In the council hall, Liang Guogong Fan Zhong, Tang Xinggu and other officials were discussing the military situation. However, their gloomy expressions were like the sky outside, which showed that the current situation was already very serious.
Since Peng Qing's fleet was seized by the Ottomans, Fan Zhong immediately organized troops and ships to go to the Ottomans to reason.
The Ottomans were also very happy. The two sides immediately opened up their battle lines and used cannons to talk reason.
Peng Qing was not someone to be trifled with, so he immediately led his crew to launch a counterattack, took advantage of the chaos to seize several ships, and then retreated to Ceylon Island with Fan Zhong.
This confrontation completely angered the Ottomans, who immediately dispatched all the navy to attack the Ming army stationed on Ceylon Island.
The two sides went back and forth, and the stalemate lasted for three months, without getting any benefits from each other.
However, the Ottomans took the opportunity to occupy the Kingdom of Tik in the north of Ceylon.
This country is located at the southernmost tip of the Indian continent and still lives a relatively primitive farming life. One day, King Tik and his wives were eating hot pot and singing songs when a group of ships suddenly rushed over and nothing happened.
After the Ottomans landed, they found a large amount of food and logistics supplies were solved.
Then relying on this, a steady stream of warships and troops were transported over to continue the siege of Ceylon Island.
The resources on Ceylon Island are limited, and more than half of the battleships were damaged when rescuing Peng Qing. It is impossible to break through with the existing firepower.
The sea routes are blocked and supply ships cannot pass. The problem has become urgent.
"Tang Tongzhi, have you found a solution to the food problem?"
Tang Xinggu shook his head slowly and said: "The strength of the Ottomans is still increasing, and our ship cannot get out. Now we can only hope that the Nanhaiwei will suddenly arrive on a ship and bring back the information here, and His Highness King Tan will send troops to rescue him."
.”
"Liang Guogong, Tang Tongzhi..."
Fan Zhong looked up and saw Peng Qing being helped into the hall.
Even though this man is a civil servant, he fights neatly and neatly, without any trace of bookishness.
It was precisely because he was too brave that when he led the charge, he was hit by a stray bullet and almost died.
"Mr. Peng, why are you here?"
Fan Zhong did not dare to neglect, and stepped forward to help him and sit on the chair.
"Skin injury, nothing serious."
Peng Qing waved his hand and said, "I was careless this time. I caused too much trouble to you two, and I feel very sorry."
Tang Xinggu stepped forward and said: "I am an official in the same court, so what you said is not being disrespectful?"
After hearing this, Peng Qing tried his best to stand up and said: "Tang Tongzhi, I used to criticize you a lot. I want to apologize to you..."
“I don’t dare to take it, I don’t dare to take it!”
Tang Xinggu hurriedly held him down and said: "The top priority is to discuss how to defeat the enemy. Before the emperor left, he handed over Ceylon Island to us for guarding. If it is really lost, then we will be eternal sinners!"
Fan Zhong nodded and said: "If there really is such a day, I will fight to the death for my country, cover the evacuation of the two, bring the news back to the Ming Dynasty, wait for the emperor to reorganize the army, and avenge the soldiers who died in the battle!"
Tang Xinggu became anxious and retorted: "Liang Guogong, what you said is wrong. I, Mr. Tang, was born as a supervisory censor. You are a post of meritorious service. You look down on me. I often trouble you, but that's all."
It’s a thing of the past. Now you and I are stationed here under orders, why do you have to sacrifice your life for the country? Don’t we, Tang, deserve it?”
These words silenced Fan Zhong, and he was speechless for a long time.
Seeing this, Peng Qing said: "Don't argue, you two. The source of this matter lies with Lao Chan."
"Master Peng, this matter has nothing to do with you!"
Tang Xinggu waved his hand to stop him, and then continued: "I, Mr. Tang, used to be a bit noble, and I did some disgraceful things in order to exploit the camp. However, as the sage said, if you know your mistakes, you can correct them, and there is no great virtue..."
Fan Zhong's face turned pale and his heart became increasingly irritable, but he could only endure it as best he could.
"...Above the main hall, the emperor slapped me in the face. Who can be more embarrassed than me? If I care too much about other people's opinions, I will not be alive..."
"that……"
"Dong Guo Liang, don't speak. Listen to me first."
Fan Zhong was sweating on his forehead. Taking advantage of Tang Xinggu's breathing, he was about to say something, but was ruthlessly interrupted.
"You are in charge of military affairs and I am in charge of civil affairs. Logistics support cannot be solved. This is my problem..."
"No, I want to say..."
"You don't need to tell me, I know what you think. You are fighting on the front line, and I can't even provide material support for the rear. When I go to the emperor in the future, I will apologize..."
"Tang Xinggu!"
