The rumbling sound rolled from the sky. If the sky were not clear, everyone in this port city would think it was the muffled thunder from the sky. At this season of the year, storms and thunderstorms always come.
However, when almost half of the people in Relanze climbed as high as they could, looking out at the port, and bursting into cheers or curses from time to time, no one would feel the roar.
Long's voice has something to do with thunderstorms.
That was the sound of cannon fire.
Less than two nautical miles away from the port of Geranze, two fleets with swollen sails were fighting fiercely. The national flag of the kingdom familiar to the people of Geranze was hung on one of the fleets, while the flag of the other fleet was
The flag is the chamber of commerce flag that they hate so much - the chamber of commerce flag of the Victor Chamber of Commerce.
They are so shameless. Even though their warships are navy warships in service, they fly the flag of the Chamber of Commerce and disguise themselves as armed merchant ships. Those Portuguese are simply liars and scoundrels without any sense of honor.
Catherine's "Lily" is still anchored in the port. At this moment, she is standing on the deck. Even without a telescope, she can clearly see the battle on the sea. Compared with the people on the shore, this fierce naval battle is
For people and ships in the port, the oncoming sense of oppression is even stronger.
As soon as the naval escort warships of the Ming Empire left the port of Jelanje, traces of the warships of the Victor Chamber of Commerce were found outside the port. It should be a small formation, consisting of two or three warships.
The main force of the fleet is a Galen ship with a displacement of about a thousand tons, while the other two are only about the size of this Galen ship. They should be small warships similar to the plunderers of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Such a small formation was cruising at the gate of Relanze. It was not a threat, but it was extremely insulting.
If we use such a formation to attack the Port of Relanje, it will undoubtedly be a stone attack. Not to mention that there are still four main warships protecting the Port of Relanje at this moment. The large number of coastal defense guns in the port alone are enough for the ships of this formation to attack the port.
When they were not within range to attack the city of Relanja, they were sent to the bottom of the sea.
Therefore, Governor Edric decisively issued the order to attack. The Victor Chamber of Commerce was no longer provoking, but slapping him hard. The meaning of this small formation cruising outside the port seemed to be to tell
All the Dutch can attack Geranze at any time if the Portuguese wish.
"Boom, boom, boom!"
There were another series of loud noises, and the huge Galen ship tried to adjust its angle, rushed into the formation of the Dutch fleet, and separated their fleet. However, the small and flexible Dutch fleet seemed to have already
Knowing their intentions, while maintaining their formation, they followed the orders of the flagship and drew out an arc in front of all those watching the battle.
They not only kept the warship facing the enemy, but also used the smallest cross-section of the warship to meet the enemy's bombardment while allowing the loading of their broadsides to stop.
The chance of a warship's tilting firepower.
At the same time, they unknowingly moved the battlefield towards the port, as if they wanted to lure the enemy's warships into the range of the coastal defense batteries.
Unfortunately, the Portuguese reacted very quickly and immediately discovered the Dutch fleet's intention. They decisively gave up the action of dividing and chasing the opponent, and fired a burst of artillery fire at the opponent as if to vent their anger. From the arc of the Dutch fleet,
Line the direction of the idea and draw an arc of the idea.
They made it clear they wouldn't be fooled.
It was just that during their angry artillery fire, the main sail of a warship in the Dutch fleet was directly broken. The people on the shore stood tall and could even see the tall mast falling down.
It smashed on the deck, and the entire deck of the warship was in a mess.
The injured warship slowly retreated into the port, but did not break away from the warship. However, two small warships guarding the Portuguese kept patrolling around the battlefield, intent on looking for fighters.
"Go up and engage in battle, and seize their warship!"
"This bunch of cowards in the Navy, did they waste all their courage on those women in the tavern last night? Give those Portuguese a taste!"
The people on the shore were filled with righteous indignation. It seemed that they could not eliminate these arrogant and arrogant Portuguese at their own gates, which was also an insult to them.
