Dragon Sea Empire

"Liu Xiang. You are Liu Xiang." Xu Guangqi looked the young man in front of him up and down.He frowned and said, "You guys are acting like this. What do you mean?"

Liu Xiang had just attacked and occupied Yangzhou City not long ago.Several signed proclamations were issued in the city.So he became a well-known imperial prisoner on the list of the Ming court.

Liu Xiang sneered and blinked: "What do you mean? What do you mean?"

See Liu Xiang's attitude is neither humble nor overbearing.He has no sense of being an anti-thief pirate at all.Behind Xu Guangqi, a dark-skinned, thin and capable official couldn't bear it.Standing up and pointing at Liu Xiang, he said loudly: "Here is the court angel. The imperial envoy's festival banner bestowed by the emperor is here. You are showing off your strength like this. You don't seem to be sincerely submitting to the court."

Liu Xiang looked sideways.This person is wearing a blue official robe, embroidered with mandarin duck patterns, and a plain silver belt.It is a sixth-rank civil servant.Liu Xiang didn't even want to look at this guy.He just cupped his hands to Xu Guangqi and said, "My lord, please get on board. It was our army that greeted you with the highest military salute just now. The 24-gun salute will only be used when we greet the President of the Chinese Army."

What else did the sixth-rank civil servant who spoke just now have to say?Xu Guangqi waved his hand to stop him: "Master Yuan. Don't make troubles. Let's get on the boat."

That thin sixth-rank official.It was Yuan Chonghuan, the head of the Fangqing Officials Department of the Ministry of War.After his surprise attack on Guazhou City, he returned to the capital with the finished memorial.It was not intended to be rewarded for military exploits.No idea.He encouraged the garrison to attack and personally led people to attack Guazhou at night.Instead, he was attacked by the officials as "acting arbitrarily and making great achievements".And he went south without permission.was dismissed as absenteeism.

He originally planned to hand over his memorial of "training the new army diligently and focusing on defense".But he was suppressed by Dongge University scholar Han Yu.Han Yu was Yuan Chonghuan's imperial examination teacher.I agree with Xiong Tingbi's Liaodong policy of focusing on defense.I also agree with Yuan Chonghuan's opinion on pirates.But at this time the public opinion of the imperial court was on the cusp.Yuan Chonghuan is just a small sixth-rank master.Although able to do things.But he was called "Southern barbarian spirit" by his colleagues.Will not be an official.He is more reckless in dealing with people.Han Yu wanted to protect Yuan Chonghuan.The memorial to Yuan Chonghuan was suppressed.And use contacts to ask the Ministry of War to send Yuan Chonghuan to Xu Guangqi's recruiting mission.The name is "detection of bandits".

Han Yu and Xu Guangqi have always had contacts.There were baptized Catholics in his family.He himself is also interested in the newly introduced Catholicism and Western learning.He sent Yuan Chonghuan to Xu Guangqi to work here.It also meant to ask Xu Guangqi to take care of Yuan Chonghuan.

present.Although Yuan Chonghuan was very dissatisfied with the behavior of the Chinese Army.But also knew there was nothing to do.I had no choice but to follow Xu Guangqi obediently.Boarded the boat from the pier.Sail to the giant ship "Feilong" moored on the Yangtze River.

The Dragon's draft is too deep.Unable to dock at Gua Chau Pier.So it is necessary to use eight-person paddle speedboats called "centipede boats" by coastal fishermen.Pick up people on board back and forth between the pier and the battleship.There are nearly five NO.60 imperial envoys and entourages of the Ming Dynasty.Plus ten Jinyiwei guards.and luggage items carried by a large number of entourages.All kinds of decorations accompanied by imperial envoys.The three centipede boats ran back and forth five or six times.It was only then that all the Imperial Envoys of the Ming Dynasty were transported onto the battleship Feilong.

Sailors of the Dragon blew the Conch.Start hoisting the sails and pulling the anchor.Liu Xiang stood on the pier.The opponent said to his subordinates: "Okay. The angel of Ming Dynasty is gone. We have to do what we should do. Go to the warehouse to move things. Who knows when we have to leave here."

"Boss Liu. Let's make peace with the imperial court. It means we can go to Yangzhou every day. The time was too tight last time. We haven't had time to see the romantic scene at the 24 bridges in Yangzhou. Didn't you say that there are many beautiful women in Yangzhou?"

Liu Xiang scratched her scalp and smiled, "You guys have wives. Why. My heart is itching. I can't take it anymore."

"It's because of having a wife that I can't forget the benefits between a man and a woman... Brother Liu. When you were in Taiwan, didn't you go to Nancheng every day?"

"Fuck you. Go to work. The booty from this ticket is enough for you to ask for a few more concubines..."

……

There are a total of 350 sailors on the Flying Dragon.Because it is not a sea combat mission.There are not enough people on board.There are only about 250 people on duty.

They are all excellent sailors who have been selected.From various squadrons of the Taiwan Fleet.Most of them are Fujianese.A few are Chaozhou people.in addition.There are also a dozen European sailors serving as trainee instructors.The ship taught more than 10 interns of the Naval Academy of the Chinese Military Academy.

Two of the three decks on the ship are gun bays.Because there is no combat mission.All gunners lined up on deck and stood at attention.Because there are too many people and luggage coming up at once.The upper deck was already full of various weapons, tools, and cable canvas.It does seem a bit crowded.

More than a dozen senior officials including Xu Guangqi were introduced into the most spacious captain's cabin at the rear of the Feilong.and several officers' cabins.The remaining imperial mission members.You have to stay on the deck and blow the river breeze.

