Volume 2: Soaring! The Overlord of the Region Chapter 309: Chongmingsha Offensive and Defense (I)
"Reporting to the commander, our brothers from Nansha Island have reported that a large number of warships have appeared on the sea. Judging from their flags, they must be the Siamese pirates who harassed Guangdong, Fujian and other places a few days ago!"
"Humph! You're finally here! These clowns! Come on, put on your armor! I'm going to Nansha Island."
"Yes, sir!"
On May 3, 1617, King Rajabuddha of Siam led a huge fleet and appeared on the sea outside Chongmingshasuo.
After joining the Japanese fleet led by Yagyu Kanbei, the fleet was now even larger. The three countries' combined fleet had a total of 50 1,200-ton battleships and 130 600-ton (700 for Japan)-class secondary battleships. In addition, there were five 1,000-ton sailing ships of the Portuguese. In addition, there were more than 300 large troop transport ships and more than 200 various auxiliary ships.
When such a large fleet of nearly 800 warships was deployed on the sea, from the lookout on Nansha Island, it seemed that countless white sails covered the sea. For a moment, even Qi Jin, who hurriedly took a small boat to Nansha Island, was a little indignant.
However, as a veteran who had followed Qi Jiguang from the south of the Yangtze River to the desert since he was a child, Qi Jin's courage and loyalty to the country were beyond any doubt. After a brief moment of shock, he immediately calmed down: "Send the order, sound the alarm, and all troops take their positions!"
"Yes, sir!"
Following Qi Jin's order, a shrill alarm sounded quickly. This sound not only caused the seabirds on the island to flap their wings and fly away, but also naturally was heard by the enemies under the heavy sails on the sea.
"Everyone, according to our repeated secret investigations near Chongming in recent years, it is now clear that this is the only shipyard in Ming that can build large new warships. As long as we destroy this place and capture or kill the workers here, Ming's navy will become a tree without roots for at least three to five years. Destroying one ship will mean one less ship."
On the Siamese flagship Naresuan, the King of Siam, Viscount Alfonso of Spain, and Yagyu Kanbei of Japan gathered together and, with the help of translators, began to make arrangements for this operation.
After emphasizing the significance of destroying the Changsha Shipyard, Yagyu Kanbei raised his baton and pointed at a flat sea map: "According to our investigation, the Chongming Sands of Ming Dynasty are actually composed of four large islands and hundreds of small sand dunes. Among these four large islands, the northernmost one facing the sea is Chongming Sands, which has the largest area. In the middle is Sansha Island, which has the smallest area. To the south is the Nansha Island in front of us. The so-called Changsha Shipyard is on another large island, Changsha Island. This Changsha Island is different from the other three large islands. It faces the Yangtze River Estuary. In other words, it is actually surrounded and protected by the three large islands in front. Moreover, there are many small sand dunes exposed above the water and reefs hidden under the water between the four large islands. If we sail directly to Changsha Island, a large number of ships will inevitably run aground.
In summary, my opinion is that we should not have any fluke mentality to directly take Changsha Island. Instead, we should honestly take Nansha Island first, and then use it as a base to attack Changsha Island. This is my humble opinion, please guide your Majesty the King and the Viscount. "
"Um... Your Excellency, what do you mean?"
"Oh, Your Majesty, I agree with Major General Yagyu's opinion. It is best to be honest in battle."
"Okay, that's what I mean. Then..." Luo Zhifu looked at Liu Sheng and Alfonso, and found that neither of them had the intention to lead their fleet as the vanguard. So he had no choice but to grit his teeth and said to his generals: "Zhanla, please send a squadron to try to attack this Nansha Island first."
"As you command, my Lord."
…
"Marshal, the thief is moving!"
"Yeah, I saw it all."
Through the telescope, more than twenty warships broke away from the large fleet, set full sails, and began to speed towards the Nansha Island.
When they were about one thousand meters away from the island, the Siamese fleet began to turn, with the bows slightly turning from the north to the northwest. Then, the side gun muzzles of more than 20 warships were aimed at the Nansha Island one by one.
"First, fire one shot from the flagship's 1 45mm gun."
"Bullshit~ (Yes)!"
The well-trained Siamese fleet quickly responded to the commander's order. With a loud bang, the ship shook slightly, the shells drew a slight arc in the air, and then whizzed into the deep distance.
"Report, the shells have landed on the island. The impact point is about 200 meters from the coastline. However, it is still about 700 to 800 meters away from the enemy's turret."
"Hmm..." As a naval general trained by the King of Siam since childhood, although Chamrat had never experienced actual combat with a sailing warship, he still had some theoretical knowledge. After receiving the report, he quickly began to give orders: "Order, all warships to form a horizontal formation and strictly follow the flagship."
"yes!"
"Order, the flagship turns again and moves from northwest to northeast."
Chamla's idea was very clear: the entire fleet would move in a serpentine manner, repeatedly and slowly approaching the Nansha Islands.
After all, we don't know what the hydrology of this place is like. We still don't know how strong the coastal defense is on the island. Although the three-nation coalition forces are very powerful, as a confidant of the King of Siam, he knows very well that Siam's national strength is completely incomparable to that of the Ming Dynasty. Every warship in his hands is extremely valuable. He has no choice but to act carefully.
He was careful, but Qi Jin on the shore was not very happy.
"Oh, how can the commander of this Siamese thief be so cowardly?" After saying this, he turned around and asked, "Has the enemy ship entered the range of our coastal defense artillery?"
"Marshal, according to Mr. Sun, the maximum range of our 160mm cannon is 2,300 meters, and the effective killing range is 1,700 meters. Of course, our coastal defense guns are all placed on concrete bases as high as 30 meters. Therefore, at this time, the enemy ships have entered the range of our coastal defense guns."
"Hey, you students of Fangshan School, you have a lot of knowledge, but you talk too much! I am not your teacher, why are you telling me so much data? From now on, you only need to answer yes or no."
"Uh, I will obey your orders."
"Well, since the enemy has entered our firing range, then it would be rude not to reciprocate. Send out orders, Nanyi to Nanwu Battery, aim at the enemy flagship, and fire!"
Then, when the Chamra fleet was still turning again and getting closer to the Nansha Island, they suddenly heard the rumbling sound of artillery coming from the shore.
Soon after the sound of artillery fire was heard, five round black figures appeared in the sky above the Siamese fleet!
After climbing to the highest point in the air, the five big iron balls quickly fell down and landed in the sea together.
"Marshal! They are all cross-shots!"
"Okay, scholars, quickly adjust your shooting parameters and deal with these Siamese thieves!"
