Iron Powder and Spellcaster

What is the most important quality for a gambler?

Some would say luck, others would say win and go wisdom.

But a true gambler will only lose because of bad luck, not win because of good luck. If they win, they will only think that they are superior.

As for win and leave? This kind of person is not even a qualified gambler. A true gambler will invest the money he wins until he loses everything.

Gamblers believe that the most important ability at the gambling table is to seize the opportunity. A smart gambler can seize the fleeting opportunity, and at the same time, he must have the courage to put down all the money in one go, in order to become a winner-take-all pot. .

One of the Tanirian Confederation's Rigging Masters, Frank Drake may be a hopeless gambler, but even his enemies applaud his ability to seize the opportunity.

And tonight's fighter plane is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The galley warships, which accounted for half of the main warships of the Veneta fleet, were resting in the harbor. There were only eleven large sailing ships and several small caravels at the anchorage outside the harbor, as well as twenty-one merchant ships carrying land officers and soldiers.

To the east of the Lighthouse Harbor anchorage are reefs and sandbars that stretch for more than ten nautical miles. Unless the pilot knows this dangerous waters well, the entire fleet is in danger of being annihilated once it enters.

At this moment, a strong northwest wind is blowing from the sea. The tide turns, the evening tide rushes to the coast, and the night becomes dark again. Drake's fleet came with the northwest wind and firmly occupied the upper wind. It was the right time and the right place.

If the Revenge Fleet is not careful, it will be blown to the eastern sea by wind and waves. Once driven there, the sea will let the Veneta people understand her danger without the help of Drake's fleet.

Army officers like Winters knew nothing about this. They heard the drums of war ringing on each ship, and all the sailors were preparing for war in an orderly manner. They only felt that their blood was boiling and they wanted to fight.

But naval officers, especially the senior officers of the captain class, know this sea area and the power of nature better.

The survival of the entire fleet now depends on Admiral Nareshaw. All the captains are sweating in the palms of their hands, hoping that the Admiral is not just boasting but is really confident.

On the deck of the flagship of the Revenge Fleet, the Glory, everyone gradually became quiet and turned their attention to the forecastle, where the supreme commander of the fleet was located.

There was no expression on the face of Lieutenant General Naresho on the forecastle. He just held the side of the ship firmly with both hands and ordered without looking back: Mr. Karaman?

Yes, sir. The first mate stood at attention reflexively.

Send my order to all ships, with the Glory as the leader. Set course due north, pull anchor and set off!

Yes, sir!

You have heard the Lieutenant General's order! Chief Karaman shouted to the deck: Lower the boat! Set the course due north! Raise the jib sail! Move quickly!

The originally silent deck became lively again due to Nareshaw's order.

The boatswain blew his whistle, and the sharp whistle sounded two short and two long. This time, even the sailors who did not hear the first mate's order clearly understood the meaning of the whistle.

The signal light on the stern of the ship was lit, sending commands to the entire fleet through the on-off pattern.

Twenty or so sailors nimbly climbed up along the sail cables and hung up the pulleys. The sailors on the deck worked together, and several gaffs were hoisted between the masts.

Winters knew this kind of sail. The first mate on the Skua had taught him how to use this jib to sail against the wind.

But he couldn't understand the next actions of the sailors. Two more small boats were lowered from the side of the ship to the sea. The deck team was busy tying ropes between the bowsprit and the small boats.

What are you doing? Winters asked Cage in confusion.

The tonnage of the warship is large, so it must be anchored against the wind to be stable. Cage explained: But when lifting the anchor, you must first use a small boat to adjust the direction of the hull, otherwise it will be driven by the wind and spin.

Paddle! Boys! Row hard! the bosun with a sinister face shouted loudly.

The crew of the boat waved the oars vigorously, pulling the hull of the Glory gradually to the north, roughly at a half-right angle to the wind direction.

Twelve sailors struggled to push the winch. Their faces were ferocious, their muscles were tense, and their bodies were almost leaning on the deck. With a heartbreaking sound, the anchor sunk on the seabed was slowly lifted up.

