814 Battle of Kagoshima (2)

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"Report, in the direction of Kushikino, 70,000 Japanese troops are rushing towards us, and they are expected to arrive in four days!"

"Revisit."

"Yes."

"Report, a fleet of ships has sailed into Kagoer Harbor, and it seems that it is under the banner of our army."

"Flag them and confirm their identity, otherwise they will not be allowed to enter the port of Kagoshima."

Li Zixiao personally entered Kagoshima Castle and listened to the heralds of the White Dragon Army who returned to the city and reported to him the first situation, and responded one by one.

And Luo Chao, Zhao Zilong, Li Tianba, Yoshino Shuiichiro, Du Tengfei and Fujino Yokokawa and others also led their troops to leave Kagoshima Castle and deploy around Kagoshima Castle according to Li Zixiao's orders.

Li Zixiao has already decided to fight a decisive battle with the Japanese army in Kagoshima.

"Report, Master Hou, the fleet that entered Luer Bay is our people.

It was Lord Li Yan who transported them here from Nagasaki Port with the help of a group of Jiangbei merchant ships.

We have been confirmed by the flag. ”

Soon, a white dragon sergeant returned and reported to Li Zixiao.

"Okay, give the order, let their fleet enter the harbor."

After Li Zixiao heard the news, he also said excitedly.

Li Yan led his troops to come at this time, not only to bring them some soldiers, but more importantly, to bring them ammunition and heavy supplies, and enhance the existing strength of the White Dragon Army.

Half a day later, Li Yan and Peng Hao took more than 5,000 soldiers ashore at the port of Kagoshima, and Li Zixiao personally went to greet them.

"Meet Master Hou."

"You've worked hard, hurry up and excuse me."

Li Zixiao looked at the soldiers of the White Dragon Army who came down from the boat, as well as the boxes of ammunition and iron-shelled mines they brought, and laughed.

"Whose fleet sent you?"

Li Zixiao looked at the dozen or so merchant ships on the sea, and asked Li Yan.

"Back to the Hou Ye, this fleet at sea belongs to the Jiangbei Chamber of Commerce, and they happened to go to Tamna Island to deliver goods.

Mrs. Chan and Lord Chan found them on Tamna Island, hoping to postpone their return voyage and hire them to pick us up from Nagasaki.

They also happily agreed, so that we could rush over and join Hou Ye. ”

Li Yan replied truthfully.

"Okay, very good, even if they haven't forgotten their roots, they have also remembered what Ben Hou once said to them.

Go and bring the leader of their fleet, and say that Benhou wants to see him. ”

Hearing Li Yan say this, Li Zixiao nodded with satisfaction.

For a long time, Li Zixiao has encouraged commercial development in Jiangbei, especially to encourage maritime merchants to boldly go out, and has given these maritime merchants great policy support.

At the same time, Li Zixiao has always advocated the term 'patriotic businessman', that is, to tell those businessmen that they should not forget their country and nation while making money.

Since Li Zixiao landed in Kyushu to conquer the island of Kyushu, the trade between Jiangbei and the Japanese was completely cut off.

There will be no merchant ships, and they will come to Nagasaki again.

Now, these maritime merchants are willing to take the risk of coming to Nagasaki and transporting Li Yan and them to Kagoshima.

But their actions made Li Zixiao feel deeply relieved.

"Yang Datong, vice president of the villain Jiangbei Chamber of Commerce, meet Master Hou."

Soon, Li Yan came over with a middle-aged man.

"It's you, Ben Hou has seen you, Vice President Yang."

Li Zixiao said with a smile.

"Hou Ye has a good memory, the year before last at the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, Hou Ye came once, and the little one was fortunate to see Hou Ye.

Unexpectedly, Hou Ye still remembered the villain, which made the villain panic. ”

Yang Datong said respectfully with a smile on his face.

"Alright, you don't have to be so restrained.

This time Ben Hou sees you, and you have to praise you.

At this time, you can take risks, waste time, and help Benhou's men, which is commendable.

I haven't forgotten what Ben Hou once said to you, be a patriotic businessman. ”

"The little one has always remembered the teachings of the Hou Ye, and it is a small blessing to be able to do a part for the Hou Ye and the country."

