Ming Zhengzhi, I am Zheng Kezang

"What if they don't turn around?" The businessman's voice was frozen. "Until the colonization of South Africa has no greater effect, the United East India Company cannot bear the cost of completely interrupting Eastern trade."

"Then let them go like this?" the captain asked in surprise. "According to reports from Port Beaufort, the Chinese may be preparing to establish a colonial port in South Africa"

"Even if this fleet is wiped out, the Chinese may not give up building a port in South Africa." The businessman said bitterly. "The key now is not what the Chinese think, but that the company must speed up its construction in South Africa. As long as we occupy all the suitable harbors and the Chinese have no foothold, there is no need to worry about them directly sending a large fleet to colonize South Africa. "After saying this, the businessman looked at the slightly dissatisfied captain and said. "Of course, we can't just let it go, catch up and scare the Chinese, what if there is a chance to force them to disperse the ships and turn around for a decisive battle?"

"My lord, the Dutchman is chasing after him. The speed of the ship exceeds four knots. [Yunzi No. 77] has no way to escape." The action of the Dutchman caused great psychological pressure on the Xia Army Expeditionary Team. Escape by yourself, or risk your own life to understand and save Pao Ze. "My lord, what should we do now?"

"Send the flag to [Dousu No. 57]." The ship commander of [Guisu No. 77], Miyahe, watched the Dutch fleet chasing closer and closer, and ordered in great pain. "This ship bears a heavy responsibility and cannot protect [Yunzi No. [-]]"

The frustration of abandoning his comrades made Miahe feel like a deserter. However, what made him even more irritated was that when he observed the signal flag of [Guisu No. 77] [Yunzi No. 57] called out two After the Xinbao ship replied to the flag first, the [Dousu No. 77], which took the lead, resolutely reduced its speed, and sent a message to [Guisu No. [-]], "Our ship will escort [Yunzi No. [-]]. Important, please hurry first" banner.

"My lord," Chi Weiming, the second-in-command who also looked distressed, asked Miahe for accountability. "Are we really going to leave [Yunzi No. 77] and [Dousu No. 57] and escape first?"

Looking at the officers and soldiers who were all watching him, Miahe squeezed the booklet in his hand: "This is more important."

Under the control of the officers and soldiers who were sighing, the [Guisu No. [-]] with the banner of "Zhenzhen" hoisted its full sails, and then pushed by the wind, it passed the two leading friendly ships like an arrow off the string, and its head also fell. Headed towards the equator without turning back.

"It's a good journey." After blessing the departing comrades in arms, the ship commander of [Dousu 57] Jiao Qi resolutely ordered. "Attention, cut to the rear of [Yunzi No. 77], all the gun doors are open, Hongyi is just our defeated opponent, even if they are outnumbered, we have to bite off a piece of their flesh."

The officers and soldiers on board [Dousu No. 57] are silently preparing. In fact, everyone knows what is waiting for them---[Dousu No. 57] is just a first-class letter ship with 77 guns, [Yunzi 28] No.] Although there are also twelve cannons on the upper deck, they are all small Francois cannons, light mortars and official cap guns for anti-jump gangs, so they are almost useless in artillery battles. On the other hand, the Dutch side, Just the first two cruise ships with 400 guns or above are enough for Xia Jun's sailors to drink a pot, not to mention that there are several [-]-ton armed merchant ships behind --- the problem now is the remaining Xia Jun How long can the two ships last, but none of the officers and soldiers who had awakened earlier cried and was depressed because of this.

It's getting closer, it's getting closer, the Dutch warships are already clearly visible, and even the dark cannons in the opened gun doors can be seen clearly. Waiting, ready to write the most splendid chapter of life in this strange and exotic sea.

"Bless the Queen of Heaven," even the most resolute person couldn't help praying to the gods and Buddhas at this time. "If Xinnan can escape death this time, I will definitely give you a golden body again when I go back."

"Your Excellency, our plan seems to be working." On the leading Dutch flagship, the captain reported to the businessman again. "The Chinese ship that fled to the southeast is rapidly pursuing."

The businessman went to the side of the ship and looked carefully at the direction of the "Long Wind" with a telescope: "The speed of the Chinese ship is really fast enough. It is said that the company has learned the lessons of the defeat in the Sulawesi Sea and Savu Sea battles. I plan to imitate the Chinese ship model to manufacture some fast sailing boats, and I don’t know when they will be launched.” After finishing speaking, the businessman sighed softly. "Okay, the game is over, send a signal to the ships and say goodbye to the Chinese."

There is no pun in the Dutch language, so the so-called goodbye really means farewell and farewell. The captain asked with some disappointment: "Dear businessman, although the Chinese 40 gunboats are powerful, but [ The Kennel] also has 36 guns, plus the 32 guns of the [Windmill], it is completely capable of dealing with this chasing warship. As for the remaining communication ships and transport ships of the Chinese, the [Justin], etc. The warship can also be easily defeated, why give up the victory at hand?"

