July 27th.
Early morning, Atlantic Ocean, east of Uruguay Province,
The stars in the sky reflected into the sea, and the silver waves undulating under the moonlight were cut into pieces of silvery waves by the ramming bow of the cruiser "Set Deset Mburu". The ship's hull of more than 2,000 tons
It was sailing at such a fast speed, the lights on the ship were bright.
This cruiser is the pride of the Brazilian shipbuilding industry - it is a Brazilian-made ironclad.
In the past many years, especially after the victory in the war against Paraguay, Emperor Pedro II strengthened the construction of the navy. After all, the turning point in the Paraguay War was created by the navy.
But unfortunately, Brazil's proud naval warships were abused by Ming Dynasty's gunboats with Gatling cannons on the Paraná River, and were almost wiped out.
Although the Brazilian Navy ended in a disastrous defeat in that naval battle, they also saw the reality that wooden-hulled warships were destined to be eliminated. Therefore, ironclads became the only option for the Brazilian army.
With the emperor's strong support for the navy, Brazil's domestic shipyards have also begun to get busy, and several important warship designers in Brazil are also working day and night to design new warships for the empire. In this atmosphere,
Many Brazilian citizens actively participated in the empire's naval undertakings, making the Brazilian Navy the fourth largest navy in the world in the 1870s.
However, this fourth place is far behind the third place - yes, it is Daming!
Who would have thought that in 1876, the third and fourth naval powers in the world were actually the Ming Dynasty and Brazil!
Compared with Brazil, which had built ironclads as early as 1865, the Ming Dynasty's navy had made even more amazing progress. Especially after 1870, with the successive entry into service of the Nanhua class and the Linhai class, the Ming Dynasty Navy quickly surpassed Brazil.
Behind him.
Not content to live under the Ming Dynasty, Brazil immediately stepped up the expansion of its maritime power in the face of the rise of the Ming Dynasty's navy. Therefore, in the past six years, the maritime arms race in South America has never stopped.
The cruiser "Set Deset Mburu" that was commissioned two years ago is only part of it. The real competition is the four Riachuelo-class combat ships purchased by Brazil from the United Kingdom.
It was these four combat ships that enabled the Brazilian Navy to surpass the United States and become the fourth largest naval power in the world.
In the bridge of the flagship, the Admiral Marquis Tamandare stood on the bridge holding the railing, looking at the shining silver sea, his expression was dignified and not proud.
Four armored battleships and four cruisers, this is the most powerful fleet in Brazil's history. Now they are sailing towards the target. The only question is how Ming Dynasty will respond.
"Baron Ladario, how do you think the Ming Empire will respond to our actions?"
Faced with the general's question, Lieutenant General Radario thought for a while and then said.
"Your Excellency, Ming Dynasty should choose to give in now, but this concession must be temporary. After all, their fleet is larger in size. Now they have just temporarily sent the main force of the fleet to Europe. Your Excellency, I doubt..."
After a pause, Ladario said.
"The reason why the people of the Ming Dynasty suddenly intensified their relationship with our country due to border incidents at this time may have their own extremely special motives."
"Extremely special intention?"
Marquis Tamandare asked rhetorically.
"You mean they're looking for excuses?"
"Instead of looking for an excuse to start a war, we are looking for an excuse to bring their fleet back. Your Excellency, as we all know that the Imperial Alliance Fleet is now the most powerful fleet in the world. Even if it is as powerful as the British Royal Navy, it can only choose to retreat when facing it.
, but the Ming Dynasty is different from France, Austria-Hungary and Russia. They have no territorial claims on Turkey. They definitely don’t want their navy to be permanently stationed overseas, so they need an excuse to transfer the fleet back home!”
Radario's answer made Marquis Tamandare's eyes light up, and then he said.
"So, the Ming Empire deliberately created a tense atmosphere?"
"It's possible. Otherwise, why would they choose this time to create problems?"
"That means we don't need to consider their response?"
"Response? Your Excellency, even without this premise, they ask you to withdraw from Montevideo, will you agree?"
"Of course it's impossible, this is related to the dignity of the empire! We are here to show the Ming Empire the determination of the Brazilian Empire!"
After that, Marquis Tamandare said.
"As long as our fleet arrives in Montevideo, the whole world will see that Brazil will never compromise on its own issues..."
…
In the evening of this day, Emperor Zhu Da was like a fortune teller observing the sky at night. He was standing on the balcony of the palace, looking up at the stars in the night sky. Just a few hours ago, the Brazilian Imperial Fleet sailed in mightily.
Montevideo is across the river from Yingtian, the capital of the Ming Empire!
"Your Majesty, how should we respond now?"
Facing the inquiry from Zhu Guozhong, the Imperial Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emperor Zhu Da raised the corners of his lips slightly.
"Isn't there already a plan? Ask them to withdraw their troops, otherwise they will be responsible for all the consequences!"
After thinking for a while, Emperor Zhu Da added.
"Tell Brazil that if Brazil insists on going its own way and challenges the bottom line of the Ming Empire, it will be resolutely countered!"
"Resolutely counterattack? What if they ignore it?"
"Then let's wait and see!"
Emperor Zhu Da smiled slightly. His smile was bright, because he knew very well what was waiting for the Brazilians. He had not simulated for a long time, so he specially conducted a short-term simulation for this operation. After all, he was the founder of this plan.
Man, in the future the title of "Father of Japan" will definitely still be placed on Emperor Zhu Da.
Of course he was a little excited about this!
"Your Majesty, are you planning to send a fleet to attack?"
Zhu Guozhong asked curiously. As the Imperial Minister of Foreign Affairs, he had no idea what plan the navy had formulated, but he came to a conclusion through various sources - the imperial navy would definitely attack.
Montevideo is where it all started!
"fleet……"
Emperor Zhu Da sighed and said.
"Our fleet is too weak. After we sent the fleet to Europe, there were only two combat ships in the mainland. This is why Brazil dared to send a fleet."
"Your Majesty, why don't you transfer back the Imperial Navy fleet in the Alliance fleet?"
"It's not necessary!"
Patting the stone railing, Emperor Zhu Da smiled and said:
"I calculated with my fingers and knew that we can definitely win this battle, and we will win it very beautifully. Because..."
As soon as he said this, the corner of his eye suddenly glanced at a meteor streaking across the sky in the southeast.
It's a comet!
Looking at the comet that suddenly appeared in the sky in the southeast, Emperor Zhu Da's spirit was suddenly shocked. At this moment, he suddenly felt that he had become a magic stick.
Is this a sign?
Comet... Commonly known as the broom star, comets remove the old and create the new.
Get rid of the old and put in the new!
What a sign is this!
This is a very good omen!
Ouspiciousness comes from heaven!
Emperor Zhu Da whispered:
"Great Britain, times have changed, and your era is coming to an end! Brazil...it's just the beginning!"
This chapter has been completed!