Chapter 112 Crisis at Sea
While Chen Hu was conquering the city and territory in Taichung, Navy Chief Amorim suffered the most painful period in his life.
The gunboat "Xiong Zhu" lost contact and the "Jackdaw" sank. Now only his own ship "Giant Eagle" is left, but "Giant Eagle" was also seriously injured.
In order to rescue the crew of the "Jackdaw" that day, Amorim led the entire crew of the "Giant Eagle" and rushed into the encirclement without risking their lives. Even so, only the crew of the "Jackdaw" was saved, and his front deck was damaged. Zheng Zhilong's ship was shattered, the three-masted canvas was half burned by the fire, and the speed was directly reduced by one-third.
"Captain, the tight water tank on the right rear quarter is leaking!"
It seemed that there was another damage. Amorim sat dejectedly in the captain's cabin, tearing his hair with both hands. His once beautiful red hair now became greasy and split.
The adjutant who was controlling the roulette wheel next to him saw that he was acting like this and couldn't help but persuade him: "Your Excellency, the war is not over yet. I hope you can cheer up. There is still something waiting for you in Keelung." What’s the news?”
When he mentioned Keelung, a light suddenly appeared in Amorim's eyes. He remembered what Qin Hao said to him when he left the port: "This gauntlet is expected. If we fail to recover because of it, then we The navy is useless, remember to bring more people back.”
Amorim let out a long sigh and turned to look at the adjutant, "You are right, we should go back."
He was relieved. This battle was an inhumane crime. He wanted to defeat the pirate king "Zheng Zhilong" of the Ming Dynasty in half a year. He thought simply.
"Steering southeast, speed 10 knots, pay attention to the surrounding situation, lookout hand, if you observe the gunboat 'Xiong Zhi', report immediately and make sure there is no mistake." Amorim took the rudder from the adjutant's hand, with perseverance reflected in his eyes. Issue orders to all sailors on board.
"Yes! Captain!"
Almost all of the people on this boat were brought over by Amorim from the Philippines. They had gone through a lot of life and death together in the wind and rain. Seeing him regain his radiance, everyone cheered and cheered. Follow orders meticulously at your post.
At the same time, the gunboat "Xiong Zhen" 100 nautical miles away was also searching for ships everywhere, but what it was looking for was not the "Giant Eagle", but lone ships scattered all over the sea.
Since the battle in the mist early that morning, the gunboat "Xiong'an" has had extremely good luck. It encountered three groups of lone Zheng family ships one after another. The result is self-evident. Naturally, it was sent to the Crystal Palace of the Dragon King of the East China Sea for tea. went.
Duan Daxin was counting the remaining shells with the gunner in the gun warehouse of the "Xiong Zhi" at this time.
"Captain, we still have 15 rounds of solid bullets, 10 rounds of hammer bullets, and 3 rounds of grape bullets."
Duan Daxin, who has tasted the sweetness of close combat, ordered the ships to fire within 300 meters of the Zheng family's ships every time they approached. All the cannonballs were grapeshot. This kind of cannonball was very suitable for close-range attacks. Once fired, it would hit the target. Exploding in mid-air, hundreds of small lead bullets will form an ammunition net and attack the enemy ship.
In addition to leaving small holes for water seepage, it can also kill the maximum number of people. If it is not protected, at least 200 people on a boat will be killed and more than 50 people will be maimed. It is a necessary tool for gunboats to go out to kill people.
"We're running out of ammunition, forget it, let them go this time." Duan Daxin waved his hand and ordered to return.
"Captain, can't we wait for other ships?" Deputy Wang Er looked at Duan Daxin worriedly.
Hearing this, Duan Daxin snorted coldly and asked: "Wait?! How to wait? The fog on the sea has disappeared now. The Zheng family's fleet is not a fool. They will not stay in place and wait for the cannonballs. Now they are probably gathering. We can sink three or four ships. If we encounter seven or eight ships, it will be difficult for us to escape with our small body. "
After some accusations, Wang Er realized that his knowledge was shallow, so he kept silent and went out of the warehouse to convey the order.
Duan Daxin looked at his lost figure and felt uncomfortable in his heart. Didn't he want to teach Zheng Zhilong a lesson in the East China Sea and search for the missing "Jackdaw" and "Giant Eagle"?
Based on the current situation analysis, he did not encounter the main force of the enemy ships, so naturally they did.
"It's probably hopeless to save him now!" Duan Daxin sighed, then tidied up his oil-stained blue navy uniform and walked out of the cabin with his head held high.
As soon as I came out and saw the blue sky, I heard the lookout shouting from the height of the mast: "There is a ship ahead, be careful!"
Duan Daxin was startled, and immediately ran to the bow of the ship, picked up the glass telescope hanging on his chest, and looked into the distance.
"What's going on!" Wang Er was also shocked by the voice and hurriedly ran to Duan Daxin.
It is not a good thing to encounter Zheng Zhilong's fleet now. The artillery shells on the gunboat are basically exhausted. After a salvo, the ammunition compartment will be empty.
"Turn around, speed up, and get out of this sea area."
Before he could finish speaking, Duan Daxin grabbed Wang Er and threw the binoculars to him, "Wait a minute, take a look at this first."
The telescope fell into Wang's hand, which shocked him. This glass telescope was the latest product of the Hsinchu Military Factory. A ship is only equipped with one now, so it is expensive.
Just as Wang Er was about to say a few words to him, he caught a glimpse of a shadow floating on the sea in the distance, "Let's take a look first and then talk."
Skillfully, he picked up the telescope and put it in front of his eyes. The scenery a thousand meters away suddenly appeared in front of his eyes. Before he had time to comprehend the wonders of the object, an all-too-familiar ship came into Wang Er's eyes.
"This is the Giant Eagle!" Wang Er exclaimed, and quickly looked at Duan Daxin, his face full of disbelief.
"Yes! It's it!" Duan Daxin also had a smile on his face.
He thought he would go back alone this time, who would have thought he would meet his companions on the way back, but he just saw through the telescope that it didn't seem to be in good condition.
"Jackdaw?" After a while, Wang Er pursed his lips and asked hesitantly.
Duan Daxin seemed to have found the problem, but he didn't say anything.
Recalling the days before the naval battle, the three ships were full of vigor and wanted to win the battle, but now
And there are still many of their former companions on the Jackdaw, but now they are separated by heaven and earth. Thinking of Duan Daxin, he couldn't help crying!
Wang Er on the side smiled, without any sadness on his face, and said with a smile: "Captain, you can cry too, I thought you were an iron man!"
"You son of a bitch, Liu Dadao of the Jackdaw treated you as a brother, now he is dead, you are so stupid."
Duan Daxin was getting more and more angry, and he drew his waist knife to put an end to this bastard who didn't know brotherhood.
Seeing that he was going to get serious, Wang Er immediately begged for mercy, handed him the telescope, and put on a look of a young wife who was wronged, muttering: "Look carefully, Liu Dadao is not dead, he is on the Giant Eagle."
Duan Daxin didn't believe it, but he couldn't wait to take it and take a look. The burly man on the opposite ship was clearly visible. It was Liu Dadao, so he was relieved and looked at Wang Er, and they saw joy in each other's eyes.
Only one ship was lost this time, and the brothers were all fine, which was a blessing in disguise.
"Speed up, get closer, and guide the brothers!"
At the captain's command, the Xiongbi gunboat appeared beside the Giant Eagle at lightning speed.
After meeting, the people on the two ships greeted each other and then gradually disappeared in the twilight of the sea and sky.
【If you like this novel, I hope you can share it on Facebook. The author will be grateful. 】