I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 538: The Portuguese Learned the Art of War

Paulo Calderón, the Portuguese Governor-General in India, stood on the stern deck of the "Our Lady of Grace", with his hands on the railing, letting the sea breeze ruffle his hair.

Hold your head high and be full of confidence.

Behind him were fifty-seven sailing ships of various sizes, including broad-bodied two-masted sailing ships, three-masted square-rigged ships, and three large Arab triangular dhows, which were spoils of war captured by the Portuguese from the Ottoman Navy.

The main force of the 31st Portuguese Indian Fleet was brought out by Calderon.

There were also twenty-six merchant ships carrying five thousand Portuguese musketeers.

Those Ming people actually dared to drive out the noble Portuguese!
absurd!

Damn!

We have traveled thousands of miles to bring you the gospel of God and the spark of civilization, with our whole heart to save you from ignorance and barbarism!
How could he be so ungrateful!

More importantly, these damn pagans actually seized the Malacca Strait and monopolized the Spice Islands.

Those are islands full of gold!

The Spaniards have the gold and silver mines in the New World, and we Portuguese have the Spice Islands. These are gifts from God to his most loyal people!
How dare you drive us out of the Spice Islands, you damn pagans!
Don’t you know that this is going against God?

Adjutant Perroca ran up the steps and reported: "Sir, there is a signal from the front that the enemy ship has escaped."

Calderon looked a little unhappy: "Escaped? Isn't our Scorpion known as the fastest ship in the Indian Ocean?"

"Sir, they ran away at a great distance, and after they all hoisted the sails, they disappeared from the Scorpion's sight in less than an hour."

Calderon cursed angrily, "Damn it! They must have used evil Eastern witchcraft!"

"Sir, what should we do?"

"Call Alfonso!"

"Yes!"

Jose Alfonso was Leon's adjutant. Not only was he familiar with the situation in Malacca, he also followed Leon all the way north to the Ming Dynasty and knew the opponent's background.

"Your Excellency the Baron, you called me?" Alfonso walked up to the stern deck and said excitedly.

Calderón glanced at Alfonso and a look of disgust flashed across his face.

He disliked this guy very much.

This guy was the illegitimate son of the Marquis. In Portugal, he used his cheap father's name to seduce noble ladies and owe gambling debts. The Marquis was furious and sent him to India, out of sight and out of mind.

As a result, this bastard was not at peace even in Goa. He had affairs with more than a dozen nobles and officers' wives, and also owed a large gambling debt in Goa.

I couldn't stay there any longer, so I had to run to Malacca.

Leon had once received favors from the Marquis and reached out to help Alfonso, but he didn't expect that this guy would betray Leon when he returned to Goa.

It's just that this bastard is still somewhat useful now.

"Have you ever seen a Ming sailing ship?"

"My Lord Baron, I have seen it with my own eyes. It is right next to me and I can touch it with my hand."

"Leon said that the Ming Dynasty's ships are tall and big, full of cannons, and run very fast?"

Alfonso rolled his eyes and replied respectfully, “Baron, the Ming ships are indeed tall and large, and they have cannons, but compared to ours, they are far inferior.

Their artillery casting technology was very backward. The artillery was very heavy, but the caliber was very small and the power was very pitiful, even worse than a slingshot.

Run fast? They can't run fast at all. Their sails are hard sails, which are very flexible to turn, but they have poor wind resistance. The boats can't run fast at all, just like a big turtle. "

Alfonso was very smart. He knew very well that most of the Portuguese in Goa's understanding of the Ming people came from legends, some true and some false.

There were some truths and some lies in what he said. He was not afraid even if it was exposed, as he could easily find an excuse to cover it up.

Calderon said in a very dignified tone: "But the information you said is very different from what Leon said."

Alfonso smiled frankly: "Baron, Leon was bewitched by the devil of the pagans, or bribed by the Ming people. He lost the loyalty of a Portuguese soldier and his piety to God.

As for me, I always remember that I am a loyal naval officer of His Majesty the King and the Lamb of God. So of course what we say is different! "

Alfonso held his head high, his handsome face sparkling with confidence in the sunlight.

Leon is under house arrest in Goa. Now I am the only one standing in front of Calderón. Can I say whatever I want? Can Leon fly over to argue?

