Chapter 423
The Strongest Fleet in the World! The Ming Dynasty Fleet!
When Zhu Ying landed in front of Feng Sheng and other naval officers on his wind-god pterosaur, a strong wind immediately arose.
The wind field disappeared only after the Quetzalcoatlus stopped flapping its wings.
Immediately, Feng Sheng took the lead and bowed to Zhu Ying.
"This humble general respectfully welcomes Your Highness, the Imperial Grandson!"
As soon as Feng Sheng finished speaking, the other naval officers and tens of thousands of naval soldiers also saluted.
Zhu Ying nodded slightly and said to the crowd in an icy tone, "Rise, all of you."
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
After bowing, Feng Sheng immediately approached Zhu Ying.
Zhu Ying said calmly, "Feng Sheng, where is the navy you trained for the Ming Dynasty? I need to inspect the army first."
"Your Highness, the 100,000-strong Ming navy is already here. Please inspect them!"
Feng Sheng did not hesitate and immediately brought Zhu Ying to the front of the army.
At this moment, 100,000 naval soldiers were already lined up neatly in front of the military camp!
Can be seen.
These soldiers of the Ming Dynasty navy were all burly and muscular, with dark skin, and looked like ruthless men.
After a quick glance, Zhu Ying was fairly satisfied with the naval soldiers trained by Feng Sheng.
At this moment, the 100,000 naval soldiers once again saluted Zhu Ying and said, "Greetings, Your Highness the Imperial Grandson!"
Zhu Ying waved his hand, signaling everyone to stand up.
Then, Zhu Ying slowly spoke, "The Ming Navy is an important force for the Ming Dynasty's expansion into the ocean!"
"I still have high expectations for you."
"Although the Ming Navy has not yet experienced the test of war since its establishment, I am well aware that the soldiers who can become Ming Navy soldiers are all talents selected from among thousands!"
"Next, I will join you in conquering the Japanese islands!"
"This is your chance to make a name for yourselves. I hope that every one of you Ming Dynasty naval soldiers will fight bravely!"
"After this campaign to attack the Japanese islands concludes, all those who have rendered meritorious service will be richly rewarded!"
After Zhu Ying finished speaking, there was no doubt that the 100,000 soldiers of the Ming Navy were extremely excited.
In an instant, everyone shouted in unison: "Conquer the Japanese islands! Achieve glory and establish a great cause!"
Seeing that the morale of the Ming navy had been boosted, Zhu Ying showed a satisfied expression.
Zhu Ying knew very well that every Ming Dynasty naval soldier longed to attack the Japanese islands.
After all, this powerful navy has never experienced a real war since its inception.
Normally, the main duty of the Ming Navy was simply to patrol the Ming coast.
They were all doing patrol work.
and so.
Deep down, the Ming navy naturally longed to launch campaigns and earn military merit.
At this time.
Zhu Ying glanced at Feng Sheng beside him again.
Feng Sheng is currently the Grand Admiral of the Ming Dynasty Navy. It can be said that this navy was established by Feng Sheng.
Also.
Feng Sheng was also in charge of the construction of Ming Dynasty warships, and he was extremely busy every day.
This time, Zhu Ying's main purpose in coming was not only to inspect the fighting spirit of the Ming Navy, but also to check the condition of the Ming warships.
After all, the battle with the Japanese islands was a naval battle.
If the Ming Dynasty's navy wanted to reach the Japanese islands, it would naturally rely on warships.
and so.
Zhu Ying was particularly concerned about the condition of the warships.
"Feng Sheng."
"Your subordinate is here!" Feng Sheng, who was standing to the side, immediately tensed up after hearing Zhu Ying call his name.
"What's the current status of the warships?" Zhu Ying asked curiously.
When Feng Sheng heard Zhu Yingshi inquire about the warships, his expression visibly relaxed.
Feng Sheng immediately replied, "Your Highness, the warships are now ready."
"They are currently stored in the shipbuilding workshop."
"If His Highness the Crown Prince wishes to conduct an inspection, please proceed to the shipbuilding workshop."
Feng Sheng answered Zhu Ying with utmost respect.
"it is good!"
"Come with me to take a look at this Ming Dynasty warship!"
After Zhu Ying finished speaking, Feng Sheng and the other Ming Dynasty naval commanders quickly led the way for him.
In fact, the shipbuilding workshops of the Ming Dynasty Navy were not far from the military camps; they were almost adjacent.
Therefore, Zhu Ying and the others arrived at the shipbuilding workshop after walking only a few steps.
Look around.
This naval shipyard is quite large.
"Your Highness, this is the shipbuilding workshop of the Great Ming Dynasty. Please come in!"
