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Chapter 469 at sea

Chapter 469 On the sea

The light in the cabin was dim, with only a few rays of white light coming from the gaps in the upper decks, allowing people to barely recognize the surrounding scenes. Nearly three hundred people were crowded in this cabin, making the original

The large and spacious cabin feels particularly crowded. Fortunately, a few more ventilation holes were opened on the cabin wall before departure, otherwise the turbid air would make people even more uncomfortable and stuffy...

Lieutenant Colonel Derivic was standing next to the ventilation window at the front of the cabin. The fresh air coming from the window still carried cold water vapor and a fishy smell of the sea. As far as the eye could see, it was still the monotonous reddish-brown sea water and dark red.

sky, the two combine into an endless black line in the distance.

Today's wind and waves are a bit strong, and the transport ship is swaying a bit. But this is not a big deal to Lieutenant Colonel Derivic. He has experienced bigger waves. When the five-year war in the eastern part of Farea continent ended, he

Those who were in the Overseas Territory were unable to continue serving in the Royal Army and were forced to retire and returned to the Amphiston Territory.

For the next three years, he worked in the mining firm run by his father, Mr. Veblen, learning to manage several mineral development bases and preparing to take over the family business as a small mining owner in the future. At that time, he often escorted trucks full of cargo.

The ore ingot transport ship went to the port of Corpicius in the Tiersim demesne and encountered even greater wind and waves.

Then the colonial war broke out between the Kingdom of Hicks and the Kingdom of Overas. At that time, Derivic wanted to sign up to join the local garrison and become a warrior to fight against the invasion of the Hicks, but was rejected by his father Veblen.

The gentleman stopped me.

Mr. Veblen said that no one knows what kind of mess the local garrison is. Fighting the enemy cannot be done with courage alone. Joining such a team will only lead to death. Thanks to the persuasion of his family, Derivic finally gave up the idea of ​​returning to the army.

With the idea of ​​joining the army, he packed up his belongings and fled with his family with the people from the Mining and Business Association.

Then their team encountered the vanguard of the Rangers heading to the front line halfway. At that time, Claude was only the lieutenant colonel commander of the independent reinforced battalion. What surprised Derivic was that his father, Wibber

After Mr. Lun got acquainted with the young battalion commander, he decided to return to the Amphiston Territory instead of fleeing. Afterwards, Drivic admired the foresight of his father, Mr. Veblen, and the Rangers quickly won the first place.

and victory in the Second Colonial War.

So Derivic's idea of ​​joining the army became more determined, and this time his father, Mr. Veblen, did not object. Instead, he asked Claude, who had just been promoted to the kingdom's major general, to let Derivic join the newly formed army.

Thunder Division. As a lieutenant officer who re-enlisted in the Army after five or six years of retirement, Derivic was not accustomed to his new military career at first. But he persevered and officially became a junior officer of the Thunder Division.

From the Third Colonial War to the great melee at the Hicks camp in the northern mountains, Derivic was lucky not to die on the battlefield. At the same time, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel because of his bravery and command in battle, and currently serves as the Thunderbolt

The position of battalion commander of the 123rd Main Field Battalion of the 1303rd Regiment of the 1st Division.

This time they were carrying out a surprise attack on Rodex Bay. As a senior officer of the First Division, Derivic knew the contents of the entire surprise attack plan. He had to be wary of Claude's audacious plan because they

They need to endure a seven-day and seven-night sea journey in the cabin. If the Hicks' cruise warship discovers a flaw, it will be equivalent to burying the entire First Division at sea. In such cold weather, even if they want to run away

There is no way to run, and there is no place for you to escape. The only outcome is to be buried under the sea...

Derivic really wanted to take out the cut tobacco and put it into his pipe and take a few puffs to relieve his worries. This was something he learned from several veterans. It could effectively relax the tension after the war, relax the nerves, and be more refreshing. However,

As soon as he put his hand into the tobacco bag, he remembered the notice that fireworks were strictly prohibited in the cabin. He could only take out a few tobacco sticks and chew them in his mouth, letting the spicy and bitter taste fill his entire mouth...

I don’t know how long it took, just when I was drowsy, I heard the sound of tapping bamboo poles on the deck. The guard next to me pushed Derivic to wake him up. Then he pointed to the cabin. Derivic

Ke rubbed his face with both hands to make himself more conscious: "Is it night? You can go up and relax."

