EBE Chapter 132: Fighting across the sea to destroy the Japanese pirates
Chapter 132: Fighting across the sea to destroy the Japanese pirates
The Prime Minister was an old man in his sixties. When he first received the memorial, he acted disapproving.
But the further he looked, the more golden light appeared in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, is what Captain Xu reported true?"
The emperor nodded slightly.
Thinking about it, Xu Feng would not dare to risk the crime of deceiving the emperor and tell such a big lie.
"If we could really create a weapon of mass destruction like a cannon, our Dashun Dynasty would surely win the battle against the Japanese pirates."
The Prime Minister's frown gradually relaxed. "I second the motion and support Xu Feng's decision to go to sea and fight against the Japanese pirates."
The Prime Minister then handed the memorial to other important ministers, and after reading it, most of the ministers agreed with the Prime Minister's decision.
"I object."
Soon, a middle-aged official in his early forties stood up and raised objections.
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, and the person was none other than the Minister of War Li Cheng'an.
"Your Majesty, although Captain Xu has created a weapon of mass destruction, we cannot rely solely on this weapon to win the war against the Japanese pirates."
"Master Li, what do you mean?"
The Prime Minister frowned slightly and looked at Li Chengan with an inquiring look.
"Going to sea requires nautical charts and knowledge of the precautions for naval warfare. Furthermore, fighting against the Japanese pirates is a war fought on their homeland, which is not beneficial to our Dashun Dynasty at all..."
Li Chengan truly deserves to be the Minister of War. He pointed out the problem immediately with just a few words.
However, the reason why he stopped Xu Feng from crossing the sea to fight was not for the sake of the Dashun Dynasty, but to vent Yang Bao's anger.
Li Cheng'an is a backer behind Yang Bao. The previous governor of Linhai County was killed for colluding with the Japanese pirates. Li Cheng'an wanted to support Yang Bao to become the second governor, but he didn't expect Xu Feng to kill him in the process.
Li Chengan has always kept this matter in mind, and naturally feels resentful towards Xu Feng.
"Report to the Emperor..."
"enough!"
The emperor immediately slammed the table and stood up, scanning the civil and military officials present with a majestic look.
"Since the founding of the Dashun Dynasty, we have been harassed by the Japanese pirates in various ways. Now that we have finally had the opportunity to fight at sea, I will definitely not miss it."
The emperor was not unaware of the open and covert struggles among the ministers in the court.
As an emperor, one naturally has to strike a balance, but when it comes to national justice, no one can be confused.
"Come, pass on my decree. I appoint Xu Feng as the General Protecting the Nation and lead the 200,000 troops near Linhai County to fight at sea against the Japanese pirates."
"According to the order."
The emperor's decree had already been issued, so even if Li Cheng'an was dissatisfied, he naturally didn't dare to say more.
Three days later, Xu Feng successfully received the emperor's edict, and then he immediately began to prepare plans and advance deployments for sea battles.
"Master Xu, Mr. Zhuge is seeking advice from outside."
"Please invite Mr. Zhuge in quickly."
Xu Feng immediately put down the documents in his hand and went out to greet Zhuge Xuan in person.
"Sir, I have come here to congratulate you."
The imperial edict had already spread throughout Linhai County. Mr. Zhuge hurried to find Xu Feng as soon as he heard the news.
"Congratulations, sir. Your long-cherished wish is about to come true."
"Don't dare."
Xu Feng smiled and waved his hand, "Fighting against Japanese pirates at sea is a tedious matter, not as simple as it seems on the surface."
Moreover, Xu Feng knew very well that if he failed in this battle, he would probably face death.
"I wonder how the troops will be deployed next? If you can use me, please let me know."
Mr. Zhuge came here to help Xu Feng solve his problems, and this move touched him deeply.
"I only plan to take Honglian and the Jinyiwei's five thousand elite soldiers and three hundred cannons with me on this naval battle."
"Although Linhai County appears calm on the surface, it is actually experiencing turbulent times. This time, I am leading my men to fight at sea. I am afraid that Mr. Zhuge will have to take care of all matters in the city."
After hearing Xu Feng's deployment plan, Mr. Zhuge was slightly surprised.
"I heard that the emperor gave you command of an army of 200,000 men. Why don't you take them all with you on a single voyage?"
"As for the affairs in the city, although I want to share your worries, it is ultimately not legitimate and I am afraid it will cause criticism from others."
Mr. Zhuge's concerns are not without reason.
After all, it was well known that Mr. Zhuge was from the Demon Cult. However, some people in the city still held grudges against the Demon Cult. If he were to take over the management of Linhai County and be reported to the court by someone with ulterior motives, it would probably bring endless trouble to Xu Feng.
"Mr. Zhuge, there's no need to worry about that. I've already arranged everything here."
At this point, Zhuge Xuan naturally could not refuse any longer, and finally agreed to Xu Feng's request.
"For the next month, I will focus all my energy on preparing for the sea battle plan."
Then Xu Feng took out a brand new design drawing and placed it in front of Mr. Zhuge.
"The waves in the ocean are no less powerful than the small rivers and lakes of our Dashun Dynasty. This is the ship I designed."
Mr. Zhuge took the drawing and looked at it, and was slightly shocked.
These ships are not only huge in size, but also covered with a layer of iron sheets. Moreover, every component used on the ship is obviously an improved version, which will further increase the stability and disaster resistance of the ship.
"Master Xu, please forgive me for speaking frankly."
Mr. Zhuge frowned slightly and continued, "If we build a large ship according to the design on the blueprint, there will probably be drawbacks. The surface of the ship is covered with iron sheets, which will increase the ship's weight and naturally affect its flexibility."
Mr. Zhuge's concerns were not unreasonable, but Xu Feng had already considered these disadvantages in advance.
He then placed a detailed diagram of the blueprint in front of Mr. Zhuge. "This ship is different from previous ones. I've added ten gears and ten levers inside it. These will greatly increase its flexibility and won't be affected by excessive weight."
"I have ordered people to start building these large ships, and I will set off with the team in a month."
"Then leave the military logistics support matters to me."
Mr. Zhuge bowed respectfully to Xu Feng and said, "This demonstration against the Japanese pirates is related to the fate of our Dashun nation. I will never dare to be careless."
"After so many years of accumulation and development, Linhai County has already accumulated a mountain of grain. Even if the Japanese pirates want to fight a protracted war, we can afford it."
"Master Xu, I wish you victory in your first battle."
"Thank you, Mr. Zhuge, for your kind words."