***
According to the organization of the Daqin Navy, each battalion of the navy had 2 patrols, a total of 510 people. It was equipped with 10 large, medium and small warships, 4 red-haired cannons, 40 thousand-jin Portuguese cannons, 30 bowl-mouth guns (small cannons), and 500 matchlock guns.
The East China Sea Fleet currently has a total of 20 battalions, and according to the organization, it should be equipped with 200 large and small warships.
However, except for the Yueyang Shipyard, which started operation a long time ago, the shipyards in Longjiang, Hangzhou and Ningbo have only started operation for a short time. The production of warships cannot keep up, and the number of warships in the East China Sea Fleet is still large.
Now there are only 4 Fu ships of 800 tonnes, 18 Fu ships of 400 tonnes, and 107 small warships such as bluff ships, eagle ships, and sand ships.
Qin Mu sailed into the sea. Zhoushan is densely populated with islands and reefs, and the sea conditions are very complicated. The ship sailed south along the west side of Zhoushan Island and arrived at Liuheng Island after half a day's sailing.
Liuheng Island is divided into Shangzhuang Island and Xiazhuang Island. Shuangyu Port is located between Shangzhuang Island and Xiazhuang Island. It is a natural sheltered harbor. There are residents on the island and fertile farmland has been cultivated.
The central part of the island is full of rolling hills and lush forests. In the distance, flying gulls can be seen between the sea and the sky.
Between Liuheng Island and Fodu Island, one can clearly see two islands and reefs facing each other. This is what the islanders call "Shuangyu Gate", and Shuangyu Port got its name from this.
The gentle sea breeze made the sails bulge and the ship was going very fast. Qin Mu and others stood on the deck, and the sea breeze made their clothes stick to their bodies, making them feel very cool.
Gu Rong said cheerfully, "King Qin, please look, the artillery batteries on the mountains on both sides have almost been repaired, equipped with red cannons and thousand-jin falconets. If an enemy wants to enter the channel, the artillery batteries on both sides alone will make the enemy suffer."
Qin Mu listened and said calmly: "Admiral Gu, I don't want to build these artillery batteries. If a navy has to rely on coastal artillery to ensure its safety, it can no longer be called a navy. Now that the East China Sea Fleet has just been established, it is understandable, but I hope that one day these artillery batteries can become decorations."
Gu Rong was startled, and quickly said in a loud voice: "The King of Qin's instructions, I will remember them for the rest of my life, and I guarantee with my head that the East China Sea Fleet will become a real navy as soon as possible and annihilate all enemies at sea."
Qin Mu felt the sea breeze and looked at the surrounding mountains, feeling quite emotional.
During the Ming Dynasty's maritime ban, Shuangyu Island once became the largest trading port in Southeast Asia, of course, for smuggling.
Silver, pepper, sandalwood, pearls, furs, etc. from America, Europe and Japan were continuously shipped here in exchange for Chinese silk, cloth, porcelain, medicinal materials and tea.
At that time, people along the coast regarded Shuangyu Port as a source of wealth. Even those who did not have the capital to engage in trade could make a lot of money by paddling a small boat, delivering a melon or transporting a can. Even a three-foot-tall child knew that Shuangyu was the parent of their food and clothing.
Now, Daqin has no maritime ban, and merchants can go ashore directly to trade. This natural harbor, which was once extremely prosperous due to the maritime ban, has also become the home port of Daqin's East China Sea Fleet.
It was already dusk when the ship Qin Mu was on arrived at the northern entrance of Shuangyu Port. He just happened to see Zheng Sihai and Zhang Mingzhen, who was promoted to the deputy commander of the East China Sea Fleet, leading the fleet back from sea training;
But we saw hundreds of warships of all sizes coming around the east side of Liuheng Island, their sails like clouds and their bows plowing through white waves. It was a spectacular sight.
"Raise the flag and order the fleet to slow down!" Gu Rong gave the order loudly.
After the flag bearer on the mast sent out the flag signal, the fleet two miles away immediately responded with flag signals and began to slow down.
Let the leader go first, this is a must!
The conditions in the port are still relatively simple, with only some newly built barracks, warehouses and artillery positions. There is nothing much to say about it.
Qin Mu, Gu Junen and others lived together in an ordinary barracks, and ate from the same pot as ordinary soldiers at night. The soldiers, who had trained hard all day, were naturally moved when they saw this, and they kept shouting "Long live the soldiers".
In the evening, Qin Mu summoned all officials above the rank of camp commander to discuss matters. The topic was still how to defeat the Zheng family fleet by using the weak to defeat the strong and the few to defeat the many.
The sound of waves could be heard from the dock, the chirping of night birds could be heard from the mountains, and even the snoring of soldiers in the barracks. But in the brightly lit central army tent, no one could be heard speaking.
