Chapter 740: Cannons and warships, all of them are needed!

The matter on Ganghwa Island in Korea is actually quite complicated. The main reason is of course the pressure from the Tartars. The Tartars suffered a loss on Pi Island and had no courage to directly attack the Hu Ben Army, and they were not able to drive the Hu Ben Army away, so they went to find trouble for the North Korean surrender faction. The surrender faction in North Korea was under great pressure and had to put pressure on the North Korean king Li Zong, asking Li Zong to come forward and drive the Hu Ben Army away from Tieshan.

The King of Korea, Li Zong, was obviously not a person with a strong stance. On the one hand, he hoped that the Hu Ben Army would be able to drive away the Tartars, but on the other hand, he was worried that the Tartars and the domestic rebels would join forces to attack Seoul. If the Hu Ben Army did not have enough reinforcements, he would be in trouble. As a result, if Jianghua Island was occupied by the rebels, Li Zong habitually asked Fengpingjun Li Jue to solve the problem. The problem was that Li Jue himself did not have the ability to solve the problem, so he had to ask Zhang Jun for help.

The one who occupied Ganghwa Island was the mysterious Korean navy, the Jeolla Do Navy. Because of the intrigue of the surrender faction, Park Dachang, commander of the Jeolla Do Navy, brazenly commanded the Jeolla Do Navy and occupied Ganghwa Island to put pressure on the Korean king Lee Jung. Ganghwa Island has always been a refuge for the Korean royal family. Park Dachang occupied Ganghwa Island, which was equivalent to cutting off Lee Jung's escape route. If the Tatars and the rebels attacked Seoul together, he would have to defend Seoul to the death. It is unknown whether he could defend Seoul when the Tatars attacked.

The two requests made by Fengpingjun Li Jue to Zhang Jun were the first to send troops to help recover Jianghua Island, and the second to let Queen Yi'an Zhang Yan arrive in Seoul as soon as possible. The first request was simple and clear. The second request was a little more obscure. In fact, Li Jue wanted to ask the Hu Ben Army to send troops to Seoul to help resist the possible attacks launched by the Tartars. However, asking other troops to come to Seoul and the capital of the Kingdom of Korea is a major event after all, and cannot be carried out publicly. The surrendered faction will definitely try to stop it.

Fortunately, Li Jue thought of Empress Yi'an of Ming Dynasty and Zhang Yan. Zhang Yan's visit to North Korea was decided early in the morning. Even if the surrenderists opposed it, it would be useless. As long as Zhang Yan arrived in Seoul, the escorts of the Hu Ben Army would naturally follow him to Seoul. Since the Hu Ben Army arrived in Seoul, the Tartars attacked Seoul, and the Hu Ben Army naturally could not stand by. For Zhang Yan's safety, the Hu Ben Army would definitely increase troops to Seoul. If Zhang Yan was protecting Zhang Yan, the Seoul would be saved.

In fact, Zhang Zhun didn't care much about the Tartars' large-scale attack on Seoul. This was why Li Zong and Li Jue felt very dangerous when they were in it. They should have been shocked by the illusion deliberately created by the North Korean surrender faction, thinking that the Tartars would really attack Seoul at any time, so they would panic and issue a request for help.

In fact, in the eyes of Zhang Zhun, it is basically impossible for the Tartars to attack Seoul. Huang Taiji's hands in Beizhili have not been handled yet, and he still wants to open a new battlefield in North Korea? Isn't this tired of living? Did the Tartars in Tieshan have the courage to attack Seoul? Impossible! As soon as they left, the Tieban Army occupied their old nest Tieshan City, allowing them to go without returning.

Of course, when the North Koreans ask for help from themselves, Zhang Zhun must have reacted. Let’s not care about other things for now, but this Jianghua Island can interfere. Controlling Tieshan and Jianghua Island is equivalent to punching two nails on the Koreans. What the North Koreans want to do in the future will definitely not dare to do without the approval of the Hu Ben Army.