"Okay, this time Benhou can't let you run in vain, it's a merchant ship hired by Benhou.

Later, Li Yan will lead you down to receive a piece of silver, which is regarded as the employment fee paid to you by Benhou.

Then, you should leave here as soon as possible with the fleet, there is about to be a war here, and I am afraid that you will not be able to leave when it is late. ”

After Li Zixiao and Yang Datong talked, he didn't plan to continue to waste time, he still had a lot of things to do.

"Master Hou, don't ......"

Yang Datong still wanted to shirk and didn't plan to collect cashiers, but was interrupted by Li Zixiao.

"Okay, Ben Hou said that you will take the silver if you give it, and you can't let you run in vain."

"Master Xie, I'm afraid the other small one won't be able to leave."

Saying that, Yang Datong showed a wry smile on his face, and continued: "When the small one led the fleet over, at the mouth of the southern bay, a part of the warships of the Japanese people were found.

Fortunately, they were few in number, and they found us late, so they let the small condescension lead the fleet into the bay, otherwise the small fleet might not have been able to come.

Now, those warships of the Japanese Kingdom on the other side of the bay are probably already on guard, and the villain can't leave if he wants to leave at this time! ”

"Oh? Yes! ”

After Li Zixiao heard Yang Datong's words, he also paid attention to it, and looked at Li Yan next to him.

Seeing Li Yan nodding slightly, Li Zixiao knew that Yang Datong was not lying, and immediately realized the seriousness of the matter.

"The Japanese Kingdom actually left a fleet at the entrance to Kago'er Bay? How many warships are there? Have you seen clearly? ”

Li Zixiao asked Yang Datong.

"Back to Master Hou, the little one really didn't see it all, at that time, we were just thinking about rushing into the bay as soon as possible while the other party didn't react, so as not to be caught up.

Therefore, it is not necessary to see how many warships there are on the other side, but there should not be many, otherwise they can completely block the mouth of the bay, and we will not be able to get in by luck. ”

Hearing Yang Datong say this, Li Zixiao's nervous mood relaxed a little.

What Li Zixiao is worried about is that the main force of the naval fleet of the Japanese Kingdom is guarding the entrance to Kagoshima Bay at this time, so it will be easy to encounter the naval fleet of the White Dragon Army that Hong Sheng has returned!

"Well, since you can't return for the time being, stay in Kagoshima Castle for the time being, and your merchant ships have been requisitioned by Benhou for the time being.

When this battle is over, I will return the merchant ship to you.

If your ship is damaged or sunk during the battle, the Hou government will be solely responsible for compensation after the battle.

At this point, Ben Hou will personally write a warrant for you to use as proof, are you willing? ”

"The little ones are willing."

Hearing Li Zixiao say this, Yang Datong could only agree, what else could he choose.

Now, of course, he did not dare to lead the fleet back again, and it would be miserable if he encountered a Japanese warship on the way and sunk them or captured them.

When the time comes, not only will their lives be threatened, but no one will compensate for the economic losses.

Fortunately, although Li Zixiao has requisitioned their sea boats, he has finally given them a guarantee.

Another day later, more than 70,000 Japanese troops who had landed from Kushikino were still heading towards Kagoshima Castle.

Li Zixiao immediately sent Luo Chao as the main general, Peng Hao and Yoshino Shuiichiro as deputy generals, commanding 40,000 troops, to meet this Japanese army.

Among them, there were more than 10,000 people in the White Dragon Army, 20,000 in the city defense army, and 10,000 Japanese soldiers under the command of Shuichiro Yoshino.

And Li Zixiao is on the side of Kagoshima City, only 3,000 White Dragon Army remained, plus more than 5,000 city defenses, and Fujino Yokokawa had just recruited 10,000 Japanese soldiers with his 3,000 Japanese soldiers as the backbone.

Li Zixiao's conquest of Kyushu Island in the Japanese Kingdom, although it has always been a series of victories, they have also lost thousands of men.

At this time, there were less than 50,000 real capable soldiers in Li Zixiao's hands, like those under the command of Fujino Yokokawa and Yoshino Shuiichiro, who had just been recruited, and they were embarrassed.