Perroca reminded him, "Alfonso, the intelligence you provided about the Ming Dynasty will affect the Baron's decision and will affect the outcome of our battle. Please be careful!"

Afonso said proudly: "I swear to God on my family and personal honor, on my sincerity to His Majesty the King and on my love for Portugal that every word I said is true!"

God?

I was in debt and was being hunted by my mistress's husband, but you didn't come to rescue me.

Calderon raised his head, looked down at Alfonso, and suddenly asked: "Just now the front team sent a signal that the Ming ship ran away right under our noses.

It disappeared without a trace as the Scorpion pursued it. "

Damn, you bastard, you set a trap for me here.

Alfonso's eyes rolled. "Baron, is the escaped ship very small, with a long and narrow hull, like a sharp knife?"

Calderon was stunned.

How the hell do I know.

But he didn't want to show his ignorance, so he nodded modestly.

Alfonso saw Calderon's expression and knew there was a chance, so he immediately took advantage of the victory and pursued, "This is their clipper ship, also called a communication ship, which is known for its fast speed. When it is fully sailed, it is like flying. But every strength has its weaknesses, this is a wise saying I learned in Ming.

The communication ship was very fast, and the Scorpion couldn't catch up, which was normal. But it had no combat power.

In order to increase the speed of the ship, it does not even have a gun on board. It is more like a sampan floating on a sail than a ship.

"What? Not even a gun? How can it fight?" Perroca asked in surprise.

"Why should it fight? Sir, it's just a message ship, why should it be put into battle?" Alfonso asked back with confidence.

No problem.

Calderon nodded approvingly and continued to ask, "I heard that there are many ships from the Ming Dynasty?"

"My Lord Baron, it is true that the Ming Kingdom is vast, populous, and very rich. They also built many ships. Thousands of ships are sailing on the sea from south to north all year round.

But are more ships useful? Malacca used 600 ships to besiege our three ships, but we defeated them. Sir, no matter how many ants there are, they cannot bite an elephant. "

Calderon said calmly: "Now that the Ming people's communication ship has escaped, it means that they will know we are coming. The Malacca Strait is long and narrow. What if the Ming people mobilize thousands of ships to encircle us?
In the Brazilian jungle, some ants live in groups, and even leopards have to hide from them. "Alfonso thought for a moment and replied carefully: "Your Highness, the main force of the Ming fleet is concentrated at the eastern exit of the strait, which is also the narrowest place. They call it Longkou Port.

There are many islands and the sea is long and narrow, which is indeed very favorable for their advantage of having more ships. "

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Your Highness, I suggest you go around it."

"Go around?"

“Yes, go around the south of Sumatra, around the strait between Sumatra and Java, and from there around to the east of Longkou Port.

The sea there is wide and has plenty of room for maneuver, which is suitable for us to take advantage of and catch the Ming fleet off guard."

Calderon asked, "Is there a sea route around there?"

"Some Dutch, Arab and Spanish smuggling ships all pass through there to avoid our inspection in Malacca."

Portugal regarded the Spice Islands as treasure islands and tried to monopolize the spice trade, so it deployed a fleet in Malacca to inspect the ships coming and going.

You can do other businesses, such as trade in silk, tea, etc. with the Ming Dynasty.

The spice business is not okay, that belongs to us Portuguese!

But spices were so popular in Europe that how could the Dutch, Arabs and Spanish, who valued money so much, miss the opportunity to make a fortune?

So a smuggling route was opened up.

Calderon said the truth: "The smuggling route? It must be difficult."

Alfonso immediately agreed, "Baron, you are wise! That route is full of reefs, the waves are turbulent, and the ocean currents are turbulent. Moreover, not many people are familiar with that route, so it is easy to get lost."

You are quite honest.

Calderon thought for a while and shook his head: "On behalf of God and the King of Portugal, I will punish these damn pagans and these barbarians who have violated Portugal's interests.

With God's blessing and the mighty Portuguese navy, I have seen the light of victory. I just want to make the victory even greater. There is no need to take risks. "

Alfonso understood what the Baron said.

There is no need to take risks when you are sure to win.

We are all sailors. There are many reefs, turbulent waves and turbulent ocean currents. What does this mean for sailing?
Maybe someone will die!

There is no need to take such a big risk!

