Eunuchs who traveled through the Qing Dynasty

Mei gently rested her head on his chest and stopped talking.Of course she knew Xiao Ran's temper, once a decision was made, persuasion was useless.

Secretly recruiting Japanese is of course not an easy task, there are many aspects that need to be planned.

First of all, in terms of numbers, the team cannot be too large, otherwise it will be easily noticed by the big powers.Once Britain, France and other countries unite and intervene tyrannically, things will be very difficult.Therefore, Xiao Ran is still planning to use his brothers from Daxing Mountain this time, and he also needs to consider keeping a certain amount of backup as a reserve team for the expedition and landing operations.

This team should not be too many, preferably within 500 people.In the era of old firearms and cold weapons, usually this number of teams is convenient for raiding and fighting, and it is also convenient for concealment and escape, which can greatly improve the survival rate on the battlefield.At the beginning, Xiao Ran considered selecting from Nayan Ziqing's Right Front Battalion, but after careful consideration, he decided to select brave and skilled fighters from Oroqen's Ba Mukun.Because this expedition to the mainland of Japan is likely to face complex geographical environment and wilderness survival problems, Brother Oroqen is a nomadic people who roam the mountains and forests, and their wilderness survival and combat capabilities are much stronger than ordinary people.

At this time, Jihab also led more than 300 fighters from the other two Mukuns to Beijing City, and they were still incorporated into the Zuoying of the Firearms Battalion.The selection of the Oroqen troops this time was handled by Sheng Zuo and Ji Habu.

On the other hand, it is the choice of ocean-going fleets, sailing routes, and landing locations.This is a headache.Xiao Ran has many brothers under his command, but the top landlubbers only know land skills and don't know water skills, so they can only recruit the Great Clear Water Master.But since the defeat of the Opium War.The navy of the Qing army was terrified by the warships of the foreign devils, and most of them were huddled in the inland rivers of the south of the Yangtze River, at most they were bullying the Taiping army.There are also a small number of warships in the coastal seaports, but they are all lying in the harbor, not even daring to go out. It is estimated that even the coastal routes have been forgotten.Not to mention secretly sailing to Japan without being discovered by foreign devil warships.We must know that there is no need for land at sea. Once something goes wrong on the route, everyone will embark on a road of no return.Not to mention the landing place, it would be good to find a place to stay in the vast sea!

Of course, at this time, if there is an experienced guide, the problem may be solved.But where to find such a person?

Things were deadlocked, and no solution could be figured out for days.Xiao Ran was very bored.On this day, Sheng Zuo came to discuss with him about the selection of Oroqen fighters, when Xiao Ran casually mentioned this matter, Sheng Zuo couldn't help laughing and said: "Coincidental, what a coincidence! It's not far away, but close in front of you, just right in front of you. We have people like this on our team!"

Immediately nominate a person, it turned out to be none other than Xu Shichang, the team leader who stayed behind in Daxing Mountain and led the team to attack the traitor Liu Tao and the Russian devils.This person was originally a pirate, and under the leadership of the great pirate leader Chen Daya, he traveled across the seas of Korea and Japan.Later, Chen Daya recruited for the Qing court.Incorporated into the navy of the Qing Dynasty, it was under the command of Tan Tingxiang, the governor of Zhili, and stationed at the Dagu Fort.

In the seventh year of Xianfeng, that is, in May 1858, the British and French warships bombarded the Dagu Fort, and the governor Tan Tingxiang fled in the wind.As a result, the Dagu Fort fell.Chen Daya led his troops to rise up against the enemy, but unfortunately he was shot and died, and the soldiers under his command were scattered. Xu Shichang fled to the capital with the refugees.

Xu Shichang was used to the weakness and incompetence of the navy of the Qing court, so he was disheartened and wandered in Beijing.In order to make a living, he was forced to think that the soldiers of the Eight Banners were hired to make a living, and then he came to work under the command of Sheng Zuo in the Tiger Gun Camp.Sheng Zuo loves talent.He intended to make friends with him, opened up relationships to help him get a background in a coat, and promoted him to be a lieutenant of the commissioned guard army.Later, Sheng Zuo led his team to seek refuge in Daxing Mountain, and recommended him to be the captain of the second team of the third squadron.Now lead the team to stay in Daxing Mountain to guard the treasure.

After hearing this, Xiao Ran wished he could hug Sheng Zuozhao and give him a big kiss on his unshaven face.Immediately send someone to fly to Daxing Mountain to find Xu Shichang.Xu Shichang was very excited when he heard that he was going to go on an expedition to the native land of the Japanese slaves. Now that the hero finally had a role to play, he took out a dilapidated canvas chart with four large characters written on it: Secret Strategy of the Japanese Sea!

