Wind Rises in North America 1625

Chapter 58 An unexpected encounter
On February 2, on the vast Pacific Ocean, a slender three-masted sailing ship was sailing alone and firmly towards the west.

The white sails are like rolling clouds, contrasting with the blue sea.

The sunlight shines through the layers of canvas, casting mottled light and shadows, and the strong sea breeze pushes the sailboat towards the distant horizon.

On the ship, the sailors were busy adjusting the sails, operating the steering wheel, or observing the course. Every action revealed their familiarity and respect for this sea area.

Everyone's face was filled with determination and courage, as if their hearts were filled with curiosity and yearning for the unknown world.

The sea water shimmered under the sunlight, and from time to time schools of fish swam around the boat, stirring up strings of silver splashes.

"...You have to remember that the angle of reflection of light is equal to the angle of incidence. This sextant determines our latitude by measuring the angle between the horizon and the midday sun. With the latitude, we can know our approximate position and direction at sea."

Harvey lay on the slipway, watching the Chinese man operating a fan-shaped instrument while patiently explaining to him how to use it to locate and how to identify the specific location.

Finally, he gestured for him to operate the instrument himself.

At the same time, he also carefully reminded him not to damage it, otherwise, it would be difficult to make this thing.

During this period, European navigators generally used relatively simple instruments such as astrolabes, right-angle quadrants, and cross-heliostats when sailing on the sea.

Not to mention that the accuracy of the measurements made by these instruments cannot be guaranteed, and in many cases, they must be made in calm weather, which can lead to large errors and easily cause the ship to deviate.

However, the several navigation instruments on the Chinese ship are simply navigation artifacts that can accurately locate the ship's position.

They sailed on this iron ship twice and never got lost. They were able to accurately find the corresponding course and direction in the vast ocean.

In addition to this navigation instrument called a sextant, they also had a marine astronomical clock, a planetarium, a star chart, as well as barometers, wet and dry thermometers, anemometers and many other dazzling advanced instruments.

What’s even more amazing is that there are several instruments in the command room that can display various light spots, one of which is said to be able to detect ship targets thirty to forty kilometers away.

Over a month ago, they landed in Peru and attacked the coastal town of Manta. To control this small town with a population of 800, almost all the crew members went ashore, leaving only less than five people on board to "stand guard."

At that time, Harvey suggested that more people should be left on the ship.

Otherwise, if a passing Spanish armed merchant ship arrived, only five people would not be enough to complete the preparations for raising the sails and setting sail when the other side approached.

If we were blocked in the port by the Spaniards, everyone would be doomed.

But the Chinese said that the instrument called "radar" on the ship could detect any passing ship forty kilometers away, which could provide everyone with several hours of retreat time and enough time to raise the sails and prepare for departure.

Harvey was skeptical about this.

Although the lookouts observed the surroundings from the high mast, they could only see a large area of ​​land more than 20 kilometers away at most.

However, if you want to detect smaller ships, you can probably only do so from a distance of more than ten kilometers.

At the speed of an ordinary armed sailboat, it would take at least an hour to reach the front.

After receiving the alarm, the crew hurried back to the ship from the shore and immediately began to hoist the sails and leave the port, which took at least two hours.

In this case, wouldn't they collide head-on with the Spanish armed ships coming to support them?

If the crew had delayed a little longer on shore, they might have been blocked in the harbor before the ship even started.

However, seeing the Chinese people's confident look, Harvey could only rush ashore with a musket in hand, feeling a little worried.

On the afternoon of the third day after taking control of the town, the "Break the Waves" promptly issued an alarm, summoning all crew members to return to the ship immediately.

Two Spanish ships from Lima were heading towards the port of Manta and were expected to arrive in four hours.

So, everyone immediately boarded the "Break the Wave" with the looted gold and silver, and quickly began to prepare for sailing, in order to escape from the port as quickly as possible.

As the ship sailed away from Manta and into the vast Pacific Ocean, the crew didn't even see the shadows of the two passing Spanish ships.