When the anchor left the seabed, the entire ship jerked forward. There was originally a tug-of-war between the anchor and the sail. The anchor suddenly let go of its grip, and the sailboat began to accelerate slowly with the entire hull.

The Lieutenant General is taking us north to avoid the reefs to the east. Cage swallowed nervously: This is too dangerous...it's too dangerous...

Where's the danger?

Cage pointed to the sail that was blown up by the wind and said: The wind and waves are taking us eastward, and we can't figure out the direction at night. It's possible that we thought we were going north, but we were getting closer and closer to the east. The Glory is the guide ship. If the Glory's course is wrong, it will bring the entire fleet to a desperate situation.

What Nareshaw's plan was, Winters didn't know. But he had carefully studied the raid on Haidong Port. Taniriya's commander made two consecutive attacks to the east and west, concentrating his superior forces locally and defeating the port defenders one by one. And he showed no interest in fighting. He tore off a piece of meat and ran away, leaving the Veneta Army who came to support him empty-handed.

Such wonderful battle examples are rare even in military academy textbooks. And the man who commanded this battle is now leading his fleet to attack the Glory. Will he give the Veneta fleet a chance?

While the Revenge Fleet was anxiously pulling up anchor and setting sail, the Tanilia fleet on the northwest sea had already entered within one kilometer of the Veneta fleet, and at this time the anchor of the Glory had not yet been pulled out of the water.

The figures of Tanilia's ships gradually became clearer. Five mighty ships were in the center, and other inferior ships were on both sides. Unlike the brightly lit Veneta fleet, the ships under Drake's command did not even have stars. More than twenty dark warships approached the Veneta revenge fleet in a roughly crescent shape.

Cage counted the warships of the Tanirians: I counted twenty-one. The five large ships should be our warships that were robbed in Haidong Port. The other ships look like they are just armed merchant ships.

We have more than 40 ships, and they only have more than 20 ships. If we still can't defeat your navy, we should disband as soon as possible. Andre said carelessly.

That's not how it is calculated. Cage shook his head: The galleys are now docked for rest, and those troop transport ships are no longer needed. It's not forty versus twenty, but ten versus twenty-one. Our warships are of higher quality. High, but the wind direction and environment are not conducive to us. If we can get on board, we may still have a chance of winning...

Winters interrupted Cage, pointed to the other's ship and asked, Why don't they light up the lights?

To stay hidden, Cage replied.

But obviously we have discovered them!

This... Cage was also a little confused. He looked at the enemy fleet getting closer and closer, and his expression suddenly changed: No... no! Is there something in front of the big ship?

Lieutenant General Naresho's roar also came from the bow: There is no time to pull out the anchor, just cut off the anchor rope! Order all ships to cut off the anchor rope! The sailmaster will take your people to the mast! Put all the people on the mast! Lower all the sails!

Winters also saw what was the black shadow in front of the Tanirian warship:

It was boats and sampans, lots of boats and sampans.

When they are far away, the projection of these small boats overlaps with the projection of the big ship, and it is not until they are closer that they can be seen clearly.

The big ship in the middle of the Tanirian fleet suddenly furled its sails, but the speed of the six ships on each wing continued unabated.

Sound the cannon to notify the port! Let the Caravel sail past... Lieutenant General Naresho's tone was urgent, losing his original calmness.

On the northwest sea, first a little spark lit up, and then the entire sea surface burst into flames. These boats and sampans filled with asphalt, firewood, and wheat straw, and temporarily equipped with masts and sails, burned one after another. The originally dark sea was reflected red by the firelight, like hell.

On both sides of the Taniriya fleet, six large ships emerged from the crowd and burst into flames one after another. The six burning ships were filled with flames, and the small arson ships formed a wall of fire on the sea. Driven by strong winds and waves, it drifted towards the Veneta fleet firmly and ruthlessly.

Tanilia's warship lowered half its sails and followed the wall of fire on the sea slowly.

The Tanirians are really [expletive for sailors] crazy! [Expletive] use big ships as arson ships! Cage looked ferocious and cursed: The most precious thing on the sea is the ship! It's the ship...