Feng Sheng specially opened the door of the shipbuilding workshop for Zhu Ying, and then accompanied Zhu Ying inside.
To be fair, the shipbuilding workshop in this Ming Dynasty was quite a hidden gem, with thousands of craftsmen working in an orderly fashion.
The most bustling area was the shipyard.
This shipbuilding workshop is mainly divided into shallow-water docks and deep-water docks.
Shallow-water docks were mainly used to build warships for river navigation, while deep-water docks were used to build warships for ocean navigation.
this time.
Zhu Ying arrived at the location of the deep-sea shipyard directly under Feng Sheng's guidance.
Look around.
Numerous enormous warships stood before Zhu Ying, each one arranged in a neat and orderly fashion.
Also.
Zhu Ying also noticed that there were many craftsmen working inside the deep-water dock.
Clearly, these craftsmen were working as fast as they could to build more warships.
At this moment, Zhu Ying asked Feng Sheng, the naval general beside him, "How many warships does my Ming navy currently have available for naval warfare?"
Faced with Zhu Ying's question, Feng Sheng dared not hesitate and immediately replied, "Your Highness, ever since Your Highness bestowed upon me the blueprints for this treasure ship, the shipyard has been constructing a large number of treasure ships."
"To this day, there are a total of ten large steam-powered treasure ships!"
"These ten steam-powered treasure ships are each equipped with over a hundred red-coated cannons, which are extremely powerful!"
"Moreover, this large steam-powered treasure ship is quite astonishing in both size and speed!"
After Feng Sheng finished speaking, he specifically pointed to the steamship stored in the dock for Zhu Ying.
When Zhu Ying looked up, he indeed saw a huge object appear before him.
Zhu Ying said to Feng Sheng with a pleased tone, "This large steamship is indeed well-built."
"I am very satisfied."
Upon hearing Zhu Ying's praise, Feng Sheng's face also showed excitement.
Then, Feng Shengyou continued to introduce to Zhu Ying: "Your Highness, in addition to the ten large steam-powered treasure ships, there are also fifty medium-sized treasure ships!"
"These fifty medium-sized treasure ships are also equipped with red cannons, with at least fifty cannons on each ship!"
After Feng Sheng finished speaking, he and Zhu Ying went to visit the medium-sized treasure ship. It was clear that the medium-sized treasure ship was much smaller than the large treasure ship.
Its overall size is only about half that of this large treasure ship.
Nevertheless, this medium-sized treasure ship was still much larger than the warships of other countries.
and.
These fifty medium-sized treasure ships were also steam-powered warships, capable of generating power using steam engines!
Zhu Ying nodded repeatedly after seeing the medium-sized warship.
At last.
Feng Sheng then led Zhu Ying on a tour of the small treasure ship.
Although it is called a small treasure ship, it is actually quite large.
It is smaller than large and medium-sized treasure ships, but in reality, this small treasure ship is still much larger than the warships of other countries!
Feng Sheng, his face beaming with excitement, continued to introduce the ship to Zhu Ying: "Your Highness, what you see now is a small treasure ship."
"Currently, there are about one hundred small treasure ships in total. These small treasure ships are also equipped with red cannons, with an average of twenty cannons on each small warship!"
Zhu Ying's expression was somewhat surprised when he heard that this small treasure ship was also equipped with twenty cannons.
"This small warship also has twenty red-coated cannons?"
Zhu Ying asked again.
"Indeed, Your Highness. This small warship is not only equipped with twenty red-coated cannons, but it is also a steam-powered warship."
"Very good, very good." Zhu Ying praised Feng Sheng, "I am very satisfied with your work during this period."
"Feng Sheng, you have indeed not disappointed me."
Feng Sheng said excitedly, "Your Highness, our Ming Navy is now absolutely the number one warship in the world!"
"No country's naval strength can match it."
"Furthermore, with the current number of Ming Dynasty treasure ships, let alone 100,000 naval personnel, even if the force were doubled, it could still accommodate them!"
Feng Sheng continued to report to Zhu Ying on the specific situation of the Ming Navy.
"Your Highness, this is an assault boat!"
"Currently, each treasure ship is equipped with at least ten assault boats, and large and medium-sized treasure ships are equipped with even more assault boats."
"These assault boats are for naval landings! Moreover, they are equipped with steam engines, making them extremely fast and able to reach land at top speed."
After Feng Sheng gave Zhu Ying a complete overview of the current state of the Ming Dynasty's naval fleet, Zhu Ying was naturally quite satisfied.
Zhu Ying patted Feng Sheng on the shoulder and encouraged him, saying, "I am very satisfied. I am quite pleased with the development of the Ming Navy."