On the Lily, Catherine shook her head and handed the telescope in her hand to the servant beside her: "There is no need to look at it anymore. With Relan Zhe's current warship, it can only expel the opponent, but cannot destroy the opponent at all.
Lorenz, who was beside her, kept a sullen face. He frowned only when he saw the Portuguese warships gradually leaving the battlefield in the distance, and the people's cheers came from the port behind him.
Suodi also put down the telescope in his hand.
"Young men in the navy, we still have courage. Unfortunately, our warships are not as powerful as those of the Victor Chamber of Commerce. As long as there is a Dreadnought-class Kairak ship in the port, these Portuguese warships will not dare to do so.
Show up outside the harbor!"
"It's a pity that not only did you lose all the Kairak warships in the last conflict, but now you also no longer have the ability to cruise the routes around the port. To be honest, I really don't know where your Lord Governor got the courage.
, actually almost planned to start a war with the Ming Empire and the Portuguese Victor Chamber of Commerce."
"This is not courage, this is defending the glory of our Kingdom of the Netherlands!" Lenroz said seriously: "However, this was just a misunderstanding. The misunderstanding has been resolved now, hasn't it?"
"Yes, the misunderstanding has been resolved. This is why I asked Captain Lenroz to come to me on this matter!" Catherine smiled slightly: "I have received feedback from the Ming Empire. In some words, the Ming Empire
It’s impossible to tell you clearly, just like I can’t say these words directly to your Lord Governor. However, it is most appropriate if these words are relayed through someone like Captain Lenroz who is highly regarded by your Lord Governor.
of!"
On the sea in the distance, except for the warship whose main mast had been shot off, it stayed in place. The other three ships were slowly raising their side sails. Judging from their appearance, they were chasing the ship that had gone away.
Just like the Portuguese warships.
It's just that the Portuguese warships are slowly disappearing at the end of the sea and sky. With the speed of these Dutch warships, this pursuit is destined to be a futile effort.
Of course, perhaps these officers and navy officers on the Dutch battlefield were just pretending to pursue, so that after the order to retreat came, they could return to the port and enjoy the cheers of the people in the city welcoming the victors.
"I'm listening to Miss Catherine!"
Seeing Catherine looking at the sea suddenly in a daze, Lenroz turned his head and glanced, then coughed to remind Catherine.
"Do you know what's the biggest difference between the Portuguese and you Dutch people?"
Catherine turned around and shook her head with a half-smile: "It's pragmatism, it's about assessing the situation, it's about doing what you can!"
She pointed to the sea: "Just like now, your fleet should come back immediately to rescue the wounded, repair the ships, and maintain morale to prepare for the next battle, instead of pretending to pursue and delay the injuries on the ship.
The rescue of the soldiers, because everyone who knows knows that this so-called pursuit is just to deceive some ignorant people. If the Dutch fleet is strong enough, how can it be possible for the enemy to show off its power at the gate of its port!"
A look of irritation appeared on Renrozi's face. If the other party criticized the Kingdom's navy, wouldn't that be tantamount to directly criticizing him?
"The so-called honor is not as important as actual interests at all, just like Victor Trading Company can request Malacca's Far East Fleet to dispatch two active warships to join this battle. This is actually a battle of interests between the two countries.
However, they just make people think that this is just a trade war. Even if it is a trade war between a local chamber of commerce and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, even if the Kingdom of the Netherlands attacks the Kingdom of Portugal for this in the future, they will not find a sufficient reason!
"
"So, Miss Catherine thinks that this war is actually about who cares less about honor?"
"There is no honor at all, everything is business!" Catherine shook her head: "I asked you to come here because I, in my personal capacity, facilitated the deal between Relan Province and my Ming Dynasty Sihai Trading Company, which made me money.
After making a sufficiently profitable transaction, it is an expression of gratitude to Geranize and his controller!"
She said slowly: "If necessary, if Sir Edric and his loyal subordinates enter any area controlled by the Ming Empire, including but not limited to territory, buildings, and ships, my influence, Catherine Jiang, will be limited.