The Glory fired three cannons in succession, and the ships no longer cared about the order and direction of their actions.

There was no time to lift the anchor, and the anchor cable was cut directly. The sailors climbed onto the mast one after another, lowered all the sails, and wanted to tie all their handkerchiefs to the yard.

The wall of fire approached menacingly, and the three caravels arranged on the outer circle of the fleet not only did not give way, but instead raised the red flag and took the initiative to stick to it.

They sailed to the right wing of the wall of fire. The sailors endured the scorching heat and threw the hooks originally used for boarding operations at the three large fire ships on the right wing.

After the iron hook bit the side of the fireship, the three caravel sailboats immediately adjusted their jibs and tried to take the fireship to the northern sea to buy time for the fleet. The iron hook was burned hot by the flames, and the rope first smoked and was burned. The sailors wet the rope with seawater and threw out more hooks.

Of course, the Tanirians would not just watch these small boats destroy their plans. The Tanirian warship's bow cannon immediately fired at several small boats.

Sawdust flew across the Caravel, and cannonballs plowed bloody furrows into the ship. However, the brave Veneta sailors gritted their teeth and tried their best to drag the three large fire ships away from their original course.

Lieutenant General Naresiao clung to the side of the ship and looked at the sea, with veins popping out in his hands.

The three large fire ships on the right wing have been towed away, but the other three large fire ships on the left wing and the small ship in the middle are still ramming directly into the Veneta fleet. The escort ship had tried its best, but the huge and slow fleet was still within the fire ship's route, and the distance was getting shorter and shorter, to less than a hundred meters.

Judgment day for the Vineta Revenge Fleet has arrived and is inevitable.

On the forecastle of the warship in the center of the Tanirian fleet, Captain Frank Drake looked at the huge and majestic Glory in the distance.

He looked at the forecastle of the Glory, and he knew Naresho must be there.

Mr. Naresho, I have shown my trump card, now it's up to you. Drake murmured to himself.

On the deck of the Glory, First Officer Karaman anxiously asked Lieutenant General Naresho: General, please take shelter on the Siren temporarily. Leave this place to me.

Narexiao's facial muscles twitched slightly and he shook his head.

You are the fleet commander, and your duty is to command the entire fleet, not to live or die with the flagship.

Nareshaw said through gritted teeth: I didn't expect Mr. Drake to be able to build such a large-scale arson ship. It was my mistake. Such a large number of ships cannot be a temporary collection. He must have started preparing it a long time ago. ...But since I dare to go to this gambling table, I also have my own capital.

First Officer Karaman was so anxious that he was sweating profusely: It's already this time, so don't worry about the gambling table...

Suddenly, the rumble of war drums came from the sea.

Naresio laughed wildly like a gambler who had only his last silver coin but won thirty-six times the roulette wheel. He pointed at the southwest sea and said crazily: My bet was originally Come on! Hahaha, my gamble has paid off! Order the fleet to lower the sails, sail west, break through the fire ships, and directly attack the enemy!

On the southwest side of the sea, twelve galley warships rushed out of the lighthouse harbor accompanied by the thunderous sound of war drums.

Knock hard! Knock hard! Row hard! Let everyone know that Spier is coming! Captain Spier stood on the bow of the Golden Lion, drew his sword and roared: Everyone is here! Listen to my command! Three Long live!

Huzzah!

Huzzah!

Huzzah!

The sailors on the deck followed the captain and roared in unison, each roar louder than the last.

The captains of other galleys heard the Golden Lion's war cry and gave the same order.

For a moment, shouts on the sea broke through the sky, and twelve galley warships rushed towards the flank of the Tanirian fleet with astonishing momentum.

The wind was against them, but it didn't matter, the galley was now without any sail.

The waves were also against them, but that didn't matter because the galleys had oars.

The oars on both sides of the galley are like the two wings of a bird, constantly flapping on the water, beating the water again and again.

The first mate of the Golden Lion personally took the drumstick and beat the war drum with all his strength, which was as big as a round table, controlling the rhythm of the oarsmen's forward and backward strokes. The second mate and cadets armed with whips patrolled the lower decks, severely punishing any oarsman who dared to be lazy at this time.

