1635 Han style rises again

Chapter 797 The Ambition of Indian Ocean Hegemony
August 1664, 8, Gulf of Aden.

Four warships under the Qi Navy's Indian Fleet and as many as 4 Mughal Empire pilgrimage ships have left Muha Port for eight days.With the help of the strong southwest monsoon, the whole fleet sailed all the way towards India.However, the fleet did not travel along the coastline of the Arabian Peninsula, and when passing through Aden, it deviated slightly to the southeast.

Because, the fleet will first sail to the Socotra Island, which is about [-] kilometers south of the Mahrisultan Kingdom, to stop temporarily and replenish supplies for the island guards stationed there.

After the Qi State Navy inspected the island four years ago, it finally took the initiative to occupy it, and stationed a dozen naval officers and soldiers and recruited more than [-] Cochin people to start the construction of this maritime logistics supply base.

The island is located at the junction of the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden. It has unique and superior natural conditions. It is the main sea traffic route from the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea and East Africa. The maritime lifeline of the three European continents has an important strategic location.

What's even more rare is that this island, which was once voluntarily abandoned by the Portuguese, has no strong maritime forces around it that can threaten it, making Qi Guo pick up a loophole here in vain.As for Mahrisudan, which declared jurisdiction over the island, it was naturally ignored by Qi.

Of course, this island called Socotra Island by the Arabs has now been renamed Xuanling Island by the Qi people, and it has not been handed over to the Persian trading company for management, but has been directly incorporated into the navy's management system.

As for daily maintenance costs and supplies, part of it is provided by the Persian trading company.For the rest, the Indian fleet drew part of the funds from the escort fees mobilized from the Mughals for the construction and maintenance of the island's base.After all, this sea supply point also plays an important role in escorting you Mughals to Mecca for pilgrimage.

In the evening, the fleet approached the sea near the northwest side of Xuanling Island, but as night fell, it was not suitable for landing, so they could only temporarily dock in the bay.

In the early morning of August 8, amidst the cheers of the garrison personnel at Tianfangbao (now Gulanciye Town on the northwest side of Socotra Island), seven or eight laid-down boats entered the port one after another and docked at the simple wooden pier superior.

"In the past few months, nothing particularly important has happened, right?" He Zongyuan, Commander of the Escort Fleet and Lieutenant Zhaoxin (Colonel), stood on the pier, looked at the small fortress with civil structures in the distance, and then turned his head and asked .

"It's nothing serious." Luo Shaoning, the person in charge stationed here, Captain Renyong (Lieutenant) of the Navy, shook his head and said, "However, two months ago, two Portuguese merchant ships passed by this island, and we were fishing nearby. Face to face. They tried to land, to get some water supplies. But we didn't allow it, and then they just left without saying a word."

"Portuguese?" He Zongyuan froze for a moment, raised his eyebrows, "Did they show any hostility?"

"No. They left immediately after we issued a signal prohibiting landing." Luo Shaoning said: "Based on the current situation of the Portuguese, they should not dare to offend us. Besides, on this ruined island, there are no valuable properties. If not, who would go to war and attack it?"

"Having said that, you have to continue to step up the construction of Tianfangbao. At that time, in case any western force takes a fancy to this island, they will grab it." He Zongyuan said seriously: "This time, I will bring you some treasures." More than 40 Arab slaves are easy to use. The forts and defense facilities that should be built have been completed as soon as possible. In addition, you have to urge those Cochin people to level the nearby land. It has been several years, so that they will not even have food I can’t even be self-sufficient. If I’m stuck on the island for a year or two, wouldn’t I be starving!”

"Sir, if we want people to be blocked on the island for a year or two, then unless our Indian fleet is wiped out by others, we won't be unable to deliver any supplies!" Luo Shaoning said with a smile: "That's really going to happen. For this kind of thing, the only way for a humble job is to lead all the garrison personnel to be loyal to the country... However, the conditions on this broken island are really bad, with drought and little rain, and the land is barren. The more than [-] mu of land that has been reclaimed can also be planted. Potatoes and a few simple vegetables, and the yield is crazy. If you want to find some good land, I’m afraid the only way to go deep into the inland mountain valleys.”

"Don't go deep into the inland for the time being, first complete the construction of Tianfangbao." He Zongyuan said: "As long as we firmly plant our roots here, we will eat the whole island sooner or later. Among the slaves brought from Arabia this time , People who have experience in agricultural planting in arid areas, you have to use them.”

"Okay." Luo Shaoning said with a bitter face: "Sir, if there is a chance, let's get some civil affairs managers from the mainland or India. This place, we will not let our navy continue to manage it."

