Back to Ming Dynasty with Industrial Revolution System

Chapter 1272 Aid from the Royal Navy
"Your Majesty, according to the covenant signed between you and our lord, when our two navies face a common enemy, we should advance and retreat together and form a joint fleet to confront the enemy."

In front of Sun Xu, commander of the Fourth Fleet, sat Britain's King Charles I.

"But Mr. Sun, the merchants of your country are operating carefully in our London city, and the fleet has not gone out to patrol in Portsmouth Harbor. How can there be enemies?" Charles I asked puzzled.

"Does His Majesty know about Li Jinde?"

"Li Jinde? Didn't you say that his whereabouts are unknown? Could it be that you found him?"

"Yes, he was kidnapped by the pirates of Algiers, and now he is treated as a slave in Algiers."

"Barbary pirates!"

When Charles I heard this amazing news, he couldn't help but exclaimed.

Barbary pirates are very popular among European countries, even Britain!

"In the past ten years, the Barbary pirates have even plundered people and property in our southwestern counties, Ireland and other places, all because of the decline of our Royal Navy... Strictly speaking, the Barbary pirates are also our enemies. But no country can They have the ability to destroy them. The situation in the Mediterranean Sea is complicated, the coastline is tortuous, and there are hidden reefs and shoals in many places. Retaliation, at most, is to shell them when they meet at sea." Charles I said.

"Li Jinde is one of our people. I came here under the order of the Ministry of the Navy to ensure the safety of all our citizens here. Even if the other party is a rampant pirate, as long as they capture our people, we will rescue them. Come out!" Sun Xu said.

"What are you going to do?"

"Blockade of Algiers in the Mediterranean, negotiating with the local Barbary pirates for the immediate release of our men."

"Impossible. The Barbary pirates are backed by the Ottoman Empire. Your fleet entering the Mediterranean will anger Constantinople. Constantinople is not as frightening as before, but the new Turkish army of the Ottoman Empire is still the most elite One of the officers, their production capacity allows them to re-produce them within half a year even if they lose hundreds of galleys in naval battles."

"But Your Majesty, we are declaring war on the Barbary pirates this time, not the Ottoman Empire. Although the Ottoman Empire is the master of the Barbary pirates, we are standing on the righteous side. We only blockade Algiers and will not easily go deep into the eastern Mediterranean. Do not take the initiative to confront the Ottoman Empire." Sun Xu said.

Charles I still hesitated.

The Ottoman Empire frightened the European countries. It had a centralized imperial system in the East and learned artillery and gun technology from the West. The combination of the two gave the Ottoman Empire an amazing military advantage.

The current European army has been tempered during the 30-year war, and the advantages of the Ottoman Empire have gradually lost. Charles I still dare not touch the red star and moon flag of the Ottoman Empire.

The reason is very simple. Even though the European countries have become stronger, no country has tried to challenge the former strong, fearing that they will be beaten up accidentally.In the same way, Britain does not want to be this early bird.

"If we can make the Barbary pirates succumb, our merchants and merchant ships will not need to pay protection fees to the pirates when they trade in the Mediterranean in the future, and they can freely enter and exit the Mediterranean..." Sun Xu said.

When it was mentioned that there was no need to pay protection fees to the Barbary pirates, Charles I had some intentions.

If the Barbary pirates criss-crossing the Mediterranean were allowed to succumb to the British flag, the threat of the Barbary pirates to the southeastern counties and Ireland would also be lifted, and British merchant ships would become more competitive in the Mediterranean.

"Of course, if Your Majesty the King refuses to send the Royal Navy to fight with us, we will enter the Mediterranean Sea to fight independently." Sun Xu said.

"..."

"It's not impossible to send the Royal Navy to assist you in asking for someone from the Barbary pirates..." Charles I, who advocated reconciliation, made an unprecedented promise to Sun Xu that he would let the Royal Navy and the Fourth Fleet act together.

Sun Xu's pupils shrank slightly. He didn't have much confidence in involving Britain, represented by Charles I, in the camp against the Barbary pirates.

First of all, Britain is still afraid of the Ottoman enemies and Barbary pirates. Secondly, Britain's internal instability. Charles I should keep the Royal Navy in the country and prepare to fight against the Scots at any time. There are frequent battles in the English Channel, and the Royal Navy needs to be deployed in the British mainland to protect the safety of the city of London.

It is undoubtedly a very dangerous decision to lend the Royal Fleet to the Fourth Fleet to enter the Mediterranean Sea.

The Fourth Fleet was sent from the far east. If they could not fight in the Mediterranean Sea, they would run back to Portsmouth. If they could not fight again, they would run back to China.

Seemingly seeing Sun Xu's surprise, Charles I stood up, walked a few steps in the study, and said, "In order to restore the declining Royal Navy to the glory of Queen Elizabeth's era, I will do my best, and I will also bear the burden of the tyrant." Many medieval taxes, especially the ship tax, were levied for crimes. I have invested 80 pounds in the navy, and now the Royal Navy has more than 20 warships. It is a pity that the bureaucracy is corrupt and the gentry is dissatisfied with the tax. The Royal Navy has never been able to reach me. expectations."

"I think that if they can see the achievements of the Royal Navy under my efforts, they will definitely support my idea of ​​building the Royal Navy and the Royal Army. The purpose of my establishment of the Royal Navy is to protect our British merchant ships and merchants. I hope they Can understand our difficulties and support my tax arrangements."

"Fighting the Barbary pirates with you instead of taking on the Ottomans may help me gain great prestige, especially in the south-west counties and Ireland. The Scots will fear the Royal Navy and me, too, and their Presbyterians will Compromise with me."

At this moment, Sun Xu finally understood that Charles I also had his own ideas in mind. He wanted to use the opportunity of dealing with the Barbary pirates to enhance his prestige in Britain and gain the support of more groups.

Launching a war with a high probability of winning when the domestic situation is tense can effectively divert domestic conflicts.

If Charles I wants to use this expedition to achieve his own goals, then common interests provide a basis for cooperation between the two parties.

(End of this chapter)