Great Ming: I, Zhu Di, Declare My Intentions to Seize the Throne from the Start!

Southwestern waters of Borneo.

A formation of sixteen ironclad ships, with tall chimneys emitting green smoke, cruised at a low speed on the sunny and calm sea.

The three-color vertical flag buzzed on the iron flagpole above the observation room on the island.

Soldiers in white navy uniforms were quietly on duty at various posts such as the deck, gun cabin, and power cabin.

Ship island command room, in front of the glass window.

Zhu Di held up the telescope and observed the sea surface through the completely sealed glass window that could not be opened or closed.

Next to Zhu Di, stood a middle-aged man in peasant uniforms. When he held a telescope to observe the sea surface, his eyes, mixed with emotion, quietly observed Zhu Di.

Yu Jing, the commander of the naval combat staff, held various chart measurement tools and was at a table behind Zhu Di. He measured the marks on the map and discussed in a low voice.

Yesterday evening, the small reconnaissance steamship we sent reported that the Chen Dynasty navy appeared at our current location...

Even if Chen Chao breaks away from the surveillance and tracking of our reconnaissance ships at night, according to the speed of Chen Chao's hybrid ship, the area where they are currently hiding can only be within the circle we have drawn. We will release all steam reconnaissance ships. If Within this circle, logically, Chen Chaojun should have been discovered long ago.

Although our small reconnaissance ship is equipped with steam power and is fast enough, its night tracking and surveillance capabilities are still too weak. Otherwise, it wouldn't be so strenuous!

What are you complaining about? You are all veterans. It's not like you don't understand the unpredictability of naval battles...

Yu Jing leaned over and stared at the chart. With one sentence, he ended the staff's complaints.

When Zhu Di heard the sound, he put down his telescope, turned around and said with a smile: Chen Chao Haijun, is it possible to go north to the Natuna Islands at night?

Natuna Islands!

He knew the islands all too well.

In the South China Sea, as long as we control the Natuna Islands, it is equivalent to controlling the Strait of Malacca in disguise.

The Natuna Islands are also the southernmost strategic point in the entire South China Sea.

Controlling the Natuna Islands means being able to achieve the strategic advantage of shutting down the sea area and turning it into a back garden.

but.

In the past few years, the Chen Dynasty has seized the Natuna Islands.

It was precisely because the Chen Dynasty seized Natuna.

Therefore, in the past few years, Yanhua changed its strategy of low-key development and engaged in tit-for-tat, sending troops to directly occupy Borneo, which both Champa and Srivijaya claimed as their own, and began to migrate people to Borneo on a large scale.

A staff officer interrupted Zhu Di's thoughts, Your Majesty, is this impossible? Although the Natuna Islands were occupied by the Chen Dynasty first and became its bridgehead into the South China Sea, the Chen Dynasty also arranged some shores on the Natuna Islands. There are defense facilities and a small number of troops are stationed, but this level of defense is simply not enough for Yanhua.

Chen Chaojun, why are you in this place where we, Yanhua, obviously have no advantage?

No! Yu Jing suddenly stood up, put down his pen, and loudly supported Zhu Di's speculation, We all believe that the Chen Dynasty navy will not go to the Natuna Islands. Perhaps the Chen Dynasty took advantage of our inertia of thinking that it is impossible. , hidden under our noses!

The middle-aged farmer standing next to Zhu Di looked at Zhu Di with admiration.

Continue to listen to Yu Jing and analyze according to Zhu Di's ideas.

Moreover, we should not ignore the geographical advantages of the Natuna Islands. The islands are spread all over, forming many bays that are convenient for docking and hiding warships. At the same time, the geographical barriers of these bays greatly restrict the active attackers. .”

Imagine that the Chen Dynasty navy is hiding in bays that are connected to each other by the nine winding ileum. Once we attack the Chen Dynasty squadron in a certain bay, the Chen Dynasty navy hidden in other directions will surround us from all directions.