"The commander of the fleet has already discussed with the Persian Trading Company and the African Trading Company. When the time comes, we will see which of them will send some administrative personnel over." He Zongyuan patted Luo Shaoning on the shoulder and comforted him: "Persist for a while, maybe the time will come." Next year, you can leave here and return to the fleet to continue your duties."
-
On August 8, in the southeast waters of Muscat Sultanate.

On the bow of the "Burnley", Captain Marty Peake held up his binoculars and stared toward the southwest. However, as far as he could see, except for the other three-masted sailing ship that accompanied him, there was nothing but endless sea. Bo, as well as the few seabirds swept up, found nothing.

He looked up at the watchman on the mast, but he didn't know if he didn't find any targets, or he was hiding and sleeping lazily on it, without making any movement.

The "Burnley" is a privateer chartered by the British Royal Charter. It has been operating in the waters near West Africa before, intercepting and attacking passing merchant ships.But since last year, the Royal African Company has attacked the Dutch-controlled coastal strongholds in West Africa, trying to seize the coveted ivory, gold and slave trade.Immediately, there was a strong counterattack from the Dutch, and as many as [-] Dutch warships and armed merchant ships cruised nearby to defend some of their commercial strongholds here.

In view of this, the risk of attacking passing merchant ships on the coast of West Africa seems a bit high.Maybe when it hits the fleet organized by the Dutch, it will be more harm than good.

Therefore, Marty Peake, the captain of the "Burnley", decided to try his luck near the Arabian Sea.It is said that every year in March and April (northeast monsoon season) and July and August (southwest monsoon season), ships from the Mughal Empire to and from Mecca for pilgrimage pass there.

According to the bragging of those successful colleagues, every pilgrimage ship of the Mughal Empire is filled with gold, silver and jewelry, as well as a large amount of cotton cloth and spices. If you are lucky enough, you will also meet a pilgrimage Mughal prince or Princesses and other royal nobles.Moreover, those pilgrimage ships of the Mughal Empire were very poorly equipped. Not only were the ships small in size, but many of them were equipped with only two or three cannons, and their power was very limited.

This kind of ship with weak force and full of gold and silver is the most ideal and fattest prey in the eyes of many pirates.As long as you can hijack a Mughal pilgrimage ship, you will be able to obtain an unimaginable wealth and successfully transform yourself into one of the many gentlemen in the city of London.

However, Captain Marty Peake heard another statement from a frustrated colleague. The pilgrimage ships of the Mughal Empire were indeed treasure ships sailing on the sea, but in recent years, they It seems to have obtained the escort service of a professional warship of a certain country's navy.

Although there are only three or four escort ships, their performance and force are absolutely no less than that of the professional warships of the Royal Navy. Not only are they sailing fast, but they also have a very high frequency of artillery firing, capable of firing one shell per minute. Accuracy is not bad either.It is definitely not comparable to the Gujarat ships or Junk ships in India, Persia, and Southeast Asian countries.

For this statement, Captain Marty Peake is deeply skeptical.Since that country has powerful professional warships, why not organize privateers like European countries to rob those Mughal pilgrimage ships in order to obtain huge wealth, instead, they have to work hard Serve as escort for them?

What do they picture?
Upholding justice on the oceans?

Give me a break!During this period, the ships of various countries going out to sea for trade, as well as the exclusive naval ships of the country, would more or less do a few costless businesses at sea, intercepting and killing single merchant ships, and gaining some unexpected wealth for the country and individuals.

That frustrated colleague, probably not lucky enough, happened to meet a pilgrimage ship on which a Mughal prince and nobleman was riding. The force on the ship was naturally partially strengthened, and it would be a little more difficult to deal with than ordinary pilgrimage ships. Maybe it was a bit of a loss.After losing his courage, he said that he encountered a naval warship of a certain country.

I have only heard of warships providing escort services for the country's trade fleets, but I have never heard of warships providing escorts for pilgrimage ships of true God believers in other countries.

"Fleet discovered in the southwest!" Captain Marty Peake was leaning against the side of the ship and daydreaming, when he suddenly heard the lookout on the mast shout loudly: "There is a fleet in the southwest! The distance is about... 2 leagues ( 1 league equals 5557 meters)!"

Captain Marty Peake immediately raised his binoculars and looked southwest.On the sea level, there were some vague sails. Although the number of ships could not be counted, a fleet of this size must be the returning ship of the Mughal pilgrimage!

