With the full coordination of Qian Shuiting, all preparations were finally made in early July - their time was running out. According to historical records, Manila Galen will arrive in Manila at the end of July 20. They must arrive around July 15
Rush to the waiting location to search for the whereabouts of Galen's ship.
The ship's preparation work was quickly completed. All the equipment on the Feiyun that had nothing to do with navigation, as long as it could be disassembled, were also dismantled, and the unused cabins and equipment were sealed to make more space for accommodation.
Supplies.
In addition to the many guns and supporting equipment belonging to Qian's brother Zhou Weisen, the Feiyun was also dismantled this time - the Planning Institute designated a warehouse and stored everything in it. Qian Shuiting also wanted to
Find a place to properly place these things. After all, they are always placed on the ship and are more likely to be corroded by salt spray.
But at the moment, the General Office does not allow the senator to build a single-family wooden house individually. It would be crowded and unsafe to put these items in the apartment - the large number of pyrotechnics alone is enough to be troublesome.
"Why do we need to open an opening in the office..." Qian Shuiting wondered, how about setting up a mountain club in the name of Feiyun Club?
The Feiyun's diesel engine and various electronic equipment have been debugged and maintained, and are judged to be suitable for maritime service. The Planning Institute has also specially approved gasoline specially supplied to the Feiyun - all made from coal tar.
"Ji's gasoline" was obtained by fractionation. Although Qian Shuiting was very worried about this oil, he had no choice now.
As for the veteran who went with the ship, Qian Shuiting insisted that he go with the ship: the reason is that he is the initiator of the project. He is also very familiar with the Feiyun and can serve as the captain of the Feiyun. In addition, he also
Asking Zhou Weisen to go with him: Although asking him to go there is a bit of a reward for the house party. Fortunately, the reason is very good: Zhou Weisen is the guest shooting coach of the special reconnaissance team. He is proficient in tactics and can lead the special reconnaissance team to carry out cleaning operations and fly
The driving of the Cloud is also a specialized project, and besides, he is Miss Mendoza’s husband, so Mendoza’s Spanish is also a must in this operation.
In addition to Zhou and his wife, there are Lu Yang and Lin Chuanqing - the latter temporarily also serves as the captain of the tide. Finally, Sun Xiao, the representative of the Planning Institute, serves as a supervisor to supervise, register and create a list of the spoils.
The chlorine gas cylinder was also quietly carried aboard the Tide Maker one night. The cylinder was not full of pressure - after all, it had to be bumpy on the sea for a long time, and the age of the cylinder was a bit worrying. The cylinder was wrapped in layers of soft materials and sealed
Secure it with a sturdy box. Paper bags filled with quicklime are placed around it. Dark cloth is placed around the mouth of the bottle to indicate leakage.
The box was individually fixed in a cabin at the bottom of the ship - it was already below the waterline, the temperature was relatively low, and the cabin itself was sealed.
"Don't rush down when opening the hatch. First check whether the cloth has faded. Then prepare the water hose at the hatch. If there is a leak, fill it with water." Xu Yingjie from the Ministry of Chemical Industry who sent the chlorine bottle warned, and then handed it over.
They had a box, "These are protective equipment."
In addition to the gas masks for the elders, the box contains anti-gas gauze masks made by the chemical industry department. Just soak them in lye before use. There are also a batch of disposable ones made from deerskin and glass sheets by the optical factory.
Goggles.
"Although I agree with this idea, I'm afraid it will be quite difficult to implement." Xu Yingjie said, "Be sure to pay attention to safety - especially the wind direction."
"Do not worry."
In the early morning of July 4th, the formation left Bopu Port. It was a clear and hot summer morning. The rising sun in the east reflected all the sails in red, like torches. It was a warm farewell that is common when the navy goes out on an expedition.
The scene was different. There was no ceremony for this operation. Four ships were jointly organized with a transport convoy heading to Sanya. It looked like an ordinary escorted regular transport voyage transporting coal and machinery. Only the elders would notice.
.All members of the executive committee quietly went to the dock where the Feiyun docked to see the formation off.
After the executive committee and their families bid farewell, the elders boarded the Feiyun and other ships one after another. Wen Desi and other members of the executive committee had been standing on the dock talking.
"Old Qian, just insist on going. Pay attention to safety and come back early. Don't forget to send telegrams to every ship every day."
"Don't worry, Lao Xiao, just wait for our money." Qian Shuiting boarded the Feiyun with a smile and waved to them from the back deck. Pan Pan was busy taking photos of this leader-like freeze-frame with a telephoto lens.
According to.
The Feiyun did not fly any flags representing the status of the elders, including Qian Shuiting's personal elder flag and the executive committee flag hoisted in accordance with his duties. Only the blue and white naval flag flew.
With a long whistle, each ship began to half-sail one by one, and left the port along with the gentle southeast wind. The Feiyun was the last to leave the port, and its beautiful white hull was particularly dyed by the morning glow that had gradually turned into gold.
