Zhu Zhanzhen learned some things about France and Ingeland, and stayed for a few days to discuss the subsequent countermeasures. King Tour expressed his willingness to send troops to follow Zhu Zhanzhen to attack France and Ingeland. Of course, there was no doubt that they were too.
Wanting to get a share of the pie in this matter, Zhu Zhanzhen naturally nodded and agreed based on the principle of having one more friend and one enemy.
A few days later, he took Zara and others back to Su Yinshi.
The construction of the canal was not a day's work. After Zhu Zhanzhen stayed here to supervise the work for two months, he finally received news of the Fourth South China Sea Fleet that had previously bypassed the African continent.
After receiving the news, Zhu Zhanzhen happily led people to the other end of the Suyinshi Canal, to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
At this time, a port has not yet been developed here. It was planned in the future, but it was not completed quickly, so the small boat came to the shore.
When Zhu Zhanzhen saw Yang Feng and a small number of soldiers approaching the shore, he immediately smiled, rushed forward, and patted Yang Feng's shoulders with both hands: "How about it, everyone is safe, right?"
Yang Feng immediately knelt down on one knee and struck each other with his fists and palms: "Reporting to Your Highness, fortunately, the fleet destroyed two warships at the Cape of Good Hope, and the remaining ships arrived safely, and found the location of Eunuch Hou Xian and others.
"
"Okay, okay, as long as everything is safe."
"Where is Mr. Hou Xian?"
"Your Highness, we sailed into the Mediterranean based on the memories of the crew members who returned before, and found Eunuch Hou Xian and others on an island called Menorca. Because Menorca belongs to a country called Spain, we arrived
At that time, Duke Xian and his remaining soldiers were fighting with some of their fishermen and captured them by the way. At this time, Duke Xian was still on the island."
Zhu Zhanyang said in surprise: "Why don't you bring them back first?"
"Your Highness, don't blame me. It's not because of your unwillingness, but because Eunuch Hou Xian is unwilling. Eunuch Hou Xian said that the day when Master Zheng He's great revenge is avenged will be the day for his return." Yang Feng said helplessly.
Xiaosheng was a little worried when he heard that his adoptive father hadn't come back yet, but he didn't say much after knowing that it was at least safe now.
Zhu Zhanzhen glanced at Xiaosheng, then turned to Yang Feng and said: "Let the soldiers rest for a while. We now have our fleet in the Mediterranean. Although there are not many warships, we can now rely on land transportation for ammunition and material supplies."
Once here, I plan to go to France as soon as possible."
The canal is not connected, and the speed of supplies will definitely not be able to keep up, but Zhu Zhanchen feels that relying on the existing strength is enough to occupy some of the southern coast of France near the Mediterranean Sea as his early base.
Now Britain and France are at war with each other, so at this time, France's forces are mainly on the northern front, fighting from the Mediterranean to France's southern front. Theoretically, their forces should be insufficient, so it is a good choice to take action before they are prepared.
Zhu Zhanzhen did not hesitate, and Yang Feng only brought one ship this time because they did not have enough fuel and had to explore the route for the first time, so he brought a few experienced sailors and others
The space is filled with fuel as long as it can hold it, basically emptying out all the fuel on other warships.
"Yang Feng, go back with the fuel first and bring a few more warships. I will prepare the fuel and supplies. When the warships arrive, they will be transported to the island. Then I will bring the soldiers there and try to start the attack within half a month.
Landing operations on the south coast of France."
Yang Feng received the order and immediately returned to where Hou Xian and others were now. He first went to tell them the good news and arrange things.
Zhu Zhanzhen began to arrange the transportation of supplies from Suyinshi City.
The materials in Suyinshi City itself are not surplus now. They need to supply the needs of so many laborers for canal digging, and they are all transported so far by steam warships, which costs a lot of money. It is also cheaper to transport them by land to the Mediterranean coast.
Things and travel expenses are very expensive.
This is not a war, it is just burning money.
Zhu Zhanzhen cannot use the troops of Su Yinshi City now. These soldiers are now enough to protect the normal excavation of the Su Yinshi Canal. To maintain the work of these death row prisoners and slaves, sufficient force is needed to deter them, so Zhu Zhanzhen plans to
The troops first attempted landing operations.
When the warship docked a few days later, it was now necessary to rely on small boats to deliver materials and load supplies little by little. After loading everything, Zhu Zhanzhen also boarded the warship and headed for the island.
As soon as they arrived at Menorca, they saw several sailboats not far away trying to land on the island. Zhu Zhanchang immediately ordered them to go.