"Gentlemen, keep your spirits up!" cried Captain Marty Peake. "There are walking treasuries coming towards us. So let's enjoy a feast of great wealth. Bar."

The sailors on the "Burnley" ship whistled, let out bursts of wanton laughter, quickly returned to various posts, raised the sails one after another, rowed the oars, and then turned the bow of the ship in a beautiful arc, Along with another privateer, they rushed towards the huge fleet.It seems like two hungry wolves on the sea, heading straight for a group of "fat sheep" waiting to be slaughtered.

Seeing two malicious three-masted sailing ships approaching from the northeast and southeast separately, the Qi Navy Fleet, which was escorting the pilgrimage ships of the Mughal Empire, immediately sent two ships to meet them.

Only two days ago, the escort fleet dispersed dozens of pirates from the Muscat Sultanate, sank two ships, captured three ships, and the rest fled towards land.Now, two more reckless pirate ships have arrived. Judging from their shape, they should be privateers from a certain Western European country. A blood-red flag unique to pirate ships is flying on their masts.

At this time, the sea is calm, with only a weak southwest wind.But to the surprise of the warships of the state of Qi, the two pirate ships quickly got rid of the interception of the warships of the state of qi with the push of only two top masts, and rushed towards their prey at a very fast speed.Through the observation of the telescope, the commander of the Qi State Navy discovered that there was a row of holes for placing oars on the lower deck of the opponent's ship.These oars can speed up the boat in this calm and windless weather.

However, the battleships of the Qi State only have sports sails, which makes them obviously lack the mobility they should have for pirate ships.The two battleships of the Qi State that had been thrown off became angry from embarrassment, and fired a round of artillery at the receding pirate ship, but none of them hit the target, causing more than a dozen huge splashes on the sea.

However, under such an astonishing bombardment, the pirate ship was a little bit scrupulous. When it rushed near the pilgrimage fleet, it didn't dare to enter directly, but waited and watched from the edge.Obviously, they were deeply afraid of the several escorting warships.

He Zongyuan, the commander of the escort fleet, immediately ordered the remaining two warships to concentrate on their vigilance and not to take the initiative to attack for the time being, in case they were taken advantage of by the opponent and attacked the Mughal pilgrimage ship.

Soon, the two attacking warships crossed a big bend with difficulty on the sea surface, and with the help of the weak wind, they turned around and pushed towards the pirate ship.

Facing the power of the four professional warships, the two pirate ships wisely avoided some distance to avoid being injured by the powerful firepower of the other party.

Under the protection of the warships of the State of Qi, more than a dozen Mughal pilgrimage ships crowded together and slowly sailed towards the northeast.Once the pirate ship tried to get close, it was immediately bombarded by the escort warships to intimidate the other party not to easily challenge the navy's professional warships.

The two sides stalemate at sea for several hours, waiting for a favorable opportunity to attack each other.The convoy is waiting for the wind to strengthen in order to gain rapid maneuverability.The pirate ships are waiting for the escort fleet to relax, or a certain pilgrimage ship falls behind, in order to obtain a piece of fat "prey".

In the evening, the pirate ship that had no chance of boarding finally left angrily and disappeared into the night.But everyone knew that they must not have gone far away, they were still lurking nearby, secretly spying on the fleet, and continued to look for a suitable opportunity.

The powerful Qi State Naval Escort Fleet has displayed their excellent professionalism. During the voyage for several days, they have always maintained combat vigilance and did not give the pirate ships any chance.

A few days later, there were no traces of pirate ships near the fleet, which shows that the pirates wisely chose to give up the robbery in order to avoid heavy losses themselves.

"His grandma, in a few years, when our Indian fleet becomes stronger, we must thoroughly clean up the many pirates in this vast sea." A naval officer spat into the sea, bitterly Said: "In the future, we will turn the Indian Ocean into an exclusive ocean controlled by our Qi State."

"Even if we expand the size of our Indian fleet several times, we will not be able to completely control this vast sea area." Another officer shook his head and said: "The only feasible way is to control the southern part of Africa. In this way, we can Block countless western sea forces on the Atlantic side, and achieve the hegemony of our country in the Indian Ocean."

"According to what you said, there is quite a bit of truth. As long as we control southern Africa, we will also strangle the throats of European countries leading to Persia, India, and Southeast Asia. In the future, no matter who wants to enter the Indian Ocean, It depends on the face of my country. In other words, the African trading company established a few years ago does not know how it is doing in South Africa. Can it establish a solid logistics support base for our navy to enter the Atlantic Ocean in the future?"

(End of this chapter)