The fleet that was coming towards him was naturally the main force of the Nanyang Fleet led by Shi Shipiao and the Spanish Cádiz Fleet. Seeing that more than a dozen cruisers sailing in front raised the golden dragon flag, Shi Shipiao did not order slowing down. He did not underestimate the enemy because his fleet was moving against the wind. Besides, he was also worried that the Portuguese fleet would see the situation not good and would slip away. (._)

As the two fleets approached quickly, Lin Wei also saw clearly the golden dragon flag flying on the other fleet, and couldn't help but relax completely. Then he ordered, "Relieve the war." The British and Portuguese coalition forces were still more than ten nautical miles away from them. Even if they were chasing at full speed, it would take half an hour for the war to break out. There was no need to make the soldiers too nervous. Before the war, the soldiers must relax.

More than an hour later, the two fleets gathered together. Lin Wei changed his boat and boarded Shi Shipiao's flagship. Shi Shipiao was standing at the bow of the ship, holding a telescope to observe the situation of the Portuguese warship. The Portuguese fleet had already lowered half of its sails, slowed down, and began to arrange combat formations. At this speed, there was no possibility of the two fleets starting a war without two hours.

After waiting for Lin Wei, he saluted. Shi Shipiao put down his telescope, glanced at the generals behind him, and said, "It's still early to start the war, everyone enters the command cabin." He said, and ordered, "Precaution, if the other party has any abnormal movements, he will report it urgently at any time."

In the command cabin, Lin Wei reported in detail about the robbery of the merchant ship, and then said in a deep voice: "The fleet opposite is the British-Portugal coalition, with twelve third-level battleships, twenty fourth-level battleships, ten cruisers, and a total of 42 large and small battleships. The number of British-Portugal warships is roughly equivalent."

When Shi Shipeng heard that the British and Portuguese coalition was opposite, he couldn't help but glance at Archer, the commander of the Cadiz fleet. Although the main warships of the enemy fleet were a bit large, they were not unbearable. They just took a little more time. This sea area was more than fifty nautical miles away from Port Lisbon. With the power of the artillery of the South China Fleet, they had no chance to escape.

He pondered slightly and asked, "You are very familiar with the situation between General Archer Archer and Portugal. Do you think the commander of the British and Portuguese coalition forces across the country should be Portuguese or British?"

After listening to Lin Wei's report, Archer couldn't help but feel secretly happy. The British actually took the initiative to intervene. This was an unexpected surprise. As long as the war started, the Qing people were firmly tied to the chariot of the Faspise Alliance, and there was no need to worry that Gibraltar could not be taken back. Although the fleet sizes of both sides were equal, they both had the advantage of the artillery of the Qing fleet. There should be no suspense in this battle. Of course, this also depends on the quality of the national navy. However, as long as it is not too cowardly, it will definitely win this battle. I don't know how many warships can be seized in this battle. This hard bone of the British is not easy to chew.\\\\

He was busy making his own small calculations. After hearing Shi Shipiao's words, he pondered for a moment before speaking: "Willes, the commander of the British Fleet in Lisbon, is a veteran with many battles. He has extremely rich experience in naval battles, but he is arrogant and will never fall under others. Since the British Fleet has all been dispatched, Welles cannot not go to fight. I think the commander of the British and Portuguese Allied Forces must be Welles."

The British commander, Shi Shipiao pondered for a moment before saying, "It is reported that the British have always liked to seize the upper hand in battle, and they are arranged in battle lines. Is that true?"

"Not bad." Archer nodded: "European naval powers are striving to lose their temper in naval battles, but the British will seize the opportunity every time they fight."

Lin Wei has heard of this habit of the British, but he has never understood it. Why should the British be so unique? The benefits of seizing the lower vent in naval battles are obvious, because they are in the lower vent, and they can be said to be able to retreat freely. If they can fight, they will fight. The situation is not good. They can raise the anchor and raise the sail to withdraw from the battle at any time, but if they are up the upper vent, they will not be able to escape the cannon. If they want to escape, there is no chance, because once Yang Fan raises the anchor, the warship will be sent to the other party's muzzle with the wind. This is one of them.

Secondly, the sea is strong and the waves are in the lower wind vent. When the waves are blowing, all gun positions can be on the sea surface, which is conducive to maximizing the power of the artillery. When the upper wind vent, the hull often leans forward under the action of wind and waves. If the waves are large, the lower-level muzzle, that is, the heavy artillery, can basically not even open the gun door, which greatly affects the power of the artillery.

After pondering for a moment, Lin Wei asked without shame: "General Archer, the British have extraordinary achievements. Is it related to seizing the upper hand?"

Archer shrugged and shook his head, "Only God knows this, everyone knows the disadvantages of being on the rise, so no one wants to learn it, and the British's record is not outstanding."

In the war, Shi Shipiao will not waste time discussing this issue. He just confirmed the British's combat habits and styles. After coughing lightly, he said in a deep voice: "I will discuss this matter later."