When those sailing ships saw the Ming Dynasty's warships, they immediately ran away. However, they were quickly overtaken by the Ming Dynasty's warships and surrendered without firing a single shot.
They took these sailboats hostage, landed on the island together, and tied them all up. There were quite a few people in the group, almost two hundred people. Although they were dressed like fishermen, their figure and posture did not look like ordinary fishermen.
, a little too fair, the clothes are very fisherman, and the face is extremely clean.
What's more important is that their surrender postures were uniform.
He has obviously received professional training.
Zhu Zhanzhen asked Yang Feng to suppress all of them and torture them. What was the purpose of the other party quietly approaching our island?
And he himself went to see Eunuch Hou Xian first.
Hou Xian now looked more than 20 years older than when he set out. He was still a relatively wealthy man before, but now his skin has become dark due to long-term exposure to the sun, and his skin has some discoloration.
The skin has peeled off in many places, making me look very haggard.
"Eunuch Xian..."
"The humble minister Hou Xian, pays homage to the Great Pearl River...His Royal Highness the King of the Sea." Hou Xian bowed to Zhu Zhanzhen for the first time.
When he set out, Zhu Zhanyi was still a child-like prince of Zhujiang County, but now he is a tall and handsome king of the Ming Dynasty.
"Eunuch Hou Xian has suffered a lot these years."
Hou Xian burst into tears: "Hou Xian felt that his trip was extremely glorious when he learned that Lord Zheng He had completed his trip and returned to the Ming Dynasty. He felt that His Highness the Sea King had come all the way to avenge Lord Zheng He.
This trip is worth it, and I feel it is worth it for Master Zheng He." Hou Xian knocked his head heavily.
Zhu Zhanzhen hurriedly helped him stand up: "Eunuch Hou Xian, I'm late, but don't worry, I will definitely avenge Zheng He. The suffering you have suffered all these years will never be in vain."
"Your Highness, with these words, Hou Xian will never give up." Hou Xian's eyes were filled with excitement and determination, and the soldiers following Hou Xian around him also shed tears.
Looking at the scene of a group of people bowing their heads and crying, Zhu Zhanzhen couldn't say any words of comfort for a while. Those who have been living abroad in a foreign country for these years need not even think about how much suffering they have suffered.
After they calmed down a bit, Zhu Zhanzhen said: "Eunuch Hou Xian, Xiaosheng didn't come with me. I asked him to help me take care of the canal construction over there. He wanted to come, but because there was no one there,
If we can't live without him, it will only be difficult for you, father and son, to meet later."
Hou Xian was extremely pleased and said: "I am deeply honored that Xiaosheng can be trusted by His Highness by his side. How can family affairs be compared with state affairs? After our triumphant return, my father and son will have time to have long talks."
After the pleasantries were over, Zhu Zhanzhen got to the point: "Eunuch Hou Xian, I see that the two steam warships previously were abandoned on the shore, and the number seems to be wrong."
Hou Xian sighed helplessly: "Your Highness does not know that the fuel of the steam warships has long been exhausted. We used sails to sail, and later damaged two of them. In order to avoid being snatched away by others, we originally planned to take the warships
It sank, but I didn’t expect that the fleet of Spain, the original sovereign state of this island, came out, fought with us, and took away the warship. Later, we put explosives on the ship. When they came to snatch it, we put the ship
It blew up and killed many of them, so there are only abandoned warships left on the shore. If the team you sent had not arrived this time, we might not have been able to hold on for long."
Hou Xian's determination to burn everything was almost exhausted, and Hou Xian never thought of running away. He was determined to die here even if he died.
Fortunately, he waited until Zhu Zhanzhen.
If Zhu Zhanzhen really did as Zhu Gaochi and the court ministers said, he would first wait for them to discuss it at home, and then wait until Zhu Zhanji returned from the Northern Expedition with a victory before setting off again. What would be waiting for him would be the bodies of Hou Xian and others.
.
Just like the soldiers in the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty, the only difference was that Zhu Zhanzhen did not hesitate, did not weigh the pros and cons, and was not influenced by the court. He tried his best to rush over.
"When I came here today, I caught a group of people. They looked like fishermen, but they were obviously not Spanish. Are they Spanish?" Zhu Zhanzhen asked.
"Your Highness, I don't think he is. Rather, he looks like a Frenchman."
"Oh? How did you recognize it?"
"I can't say why. These two places are connected together and are very similar, but after staying there for a long time, I feel that I can see some differences."
After some questioning by Yang Feng and others, it turned out that the other party was French.
Hou Xian had been in the West for a long time, so he knew some French language, so he was responsible for interrogating this group of French people who quietly approached the island.