…

Even if we are not aware that the Chen Dynasty Navy is hiding in Natuna and has not taken the initiative to attack Natuna, as long as we are active in the northwest of Borneo, we subconsciously believe that the Chen Dynasty Navy cannot be in Natuna and will definitely relax. Be vigilant, and the Chen Dynasty navy can launch a surprise attack. Once the situation is dangerous, they can disperse and retreat to the Natu Islands, relying on their geographical advantages to defend!

We only have sixteen warships. Once the Chen Dynasty navy disperses and evacuates, even if our speed is faster and the artillery is more powerful, we will not be able to severely damage the Chen Dynasty navy.

boom!

Yu Jing punched the table and commented with a smile, The commander of the Chen Dynasty navy is indeed somewhat capable. This is a typical wolf pack tactic at sea. They try to take advantage of geographical advantages and use wolf pack tactics to continuously weaken us. The naval force will annihilate us in one fell swoop!

But this person obviously doesn't understand the power of the steam ironclad!

Don't look at it. He only has sixteen ironclad ships.

There are only more than 400 artillery pieces.

But his sixteen armored ships were divided into three battle fleets!

Five ironclad ships, a battle formation!

Although there are fewer artillery, the artillery is more powerful.

In terms of artillery layout, many new technologies were used.

Not to mention anything else.

Let’s talk about the biggest highlight, the deck gun.

The wooden warship had problems with the strength of the keel, and the powerful artillery could not be placed at both ends of the bow and stern.

The main stress points at both ends are the two ends of the keel.

At this position, once a powerful artillery is deployed, an inclined force will be generated after the artillery is fired.

According to Dongxu's research.

This force can be decomposed into a horizontal force and a vertical force.

Vertical force acts vertically on both ends of the keel, causing great damage to the keel.

Therefore, powerful artillery cannot be deployed on the bow and stern of a wooden warship.

But today's ironclad ships have keels reinforced with steel bars and iron sheets that can support the bow and stern of the ship, and are equipped with large-caliber and powerful naval guns.

This means that in future naval battles, the Yanhua Navy will have offensive power whether it is advancing or retreating.

That's not all.

The naval guns installed on both sides of the deck also have miniaturized turntables that can rotate, similar to coastal defense guns.

That means.

Even while moving forward or backward.

In the current Yanhua Navy, even if the artillery placed on both sides of the ship in the gun cabin cannot exert its attack power, the deck guns can still be used in battle to the maximum extent.

Rough skin and thick flesh protection, larger artillery caliber, stronger power, and high artillery utilization in any direction.

Then match the speed.

The Yanhua Navy is fully capable and capable of operating deep into the narrow gulf of the Natuna Islands with complex terrain.

And maintain weapon superiority!

actually.

With the emergence of ironclads.

The proportion of guns in the gun bay has been reduced.

On the contrary, the proportion of deck guns increases.

The Graf-class ironclad has only one gun bay.

Sixteen large-caliber artillery pieces were arranged in the gun cabin.

There are fourteen doors on the deck!

According to the analysis of Dongxu and the group of shipbuilding researchers at the shipyard.

In the future, as the power of steam engines increases several times, gun bay shooting will be canceled when building fully ironclad ships.

They believe that opening a hole in a complete iron plate to set up a muzzle will affect the overall 'stress' of the iron plate.

This in turn affects the overall protection and sturdiness of the warship.

As for what stress is, he hasn't figured it out yet.

Therefore, Dongxu and the others proposed that in the future, all armored ships should have all their artillery deployed on the deck.

We have three battle fleets, and we have also mastered the advanced straddle-fire artillery technique. We also have the advantage of the thick skin of the Mongolian iron armor. I think that one of our battle fleets is enough to compete with the enemy hidden in a bay. Chen Dynasty Naval Squadron.”

Once the battle starts and the Chen Dynasty navy from other directions comes to attack, can't our remaining two battle fleets be able to stop it?