The map is drawn in great detail, starting from the Yellow Sea in the west, extending to Wonu in the east, starting from the head of the wild boar and hippopotamus in the north, and reaching Ryukyu in the south, covering the entire sea surface of Korea and Japan.Some important islands have also made standards separately.You must know that in that era, a detailed sea chart was no different from a military treasure. Even the Qing Dynasty did not have such a complete sea chart, and it was unexpected that it was in the hands of pirates!Xiao Ran knew right away: this time he met a real person!

With detailed sea charts and this professional pirate as a guide, the most critical problem can be easily solved.Because Xiao Ran wanted to land in secret, according to Xu Shichang's suggestion, the fleet avoided the Dagu route, sailed secretly from Lushun Port, crossed the Korean Strait, passed Oki Island, and turned to Wakasa Bay for landing.This place is the closest to Kyoto. If the landing is successful, according to the raid speed of the special forces, it will take at most one day and night to kill Kyoto and hit the emperor's lair!

Xiao Ran found Yimi and mobilized sixteen gunboats, including seven "house boats", five "driver boats", four "bird boats", and two small two-masted merchant ships for supply transportation.In addition, under the rule of the Eight Banners Navy in Lushun Port, there are also more than ten heavy warships

At Xiao Ran's disposal.

These battleships add up to nearly thirty ships.In Xiao Ran's impression, forming a task force of [-] heavy gunboats is almost the same as fighting against the British and French foreign devils with real knives and guns. He just wanted to transport troops. How can such a huge ocean-going fleet be used for naval battles?At first he wanted to refuse, but Xu Shichang pulled his sleeve and said in a low voice: "These ships may not be able to, let's wait until Lushun Port to have a look."

Depend on!Xiao Ran said in his heart that you are not greedy, so many ships are not enough, do you want to fight a world war?But when you think about it, they are experts after all, and if you don't investigate, you don't have the right to speak. It doesn't hurt to have a look first.

When he got to Lushun's mouth and took a look, Xiao Ran was speechless at that moment.It turns out that the longest Yi gunboat is only more than 30 meters, with two masts and horizontal sails, and the height of the main mast is less than 20 meters.gunboat.The draft is only 200 tons, the capacity is 110 people, and there are ten cannons on board

These warships, if only judging from their appearance, are somewhat mighty, similar to the ancient warships seen in Xiao's later movies.It's a pity that the N size has been completely reduced!

ah!ah!Ah~~~!

Xiao Ran was extremely depressed, he yelled three times and still felt that he couldn't resolve it, he really wanted to find two navy admirals to chop him up ten times to relieve his anger.Damn it, is this the legendary Master Qingshui? !

Now he finally figured out one thing: why in history, during the Opium War, the Qing Dynasty's national navy had a total of 900 offshore warships, but it still couldn't stop dozens of foreign warships.Of the four British warships that were sunk off the coast of Dagu last time, only the three-masted galleon Branham was the battleship.The displacement reached 1746 tons, carrying 436 people, equipped with three armed decks, and 74 shipboard artillery!The remaining two cruisers are small three-masted fast battleships with a displacement of about 28 ton, and the least number of onboard artillery is [-]!In terms of volume, their smallest warships are three or four times larger than our so-called "heavy gunboats". How the hell are we going to fight this battle? !

In Xiao Ran's impression, in fact, China's naval power was once prosperous in the Ming Dynasty.Zheng He, the famous eunuch of the Three Treasures, went to the West.It is simply the beginning of China's great navigation era!What's more, in the Korean naval battle, the Ming Dynasty navy dispatched 500 warships to North Korea's Luliang and sank 450 Japanese warships in one fell swoop!What kind of strength is this?

He still vaguely remembers the sea in 1858~the huge ship including No. 4 Fuchuan.Only the pioneer Deng Zilong's standard battalion pro-army took three large blessing boats!This kind of real heavy-duty gunboat has "three masts, four main masts, 20 feet in length, five floors of cabins, a deck as high as a city, and a capacity of 300", and is equipped with 8 red cannons. It's worth fighting for!

And the treasure ship that Zheng He took on his voyages to the West is a myth in the history of Chinese navigation.It is said that the largest of this kind of treasure ship is 44 feet and four feet long.The width is 37 Zhang; the middle one is [-] Zhang long and [-] Zhang wide.According to calculations by later generations of scholars, its full-load displacement has reached tens of thousands of tons!

It's a pity that this is just speculation, and the real data is no longer available, because in the middle of the Ming Dynasty, some so-called "loyal" Confucian believers in SB had already related navigation.But in any case, this at least proves that the ancient Chinese shipbuilding and navigation industries are developed, no matter what happens, the navy of a huge country will not be turned into a grasshopper ship like it is now, right?