Where they arrive, Lord Edric and his subordinates will be protected, and while maintaining their basic rights, they will also be treated as nobles!"
Catherine spoke to Lenroz word for word as if she were using diplomatic language. Even if this was just a verbal promise and would not leave any traces in any written document, after experiencing "sometimes"
After signing the musket contract with "whatever you want", she will never give the Dutch any chance to take advantage of her!
"Can Miss Catherine explain in detail the scope of Miss Catherine's influence?" Lenroz pondered for a moment and asked carefully.
Seeing that these Dutch people were indeed much more cautious, Kesselly laughed and said, "No!"
"cannot?"
"Yes, you can't!" Catherine nodded: "I just said, this is just my personal expression of gratitude. I do not represent anyone or any force. You can convey this to Sir Edric,
Moreover, you can also tell him that this promise is valid until the end of this war!"
The cheers on the shore have gradually become quieter. The warship with its main mast broken has been moored at the port. Many injured soldiers are being carried off the ship in front of thousands of people. Among the cheering crowd, Lenroz,
He worked hard to squeeze out a road, led his subordinates, and hurried towards the Governor's Mansion.
The Governor has been paying attention to this battle for which he issued orders. At this time, perhaps he is adding a new chapter to his record!
"On a certain day of a certain month of a certain year, the great Sir Edric commanded a heroic naval fleet and defeated the invading Portuguese fleet at the port of Jeranja..."
The situation in which the Governor was so complacent as he imagined did not happen. Seeing the Governor in his study with no smile on his face, Lenroz felt much more at ease.
"Are you here to report on the battle situation at the port? Needless to say, I already knew everything before you came!"
Edric said: "Perhaps, the outcome of this war will really be decided on land. Today, only three warships appeared outside our port. Tomorrow, perhaps a huge Portuguese fleet will swarm in.
Come!"
"Do you have any news about the Valkyrie and the Tulip?" Lenroz was silent for a moment and then asked.
"Most of the Valkyrie and its affiliated fleet were lost, the Valkyrie sank, and the Tulip, leading the rest of the ships, has left this sea area!"
Edric said: "This is not their defection. This is the order I gave them before leaving the port. The kingdom cannot be without any naval power in the Far East. The Victor Chamber of Commerce is coming with a menacing attack this time. We must conserve our strength!"
Renroz did not ask his Lord Governor where the news came from, but since the Lord Governor said so, it is a fact!
He thought for a while and repeated exactly what Catherine had just told him.
"A personal thank you?" A wry smile appeared at the corner of Edric's mouth: "If what she said is true, I suspect that she has set another trap. She is so uncertain, but I believe her.
It’s true!”
"So, Lord Governor, are you going to accept her gratitude?" Lenroz didn't know what he felt in his heart. Once the Governor decided to accept this gratitude, it meant that even the Governor had no idea about the outcome of this war.
Optimistic.
That would be huge, bad news.
"You don't have to reply to her. Then, I don't care whether I accept this thank you or not. If it is really necessary, then I will naturally accept this thank you. If it is not necessary, I naturally don't know about it. You have nothing."
tell me!"
"The Portuguese are pragmatic, assess the situation and act within their capabilities..."
"So, this is actually about who cares less about honor?"
"There is no honor, it's just business!"
The conversation between Catherine and Lenroz just now rolled past his ears. Seeing the proud smile on his Lord Governor's face, Lenroz smiled bitterly in his heart.
That Miss Catherine, why not just say that the Dutch are hypocritical, arrogant, and do not know their own abilities!
"You can tell Catherine that I suddenly changed my mind. I think it is safer to store the muskets that have not yet been handed over to us in the city of Geranze. However, for the safety of these goods, I still hope that he will try his best to communicate with us.
Communicate with the people of the Ming Empire and send a certain number of guards over!"
He raised his head and seemed to be calculating something: "Well, the number of guards should not exceed two hundred, no, it should not exceed one hundred. Geranze will give these guards the same treatment as the soldiers of the Kingdom of the Netherlands!"