…

If the Chen Dynasty navy is really hiding in the Natuna Islands, this battle is the best alchemy furnace to test the power of our new ironclad warship. Is this new warship true gold and not afraid of fire? This is the best opportunity!

If we miss this opportunity, I am afraid that we will no longer have the power to test whether the development direction of our navy is correct and to train our navy in the future!

A group of staff members.

The battleship commanders all looked at each other.

This is tantamount to making it more difficult for yourself in disguise.

War has always been about seeking ease and ease.

But their control deliberately made the naval battle more difficult!

You know, if you are on the vast sea, you are not afraid even if you are alone.

With its speed and thick skin, it is impossible to defeat.

Can't beat it for a while.

You can get out of the battle quickly!

Of course, everyone also understands the reason why the controller deliberately increases the difficulty of the battle.

Once the Chen Dynasty navy is destroyed.

a long time.

The Yanhua Navy has no rivals in the four seas.

Is the development direction of new warships correct?

How to improve the new technologies applied to new warships?

Yanhua Navy conducts actual combat training to improve its quality, verify new tactics, etc.

All require high-difficulty, high-intensity, and high-intensity battles to achieve these goals.

But in the war, you could have waited for the opportunity and won the war in an easier way.

But it did the opposite and artificially made the battle more difficult.

This crazy behavior obviously violates the principles of war!

I'm afraid, only by controlling such a lunatic and being a soldier can he do such crazy things that go against the principles of war.

Where is the prince?

Everyone looked at Zhu Di...

Zhu Di glared and scolded with a smile: Look what I am doing. I am just here to watch the battle. How to fight is something you naval generals should consider. Otherwise, you are enjoying the wealth of the people, and you are not ashamed to panic?

During the conversation, Zhu Di walked out of the command room in order not to interfere with the collective decision-making of Yanhua Navy's top brass.

The middle-aged man dressed as a farmer, who had been standing next to Zhu Di without saying a word and paying silent attention, followed Zhu Di out of the command room.

The moment the iron door closed.

Dry!

Done!

This person listened to the enthusiastic support from a group of senior generals of the Yanhua Navy in the command room behind him, composed entirely of enthusiastic young and middle-aged people.

He couldn't help but look at Zhu Di curiously.

Seeing a smile appear on Zhu Di's lips.

It became clear that Zhu Di supported this crazy move that artificially increased the difficulty of war and violated the principles of war.

Curious asked: Your Majesty is not afraid of failure or even heavy losses. If my estimate is correct, the person in charge of commanding this battle should be King Chen's younger brother, Chen Zudan!

This man's ability to command naval battles is well-known in the four seas. It is precisely for this reason that in the early years, Chen Zuyi was worried that Chen Zudan would threaten his status as the head of the family, so he kept this man hidden and did not allow him to display it. Even though Chen Zuyi is the eldest son of the Chen family, Chen Zuyi's inheritance advantage was very weak in the Chen family, which started as a pirate. If Chen Zuyi's handling skills were not much better than Chen Zudan, who only had naval warfare talent, the Chen family would not have had the chance to do so. inherit.

Zhu Di nodded.

He has also heard about some of the Chen family's deeds.

Chen Zuyi did not start from scratch and developed into the largest pirate force on the sea.

His father's generation settled in Malacca and was already engaged in piracy.

Chen Zuyi just carried forward the Chen family's business.

Zhu Di came to the bow of the ship and stood next to the two-meter-long bow large-caliber cannon with the muzzle outward. He patted the gun barrel and stared at the ships watching the battle in the distance on the sea. He said: Yan If the Chinese Navy wants to develop into the world's strongest naval force, it cannot rely solely on strong ships and powerful guns, and its own professional qualities must also be tempered.

The Royal Navy is unique in the world and sails across the seven seas.

It is not just advanced technology that brings advanced weapons.

Rather, it was honed step by step by defeating the established maritime overlords.