The three galley warships separated from the charging formation and sailed towards the three large fire ships on the left wing.

As they neared the fireship, the beat of the galley drums changed into a series of fast drums.

When the oarsmen heard the sound of the drums, they thrust their oars under the sea and held them firmly still. The resistance of the galley increased and it suddenly slowed down. When they were close enough to the fire ship, the sailors on the bow threw the iron hook with all their strength.

Then, the drumbeat of the galley changed again, and turned into a slow drum with half a beat.

After hearing the beat of the drum, the rowers began to row in the opposite direction. With the oars turning, the galley began to slowly move backwards, and the big fire ship was towed aside.

The whole process was so smooth and fast that Winters on the Glory was stunned. He had never thought that a heavy galley warship could actually perform movements as flexible and delicate as an equestrian.

Admiral Naresho also showed his trump card.

Galley warships are indeed not suitable for long-distance expeditions, let alone fighting in rough seas. But this anchorage outside Lighthouse Harbor is a good place for them to show off their skills.

Union spies saw the galley in the harbor, the oarsmen on board and the sailors ashore to rest. It was thought that these warships were unable to fight in a hurry and would need at least several hours to regroup.

Little did they know that the sailors camped separately according to the warships they belonged to, and any movement of personnel was prohibited. In the event of an emergency, they can quickly assemble and board the ship.

All of this is not only to allow the sailors to rest and recuperate, but more importantly, to show the enemy's weakness and unpreparedness, and to create a fighting opportunity for Drake.

In Drake's view, Nareshaw only had ten warships available. If these ten warships can be defeated, the twelve galleys in the port will not be able to escape.

The rest of the troop transport is meat on the chopping board, you can eat it however you want.

These twenty-odd warships are Veneta's last possessions. If this fleet is eaten up, the Tanirians will rule the inner sea. Without the ship, any attempt by the Veneta people to conduct a cross-sea expedition would be just wishful thinking.

Lieutenant General Naresho never thought that just sending the army to the archipelago would be enough. He never thought of himself as a transport team, and his core strategic thinking has never changed, which is just one sentence, fleet decisive battle.

The mere existence of the Tanirian fleet is a threat to the Veneta people. In Nareshaw's view, a fleet battle must be held to solve the problem. Instead of chasing the shadow of the Tanirian fleet on the sea, it is better to find a way to make them come to you.

Now the poisonous snake has crawled out of the nest and wrapped itself around his arm, but he still has to kill it.

Captain, what should we do? Drake's first mate asked in panic.

What are you afraid of? Even if there are a few more galleys, our warships are no less than theirs. Drake kicked the chair away: Raise the flag! The main force of Veneta is now being dragged by the arson boat. Let's deal with these oars first. Sailboat, go back and deal with Naresho!”

Drake drew out his machete, walked to the edge of the forecastle, looked at the mess of sailors on the deck and roared: What are you afraid of? We still have more ships than them! If you are afraid now, your descendants will become Slaves of the Venetans! For freedom! For gold! Tonight I will lead you to make more money than you will ever make in your life!

The sailors of the Revenge were originally on the verge of collapse in morale due to the appearance of the galley warship, but with the encouragement of Drake, they rekindled their fighting spirit and returned to their posts with red eyes and shouts.

A sailboat cannot go head-on against the wind, but it can move forward at an acute angle to the direction of the wind.

The wind blew from the northwest, and the Glory originally sailed a certain distance north. After receiving the order from Lieutenant General Naresho, the helmsman used all his strength to push the rudder stock in the opposite direction.

Relying on inertia, the Glory turned ninety degrees against the wind and sea, turning to the west, with the bow pointed directly at Drake's flagship.

It is difficult to pass orders to all ships in the chaos, but the action of the Glorious is the best order. This is the meaning of the flagship's existence.

When other warships saw the flagship turning around and rushing towards the center of the enemy's formation, they also turned around. Instead of avoiding the fire ships, they rushed towards the Tanirian fleet against the sea of ​​fire.

That's right, a galley can not only row backwards, but also turn around on the same spot.

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