e: Ask for votes at the end of the month, thank you all n-n)oi haha

June 2, 257 (196 AD), Red Sea, Hodeidah Port.

At this time, a medium-sized fleet came from the direction of the Arabian Sea and was slowly sailing into the port of Hodeidah, the Red Sea.

The core of this fleet is a super-dreadnought and a large aircraft carrier, and a dozen cruisers and destroyers are guarded around, followed by six submarines in the rear of the fleet, which are sailing in a surface state. The shape of these ships is very distinctive, the streamlined bow of the floating ship, the large square stern, and the superstructure and bridge composed of almost all straight lines, so obvious features that the insider can conclude at a glance that these are the best ships, because these characteristics are the unique style of Chinese ships in this plane.

However, although these ships are all built in China, only a few of them have hung up the Chinese Navy's "Red Background Gold Gear Iron Five-Pointed Star Flag" and "Golden Dragon Hugging the Earth" bow emblem, and most of the warships have the "Red Crescent Five-pointed Star Flag" and the "Golden Star and Moon" bow emblem, which are the Ottoman Empire's naval flag and bow emblem.

That's right, most of this fleet is the "Ship Friendship Package" ordered by the Ottoman Empire in China a few years ago, a whole aircraft carrier formation, the most important of which is the 102 type "Fatih-class" aircraft carrier, this type of aircraft carrier is the predecessor of China's Xia Dynasty class aircraft carrier, because China itself is not equipped, so there is no official class name, only a "102" type code, which is considered the "guinea pig" used by China to verify the next generation of aircraft carriers. The Ottoman military called it the "Fatih class", and this ship was named the Fatih. In Turkish, "Fatih" means "conqueror", specifically Mehmed II, who captured Constantinople.

The hull and shape of the "Fatih-class" and the "Xia Dynasty-class" are not much different, both are about 260 tons, the maximum speed is 3 knots, and the superstructure is similar. However, in accordance with the strong demand of the Ottoman side, the "Fatih" aircraft carrier has increased the number of carrier-based aircraft to the maximum, the ship uses a double-decker hangar, which can carry up to 2b carrier-based aircraft (the aircraft of this era is relatively small), and for the first time in the world, a carrier-based aircraft with foldable wings is adopted.

Most importantly, it was the first aircraft carrier to adopt an angled flight deck, with a diagonal flight deck extending outward on the left side of its deck, which was at an angle of 7 degrees to the centerline of the bow and stern. With this angle, the landing of the aircraft can be separated from the parked aircraft and take-off operations, while also allowing the ejection and recovery operations to take place simultaneously.

It can be said that the design of this aircraft carrier has concentrated a lot of new equipment and new thinking, and it is currently the largest and most advanced aircraft carrier in the world. Well, that's right, China is using it as a guinea pig and using a lot of new gadgets on it. Someone pays you to do it, what's so bad about that?

However, compared to Niu Niu, a guy who specializes in cheating customers, China is still very disciplined in this kind of arms business, at least it will not pit people too badly, and if you just enter this industry, you must accumulate word of mouth. Although the "Fatih-class" is a "guinea pig" in the eyes of the Chinese, its performance is still quite good, at least the Ottoman Navy is full of praise, considering it a great value for money.

The Fatih was loaded with too many planes, and at the request of the customer, a layer of steel was laid on the flight deck to increase its defense. Therefore, on the premise of not reducing other performance, we had to use open hangars, reduce airworthiness, and cut the range by a large section to make room and load. It had a range of only 66 nautical miles, but this was not a problem for the Ottomans. They don't need the aircraft carrier to run too far, as long as they hold the exit of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, in this big bathtub, the open hangar of Shenma, the seaworthiness does not need to be considered at all, there is no more calm sea area in the world than the Mediterranean. Range is not an important indicator, the Mediterranean Sea is a little bigger, 66 nautical miles is enough for it to go around in the Mediterranean bathtub.

The "Ship Friendship Package" that China marketed to the Ottomans was actually an aircraft carrier formation, in addition to the "pig's foot" Fatih aircraft carrier, followed by a Minjiang-class light cruiser (called "Kemar Leys-class" by the Ottomans), Zhuhai-class destroyers (called "Thessaloniki-class" by the Ottomans), and Type 0L submarines (the kind sold to Erdezi, the H-boat magic version, which the Ottomans called the "Euphrates class").