Yanhua has no such opportunity.

Then artificially increase the difficulty of the war!

The loss is not terrible.

The terrible thing is that the quality of the soldiers themselves has not improved, and they have developed the habit of completely relying on the technical advantages of equipment.

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If such dependence really forms.

Sooner or later, Yanhua Navy will suffer a big loss and fall hard.

Even unable to recover.

He was thankful.

Yu Jing and his group of young and middle-aged naval senior generals have realized this and started to take action.

After hearing what Zhu Di said, the middle-aged man sighed secretly, It would be abnormal if Yanhua does not rise.

Zhu Di turned around and looked at the man with a smile, Does Mr. Chen know the purpose of why I brought you here?

This Mr. Chen is Chen Zhong who was seriously injured during the attack on Peacock Island (Palawan Island) and survived a narrow escape.

Chen Zuyi's confidant general.

His son Chen Jinbei was deeply trusted by Chen Zuyi and his son. He is currently the deputy commander of the imperial guards of the Chen Dynasty. He assists in controlling Chen Shou and commands the largest imperial guard in the Chen Dynasty, with a number of 70,000, the most well-equipped and most loyal imperial guards.

The only one in the Chen Dynasty with a permanent military-level group.

It has three jurisdictions, one was compiled by the Chen Dynasty and the other was a large town.

It also comes with an independent artillery mark!

The independent artillery mark was the first of its kind in the Chen Dynasty.

There is no independent artillery formation in the Yanhua Army.

He does not have an independent artillery establishment because the current artillery only plays the role of auxiliary infantry in land warfare.

The protagonist of the war is still infantry volley shooting and close combat.

Setting up independent establishments for artillery in auxiliary and subordinate positions is a waste of limited finances and has little effect.

The price/performance ratio is too small.

One day, there will be artillery with a higher rate of fire and greater power, such as rear-loading and barrel-retracting artillery.

Artillery plays an increasingly important role in war.

Even if he is no longer here.

Military development will also prompt Yanhua to set up an independent artillery establishment.

…

Chen Zhong probed: Does the prince want the common people to persuade Chen Jinbei to join the prince? To counterattack the Chen Dynasty?

After being rescued by this prince.

He visited Fujian.

When choosing between business and farming, he finally chose farming.

Low-profile became the leader of a rural community in a remote rural area under the rule of Yanbei Prefecture, Luzon Province, Yanhua.

In recent years, he has led the villagers and managed the village in an orderly manner.

It wasn't until half a month ago that people from the Military Intelligence Department came to the village and took out a letter written by the prince himself and brought it to Yanjing.

Follow the Yanhua Navy to sea.

But the prince suddenly came to him, and he racked his brains and couldn't figure out what the purpose was.

Zhu Di smiled and shook his head, I will not do such a thing to make you and your son ungrateful. I asked Mr. Chen to come out because I hope that after the Chen Dynasty is defeated, Mr. Chen will serve as the highest provincial civil affairs official in the Zuyi Province of Yanhua. With the help of Chen Mr. Chen’s local influence helped us quickly stabilize Zuyi Province. Moreover, Mr. Chen is familiar with the elites in Zuyi Province, some unstable and untrustworthy elites. I hope that Mr. Chen will come forward to persuade them to leave, or, Mr. Chen will provide me with a list, and the Military Intelligence Department will deal with this group of people.

Chen Zuyi looked at Zhu Di, who was calm, chatting and laughing, and decided the fate of a political elite.

Only emotion remains.

Since ancient times, heroes have been so cold-blooded and ruthless!

In this person, the best proof has been obtained.

I have lived in Luzon Province for so many years.

Been watching from the sidelines for so many years.

If he still doesn't understand why the original elite of Luzon Province has almost completely disappeared, and the prince's purpose of eradicating the elite of Luzon.

Then he is extremely stupid.

When Luzon was first occupied.

