menshikov 1510 about the troop carriers traveling between the Caucasus and Constantinople.

However, Nakhimov was more daring than Kornilov, and Nakhimov had already begun to secretly attack these supply ships before the Ottoman Empire officially declared war on the Russian Empire.

Supply ships, which were transported from Constantinople to the Caucasus, were several times sunk by Nakhimov in the form of a siege by steam clippers.

After the supply ships were sunk, the steam clippers moved out of range of the Ottoman main fleet at such a rapid speed that the main fleet could not catch them.

"You're doing a great job!" Menshikov did not hesitate to praise Nakhimov, and then turned to Nakhimov: "However, such words are not enough! We must destroy the entire Ottoman navy! ”

"All the Navy?!" Nakhimov's face showed a surprised expression, "The Ottoman Empire's naval fleet is only a few ships less than the fleet of Vice Admiral Kornilov and I combined, and it may be difficult to destroy them all!" ”

"Since I have promised Your Majesty that I will destroy them within a month, then I will never break my promise! Vice Admiral Nakhimov, starting tomorrow you will lead all the steam clippers in the search of the Black Sea! Once you encounter a small number of escort fleets, you will be immediately impressed, and it would be great if you can take out the opponent. If you can't do it, don't get caught up in a bitter battle! Maximize your gains before the arrival of the enemy's main fleet, and then pull out as soon as you arrive! ”

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