I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 283: Fuck your mother, Western barbarians!

A sharp and piercing copper whistle sounded in the night, breaking the silence.

Soon, chaotic footsteps were heard in the cabin and on the deck.

The flames flickered all around like lightning hidden in dark clouds.

The sound of cannons tore through the darkness and echoed, like a whip lashing somewhere you couldn't see.

The whistling sound of artillery shells came from all directions, which was terrifying.

Captain Jiang listened for dozens of breaths on the stern deck and concluded, "Damn it, he's a Westerner, but I don't know if he's Dutch or Spanish."

Chen Guichang asked hesitantly, "Spaniards? The Spaniards have just arrived in the South China Sea. Logically, they haven't established a firm foothold in Luzon yet. How come they got involved? Could it be the Dutch?"

Captain Jiang turned around and asked, "Brother Chen, why do you ask that?"

"Brother Jiang, these Dutch people used to do a great business with the Japanese in the east. After the Ming Dynasty eliminated the Japanese in the southeast, the navy was greatly strengthened and cut off the sea route of the Japanese in the east. The Dutch people had no business to do and could only retreat to Quanzhou, Guangzhou and Malacca. They lost a lot of money. Will they feel resentful?"

"That's possible." Captain Jiang nodded, "But I heard from those Westerners in Malacca that the Netherlands is still under the rule of the Spanish, so it's not autonomous.

They seem to be trying to break away from the Spanish and establish their own country. Although their place is not big, there are many people doing business on ships, all of them are desperate people who value money over their lives.

However, most of those who came all the way to our side are independent gangs with weak strength. They may have resentment in their hearts, but they don’t have the courage to do such a big thing.”

"Brother Jiang, could it be the Portuguese?"

Captain Jiang shook his head and said: "The Portuguese came to the South China Sea early, occupied the Malacca throat sea route, and occupied the Spice Islands in the old Majapahit area to the east.

Trading spices with the Ming Dynasty is a good way to get in and out, so it is not difficult. Moreover, the Portuguese have the most dealings with the Ming Dynasty and are well aware of our strength, so there is no need for them to get involved in person. They seek wealth, not power. "

Chen Guichang pondered and said, "There are only three Western barbarians in the South China Sea. If they are not the Dutch and Portuguese, then they are the Spanish."

“That should be correct.

The Spanish came to Luzon from the east fifty years ago. I was in Malacca this time and heard from several Portuguese that the Spanish had previously spent most of their energy on New Spain, so there were few ships coming here.

I heard that they had almost run New Spain well, and had built many large sailing ships with their gold and silver, so they reached out to us. In the 43rd year of Jiajing, they followed the old path and came here. In the 44th year, they bought several ships of goods from the Ming Dynasty and made a lot of money.

Having tasted the benefits, they sent ships here desperately. It is said that they have gained a foothold on Sulu Island south of Luzon Island and started to show their wolfish ambitions.

In the 46th year of Jiajing, they wanted to attack Dongfan Island, but were taught a lesson by the East China Sea Navy twice, so they had to retreat to Sulu Island in dismay. They had many ships in New Spain, and it was said that they had sent many ships here in the past two years, which made the Portuguese very nervous.

They were used to robbing and killing people in New Spain, and they were accustomed to bullying. They are still bad in the South China Sea. Maybe they want to use our Ming Dynasty as a scapegoat to establish their power in the South China Sea and open up the situation! "

"Hangjiachan, these Spaniards are doomed to die." Chen Guichang nodded, staring at Jiang's bow and curiously asked, "Brother Jiang, you have inquired very carefully."

Captain Jiang said meaningfully: "Brother Chen, don't you also ask for information everywhere you go? Your Commercial Investigation Department has a bounty. The Intelligence Department of the Navy Bureau also has a bounty."

"Navy Intelligence Department, when did they have such an office?"

"The Lifanyuan's Advisory Office focused on Japan and Korea, and was not strong enough in the South China Sea, so it worked with the Navy Bureau to set up an intelligence office."

"I see."

Captain Jiang turned around and pointed at the flickering fire nearby: "The fighting has started. We reacted quickly and have already started to fight back."

According to the requirements of the Navy Bureau, Ming Dynasty ships with a toll of more than 2,000 tons had to be equipped with artillery, and sailors underwent militarized training under the guidance of the navy. Although they were called merchant ships, they were actually armed merchant ships.

Ordinary pirates really can't beat them.

"Brother Chen, it's dark now. Although there is moonlight, we can't see far. We and the enemy dare not approach each other. We just fire from a distance. I looked and saw that the enemy had about twelve ships equipped with artillery. Judging from the flashing lights, most of them were Western sailing ships.

But there may be other sailing ships lurking in the dark, such as the ships of the Annanmo family who are allied with them. The number is unknown, but they are definitely blocking our way."

"Brother Jiang, are we just going to sit there and wait for death?"

