Chapter 967 It's a coincidence, I met again

(0967)

[Today's second update is here! I posted the wrong chapter number before. Sorry, I've changed it...]

Of course, the Dutch were not stupid enough to let the Zheng family fleet obtain a large amount of wood, thereby creating a large number of warships to deal with themselves. Therefore, the Dutch intelligence network has always been very sensitive to the information on the Zheng family fleet to obtain wood. Under such circumstances, it is indeed difficult for Zheng Zhilong to obtain sufficient shipbuilding wood.

It was like Zhang Zhun, who used to want to buy a large amount of shipbuilding wood from Yunnan and other places, but the plan was aborted soon. Why? Because such news could not be concealed by Zheng Zhilong. Zheng Zhilong at that time was still very strong, and the strength of the Tiger Army Navy was still very weak. Zhang Zhun could not afford to offend Zheng Zhilong at all.

Without enough shipbuilding wood, more warships cannot be built. Especially for the keels of large warships, the requirements are very high. Such towering trees are not so easy to find. The Hu Ben Navy would not have been able to create so many warships without relying on a large amount of wood from the primeval forest of Liaodong. Therefore, the large warships of the Zheng family fleet almost lost one, and it was difficult to make up for it.

Of course, if there is an opportunity, Zheng Zhilong wouldn't mind giving the Hu Ben Navy a little lesson. It would be even better if he could capture some of the warships of the Hu Ben Navy. Judging from the repeated combat feedback before, the new warships of the Hu Ben Navy are quite good in combat, and are even stronger than the three-masted gunships!

...

It took three days for Zheng Zhilong to assemble his main fleet. Starting from the base camp in Fujian, the Zheng family fleet quickly headed north. Zheng Zhilong always wanted to reach the estuary of the Yangtze River as soon as possible and rescue his son as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the weather was a bit unbeatable. Along the way, the Zheng family fleet was driving against the wind and the fleet moved very slowly.

In the winter of the tenth year of Chongzhen, the northwest wind was mainly blowing on the sea surface of East Asia. The wind was blowing from land, and the ships headed unscrupulously. The sails of each warship were blown by the northwest wind to a very strange angle. It took almost six days for the Zheng family fleet to reach the estuary of the Yangtze River.

At this time, it happened to be noon one day. The winter sun was very bright and the visibility was very good. The sky was blue and blue, and there was no white cloud. The water seemed to be blue and blue. If you were lucky, you could even see groups of sharks coming and going. They were shuttled quickly under the water, as if they were chasing something.

Seeing these sharks, Zheng Zhilong and the servants around him were not very good. They all looked heavy and worried about Zheng Chenggong, Zheng Shouyuan and others. Under normal circumstances, there are no sharks on the sea near the estuary of the Yangtze River. Why are there so many sharks today? There is only one reason. That is, a large amount of bloody smell drifting out from the estuary of the Yangtze River, attracting a large number of sharks. There is no need to elaborate on the shark's sensitivity to the smell of blood.

It can be seen from this that the battle inside the Yangtze River must be very fierce, so that so much blood will drift out. It must be noted that the flow of the Yangtze River is very large, and the blood of dozens of people, or even one or two hundred people, falls into the Yangtze River and will soon be diluted by the water flow. When you arrive at the estuary of the Yangtze River, you will no longer smell the blood.

"Komori..."

Zheng Zhilong couldn't help but tighten his heart.

He didn't know whether his son was still alive, whether he was injured, or even killed or captured by the Hu Ben Army. As the saying goes, the feeling of being close to the hometown is even more timid. Zheng Zhilong came to the estuary of the Yangtze River and was a little afraid to enter the Yangtze River. What if his eldest son really had something to say, how should he face it?

"Dangdangdang!"

Suddenly, a rapid sound of gongs rang out.

This is an alarm that an enemy is coming!

Zheng Zhilong couldn't help frowning, hurriedly looked at the top of the mast of his flagship, paying attention to the flag waving by the observation whistle. As a result, after a moment, the observation whistle began to wave the black pennant. This means that an enemy fleet was approaching.

"Is the Hu Ben Army?"

Zheng Zhilong asked himself conditionedly.

Those who can appear in the waters near the Yangtze River Estuary and are judged as enemy fleets by observation posts should have no one else except the Hu Ben Navy.

"How is that possible?"

For a moment, Zheng Zhilong couldn't help feeling a little incredible.

As soon as I arrived at the estuary of the Yangtze River, I met the Hu Ben Navy, as if the Hu Ben Navy was waiting for my arrival here. Could it be that the Hu Ben Navy is a guy who is aware of the unknown? I have learned the information long ago and waited for me to fall into the trap here? If this is true, this Hu Ben Army would be a little more powerful, right?

In fact, Zheng Zhilong was too worried. The encounter between him and the Hu Ben Navy was a complete coincidence. Well, to be precise, it cannot be said to be a coincidence. Because both parties encountered have a common destination, that is, the Yangtze River. The two have a common task, which is to reinforce their companions. This is destined that they will meet sooner or later. They are either at the estuary of the Yangtze River or in the Yangtze River.