According to the records of "Wu Bei Zhi" of the Ming Dynasty, as a naval warship of the Ming Dynasty, the lucky boats are divided into six models from large to small: the largest is the No. 6 Fuchuan, with a draft of 6 feet (3 meters); At least one foot (3 meters).In addition, there are No. [-] sentry ship, No. [-] winter ship (also known as Haicang ship), No. [-] famous bird ship, No. [-] fast ship and so on.However, in the Qing Dynasty, compared with the Ming Dynasty, the naval power undoubtedly regressed greatly.In the era when Zheng Chenggong recovered Taiwan, there were still traces of large three-masted blessing ships, but during the two Opium Wars, the entire navy of the Qing court was left with these pitiful grasshopper ships.If you use such so-called "heavy gunboats" and open sea warships to fight against the navies of Western powers, it is tantamount to hitting a stone with a pebble. No matter how many you have, you will become moths to the flame and kill yourself!

And now, Xiao Ran is going to command such a fleet of garbage that can no longer be garbage, and which according to Yi vowed to be "the best naval force in the Great Qingshui Division", to sail across the ocean and expedition to the mainland of Japan!Xiao Ran could only look up at the sky, crying silently.Xu Shichang gloated at the side and said, "Well, I think it may not be possible, right? Even these ships may not be able to withstand the wind and waves at sea. If you want to sail in the ocean, at least half of them must be eliminated in my opinion!"

"Half of it needs to be eliminated?!" Xiao Ran wanted to die for a while, and dragging Xu Shichang just wanted to cry.

Xu Shichang's words are by no means alarmist.Because he was afraid of hurting Xiao Ran, he already chose the most euphemistic words.The bird boat among these warships is originally an inland river warship, whether it is shipbuilding technology, ship

, or wood mortise and tenon, are not enough to withstand the strong winds and waves on the sea.Even Xu Shichang himself couldn't figure out how to use bird boats as warships in open seas.why?fool yourself?Excessive pretenses?

In any case, the so-called twelve warships in the Yiqi Navy.Three of the bird ships are also unavailable.In this way, there are only 21 warships left in total.

He has always sneered at Master Qingshui. In terms of equipment, he is even inferior to pirates.But this time when we go to sea, we really have to point to these grasshopper boats.The lives of all the brothers are in his hands, and he must not take it lightly.Xu Shichang boarded the ship one by one, the bow and stern cabins were put on the bilge, every inch of the ship board was carefully checked and beat, including the mast, he climbed up himself, and even the sails were inspected inch by inch.Going to sea is like nothing else, sometimes a single moth can ruin the whole ship, so don't be careless.

Xu Shichang was born as a pirate.His father and grandfather, for several lifetimes, were also well-established pirates.So Xu Shichang has been playing on the deck since he was a child, and has been playing for more than 20 years. It goes without saying how rich his experience is.

After such an inspection, ten warships were eliminated from the 21 warships, and only eleven ships were able to sail to the sea, plus the two small merchant ships.A team of 100 people, plus supplies of guns and ammunition.There are also four hydrogen balloons carried by Rolto, as well as the chemical raw materials and equipment for producing hydrogen, which appear to be very tight.Xiao Ran suggested that one or two hundred people should be reduced, but Xu Shichang put forward his own opinion: dismantle the cannon.

Xu Shichang chose this route, confident that he could avoid the fleet of foreign devils, and his only worry was encountering pirates.But in fact, with the current warships, no matter how many cannons are loaded.It is also free to meet pirates.Because the pirates at that time were generally large three-masted gunboats and fast boats, most of which had a displacement of more than [-] tons, and the artillery equipment was the latest. In front of them, their own warships were really vulnerable.It is simply impossible to kill the opponent head-on with firepower.

So at this time, the installation of cannons on warships basically becomes tasteless, just a decoration, adding unnecessary load capacity.Might as well remove it all.

After listening to his explanation, Xiao Ran knew that he was telling the truth, but when he thought about the embarrassment of his own fleet, he dismantled a cannon.It's like running naked into the sea, and I always feel a little awkward.After arguing with Sheng Zuo, Duan Xingnian and others for a long time, I finally asked Xu Shichang: "If the cannons are all dismantled, what should we do if we encounter pirates?"

Xu Shichang said bluntly: "Pray!"

"..."

Since he didn't know how to do it, Xiao Ran was more receptive to advice, so he dismantled all the cannons on the ship.

At this time, the Daxingshan troops and the [-] selected Oroqen soldiers also rushed to Lushunkou.The Oroqen brothers are still led by Ji Habu, and the Daxingshan army is still the same team. Cheng Tong, who served as the instructor under Jingshou's tent in the right camp of Huoqi Camp, has also returned to the team.At the same time, two wives, Lin Qing'er and Nayan Ziqing, also packed their luggage and went out with the team.

Only Ma Chao and Shouhou led a team, Xiao Ran separated them alone, and gave them a secret mission: to send white powder to Russian Tsar Nikolaevich and Prussian Prime Minister Bismarck.