During the seven-day and seven-night journey, the soldiers could only stay in the cabins during the day. Only at night, when the fleet was anchored for the night, could they go on the deck for ventilation. As a result, within two days, the word "ventilation" became popular on every transport ship, and the soldiers were all

Compare yourself to prisoners in a prison. The only difference is that prisoners sit in cells and they sit in cabins.

Lieutenant Colonel Derivic clapped his hands and said to the soldiers in the cabin: "As a rule, we all move our hands and feet first, lest we become numb after sitting for a long time and go on the deck, unable to control our bodies, and fall into the sea. In such weather,

, no one will save you, because they will be frozen quickly if they jump. We will not sacrifice the lives of other warriors to save your life. Everyone, move, hurry up, be conscious, use your hands and feet

The event is on…”

There were nearly three hundred people crammed into the cabin, and of course there was no room for people to do exercises in the cabin. However, Lieutenant Colonel Drivick said that it didn’t require much space to move their hands and feet, so the soldiers still sat there, holding their heads in their hands and leaning back.

, and then learn the rabbit kicking action with your feet in mid-air, that is, pretending to be riding a virtual bicycle...

This was also a last resort. On the first night when the offshore transport ship was moored, three soldiers went to the deck to urinate even though their feet were numb. As a result, they lost their balance and were carried into the sea. Even though they were rescued immediately, only two were fished out.

He was half frozen to death, and one unlucky man disappeared. From that day on, when the ship was moored at night, the soldiers had to move their hands and feet before going on deck to avoid repeating the same mistake.

There are a total of 165 offshore ocean transport ships, which can be regarded as the largest shallow sea transport fleet in the overseas territories. The place where they parked at night is a reef area with a water depth of only five or six meters. The draft of offshore transport ships is

The deepest is no more than three meters. Some seven- or eight-meter-long bamboo poles can be inserted directly into the rocks to secure the boat. Then the other boats can be connected around the side with wooden planks and iron buckles, and then each can lower its anchor to fix it.

The offshore transport ships of each unit of the First Division are allocated according to their establishment. The offshore transport ships of the 1301st to 1304th Regiment are all connected together and distributed around. The units directly under the division headquarters are connected together at

In the middle, they are connected to each other with ship boards, just like a chain ship.

The main reason for this is that offshore transport ships are flat-bottomed and have a low draft. Most of the cargo they carry is on the deck, which makes them feel a little top-heavy. When traveling during the day, the sails cover the bottom, and even if the wind and waves are strong, the ship will only shake. But when berthed at night

If there is strong wind and waves during the night, the boat will easily capsize, so connecting the boat to the boat will not worry about the wind and waves, and it will also be very stable. The only thing to pay attention to is fire prevention and sneak attacks by pirates.

After leaving the cabin, an icy sea breeze blew in the face, making people shiver involuntarily. The sailors on the deck were nervously fastening the iron buckles on the side of the ship to the transport ship next to it, and then laying the planks on the ship.

, so that the two ships on both sides are connected to the own ship, and at the same time, there is more space for people to move.

The bearded Major Maryland emerged from the cabin of the transport ship next to him. When he saw Lieutenant Colonel Drivek, he raised the big pipe in his hand and shook it. The two of them walked to the back deck of the offshore transport ship in tacit understanding.

This is the default smoking area. Many sailors and crew members who are heavy smokers will go to this area to take a few puffs of cigarettes to satisfy their cravings while sailing.

It wasn't just Lieutenant Colonel Drivick and Major Maryland who were smoking in this area. The back deck areas of more offshore transport ships were lit up with a little bit of pipe fire, and then in the vast night, it was like the light of a swarm of fireflies.

Generally, it flashes brightly and darkly...

Dinner is very simple, a steak with brown bread, a cup of hot ale, a bowl of mashed potatoes mixed with beef soup, and a carrot. Compared to the two meals in the morning and noon, dinner can at least be eaten hot, and all officers and soldiers can eat breakfast and lunch.

They can only eat dry food in the cabin and are not allowed to go out. Sometimes the sailors on the deck will bring two buckets of hot water for everyone to drink to warm themselves up. It is very cold in the cabin. Even though there is a lot of hay, it is still half leaning against the wall of the ship.