"After you arrive at Jianghua Island, you have to do three things: First, contact the Marine Corps on Pi Island to see if the Marine Corps needs support; Second, contact Zhang Lingyun, who is stationed in Tieshan, to see if the army needs support. Third, pay close attention to the movements in North Korea. If there is any special situation, report to me immediately."

"When you set out, prepare enough ammunition and supplies, and it is best to prepare for a protracted war. If necessary, you can deal with it in the wrong way and don't ask for instructions. There is only one principle, that is, we will never suffer any losses. We will not do anything that is not good."

Zhang Zhun said cautiously.

"clear!"

Zhang Haibin answered solemnly.

"You go and prepare!"

Zhang Zhun nodded and said gently.

Zhang Haibin stood attentively and saluted, turning around and leaving.

Wu Yiyi and others were waiting for the order to set off on the sword-tooth ship. After receiving the order to set off on Ganghwa Island, Korea, they immediately became busy again. They had already changed their white dresses and put on blue combat uniforms. The other naval soldiers were also wearing blue sailor uniforms. These were all completely different places between the Hu Ben Navy and the Ming Dynasty Navy, and you can see it at a glance.

"Ganghua Island?"

"This trip is so far!"

Wu Yiyi said to herself.

The original plan was to set off to Yuzhou Mountain for training at sea. Therefore, the amount of food and fresh water on the warships was not particularly reserved. There is also a naval base on Yuzhou Mountain, which can be replenished at any time, and there is no need to store too much. But it is different to go to Jianghua Island. The amount of food and fresh water that need to be prepared must be at least quadrupled.

The number of ammunitions of various colors should also double. Because, going to Ganghwa Island, North Korea, is not a training session, but a real battle. The Jeolla Do Navy, the North Koreans, has no ability, and after the battle, there is no accurate data on the amount of ammunition consumption. Therefore, in terms of ammunition, we should still prepare the most. Be prepared for any incidents!

The situation of the Second Fleet is actually similar to that of the Third Fleet. They want to sail farther to Jeju Island than to sail farther to Jianghua Island. They may even have to fight with the Japanese Navy or Zheng Zhilong's pirate fleet. Therefore, Tuoba Momo, Guo Jie and others who belong to the Second Fleet also need to store more fresh water, food, medicine and ammunition and make the most preparations. Some naval officers and soldiers even wrote their wills in advance.

The two fleets must be prepared before departure, which will take at least one day, so they will not set sail until tomorrow afternoon as soon as possible. While the fleet was preparing to set off, Zhang Zhun took the time to go to the artillery factory.

The sword-tooth ship has already set up dumplings, and the next step is the Dragon God Ship. Xue Zhidie's shipyard has begun to arrange the construction plan for the Dragon God Ship. However, the red cannons needed by the Dragon God Ship have not been copied yet, so Zhang Zhun has to pay attention to it personally. The British woman Sai Viala and the craftsman Ferdinand, whom she nominated, have been to the artifact for a while, and I don't know if the British can solve the material problem.

From the Queqiao Bay Military Port to the Casting Factory, Zhang Zhun rode his horse and arrived soon. The Casting Factory was still quiet, with only solemn sentries around. Zhang Zhun and his group dismounted at the door and then came to the test site. They happened to see a woman coming out inside. Golden hair, blue eyes, and tall figure, who was not Saiviara?

"Brother General! I finally saw you!"

Saiviara's eyes were also very sharp, and she immediately noticed Zhang Zhun and shouted enthusiastically.

Zhang Zhun subconsciously retreated, fearing that she would give him another bear hug. It was not that he felt resistant to foreign women, nor that he looked down on foreign women, but that in this era, men and women hugged in public, the consequences were indeed very serious and would definitely be labeled as an insult. Especially when hugging a foreign woman, he would definitely be regarded as an alternative. Zhang Zhun did not dare to take the blame for the world and do such an extraordinary thing.