Alfonso was disappointed.

He followed Leon to the capital and witnessed the power of the Ming navy.

Not to mention anything else, any one of the South China Sea Navy and the Suzaku Navy can crush this powerful fleet consisting of more than 50 ships.

But he is different from Leon. Whether Portugal wins or loses, it has nothing to do with him!
What Alfonso needs is money, wealth and glory!
Leon was placed under house arrest because he told the truth and firmly opposed sending a fleet to go to war with the Ming Dynasty.

Why do I want to repeat the same mistakes?
I will tell you whatever the nobles like Calderon want to hear!
God's light glorifies the world!

The powerful Portuguese navy is invincible!

The vast and populous Ming Empire was a barbaric and ignorant pagan nation, full of pretense but easily toppled over with the slightest push.

He immediately won the favor of the nobles by saying these words half-truthfully, regained their trust, and became one of Calderon's adjutants.

But Alfonso knew that lies can be told casually, but they must not be exposed!
If the Portuguese fleet was defeated by the Ming navy, then what he said would become evidence of his crime, enough to send him to the gallows.

Therefore, Alfonso may be one of the people in the fleet who most wants his side to win.

He racked his brains and came up with a "clever idea" of taking a detour to the south of Sumatra.

Alfonso thought this might be his most likely strategy to win, because if a direct battle really came, Alfonso felt that his fleet would not last more than a day.

We only have more than 50 ships, while the enemy has 200 to 300. We only have a few hundred guns, while the enemy has thousands of guns. How can we fight?
The Ming fleet not only has strong ships and powerful guns, but also has a large number of people. They are not ants, they are a group of sharks.

Seeing that Calderon did not adopt his brilliant plan, Alfonso quickly offered another one.

"The Ming people are the most cunning. They like to use strategies when fighting. One of their strategies is called making a feint to the east and attacking in the west."

"What, a feint to the east and attack in the west?"

"We will send a small number of troops to attack the east with great fanfare. When the enemy hears the news and rushes to the east, our main force will quietly attack the west."

Calderon's eyes widened. "These damn pagans are so cunning."

Alfonso continued, "Your Highness, according to the ships traveling between Malacca and Goa, the Ming army has been attacking the Acehnese west of Sumatra in the past six months.

There must be a fleet ensuring their logistics."

After Yu Dayou and Zhang Yuanxun drove the Portuguese out of Malacca, they did not cut off the trade routes. All merchant ships could go directly to the port of Malacca and continue doing business.

However, going east to Longkou Port and Guangzhou is not allowed for the time being.

The Portuguese were guilty and did not dare to come.

But the Arabs and the Dutch came desperately.

Seeing that others were making money, many Portuguese ships flew Dutch or Arab flags and also went to the port of Malacca.

It's about making money, not shameful!
Calderon understood what Alfonso said, "You mean we pretend to attack the Ming fleet in Aceh to attract their main force, and then we go straight to Malacca, recapture this pearl of Portugal in Asia, and then wait for the Ming people to come back and annihilate them!"

"Your Excellency, wise Baron, your wisdom is as deep as the ocean."

Calderón looked at Alfonso with satisfaction.

This kid went to the Ming Dynasty, turned over a new leaf, and focused on the right path. He even learned some military tactics from the Ming Dynasty?
it is good!
The prodigal son can never change his fortune!
Boy, you have a bright future!
"Okay! Let's turn to Aceh!" Calderon thought for a while and gave the order decisively.

Yu Dayou, who was on high alert with the Left Camp of the South China Sea Navy in the waters of Malacca Port, soon received an urgent report.

"What? The Western barbarian fleet attacked our fleet in Yanlan Port? More than fifty sailing ships, that's the main force of the Portuguese.

Why did they go to Yanlan Port in South Island? What do these big-nosed people want to do? "

The deputy general said, "Master, General Zhang is in the South Island to wipe out the last remaining Acehnese forces. It is a critical moment. If Yanlan Port is lost, the Marine Battalion will be cut off. The entire army will be isolated on the outer island, and the morale of the army will collapse."

"Yes, this is a big trouble." Yu Dayou lowered his head and thought for a while, then gave a decisive order, "Send a message to the entire battalion to rush to Yanlan Port for assistance!"

"Follow the order!"

(End of this chapter)