After a slight pause, he continued: "The number of main battleships between the enemy and us - battleships - is equal, and our side has far exceeded that of the other side in terms of cruisers. This battle is not only the first battle of the Nanyang Fleet in Europe, but also the first time that the Qing Empire and the Spanish Empire have joined forces to fight. Not only must we win, but we must also win beautifully, and we must wipe out the other side."

Speaking of this, he glanced at everyone with a majestic expression and said in a deep voice: "All the generals obey the orders."

Everyone in the cabin immediately stood up and stood solemnly, all of them were full of enthusiasm, looking at Shi Shipiao. The quality of the combat mission was directly related to the size of the military achievements and the promotion in the future. How could the generals not care about it?

"It's already four minutes of Shin Time." Shi Shipiao said, taking out a pocket watch given by Archer and looking at it, and said, "That's at 4 pm, I'll give you half an hour to prepare. At 5 pm, I'll hear the roar of artillery. The entire fleet is divided into five squads, each fighting for its own battleships. Archer, you lead all the battleships of the Cadiz fleet, and try to concentrate artillery fire to strike the enemy's fourth-level battleships."

The Cadiz fleet had four third-level battleships and four fourth-level battleships. They both fought for themselves and fought against each other. This was quite a great care for them. Archer quickly saluted and said, "As for orders, general."

Shi Shipiao continued: "The main battleship of the Nanyang Fleet is divided into two teams, each led by the coach and Deputy General Lin to attack both sides of the opponent's battle formation."

"I will obey the order." Lin Wei hurriedly stood attentively and saluted.

"All the fleet cruisers are divided into two teams according to their fleet, led by Lin Haifeng and Avriel, respectively, responsible for annihilation of the opponent's cruisers and preventing the opponent's battleship from escaping the battlefield. In this battle, there is no one that escapes the net! Do you understand?"

"The last general!" Lin Haifeng responded in a deep voice.

After listening to the translation, Avriel also followed: "Dear, General."

Shi Shipiao nodded and said, "It is better to cut one finger than to hurt his ten fingers, bite one, and sink one, lose his courage and take his soul to achieve miraculous results. In this battle, we must exert the momentum of our Qing Empire and the majesty of our Qing fleet. Are you confident?"

"Yes!" Everyone immediately responded with a loud bang.

The British and Portuguese coalition forces were a different scene at this time. The entire fleet's warships had been reduced from half sail to full sail. The warships were moving forward slowly with the current, and their speed would not exceed three nautical miles per hour. Warships were waving the flags on the sea, gradually forming a straight line and a standard battle line.

Looking at the formation that had been initially formed, the fleet commander Wells couldn't help but feel satisfied. He turned around and looked at Herbert, and then ordered the adjutant: "Let the band play some relaxing music to ease the atmosphere before the war, and give us a glass of wine."

"Yes, general." The adjutant responded quickly, and as he turned around, Wells continued: "Oh, don't forget to give the Portuguese fleet commander Keruosi a bottle of French wine I have treasured, and wish him good luck."

Herbert added: "Order the soldiers to have a meal as soon as possible."

The relaxed and soothing music soon sounded at the tail of the battleship. The captains of each main warship also inherited this tradition, playing music and having dinner. The captains began to greet each other, and the soldiers stayed at their posts and enjoyed dinner quietly. Countless small boats began to shuttle back and forth between the main warships, bringing gifts, cordial greetings and encouragement to each warship. The entire fleet was filled with a relaxed and quiet atmosphere.

However, the abnormal actions of the Qingxi Combined Fleet quickly broke the relaxed and quiet atmosphere. Wells had just finished drinking two glasses of wine, and the lookout on the mast issued a warning, and the enemy fleet was moving abnormally!

When he raised his telescope, Wells couldn't help but look surprised. The Qingxi Fleet's warship actually rose up and the warship began to move in a mess. He couldn't help but say in surprise: "Does the enemy plan to retreat without fighting?"

After pondering for a while, Herbert said in a deep voice: "It shouldn't be, I'll understand later."

Just under their close attention, the Qingxi fleet moved quickly and gradually formed five obvious teams. Herbert couldn't help but look serious, pondered for a while, and then said: "Is this the new tactic of the Qing people?"

"Can the Qing people create new tactics?" Wells said disdainfully: "Only the battle line formation can play the greatest artillery advantage of warships. This has been tested countless battles. How many large-scale naval battles have the Qing fleet fought? They can develop new battle formations? What a joke!"

"Do we consider changing formations to meet the enemy?" Herbert asked with a worried expression.

"No need." Wells refused without thinking, "Now the change of formation can only make the fleet confused. If the opponent takes the opportunity to attack, it will turn into a melee."

Shi Shipiao naturally didn't know that the other party had no intention of changing the formation. Seeing that the five teams of his own fleet had already taken shape, the other party was still in a battle line formation. He couldn't help but smile. The rigid Europeans, after a moment of pondering, he said in a deep voice: "Rise the battle flag! Blow the trumpet! Attack!"

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