Gorgeous, the white navy uniform worn by Qian Shuiting, who was still standing on the stern deck of the ship, seemed to be bathed in a halo.
Not long after leaving the port, the formation began to sail parallel to the barge convoy and escort ships. The four ships originally lined up at the end of the formation came out and soon parallel to the escort formation, hoisted the "Goodbye" signal flag, and the escort formation
Then hoist a "bon voyage" signal flag in response.
"It's a pity that this mission didn't take my turn. Otherwise, I would be a master of chemical warfare!" Looking at the formation, Xi Yazhou, who had recently arrived to report the situation and was on vacation, couldn't help but said to himself. However, he didn't have much regret.
Because this time he came to Lingao, he had already heard rumors: He would soon be transferred to serve as Army Chief of Staff.
Soon, the task force surpassed the escort formation at a speed of 5 knots and gradually moved away until it disappeared under the sea level in the west.
"Maximum power, full speed forward." The flagship sent a signal. Each ship increased the pressure of the boiler, black smoke emitted from the chimney, and white water splashed from the stern of the ship.
"This is the first all-steam-powered formation sailing since our crossing. It has set a sailing record. In the future, our ship can wear blue ribbons." Wen Desi said to Qian Shuiting while standing on the Feiyun.
Wen Desi did not go to participate in the operation. He went to Sanya to "inspect the work" and took a favorable boat - the Feiyun was much more comfortable than ordinary coal ships.
The route from the west of Hainan Island was smooth all the way. There was only one problem with the Tidemaker's boiler, but it was far from as serious as the "bomb boiler" reputation. The sea search radar of Feiyun
The test was also very successful. In fact, after being thrown away from the transport formation more than 20 nautical miles, they could still see their signal echo on the radar.
Because some time was wasted for repairing the boiler, I did not rely entirely on steam power when sailing against the wind, but practiced a zigzag formation sailing against the wind. The speed of the entire voyage was not as fast as expected, but it was still only a short distance from Bopu to Yulin Port in Sanya.
It took 28 hours, and the average speed during the whole journey reached 9 knots. We docked at Yulin Port at noon the next day, and the formation took a short rest. Senior engineers from Sanya immediately boarded the ship to inspect the power system. A large number of people were on the dock.
Hongji's anthracite coal that had been prepared filled the coal bunker.
Wang Luobin, the district chief of Sanya Region, treated the veterans of the formation to a dinner at the Veterans Club in Yalong Bay. He was the right person to welcome and see them off. Unfortunately, because he was about to leave for a long journey, he could not invite everyone to drink rum, let alone drink the height of the local specialty.
For arrack, you can only drink kvass.
After dinner, the senators all returned to the ship. Wang Luobin sent them to the dock. Many years later, he could still recall the scene: "At that time, the moonlight was flashing on the waves, and I heard the faint sound of 'young sailors' coming from the ship.
The singing voice of "Head on the Waves". The singing voice is beautiful, but a little stiff. It should be Miss Mendoza."
Zhou Weisen returned to the ship and went to the engine room to check the system. When he returned to his cabin, Mendoza locked him out. "Just waitamoment." So he had to wait. But not long after, the door opened.
When he opened it, Mendoza appeared in front of him wearing a pirate costume that he didn't know how to put together. He wore a pair of sunglasses instead of an eye mask, half of a colorful peacock tail feather on his tricorn hat, and a deep V-neck in the middle of his tight-fitting top.
His skin, which had been tanned somewhat brown by the Hainan sun, was exposed, and there was a revolver and a small machete stuck in his belt.
Zhou Weisen suddenly felt that his temples were buzzing and the blood vessels below were beating violently. He couldn't help but licked his dry lips and murmured: "Mygod, mydear."
Just when someone was fighting for 300 rounds, Wang Luobin and Wen Desi were drinking and chatting in the wind on the wooden platform of the stilt house of the Veterans Club in Qianhai, Yalong Bay. Talking about the past events, Wang Luobin couldn't help but smile and said: "Old Wen, grab the money
It’s still faster to make money than selling mirrors and porcelain!”
"Of course, we have come so far from the first day in Guangzhou to now!" Wen Desi put his hands on his hips and faced the sea. He felt the sea breeze blowing and felt relaxed and happy. He said with a smile, "This time we
Let’s have a good time reminiscing about the past.”
"Why don't you go and rob?" Wang Luobin asked, "I remember you are also very interested in these things. Don't you want to cosplay as a pirate?"
"Why should I go robbing?" Mr. Wen smiled and said in a low voice, "The son of a rich man cannot sit down in court. I am also the chairman of the executive committee after all. Aren't we going to the Philippine waters in the summer to fight against typhoons?"
After resting for a day, and after receiving a report from the engineering staff that "all the power systems were normal," the formation left the port southward again, and then sailed toward the east.
ps: Note: Manila Galen in 1632 actually arrived in Hong Kong in May. This is modified for the needs of the plot.