I have to say that this group of people were surprisingly cooperative. They didn't even use any torture. They just answered whatever they asked and told them everything they knew.
Zhu Zhanzhen was sitting next to him, listening and learning French. Before that, he knew the French saying "Hello, you call it stupid pig."
It was only then that he discovered that this super powerful photographic memory was so useful. In the past, he always thought that his golden finger was a useless skill.
After the investigation, Hou Xian came over and said: "Your Highness, they all confessed that they are from France and belong to the private guard of the Duke of Marseille. Because they discovered our steam warship, the Duke of Marseille sent people to rob it."
"Oh? Who gave them the courage?" Zhu Zhanzhen smiled disdainfully.
"Because our deal with Ingeland resulted in Ingeland obtaining a steam warship, France was defeated steadily on the coast. Later, Spain robbed our steam warship without fuel, and after a slight improvement, it also
There were many people showing off their power on the coastline, so this time they found another steam warship on the sea and wanted to rob it."
Zhu Zhanzhen's face darkened and he said, "Is the Duke of Marseille far away from us?"
"Your Highness, the Port of Marseille is the closest French port to our island. Just cross the sea to the south."
Zhu Zhanyi fell into deep thought. The distance was not too far, and it was on the southern front of France, where there were not enough troops. Zhu Zhanyi thought that he could try a fight first.
But according to their current military strength, they can only fight a fight. If they can't win, or if they can't occupy the place after winning, it will be a waste of resources. They are now in short supply of resources.
After a brief hesitation, Zhu Zhanzhen decided to fight.
Zhu Zhanzhen asked the captured French guard: "Is there a small port near Marseille?"
"I know a formerly abandoned port, not far from the outskirts of the city. It was a port a long time ago, but due to the relocation of the city's center of gravity, the port is considered abandoned. Only some small fishing boats dock. My family lives there."
Zhu Zhanzhen rewarded him with a little silver for his cooperation.
"Without further delay, we have nearly 800 people and eight warships here. Now follow me to see the port. If the conditions are met, capture it immediately."
The group of people who had just arrived at the island were once again preparing to set out immediately.
The warship set off towards the south coast of France, but the French had not yet reacted.
When their fishing boats and merchant ships saw several huge steel ships appearing on the sea, someone immediately returned to Marseille to report, and the entire city of Marseille was on alert.
But Zhu Zhanzhen and his companions' destination was not the city, but the old port outside the city. There was almost no defense here, only some fishing boats and merchant ships.
Seeing that the situation was suitable, the Ming warships sailed into the port. Without any communication, the Ming soldiers disembarked one after another with weapons and directly drove away the few people here by force.
In order to survive, these people gave up their fishing boats and ran away first.
The Ming Dynasty's army occupied this port very close to Marseilles almost without firing a shot. Zhu Zhanzhen immediately ordered the construction of fortifications and trenches around the port. The entire army was ready and immediately dispatched ships back to the Suyins Canal.
Continue to transport some soldiers and supplies.
The Duke of Marseille in Marseille learned that a steel warship had occupied their old port, and immediately led the defenders in the city to kill them.
The distance was only a few miles, and they came very quickly.
Before the fortifications were completed, the cavalry team had already arrived in the distance, and the other party came over to kill them without saying a word.
There is no doubt that what greeted them was the artillery fire of the Ming Dynasty.
boom
boom
boom
The high-spirited Marseille cavalry was confused for a moment when faced with the overwhelming artillery fire. The Duke of Marseille, who was leading the way, immediately retreated. He was very afraid of death.
After a brief confrontation, the French army realized the fear of cannon.
Finally, towards evening, the Duke of Marseille came to the front of the Ming army in a conversation.
A handsome young man wearing gorgeous clothes and long curly hair, that is the romance of the French.
The long sword pointed forward: "Who is this person? What are you doing in France? Please retreat quickly."
Zhu Zhanzhen stood under the dusk, with his back to the sea, looking at the Duke of France and his army in front of him with cold eyes, and said loudly.
"This is the Sea King of the Ming Dynasty, who has come across the ocean with millions of troops of the Ming Dynasty. He wants to seek justice for Zheng He. Those who want to insult the Ming Dynasty will bow their heads in front of their horses. Anyone who resists will be killed."
The Duke of Marseille did not know who Daming was, nor did he know what justice Zhu Zhanchen wanted to seek.
Zhu Zhanzhen spoke again and said: "On behalf of the Ming Emperor, I am here to judge Charles VI, the guilty king of France. All French soldiers and civilians will not be killed if they surrender."