1635 Han style rises again

Chapter 810 Journey (continued)
1666, the year of Bingwu, the 24th year of Qianwu in Daqi, the 12th year of Guangde in Ming Dynasty, and the sixth year of Kangxi in Puppet Qing Dynasty.

In the past year, the chaotic south of Ming Dynasty achieved de facto unification. Under the siege of King Qin Sun Kewang, Zheng Zhilong of Fujian Province abandoned the whole province of Fujian and the northern part of Zhejiang Province. He took hundreds of ships and brought more than [-] people. , to retreat from the Luzon territory.

Surprisingly, as the eldest son of Zheng Zhilong and the actual ruler of Taiwan Island, Zheng Sen, after being brought under the rule of the Ming court in Fujian, immediately presented himself to Emperor Guangde and accepted the unification decree of the court.Correspondingly, the imperial court granted Zheng Sen the title of King of Dongping, who lived in Taiwan.

In distant Europe, the Anglo-Dutch war broke out again. In June and July, two large-scale naval battles took place in the North Sea and the west coast of Norway respectively.The Dutch were unfavorable in the first battle. Even in the Battle of Lowestoft in the North Sea, the fleet commanders Vossenaar and Obudan were both killed. The Dutch ships fled one after another and suffered heavy losses.

Fortunately, the veteran De Knight led the fleet back to the Netherlands from the West Indies, and was ordered to command all the Dutch navy when he was in danger. He continuously repelled the British navy's attack and stabilized the battle situation slightly.Relying on his excellent command art, De Knight traveled in the English Channel and patrolled outside the Thames Estuary, effectively protecting the Netherlands' foreign maritime trade.However, Britain's strategic advantage still exists, and the Netherlands is only in a passive situation where it can only maintain lines of communication.

In December last year, the entire Indian region, including the Mughal Empire, spread a sensational news that the Qi State in the southern New World organized a large-scale fleet and was about to launch an unprecedented expedition to the Indian region.

At the beginning of January, the fleet of Qi State from Hanzhou gathered more than [-] large and small ships in Ningyang Fort and Anfeng Fort (now Cochin City in southwestern India), forming a larger fleet. The fleet sailed all the way along the west coast of India, and seemed to be targeting the northwest coast of the Mughal Empire.

After stopping in Goa and Mumbai for a while to rest, the fleet continued northward and headed straight for Surat.

After hearing the news, Shadab Khan, Governor of Gujarat Province, immediately announced that the entire area was on full alert, and assembled troops to surround the Qi State Business Hall in Surat.In addition, for the sake of safety, Shadab Khan moved all the thousands of dignitaries and wealthy businessmen who were going to Mecca to pilgrimage to the city of Viala far from the coastline to prevent attacks.

On January 1, the Qi State Expeditionary Fleet arrived in Surat and stopped at Cambay Bay. Subsequently, the commander of the task force and General Guangwei (Major General) Luo Shouxun sent an envoy to drive a small boat to the port to meet Shadab Governor Khan, inform the other party that the Qi fleet went to Egypt and escorted the Mughal Empire pilgrimage fleet all the way to the port of Jeddah.

After receiving the news, Governor Shadab Khan was surprised and delighted, and then sent personnel to investigate and confirm repeatedly, before he believed that the huge fleet of Qi State did not come to attack the Mughal Empire.You must know that His Majesty the Emperor is leading an army to conquer the rebel forces in the north at this time, and he has no time to withdraw to help.Although there are more than [-] troops in the Deccan area, they are still busy drilling ravines to chase those nasty Maratha people.

If the State of Qi really sends an expeditionary fleet to attack Surat, the area will not receive any support, and Governor Dab Khan is ready to abandon the city and flee.You must know that this port city located on the right bank of the Tapti River estuary not only has few troops, but after being ravaged by the Marathas a few years ago, most of the city defense facilities were destroyed, and it could not stop the artillery bombardment of the opposing warships.

Governor Shadab Khan brought many officials and businessmen at the port, and very grandly welcomed a group of senior officers of the Qi State Expeditionary Fleet into the city, warmly entertained them, and held a feast for several days.

The nearly forty warships stationed in Cambay Bay shocked the officials and people of the Mughal Empire in Surat City, which was extremely shocking.Although decades ago, the Portuguese also organized a fleet of dozens of warships to cruise the east and west coasts of India, deterring the surrounding kingdoms.However, in the Portuguese fleet, the largest warships were only a few Galen sails of about [-] to [-] tons, several medium-sized caravels and Calais galleys, and the rest were almost all small galleys.

