Zhao Ran had discussed the trip to Luosha Island with his teacher before, and wanted to invite him and his senior brother to go together. Jiang Tenghe was also quite interested. After all, this matter was indeed very important, and it was difficult for a monk to restrain himself from finding out.
thoughts.
But he endured it in the end. He had family ties, and the daughter of his daughter was less than two years old. It was the most adorable time, so who would be willing to leave?
Zhao Ran also understood the teacher's feelings. Of course he loved him very much when he came to have a son. He couldn't even think of leaving. So he didn't force it. With senior brother Wei Zhizhen around, he already felt very safe.
As for Luo Zhiqing, Senior Brother Luo was competing with Fairy Toad Palace and had to be photographed every few months. He was not interested in anything else, including Wei Sanniang, whom Zhao Ran had already been optimistic about. This made Zhao Ran
Quite a headache.
In order to go to Luosha Island, Zhao Ran specifically contacted Du Yangchen, the commander of the South China Sea Squadron of the inspection fleet, and asked if he could send a ship to escort him.
Since the implementation of the South China Sea Strategy the year before last, the inspection fleet has formed a fleet led by the battleships Guangdong and Fujian, eight heavy destroyers, 18 frigates, 36 patrol ships, and 36 sailing ships.
The South China Sea Squadron, based on Chu Yangcheng's Yunji Island and Zhou Yumo's Jinghua Island, moved its deterrence force deep into the South China Sea from one west to the other, accelerating the naturalization process of the South China Sea islands.
Hearing that it was Zhao Zhiran who wanted the ship, Du Yangchen had no reason not to allow it. He immediately asked Du Xingyan, who was resting in Qinzhou Port, Guangxi, to wait for a few more days. After receiving Zhao Ran, he escorted Zhao Ran to Luosha Island to perform a "confidential mission."
.
Nearly three years have passed since the Battle of Zhongkui Island, which determined the situation in the East China Sea. The former Seventh Group of Architectural Monks has long been dismantled. After Du Xingyan successfully broke through the siege division, he now serves as the captain of the heavy destroyer Changzhou. But
This is just the first step in his transition from an architectural monk to the navy. As a military engineer, his cultivation determines that he has to be promoted. Once he is truly familiar with the command of battleships, he will be transferred to the captain's position of a certain battleship.
The inspection fleet is gradually forming a complete promotion and qualification system. Starting from the patrol ship, the captain will be a Taoist, the frigate will be served by Huang Guan, and the heavy destroyer will be served by Jin Dan. Those who have reached the ** division will be qualified to command battleships
.Refiner or Grand Master can serve as squadron commander.
The inspection fleet has continued to receive new ships in the past two years. After the Battle of Zhongkui Island, it received eight more battleships, bringing the number of battleships to fifteen. The newly received battleships are a continuation of Longqing's four-year shipbuilding plan. The original plan was to build fifteen ships.
The money has been paid, so I can't give it up.
As the inspection fleet becomes larger and larger, more and more battleships are received, and the demand for naval forces becomes stronger and stronger. If Du Xingyan had not been junior in the navy, he might have been the captain of the battleship Guangdong at this moment.
.
At the same time, Du Xingyan's temporary command also included a frigate, a patrol ship, and two wind speedboats resting in Beidi Port. Five warships formed a small-scale escort fleet to escort Zhao Ran to Luoyang.
Island, and provide warning in the waters around Luosha Island.
When he saw Du Xingyan, Zhao Ran was still a little embarrassed: "It turns out that it is Senior Brother Du who is commanding this battle. This battle is a little bigger. I am really scared for a humble person."
Du Xingyan already had some naval etiquette, and said respectfully: "It is the honor of every fleet officer and soldier to be able to escort the founder of the inspection fleet!"
When he saw Rong Niang also appearing in front of him, Du Xingyan's eyes were dazed for a moment, but then he corrected his attitude: "Mrs. Zhao, please come on board!"
On the contrary, Rong Niang was a little embarrassed and said softly: "Hello, Senior Brother Du."
The escort fleet left its post and sailed southward into the sea. Along the way, merchant ships of various sizes were seen from time to time. In less than two hours, more than twenty merchant ships were surrounding the fleet and sailing together.
Wei Zhizhen and Rong Niang both went into the cabin to rest, while Zhao Ran talked to Du Xingyan on the deck. Du Xingyan introduced: "In the past two years, Ming ships have appeared more and more in the South China Sea, especially the route from Qinzhou Port to Baimei Port.
It is the most important waterway in the northern part of the South China Sea. Most of the people following us are going to Baimei Port. As long as there are fleet ships sailing, they will follow it for a while, and we will also move southwest to escort them as much as possible.
"
Zhao Ran asked: "The squadron has been stationed in the South China Sea for a year and a half, right? There are still blind pirates who dare to rob Ming ships."
Du Xingyan said: "General pirates have disappeared, but there are still many pirates from Li, Champa, and Siam in this area."
"Didn't the South China Sea Squadron launch a campaign?"
"We have carried out two campaigns and captured more than ten boats, but the effect was not very good. Most of these pirates are fishermen from these countries. When the wind is strong, they go back to fish, and once the wind calms down, they come out to plunder. It is very
Headache."
"Does Du Yangchen have any plans?"
"Commander Du sent people to declare to these countries, asking them to strictly control and occupy the city better. He was afraid of the strength of our squadron and issued many warnings to the fishermen under his command. The effect was good, but Li and Siam turned a deaf ear.
, not very honest. Especially the Li country, I heard that their king is not only unruly, but also very conniving. We are also planning now, planning to send the fleet to the coast of Li country, destroy several villages where pirates gather, and give
Give them some color to look at.”
Zhao Ran nodded: "As long as Du Yangchen is determined, when will he do it?"
Du Xingyan said: "Commander Du is waiting. One is to wait for the further control of the South China Sea Islands. It will probably take one and a half to two years before Taoist temples can be universally established on each island and the rear is stabilized before our South China Sea Squadron attacks.
There are no worries, and it is better able to integrate all forces in the South China Sea. After all, the opponent is not as simple as a pirate, and is likely to start a battle with Li Guo. Commander Du said that Commander Chen’s big goal is to march eastward to Yingzhou, and the South China Sea Fleet cannot
Because my hasty attack slowed down the situation and affected Commander-in-Chief Chen's plans, we must be fully prepared."
Zhao Ran nodded: "This idea is correct. What about the second one?"
Du Xingyan said: "The second reason is that we are waiting for the talisman artillery. I heard that the latest talisman artillery refined by Junshan Military Industry has a range twice that of the French crossbow heavy cannon, and its power is also considerable. Is it true?"
Zhao Ran said: "It is true, and it is easy to operate. Its firing rate is twice that of the French crossbow. It is also easy to maintain and is not affected by rain. There are two types of Fu artillery. The heavy cannon can shoot two miles, and the small cannon can shoot one mile.
Leixiao Pavilion has approved Junshan Military Industry's plan to sell Fu artillery to the inspection fleet. The inspection fleet will purchase the first batch of 300 heavy artillery pieces and 900 small artillery pieces. It is planned to be completed within three years."
When Du Xingyan heard this number, he shook his head: "The fleet is a big user of artillery. These guns are not enough. I don't know when the South China Sea Squadron will be able to change its equipment."
Zhao Ran said he was helpless: "This can only depend on Chen Tianshi's strategy."