1635 Han style rises again

Chapter 721 The Great Voyage ([-])
"November 1655, 11, at eleven o'clock in the morning, sunny and breezy, our exploration fleet of Qi State encountered a Spanish cruise fleet near the waters of Makena, the Viceroyalty of Spain, Peru. The number of enemy ships was seven, of which three were The scale of the model is relatively large, with a displacement between 15 tons and 650 tons. As a safety measure, Lu Zusheng, the commander of our fleet, ordered his ships to evade and head due west. The Spanish fleet then adjusted its course, turned to the southwest, and pursued behind our fleet.

Fortunately, our ships are all the latest streamlined structure, far faster than the Spanish fleet, and by [-] o'clock in the afternoon, we have completely thrown off the enemy ships.

At [-] o'clock in the evening, the fleet encountered a violent storm, and at the same time the strong wind created a huge swell.The sudden bad weather caught the officers and soldiers on board by surprise, and before they lowered the sails in time, two of them were torn to pieces, and the other sails were also severely damaged.

What is even more unfortunate is that Ke Yongfeng, a trainee officer who had just joined the navy for less than a year, fell into the sea without protection.In this sea state environment, there is nothing we can do but to mourn him silently in our hearts. "

The deputy commander of the fleet and the captain of "Fengxing No. 4" Kuang Youjie closed the logbook and let out a long breath.Then, he gently rubbed the temples on both sides of his forehead, stood up, and prepared to check on the deck.

The storm has weakened slightly, but it is still raging. In the sky, heavy rain is constantly hitting the big ship, as if the whole ship is in a terrifying and dark world. The thick clouds cover all the stars, making everyone Neither can accurately identify their own location.

However, Kuang Youjie knew the specific location of the big ship. According to the calculation of longitude and latitude, it was probably located in the sea area more than 360 kilometers northwest of Makena.Perhaps, the other two lost exploration ships are also within a range of dozens of kilometers, but they cannot see each other because of the limited line of sight.

In the early morning of November 11, the storm subsided, and a thin line of rain sprinkled on the ship. Thick fog appeared on the sea, and the sight line was only 18 meters, and it was impossible to search for the lost fleet.This made the mood of the naval officers and soldiers on board couldn't help being depressed.In this vast ocean, losing contact with the other two ships means that they will be in a state of helplessness in a short time.Fearing that the Spanish fleet was still waiting nearby, "Fengxing 4" did not dare to fire signal flares into the sky, let alone fire at random in order to get in touch with its companions. It could only float on the sea under the breeze.

According to the prior agreement of the fleet, once the ships lose contact, all ships must cruise for three days at the place where they last saw each other so that they can find each other.However, a storm that lasted for three days almost moved the ship hundreds of kilometers northward, and it was unknown whether the main fleet would stop nearby.

Therefore, in the next three days, Kuang Youjie commanded the officers and soldiers on board to shuttle back and forth in the nearby waters while repairing and replacing the damaged sails.

In the afternoon of the 21st, the weather finally cleared up and the dense fog cleared, but the watchman on the mast still did not find the other two exploration ships.At the same time, the Spanish fleet chasing them was not found within tens of kilometers.

On the 22nd, in the early morning, Kuang Youjie ordered the crew to fire into the sky every half hour, but he never got any response on the sea.

At night, "Fengxing 4" simply fired a signal bomb directly into the sky. Seeing the orange tail smoke draw a beautiful arc in the sky, the officers and soldiers on the ship all looked forward to the surrounding night sky. Hope to see a partner respond.

However, it is disappointing that in the dark night sky, except for the twinkling stars, there is no response from any artificial light signals.The crew members feel infinite disappointment and regret.Thinking that their ship might drift alone in the strange and vast sea in the future, the crew all showed a trace of sadness and fear.

In order to find the other two exploration ships and to give the crew a short rest, Kuang Youjie decided to command "Fengxing 4" to head to the coast of Peru hundreds of kilometers away.During the day, the ship will fire shells into the sea every two hours, and try to create fires at night, but unfortunately it is still impossible to get in touch with the fleet.

At 11:24 pm on November 4, "Fengxing 23" quietly approached several islands and reefs more than [-] kilometers away from the coast of Peru (now Bird Island in Chincha Islands, [-] kilometers east of Pisco City, Peru).There are many marine animals and birds inhabiting the island, including seals, penguins, flamingos, sea turtles, dolphins, etc. The high part of the island is a paradise for seabirds, and there are countless black and white seabirds.