Together with the battleship "Suleiman the Magnificent", which was first purchased by the Ottomans, it adds up to a complete naval fleet. Well, it's a little smaller than the old powers, but for the Ottomans, it's enough. Besides, they don't have much money to buy more warships.

After the completion of the ships last month, the Ottoman officers and men who had come to pick them up were acquainted with them for two weeks before returning home. And the cruiser formation of the Chinese Navy came specially to escort them.

It can also be seen from these ships that although China has also made a lot of money, it is absolutely a conscience to sell them, battleships, cruisers and destroyers are all active models used by China, and the Type 3L submarine Erdezi is also very used, which can be regarded as having been tested in actual combat. If it is replaced by a shameless Niu Niu, it will definitely not be able to get so many ships at this price. And it's a monkey version, for example, armor steel and artillery are definitely inferior to the British themselves. Although China has also canceled radar, computers and other black technology equipment, these things are annexed, but other performance, such as armor, artillery, and power system, has not shrunk in the slightest.

Moreover, the Chinese side has also made a plan to teach and package the meeting, otherwise those aircraft carriers, light ships, and submarines have already been built, so why don't they go back? They are not so convenient as to learn how to operate ships, fly airplanes, and use the equipment on ships with Chinese officers and men. The officers and men who came to receive the warships stayed in China for more than half a year, and waited until the battleships and aircraft carriers were all completed before returning home with them. During this period, they were not idle, and conducted relevant training under the guidance of Chinese instructors, and it can be said that they now have initial combat effectiveness. In particular, the pilots of the carrier-based aircraft on the aircraft carrier came here last year, and after more than a year of intensive training, they can now take off and land on the aircraft carrier.

And the Chinese service attitude is also quite good, not only taught them to operate these new ships, but also went to the past with a few experts to guide. What made the Ottoman side feel China's goodwill even more was that China also drew a whole detachment of cruisers to escort them. Although the strength of the Ottoman fleet is far above that of this cruiser detachment, and it seems that they do not need to escort them, whether they can do it is a matter of ability, and whether to do it or not is a matter of attitude.

Light cruiser "Yinghe", bridge.

"Report to the detachment commander, we are about to enter the port of Hodeidah, and we have already been contacted by the port authority's tugboat and pilot ship......" the assistant to the captain reported to the detachment commander Li Ang. "There are just a few docks left, and our fleet can dock all of them......"

Leon put down the binoculars and said, "Okay, let their tugboat send the Ottoman ship in first, and since we are the guards, let's enter the port last." Immediately inform the commander of the Ottoman fleet that we are now withdrawing to the perimeter to be on alert. The escort should look like an escort, although it is unlikely to be attacked......" he looked at the patrol planes and AWACS airships circling over the harbor.

"Yes, detachment leader," the assistant to the captain agreed, and immediately conveyed the order.

Comrade Leon now has epaulettes of two bars and three stars, yes, he is now a colonel of the Navy, and he was only promoted in April this year. At the same time, he was also promoted from the captain of the "Ninth Thunderstrike Brigade" to the commander of the "Tenth Cruiser Detachment" and the captain of the light cruiser "Yinghe".

This escort of the Ottoman-ordered fleet back to China was his first ocean-going mission since his promotion. However, when it comes to being an escort, it's actually nothing. Although the sea is not safe now, it is only for the ships of the Entente and the Central Powers, and for the ships of China and the Ottomans, which are neutral countries, there will be no problem, not to mention that it is still a large fleet. The Entente and the Central Powers are not fools, how can they mess with these two neutral countries.

So the journey was peaceful, and even the pirates didn't meet half of them. That's for sure, uh, what kind of pirates would have to know how to run to attack a fleet with super dreadnoughts and large aircraft carriers? Even if there are pirates, it's not that if you see them, you can run as far as you want.

Not to mention that now in Hodeidah, this is a fortified port city, and half of its resident population is military. A flying wing, a mixed brigade and a coastal heavy artillery regiment were stationed here, as well as three mine strike brigades of the Navy, equipped with a dozen large torpedo boats and more than thirty torpedo boats. The armed forces are very powerful, unless a first-class power and China officially turn around and send the main force to fight, it is absolutely impossible to threaten here.

