Chapter 3015

Badang Port is located in the middle of Sumatra Island. There is no other big city on the coastline from here to Banda Aceh City at the northern end of Sumatra Island. There is only one decent port, Shibuya Port, but the local development level

It's not even as good as Badong Port, it's just a small seaside town.

However, this environment also facilitated the secret operations of the troops led by Shao Tianhu. After leaving Badong Port, as long as the fleet did not take the initiative to dock, they would hardly encounter other countries' ships on the way, and there would be no need to worry about leaking their whereabouts.

After sailing silently on the sea for nearly four days, the mercenary fleet has arrived in the waters near Banda Aceh, which means that it is not far from its destination, the Andaman Islands.

Founded in the early 13th century, Banda Aceh has a history of more than 400 years. It is not only the capital of the Kingdom of Aceh, but also the largest city within a thousand miles.

It is a transit point for Southeast Asian pilgrims heading to Mecca, and a shopping mall where Arabs purchase gold, ivory and camphor. Today it has become one of the spice trade centers in Southeast Asia.

During Zheng He's voyages to the West, he visited Banda Aceh and presented gifts to the then King of Aceh. It is said that they are still treasured in the Aceh Palace today.

However, the diplomatic friendship between the Ming Dynasty and Aceh has long since come to an end. Today, the most influential country in Aceh is not the former Kingdom of Heaven, but the upstart Haihan, who has risen rapidly in the past thirty years.

Haihan has not only become Aceh's largest trading partner in the past few years, but has also provided Aceh with the most urgently needed support in many areas, military assistance being one of them.

Haihan's military aid project goes far beyond sending out mercenaries to quell the civil strife in Aceh. It is also selling various weapons and equipment, including warships and artillery, to Aceh, as well as training new weapons and equipment that can skillfully use these equipment.

army to enable Aceh to respond to challenges from Western colonial powers.

Part of the Second Battalion of the Sing Tao Mercenary Regiment has been stationed in Banda Aceh for a long time in the name of military advisors. It is said that the King of Aceh's guard has also begun to gradually replace equipment and update combat methods. It must be that these military advisors

Can't be separated.

But Shao Tianhu was performing a Class A secret mission at this time. Not only could he not stop at a big city like Banda Aceh on the way, but he also had to try his best to avoid nearby sea areas to avoid being discovered by interested parties.

When the soldiers discovered that the horizon of Sumatra Island was gradually being thrown behind the ship, they began to question the destination of the trip. Because when they set off, the officers claimed that they were heading to a combat mission somewhere on the west coast of Sumatra Island, but from the itinerary

It is not difficult to judge that the fleet has sailed away from the northern tip of Sumatra Island, which is different from the destination mentioned by the officers.

It was only then that Shao Tianhu ordered the truth to be announced to the soldiers, saying that the destination of the trip was not in Sumatra, but the specific location still needed to wait for further instructions from Xingdao.

The fleet finally stopped near Great Nicobar Island, northwest of Banda Aceh. Shao Tianhu ordered the communications corps to set up a radio station and send a telegram to Xingdao for instructions on the next step.

Great Nicobar Island is the southernmost tip of the Andaman Islands, and is separated from Sumatra by the four-hundred-mile-wide Great Strait. However, this island, which is half the size of Star Island, has no settlers because of its remote location.

, merchant ships that sail between the Indian Peninsula and Sumatra generally do not choose to dock here. To the outside world, this is basically an uninhabited island.

There is a bay on the east coast of the island that can provide shelter from the wind. Shao Tianhu ordered the fleet to temporarily station here, and at the same time sent soldiers ashore to look for water sources to replenish fresh water.

Although the information stated that this was an uninhabited island, Shao Tianhu took into account the nature of this mission and that he might encounter other forces here, so he ordered his troops to prepare for battle.

However, until Xingdao sent the latest instructions, the troops did not find any trace of anyone's activities here. After reading the contents of the telegram, Shao Tianhu immediately summoned the officers for a meeting.

"Everyone, our mission this time is not simple! The command requires us to act as pirates in the northern waters of the Malacca Strait and carry out indiscriminate attacks on foreign merchant ships passing through this area. The target can be chosen by oneself. The action period is one month from today.

Within the period, the headquarters will terminate the mission at any time depending on the progress."

When everyone heard this, there was an uproar.

The mercenary group has done dirty work before, but this is the first time in their military career that they have received such an order from the headquarters.

"Listen to what I have to say!" Shao Tianhu gestured for everyone to calm down, and then continued: "The headquarters requires us not to reveal our identities or leak information. After the operation is completed, all participants will receive military merit awards and obtain official nationality.

And they can choose to transfer to the Haihan Army or retire from the army, and their treatment will be in accordance with Haihan national standards. The government will make corresponding arrangements and relocate them to other places in the country."

"But Xingdao will not admit that it issued such an order to the mercenary group. If any situation occurs, such as exposing our identity, we can only bear the consequences ourselves."

After everyone listened, they all had the same thought in their minds - no wonder this mission is a top secret. Once the truth of this kind of dirty work is revealed, it will definitely have a negative impact on Haihan. After the deal is completed, of course the participants can no longer do it.

You have to stay in the mercenary group, otherwise you won't be able to keep the secret.

Shao Tianhu put down the telegram in his hand and said in a deep voice: "Now that everyone is an insider, no matter what the purpose of this mission is, we can only carry it out. If the incident comes to light, we will have to bear the blame ourselves. Under your control

If anyone is unwilling to participate, or likes to gossip, just leave them on this island, so as not to hinder everyone’s advancement and wealth!”

Shao Tianhu's implication was that everyone should confirm that those involved in the operation were all reliable people to avoid mistakes.

"Battal Commander, how far will this job go? Is everyone who has seen us killed alive?"

"Battal Commander, if you encounter Portuguese or Acehnese merchant ships, will you do the same?"

"With a month-long operation, if we need to operate frequently, will we bring enough supplies?"

"The supply ship is slow and it is inconvenient to move with the warship. We still need to arrange a station, right? Or camp here?"

"Will all the robbed ships and cargo be sunk at sea or how will they be disposed of?"

Everyone asked a lot of questions, which also indicates that this task may not be as simple as it sounds. If not handled carefully, many links may expose the truth of this task.

Shao Tianhu was silent for a long time before he said: "First check the flags and shipside markings on each ship. Remove what should be taken down and cover up what should be covered. In short, we can't let people recognize our identity from a long distance on the sea."
Chapter completed!