"Your Excellency, Commander, our plan has not been completely successful. Isn't there another communication ship leaving alone?" The businessman repeated the old words. "As long as one ship is not destroyed, the news of our attack on the Chinese will spread throughout Africa and Arabia. No, even if this escaped communication ship does not send the news back home, as long as it enters the port of Africa and Russia, those French, The Portuguese would be more than happy to spread the news of their attack to the Chinese authorities. Besides, the fleet still has a large amount of cargo to be shipped to Persia and Oman. This cargo is very important to the company today, and it cannot Suffering losses. So, please carry out my order and get out of here!"

"Hongyi, Hongyi has left? What's going on? Did the [Changfeng] come over from the rear?" When the officers and soldiers of the Huaxia Navy on the two boats cheered and celebrated their narrow escape, anxious Qi felt unusually puzzled. "Strange thing, this butcher has really changed his career to become a vegetarian?" But no matter how confused, it is always a good thing not to fight the enemy desperately. "Have you seen clearly, what class flag is the other party's flagship flying?"

"It's the flag of the major." The lookout sentry reported that the official position in Huaxia should be the fifth rank. "The officer is not young."

"Major flag?" Jiao Qi rubbed his chin. He is the commander of the first-class messenger ship. From the rank of sixth rank, his status is far inferior to the opponent's. "Order, fire the salute." Looking at his dumbfounded subordinates, Jiao Qi smiled. "Try it out and see Hongyi's reaction."

Jiao Qi was looking for trouble, so someone nearby naturally dissuaded him: "My lord, don't let [Chang Feng Hao] misunderstand, it will be troublesome."

"That's true." Jiao Qi thought for a while, and he was right. In order to prevent the brothers around him from dying in a misunderstanding, he ordered kindly. "Forget it, send a signal to [Yunzi No. 77], and we will also leave, so as not to make a joke if it goes off."

The two troops that had been close together slowly opened up the distance, which relieved Tang Yuntao and Zhu Zhongwu, who were anxious: "The red barbarians dare not fight. This is a good thing. Next, we can slowly explore the coastal areas." port."

Because they almost fought side by side, Zhu Zhongwu's attitude softened, and he took the initiative to suggest to Tang Yuntao: "Wait, do you want [Dou Su No. 57] to call [Gui Su No. [-]] back?"

"That's unnecessary." Tang Yuntao explained. "Hong Yi didn't dare to fight, most likely because he saw that he couldn't catch up with [Ghost No. [-]], and didn't want the country to know that they broke their contract and took the initiative to provoke again, so there is no need to worry about [Ghost No. [-]]'s mistakes." Yi Xia Junxin Report the speed of the ship, as long as you want to run, other ships can't catch up. "Just take the time to meet up at Fort Mozambique."

Zhu Zhongwu reminded: "It doesn't matter to us, I'm just afraid that the brothers on [Guisu No. [-]] will have a hard time these few days."

Tang Yuntao suddenly came to his senses and said, "Master Zhu is right. After we meet up, please ask Master Zhu to inform [Dou Su No. 57] to chase [Gui Su No. [-]] back."

At this point, the grievances between the two were completely eliminated, and as a result of the general's harmony, the expedition team discovered five or six large and small harbors suitable for colonization in the following days, which finally marked a successful conclusion to this exploration.When they entered the Maputo Fort to rest, the two, together with Jiao Qi, Mia and other ship chiefs, sorted out the hydrological materials of this exploration in detail, formed a written report, and copied multiple copies to prepare for any mistakes. .

But when they were preparing to return to the voyage, the disagreements among the people appeared again: "The lower officials thought that since they came, they should explore Moon Island as well, lest the court send people to go there again next time."

"Brother Zuo Fu, you can't become fat if you eat in one sitting. There are too many choices, which makes it difficult for the court to make a choice." Jiao Qi retorted Mia and said. "Besides, Moon Island is not the southern foot of Xihe Niuzhou, which is sparsely populated. There were conflicts between the Warring States on the island. If we rashly approach it, I'm afraid it will cause misunderstandings by the natives."

But Miahe insisted: "Misunderstanding? What can be misunderstood. Such a big island is in front of you, can the merchants coming and going not see it? Don't say that Xiyi may land on the shore for trading, the African trade route has really opened Now, the merchants of this dynasty also have to go to the island to trade, I can't wait to find the way for them, so why not let the merchants find the way by themselves?"

Gu Botao, the ship commander of [Yunzi No. 77], sarcastically said, "When will we wait for the officers and soldiers to open the way for these merchants, Mr. Mi, you are unique."

"Master Gu, what do you mean by that?" Miahe almost jumped up.

"Okay, stop arguing." Jiao Qi smoothed things over. "The two adults are still watching."

Seeing the eyes of the three ship commanders falling on him, Tang Yuntao consulted Zhu Zhongwu: "Master Zhu, do you think it is necessary for us to go through this?"

"Let's go." Zhu Zhongwu thought for a while and responded. "Anyway, we have to pass through on the way back. At worst, we will resupply on the territory of France or Franji."

Zhu Zhongwu's suggestion was not to conduct a comprehensive investigation, but to investigate along the way. This is a compromise. Tang Yuntao also agreed with this: "That's it."