Ming Zuo

The news that the Netherlands changed its strategy and supported the king quickly spread in the British Isles, which also shocked the parliament.

"Who can tell me why the Netherlands has become our enemy?"

In Parliament, Cromwell roared, but it meant little.

Despite his rising fame and popularity during the Civil War, he was not yet the leader of the Parliamentary faction at this moment.

It is the Presbyterians who are now in power in the parliament.

The Presbyterians are the product of the Anglican Church of Garr's cultural reform, which itself represents the big landowners, the big bourgeoisie and the aristocracy.

Because of its attributes, it can be regarded as the most gentle faction in the parliament that treats the king.

They did not advocate the complete liquidation of Charles I, but hoped to force Charles I to surrender more rights in order to reach a compromise.

It is precisely because of the existence of the Presbyterians that the Independents headed by Cromwell and the Equality faction headed by John Lilburn were often restrained in the battle against the Royalists, and they were still unable to complete their efforts in one battle.

For example, after the Battle of Nasby, it was clear that the royalist army had been completely defeated.As long as the victory is pursued, Charles I and his supporters can be completely wiped out.

However, the actions of the Presbyterians in the rear forced Cromwell and others to return to London urgently to engage in political struggles, and also gave Charles I a chance to breathe.

Only then did Charles I go to Scotland and still be able to make troubles.

Otherwise, the Sino-Dutch joint fleet can only turn to support Charles II's succession to the throne and redeploy strategies.

After all, the young Charles II's influence at this time was still completely incomparable with that of Charles I.

No one can answer Cromwell's question.

The Netherlands originally had a good relationship with the Parliament because of its Protestantism.

Who doesn't understand why the Netherlands turned to support the king?

But in any case, as Europe's leading maritime power, the Netherlands' turn will definitely bring great harm to the parliamentarians.

Cromwell was a little desperate for the rotten Presbyterians, and he decided to deploy according to his own wishes.

He looked at Thomas Fairfax.

This man was the commander-in-chief of the parliamentary army, and was loved by his soldiers for his tactical prowess and personal courage.

However, he has no desire for power and is humble, so there is not much conflict with Cromwell, and it is a relationship that can be sincerely cooperated.

"In order to end the civil war as soon as possible, we must send troops as soon as possible. The surrender of the king and Scotland is the most important thing at present."

Although Fairfax is a moderate and does not advocate the overthrow of Charles I as king, he also understands that Cromwell is right.

"I will lead the army to march to Scotland, but the key depends on the navy."

Everyone understands what he said.

China and the Netherlands came from the sea, and the key to preventing China and the Netherlands from supporting Charles I is naturally also at sea.

"I'm afraid it will be difficult to succeed with the power in the hands of Admiral Black alone. We need to order Duke Monk to assist."

George Monk was an outstanding naval general in the parliamentary army. In order to completely prevent foreign forces from interfering in the British Civil War, Cromwell did not intend to keep his hand, and sent two of the most powerful generals in one go.

There are usually various disputes within the parliament, but they can only be shelved in the face of such a major event.

Immediately after the order was issued, George Monk led another part of the navy to set off from London to search for the Chinese and Dutch fleet together with Robert Blair.

After all, the transmission of information in this era is really too slow.

When the British Navy responded, the Chinese and Dutch fleets had already approached the outskirts of Scotland.

When Robert Blair received the information, his scalp became numb, and he quickly ordered the fleet to take a shortcut along the coast of England, regardless of fatigue.

At this time in Edinburgh, Charles I was still maintaining his last pride, and he was very tough in the face of the persecution of the Covenant faction.

"As the co-king of England and Scotland, my power comes from God, and no one can be above me. The Presbyterian system destroys the foundation of the state religion, which is a blasphemy against kingship."

After Charles I withdrew to Scotland, the Oath faction with great influence here saw an opportunity.

They planned to take advantage of the weak opportunity of Charles I to force him to make a promise, to make reforms within the Anglican Church, and to implement the Covenant Presbyterian system, so as to usurp greater power.

Charles I knew their thoughts clearly, but he had no awareness of his own situation.It is obvious that people are Daozu and I are fish, but he still remains tough.

The faces of those in power of the Oath Sect began to look gloomy, and they gradually lost their patience.

What Charles I didn't know was that before he came to Scotland, the Oath faction had secretly communicated with the British Parliament.

The Oath faction and the Presbyterian faction in the parliament share a common language and interests, and they intend to get the most out of the civil war.

The two sides joined forces to force the king to recognize the legitimacy of the presbytery system, and then use this to suppress the independents and equals, and finally complete the control of the whole of Britain.

It's a pity that these old and rotten people, like Charles I, couldn't understand the situation at all.

The independence faction and the equality faction hold the vast majority of the army, and they naturally have an advantage in political struggles.

The oath faction's plan is doomed to be in vain.

Just as they were about to leave and go back to discuss countermeasures, Charles I's attendant hurried in.

"Your Highness, there is a battle at sea. The warships of the Parliament do not know who they are fighting with?"

Hearing that the fleet of the parliament was coming, everyone present was shocked.

Charles I's complexion suddenly changed, and he almost ordered to continue to escape on the spot.

When he heard that the parliamentary fleet was fighting an unknown enemy, he couldn't help becoming curious again.

"Let's go and see."

Everyone ran out of Edinburgh and came all the way to the beach, only to see that the vast sea in the distance was already filled with gunpowder smoke.

On the calm sea, countless battleships are crisscrossing back and forth, and the battle has entered the most intense stage.

Robert Blair's actions had a miraculous effect, and the parliamentary fleet finally blocked the Chinese and Dutch fleet off the coast of Edinburgh.

However, for this scene, the Sino-Dutch fleet was not surprised.

After all, it is entering other people's territory. If it breaks through the guard and defense easily, it can only show that Britain is not worthy of respect as an opponent.

Robert Blair doesn't care what the Sino-Dutch fleet thinks. Since it is blocked, if the Sino-Dutch fleet is not wiped out or expelled, he can't explain it when he goes back.

"Inform Duke Monk and ask him to outflank from the north and assist us in fighting."

Under the order, the mighty British fleet was divided into two groups.

Robert Blair's fleet attacked from the front, and George Monk's fleet outflanked it from the rear.

Seeing the aggressiveness of the British fleet, Kong Zhiguang responded quickly.

"Inform General Tropp and ask him to lead the Dutch fleet to stop the outflanking enemy. As for the frontal enemy, leave it to us."

Although the number of British warships is astonishing, although the imperial fleet only has seven third-tier battleships, Kong Zhiguang is full of confidence.