On August 18th, the sixth year of Zhengde in the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Houzhao of the Ming Dynasty personally sent him off with hundreds of civil and military officials.
The Protector of the Ming Dynasty, the deputy governor of the regiment camp, the admiral of the Zhenwei camp, and the director of the new city ship, Zhang Yanling, the uncle of the Ming Dynasty, led five thousand soldiers and horses, amidst the sound of drums and flags, and the warm blessings of his wives and concubines
He set out to leave Beijing and officially embarked on the journey to escape from sea trade.
…
The cavalry marched very quickly, spent the night at dawn, and arrived in Nanjing on the tenth day.
At the dock of the Longjiang Shipyard, Wang Hong and others who had arrived early had already made all preparations. Seven ironclad ships, including the Star, plus three logistics ships loaded with cargo, were ready.
All the sea-going ships have been decked out in red and colorful decorations, waiting for the voyage.
A group of military and political officials in Nanjing had already been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Zhang Yanling and others. After Zhang Yanling and his party arrived, they did not delay and spent two days checking equipment, goods, personnel and materials. After confirming that the preparations were complete, Zhang Yanling ordered to board the ship on September 2nd and set off.
command.
In the morning of that day, more than 100,000 Nanjing military and political officials and local soldiers and civilians gathered at the pier to send the Ming Dynasty fleet out to sea. At about 1:00 in the morning, Zhang Yanling, wearing armor and military uniform and a purple cloak, came on horseback and said goodbye to the Nanjing officials on the pier.
.
Zhu Fu, Wang Hua and other honorable ministers and officials hosted a banquet. After three glasses of wine, Zhang Yanling turned around and boarded the flagship of the Star.
The main guns of the seven armored battleships roared 21 times, shaking the world. Amidst the deafening sound of the cannons, the two armored battleships Liaodong and Shandong were launched first. With their oars flying and white sails blowing, they quickly sailed into the main channel of the Yangtze River towards the sea.
Go in the direction.
Followed by the flagship Xingchen, Jiangzhe, Xuanfu, Datong and other three flankers. Then came Kunpeng 1, Kunpeng 2 and Kunpeng 3, three cargo ships filled with supplies. The last one was behind.
They are the Ningxia, Ganshan, and Yansui three guard iron-clad ships.
Although the entire fleet only has ten giant ships, its scale seems to be much smaller than the scale of more than a hundred ships when the Sanbao Eunuch sailed to the Western Ocean. But in everyone's eyes, the significance of the Ming Dynasty's fleet going to sea this time is
No less than the original Zheng He fleet.
Nearly a hundred years have passed since the Yongle Year. Finally, the Ming Dynasty's armored fleet went to sea again, and it will reproduce the glory of the year. Although all the people who participated in the voyage to the West at that time are no longer there, the Ming Dynasty talked about the things that happened across the sea.
, all nostalgic and proud.
Now, is it all coming back? This is a moment that everyone is excited and looking forward to.
Amid the cheers of the people, Zhang Yanling stood on the ship building of the Star, waving to the soldiers and civilians seeing off the shore. He looked at the scene of crowds of people and colorful flags everywhere. Hearing the heartfelt cheers of the people that shook the world. Zhang Yanling
I also felt quite emotional in my heart.
When the Ming Dynasty was powerful, the world's great powers were still groping in the dark. The Age of Discovery was actually initiated by the Ming Dynasty. As early as a hundred years ago, the strength of the Ming Dynasty could dominate the world and become the center of the world.
However, during these hundred years, the Ming Dynasty was isolated from the world, and its contacts with overseas foreign countries were interrupted. It wasted the relationships with overseas foreign countries that Zheng He had established, and it also lost the ability to further expand its influence and dominate the oceans and seas.
Opportunities for the world. This is such a pity.
One waxes and wanes, the other waxes and wanes. If you don't advance, you will retreat. The growth and decline of strength happened after missing this key opportunity. In the end, other people's gunboats came to attack, and the humiliating and dark years lasted for hundreds of years, and the Eastern land became other people's.
The fact that the land where horses galloped became a forbidden land where foreign powers wantonly insulted them must have something to do with all of this.
What I have to do is to change everything, correct this fatal mistake, seize the opportunity, and reverse all the humiliation and darkness that will happen in the future. This ambition may be a bit arrogant, but in Zhang Yanling's current position, how can I
Gotta give it a try.
The fleet set off with great fanfare and received warm greetings from people from all over the country along the way. People stood on the river bank waiting for the arrival of the fleet. Although it had been raining continuously since the departure, this did not dampen the joy of the people at all. They
Standing in the rain, cheering and waving my arms, I watched the Ming Dynasty's armored fleet sail past and sail into the distance.