This person used his method of seven captures and seven releases to eliminate the original elite layer.

There was obviously a different way of dealing with Chen Chao.

It has to go through the relatively shadowy agency of the Military Intelligence Department.

Or through the civil affairs official system headed by him, it can be purged politically.

This guy just won't let these dirty things dirty the army he built with his own hands.

The ideals and beliefs of the army must not be shaken.

I have to say, this is a very wise man.

Looking through history, he could not find a more wise and cunning hero than this one.

Power and politics are inherently a mixture of black and white.

The Military Intelligence Department is even more of a shadowy organization.

It would be most appropriate to let these two institutions do the dirty work he wants to do.

Your Majesty wants to name Malacca after Chen Zuyi?

That was what shocked him the most.

Zhu Di smiled and asked, Why not?

Without waiting for Chen Zhong to ask, Zhu Di replied: Chen Zuyi overthrew the original Malacca dynasty. I overthrew Chen Zuyi and named the land of Malacca after Chen Zuyi. It means that I have no conflict with the original history and ethnic group of Malacca. At the same time, , as a Central Plains person, I inherited the dynasty founded by another Central Plains person, and Yanhua inherited this land, which has reasonable legal legitimacy...

at the same time.

In recent years, Chen Zuyi had half-heartedly imitated Yan Fan, which made the Chen Dynasty's people's livelihood difficult.

Yanhua overthrew the Chen Dynasty with a righteous attitude and fully implemented the perfect Yanhua concepts and ideas.

…

Zuyi Province is a comparison. The name of this province allows us to compare, which one is better, Chen Zuyi, Chen Chao or Yanhua!

Remind the people under the rule of Zuyi Province at all times, so that the centripetal force of the people here can spontaneously and consciously unite around Yanhua.

Perhaps, this move is a humiliation to Chen Zuyi, but I have no intention of humiliating Chen Zuyi. There is no need, and Chen Zuyi is not qualified to let me, Yanhua, do such unscrupulous behavior.

Chen Zhong believed Zhu Di’s words.

He was just surprised by Zhu Di's wrist.

Name a province.

It can actually play such a big role.

Throughout the annexation of land, the annexation and assimilation strategies adopted by this leader are very flexible and not rigid.

But in the end they all point to complete assimilation!

He pondered for a moment and said: Your Majesty, can ordinary people think about it?

sure!

Woo woo woo...

As soon as Zhu Di finished speaking, whistles of varying lengths sounded.

Soon, other ships sounded rhythmic whistles of varying lengths one after another.

After the whistle appears.

The communication between warships has been changed to be conveyed by the length and rhythm of the whistle.

Kind of like Morse code.

immediately.

A formation of sixteen warships, with the sound of whistles and thick smoke from their chimneys, broke through the water and rushed towards the Natuna Islands in the north at high speed.

Accompanied by his brother Hino Ziyasu, Hino Yoshiko stood on the bow of a Marquis-class armed merchant ship leased by Yanhua, holding a telescope, wearing a Yanhua women's dress.

When the armored fleet began to turn in, he immediately ordered, Quick, follow us!

Quick! Follow me! Not far away, Liang Daoming quickly ordered.

Follow me!

Don't delay, this is an important basis for observing the combat effectiveness of Yanhua Navy and determining how we will get along with Yanhua in the future!

…

On the subcontinent, other Japanese princes and small countries.

People from Champa, Srivijaya, Southern Dynasty, and Ava Dynasty issued similar orders one after another.

Everyone wants to observe and see, what is the current combat effectiveness of Yanhua Navy? !

…

at the same time.

The Natuna Islands are to the northeast, a hundred miles away.

Three Duke-class hybrid battleships flying the Great Ming Dragon flag broke through the waves and were heading south at an extremely fast speed.

Yu Tongyuan stood at the bow of the flagship.

He and a group of generals searched the sea with telescopes.

I didn't expect the sea conditions in the South China Sea to be so bad!

