"Send a telegram immediately to report to the Second Master!" When Li Yongfang let out a shocking roar, Li Xiu was leading his fleet to cut through the waves and rush to Bombay.

Attacking Bombay was originally the purpose of Li Xiu's visit to the South China Sea this time. The Ming Empire was not ready to completely rule India, but it had no problem ruling Bombay. Under the painstaking management of Wu Sangui and George, Bombay became Britain's bridgehead in the East.

In terms of scientific and technological strength, it may be only slightly worse than Jinzhou, Jingcheng and Jinan in the Ming Dynasty.

Over the years, Wu Sangui and George made money from the duck fillet trade and invested it all in the city of Bombay. Doctors from Cambridge and Oxford universities were hired with high salaries to conduct research here.

Even the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford have established Cambridge and Oxford branches in Mumbai respectively. A large number of university graduates from the UK came here to find gold, directly creating an Eastern industrial center.

Around the city of Bombay, there are steel mills, copper factories, and a series of various factories that are unknown in the West. Every year, the output of cotton cloth alone accounts for one-third of the British market.

The main rival of Ming Dynasty cotton cloth in the international market is British cotton cloth produced in India.

And not far from the Mumbai port, there is a huge shipyard. According to the detailed reports, the scale is larger than the Lushun Shipyard and Jinzhou Shipyard combined. In terms of scale, this is indeed the world's largest shipyard.

.

This Eastern city that brings together the highest technology and economy in the West is definitely the most dazzling jewel in the crown of the British Empire.

Capturing Bombay would be equivalent to pulling out a nail in the British Empire's grip on the East. As long as the city of Bombay was captured, a large number of Western technological elites could be captured and killed. Destroying them would be equivalent to destroying the process of Western industrialization.

Originally, Li Xiao and Li Xiu had given up the attack on Bombay, but they did not expect that the reckless Drake gave Ming a great gift. The entire English main fleet was destroyed off the coast of Singapore. Except for the Saxon, which sank, the other three ships

All the battleships were captured by the Ming army.

In that battle, the Ming Navy achieved astonishing results, sinking three ships and capturing three ships!

The destruction of the main fleet of the British Navy made it possible to attack Bombay again. Even if Bombay could not be captured, it would be good to bombard it with artillery and destroy some of their factories.

The strategy formulated by Li Xiao and Li Xiu was to attack Sri Lanka first, and then use Sri Lanka as a springboard to attack Mumbai and simultaneously harass the entire Indian coastline.

Now Li Xiu decided to omit this step and attack Bombay directly. After defeating or destroying Bombay, he attacked Sri Lanka. At least, the Bombay Shipyard must be destroyed.

With this purpose in mind, Li Xiu assembled his fleet, including the three captured ironclads, as well as Zhiyuan, Zhenyuan, Laiyuan, and Jiyuan. A total of seven ironclads marched towards Bombay in a mighty manner.

Of course, the three captured warships could not continue to be crewed by British people. Li Xiu himself did not have suitable crew members. When Li Xiu was worried about the man who sailed the ship, a group of Japanese crew members appeared in Li Xiu's hand.

within the field of vision.

Mori Hanbei is the new generation leader of the Maori navy, and his status is quite similar to that of Kuki Yoshiryu. The Japanese navy has always respected the Mori clan of the Satsuma Domain.

Maori Hanbei, who led the Maori family's Satsuma navy to capture the natives all over the South China Sea, had long been tired of this unchallenging job. When Li Xiu extended an olive branch to him, Maori Hanbei did not hesitate at all.

Just agreed.

The sudden change from a wooden ship to an ironclad ship, and the feeling of changing from a shotgun to a cannon made Hanbei Mori so excited that he couldn't sleep for several days.

The navy of the Ming Dynasty trained these people for a month, during which they hit several targets. The three iron-clad ships manned by the Japanese were filled with smoke and cannons. Under the intensive firepower, columns of water exploded around the target ships.

When the smoke cleared, everyone, including Li Xiu, was dumbfounded. The target ship was floating on the sea without a hole in it.

"When the time comes, let them rush to the front and serve as cannon fodder." Li Xiu shook his head helplessly. In one month of training, it is already good to achieve this.

In any case, it would be good to have three more ironclads in the fleet. Let the Japanese drive the ironclads to the front. If the British Navy still has ironclads, it can also play a role in attracting firepower.