The officers and soldiers of the "Fengxing 4" exploration ship landed on an island reef located on the northernmost side, and docked the ship on the west side of the island reef.Not long after landing, the officers and soldiers found more than a dozen fishermen hunting seals on the southeast side of the island. After killing two and injuring three, the remaining six simply threw away their matchlock guns and harpoons and went to The officers and soldiers of Qi State raised their hands and surrendered.

"I have inquired. They are all fishermen from the small town of Pisco on the other side. They drove three fishing boats to this island and reef early this morning, intending to kill some seals and seabirds, and then sell them in the town." Young After interrogating the fishermen, the Hispanic sailor Levi ran to report to Captain Kuang Youjie.

"Have any Spaniard flotillas been in the vicinity?"

"They said they didn't see it." Levi shook his head and said, "It is estimated that the Spanish fleet would not bother to dock here at such a small place."

"How many people are there in that town called Pisco? How many armed forces are there? Is there a battery on the shore?"

"That town was established more than 20 years ago, and currently has less than 300 people. Naturally, there is no army stationed there, but there may be a few armed militias.... There is a fort on the shore, with two eight-pound cannons deployed." Levi hesitated After a while, "Sir, I think with our current strength, it is better not to attack during the day, otherwise, we will suffer certain losses....We can launch a night attack, land secretly, and then control the entire town in one fell swoop."

"That's a good suggestion." Kuang Youjie praised, "Then, go and gather all the officers. We're going to go to the other side of the mainland tonight to see if we can get some benefits for all the brothers."

"Of order, sir!" Levi saluted excitedly, then turned to look for several officers.

In a small town of more than 200 people, hundreds of silver pesos can be found no matter what.Judging from the tone of the officer, it seems that the seizure this time should not need to be handed over.Then everyone will share a share of the property obtained, and each person can get at least half a month's military salary.
-
November 11th, at one o'clock in the morning.

Under the guidance of several captured fishermen, the armed exploration ship "Fengxing 4" quietly approached the coast of the small town of Pisco.Then a small boat was lowered, and twelve armed sailors paddled the oars lightly, and sailed cautiously towards the shore.

The moonlight tonight was exceptionally clear, illuminating the sneak attack of the officers and soldiers with almost nowhere to hide. This made the first ten officers and soldiers who landed nervously, lying down on the shore carefully, lest the town be on duty. The militia will find out what's going on at this beachhead.

Fortunately, they were lucky, until five consecutive batches of armed sailors landed, nothing unusual happened. Then, led by a lieutenant officer, they dragged a long row of figures and attacked the town.

"Wow! Woah! Woah!..."

"Bang! Bang! Bang!..."

There was a barking of dogs in the town, followed by a row of muskets firing, followed by men's roars, women's screams, and children's cries...Mixed with the intermittent sound of army passwords, muskets The sound of shooting, on this quiet and peaceful night, the town was full of hustle and bustle.

"Twenty more people to land and support!" Kuang Youjie held up his binoculars and watched several flames rising in the night sky in the distant town, feeling nervous for a while.If the officers and soldiers suffer too much damage here, it will be a huge disaster for the entire ship, which will have a serious impact on the subsequent sea voyage.

At [-] o'clock in the morning, a second lieutenant officer excitedly returned to the big ship to report that the town had been completely controlled by the crew, killing and injuring more than [-] residents of the town, and everyone was forbidden to go out. Disposal by officers and soldiers.

"How about the casualties, brothers?"

"Two people were killed and five were injured."

After hearing this, Kuang Youjie breathed a sigh of relief, the casualties were still within the acceptable range.

"I command the brothers who have landed to be careful before dawn. Don't let the residents of the small town counterattack by looking for opportunities. If there is a change, you will use thunderous means. The most important thing is to protect yourself, and you can ignore everything else."

"Yes, sir!"

-----------

In the early morning, the sun rose and the rays of light were shining brightly. The residents of Pisk Town tightly closed their doors and windows, trying to keep the pirates who landed ashore last night out of their houses.

Last night, more than 30 brave gentlemen rushed out of their homes holding matchlock guns and dragging harpoons, and fought tenaciously with the pirates who landed.Unfortunately, however, the pirates who landed and stormed the town were well-armed and well-organized.They quickly shot and killed more than 20 fearless residents with a neat row of guns, defeating the hastily organized resistance in the town.

Everyone was ordered to stay at home and not to go out at will, otherwise, they would be killed indiscriminately by pirates.

