I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1157 Naval Strike!

"Oh? You mean they're building ships in Antioch?"

More than half a month later, Byzantium.

Emperor Severus, who had just arrived with two legions, let out a disdainful sneer after receiving a secret report from the front.

"Do those arrogant Easterners think the waves of the Mediterranean are just a pond in front of their door? Even if they conquer important cities like Antioch and Alexandria, do they really think they can build a fleet on this sea that can rival Rome without years or even decades of accumulation? That's just wishful thinking!"

"Your Majesty said so."

A nobleman accompanying the emperor replied with a fawning smile, "By the time they finish building the ships, His Majesty's army will have already driven them back to the East."

"That's right, that's right."

Another minister stepped forward and said, "The Han cavalry may be able to wreak havoc on land, but what about naval warfare? That's a talent that has flowed in the blood of the Romans since the time of Romulus! They may not even understand the rhythm of sailing a galley, yet they dare to challenge the masters of the Mediterranean?"

Compared to the pressure brought on by the Han army's successive victories on land, and the infiltration and expansion of the Han army's vanguard in Asia Minor, this news brought a rare sense of relief to everyone.

After all, a navy cannot be built up overnight.

Even if the Han people could conscript fishermen and sailors from the coastal conquered areas, warships capable of cutting through the waves and fighting in the ocean could not be conjured up at will.

Even at the Roman Empire's Misena naval base in the Bend of Naples, shipwrights there would need months or even longer to build a large galley.

From selecting keel timber and soaking it in preservatives to laying planks, installing oars, and adjusting sails and rigging, every step embodies centuries of experience. Even if Easterners could capture some blueprints or a few shipwrights, it would be nothing short of a pipe dream to assemble a fleet capable of threatening Roman naval power in a short period of time.

"Your Majesty must not be careless."

The commander of the Imperial Guard, Protinas, said cautiously, "Your Majesty, although we have never heard of any Easterners having the ability to traverse the oceans, their craftsmen are skilled in strange ways and can always create some unexpected and troublesome machines."

"Back in the Punic Wars, the Imperial shipwrights learned the craftsmanship of the Carthaginians and built 100 quinquereme warships and 20 trireme warships in just over two months, which helped the Empire win the naval battle."

"Now, who knows if the Han people won't follow the example of our Roman ancestors and use unexpected means to shorten the shipbuilding time?"

Protinus's reminder caused Severus's relaxed expression to suddenly turn serious.

The Punic Wars are a story known to every Roman; they were the first step in the Roman Empire's conquest of the Mediterranean.

At that time, in order to deal with Carthage's powerful navy, the Romans adopted a standardized prefabricated component "kit manufacturing method". At the cost of shortening the lifespan of ships and the hull sturdiness, they quickly destroyed a wave of ships, which effectively dealt a blow to Carthage's naval power, blockaded the sea, and helped the imperial army seize the precious Sicily.

He has been mobilizing troops from all over the country, and it will take at least two or three months to complete the assembly and eastward deployment of the main force. During this time, leaving things unattended will certainly allow those cunning Easterners to make their mark. "You're right, my friend. So what do you mean?"

"Pre-emptive strike!"

Protinas immediately declared: "In my opinion, the most urgent task is to immediately dispatch our Aegean fleet stationed in Corinth and the Cypriot fleet to launch continuous harassing attacks on Antioch, Tyre, and even the Egyptian coast. Burn their shipyards and timber yards, capture or sink any ships already launched, blockade the coast, and kill their shipbuilding plans before they even begin!"

"Good! Issue my decree, ordering Marcus, commander of the Aegean Fleet, and Tiberius, commander of the Cypriot Fleet, to each lead their main forces to jointly carry out the blockade and surprise attack mission! Make sure the Han people know the power that dominates the Mediterranean."

Emperor Severus adopted Protinus's suggestion and immediately issued an order to dispatch two squadrons stationed in the Gulf of Corinth and Cyprus to quickly advance eastward to carry out the mission of "punishment and blockade".

Several days later, flags obscured the sun in the waters near Cyprus.

Marcus led his fleet to meet Tiberius here, and the two joined forces, leading a combined fleet of more than eighty ships, including pentagonal warships, triremes, and the lighter and faster Libnian fast ships, sailing majestically toward the Syrian coast.

Marcus stood confidently on the bridge of his flagship, the Poseidon, believing it to be nothing more than an armed parade, at most encountering some sporadic resistance. The main objective was to destroy port facilities and unfinished ships, giving those arrogant Easterners a profound lesson at sea.

“Let those landlubbers see what real sea power is!” Marcus said to Tiberius from the top of the flagship “Poseidon”. “Their ‘fleet’ is probably just a wooden frame lying in the dock!”

In contrast to Marcus's confidence, Tiberius appeared much more cautious: "We must not underestimate them. His Majesty specifically instructed that these Easterners are skilled in using unusual techniques, so we must fight quickly, burn down the docks and ships, and then retreat, lest we get entangled."

Several days later, the Roman fleet appeared off the coast of Antioch. Lookouts reported signs of construction in the harbor, but no large-scale fleet assembly was observed.

Marcus became even more convinced that the Han Chinese shipbuilding program was still in its infancy. He ordered the fleet to form an assault formation, with heavy five-masted warships as the vanguard, and head straight for the port of Antioch, preparing to storm into the harbor and wreak havoc.

"Humph."

Marcus looked at the bustling docks and the massive shipyards in the city, a cold smile playing on his lips:
"It's been almost two months, and all they've managed to produce are a few half-finished boats? It's... ridiculously slow!"

"Come on, order all ships to prepare ballistae and rockets! Target the docks and shipyards, and utterly destroy them!"

The Roman fleet, oars and sails billowing, cleaved the azure sea like a school of sharks spotting their prey, accelerating toward the seemingly undefended harbor. Sunlight shone on the bronze helmets of the Roman soldiers and the dense blades of their oars, reflecting a dazzling, cold gleam; their military might was unmatched, exuding the unquestionable arrogance of maritime supremacy.

However, just as the Roman fleet entered the invisible defensive line outside the port, death quietly awoke.

On the breakwater of Antioch harbor, several inconspicuous earthen fortifications suddenly collapsed, revealing dark firing ports. On the top of a newly built tower on the shore, the canvas covering it was suddenly ripped off, revealing a gigantic trebuchet with a huge iron counterweight box.

Even more chilling was the sight of a bizarre device, unlike anything they had ever seen before, with thick, long, dark metal pipes that revealed the gaping, black muzzle of a cannon.

(End of this chapter)