My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 873: Capture of Rhode Island

On the sea at the northern end of Rhode Island, Han's steam battleships were lined up. Zhang Zhong stood on the bow of the Qingzhou, looking seriously at Rhode City behind the port.

Rhodes is an important island in the southern Aegean Sea and the gateway to the Aegean Sea. For example, when entering the Aegean Sea from Cyprus, you need to pass through here.

However, this island does not belong to Venice or the Ottomans, but is occupied by a knights of the Holy See. It is said that this knights was defeated in the struggle of the Holy See and finally had to flee to the island, thus occupying the island. This beautiful island.

Rhodes City at the northern end of Rhodes Island has always been a battleground for famous military strategists in the Mediterranean. Rhodes City was built very tall and majestic and was famous for its indestructibility. Venice and the Ottomans both sent troops to attack Rhodes Island in the past, but unfortunately they failed.

However, Rhode Island now welcomes the fleet of the Han Dynasty. Because they are blocking the way from Cyprus to the Aegean Sea, the Han Dynasty could not spare the time to deal with them before. Now they are about to attack the Black Sea Strait, so Rhode Island must take them. Down.

"General, the time has come, and Rhodes City has not raised a white flag to surrender!"

At this time, soldiers suddenly reported to Zhang Zhong.

Zhang Zhong led the fleet to blockade Luodang yesterday, and sent people to notify the island, giving them one day to consider. If they do not surrender and offer the city after one day, the Han will attack the city with all their strength and will no longer accept surrender.

Now that the day has passed, there is still no movement in the city. It is obvious that the other party is going to fight to the end.

"Open fire and charge into the city. Anyone who dares to resist will be shot to death!"

Zhang Zhong gave the order in a cold voice.

As Zhang Zhong's order was conveyed, the six warships advanced towards the port. After entering the firing range, the artillery on the ship roared in unison, and some military facilities in the port were all covered by artillery.

As the warships opened fire, the cavalry regiment at the port also began to fire back, but their artillery was too primitive and could not hit the Han warships. Instead, because of its exposed position, it was quickly blown up by the warships with explosive bombs.

After the obstacles at the port were almost cleared, Zhang Zhong ordered to enter the port and start landing.

Although the remaining enemies at the port caused some trouble for their landing, they were quickly eliminated. Then a large number of Han troops landed on land and then attacked the city of Rhodes behind the port.

The main reason why the defense at the port is so poor is that the Knights withdrew all their main forces to Rhodes City, because the walls of Rhodes City are very tall and strong, and are said to be indestructible. Many previous attacks by Venice and the Ottomans were defeated by them relying on the city walls. blocked.

So this time they repeated their old plan and concentrated their main forces in the city, intending to rely on the strong city walls to block the Han army's attack.

However, the people of the Knights made a wrong calculation. The Han was not Ottoman, let alone Venetian. The power of the Han's artillery made the strong city wall meaningless in front of the Han army.

So when Zhang Zhong ordered his people to pull the artillery to the shore, and then blasted at the gate of Rhode City, the knights in the city finally understood that the army of these big men was indeed as unstoppable as the legend said.

But it was already too late. Soon the Han army opened the city gate, and then the musketeers rushed into the city. The resisters died in the battle, and a considerable number of people chose to surrender. After all, surrender is not a shameful thing in European countries. .

Just one day later, the entire city of Rhodes fell into the hands of the Han Dynasty. Zhang Zhong immediately sent troops and officials, and at the same time notified several other small towns on the island to surrender immediately. Even the city of Rhodes was captured, and these small towns did not resist at all. Ability.

With the capture of Rhodes Island, the Han Dynasty had two strongholds in the Mediterranean, namely Cyprus and Rhodes Island. The two islands were not far apart and could echo each other.

In addition, after Rhodes Island is occupied, the Han's forward base can move forward one step further, directly reaching the coast of the Aegean Sea and getting closer to the Black Sea Strait. Many supplies from the rear can also be transported to Rhodes Island for turnover. At the same time that Rhodes Island was occupied by the Han Dynasty, Zhu Zhanhe's fleet arrived from Venice, and Zhang Zhong also came to greet him personally in Rhodes Port.

"Zhan He, how was your trip to Venice?"

At the reception banquet, Zhang Zhong asked Zhu Zhanhe with a smile.

"It's been quite rewarding. Not only have I laid some foundations in Venice, but I've also figured out some things. It will be smoother to enter Europe in the future."

Zhu Zhanhe replied with a smile, and then asked Zhang Zhong how he attacked Rhode Island. Zhang Zhong had mentioned this to him before, but he didn't pay much attention to it, because with the strength of Zhang Zhong's troops, There was no suspense about the capture of Rhode Island, and Zhang Zhong's story also confirmed Zhu Zhanhe's thoughts.

"Zhan He, we will send troops to the Black Sea Strait next. The navy in Venice has also been prepared. How about you wait until we finish this battle before leaving?"

Zhang Zhong suddenly suggested.

"That's what I have in mind. It just so happens that the few battleships I brought can also help you with some things. I will be more confident then!"

Zhu Zhanhe immediately nodded and said that the reason why he came to Rhodes Island was actually to participate in the attack on the Black Sea Strait. This was a battle related to the fate of the Ottoman nation. If the strait could be occupied, it would be equivalent to cutting the Ottomans in two.

Coupled with Mufas's landing to attack Bursa, if all goes well, Zhu Zhanhe will witness the split of the Ottomans, and this may even become the starting point of the decline of the Ottomans.

"That's great, how about you sit in Rhode Island and help me direct and dispatch logistics supplies. It will be safer this way!"

Zhang Zhong was delighted at first, and then suggested again.

"No, Rhodes Island is too far away from the Black Sea Strait. It is impossible to witness this battle from here. Now that I have caught up, I naturally want to go to the battlefield in person!"

Zhu Zhanhe waved his hand and refused.

"But……"

Zhang Zhong still wanted to persuade, but was interrupted by Zhu Zhanhe: "I know you are worried about my safety, but this is mainly a naval battle. With our steam warships, those Ottoman sailing ships cannot threaten us at all. So as long as I stay on the battleship, there will never be any danger!"

Hearing what Zhu Zhanhe said, Zhang Zhong hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded and said: "Okay, since you are on the battlefield in person, I won't advise you, but your boat must stay behind the battlefield. You can’t join the war, otherwise I won’t agree to take you there!”

Zhang Zhong finally made a request. After all, no matter how powerful the steam battleship is, it may still be hit by the opponent's artillery during a battle. They have encountered this situation before and caused some casualties, so he asked Zhu Zhanhe's ship stayed behind and could not participate in the battle.

"No problem, you are the general, everything is up to you!"

Zhu Zhanhe laughed and agreed.

(End of this chapter)