Back to Ming Dynasty with Industrial Revolution System

Chapter 1634 Temporary Captain of an Armed Merchant Ship
"Crazy, the Queen of England is crazy, the Chinese are crazy with her, and the English Parliament, this is simply a ridiculous farce!"

The ambassadors of various countries in the city of London exchanged information in a hurry, and they could no longer react in time to the changes in Europe this year.

The whole of Europe is in chaos, Northern Europe is at war, Germany is at war, and now the Mediterranean is also at war, and there is an anti-Ottoman alliance!

The most innocent of these were the ambassadors of the Ottoman Empire, whose passports were confiscated for no reason and expelled by the Royal Army.

The Ottoman Empire planned to attack the Venetians and the Knights Hospitaller this time, but they were unable to attack England through the Strait of Gibraltar, and England and the more distant Chinese even took the initiative to expedition to Constantinople.

"The Queen has declared war on the Ottoman Empire, and we graduates of the Naval Lecture Hall can also participate in this expedition."

Zheng Chenggong called together nearly a hundred students and announced the news to them.

A second anti-Ottoman coalition has been formed in the City of London and there is nothing to hide.

Zheng Chenggong knew that although the second anti-Ottoman alliance was a military alliance initiated by the Queen of England, it was Chu Yun who instructed Sophia to do so behind the scenes.

The Republic of Venice and the Knights Hospitaller of Malta were the targets of the Ottoman Empire's revenge, and they immediately joined the anti-Ottoman Empire alliance.

In order to gain independence, the Kingdom of Portugal established the Windsor Alliance with Sofia and Chu Yun, which also symbolized joining the second anti-Ottoman alliance.

There are currently five forces involved in the Second Anti-Ottoman Coalition.

The interns in the Naval Lecture Hall heard Zheng Chenggong say that they could also participate in this great expedition, and that the commander in person was the military leader. They were all gearing up to show off in front of the military leader.

They have spent a lot of time and energy cultivating talents in the naval lecture hall. Almost all of them have high aspirations. Who doesn't want to make contributions in this era of drastic changes?
What's more, Chu Yun hadn't been on the front line for a long time, and this time it might be the last time he personally commanded an expedition.

"Unfortunately, we are only a reserve team. There are many formal seniors ahead of us, and they will be the main force of this expedition." Zheng Chenggong poured cold water on them.

Sure enough, after Zheng Chenggong told Chu Yun's decision, the naval students who planned to show their abilities could not help but show disappointment.

"We will drive the 'Zheng He' to fight in the Mediterranean Sea. You don't need to feel depressed. Although the Zheng He is only an improved armed merchant ship, there is still some gap compared with the real warship, but it also has more than a dozen artillery pieces. , the most important thing is that it has a shallower draft than most warships. You should know what this means, right?" Zheng Chenggong asked.

Some naval students quickly realized what Zheng Chenggong meant, and they were full of hope for the expedition.

Zheng He's shallow draft means that it is more suitable for fighting in shallow waters along the coast. Even as a reserve team, Zheng He may not be unable to go to the battlefield when shallow water gunboats are needed!

The steam ironclad ship is very powerful, but the current steam ironclad ship of the Kyushu Army Admiralty has relatively strict water depth requirements, and it is bound to be restricted in some waters.

"There are still three days until the expedition fleet is about to set off. We need to check the health of Zheng He's hull step by step, as well as whether the artillery has been damaged during the circumnavigation of the world, and whether all kinds of supplies are complete, such as gunpowder, food, fresh water, and beer. By the way, from today onwards, the graduates of our naval lecture hall will not be led by a formal officer. I, Zheng Chenggong, will be the captain of this "Zheng He" armed merchant ship, and Hannah will be the deputy captain. If I am killed in battle, she will be in command; if both of us are killed, the second officer will be in command." Zheng Chenggong announced his appointment as temporary captain.

The students in the same period were still very convinced of Zheng Chenggong. After they learned that Zheng Chenggong would be the captain of the "Zheng He" next, they had no objection.

"Where is Sister Hannah?" Zheng Chenggong found that Hannah was not there.

"She was found by the Knights of the Hospitaller," said a crew member.

"This is about to go on an expedition. She is the crew of the Zheng He, not the crew of the Maltese warship." Zheng Chenggong was a little dissatisfied.

"Captain, do you want us to go to the Knights Hospitaller to snatch Miss Hannah back?" the naval cadets of the same period jokingly booed.

"Go, go, what are you messing around with?" Zheng Chenggong said angrily, "We must have at least one crew member on the Zheng He for this expedition. I will go find her myself."

Zheng Chenggong found several knights of the Knights Hospitaller in the tavern, and Hannah was among them, chatting and laughing with them.

"Zheng Chenggong, why are you here?" Hannah's cheeks were a little red, and seeing Zheng Chenggong appearing, she raised her glass to him to signal over.

Several knights of the Knights Hospitaller couldn't help looking at Zheng Chenggong. At this time, Zheng Chenggong was not yet twenty and looked very young.

"Who is this?" Castella asked Hannah.

"My friend Zheng Chenggong from the Eastern Naval Academy." Considering that Castella did not understand Chinese, and Zheng Chenggong did not understand Italian and French, Hannah explained to Castella in English.

Castella also spoke English, this time Zheng Chenggong understood what the knights said.

"Zheng, Zheng Chenggong? I am..." Castella struggled to pronounce Zheng Chenggong's name, and stretched out his hand to him.

Zheng Chenggong shook hands with him, but didn't put on a good face for him: "I'm not interested in knowing who you are, but Hannah's current status is a student of our Navy Lecture Hall, and our expedition to Constantinople After the task is set, our Zheng He can participate in this expedition, and now I need to take her away."

"Is there a mission from above? Brother, I will leave first." Hannah heard that Zheng He would also participate in the expedition to Constantinople, somewhat surprised, and took the sword from the wooden table.

"Go ahead," Castella said.

"..." Zheng Chenggong heard Hannah calling Castella's brother in English, and now he knew that he had misunderstood. It turned out that the person in front of him was the grand master of the Knights of the Hospital.

But after all, he was young and vigorous, and took Hannah away bravely.

"Grand Commander, he seems to say that Hannah will also go to the Mediterranean Sea. It seems that you can help her find a suitable noble marriage." Several knights said.

"That kid is a bit arrogant, but he still needs tempering." Seeing that Zheng Chenggong took Hannah away, Castella turned to several knights and said, "We should also prepare to return to the island of Malta."

(End of this chapter)