Who knew that Saiviara looked a little reserved. Instead, she did not come up to hug Zhang Zhunxiong immediately, but kept a distance of about three meters from Zhang Zhun and said with a smile: "Brother General, I understand. You don't like unrestrained women. You don't like having too close contact with women in public occasions. In the future, I will be more reserved."

Zhang Zhun nodded, thinking that it would be even better if you know how to follow the local customs. Otherwise, if you use the style of the British, you will definitely be infinitely despised in Ming Dynasty. He casually said: "It's good that you know."

Sun Qinkai came out of the test site and said in surprise: "Sir, why are you here?"

Zhang Zhun asked bluntly: "How is the progress of the red cannon?"

Sun Qinkai said happily: "These British craftsmen still understand a lot. The problem of the red-clothed cannon has been solved. However, she proposed some better ideas and we are still experimenting."

Zhang Zhun looked at Saiviara in a little surprised, with a look of praise in his eyes. This woman is really capable. The problem that troubled Sun Qinkai for several months was solved so quickly? Is there a better idea? Did she really find a treasure?

Looking at Sun Qinkai, Zhang Zhun said half-believingly: "Really?"

Sun Qinkai said affirmatively: "Sir, come in and see!"

Zhang Zhun nodded and followed him into the test site.

Sure enough, two brand new sample guns have been arranged in the test site. The appearance of these sample guns is obviously different from the previous ones, and they are obviously just cast. From the appearance of the barrel, it is speculated that the materials used in the barrel are indeed quite different from those before.

Why can the casting gun factory imitate the Napoleon cannon but not the red-clothed cannon? The key reason is the problem of the strength of the barrel material withstand the chamber pressure. The maximum range of the Napoleon cannon is only about 2,000 meters, while the range of the red-clothed cannon is above 5,000 meters. This means that the chamber pressure of the two cannons is completely different. In other words, the barrel materials of the two cannons are also completely different.

Sun Qinkai is easier to satisfy the chamber pressure with a range of 2,000 meters, but the chamber pressure with a range of 5,000 meters is more difficult. The difficulty of the red-clothed cannon was this chamber pressure. Sun Qinkai repeatedly tested a lot of materials, and the cast gun barrels could not meet the requirements of this chamber pressure, so he had to be invalidated.

Sun Qinkai explained that the arrival of Seviara just solved this problem. Britain itself did not have any copper mines. The cannons they cast were synthesized using several materials. Ferdinand just knew the exact ratio of different materials. As a result, after several tests, the problem was really solved.

Zhang Zhun looked at Saiviara to show his approval, and then said, "You have any better suggestions? Can you tell me what kind of suggestions are?"

Seviara smiled cunningly and turned around and said, "Brother General, I heard that you have a large number of naval warships launched? Can I go and see?"

Zhang Zhun nodded and said calmly: "Of course."

He actually had the idea of ​​introducing Seviara to Xue Zhidie. Seviara is from the UK, and her father is the commander of the British fleet. She should have a good understanding of warships. Even if she doesn't know how the British warships were made, she should know a lot of specific data on warships. If she could communicate with Xue Zhidie and tell Xue Zhidie what she knew, it would definitely bring many benefits to Xue Zhidie. Combining the strengths of Eastern and Western warships, the new generation of warships of the Tiger Ben Army will definitely be even more powerful.

Because of the Ming Dynasty's sea ban policy, the construction of Ming warships was at least 150 years behind the West. On the sea surface of East Asia, the largest three-masted gunship in Ming Dynasty currently has a displacement of only about 600 tons. The Western powers have the largest warships with the largest displacement of more than 2,000 tons. The number of artillery is even more incomparable to the sky and the underground.

What is a gap? This is a gap! If you don’t try every means and catch up, it is almost impossible to completely shorten the gap. And if you want to surpass others, the only way is to learn from the barbarians’ skills to control the barbarians, bring all the advanced experiences of others, and reduce the time you spend exploring in the dark.

