Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 2463 "Occupied Area" ([-])

On November 1702, 11, the port of Palermo, which had roughly settled down, fell into peace again. There were few ships on the pier, and the merchants and laborers were listless.

No way, after the previous wars, it is hard to avoid the decline of business.The last thing businessmen like is a place of turmoil, because it creates a lot of uncertainty for their business.Moreover, it will already be mid-November, and the grain harvest period has long passed, so it is not normal for merchant ships to gather in large numbers.

"A typical scene in an agricultural society, seasonal business." A few sea miles outside the port of Palermo, a steel monster is sailing at a leisurely pace.On the bridge, a middle-aged man with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the East Coast Navy said with a smile.

His name is Liu Zhen, he graduated from a nautical school and later joined the navy.He has successively served as the second-class staff officer and first-class staff officer of the Ministry of the Navy, the captain of the "Star" class light cruiser, the Djibouti garrison commander and director of the management committee, the teacher of the Fenggu Island Military Academy of the Navy, and the captain of the "Executive Committee" class battleship. The captain of the iron-clad battleship Bianliang has been in office for less than a year.

It has to be said that Liu Zhen's ability to be the captain of the "Bianliang" class ironclad warship - even the oldest model "Bianliang" - is itself a shocking event.When he was appointed as the Djibouti garrison commander, many people predicted that his future career would be spent switching between several naval bases, and he might even return to China to manage a coastal defense battery in a certain area of ​​the country, and gradually edged out in the naval system. change.

But who would have thought that after a series of behind-the-scenes operations, he still got a chance.First transitioned in the nautical school, and then served as the captain of the old but still lofty battleship "East Coaster".Now, he has become the captain of the "Bianliang" again, and he has the opportunity to show off in Europe, which really makes many people envy and hate.

The "Bianliang" has been training in the Cape Verde Islands for a long time.After the construction of the people on the east coast, there are already a number of military industrial enterprises (mainly in the field of ships) in that archipelago, which can repair almost all ships including the "Bianliang" class ironclad warships.Moreover, the island also stores an astonishing amount of artillery shells (including several new types of special shells), gunpowder, food, medicine and other military supplies. It is the largest supply base for people on the east coast to carry out armed intervention in Europe.

Of course, the two counties of Dangui and Ceuta are also building a large-scale material reserve, but in terms of scale, it is still not as good as that in Cape Verde.After all, it is safer there, and the population and technical level are not comparable to these two new places.

"In an agricultural society, all kinds of trade goods produced have strong seasonal characteristics. Not to mention that European merchant ships are mostly powered by sails. These ships also have to consider ocean currents and wind directions. Of course, the Mediterranean is famous for its changeable wind directions. Haha, this doesn’t count.” Standing behind Liu Zhen was the first mate of the “Bianliang”, holding a pair of high-power binoculars produced by the East Coast Precision Instrument Company, carefully observing the situation on the sea.

In fact, he was a little overwhelmed.With the majestic posture displayed by the "Bianliang" ironclad battleship, let alone someone who dared to attack them, even approaching them would be trembling.Huge tonnage, super armor, and ferocious gun barrels all declare their strength to passing ships.

In fact, when their ship just sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar, it had already caused a huge sensation.Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the steel armor equipped on this ship is hard to shake by the current navy's mainstream solid bullets.Moreover, incendiary bombs are likely to be difficult to work. Let’s not talk about the very professional damage control team of the people on the east coast. It is said that a large area of ​​the ship is covered with armor, which reduces most of the hidden dangers of incendiary bombs. It is enough to make incendiary bombs sigh up.

The Spaniards in the Bay of Gibraltar who were the first to discover the heroic appearance of the "Bianliang" were of course the East Coast Navy's deliberate action.The officer of the local coastal defense fort saw the armored monster coming towards them through the binoculars. At one time, he thought it was an enemy attack, and almost ordered to fire to stop it under tension.

It's a good thing he didn't do such a stupid thing in the end.The armored warships of the people on the east coast have all undergone shore artillery bombardment tests in their own ports.With the power of those outdated bronze cannons in the Bay of Gibraltar, I am afraid that they will not be able to cause any harm to this powerful ironclad ship.On the contrary, they might be blinded by the naval guns on the "Bianliang" a few shore guns.Fortunately, the people on the east coast have no ill intentions towards them for the time being. After approaching for reconnaissance, the waves sank a Spanish fishing boat that was too close. Port Lemo.

The local Italian occupying forces had known that warships from the East Coast Navy would be visiting.Therefore, preparations have been made long ago. From the top commander of the local garrison to the local celebrities, all are present, and there is no shortage of one.

There are more than [-] officers and soldiers of the "Po River Division" of the Northern Italian Allied Forces maintaining order on the pier.They carried long guns, raised their heads and held their chests high, looking proud.Under the influence of public opinion for many years, they firmly believe in the strength of the East Coast Navy. More importantly, the East Coast Navy is on their side. Otherwise, why visit Palermo Port?

You know, Sicily is legally speaking, but the territory of the Kingdom of Spain.Strictly speaking, it is an act of aggression that violates the international order and is unjust that the Northern Italian Federation sent troops to capture this island, although they are playing the banner of "liberating the Italian people".