I still feel cold and shivering.

The fleet traveled for another two days and arrived at Cape Morrox. It was only a day and a half away from Rodex Bay Colony. If they didn't anchor for the night, it might only take one day. But a hundred

It is very dangerous for a fleet of 65 offshore transport ships to sail at night. If something happens, it will be too late to rescue them, and it will bring chaos to the fleet.

There was a clear sound of iron knocking on the cabin, which meant that the enemy's cruise fleet was encountered. Everyone must remain alert, silent, and be on first-level combat readiness. All ventilation windows must be closed, and wooden windows and doors must be closed.

"Everyone, put the towel in your mouth and bite it. Even if you sneeze and cough, you can't bear it." Lieutenant Colonel Drivick quickly issued the order: "Close the cabin windows, lock all the wooden windows and doors, and the ventilation holes."

The windows and doors are also closed..."

Soon, the cabin became dark, and even the air began to feel a little dull. Only the four long ventilation slits on the front and rear walls of the ship were still letting out the slightest hint of seawater-smelling cold air.

About half an hour later, Lieutenant Colonel Drivick felt that the speed of the transport ship he was on had slowed down, and it seemed that the sails had been lowered. He knew that the offshore transport ship he was on was on the periphery of the fleet, so

There is a small hole in the closed wooden window door. Through this small hole, and then through the blurred cabin window glass, you can vaguely see two light ships of the United Fleet parked on the sea more than 100 meters away.

Cruising battleship and a secondary cruising sailing battleship.

You don't need to think about it to know that all the artillery on the three cruise warships of the combined fleet should be aimed at the transport fleet on our side. If exposed, the first division of the Thunder Legion will bury the entire army in this sea area.

In the wind and waves...

On the sea where Lieutenant Colonel Drivick could not see, seven lifeboats launched from the battleships were rowing towards the transport fleet carrying the Hicks Marines. After more than ten minutes, the lifeboats were already approaching.

After entering the transport fleet, a big man with a beard and a major officer from the Kingdom of Hicks climbed up from the rope ladder thrown down from the transport ship.

"Haha, why is it you, my brother?" Old Sike, the nominal director of the transport fleet, came up to him and hugged him warmly.

The major officer of the Marine Corps of the Hicks Combined Fleet was also very surprised: "Haha, Old Hicks, this is your fleet."

Old Sick shook his head: "It's not my fleet, it's the fleet of our Buffalo Trading Company. If it were my fleet, I should be sitting next to the fireplace at home, enjoying the warm fire and baking some delicious food.

Yes, let’s taste the delicious fruit wine. Who would want to go out on a boat in such a cold weather, because they think their life is long?”

The major officer laughed: "Then why are you here?"

Old Sick grimaced: "The goddess of wealth is unwilling to protect her most devout believer. I lost all my three months' salary in one night in the tavern. How could I dare to go home? You should have heard me talk about my...

A vicious mother-in-law, if she knew that I lost three months' salary, she would tear my old bones apart. Fortunately, the business took another job, so I volunteered to be the steward to avoid being beaten when I went home.

..."

The Hicks Marines who got on the ship were all amused. Is this old man too afraid of his wife? The major officer was laughing from ear to ear and slapped his thigh repeatedly. He finally stopped it.

He smiled and said: "Okay, Old Sick, stop telling jokes. Where is your fleet from and what is it carrying?"

"Where else can we go? Where are you?" Old Sick muttered and shouted: "Little Booker, bring me the account book from the captain's cabin."

Little Booker was Claude, and he was pretending to be a financial officer of the Buffalo Trading Company. He hurriedly sent a large account book to Old Sick. When he saw the major officer, he was very surprised and said to Old Sick: "Here they come."

Have you received the goods? Then what are you waiting for? Go and check it quickly. If you finish it early, I can go home early."

Lao Sike snatched the account book and said: "You have a good idea, follow us to the place and finish ordering the goods. We still have to settle the accounts before you can go home. Don't worry, the child in your wife's belly will not be delayed for ten and a half months."

It will fall off immediately. Didn’t the pharmacist say last time that the baby would be born in three months?”