Fan Zhongshi couldn't bear it anymore and shouted loudly. Tang Xinggu was startled and then he shut up.
The hall suddenly became quiet. Now, it was Fan Zhong's turn to feel embarrassed and hurriedly apologized: "I didn't mean it like that. Don't blame me, Tang Tongzhi, don't blame me..."
Seeing that the atmosphere became a little awkward, Peng Qing said: "You two, stop blaming yourself now that things have happened!"
Fan Zhong nodded and said: "Envoy Peng is right, let's stop talking nonsense and quickly think of ways to defeat the enemy!"
Tang Xinggu also frowned and fell into deep thought.
After a long time, someone came in a hurry outside.
"Report to Duke Liang, Zhang Baihu asks for an audience!"
Fan Zhong hurriedly said: "Zhang Jin is back? Quick, let him in!"
This Zhang Baihu is none other than Zhang Jin.
This man was once a sinner, but he repented and the emperor personally pardoned his sins.
More importantly, this person has a flexible mind, is good at observing situations, and masters several foreign languages. He is a rare talent.
When he was trapped on Ceylon Island, Fan Zhong tried his best to get him out.
However, as soon as the person left, the news was cut off, and his life or death was unknown.
Now that I heard that the man was still alive and had broken through the Ottoman blockade and returned to the island, I was naturally overjoyed.
Zhang Jin hurried in and knelt down: "I have met Liang Guogong, I have met Tang Tongzhi, I have met Peng..."
"Okay, all these etiquettes are waived!"
Peng Qing was impatient and waved his hand to stop him before he finished speaking.
Fan Zhong then asked: "Have you ever met His Highness King Tan? What did His Highness say? How did you break through the Ottoman blockade?"
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Faced with a series of questions, Zhang Jin was not in a hurry: "Liang Guogong, please be slow, I humble you and answer them one by one."
"Okay, you say it!"
"The humble position has indeed arrived at Nanhaiwei, but..."
Fan Zhong immediately frowned and said, "But what?"
Peng Qing patted his arm and said, "Let someone finish what he said!"
Fan Zhong also realized that he had lost his temper and could only nod his head.
"His Royal Highness King Xi is not in Nanhaiwei..."
"not here?"
Fan Zhong suddenly stood up, as if realizing that he was too impatient, he sat down again.
"Nothing, you continue!"
Zhang Jin was interrupted twice, so he sped up his words and said: "His Royal Highness King Xi was summoned to the capital, and the Nanhai Guard's troops were also taken away. Even if they got the information, they would not be able to rush to the rescue for a while.
.”
At this time, Peng Qing and Tang Xinggu also frowned. Is King Tan leading troops to Beijing?
I'll be nice. Is something wrong?
Lao Zhu's family has a rebellious bloodline, and the vassal king leads troops to Beijing. This situation... I can't imagine it!
Tang Xinggu asked cautiously: "Is it serious in the capital?"
Zhang Jin nodded emphatically and said, "I heard it's very serious!"
Tang Xinggu looked at Fan Zhong and then at Peng Qing, wondering what to do.
Peng Qing continued to ask: "Where is the emperor? Isn't he in the capital?"
"Of course not, otherwise King Tan wouldn't have led his troops to Beijing."
Peng Qing turned to look at Fan Zhong and said, "The emperor has too much time to take care of himself, so let's find a way on our own!"
Fan Zhong was so anxious that he wanted to fly to the emperor immediately, but he punched the desk and said angrily: "Even King Tan has rebelled..."
"Hey, no, no!"
Zhang Jin then realized that these three people seemed to have misunderstood, so he quickly explained: "There is indeed a rebellion, but it is not King Yin."
"His Royal Highness King Yin is here to help, and it is the emperor who issued the imperial edict, requiring King Yin to lead troops to the capital to kill the rebels!"
"I also heard people say that almost all overseas smuggling fleets have been liquidated. This shows that these people's rebellion must have failed, and the emperor should be fine."
Fan Zhong breathed a sigh of relief and said, "You didn't tell me earlier!"
"I……"
Zhang Jin was also helpless. If I spoke slowly, you would interrupt. If I spoke quickly, you would misunderstand me. It’s hard for me too!
Fan Zhong asked again: "So, the Nanhai Guards are empty and cannot support them?"
"Exactly!"
Zhang Jin nodded and said: "His Royal Highness King Xi took away the main force of Nanhaiwei, and even mobilized some soldiers and horses from Jiaozhi, Luzon and other places. I have a hunch that the emperor is preparing to go on a killing spree."
Fan Zhong thought for a while and continued: "Ottoman ships have cut off all routes. How did you come back?"
"I'm so lucky that I took the southern route!"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.
The southern route is not a route, but a vast ocean.
