Lord Moyu was forced to open

"Your Majesty, 90% of the warships in the East China Sea Fleet have been replaced. I request that you go to Yingzhou Island immediately to prepare for a decisive battle with the European Combined Fleet!"

At the morning court, Li Erniu, who had received the news about his subordinates' equipment replacement progress, immediately began to ask for battle with an excited look on his face.

Yesterday, Zhao Jun also received the latest information about the East China Sea Fleet's equipment replacement from the National Defense Bureau.

Hearing this, he looked at the other people in the court and said, "Now, 90% of our Great Song Navy has completed its refit, and more than 760 ironclad warships are spread across our Great Song seas.

Do you think we should take the initiative to fight against Europe now?"

Cui Wen, the Minister of Finance and also the Deputy Minister of the Cabinet, immediately stood up and reported:

"Your Majesty! Although our dynasty's strength on paper has surpassed that of the European Combined Fleet, our navy was founded by Your Majesty and has been in existence for less than 20 years.

The navies of European countries have been established for a hundred years. Although the number and quality of their fleets are not as good as those of the Song Dynasty, they have rich experience in naval warfare, which is exactly what the Song Dynasty lacks. I believe that in this situation, we must not underestimate the enemy and advance rashly. We should fight the enemy in the safest way, rather than going all out to fight a battle with the enemy's rich experience with an unknown outcome!"

As soon as Cui Wen said this, all the officials nodded their heads. Anyone who knows how to recruit soldiers knows that there are those who can fight and those who can't, and even those who can't fight have very powerful weapons in their hands.

But those who know how to fight are also likely to win, because that is experience.

If someone uses their worst weapon to fight against your good weapon, I'm afraid you will not only be able to defeat them one by one, but you can also defeat them two or three at once.

America has a deep understanding of this.

But Li Erniu was unhappy after hearing this. What does it mean that he looks down on the soldiers led by me, Li?
Li Erniu immediately jumped out and said angrily:

“Old Cui, where is your money? You are just making alarmist remarks.

I have nearly 800 ironclad ships under my command, how could I possibly lose?!"

Cui Wen rolled his eyes and didn't bother to pay attention to him.

Zhao Jun found it funny, but he still stopped him and said, "Okay, Erniu, stop it, don't I know that you are from the army?

If you are talking about land warfare, then you are indeed experienced, and Chaocheng has nothing to say, but this is a naval battle, and it is also the first time that my Song Dynasty has faced a country with rich experience in naval warfare.

This battle is of great importance, so it is better to listen to Minister Cui and be cautious. "

After hearing this, Li Erniu opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but he didn't know what to say and ended up just remaining silent.

He knew that His Majesty was right. He was indeed not good at naval warfare. When he was suppressing bandits before, he also used a fleet to surround the enemy. However, he knew very well that naval warfare was different. He had no idea about the deployment of the fleet.

He is also slowly figuring things out, but his opponents this time are all veterans of naval warfare, and he might really lose if he is not careful.

Therefore, he couldn't immediately jump out and pat his chest to issue a military order when His Majesty questioned him. That was unrealistic.

Shaking his head, Li Erniu returned to his train dejectedly. Guan Ning and Ding Hongguang beside him patted his shoulders comfortingly, but he did not respond.

Zhao Jun knew that he was feeling uncomfortable, but this battle was of great importance and he couldn't just let him mess around just because he was feeling uncomfortable.

The reason why Li Erniu was asked to be in charge of the navy was because there were no suitable naval talents, so he was asked to take charge of the navy because of his seniority. Moreover, his seniority could also help the navy gain more resources.

This is indeed the case. Relying on Li Erniu's prestige in the army and his own support, the development of the navy is improving day by day.

But when it comes to war...

Zhao Jun had a candidate in mind.

After the court session, Zhao Jun asked Wang Huai'en to bring a man into Funing Palace.

This is an old man who is already over fifty years old. Despite his age, he is full of energy. His dark skin has not changed at all even after living a life of luxury in Bian Jing for so many years. It is still the same as when he was at sea.

Looking at him, Zhao Jun smiled and said, "Zheng Long, long time no see. The last time I saw you seemed to be eight years ago, right?

Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye, and you are already in your fifties. Are you still in good health?"

That's right, the old man in front of him was none other than Zheng Long, the leader of the Song Dynasty's number one pirate who once roamed the East China Sea. He was also the father of Zheng Shen, the current deputy governor of the Song Dynasty's East China Sea Fleet.

Facing Zhao Jun's concern, Zheng Long was obviously a little terrified, and he knelt down on the spot and said loudly:
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I have lived a good life these years and have not had any serious health problems."

Zhao Jun nodded with emotion and said, "As long as you are healthy, you will see a better future."

Zheng Long shuddered and his body began to tremble slightly.

Zhao Jun seemed not to notice it, and continued to talk to himself:
"Last year, European countries reached a secret agreement and formed a joint fleet in August this year to attack our Song Dynasty. Their first stop was the former Wa Island, now Yingzhou County.

Therefore, since last year, I have ordered the Tiangong Academy and the Bingzhang Bureau to build ships as much as possible. Now the scale of our Song Dynasty Navy has nearly 700 ironclad warships, the largest number of warships in the world! "

When Zhao Jun said this, Zheng Long immediately flattered him: "Your Majesty is wise! Our Song Dynasty navy is invincible! This is a blessing for our Song Dynasty!"

The corners of Zhao Jun's mouth twitched, and he resisted the urge to slap this flatterer and continued, "Although we have a fleet, our Song Dynasty lacks both crew members and qualified naval commanders.

Next month, the joint fleet will arrive at the sea borders of our Song Dynasty, and our Song Dynasty no longer has any more time to train them.

It is necessary to form combat effectiveness immediately.

The seamen are easy to deal with. I have already recruited experienced sailors from the local area last year, and have been recruiting elite soldiers from the army for training.

Although it is not elite now, it can still be used.

But it is this position of commander that I have been hesitant about."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Long immediately said: "Your Majesty, don't worry. Our Song Dynasty is vast and rich in resources, with a wealth of talented people. There must be countless naval commanders like a stream of carp crossing the river.

It will surely be easy to destroy the combined fleets of the European barbarian countries!"

Zheng Long blew hard, Zhao Jun's forehead was black, and after thinking about it, he simply stopped beating around the bush and said directly: "I won't waste any more time talking to you. I came here today to inform you that I plan to let Zheng Shen preside over this naval battle. If he wins, I will not hesitate to give him a title, the lowest being an earl.

If we lose..."

Zhao Jun shook his head and didn't say how he was defeated.

But at this moment, Zheng Long's entire mind was filled with two words!
Knighted!

Since surrendering to the Song Dynasty, although his son became the deputy commander of the East China Sea Fleet, the Zheng family has always had an uneasy sense of crisis.

It is because of their poor background that they are afraid that His Majesty will bring up the past and take them down at any time.

But if they had a title, they would directly jump up a class and become the noble class of the Song Dynasty.

Although the nobles of the Song Dynasty are not as powerful as before and there are not as many caps, nobles are still nobles. No matter how down and out they are, they are not in the same class as ordinary people.

And they will truly become part of the Song Dynasty and no longer have to worry and be afraid all day long.

Zheng Long's eyes instantly turned red, and he immediately assured loudly: "Your Majesty, don't worry, we will win this battle!"

Zhao Jun smiled playfully and asked, "Really?"

"There is no second possibility!"

Zheng Long said with absolute certainty!
Zhao Jun finally nodded with satisfaction:

"Can!"

"Long live His Majesty!!!"

……

(End of this chapter)