Old Sick turned around and handed the account book to the major officer: "This is the financial accountant of our commercial bank. His wife is pregnant and about to give birth. This kid is unwilling to go out. This time we tied him to the ship. The main reason is this

This time you requested too many goods and the amount of business was huge. We didn’t know if we didn’t bring this guy with us. You know my arithmetic is not very good and I tend to get confused when I get more than three digits. That’s why our boss decided to let this guy run for a while.

Come and settle the account clearly..."

The major officer glanced at Claude and saw that he was shrinking and folding his arms. He was so cold that he was wearing big black-rimmed glasses. He really looked like those financial accountants in his impression. He didn't take it seriously. He opened the account book.

Looking at it, I was shocked: "Old Sick, your boss is very capable. He actually got so many good things this time, including blueberry fruit wine produced in 1976."

Lao Sike chuckled: "Speaking of which, thanks to your army's attack on Lanhu City, you have caused chaos in the direct-administered war zone. The war zone headquarters no longer cares about managing our trading houses, and our boss took advantage of this chaos.

On this occasion, I have obtained supplies from several warehouses and prepared to trade them all to you. It just so happened that the officers in your logistics department also had this intention, so they simply organized such a large fleet to transport all the goods there, fearing that in the future

The theater command issued a sea ban, and then there would be no such opportunity..."

"Your boss is really smart. No wonder he has made the Buffalo Trading Company so big and famous in the colonies on the west coast." The major officer nodded and flipped through the ledger: "Old Sick, what do these red, blue and black marks mean?

?”

"This is for differentiation. The ones marked in red are the goods that your Hicks Kingdom Logistics Department placed orders with us. The blue marks are the goods that the officials in Rodex Bay City ordered from our trading house. The black marks are the ones we

Prepare to put the supplies sold in your own business." Old Sick replied carelessly.

"I see, your profits from this trip are very high." The major officer said enviously, and nodded to a soldier beside him: "No problem, send a signal to the captain to inform us that this transport fleet is for us

The main camp of the General Logistics Base transports supplies."

The soldier took out a small red square flag and then took out a small green square flag and flew it towards the cruise battleship not far away. After a while, he reported: "Major, the captain asked us to check each ship

The transport ships are inspected to see if the goods carried are the same as what is registered on the bill."

The major officer cursed angrily at the battleship in the distance, meaning that he was so unlucky to have to deal with such a sick-minded captain who always wanted to cause trouble for them. He was only a senior officer, so he had to obey his orders.

Old Sick said: "It's okay, our transport fleet is well organized, and everything carried on the transport ship is clearly recorded in the account book. You don't need to go over to inspect each ship.

Just stand on my ship, and I will ask them to drive the ship to the side. You can go up and see if the goods match the ledger..."

Lieutenant Colonel Drivick heard the sailors' calls from the deck and felt that the ship was moving slowly, and then it lightly collided with other ships.

A voice came down: "Mr. Major, our ship is carrying ale, and the cabin below is also stocked. I have people move the ale barrels on the deck first, and then open the hatch cover. Take a look.

It’s not the same as what’s recorded in the ledger…”

There was the sound of moving wine bottles on the deck, and then the hatch cover was lifted. However, the Hicks soldiers who were inspecting were not interested in coming down to inspect. They only glanced at the hatch and then reported back: "Major, the cabin is full of everything."

It’s ale poke.”

The hatch cover was closed again, and Lieutenant Colonel Drivick breathed a sigh of relief. If those Hicks soldiers came down to check, they would find that the ale bottles pushed to the top of the cabin were all empty, and then they would

If the ale poker moves away, they will find that there are nearly three hundred nervous-looking soldiers of the Thunder Legion in the cabin at the back...

The further back they went, the more sloppy the inspections by Major Hicks and the Hicks Marines were. After all, there were 165 offshore transport ships, and it would be a risk to their lives to jump on each ship for inspection.

At this time of year, if it accidentally fell into the sea, it would be over. So in the end, they just took a casual look across the boat and checked it.

A full two and a half hours passed before the inspection was completed. Finally, the major brought a box of cabbage wine, and the soldiers left in the lifeboat with large and small bags of gifts from Old Sick. Less than four hours later,

The three cruise warships are back again. But this time it is not for inspection, but to buy some high-end ingredients from Lao Sike. The captain only signed his name and stamped his name, and asked Lao Sike to go to the logistics base camp for the payment.

Logistics supervisor officers settle...


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