Since ancient times, no matter how big a ship is, it must take a specific route.
The so-called ocean voyage does not mean rushing straight into the sea, but traveling along the coastline. When it gets dark, you will stop to rest on the shore, and then continue walking when it gets light.
This line is the channel. Every ship must carry a chart when setting out. They need to know where there are reefs, which islands have fresh water, and where there are ports.
When the Ming Dynasty resumed its voyages to the West, Peng Qing had a fight with the Hanlin Academy over the waterway.
The Hanlin Academy suffered a great loss as a result, and a whole boat of people almost died on a deserted island.
Although Ceylon is just an island, it covers a very large area. It is almost impossible to make the island airtight.
The Ottomans guarded the shipping lanes to besiege the Ming army on the island.
Unable to break through from the front, Zhang Jin took a desperate risk, deviated from the waterway, and crossed through unknown waters.
When this approach was dangerous, he was risking his life to survive. Fortunately, he succeeded.
Fan Zhong patted Zhang Jin on the shoulder and said, "Actually, you don't have to come back."
Zhang Jin's expression changed: "Liang Guogong, are you scolding me?"
Fan Zhong said earnestly: "Nanhaiwei cannot provide reinforcements. If you come back on your own, it will only cost you an extra life. Why bother?"
"Gong Liang, you can't say that, we haven't lost yet!"
Zhang Jin said seriously: "The Ottomans haven't reached the island yet? Even if they come, so what? The island of Ceylon is so big, which means that our strategic depth is very wide. Just fight them and wait until the reinforcements arrive.
, these people are all turtles in the urn, none of them can escape!"
After hearing this, Fan Zhong smiled bitterly in his heart. Although this idea was good, the Nanhai Guards were transferred away, which showed that the matter in the capital was very serious. How could the emperor have the energy to take care of overseas affairs?
At this point, we can only take one step at a time.
As the coach, I have to set an example and boost morale.
"You're right, fuck him!"
Tang Xinggu glanced at him resentfully and said: "The most urgent task is to solve the food problem. If it is too late, there may be a mutiny!"
"This is all my fault!"
Peng Qing looked annoyed and said: "The fleet was trapped and lost supplies. It gave Ceylon Island thousands more mouths. It's my incompetence..."
"Master Peng, what you said is out of context again!"
As the two declined each other, someone else came to inform them.
"Notice to Duke Liang that Peng San and Han Liang are back."
Fan Zhong asked: "Did the two of them come together?"
"Yes, we also brought some people with us, they should be local aborigines."
Fan Zhong looked overjoyed and said: "Let him come in quickly...forget it, I'll go out to greet him!"
After saying that, he stood up and walked out. Sure enough, he saw Peng San and Han Liang waiting outside the door, followed by several local natives.
Before the Eastern Romans landed on the island of Ceylon, there were indigenous people here.
The situation at that time was that the two major forces, the Sinhala Kingdom and the Tamil Kingdom, controlled the south and the north respectively. When the Eastern Romans got involved, the three parties started a melee. The Sinhala Kingdom retreated to the north, the Eastern Romans occupied the south, and the Tamil Kingdom
They were forced to migrate to the high mountains in the central part of the country.
After the Ming army landed, the Eastern Romans were defeated and their sphere of influence was replaced by the Ming Dynasty.
The Sinhala Kingdom and the Tamil Kingdom have been fighting for hundreds of years. If Fan Zhong takes advantage of the situation and attacks, he can easily control the entire island of Ceylon.
However, he did not do this. Instead, after establishing a foothold, he established relations with the two countries respectively and accepted tribute from the two countries in the name of the suzerain state.
He even personally came forward to mediate the centuries-old disputes between the two countries.
This move undoubtedly demonstrates the demeanor of a great power, and the Sinhala Kingdom and the Tamil Kingdom are also sincerely attached to it.
As the saying goes, a friend in need is a friend indeed. Now that the enemy is facing us, no one knows whether these two brothers will change their minds...
Peng San and Han Liang went to the two countries to seek help respectively, which can be said to be risking their lives.
Because the two countries might rebel at any time, they captured the Ming envoys and presented them to the Ottomans to show their loyalty.
When he saw the envoys from the two countries arriving one after another, the stone in Fan Zhong's heart finally fell to the ground.
"Kowtow to Duke Liang!"
"Kowtow to Duke Liang!"
When the two saw Fan Zhong, they quickly saluted.
"Get up!"
Fan Zhong smiled happily and asked, "Is everything going well?"
Peng San replied: "The Sinhalese King is willing to send troops and food to cooperate against foreign enemies!"
Han Liang said: "The Tamil King also agreed to send troops and food, and sent His Highness the Prince to come back."
Behind him, a young native said in broken Chinese: "Our troops are gathering and food is being transported, very soon."