The Chinese boasted that as long as they activated their radar, no ship in the world could escape their surveillance and tracking within a 40-kilometer radius. They could clearly detect the enemy's trajectory and then choose the most appropriate evasive action. Upon hearing this, Harvey curiously asked, "If they had such a miraculous device, why was it usually turned off? Wouldn't it be very dangerous if they unexpectedly encountered a Spanish ship?"
When the Chinese heard this question, they were silent at first, with helpless and conflicted expressions on their faces.

They said that many of the equipment on the ship require fuel.

If these devices are turned on frequently and run for a long time, it won’t be long before the remaining oil is consumed.

By then, many devices will be like scrap metal and will be of no use at all.

Harvey suggested that since there was not much oil, they could find a way to grab more olive oil from Mexico, or use fat to make lard, so that there would be enough oil to keep the equipment running.

After hearing this, the Chinese people all burst into laughter.

They patted Harvey on the shoulder and said that edible vegetable oil was not enough to power the equipment.

The oil they need comes from underground and needs to be further refined before it can be used as a "power source".

It can be seen that after more than a year of living together day and night, the Chinese have already developed a certain degree of trust in the Spanish sailors, including Xavi. Not only did they allow them to start using some key equipment on the "Breaking Waves", but they also taught them step by step how to operate and drive this magical iron ship.

Before leaving for Fort Xingcheng, their opinions were fully sought on how to place several cannons on the deck to maximize their firing effect.

The Chinese even discussed with them how to use matchlock guns for line shooting tactics, and they had somewhat let down their guard against each other.

It may be that living together, working together, and going out to sea together to "hunt" that allowed the two groups of people who were once enemies and had different races and beliefs to gradually merge into one and become partners and comrades who trust each other.

This world is so wonderful!
"...A ship was spotted about fifteen kilometers northwest!"

"...Three ships! Three Manila galleons!"

"..."

The lookout on the mast reported loudly, with a hint of surprise and unexpectedness in his voice.

We have been sailing on the vast Pacific Ocean for more than half a month. Except for a few seabirds flying in the sky, all we can see is endless sea water and surging waves. It seems that we will never reach the end, which gives us a heavy sense of depression and inexplicable fear.

In the entire world, they are the only small boat, drifting alone and helplessly with the current.

Today, we actually saw three Manila galleons on the sea. How could we not be delighted and surprised?

Even so, the Spanish on these three ships could theoretically be considered their enemies.

But, after all, they are our "companions" and the presence of human civilization.

"You mean these three ships are supposed to be 'Chinese ships' heading to Manila for the Oriental trade? Are you sure?"

As the distance gradually got closer, Harvey could clearly see the shape of the other ship through the telescope. After thinking for a moment, he told Captain Luo Zhenhui his judgment.

"Yes, Captain," Harvey said confidently. "A sailing ship of this type, sailing in the Pacific at this time of year, is very likely a 'Chinese ship,' I think. It must be loaded with gold, silver, and copper for purchasing goods from the East. A conservative estimate puts each ship's value at least three hundred thousand pesos."

"You mean, we should intercept one?" Luo Zhenhui's expression changed slightly.

"Yes, Captain!" Harvey licked his lips, a hint of excitement on his face. "These ships are most likely not equipped with artillery. To us, they are like lambs to be slaughtered!"

"How could there be no artillery?" Luo Zhenhui frowned after hearing this. "I remember that the 'St. Louis' you were sailing carried more than a dozen artillery pieces."

"Yes, Captain." Harvey's face suddenly showed a hint of embarrassment when he heard this. "We did carry more than a dozen cannons at the time, but in order to free up more space, our original captain ordered all the cannons originally placed on the gun deck to be abandoned in the bottom hold. The reason for this is that in the Pacific Ocean, we Spanish will hardly encounter any enemies, so..."

"Oh." Luo Zhenhui smiled. "Do you think that even if these three ships carried cannons, they would have piled them in the hold as ballast instead of placing them on the gun emplacements?"

"Yes, Captain." Harvey nodded, then said hopefully, "If you're worried, we can catch up with them and test them. Anyway, they can't pose a threat to us. What do you think, Captain?"

(End of this chapter)