"The grass is shrunk!"

Zheng Zhilong couldn't help but curse a vernacular saying.

When you meet the Hu Ben Navy here, the Zheng family fleet wants to rescue Zheng Chenggong easily, but it is probably not possible. I believe that the arrival of Hu Ben Navy also came to reinforce its companions. Obviously, no one will let the other party easily enter the Yangtze River. This means that both sides must decide the winner first at the estuary of the Yangtze River before being qualified to talk about other things.

"Commander, it is Zheng Zhilong's flagship!"

What Zheng Zhilong encountered was the main force of the Second Navy Fleet of the Tiger Ben Army led by Zhou Zhengyu. The staff member recognized Zheng Zhilong's flagship at once.

"Zheng Zhilong?"

Zhou Zhengyu frowned quietly.

The old guy Zheng Zhilong actually came in person, which is indeed a bit unexpected. Judging from the number of warships he brought, his strength is quite strong! It seems that Zheng Zhilong is here prepared.

"Prepare for the fight!"

Zhou Zhengyu issued an order with a stern voice.

Meeting Zheng Zhilong here is actually not a good thing for the Hu Ben Navy. Zhou Zhengyu has not yet met with Li Jicheng, and he doesn't know about Li Jicheng's situation, so he encountered a powerful enemy here. Obviously, once the battle begins, it is impossible to end easily.

The name of a person, the shadow of a tree, and the name of Zheng Zhilong are more than ten years old. They must have some real skills under their hands. Zhou Zhengyu does not have any contempt for the enemy in front of him. His only wish now is that Li Jicheng can withstand it and not have any accidents. Everything will be discussed after the two sides have fought.

Of course, it would be great if Zhang Haibin's third fleet could arrive quickly. The second fleet and the third fleet would meet to defeat Zheng Zhilong's main fleet. However, considering that the third fleet would set off from North Korea's Busan Port, the journey was long and there was no more than ten days, so it would definitely not be able to reach the estuary of the Yangtze River. Zhou Zhengyu's expectations were not very high.

"Fight to the death!"

Zheng Zhilong gave a fierce order.

The current situation requires him to quickly kill his opponent in order to enter the Yangtze River smoothly and find his son. It is not feasible to delay even a quarter of an hour.

Under Zheng Zhilong's shout, the warships of the Zheng family fleet quickly adjusted their queues and formed a long snake formation with three-masted gunships in front and armed merchant ships in back. Obviously, such a combat queue is going to engage in artillery battles with the Hu Ben Navy. Zheng Zhilong's meaning is very simple. Relying on his own number of warships, he will overwhelm the opponent's advantage and kill the opponent as soon as possible.

However, Zhou Zhengyu is not a fool. Zheng Zhilong's main fleet is so powerful that he will definitely not fight against the opponent. His strategy is to first drag Zheng Zhilong's main force to prevent Zheng Zhilong from entering the Yangtze River Estuary. Zheng Chenggong and Li Jicheng fought one-on-one. Under normal circumstances, Zhou Zhengyu still felt that Li Jicheng's winning odds were relatively large.

The first fleet of the Tiger Army led by Li Jicheng is located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. If the situation is unfavorable, Li Jicheng can retreat quickly. Now, not seeing Li Jicheng's shadow means that he should have the upper hand. As long as he restrains Zheng Zhilong's main force and does not allow him to reinforce in the Yangtze River, Li Jicheng will not be in great danger.

"Want to run?"

Zheng Zhilong cursed secretly.

The Zheng family fleet rushed forward and tried to fight with the Hu Ben Navy. Unexpectedly, the Hu Ben Navy chose the strategy of retreat. The three-masted gunship of the Zheng family fleet fired several shots, demonstrative shooting, but unfortunately there was no effect.

The reaction of the Hu Ben Navy made Zheng Zhilong feel very unhappy. The warships of the Hu Ben Navy just retreated and did not completely evacuate the battlefield. The distance between them and the Zheng family fleet was only about four miles away. This means that they were still wandering around themselves and continuing to spy. Under such circumstances, Zheng Zhilong did not dare to enter the Yangtze River.

The water surface of the Yangtze River is completely different from the sea. It is much narrower and has a much shallower depth. In that case, so many warships of the Zheng family fleet will definitely not be able to be deployed. Once the Zheng family fleet enters the Yangtze River, it is like binding one's own hands and destroying one's own martial arts. Zheng Zhilong will definitely not do such a thing. If it is not done well, even he himself may be ruined here.

The Zheng family fleet wants to enter the Yangtze River safely and rescue Zheng Chenggong smoothly, the premise is to eliminate the Tiger Army fleet in front of him. Even if it cannot be completely annihilated, it must be completely destroyed so that it is not threatening. Therefore, Zheng Zhilong's desire for war is very strong. However, the stronger Zheng Zhilong's desire is, the more Zhou Zhengyu retreats. The two armies confront each other for a long time, but still do not enter a real combat state.
Chapter completed!