Qin Mu glanced at the twenty battalion commanders and the deputy commander Zhang Mingzhen, and found that everyone had a serious expression, sitting upright and very stiff. Only then did he realize where the problem lay.
He coughed twice and said, "Generals, don't be shy. If you have any suggestions, just tell me. I won't blame you even if you are wrong. If the suggestions are feasible, I will definitely reward you."
Gu Rong was also anxious. After apologizing to Qin Mu, he cursed: "Look at how you all look like bears. You usually talk a lot of nonsense, but now you are all mute. The King of Qin is asking you a question!"
Shi Dasheng, the commander of the first battalion, was originally a capable general under the command of Gu Dadang. After hearing what Gu Rong said, he muttered in a low voice: "Who dares to fart in front of the King of Qin? Aren't they afraid of making the King of Qin feel uncomfortable..."
As the commander of the first battalion, this guy sat relatively close to the front. Ever since Qin Mu practiced internal skills with Fu Qingzhu, he had been keeping an eye on all directions and listening in all directions. He could vaguely hear Shi Dasheng's mumbling.
He secretly laughed. These guys sat upright and looked like they were graduates of military academies, but in fact, many of them, like Gu Rong, were born pirates, and some of them were not suitable for serving as dog meat.
Qin Mu simply pointed at Shi Dasheng and said, "You are the commander of the first battalion, you speak first."
"Me?" Shi Dasheng pointed at his nose in surprise. After realizing that he had lost his composure, he quickly stood up and saluted. He probably didn't know what to say for a moment, and his face turned red. Finally, he chuckled and said, "King Qin, I think the Zheng family is nothing to be afraid of. We can just attack them. If that doesn't work, we can make a feint to the east and attack in the west..."
I guess he hasn't figured out how to make a feint to the east and attack in the west, so he got stuck at this point.
Qin Mu laughed and said, "Don't worry, think it over first, how do you make a feint to the east and attack in the west?"
Shi Dasheng's face turned even redder, and he said in a daze, "Your Majesty, I think... I think we can lure Zheng's fleet back to Fujian, and then we can attack Taiwan. This is a feint to the east and attack to the west. In this way, Zheng will have no retreat to Taiwan. After we use the army to conquer Fujian, he will have no place to retreat."
Qin Mu let out a light exclamation, but did not say anything. Then he swept his eyes to the other generals, and finally stopped at the Du Jianshi Zhang Mingzhen.
Zhang Mingzhen was originally the guerrilla general of Shipu, Taizhou, in the Ming army. Shipu was located in Sanmen Bay, Ninghai. He was also quite familiar with naval warfare, so Qin Mu transferred him to be the deputy commander.
Qin Mu put a lot of thought into the personnel arrangements for the East China Sea Fleet. The commander, Gu Rong, was born a pirate and had experience in naval battles. The deputy commander, Zheng Sihai, was from the Dengzhou Navy and was a professional. Zhang Mingzhen was also a professional. The purpose was to prevent Gu Rong from turning the East China Sea Fleet into pirates.
Practical experience is important, but discipline is also important.
Zhang Mingzhen saw Qin Mu looking at him, so he had to stand up and said, "King Qin, I think it is better to lure the snake out of its hole than to go deep into the tiger's den."
“How do you lure a snake out of its hole?”
Zhang Mingzhen sorted out his thoughts and said that when he first thought of luring the snake out of its hole, he really didn't have a good idea, but at this moment he suddenly thought of a plan.
"King Qin, the Zheng family controls the shipping lanes between various countries, especially the trade with Japan, which Zheng Zhilong has always regarded as his own flesh and blood and would not allow anyone else to interfere. If we send warships to protect a large merchant caravan and envoys going to Japan for trade and diplomatic relations, once this news is leaked in advance, it will surely attract the Zheng family fleet. Then we can choose a suitable location and ambush them, and we will surely defeat the Zheng family fleet."
As soon as Zhang Mingzhen finished speaking, Gu Jun'en immediately said, "King Qin, I think Lord Zhang's plan is feasible. Why not give it a try?"
Qin Mu nodded, but did not answer. Zhang Mingzhen's plan was good, but it was difficult to implement. It was not difficult to create a fake caravan and delegation. Even if it was a real one, the possibility that the Zheng family fleet came to rob was almost 100%.
The problem lies in how you determine when the Zheng family fleet will arrive and what route it will take, and whether you can find a suitable ambush site. Once you find a suitable place, how do you ensure that the Zheng family fleet will enter your ambush point.
This series of problems involves too many uncertainties. Ships can sail anywhere on the sea, but it is not as easy to be ambushed as on land.
*********************
ps: Some book lovers are too lazy to cast recommendation votes. In fact, recommendation votes are very important. It is one of the important data to measure a book. The number of recommendation votes for my book every day is quite pitiful. Brothers, when you read the book, don’t forget to cast your recommendation votes. Please support me with your recommendation votes!
.(To be continued..)
...