Isn't it? It's finally calm. In just one voyage, more than a dozen sailors were lost, and more than fifty were injured or seriously ill. I don't know how the Yanhua Navy, which often operates in the South China Sea, overcome this bad situation. What’s the sea state?”

…

Yu Jing heard the generals talking and looked at them from the corner of his eye, with lingering fear on his pale face.

Mouth full of bitterness.

The sea conditions in the South China Sea are dangerous.

Could it be compared to Yu Jing’s three-year sailing expedition in the Pacific aboard several wooden warships?

In the final analysis, the Ming Navy had too little experience.

The South China Sea is already the limit that the Ming Dynasty Navy can barely cope with.

It is the first time to go deep into the entire South China Sea and come to observe.

At this moment, the combat effectiveness of the three Duke-class battleships is probably less than 30%.

If there is a sneak attack, it will be fish on the sticky board.

Therefore, they are extra vigilant.

He also wanted the Ming Dynasty Navy to receive more training.

Can……

No Money!

The prince supervised the queen.

The naval budget seems to be smaller.

Several times he made suggestions, but the prince suppressed them all.

The prince doesn't develop the navy, so he doesn't seem to have much hostility towards Yanhua and King Yan?

Or maybe it was to confuse King Yan?

He couldn't figure it out.

Anyway, this time he asked His Majesty to take the fleet generals south to observe the largest naval battle in history between Yanhua and Chen Dynasty near the Ming Dynasty.

The navy's spare funds were only enough to dispatch three warships.

He didn't want to mention the funding to His Majesty, lest His Majesty scold the prince again.

His Majesty returned to court and angrily scolded the prince in the royal study, although no one knew what he said specifically.

But the rumors of angry scolding had vaguely spread among the upper echelons of the Ming Dynasty.

Commander, we didn't delay this unprecedented naval battle, right? A general asked worriedly, interrupting Yu Tongyuan's thoughts.

No naval general would want to miss such an opportunity.

Yu Tongyuan put down the telescope, turned around, looked at the generals, and said seriously: Even if we miss it, the experience of this voyage is enough for us to digest. Don't just think about this unprecedented naval battle, think carefully. This voyage has exposed our navy. How to improve the shortcomings!”

yes!

Amidst the sonorous and majestic sound, the three Duke-class battleships continued to sail south.

It's approaching evening.

When approaching the Natuna Islands.

Iron-armored ship! Your Majesty's iron-armored ship! Suddenly, the lookout hand on the mast pointed to the distance, holding a red sun on the sea level, and shouted loudly.

Yu Tongyuan and others hurriedly raised their telescopes.

In the lens tube, a fleet of armored ships, billowing with thick smoke and traveling at high speed, appeared in sight.

Hiss! Is this an ironclad ship?

It's so fast. My whole body is cold and pitch black. In terms of momentum, it's even more intimidating than wooden toy boats like us!

I don't know, what is the specific combat effectiveness?

Going north, is the naval battle over?

…

That night.

After the Ming Navy and Yanhua Navy merged.

The fleets of other forces watching the battle arrived at the Natuna Islands one after another.

It seems that everyone in heaven and earth has sensed that the situation in this area is heating up.

That night.

The weather changes suddenly.

Heavy rain and howling winds swept across the waters of the Natuna Islands.

For a time, the war has not yet begun. Is the Chen Dynasty naval fleet really hidden in the complex bays of the Natuna Islands?

The atmosphere over the Natuna Islands has become extremely tense and depressing.

Everyone was hiding in the narrow cabin of the harsh environment, watching the violently shaking lanterns that emitted a faint light.

Waiting nervously with bated breath, dawn arrives...

This sea is far away.

Yanhua, Ming Dynasty, Goryeo, Chen Dynasty, Champa...

There are many, many people who are also waiting for the outcome of this unprecedented naval battle.

The eyes of the world, all of a sudden, gathered in this sea area!

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