"Especially these naval warships, I am satisfied with both their quantity and equipment."
Upon hearing Zhu Ying's words, Feng Sheng quickly replied, "Your Highness, I was merely doing my duty."
"If it weren't for the blueprints for the treasure ship bestowed by His Highness, even if I had a hundred years, I would never have been able to build such a powerful warship."
"Therefore, I dare not claim all the credit! Ultimately, it is all thanks to Your Highness."
At this moment, Zhu Ying said in a serious tone, "All of this is not due to my efforts."
"It is a reflection of the overall national strength of the Ming Dynasty."
"Nowadays, the Ming Dynasty allocates 10% of its national treasury to build warships every year."
"Without government funding, the Ming Dynasty's warships might never have been upgraded!"
"In addition, every year the national treasury must allocate 10% or even 20% of its revenue to build artillery and other weapons."
"Therefore, the fact that my Ming Dynasty warships have been upgraded to such a powerful force is inseparable from the allocation of funds from the national treasury."
Upon hearing what Zhu Ying said, Feng Sheng immediately replied, "This humble general thanks the court and Your Highness!"
"Your Highness, the strength of our Ming Dynasty's warships has now been enhanced to an unprecedented level. This humble general believes that we will be able to easily annihilate this Japanese nation!"
It's clear that Feng Sheng was quite excited about the campaign against the Japanese islands.
However, Zhu Ying was much calmer in comparison.
He and Feng Sheng returned to the naval camp and began tactical deployments.
Inside the tent.
The naval officers stood on either side of Zhu Ying.
Behind Zhu Ying was a huge nautical chart.
It shows the territory of the Ming Dynasty, as well as the locations of Japan and Ryukyu.
Zhu Ying addressed the assembled naval commanders, saying, "You should all be well aware of the purpose behind my personal visit to the naval camp this time."
"These Japanese spies have infiltrated Yingtian City in an attempt to steal gunpowder from the Ming Dynasty. This act is extremely despicable!"
"Moreover, the Japanese have previously plundered merchant ships. This time, I will avenge both the old and new grudges!"
"In this battle to attack the Japanese islands, the Ming navy must win! We must occupy the Japanese islands in one fell swoop!"
"I want all the nations of the world to understand that if they dare to oppose the Ming Dynasty, they will only face certain death!"
As soon as Zhu Ying finished speaking, all the naval commanders in the tent shouted in unison: "Bloodbath the Japanese islands! Bloodbath the Japanese islands!"
after that.
Zhu Ying then said in a cold tone, "The Ming Dynasty's navy has now been established and is equipped with the most powerful cannons!"
"This time, let this Japanese island taste the might of the Ming navy!"
"According to the information from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, there are currently two countries on the island of Japan: the Northern Dynasty and the Southern Dynasty."
"I don't care whether it's the Southern Dynasty or the Northern Dynasty, I will annihilate them all!"
Zhu Ying's words were undeniably domineering.
As Zhu Ying finished speaking, the naval commanders in the entire tent shouted in unison, "Annihilate the Japanese islands! Annihilate the Japanese islands!"
after that.
Zhu Ying then began military deployments.
Perhaps because this was the Ming Dynasty navy's first battle, Zhu Ying's tactical arrangements were quite detailed.
At last.
After all the tactics have been arranged.
Zhu Ying then said to Admiral Feng Sheng, "Minister Feng, go and prepare immediately according to my instructions."
"Five days later, the Ming navy will officially set out to attack the Japanese islands!"
"This time, I will wipe out both the Northern and Southern Dynasties of Japan in one fell swoop!"
In Zhu Ying's view, if the Ming Dynasty wanted to fully develop its maritime economy, its primary task was to destroy the Japanese islands.
Even without this theft of gunpowder, Zhu Ying would have eventually turned against the Japanese islands.
This incident conveniently provided Zhu Ying with a pretext to send troops.
In Zhu Ying's view, only by completely annihilating the Japanese islands could the coast of the Ming Dynasty be truly safe.
There will be no more Japanese invasions!
The merchant ships of the Ming Dynasty were able to sail safely at sea, unlike those of other countries.
Therefore, in addition to military purposes, the annihilation of the Japanese islands also greatly benefited the commerce and economy of the Ming Dynasty.
At this moment, when Zhu Ying issued the order to prepare for war, Feng Sheng, as the naval admiral, excitedly accepted the order!
"I obey!"
"Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will do my utmost to prepare for war during this period!"
"Implement His Highness's orders strictly!"
Whether it was Feng Sheng or the other naval officers, they were all deeply moved.
after all.
These naval officers had been looking forward to this day for a long time.
...(End of chapter)