In the huge fleet of Qi State, there are as many as 26 galleons over [-] tons, with dense muzzles on both sides of the hull, towering masts, a slender and smooth hull, and skilled naval officers and soldiers. , all show the strength of this fleet.Not to mention, they will also go on an expedition to the powerful Ottoman Empire in the west to avenge the innocent members of the mission who died in Suez Port.

Governor Shadab Khan couldn't help feeling a little fortunate that when he heard the rumor that the Qi fleet was going to attack the Mughal Empire, he didn't immediately and arbitrarily command the army to attack Qi's commercial halls and kill their personnel.If this misunderstanding caused disputes between Qi and the Empire, the troubles would be much more serious than those incidents when the Portuguese blocked and attacked the coastal areas of the Empire decades ago.

In other words, who is it that is rumoring that the Qi State Expeditionary Fleet is coming to attack our Mughal Empire? Their intentions are so vicious!This is clearly trying to drive a wedge between the close and friendly cooperative relationship between the empire and the state of Qi, and destroy the deepening trade between the two sides.
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On January 1, on the North Indian Ocean, a huge fleet sailed westward with the help of a strong northeast trade wind. The entire fleet stretched for more than ten miles, and the sea was full of sails.

"More than 100 years ago, the Portuguese Indian colonial area also organized a large-scale expeditionary fleet to attack the Port of Suez, preparing to capture or destroy the most critical maritime stronghold of the Ottoman Empire on the Red Sea coast. Because, at that time, the Ottomans used Based in the port of Suez, a fleet almost captured the Portuguese stronghold of Diu, much to the shock of the Portuguese."

In a cabin on the fleet flagship "Red Sun", Ding Dezong, the commander of the black guards stationed in India and Lieutenant (Captain) Ding Dezong, is holding a thick stack of intelligence materials in his hand, and is reporting the latest news to the fleet commander Luo Shouxun. Information gathered about the Port of Suez.

"At that time, Estevo da Gama, who had just assumed office as the governor of Portuguese India, oh, his father was the navigator Vasco da Gama who sailed from Europe to India for the first time. Afterwards. On December 1540, 12, he assembled more than 31 people and nearly 5000 large and small ships. He set off from Goa and arrived at the east coast of the Red Sea in mid-February after sailing on the sea for more than a month. However, Due to various reasons, coupled with disagreements and internal strife within the army, they did not arrive near the port of Suez until late April, but the number of ships participating in the attack was only about 2 ships left, and there were not enough soldiers available for landing operations. 500 people."

"Under the procrastinated offensive rhythm of the Portuguese, the defenders of the Port of Suez had already prepared for defense, and mobilized more than [-] Mamluk cavalry to stand on the shore. Therefore, it was no surprise that the Portuguese met in the Port of Suez. A nail, blocked outside the port by others, unable to advance an inch. In the end, they can only return home defeated."

"So, in order to prevent someone from spreading the news of Qi's attack on Suez Port back to Egypt, you black guards deliberately spread rumors in India, saying that our Qi will go to India and attack the Mughal Empire?" Luo Shouxun asked with a smile road.

"Yes, sir." Ding Dezong nodded and said: "As we all know, there are a large number of True God believers in India and the Mughal Empire, and there are even a large number of Arab businessmen. If they learn that our Qi State will launch After the news of the attack on Suez Port, the news will inevitably be brought back to Egypt immediately, so that the other side can respond to our attack in advance."

"Well, you are very thoughtful." Luo Shouxun nodded approvingly and said, "You also searched for those Portuguese and Arabs on board?... Are they all reliable?"

"The Portuguese should be more reliable. When they learned that we were about to attack Egypt, they even wanted to take the initiative to send ships and volunteer armed personnel to accompany them. You know, after they lost Ceylon last year, they were very worried that we would fight with the Netherlands. So, they want to try their best to please us." Ding Dezong said: "As for those Arab businessmen, I think, deep in their hearts, maybe a gold coin or a silver coin is better than They should appear closer to the Egyptians who are also believers in True God."

