The sea around Iwo Jima was filled with thick smoke, cannons roared, and water columns kept rising into the sky. Warships from both sides shuttled back and forth, and the fighting was fierce.////
However, almost all of them were shot, beaten or caught on fire, and all were Japanese warships. Although the number of Japanese warships was large, they were far from the Merchant Army's warships in tonnage and firepower. Tactically, we still have to get close to the Merchant Army's warships and conduct boarding operations. However, the closer we get, the harder we will be hit.
Moreover, Japanese warships are basically offshore ships. The hull structure and sturdiness are far inferior to the Western-style warships used by China. Therefore, if they are hit by artillery at a close range of less than 60 meters, the entire hull will be destroyed. will be penetrated. Many Japanese warships were like this. When they were about to approach the Merchant Army's warship, they were hit by a round of artillery fire. As a result, the entire hull was shattered and fell apart.
Later, the Merchant Army's warships also learned their duties. After loading the cannonballs, they simply waited for the Japanese warships to approach, and then fired a salvo of artillery, which could sink a Japanese warship in an instant.
As for the Japanese fleet, there were very few artillery pieces. It didn't matter if one or two shells hit the merchant warships, especially the battleships, which caused almost no damage. Even the Japanese army's other long-range weapons Rockets, but the effective range is within fifty meters, and how much flames can be carried on an arrow. Even if it falls on the deck, it will be quickly extinguished by the prepared sailors with wet mud.
Even if some warships were lucky enough to get close to the Merchant Army's warship, they were disappointed to find that the opponent's warship was much larger than theirs and they would not be able to board it, and they would immediately be attacked by the Merchant Army's warship. The guns fired in unison, just like the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, knocking down a large number of Japanese soldiers who were about to climb on the deck of the ship. Then they were shelled at close range. The entire ship was hit with hundreds of holes, and it sank due to flooding. .
The two sides fought for less than an hour, and the Japanese fleet's formation was decimated, and the warships were sunk one by one, completely falling into a dilemma where they could only move back and be beaten. When Cheng Gang saw it, he again An order was issued for all large and medium-sized warships to fight in groups of three to five, while small warships were waiting on the outside of the battlefield, preparing to pursue the Japanese fleeing warships.
In fact, there is almost no difference between the whole process and the previous battle, because the gap between the two sides is only a period of time. The warships and weapons used by the merchant army have reached the highest level of this era, and have even exceeded this in terms of tactics. era, and the Japanese warships, weapons, and tactical ideas are still stuck in the era of maritime and land warfare in the 14th and 15th centuries. Therefore, there is no comparison at all between the two sides. It is nothing more than the Japanese warships this time. The more, the longer it takes.
Only then did the Japanese general Hiromasa Yoshikawa know why three years ago, Japan's Satsuma domain, known as a powerful vassal in the southwest, was completely defeated in front of the merchant army and was severely beaten. In his impression, only the Dutch navy could There are such huge giant sailing ships. In terms of number, the merchant army has more giant sailing ships than the Dutch. And Japan is obviously unable to compete with this fleet. If it continues to resist, it will only completely annihilated.
The Nagakawa clan does not have any interests in Ryukyu. At the same time, between the Tokugawa and Toyotomi families, they still favor the Toyotomi family. Therefore, Yoshikawa Hiromasa does not want to fight head-on with the merchant army when it is almost impossible to win, otherwise The fate of the Satsuma clan was right in front of them, and their vitality was severely damaged. The Nagagawa clan must not follow the old path of the Satsuma clan. Therefore, Yoshikawa Hiromasa immediately ordered an immediate retreat.
So the Japanese warships turned around one after another, but fled to the north. The merchant army pursued them for a while and intercepted many Japanese warships, but still allowed many Japanese warships to escape.
In this battle, the Nagagawa clan dispatched a total of 153 warships, of which 74 were sunk and 17 were captured. In the end, only more than 60 ships escaped back to Japan, while the Japanese soldiers fought More than 3,000 people died and more than 1,200 people were captured by the merchant army. Although this battle did not completely wipe out the Japanese army, it also achieved the goal of severely damaging the Japanese navy. Therefore, Cheng Gang also ordered a return voyage and returned to Ryukyu. island.
As the merchant army's troops increased at this time, the military camp could no longer accommodate them, so the Chinese Village was used again and became the temporary residence of the 1st Brigade. Fortunately, the Chinese Village and the military camp were not far from each other, and now the Chinese Village on Ryukyu Island The Japanese soldiers were hiding in Shuri City and did not dare to come out at all, so the Chinese businessmen returned to the Chinese Village to settle down. Although the houses in the Chinese Village were still there, the valuable things were robbed by the Japanese soldiers, and they could not rob them. Those who left were smashed to pieces. It was originally a bustling and lively business district, but it turned into a mess. While the businessmen were cleaning up the wreckage, they cursed the Japanese, and soon accepted the name "Japanese devils".
After returning to Ryukyu, Cheng Gang first ordered the prisoners to be imprisoned. Then he began to discuss the next battle plan with everyone. Judging from the current situation, the situation in Ryukyu is basically under the control of the merchant army. The Japanese thought they were hiding behind Shuri City is very safe. In fact, as long as the merchant army takes action and breaks through Shuri City, it will not take any effort at all.
