Back to Ming Dynasty with Industrial Revolution System

Chapter 1565 Ironclad Ship Mediation
"I'm afraid the main fleet of the entire Europe is concentrated here..."

Zheng Zhibao, Ruan Youjin and other admirals of the Fourth Fleet received Sir Pennington's request for help, and soon mobilized the fleet to come to support.

When they came to the sea area north of the Downs anchorage, they found that three fleets were confronting each other. There were 200 warships on both sides, and the top three naval fleets in Europe were gathered here.This is a fairly rare scenario.

Facing such a large-scale fleet, the officers of the Fourth Fleet also found it difficult.

Zheng Zhibao even boarded the Sea King and asked Sir Pennington about the situation here: "Why did the Spanish fleet dare to anchor in your territorial waters?"

Sir Pennington sighed helplessly: "You should know that King Charles forcibly dissolved the parliament 10 years ago, right? At that time, the parliament was only willing to provide part of the military expenses to the king for the war with Spain, so the king was furious Parliament was dismissed. King Charles was defeated in all battles with Spain and was forced to sign the "Treaty of Madrid" with Spain. Among them, England's canals were opened to Spanish ships, and ships from both sides could use each other's harbors for renovation, The terms of shelter and readiness. Our ships going to the East may also stop at Spanish or even Portuguese colonies. This time the Spanish fleet anchored at the Downs, which is actually in accordance with the contents of the Treaty of Madrid, and we cannot condemn it. "

"It turns out that there is such a reason..."

Zheng Zhibao finally knew why the English fleet was helpless. Spain had defeated England in a series of battles ten years ago, so England basically faded out of the war on the European continent except for sending some personnel to serve in the Netherlands.

"Are you going to help the Spaniards or the Netherlands?" Zheng Zhibao had to figure out what his allies thought.

"Actually none of us wanted to help. We used to help the Netherlands against the Spanish Empire, first because they sympathized with them in faith, and they stood opposite the Pope; second, the Spanish Empire was part of the Habsburg dynasty , they occupy a large area of ​​Austria, Spain, Italy, Portugal, etc. If the other kingdoms do not unite in time, the other kingdoms will fall into the encirclement of the Habsburg dynasty. You can also regard it as a war against the Habsburg dynasty But now France and the Netherlands are starting to rise, and if they completely defeat the Habsburg dynasty, then France and the Netherlands will become new overlords, one on land and one on sea.” Sir Pennington said .

England has always liked to check and balance the power of the European continent, joining one side to balance the other, and this time is no exception.It is best for the continental European countries to strike a balance so that England is not posed any threat.

"So the purpose is to get them out of here, and it's best to stop fighting temporarily?" Zheng Zhibao asked again.

"That's right, even if they really want to fight, they have to leave our territorial waters of England instead of fighting in our territorial waters, so I can't explain to the people and parliament of England." Sir Pennington stared at Zheng Zhibao, "Maybe I need your help to get them out of here."

"..."

Zheng Zhibao hesitated for a moment: "Your English Parliament allowed our newly arrived 5000 soldiers to be stationed in Portsmouth. We said at the time that we would maintain the same position with you when necessary. So this time, we will do what you want to do for you. Just back it up."

"Maintaining the sovereignty of our country's territorial waters requires your strength. It is a shameful thing anyway. It would be great if our Royal Navy could have more warships. After this matter is over, I will report to you The Parliament proposed that funds should be earmarked for the use of our Royal Fleet, and we should have a fleet of more than 50 warships." Sir Pennington said with emotion.

After the Fourth Fleet merged with the Royal Fleet, the Netherlands Fleet finally gave up the risk of attacking the Spanish fleet moored in Downs after struggling.

The English fleet has nearly 40 warships, and there is also a rumored iron-clad monster ship, which really worries Tropp, who has 105 warships.

The Dutch have a large number of ships, but they are generally small in size.In contrast, the Spaniards' large ships have an advantage. If they attack the Spanish fleet at the risk of being backstabbed by the English fleet, it is very likely that the entire army will be wiped out.

The Spaniards were also ready for a decisive battle with the Netherlands, but when the Fourth Fleet arrived, they couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

The Fourth Fleet sent two small boats to greet the Netherlands Fleet and the Spanish Fleet respectively.

"The Spaniards are our enemies. We have fought against them for 70 years. Why do you Orientals interfere with our actions?" Vice Admiral Tropp of the Netherlands was very dissatisfied with the intervention of the Fourth Fleet. He is ready to destroy the Armada.

"Our acting fleet commander invites you to drink tea on our ironclad ship. We have brought good black tea, I believe you will like it." The envoy of the Fourth Fleet said to Tropp.

Tropp's face was uncertain, what was the other party going to do?
At the moment when swords are tense on the battlefield, do you want to find yourself to drink tea?

"What the hell's in your gourds?" Tropp asked.

"Not only you, but also the commander of the Spanish fleet. If there is something that can be settled at the negotiating table, why bother to see blood on the battlefield?" asked the envoy of the Fourth Fleet.

"When did the Orientals become as nosy as the English pirates!"

"If the Spanish fleet is not defeated here, our war with Spain will be endless!"

"General, if you go to their ships, you may be threatened by them and forced to let the Spanish fleet leave here."

A group of Dutch admirals protested to the coach one after another, and they heard that the Fourth Fleet wanted to mediate.

There is no better time to annihilate the Armada at first sight, and if the Spanish fleet were allowed to flee, the war would be protracted.

"I believe that they should not use such an unjust method of threatening. We have already given them face. I would like to meet with the admirals in the east to see how capable they are to act as mediators. It really puts us If you are in a hurry, even if you suffer heavy losses, you will eat the Armada." Tropp hesitated for a while, and planned to negotiate with the Fourth Fleet first.

(End of this chapter)