Seviara bargained: "Brother General, give me space to move freely, and I will introduce you to our latest British cannon."

Zhang Zhun frowned and said, "What kind of space do you want for activity?"

Seviara said, "I just can't lock me up, just walk around and take a look!"

Zhang Zhun frowned and said, "It is not safe for you to walk outside, just a woman."

Seviara's lips raised slightly and said in dissatisfaction: "I can fencing! The sword technique my father taught himself! But my sword fell into the sea during the naval battle. If you ask someone to recast one for me, I can protect myself! I can bring two muskets! If anyone comes to challenge me, I will definitely defeat him."

Zhang Zhun frowned and said, "You are both a gun and a sword, and you will scare others!"

Seviara said sharply: "Brother General, you discriminate against women!"

Zhang Zhun stared at her for a moment, without saying a word.

Seviara also stared at him with a glittering look, without any intention of giving in.

"All right!"

Zhang Zhun said slowly.

"Oh yeah! Free!"

Seviara screamed in vain and cheerfulness.

"I'll take you to meet someone!"

Zhang Zhun frowned and said.

This British woman's temper is not easy to figure out, so she should just squeeze out her value as soon as possible and let her return to China to be serious. Others are big girls, so don't delay others getting married. If others think they are hungry and are so debaucherous that they are even shameless that even the red-haired ghost woman wants to go, that would be really unfair.

"Do you want to take a carriage?"

Zhang Zhun asked subconsciously.

"I can ride a horse!"

Saiviara said with an eyebrow.

"Give her a horse!"

Zhang Zhun said casually.

Lu Yidian brought a spare war horse and handed the reins to Saiviara.

Saiviara easily turned over the horse and rode steadily on the horse's back. Her movements were indeed very agile. From her movements, Zhang Zhun did not doubt that she could fencing. It seems that she had indeed been a pirate, and maybe she had really killed people. Otherwise, how could she have such agile skills? The skills of Hongniang are not as good as hers!

"Da da da da!"

The sound of horse hooves was rapid, and the group returned to the Queqiao Bay Military Port.

Seeing the dense sword-toothed ships in the port, Saiviara seemed to have discovered a new continent and screamed in surprise: "Wow! So many warships! Brigadier General! Are all these warships yours?"

Zhang Zhun nodded and said, "Yes."

Saiviara looked back at him with eyes shining, and said expectantly: "Is it true that only Zheng Zhilong and you have so many warships in Ming Dynasty?"

Zhang Zhun nodded and said, "It should be."

Seviara looked back at the sword-toothed ships and said expectantly: "Do you have bigger warships? These warships... don't seem to be very big!"

Zhang Zhun shook his head and said, "Not yet."

Seviara immediately said: "Brother General, we are doing business. I will ask someone to help you improve the performance of the warship and build a larger warship. You will tell me the secret of the Hu Ben Gun."

Zhang Zhun said lightly: "This is indeed a good business. The question is, do your subordinates really have craftsmen who know how to build ships? Shipbuilding is not a trivial matter!"

Seviara smiled mysteriously and said confidently: "Brother General, you don't know. Build a ship is difficult or not, but it is easy or not. You said, what is the first thing we need to do when we come to the far east?"

Zhang Zhun said without hesitation: "Find a place to stay."

Saiviara pondered for a moment and said helplessly: "Okay, you are not wrong with your answer. Actually, I want to say that after we come to the far east, we must first find a place with conditions to repair ships. You said, if there are no craftsmen who know how to build ships, how can we repair ships?"

Zhang Zhun thought about it, too.

The warships of the Western powers came from far away Europe to Asia. The warships were constantly bumping and experiencing strong winds and waves. There must be many places that need maintenance. After arriving at the destination, the first thing was to repair the ship. For convenience, there must be a considerable number of craftsmen in the sailors on the ship. Just like the three fleets of the Tiger Army Navy, each warship had at least five maintenance craftsmen in each warship. This was originally a common sense issue, and I ignored it if I accidentally did it.
To be continued...