Russia, including the tsar and queen, as well as a group of princes and ministers, plus a Bismarck, were all turned into gentlemen by Xiao Ran.Pure diethyl ether, if you master the dosage and put it in your diet, you can also become addicted without anyone noticing it.Xiao Ran didn't intend to control Yizhi, and it was basically impossible.But having white powder as a bargaining chip can at least deter them psychologically.

At the same time as sending the white powder, Xiao Ran also sent two letters to the Czar and Bismarck, to the effect that they were told that the first batch of weapons had been prepared and could be delivered to the two countries on the same day.With the intervention of this batch of new weapons, the political situation in Europe is estimated to be lively soon. The British and French empires that have been arrogant for centuries are probably about to have a headache, right?

On May 26, weapons, ammunition, food, grass and supplies all arrived, and all ships were ready.At si o'clock in the morning, Xu Shichang commanded the sailors to conduct offshore trials, and at the same time dispatched small patrol ships to conduct offshore reconnaissance, and found no abnormalities.

On May 27, all preparations were in place.At noon, news came from the capital that British warships were gathering in the Huai River, including one battleship, six three-masted cruisers, plus light cruisers, two-masted schooners, troop carriers, and supply ships. After replenishing supplies, Dinghai left the port in three days and headed towards Japan.

On the morning of May 28, the troops boarded the battleship.At three o'clock in the morning, a cannon rang, and the Qing fleet sailed out of the port in the morning breeze, facing the direction of the rising sun, and began the first ocean-going expedition in the history of the founding of the country.

♂ Volume 8 in the harem ♀

→Chapter 142 - Distress at sea←

After arriving at Lushunkou, the journey was uneventful.Due to the weather in May, the oceanic climate is not yet obvious, so the fleet sailed very smoothly.Xu Shichang really deserved to be an outstanding pirate. He chose the route to leave the port from Lushun, turn to Changshan Island, and then turn around suddenly, heading directly towards the Korean Strait.There are basically no merchant ships passing by on this route, so there are few pirates, so it is very safe.

When you bypass the Jeju Strait, you will find Tsushima Island in front of you.To the east of Tsushima Island is the famous Tsushima Strait, where it is connected to Shimonoseki, Japan. At this time, British warships are bombing indiscriminately and rampantly.Xu Shichang chose to cross the strait on the west side of Tsushima Island and directly enter the Japanese sea.

This section of the route should also be the most dangerous section.On the one hand, we must beware of being discovered by warships from Britain, France and other countries. On the other hand, there are many islands here, and most of them are occupied by pirates.The strongest fleet of streaking grasshoppers in the history of the Qing Dynasty, no matter which opponent it encounters, it can only be buried in the belly of a fish.

It was luck to say that as soon as the war between Britain and Japan started, the attention of the fleets of all countries turned to Shimonoseki, Japan.And the side near North Korea was originally a sea area where pirates were rampant. I don't know if it was because of the deterrent relationship of the war there, but it suddenly stopped.

Xu Shichang also chose the right timing. In June, the weather turned warmer, and the warm southwest monsoon just blew on the sea. The grasshopper fleet sailed with the wind and bypassed Tsushima Island effortlessly.Seeing that they had reached the Japanese Ocean, everyone was finally relieved.

these days.Xu Shichang stood at the bow of the boat all the time, and never slept for more than an hour. At most, he just took a nap and woke up immediately.Even the iron man couldn't stand it like this, and as soon as he left Tsushima Island, he couldn't stand it immediately.Xiao Ran saw that the most dangerous moment had passed.and forced him to sleep.Xu Shichang was especially worried and insisted on trying to be brave, Xiao Ran got angry and asked Duan Xingnian and Monk Hua to tie his hands and feet and throw him on the bed.To say that this buddy was really sleepy, as soon as he touched the pillow, he immediately started snoring.

At this time, the brothers under him also came alive. The few days when these landlubbers first got on the boat, they fainted a lot from seasickness.All of them were dizzy from throwing up, staring at their eyes, feeling extremely uncomfortable.It seems that after going through this period of tossing, it has slowed down.

Speaking of seasickness, Xiao Ran is naturally experienced in many battles and is immune to vehicles, boats and planes; Lin Qing'er was born in a water town in the south of the Yangtze River, and she often takes boats, so she can barely survive; After suffering this crime, I vomited until my eyes were straight.The whole person is almost stupid.

After getting used to it gradually, the landlubbers became excited again.For people who have lived on land for many years, it is impossible to express in words the shock of their hearts when they walk through the blue and boundless sea for the first time.Even a piece of seaweed floating on the surface of the sea can make these guys' eyes shine like country bumpkins.Not to mention the sea breeze blowing, the waves lapping the side of the boat.The seagulls passed the bow briskly and flew into the blue sky, everything was so beautiful and magical.