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Chapter 652 Riding the Wind and Breaking the Waves
The blue-black Bohai Sea is choppy.

The turbid waves beat against the bow of the ship holding the ramming angle, the flag with the flag of Zhao fluttered in the wind, and countless warships of the Zhao army split the wind and waves and sailed with the wind.

The sea breeze is hunting, and the setting sun is like blood.Under the setting sun, the figure of the warship dragged along in the ups and downs of the sea wolf.
Li Chongjiu stood at the bow of the ship, looking at his fleet pounding the waves. In this era, European civilization is still obscure. There is no doubt that the fleet he is commanding in front of him is the most powerful naval force on earth.Among them, there are three five-tier battleships, one hundred four-tier battleships, and countless speedboats, forming the largest expedition fleet.

The battleship sailed straight to the east, and the small islands ahead were densely populated.

"Your Majesty, Duli Town is not far ahead. Our army can replenish fresh water and repair ships here. It is only half the distance to Pyongyang." Xue Wanche reported to Li Chongjiu.

Li Chongjiu shook his head and said: "No, Duli Town's target is too big. Goguryeo has set up a beacon tower nearby to watch. If he sees the reality of our warships, Pyongyang will know the news of our army's attack across the sea in a few days. .”

Li Chongjiu pointed his fingers to the islands in the sea ahead and said: "The front is Salmon Island, the land of ancient Laiyi. After the defeat of Pyongyang, General Hu'er, he set up a military camp on Wuhu Island on this archipelago, and used it as a springboard to attack This time I attacked Goguryeo, I had already ordered Zhouzhou to send people to set up a transit dock here. Starting from here to attack Pyongyang, it is closer than Dengzhou and Duli Town, and it is more hidden."

Zhang Xuansu, Xue Wanshu and others couldn't help but admire Li Chongjiu's careful arrangements.

The battleship sailed slowly to Wuhu Island, and several warships with Zhao characters hanging on them came from the island and boarded Li Chongjiu's flagship.

It was Zhou Zhou and Zhou Bo who boarded the boat.Zhou Zhou reported to Li Chongjiu: "Your Majesty, there is enough fresh water on Wuhu Island, and the army can supply it at any time. In addition, I have opened a sheltered dock for the fleet to rest."

Zhou Bo said to Li Chongjiu: "Your Majesty, the three sea trade merchants of Zhao, Zhou and Wu have sent [-] shi of military food to the island for the army to conquer. The three families also sent veteran boatmen who are familiar with the waters of Goguryeo and [-] merchant ships. Guards, twenty merchant ships guide the former army, and pave the way for His Majesty to open the bridge."

Li Chongjiu smiled when he heard the words: "The merchant ships can open bridges and pave the way for me, so what is the use of my navy?"

Zhou Bo was startled when he heard the words, thinking that Li Chongjiu's taboo was against the merchant ship's violent use of force.Zhou Bodao: "Your Majesty, they have a heart to serve the country."

Li Chongjiu asked back: "Have the three businessmen come?"

Zhou Bo lowered his head and said: "Your Majesty and the others have already arrived, and they dare not board the ship until they are summoned by His Majesty."

"Let them come aboard."

After speaking, the three bows all boarded the ship.The leaders of the three maritime trade merchants of Zhao, Zhou and Wu are all very young. The Zhao family is a maritime merchant supported by the Zhao family in Zhuo County, and has a family background.Zhou's family is Zhou Bo's cousin, which can be regarded as an industry of Zhao's business giant Zhou's family. As for Wu's family, it is a new maritime merchant. Wu Ping, a young talent in his 20s, has grown from a few small sampans to more than a dozen seagoing ships today. Its scale can be regarded as a self-made family, and judging from the experience of making a fortune, it just seized the opportunity of Zhao Guo to vigorously develop maritime trade.

Li Chongjiu knew the three of them well.

Li Chongjiu said with a smile: "The country has something to do, but you, as businessmen, serve the country bravely. This kind of spirit is commendable."

The three said together: "This is our duty."