"Very good!" Luo Shouxun was very satisfied with the preparations made by the black guards. "This time to attack the Ottomans and the Port of Suez will be our first expedition across the ocean. It is to show off our military might. It must be a big victory to show the momentum of our country. If it is like the Portuguese more than 100 years ago, it is useless, and it will only increase the joke.”

On February 2, the expedition fleet arrived at Tianfangbao on Xuanling Island (now the town of Gulanciye on the northwest side of Socotra Island), but did not stay too long. Simply added some fresh water, and immediately headed for the Gulf of Aden.

On March 3, under the guidance of several Portuguese and Arabs, the fleet raided the port of Massawa on the west bank of the Red Sea, and quickly controlled the entire port and the small town on the shore.Several Arab merchant ships and fishing boats moored at the port were all detained, and all personnel were also detained and guarded.

The expedition fleet will complete all the preparations before the war here according to the original plan.Including allowing soldiers who have sailed long distances to go ashore to rest and supplement fresh water and other important supplies, it is also necessary to install some artillery that was originally transported by fully equipped sailboats on the galleys, and at the same time conduct a comprehensive overhaul of the two steam-powered sail warships.The mapping experts who arrived with the army were also busy sorting out the waterways and hydrology and climate they recorded along the way, so as to provide more accurate navigation guidance for the navy and merchant ships traveling here in the future.

After an inventory of personnel and equipment, it was found that due to a winter storm attack on the road, a galley sank unfortunately, and some materials were soaked by heavy rain and sea water.

However, just as the expedition fleet was gaining momentum, the most important weather conditions were always at work.The north wind that lasted for more than ten days made it difficult for large sailing ships to go deep.

After waiting for a week, Fleet Commander Luo Shouxun decided not to delay, and ordered all the ships to set sail, against the north wind, constantly changing directions at sea, and heading towards Suez Port at a very slow speed.

On April 4, the fleet arrived at Chittagong, separated from the Mughal Empire pilgrimage fleet, and continued northward.

On April 4th, when the expeditionary fleet sailed to the coastal area of ​​Marsa Alam, the wind direction began to change and turned into a southwesterly wind that was very favorable for the fleet's course. Therefore, the fleet ships spread all their sails, and at a speed of eight to twelve knots, Quickly rushed towards the port of Suez.

On April 4, the fleet entered the Gulf of Suez, and in the afternoon of the same day, encountered four local medium galleys.Seeing that the opportunity was not good, the other party immediately turned around and fled towards Suez Port.

The three warships at the vanguard bit each other's tails and chased after them.However, in the narrow Gulf of Suez, the opponent's galleys were more flexible and maneuverable than Qi's large warships. They had at least 20 pairs of oars on board, and with the help of sails, they quickly escaped. a long way.

At this time, the two steam-powered sailing battleships "Fengyun" and "Fengdian" quickly sailed out of the fleet array, and chased after them at an unimaginable speed. In less than two quarters of an hour, Then they passed the three chasing warships, and two puffs of black smoke drifted all the way behind their ships.

Before evening, the Qi State Expeditionary Fleet captured all the four galleys. Through surprise interrogation, it was unexpectedly learned that the local Pasha Ahmed Fathi of Suez had already known the news of the Qi State Expeditionary Fleet's attack in advance. .To this end, he invited Ismailia Pasha to lead more than 8000 soldiers to help. Together with the army under his command and some tribal armed forces, a total of nearly [-] people were assembled and stood in the port of Suez.

"So what about 8000 people?" After hearing the report, General Guangwei (Major General) Li Fade, the commander-in-chief of the army, was only slightly taken aback, and then said solemnly: "It's 1 people, even if our army can't count them all. Annihilation, but the successful capture of Suez Port and the defeat of the incoming enemy should not be a problem.”

"General Li, the other party has more than [-] Mamluk cavalry, will it be difficult to deal with the [-] Maratha cavalry hired by us?" Luo Shouxun asked worriedly: "You know, the terrain here is flat, almost Without any cover, it is very beneficial for the opponent's cavalry to charge. Here, we need to be cautious."

"In the territory of Ming Dynasty, it's not like they didn't fight Qing cavalry before." Li Fade said disapprovingly: "Back then, on the banks of the Yalu River, the [-] Qing army was completely wiped out under the iron wall we set up. I still don't believe it, this Mamluk cavalry is even stronger than the Qing captive Eight Banners cavalry?"

(End of this chapter)