The British fleet poured firepower towards them, and the Ming fleet behind them had enough time to prepare for action.

Chen Laohu nodded affirmatively. He also felt that these Japanese fleets had no use other than being cannon fodder at the front. Someone rushing at the front to attract firepower is definitely a good thing. Support is needed, strong support!

After a month and a half of careful preparation, Li Xiao sailed out of his new home port with all his belongings. Three iron-clad ships driven by Japanese people rushed to the front, surrounded by Ming Navy iron-clad ships protecting more than fifty ships of various types.

kind of ships to follow.

Some of these ships are supply ships, and many more are troop carriers. Even so, they can only carry Li Dingguo's 1st Marine Division. Zuo Liangyu's 2nd Marine Division is on standby in Singapore at any time, preparing these ships to come back.

Let them attack Sri Lanka.

The Japanese drove their fleet ahead to clear the way, and the four armored ships were like a hen protecting its chicks, rushing towards Bombay at full speed.

All the ships they saw along the way were regarded as target ships by the Japanese. Of course, except for the merchant ships of the Ming Dynasty. Especially the ships flying the flag of the Ming Navy, they did not dare to make mistakes.

Li Hu looked at the mighty fleet and hurried back to the Jian Bridge.

Although the chance for Li Xiu to see it in the vast sea is not much worse than that of a seagull smashing its shit on the head. But Li Hu still dare not take the gamble! Now he regrets it because Mao wanted to fly the flag of the Ming Dynasty navy when he left his new home.

When entering sloping waters, the flag should be lowered.

Blame that Joseph. He said that from here to the Arabian Sea, the best military flag is the Ming Dynasty Navy flag. Even the arrogant British did not dare to make mistakes when they saw this military flag. As for the pirates, they saw the Ming Dynasty Navy flag.

Military flags will generally run away quickly.

Because the profits from the eradication of pirates belong entirely to the naval officers and soldiers. Therefore, the Ming Navy is very interested in the revenue-generating method of eradicating pirates. As long as they are confirmed to be pirates, they must chase them and interrogate them about the whereabouts of their treasures before throwing them away in the end.

Enter the red bay full of sharks and let them fend for themselves.

"Master Hu! Don't be afraid, your powerful brother can't see you." Joseph held a monocular telescope in his hand. This was a gift given to him by Li Hu when he was in the Ming Dynasty. The original telescope made in France is similar to this one.

The comparison is like the sky and the earth. The telescope made in France has an extremely tiny bubble on the lens. When you hold it in your hand and look far away, there is always a blurred area.

"If he sees it, it will be over. Don't even think about me helping your brother." Li Hu looked at the mighty fleet in fear.

"Napoleon is a very good person. You will become friends. Your personalities are very similar." Joseph patted Li Hu's shoulder enthusiastically, took out an exquisite silver wine flask from his arms and handed it to Li Hu.

Li Hu recently fell in love with drinking this sweet and sour wine. It is said that it is produced in a place in France called Bordeaux. The annual output is limited. It must be sealed in the cellar for storage. Joseph often boasts about the craftsmanship of this wine.

How complicated it is.

He was a person who could easily change his mind. After Li Hu gave him a box of Wuliangye, Joseph never mentioned Bordeaux wine again. However, he still carried a silver wine flask with him and gave it to Li Hu when he saw that he was feeling depressed.

Have a pot.

After taking a sip of wine, Li Hu calmed down.

You cannot tear down the Ming Dynasty naval flag at this time. If it is seen by the fleet, someone will definitely come to ask, and there will be a danger of being discovered by then.

Li Hu knew that Li Xiao and Li Xiu would never agree to his idea of ​​going to the West. After all, Li Hu was their younger brother!

"With such a huge fleet, they must be going to attack India. Should we follow them and get some benefits by the way?" Joseph couldn't help but feel confused when he saw the huge fleet in front of him for half a day.

"Hmph! When my second brother finds out that you actually want to take me to Egypt, he will have you stuffed into the barrel of a gun and shoot you back to Egypt." Li Hu said with a "grumpy" sound.

I took a big sip of wine.

"Uh...!" According to Joseph's understanding of the Li brothers, this young general in charge of the Ming Dynasty's navy is very likely to do such a thing.