Li Chongjiu said: "I founded the Great Zhao Navy and built a hundred warships, not to cross the Bohai Sea and deal with a mere Goguryeo. To the east of Goguryeo, there are Silla, Baekje, Tamna, and Wa. There are even countries that are bigger than the Central Plains." The territory of the world is waiting for me to open up."

When Li Chongjiu said this, the three of them all had bright eyes, and Li Chongjiu outlined a vision for them.

"To open up the sea, relying on my fleet is not enough. In the future, I will continue to rely on you."

"Willing to serve His Majesty."

Li Chongjiu nodded and said: "Okay, bring the flag. Give it to the three of you."

After the flag was presented, Li Chongjiu said: "I allow your merchant ships to hang our Zhao Guojun flag when they enter and leave the sea in the future. If you attack your merchant ships, it will be regarded as a provocation against our great Zhao country."

The three of them bowed down gratefully after looking at each other.Li Chongjiu said: "I also gave you the post of lieutenant of the Navy, this time you send troops, just be the vanguard of our army!"

"No, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Guo's navy rested overnight on Salmon Island to replenish fresh water supplies and repair ships.The next day, the army sailed to Pyongyang in full condition.

However, on this day, the boatman in front reported that rain clouds appeared in front of the fleet.The fleet had already set off for several days, and it was too late to return to Duli Town to shelter from the rain.Li Chongjiu immediately asked the old captain of the merchant fleet to inquire about this matter. The old captain told him that it was almost winter and there would never be a typhoon at sea. Such rain clouds were usually torrential rains and would not last long. In the past Often encountered while driving.

Li Chongjiu listened to the old ship's head and ordered the fleet to move on.In the afternoon, it hit the rain cloud, and the heavy rain came as expected.Under the heavy rain cover, the rain washed the deck, and the battleship was bumped up and down in the waves.

"Your Majesty, there is danger on deck."

"I know."

Li Chongjiu stood in the porthole and watched, the heavy rain fell like splashing ink, the sky and the earth were vast, and even the sea was pitch black.Li Chongjiu's ears were full of crackling sounds, his flagship was shaking, and it was very difficult to even stand up.

Now Zhao Jun's fleet is ups and downs on the sea, sometimes being brought to the top of the waves, and sometimes sinking to the bottom of the waves.Wave after wave covered the warship head-on.If it weren't for the re-strengthening of the ships on Salmon Island, I am afraid that many ships in the fleet will be damaged in this heavy rain this time.

Li Chongjiu felt the turbulence of the ship all the time, and the ten leading merchant ships in the front seemed to be on the verge of falling, but the ship lights on the ships were dimly shining, but in the strong wind and rain, they clearly pointed out the direction for the rear fleet.

In the cabin at night, Li Chongjiu and Zhang Xuansu had a drink.

Zhang Xuansu said: "Your Majesty, it is raining heavily outside, what do you think?"

Li Chongjiu said: "Good job."

"Why do you say that?"

"The heavier the rain, the less the Goguryeo people will believe that I will send troops at this time, so my chances of winning will be greater."

Zhang Xuansu couldn't help being pleased when he heard the words, and immediately poured another glass of wine for Li Chongjiu.

The monarch and his ministers endured until dawn.

Zhang Xuansu raised his glass and said: "The rain outside seems to be getting smaller, Your Majesty. The boat is not as bumpy as it is."

"is it?"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I see land ahead!"

"what?"

At the moment Li Chongjiu and Zhang Xuansu both rushed to the deck in surprise and joy, but seeing the heavy rain overnight, it was already light, and the sky was no longer as solemn as lead, but slightly bright.

The wind and waves are also much smaller, and more importantly, there is a lush land in the distance.

More and more soldiers of Zhao Jun rushed to the deck, and they couldn't help cheering when they saw the scene.

Zhang Xuansu couldn't help being moved when he saw it, and his eyes were slightly wet and he said to Li Chongjiu: "Your Majesty, we have succeeded, and Pyongyang is ahead!"

"I know."

(End of this chapter)