The news that the Lord of Qingqiu occupied the South Island of Yingzhou was a gradual recognition process for the inspection fleet. From the earliest few words, to various rumors, to sporadic contacts, to watching the battle, the Lord of Qingqiu's
Power slowly surfaced.
But so far, the two sides have not reached a formal official contact, and they are all waiting to see each other. Although the inspection fleet is inquiring and understanding the Qingqiu side, the Qingqiu side is also waiting to see the movements of the inspection fleet, and they have stopped targeting the Ying Dynasty.
They launched an offensive on Shutong Island, reorganized the fleet and soldiers, and mobilized a force to Okinotori Island south of Dongdao Island to prepare for the inspection fleet.
Yingzhou is entering a delicate tripartite balance, which is not conducive to Daomen's strategy against Yingzhou. Zhao Ran's purpose of bringing Hong Zesou is to break this balance.
On February 20, the battleship Henan, six destroyers, eight frigates and more than 20 patrol ships arrived at Miyake Island and joined Chen Shandao's fleet, which greatly increased the total strength of the inspection fleet stationed here.
Zeng. They escorted fifty container ships and unloaded mountains of cargo on Hachijo Island.
Chen Shandao asked the battleship Henan to take charge of three heavy drives and four frigates, as well as more than ten patrol ships and wind speedboats, to escort Zhao Ran and Hong Zesou westward, seeking contact with Qingqiu.
Tingfeng Taoist is the temporary commander of this small fleet, and Yang Xianxian is the captain of the battleship Henan. These are all old acquaintances of Zhao Ran. They have all been rubbed by Zhao Ran. It can also be said that they were brought over by Zhao Ran.
Because of Zhao Ran, they embarked on the road of abandoning darkness and turning to light. It is not clear whether they are grateful to "Abbot Zhao" in their hearts, but "Abbot Zhao" left an indelible mark on their life journey, which can be described as "accumulation".
It’s very powerful.”
Zhao Ran and Hong Zesou boarded the battleship Henan, and were guided by Feng Taoist and Yang Xianxian. Rather than introducing them to Zhao Ran, they were more like "reporting" on the situation of the fleet and battleships.
The battleship Henan has also completed the refitting of fu artillery. In fact, the battleships that were transferred to Hachijo Island, Mikura Island and Miyake Island in advance are all battleships that have been refitted, and they are the elite force of the entire inspection fleet.
Just by listening to the small escort fleet temporarily commanded by Feng Daoren, regardless of the number of ships, using battle line tactics in naval battles, it is not a problem to defeat ten against one. If you include the battleships in Chen Shandao's hands, regardless of Yingzhou
They are still the Qingqiu fleet, and they can sweep across the entire Yingzhou sea without any problem. There are generational differences in tactics, equipment, and systems. How to fight?
Therefore, in addition to protecting Zhao Ran, Tingfeng Taoist's mission is also to show his power to the Lord of Qingqiu.
Zhao Ran encouraged Tingfeng and said: "While serving the Taoist sect and the Ming Dynasty, don't forget to improve your own cultivation. Only when your cultivation level goes up can you better serve the fleet. I hope you will be under temporary command as soon as possible."
Remove the word 'temporary' and truly become a trustworthy fleet commander."
Taoist Tingfeng said respectfully: "Everyone says that the abbot has great luck. As long as you follow the abbot's path, personal improvement will not be a problem. In the past, I only hated being too far away from you, abbot, but now I'm better.
, you can always listen to the teachings in front of the abbot, and the realm of humble teacher training is possible."
Zhao Ran laughed loudly: "What great luck, don't talk nonsense! Today's great luck is in the hands of all the true masters of the Tao. Nazhen Tianzun has come to this world, and Yuanji Tianshi is the initiate. This is the luck, the luck of the Taoist sect."
, it’s the luck of Zhenshitang, it’s the luck of Tianshi Yuanji!”