Although there was no, Li Ang still insisted on carrying out the escort tasks and various tasks in strict accordance with the drill code. Four light cruisers, the Yinghe, the Whirlpool, the Fenhe, and the Weihe, cruised off the coast of the port of Hodeidah, meticulously carrying out the escort mission.

About an hour later, the Ottoman fleet and the two auxiliary ships attached to it had already entered the port one after another. At this time, Li Ang gave the order to enter the port.

Hodeidah Port Terminal.

The four Chinese cruisers approached the dock with great speed and immediately began to make all kinds of preparations for disembarkation, and these sailors were well-trained and quickly completed these things. Leon looked at his watch and nodded slightly in satisfaction.

As soon as he got off the boat, he saw several local naval officers standing on the dock, led by a lieutenant colonel, as soon as he saw Li Ang and the others, he immediately greeted him, gave a military salute, and said with a smile: "Comrade Colonel, I have worked hard all the way. I am Lieutenant Colonel Lei Shi, and I am currently the director of service of the local garrison command, and I have come to meet you on the orders of Commander Zhou......"

Li Ang returned the salute, shook hands with him and said, "I am Li Ang, the commander of this escort mission, and the commander of the 10th cruiser detachment. Director Lei, I'm going to trouble you this time."

"What kind of trouble is this? It is hard work for you to go to the ocean, and it is our duty to serve you. Lei Shi smiled.

Lu Yishan, the political commissar of the detachment next to him, and Qin Wenbin, the chief of staff, also stepped forward to shake hands and introduce themselves.

Lei Shi smiled: "Captain Li, Political Commissar Lu, Chief of Staff Qin." We have prepared accommodation for your officers and soldiers. There is also a welcome banquet in the evening, and Commander Zhou will pick you up, hahaha...... Oh, our coach is in the parking lot over there, please come with me. ”

Lei Shi took Li Ang and other officers to the local naval guest house, and the soldiers to a nearby camp. This time, there were more than 26 officers and men of the 10th cruiser detachment and two auxiliary ships, and in addition to those who stayed on duty on the ship, there were also more than 26 people, and of course it was impossible for all of them to live in guest houses.

Li Ang and the others took a shower, because it was still early, and a few members of their detachment were ready to go around the streets to see this Chinese leased land.

Hodeidah is an important port on the Red Sea coast, mainly producing coffee, cotton, dates and other products. The Ottoman Turkish Empire developed in the mid-19th century. Hodeidah is located in the middle of Yemen's west coast within the bay of al-Qasib on the southeastern side of the Red Sea and is strategically located because it is located near the outlet of the Red Sea.

Hodeidah is China's first leased territory. In order to "thank" China for its help in the war in Baryu, the Ottoman Empire leased the port of Hodeidah, along with 100 square kilometers of surrounding territory, to China for a period of six years. Since acquiring the site in June 1913, China has been building here. Dredging of ports, construction of additional docks, construction of coastal defense forts and airfields, as well as various functional facilities. After several years of construction, it has been fortified into an overseas base with a strong military force, and the port has been greatly expanded to accommodate ships of 50,000 tons.

Li Ang and the others borrowed an open-top SUV and a driver from the guest house, and then left the guest house and started sightseeing.

Although Hodeidah has been turned into a military base, because of its good geographical location and developed commerce, not only has it not been affected at all, but because of good public security, it has developed better than before. This is a military administration, and it is impossible to think about good law and order. There used to be a lot of sand thieves and horse thieves near here, but now they have all been wiped out, and in the entire Hodeida leased land, it can be said that even petty thieves dare not appear (those who don't have long eyes have dug up sand), and they really don't have to leave a trail behind.

As soon as you enter the business district, it is like returning to China, full of Chinese-style buildings and Chinese character signs, shops, hotels, guesthouses and entertainment centers, and dense signboards and advertisements are hung all over the streets.

Li Ang looked all the way and couldn't help but say: "This city looks completely domestic...... not only the urban style is the same, but even the pedestrians on the street mostly have oriental faces.