In fact, the people did not think that this incident would bring any benefits to them or bring any changes to the Ming Dynasty. They simply believed that the Ming Dynasty had a fleet going to sea again, which meant that the Ming Dynasty had regained its original prosperity.
.This is enough to make them feel excited and proud.
Three days later, the fleet entered the vast sea from the mouth of the Yangtze River.
It is late autumn, and the direction of the monsoon wind is about to change. The monsoon wind coming from the southeast over the sea meets the cold wind coming from the northwest. It has been raining continuously for many days, and the temperature has begun to get colder.
Zhang Yanling held the fleet's first operational meeting on the sea outside the Yangtze River estuary with howling autumn wind and surging waves.
The admirals of each fleet, the chief and deputy admirals of the navy, and generals at all levels above the middle level gathered in the spacious cabin on the upper floor of the flagship of the Star. Zhang Yanling made hot tea and prepared snacks to welcome them.
"My lords, the fleet has gone to sea. From now on, I have to remind you to collect your emotions and return to reality. What I say below is not very pleasant, but please be sure to listen to it and remember it.
"After the warm greetings, Zhang Yanling set the tone of the meeting as soon as he opened his mouth.
Everyone immediately became solemn.
"I am humble enough to listen to the Duke's instructions." Everyone said in unison.
Zhang Yanling nodded and said in a deep voice: "First of all, I want you to be clear. From this moment on, we have entered a state of combat. I have spent so much effort, so much money, and painstaking efforts to build this fleet. This is
All my heart is in it. But I build them
We set out to sea, not to watch the sea and listen to the waves, not to travel around the mountains and rivers. There is only one purpose, which is to open waterways, open up trade routes, and fight to the death with all the enemies that stand in front of us, and win them. Therefore, you
When you understand, we are already in the middle of a battle."
Chen Shi Zhang Yin, Wang Hong, Zhao Yuancheng and other generals all said solemnly: "I understand this, I don't dare to relax even a little bit."
Zhang Yanling nodded and said coldly: "As long as you understand. The second point is that I must warn you. What will you face when you go to sea this time? We are not afraid of war. I, Zhang Yanling, have experienced a lot with you.
Fighting. I dare not say that I have experienced hundreds of battles, but I have also experienced some small scenes..."
Chen Shiyi chuckled and said: "The Duke of Guo was in charge of fighting tens of thousands of Tatars in Dushi City, Ningxia Town quelled the rebellion of King Anhua, quelled the rebellion of hundreds of thousands of rebels by Liu Liu and Liu Qi, and fought with Fo Langji and others.
The naval battle in Tuen Mun was a small scene? That humble official doesn’t know what a big scene is.”
All the generals laughed and said, "Yes. The Duke is too modest."
Zhang Yanling waved his hands and said: "Everyone, listen carefully to me. The enemy we face this time is at sea. It is a powerful enemy with powerful warships and Folan cannons. No matter whether they are Tatars, thieves or rebels, they are incomparable."
.Originally, maritime warfare is not what we are good at. The opponent has rich experience in naval warfare, advanced warships and firearms, and huge strength.
Mr. Wang must be deeply aware of this. In the battle of Tuen Mun, the opponent only had a few centipede boats, so we suffered huge casualties. The fierceness of the opponent's firearms and the speed of the warships are clearly proved. If not
With fishermen and boats desperately trying to protect us, the outcome of that battle may not be a victory. It could very well be an embarrassing defeat."
Wang Hong frowned and nodded: "What the Protector said is true. Fo Langji's strength is indeed impressive."
Zhang Yanling continued: "The Fo Langji people have been roaming the sea for decades. Their Eastern Fleet has dozens of warships and hundreds of firearms. Moreover, they have taken the initiative and have occupied many foreign ports and established supply bases.
.They have been cruising on the sea all year round, have rich experience in naval battles, and know the currents, weather and terrain well. Such a pair
This is something we have never encountered before. Therefore, what we are about to encounter is an enemy that is unmatched by any previous enemy. You must understand this. I never inflate others' prestige, and I never take any enemy seriously.
But this time, I must make it clear to you. I have no confidence in facing them. I am not sure of victory."
Everyone was in awe. What the Duke said really made everyone feel awe-inspiring. Originally, everyone's attitude was extremely optimistic. The Lord Protector led the army and had a giant iron-armored ship, so he couldn't crush them all the way. What's the point?
Fighting. The enemy still doesn't want to flee? But the Lord Protector is so cautious that he begins to re-evaluate this expedition in his heart.
Everyone fell silent, and could only hear the rustling of autumn rain, rolling waves on the sea, and the roaring sound of water.