But then again.Who defines justice and injustice?The Spaniards think they are unjust, but the northern Italians think they are quite just. At this time, isn’t it the guns in their hands and the domestic industrial and agricultural production capacity that decide whether the two sides are right or wrong?Northern Italy's economy is still good, agriculture is developed, there are also a number of new factories that use the technology of the east coast, and there is no shortage of armed forces. However, the Spaniards have financial difficulties and are deeply involved in large-scale wars. They can't squeeze out enough military power. It is already obvious who is more "just" to recover the lost land on the Apennine Peninsula.

The arrival of the ironclad warship "Bianliang" added a heavy weight to the "justice" of the northern Italians.Although this warship is made of wood, most of its surface is covered with thick iron armor. Even those who have no research on the navy, this alone is enough to conclude that there is currently no warship in Europe that is capable of fighting against it, "Bian The Beam is invincible.

An hour later, the "Bianliang", which was advancing at full speed, finally began to slow down, and with the help of the tug boat, it slowly drove into the port of Palermo.At this time, the military band of the "Po River Division" played the national anthem of the East Bank, and a group of officials and celebrities greeted them flatteringly, welcoming the arrival of the East Coast Navy.

Lieutenant Colonel Liu Zhen adjusted his clothes with the help of the orderly, then got off the ship with a smile on his face, wearing white gloves and a command knife.He didn't pay much attention to those local officials and low-ranking officers, and directly shook hands with the deputy commander of the Po River Division (who was still in Messina) with the highest rank, and then got into the carriage and headed straight for the city.

Sitting in the carriage was Lieutenant Colonel Bai Chuanping, head of the Army's Sixth Mixed Regiment.At this time, he was looking at Lieutenant Colonel Liu Zhen with complicated eyes, and said after a while: "Louis XIV's army has won several battles in the Rhine River Basin, and the momentum is very good. Next, they may go deep The hinterland of Germany is marching towards Vienna."

"And their navy just happened to be defeated in the Bay of Biscay. At present, a large number of warships are resting in the port for maintenance, and the dead and wounded personnel need to be recruited again. It will take time to restore combat effectiveness. For a period of time, the Atlantic Ocean will be dominated by the Dutch and the British. " Lieutenant Colonel Liu Zhen said.

"So, in order to ease the situation, the anti-French alliance is likely to attack Spain and open up a second front." Bai Chuanping said as if singing with Liu Zhen.

"Commander Bai, this time you and I still need to cooperate sincerely to add fire to the future national fortune of Dadong'an." Liu Zhen suddenly came over and said in a low voice.

The corners of Bai Chuanping's mouth turned up slightly, as if he felt a little amused by the word "sincere cooperation" between the navy and the army.But he finally said: "It's all for the country, easy to say, easy to say. However, the journey of the 'Bianliang' may scare the Spaniards enough. They may not have the guts to do anything. .”

The implication is that tens of thousands of Spanish troops are currently trapped in the Rhine River, and the local troops are limited, and most of them are second-line garrison troops, and their combat effectiveness is also very worrying.Their navy has been hit hard, and it may be difficult to come out and make waves.Under such circumstances, it seems a bit difficult to get the Spaniards to muster up the courage to march.

However, this is not impossible.Mid-level and high-ranking military officers like Bai Chuanping and Liu Zhen are not spiritual monsters who have achieved success in cultivation. There are some things that don't need to be said at all, as long as they are understood in their hearts.If you want to create trouble and give the Spaniards more stimulation, there are many ways!For example, after taking Naples, the largest stronghold, and publicly executing local Spanish officials in the name of a trial, and saying some ugly words, Philip V, a guy whose throne has not been warmed up, may not be able to withstand the pressure!

Furthermore, if the "Bianliang" came over, wouldn't it be possible to create some troubles?The sinking of a small Spanish fishing boat in the Gulf of Gibraltar was already a stress test for them.It turned out that they swallowed their anger, so this stress test can go further to see how much humiliation the Spaniards can bear.

"We will consider it." Lieutenant Colonel Liu Zhen nodded and said, "There is not much time. After finishing the affairs here, we have to go to Danzig Port. The situation there is also very complicated."

"With the Swedish shield, Lesinski dare not do anything." Bai Chuanping chuckled, as if Lieutenant Colonel Yang Chengdong's Fourth Mixed Regiment had no battle to fight.

The report of the Shendiao No. [-] Mixed Regiment coming to Europe had already been sent to the mainland by the navy's fast liaison ship.With the energy of those guys, it probably won't be a big problem to dispatch in the end.What Sheng Dehong meant was probably to wait a few more months, and wait until this new force arrived before launching a war.At that time, the French and the Austrians should have been fighting fiercely in Bavaria. No one can control the actions of the people on the east coast (of course they can't now), which is a great opportunity to seize the vast land of Spain.

But it doesn't really matter.The Spaniards have been in deep war for a year, and France, the Netherlands, Austria, and England have also consumed a lot of vitality—the first two years of the war are basically the most consuming stage—the time for the East Coasters to attack Spain is ripe.Although some people hope to postpone the specific date of the start of the war a little bit, so as to do more business, this is actually understandable.But before a large-scale war breaks out, it doesn't hurt to engage in some small conflicts...Otherwise, readers—no, officers and soldiers of the navy and army—I’m afraid they will have to wait a long time!

(End of this chapter)