My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 297

"Anchor!"

Following Zhang Fu's order, the shipping fleet in Liujia Harbor lifted anchor and hoisted their sails one after another, and one after another grain transport ships with extremely deep drafts also slowly left the port.

This is the second time to transport grain this year, and it is also this year's autumn grain. Last time, because of the excellent performance of sea transportation, the task of autumn grain was also entrusted to them. After half a month, they will arrive in Tianjin.

"General, look at the new boat over there, it looks really good!"

Mr. Qi stood at the bow, pointed at the new warships on their right side and smiled.

Earlier, Zhu Zhanhe ordered the shipbuilding workshop to design new ships for shipping, and the shipbuilding workshop also began to work overtime on construction.

However, the grain transport ship is more complicated and has not been built yet, but the workshop has delivered eight new warships to Zhang Fu. These warships are not large in scale and can only be regarded as small and medium warships, but they are very flexible and fast. It is also extremely fast, far exceeding the average warship.

"Indeed, they are all good ships. The food transport ships are large and slow. They must be equipped with these warships to dare to go to sea."

Zhang Fu looked at the beautiful new boat next to him and nodded in satisfaction.

"Under the heavy reward, there must be a brave man. The prince has set such a high reward in the shipbuilding workshop, and of course those craftsmen will work hard!"

Mr. Qi smiled slightly.

In order to improve the efficiency of the shipbuilding workshop, Zhu Zhanhe previously set up rewards in the workshop. Simply put, the craftsmen who proposed improvement methods for sea-going ships were rewarded with heavy gold. This also greatly stimulated the enthusiasm of the craftsmen, so these new ships To get into the water so quickly.

While talking, a ship passed by on the left, and a general on the deck saw Zhang Fu here, and immediately asked loudly: "General, can we bring another batch of goods when we come back from Liaodong this time?"

"You kid is really a money fanatic. We have just set off, and you are thinking about carrying goods?"

Zhang Fu couldn't help laughing when he heard the words.

The last time they came back, with the consent of Zhu Di and Zhu Zhanhe, they brought a batch of goods from Liaodong and earned a lot of shipping fees. Although most of them were handed over, [-]% belonged to them.

Zhang Fu was a fair person, and when he returned to Taicang, he distributed [-]% of the shipping fee to his soldiers, which also made the whole shipping company rejoice, and everyone looked forward to going to sea again.

"General, you can go and ask, who in our entire fleet is not looking forward to returning to pick up the goods, after all, compared to our little salary, the share of carrying the goods is simply too much, one trip is enough for us to work for a year! "

The general on the opposite ship laughed again.

"You guys, let's think about how we can reach Tianjin safely this time. Otherwise, if there is an accident, let alone carrying the goods, it will be a great grace from the court not to question us!"

Zhang Fu taught the lesson half-jokingly and half-seriously.

It's a good thing for the fleet to be motivated, but they can't just think about making money. After all, for them, ensuring the fleet's safe arrival in Tianjin is the top priority.

"Just look at it, general. Now my brothers are full of energy, and they will never let you down!"

The general on the opposite side patted his chest and promised.

Hearing what the other party said, Zhang Fu and Mr. Qi also looked at each other and smiled.

Just now Mr. Qi also said that shipbuilders must have brave men under heavy rewards. In fact, the same is true for the soldiers in their fleet.

Before shipping by sea, the soldiers could only keep their salaries, but after the imperial court allowed them to carry the goods, the share of each trip was a considerable amount of income, so the enthusiasm of the soldiers was also greatly improved. Whether it is working or practicing, it is much better than before.

"General, there is a situation!"

Unexpectedly, at this moment, the watchman above his head suddenly yelled at Zhang Fu on the deck.

"what's the situation?"

Zhang Fu asked immediately after hearing the words.

"A few miles away to the left, I found a sea ship of unknown origin!"

The lookout reported loudly.

Hearing that there was a boat at sea, Zhang Fu and Mr. Qi also showed serious expressions.

Because the Ming Dynasty implemented a sea ban, and even private fishing boats were prohibited from entering the sea, there were only two types of ships that appeared along the coast of the Ming Dynasty. One was official ships of the Ming Dynasty, and the other was pirates, or Japanese pirates.

"Pass my order, the whole fleet is ready to meet the enemy!"

Zhang Fu ordered in a deep voice, following his order, the watchman immediately played a semaphore to convey his order to other ships.

After the other ships received Zhang Fu's order, they immediately changed their formations. The grain transport ships moved to the middle of the fleet, and some small and medium warships moved to the periphery. They were the main force in the battle.

The shipping fleet is not only limited to grain ships, but also specialized warships. After all, besides various natural disasters at sea, the biggest threat is Japanese pirates.

At this time, Zhang Fu climbed up to the observation tower himself, and took out his treasured telescope, which was a gift from Zhu Zhanhe when he left Tianjin, and he usually treats it as a treasure and does not allow outsiders to touch it.

Through the binoculars, Zhang Fu quickly saw the situation of the boat in the distance.

It was a small sea boat with a long and narrow hull and huge sails. There were six or seven people manning the boat, which made the boat very flexible.

"Sure enough, it's the pirate's fast boat!"

Zhang Fu recognized it at a glance. This kind of speedboat was the one often used by Japanese pirates. It was mainly used for scouting news. This kind of speedboat was so fast that it was difficult for ordinary warships to catch up.

Moreover, Zhang Fu also saw clearly the crew members on the ship, all of them had Yuedai hair combed and simple robes on their bodies, and they could all be recognized at a glance as Japanese pirates.

After confirming the fast boat that the Japanese pirates were inquiring about the military situation, Zhang Fu also got off the observation tower immediately. At this time, Mr. Qi also stepped forward and asked: "General, are they really Japanese pirates?"

"It's the fast boat of the Japanese pirates. It is estimated that the main force of the Japanese pirates is behind."

Zhang Fei nodded and replied.

"These Japanese pirates are so courageous, they dare to plan our shipping!"

Mr. Qi also frowned at this time.

In the past, they also dealt with Japanese pirates during shipping. There were many times when Japanese pirates wanted to besiege shipping fleets, but they were defeated. So few Japanese pirates dared to attack shipping fleets.

"Since they dare to come, it means that they are at least a little bit sure, and they must not be careless!"

Zhang Fei said in a deep voice at this moment.

"We just left Taicang when a Japanese pirate ship followed us. It seems that, as the legend says, someone is secretly having an affair with the Japanese pirates!"

Mr. Qi analyzed again at this time.

The reason why the Japanese pirates are difficult to catch is that some scum colluded with them, not only sold their stolen goods for them, but also provided them with various supplies, and even leaked the movements of the imperial court to them, so the imperial court repeatedly suppressed the Japanese pirates but returned without success .

The Japanese pirate clippers in the distance have been hanging far behind the grain transport fleet, Zhang Fu also ordered people to prepare for the battle, and in the afternoon of the next day, a large Japanese pirate fleet finally appeared on the sea.

(End of this chapter)