Back to Ming Dynasty with Industrial Revolution System

Chapter 1271 The plan to enter the Mediterranean Sea
"It is said in "Historical Records" that there is a big bird in Qi. If the bird does not fly, it will soar into the sky; if it does not sing, it will be amazing. Now we are this big bird. That’s why the Spanish privateers dared to shell our merchant ships, and the Barbary pirates dared to kidnap our merchants. If we want to get along in the West in the future, we must fight to become famous!”

"All wars have risks. Sending a fleet to encircle Algiers is not only the most risky, but also the most rewarding! Once we subdue the Barbary pirates, which are a headache for all Western countries, all Western countries will Be in awe of us, our merchant ships can sail unimpeded in the Western Ocean from now on!"

Sun Xu, the commander of the Fourth Fleet, was born in the battle-tested Nanyang Fleet, and inherited the aggressive attitude of the Nanyang Fleet. His generous speech made everyone present excited.

After their western company's merchant fleet arrived in the Western Ocean, in order to avoid the losses caused by the attacks of privateers from European countries, they basically only dared to hide in the Thames River and dared not go to sea for trade easily.

If the Li Jinde incident can be used to force some Barbary pirates to succumb and show their muscles to European countries and the Ottoman Empire, then who would dare to take the initiative to attack merchant ships flying the dragon flag?
"The Fourth Fleet has two sailing battleships of more than 1000 tons in Portsmouth Harbor, six frigates of several hundred tons, and a total of more than 300 artillery pieces. The danger is still great. Algiers is a lair of pirates. Pasha’s operation for hundreds of years has installed dozens of heavy cannons on the city walls along the coast and surrounding forts. Their cannons don’t need to consider that the huge recoil will destroy the hull, so they can be very heavy. Even if our cannons are far superior in performance It is better than their artillery, and it is difficult to destroy the city walls and forts on the choppy sea..." Out of prudence, the people in the intelligence department still hesitated about Sun Xu's battle plan.

After all, the possible price of the third option is a fleet that costs the Ministry of the Navy countless funds to build.

The layout of the Kyushu Army in European countries will also be disrupted because of it.

The intelligence service could not imagine how heavy a blow it would be to the Admiralty and Western companies if the Fourth Fleet was wiped out by the Ottoman Navy and pirate ships in the Mediterranean.

The re-production of two wooden sailboats of more than 1000 tons, six frigates, and the provision of supporting artillery and skilled naval soldiers is an unpredictable and heavy financial burden.

"Why don't we make a change—the Fourth Fleet enters the Mediterranean Sea, and first negotiates with the pirates to see if they can exchange shopkeeper Li with a ransom. If the other party is willing to release shopkeeper Li and the money they ask for is not much, we can negotiate with them. Reconciliation, announced to the outside world that this is a misunderstanding, we will not lose face because of this, and we can ensure that shopkeeper Li is safe and sound."

"If the pirates are unwilling to release Treasurer Li, we can put pressure on them, blockade the port with warships, capture the pirate ships in the waters of Algiers, and exchange the captured pirates with them."

"Finally, if the above methods are not effective, we can wait and see whether the Ottoman navy has assembled, and then launch shelling and storming of Algiers according to the situation. If the Ottoman Empire concentrates its navy and a large number of pirates come overwhelmingly, we can also quickly Withdraw from the Mediterranean and avoid losses."

According to Sun Xu's idea, a director proposed an improvement strategy.

Although these businessmen did not understand the content of the naval tactical level, they made strategic suggestions.

This proposal, which was between radical and conservative, was acceptable to both Sun Xu and the Intelligence Department.

"If the British Royal Navy can be tied to our fleet, it may increase our deterrence. Our Lord and the King of Britain have signed an agreement on the concerted action of the naval fleet. Since our Fourth Fleet has decided to enter the Mediterranean Sea, then The British Royal Navy should enter the Mediterranean with us, as long as there is no combat mission." The intelligence service thought of Charles I's Royal Navy.

Although the British navy once declined, it has been building ships recently. With the help of the British, the combination of the two fleets may make it easier for the pirates in Algiers to succumb.

"The Britons seem to be overwhelmed by themselves. They don't know whether they would like to send a naval fleet to fight with us in the Mediterranean Sea. Since I am in London this time, whether or not Charlie will let the Royal Navy accompany us to the Mediterranean Sea to deal with pirates, I will Try it. As you said, if the British fleet moves with us, it will double the deterrence of our fleet, and the pirates in Algiers will definitely consider whether they can hold on under our joint siege." Sun Xu said .

"The directors of our western company also jointly signed to seek the support of Charles I." The six directors present said.

"So everyone has already finalized their opinions, and we plan to use a combination of force and negotiation to solve the problem?" Sun Xu looked around the crowd again, and their eyes had already told him the answer.

The behavior of the Barbary pirates in Algiers has given the Fourth Fleet a good excuse to enter the Mediterranean, and the next step is how to win.

"All our officers and soldiers will think about the strategy against the enemy. During this time, we still need to prepare supplies for the expedition. The armed merchant ships of your western company will also be requisitioned by us. Only by concentrating all our forces can we deter the enemy in the West." Sun Xu said.

"When does the Fourth Fleet plan to enter the Mediterranean Sea? We can make better preparations if we know the time." The director of the Western Company asked.

"When our squadron arrives in the city of London, we will prepare to enter the Mediterranean Sea. Our squadron still has one battleship and four frigates available. If they arrive, the combat capability of our Fourth Fleet will be even greater. Go up a level." Sun Xu said.

"Our company will also have several armed merchant ships arriving, and they will join forces with your fleet at that time," said the director of the Western company.

The armed merchant ships of Western companies plus more than a dozen sailing warships loaded with iron guns from the Fourth Fleet, in fact, whether in the Atlantic Ocean or the Mediterranean Sea, such a fleet is enough for any country's navy to dare not underestimate .

Had they known that there was an unprecedented ironclad Admiral Fubo in the upcoming fleet, they might not have handled the situation so cautiously.

"Tomorrow I will visit the King of Britain and ask the Royal Navy to act with us," Sun Xu said.

(End of this chapter)