Seeing the Ming Dynasty fleet finally sailing towards India, Li Hu quickly urged the helmsman to change course, hoist the sails and sail towards Egypt. After giving a final salute to the Ming Dynasty fleet, Li Hu felt his eyes were a little wet.

I'm going to the west to build my own world. When someone mentions you in the future, they will say that Li Xiao and Li Xiu are Li Hu's brothers. Instead of introducing them to others, these are the brothers of the commander, and these are the brothers of the second master.

Facing the vast Indian Ocean, Li Hu felt like he was sinking his boat.

Li Xiu didn't know that he had just passed by Li Hu. His thoughts were entirely in Bombay, and he even breathed a sigh of relief when he knew that Li Hu secretly walked back to the capital. It's okay to be a dandy back in the capital, don't do it

His whole body was covered in wounds. The last time he was sent back by airship from the northwest front, Li Xiu was really afraid that he would die.

Just leave the war to yourself and your eldest brother. The two younger brothers and one younger sister at home should also enjoy happiness. Give the Li family more children, because the family has a big business and doesn't have so many children to inherit it. It's like the eldest brother,

Just a son. Just a seedling. Thinking about it makes people worried.

After sailing for three days and two nights, I finally saw the coastline near dusk. After comparison with the north compass, this should be the coastline of Mumbai. Even if it is wrong, it is not far from Mumbai.

There was little wind on the sea, so Li Xiao ordered the fleet to slow down and sail at the lowest speed!

He planned to launch an attack at dawn, so as to catch the enemy off guard. Over the years, he had learned fighting from Li Xiao, and Li Xiu also liked to launch an attack at dawn.

There is no moon tonight, and after dark the sea becomes pitch black, as if the world has entered eternal night.

Strict light control was implemented on the ship, and only a small navigation light was lit on all warships to prevent collisions.

Although they looked at a very far route, they sailed slowly all night. The fleet had already approached the coast of India, and the Marine Corps had woken up all the officers and soldiers. They had a full meal on the ship, and they didn’t know when the next meal would be.

. Even, this may be the last meal in their lives.

The cook on the ship did his best, and everyone's bowl was piled high with braised pork. A little chopped green onion was sprinkled on top, even if it was green vegetables.

On weekdays, when we cook, we only see potatoes but no meat. Today, we see only meat but no potatoes.

"Eat more! You'll be full!" When the cook passed by everyone, he asked them if they had enough. If not, he would add more.

Li Xiu was also having breakfast. The landing was three hours later. The sky was slightly bright and the sun had not yet come out. In this way, when the sun came up, the first batch of troops should have landed, and the gunfire from the ship could be seen.

Target, conduct maritime fire support.

The two arsenal ships are doing final inspections to see if there are any problems with the rockets. Heavy rocket launchers are the most powerful supporting firepower. One arsenal ship can eliminate thousands of enemies in an instant without leaving any residue behind.

Everyone was doing inspections, and the three ironclad ships driven by the Japanese were gradually approaching the coast. Through their telescopes, they could even vaguely see what seemed to be a wharf-like building.

Maori Hanbei was extremely excited. This time he also had a powerful ship and cannons, but he wanted to see if he could achieve greater results than the Ming army. The Ming army has always had the most powerful troops and weapons. Maori Hanbei

Hei Wei never dreamed that today he would be able to pilot a warship as high as a mountain to fight.

The Japanese soldiers on the boat were as excited as him, their dark eyes widening in the dark night. Although they couldn't see anything, it didn't stop them from thinking about how to kill everyone after dawn.

The ironclad ship sailed at the slowest speed in the darkness. It was a bit close to the coast and it was an unfamiliar sea area. The reef was now Maori Hanbei's biggest enemy.

Mori Hanbei held up his telescope and looked at the place that looked like a dock in the distance.

"Boom!" With a loud noise, Maori Hanbei's body slammed into the wall, and then was bounced to the floor with huge force.

"What's going on?" Maori Hanbei started yelling before he could get up.

No one answered him, and the whole ship was in a commotion.

"What's going on?" Maori Hanbei shouted again. At this time, he had already gotten up. He was horrified to see thick smoke coming out of the left chord, accompanied by fire.

It can't be that it ran aground!

There will be no fire coming out if you hit the rocks!

"Prepare for battle, enemy attack! Enemy attack!" Maori Hanbei shouted in a different tone.

But the sea was pitch black, and there was no sign of the enemy anywhere.
Chapter completed!