Yuan Chonghuan could have gone to the captain's cabin with his colleagues in the Ministry of War.But he slipped out.Look around the ship.I plan to take the opportunity to learn about the situation on the warship.

Everything here.It was completely different from the situation on the pirate ship they had imagined in advance.The sailors in blue jackets all looked rebellious and aggressive.There is absolutely no reverence for the court angels and his party.Come and go around them.Didn't pay attention to them at all.but.They move quickly and powerfully.All actions are subject to the command of the superior.Everyone knows their place and their responsibilities.Everyone knows what to do.Throughout the process of raising the sails.There was little confusion.Everything is in perfect order.

These are highly trained warship operators.There is a strict hierarchy of officers and soldiers.Perfect discipline.

Yuan Chonghuan couldn't help being surprised: what kind of pirate ship is this?Just these ordinary sailors.Its expression of self-confidence and quality of self-conscious discipline.The physical condition of a monkey criss-crossing between mast and rigging.It has far surpassed any army in the imperial court.No wonder there are only a few thousand Chinese army sailors.You can sneak attack and take down Yangzhou City, which is guarded by ten times the strength of the Ming army.

Yuan Chonghuan looked around curiously.When I looked up, I saw the two 60-pound bronze heavy guns on the bow.The eyes are bright.Going to check it out right away.

Near the entrance and exit of the upper and lower cabins on the front deck.A sailor in a blue jacket and a hat stopped him: "Stop. Your range of activities is limited to the rear deck. This is a restricted area. Please turn around and go back immediately."

Yuan Chonghuan immediately said loudly: "I am the official of the imperial court. What right do you have to block my way?"

The sailor was not tall.I heard Yuan Chonghuan's Cantonese accent.He sneered and said, "I am Major Jin Limin, the captain of the ship's sail and cable. You stay on the ship as the flagship. I am responsible for your safety."

He waved.Two sailors standing nearby immediately took off the flintlocks they were carrying.It lay in front of Yuan Chonghuan.

Yuan Chonghuan continued to yell.But the boatswain Jin Limin didn't pay any attention to him at all.Turn around and walk away.Two sailors stood in front of Yuan Chonghuan with flintlock guns.No matter what he said, he didn't hear it.Just don't let him go any further.

……

After crossing the Yangtze River.The court's appeasement mission landed in Zhenjiang.Then the group was escorted by a battalion of Chinese infantry.Came to the city of Suzhou mightily.Arrive in Suzhou.It was already the seventh day after crossing the river.

It is the rainy season in the south of the Yangtze River.The rainy weather made the roads muddy and difficult to walk.The Ming Mission has too much luggage.There are too many imperial guards of honor.This made Xu Guangqi and others walk very slowly.

certainly.This is the objective reason for the slow progress of the mission.

They were delayed in Zhenjiang for two days.The main purpose is to welcome and see off the king of Chu and his party.

The Chinese Army's Jiangnan Marching Road has fulfilled its public commitment.As soon as the envoys of the imperial court arrived in Zhenjiang.King Chu's family was released.

When the Chinese army captured Wuchang City, the Chu Palace was located.It was first attacked by the rout of the Ming government army.The side hall of the harem, whose wall was knocked down by the artillery of the Chinese army, was rushed into by rebels.Immediately afterwards.The Li Minying of the Chinese Army on the North Road rushed to the Chu Palace.Quickly drive away the rioters.Blocked the Chu Palace.subsequently.Yang Qi came with the sailor marines.They yelled for a while.No one in the Chu Palace agreed.Yang Qi ordered someone to blast open the gate of Chu Palace with explosives.Then hundreds of people including the whole family of the king of Chu and the eunuchs, maids, and servants in the mansion, large and small, were captured.

This is the first time that the Chinese army has captured a member of Zhu Ming's royal family.There was also a little panic for a while.Don't dare to play hard.but.Zhu Huakui, king of Chu, saw Mai Dahai, Yang Qi and others.He knelt down and begged for mercy.Willing to redeem himself with a lot of money.On this Chu king.There is no trace of Zhu Zhen, the sixth son of Zhu Yuanzhang.At any rate, the first generation of Chu kings led troops on many expeditions.Be regarded as a warrior.

Chu Huakui's words and deeds.This disappointed the officers of the Chinese Army who saw members of the Zhu family's royal family for the first time.Therefore, he despised these descendants of Zhu Yuanzhang very much.After that, the Chu Palace was completely ransacked.Completely and utterly ransacked.The whole family of the king of Chu was transported to Suzhou City by the Feilong.

They were imprisoned in a backyard of Suzhou Weaving Yamen.Although the Chinese Army did not abuse them.But it is only to provide them with the same food as the soldiers of the Chinese Army.Although the food of the Chinese army is very good compared to the soldiers of the Ming army.But for the members of the Chu family who have always been well-clothed and well-fed.That was hard stuff to swallow.In particular, there are a lot of corn, sweet potatoes and other foods in the Chinese army's diet.Except for the areas controlled by the Chinese army, there is no large-scale promotion of planting.

but.After a few days of starvation.The fat Chu king took the lead in nibbling the corn cobs.

Xu Guangqi, Sheng Yihong and others arrived in Zhenjiang.The first is to visit the King of Chu in the Zhenjiang government office.The Chinese Army sent someone to inform the Daming envoy and his party.The Chinese army can transport members of the Chu family to Jinling by boat.

This is what took two days.Xu Guangqi and other talents sent the King of Chu aboard.Seeing the ship heading towards Jinling.