The Taoist listener immediately answered: "We don't understand these things. Our fleet officers and soldiers only know a little bit. The abbot is the founder and protector of the inspection fleet. The fate of all fleet officers and soldiers depends on you, abbot!"
Yang Xianxian couldn't stand it any longer and typed out a whiteboard: "Tingfeng, don't flatter me, there's no need! What Abbot Zhao values is ability! Doing things well is better than anything else!" It's a pity that Zhao Ran, Tingfeng and Hong Zesou all left.
In front of him, no one saw the subtitles he despised.
Zhao Ran smiled and shook his head, and moved forward with his hands behind his back: "Tingfeng, you are becoming more and more like a fleet commander... Don't say these nonsense, it will hurt the poor man... I heard that you are serving as a captain under Chen Tianshi
division?"
Ting Feng said: "The Commander-in-Chief has five boat masters around him. He values his humble position and is one of them."
The naval officer is a senior officer responsible for planning routes. It is an important transitional military position before being deployed as a fleet commander or a battleship captain. Tingfeng Daoist is often entrusted with the important task of "temporary fleet command" by Chen Shandao, but it is limited to cultivation level.
There are not enough of them to truly carry out the duties.
Zhao Ran said: "I wish you would be promoted to the rank of alchemist as soon as possible and become your own master!"
Tingfeng said happily: "Thank you abbot! With these words from abbot, I feel at ease even though I am humbled by my duties."
Zhao Ran also turned to Yang Xian and said: "Old Yang, I also wish you to advance to the rank of master refiner as soon as possible."
Yang Xianxian's subtitles on the whiteboard that disdained Tingfeng and flattered him immediately disappeared and were replaced by two words: "How long?"
Zhao Ran burst out laughing: "Pindao is not a god, how can we say how long it will last? But Pindao wishes you and Tingfeng to make new achievements in this battle and to improve their cultivation to a higher level!"
Yang Xianxian typed out subtitles: "Thank you, Abbot!"
Zhao Ran waved his hand: "Let's go. This is the first time for senior Hongze to come to our fleet to inspect the fleet and give him some gunnery drills."
Hong Zesou stroked his beard and said, "Then I'll have to thank you all for the hard work."
Yang Xianxian called the ordering sergeant with subtitles: "Let the gunnery officer prepare to fire three salvos from each gun position on the port side!"
…
The distance between Yingzhou South Island and the Three Islands is only a day's sail, with East Island in between. When they arrived at the sea near East Island, Zhao Ran ordered to slow down the sailing speed, and finally stopped near Okitori Island next to Kanmon Strait.
The arrival of the fleet made the Qingqiu side very nervous. Dozens of ships left the shore, approached the escort fleet, and stopped more than a mile away. The Qingqiu fleet thought this was a safe distance, and was within the range of the French crossbow.
However, little did they know that they had already entered the gun range of the fleet. Tingfeng Taoist took this opportunity to let the gunners of each ship conduct a drill and carried out several rounds of dry gun drills, which actually yielded great results.
Hong Zesou took a wind speed boat and sailed to the east. Zhao Ran stood on the bow of the battleship Henan and handed over to Hong Zesou: "Old seniors, please take care of yourself. If they dare to be disrespectful to the old seniors, we will punish them when they turn back."
Destroy this morning meal to vent your anger for the seniors!"
Hong Zesou laughed loudly, returned the salute to Zhao Ran, and crossed the sea.
The escort fleet just parked on the sea surface of Okinori Island, eight miles away from the island, waiting patiently for news about Hong Zesou. The Qingqiu fleet was watching on the opposite side of the escort fleet, and it could be seen with the naked eye that the other side's ship was full of people of all kinds, facing each other.
The escort fleet pointed and pointed, and some brave sailors drove boats closer to the fleet to take a closer look, but they were all blocked by the wind speedboat.
The battleship Henan was too huge and the shock was so strong that it was inevitable to attract onlookers. Zhao Ran didn't take it seriously, but he just didn't allow them to get too close.