On the sea, although the Japanese army escaped with a group of warships, the maritime power was no match for the Merchant Army, so the Merchant Army could completely control the coast of Japan.
However, all the Japanese troops on Kuriyu Island were used as hostages, so Chenggang decided to use the tactic of trapping the Japanese in Shuri City without attacking them. For the time being, he would leave them in Shuri City and lead the fleet himself. To attack Japan's homeland and force the Tokugawa shogunate to surrender.
On Ryukyu Island, a regiment was left to garrison. At the same time, a thousand naval landing troops and Spanish mercenary land troops were left behind. The Japanese army held a confrontation on Ryukyu Island and behind Shuri Castle to contain the Japanese army's strength. First, the Third Fleet and the Spanish mercenary fleet will form a combined fleet to attack Japan, while another regiment of the First Brigade will set off with the fleet to prepare for a possible landing operation.
After the defeated troops of the Choshu Domain returned to Japan, it also caused a panic in Japan, because the navy of the Choshu Domain was recognized as the number one in Japan. If even the Choshu Domain was defeated and returned, then what would happen? Who can compete with the merchant army?
Mao Toshihide also brought Yoshikawa Hiromasa to see Tokugawa Iemitsu, and reported the story of this naval battle to Tokugawa Iemitsu, and bluntly said that the naval strength of the Merchant Army was terrifying. In today's Japan, with It was impossible for them to be opponents. Being an enemy of the Merchant Army was completely self-destructive. Therefore, I suggested that Tokugawa Iemitsu immediately make peace with the Merchant Army, otherwise Satsuma and Hikone, who were trapped in Ryukyu, would not be able to rescue them.
After Tokugawa Iemitsu heard about the defeat of the Choshu Domain, he was a little surprised, but victory and defeat are common matters for military strategists after all. Since the merchant army can defeat the Satsuma Domain, it must be quite powerful, and it is not surprising to defeat the Choshu Domain again. Moreover, The Merchant Army itself could not suffer losses, so Tokugawa Iemitsu immediately ordered Date Munetada of the Sendai Domain to immediately dispatch the domain's navy to join the battle.
The first feudal lord of Sendai Domain was the famous one-eyed general Date Munemasa in Japan. The current feudal lord is Date Munemasa’s son Date Munechu. Although in the Battle of Sekigahara, Sendai Domain sided with the Tokugawa Army. , but Date Munamasa has always been making his own little plans. When the war between the two sides was in full swing, he encouraged the former lord of Waga County and He Tadachika in the Nanbu clan's territory to rebel against the Nanbu clan, so he was not subject to the Tokugawa shogunate's control. He trusted the Sendai Domain and had always been wary of the Sendai Domain and regarded it as a potential enemy. However, the Sendai Domain was another daimyo in Japan who was better at using naval forces. Therefore, after the failure of the Choshu Domain, Tokugawa Iemitsu also immediately transferred the Sendai Domain to Navy troops participated in the war.
But after hearing what Yoshikawa Hiromasa said about the battle, Tokugawa Iemitsu was also very shocked. He did not expect that the Choshu clan's naval army was defeated even more miserably than the legend. It can be said to be a complete defeat, and as such According to the situation on the battlefield mentioned by Yoshikawa Hiromasa, even if Sendai Domain's naval forces enter the battle, the outcome will still not change. Moreover, Japan will have no chance of winning against the Merchant Army.
Although Tokugawa Iemitsu doubted whether the Choshu clan intended to preserve its strength and did not fight with all its heart, and deliberately exaggerated the combat effectiveness of the merchant army to make excuses for its failure. However, the Choshu clan had more than 150 warships when it went to war. The fact that there were only more than 60 ships left when they came back was also in front of us. This was not the way to preserve strength. In addition, three years ago, the merchant army had a record of defeating the Satsuma Domain, which also made Tokugawa Iemitsu couldn't help but not believe it.
So Tokugawa Iemitsu immediately summoned the shogunate ministers to discuss countermeasures. Everyone had their own opinions, and there were different opinions. But overall, the voice of shouting and fighting has been greatly reduced, so the performance of the merchant army has been put there. After losing to Satsuma and Choshu in a row, the Satsuma clan was severely beaten, and the Choshu clan was beaten to the point of raising its hands and begging for mercy. Anyone with any sense knows that they are facing a terrible opponent. Although there are one or two Several ministers still insisted on fighting the merchant army to the end, but their opinions were simply ignored by Tokugawa Iemitsu.
Since we don’t want to fight, we should choose peace talks. So what kind of negotiation method will be used? What demands will Shang Yi make, and what conditions can the Tokugawa shogunate agree to? Will it open treaty ports to China and join Shang Yi’s Feng? What should we do with the remaining ministers? What should we do if Shang Yi asks the Tokugawa shogunate to return power to the Toyotomi family? Who should be sent to negotiate with Shang Yi now? Wait.
As a result, before the Tokugawa shogunate could negotiate a result, Tokugawa Iemitsu received new news. The Merchant Army's fleet had already passed Yokosuka, sailed into Edo Bay, and approached Edo Castle from the sea. .