"Longtou Island has many sandbanks and shallows, and there are only a few navigable sea routes. We are familiar with them, and the Annan people who are close to us also know them. They must have blocked the way. If we attack rashly, they will ambush us on the waterway with fire ships, and it will be difficult for us to escape. When we anchored before nightfall, I had already made arrangements. Our ship is here, and the other two ships are over there, just guarding the northward channel. There is another ship on Shidao Island, which is even more difficult to surround.

We must prepare ourselves now, wait until daybreak, and when we have a clear view of the enemy situation, we will seize the opportunity and break out of the encirclement in different directions."

Chen Guichang felt a little relieved and stood on the stern deck with Captain Jiang, watching the artillery fire in the dark.

After several rounds of shelling, the other side realized that it was just blind firing and gradually stopped.

At this time, the first mate came over.

"How are the ships doing?"

"Bow, we have received reports from the other three ships. Shidao Guanghaijia No. 3 suffered minor injuries. Guanghaijia No. 4 in the north suffered six casualties, but they are not serious.
The Guanghai Jia No. 6, the most easterly ship, suffered 23 casualties, including the bow and the first mate. The rudder was damaged, making it difficult to turn. The main mast was also damaged, so it could not set full sail.

Captain Jiang said angrily, "The enemy has taken Guanghai Jialiu as their main ship. Concentrate your firepower on it."

Chen Guichang was shocked and said, "The enemy made a mistake, but they went straight to the vital point, relying on the moonlight in the dark night, and they shot so accurately?"

Captain Jiang had a gloomy face. "We stopped at Xinzhou Port in Champa. The Annan Mo family has spies there. There is also a traitor on our ship! Send a signal immediately and ask the people on Guanghai Jialiu to arrest those three damn Italian missionaries!"

After a while, the first mate came to report, "The bow, we captured two of the three Italian missionaries, and the other one jumped into the sea and ran away."

"Tell them to transfer the two missionaries to our Guanghai A-2. Also, I will go to Guanghai A-6 to take command and tell them to transfer the wounded to Guanghai A-2 as well."

Chen Guichang was stunned and grabbed Jiang's bow, "Brother Jiang, what are you doing?"

Jiang turned around and looked at Chen Guichang and said, "Brother Chen, the A-6 can't fly full sails, and it will definitely not be able to outrun those foe. The steering gear is also damaged, and the steering is not working. It is at a disadvantage in artillery battles. In the end, we will definitely be surrounded by enemy ships and engage in boarding battle. They have more people and we have fewer people."

He paused for a few breaths and continued, "Instead of doing this, it would be better to let A-6 take the initiative to attack and cover everyone's breakout."

Chen Guichang said in a trembling voice: "Brother Jiang, you don't have to go in person."

"Brother Chen, the chief officer of the No. 6 ship is injured. Who should we ask to go? I am embarrassed to ask others to go on such a suicidal mission. I am not only the chief officer of the No. 2 ship, but also the leader of this fleet.

I get paid a lot more than others, so I can’t just take all the benefits and then ask others to take the blame when something goes wrong.”

"Brother Jiang, our children are going to start their own families." Chen Guichang said with a sob after a while.

"Brother Chen, I'll leave them to you. The owner of Shunfeng is kind and will not mistreat my family. My eldest son is a good student. He was admitted to the training institute of the Coordination Bureau last year and joined the Guangzhou Maritime Bureau at the beginning of the year. I don't have to worry too much about him.

My second child looks the most like me now. He has been on the boat since he was a child, and he will definitely be a good captain in the future. He was admitted to Wusong Shipping Institute at the age of 14, and went to Weihai Maritime School for further studies last year.

Captain Jiang's words were full of pride.

"I think he will be a good partner with your second brother, just like you and me. Brother Chen, I will call you second brother from now on. Please take good care of his brother-in-law."

Chen Guichang had tears in his eyes and forced a smile, "Don't worry. Brother Jiang, you are the reincarnation of a sea fish, you will be fine."

Captain Jiang did not answer, but turned to urge the first mate: "Tell everyone to speed up, it is getting late, and dawn will soon come. When dawn comes, everything will be clear."

The first mate standing by and crying wiped his eyes fiercely and said hatefully: "Yes!"

As soon as he reached the steps of the stern deck, Captain Jiang stopped him and said, "Shi Tou, I recommend you to study at the Wusong Shipping Institute. I applied for it when I left Guangzhou last time. I'm sure you'll get the approval when you go back this time. Study hard and be a good captain!"

The first mate stood on the steps, his body trembling constantly, but he didn't dare to turn his head back. Finally, he answered in a muffled voice: "Master, I remember it!"

Captain Jiang quickly arrived at the No. 6 ship in a sampan. The deck was a mess and the sailors were busy cleaning it up.

Seeing him climbing up from the net rope on the side of the ship, everyone's eyes lit up and they felt more confident.

"Everyone, I am here to live and die with you." The first words spoken by Captain Jiang made the sailors of Ship A-6 fall into silence.

(End of this chapter)