The inhabitants spent the middle of the night in terror, and when it was broad daylight, some bold residents peeped out through the cracks in the windows.Teams of half-armored pirates seem to be switching defenses, transferring control of the town to another group of fully rested companions.

"They are the army!" The residents who once served in the army of the Spanish American territory exclaimed softly.

Uniform black military uniforms, standard muskets and sabers, strict organization.

Our holy kingdom of Spain has been invaded!
Which country's army are they from?

Are they here specifically to attack our Spanish American territories?

"Tell them that the ransom for all residents of the town must be prepared within two hours. Otherwise, we will not be able to guarantee the safety of the local residents. Don't try to bargain with us, our soldiers don't have much patience. The most sensible The way to do it is to raise the ransom that you need to pay immediately, immediately, and quickly. As for where we come from, don't make wild guesses!" Kuang Youjie glanced coldly at the mayor and priest of the small town, and turned to the small town. Go to the church on the east side of the town.

"Okay, gentlemen, you must obey our commander's orders unconditionally." The young Hispanic sailor Levi spread his hands with a smile, "As long as you follow our orders, no one will be harmed. .I can guarantee this. Because we are all civilized people!"

The mayor and the priest looked at each other with bitter faces, and could only turn around and leave helplessly.Pay the ransom according to the demands of these pirates, which will almost "dedicate" all the wealth of the entire town to them.

oh god!The wealth accumulated by local residents for 20 years will be wiped out in an instant!

Where are our Spanish troops?
Where is our American fleet?
-----------

"In this small town, we collected six pigs, fifteen sheep, and more than a hundred chickens and ducks." Ren Guixing, the ship's quartermaster and accompanying captain (second lieutenant), reported the supplies to Captain Kuang Youjie Supplementary information, "In addition, we also confiscated five tons of grain and two tons of potatoes to replace some of the moldy grain on board. All the vegetables and fruits in the town were also confiscated on board. These supplies are enough for all people on board to eat More than a month. Oh, by the way, our people found a few cinchona saplings behind the church in the town!"

"Great!" Kuang Youjie said excitedly: "In addition to finding a reliable route to the Americas, this exploration mission is also to search for this species. In this way, at least half of our mission has been completed!"

"The local residents call it the Jesuit bark, and the powder ground from the bark is also called the priest's medicine powder." Ren Guixing said with a smile: "In the morning, two soldiers urinated behind the church, and the priest Stop it, saying that they can't blaspheme their God, let alone destroy a few precious Jesuit saplings. The soldiers argued with them and inadvertently asked the function of the saplings. They learned that when the saplings grow up, they can scrape the bark to treat recurrent fever. The patient. The soldier immediately reported the matter to me. After careful questioning of the priest, it was confirmed that the sapling was the Cinchona Frost Tree we were looking for. It originally grew in the eastern valley of the Andes and was controlled by the local church priest. And transplanted all over the Americas."

"Very good!" Kuang Youjie nodded and said, then turned his eyes to the several officers present, "Everyone, since we have lost contact with the fleet for ten days, we need to make a decisive decision on what to do next. Otherwise, continue to shuttle back and forth along the coast of Peru, and even the coastal areas of Chile, looking for the main fleet; secondly, return westward to end this exploration of the Americas.”

"Sir, we currently only have one armed exploration ship with more than a hundred people. We shuttle back and forth in the coastal areas of Peru and Chile, where the Spaniards are extremely powerful, looking for the main fleet. Not to mention whether we can find it in time, it means staying in the film for a long time. I am afraid that there are certain risks in the sea area. In case, if the Spanish fleet intercepts back and forth, it may be difficult to deal with it." Chu Jiasheng, the navigator and Lieutenant (Lieutenant) Renyong, said worriedly: "In addition, we The cinchona saplings found are not easy to keep on board for a long time. Therefore, I suggest that you return to Hanzhou immediately."

"But if you can return to the mainland and end this exploration operation, will it be..." Shi Guiling, the gunner and accompanying captain (second lieutenant), said hesitantly.

"Will it violate the military order and return without warning?" Kuang Youjie smiled wryly, and then said, "We are an armed exploration ship here, after all, we are a bit weak. As Chu Jiasheng said, if One mistake, we will be chased and intercepted by the Spanish fleet, and we will not be spared. Given our existing hostile relationship with the Spaniards, we will probably be hanged by them at the seaside. Therefore, I decided to drive south all the way to Chile. , if the main fleet cannot be found, then return to the mainland immediately. If this violates the military regulations, I will fully respond to it."

(End of this chapter)