Li Zixiao couldn't look at such a large Japanese army, and slaughtered Kagoshima Castle unscrupulously.

From Kushikino to Kagoshima Castle, it is a journey of several days, with a long strategic depth, and Li Zixiao wants to take advantage of this distance.

On April 7, a large fleet of ships appeared in the waters southwest of Kagoshima, and it was the fleet that Koyo had returned.

At the same time, there are hundreds of civilian merchant ships, sailing under the protection of the Hung Sang naval fleet.

These merchant ships were used as troop carriers, carrying 10,000 White Dragon Army and 30,000 city defense troops, that is, the third batch of reinforcements that Li Zixiao was thinking about day and night in Kagoshima Castle at this time.

Airplanes!

"General, there are Japanese warships ahead!"

Suddenly, the front warship suddenly sounded a horn, and then Hong Sheng received a message from the front warship.

"Flags, the whole fleet goes into combat condition, the 1st and 2nd fleets, protecting the troop carriers.

The 3rd, 4th, and 5th fleets immediately spread out in battle formation, ready to meet the Japanese warships. ”

Hong Sheng did not dare to be sloppy at this time, and after receiving the news of the enemy's situation, he immediately made arrangements.

Hong Sheng knew very well that the 40,000 soldiers on the merchant ships behind him at this time must not make any mistakes.

The five detachments of the White Dragon Army Navy, which received Hong Sheng's order, immediately formed a formation on the sea in accordance with Hong Sheng's order.

"Hurry, the artillery is ready."

At the same time, the sailors and gunners of the various ships also quickly rushed out of the cabins and entered their combat posts.

"The shells are reloaded, ready to fire."

The gunners on the battleships of the White Dragon Army fleet finished loading the explosive bombs one by one and waited for orders.

At this time, a Japanese fleet to the south of Kagoshima Bay in the distance had also discovered Hongsheng's fleet.

There were only about 30 warships in this Japanese fleet, which were left behind by Tokugawa Masamitsu to blockade the waters around the mouth of the bay to the west of Kagoshima.

At this time, the main force of the Japanese army's naval fleet had already escorted their hundreds of troop carriers back to Osaka Port to transport their second batch of troops.

At this time, the commander of this Japanese fleet was gearing up to meet Hong Sheng's fleet.

"It's the warship of the Ming people, hurry up and eat them."

Because of the sea surface, this Japanese fleet has not yet fully seen clearly, and the whole picture of Hong Sheng's fleet has only seen the tip of the iceberg.

But as more and more ships on Hong Sheng's side appeared from the sea level, they were also surprised when they were discovered by the Japanese fleet on the opposite side.

"Yaga, how can there be so many Ming warships.

No, those in front are warships, and those in the back are more than that, not warships, but ordinary sea ships. ”

The commander of the Japanese fleet, Yamashita Fengjin, looked at the situation of Hongsheng's fleet, and was finally discovered by him.

At the beginning, because of the distance, Yamashita Fengjin also mistakenly thought that the ships that transported the White Dragon soldiers behind were all warships.

It was scary to see at a glance, and the entire sea area to the west was full of dense ships, including hundreds.

If it was really such a huge fleet, Yamashita Fengjin would definitely not say a word, and directly ordered to turn the bow of the ship and flee for his life.

Fortunately, Yamashita found that the sea ships behind Hong Sheng did not have a large number of artillery like the ships in front of him.

There were only a few artillery pieces placed, and at a glance, I knew that it was not a warship, but an ordinary sea ship, which made Yamashita Fengjin breathe a sigh of relief.

"Why does the Ming people's fleet protect such a civilian fleet? Are those ...... Troop carriers of the Ming people.

Akito is mobilizing reinforcements and rushing to Kagoshima to support.

That's right, it must be like this. ”

Suddenly, Yamashita Bongjin was suspicious, but then his eyes lit up, and he had a guess in his heart, and he suddenly became excited.

"With so many troop carriers, I'm afraid they have to carry tens of thousands of horses.

No, these Akito troop carriers must not be allowed to enter Kagoshima Bay and arrive at Kagoshima Castle.

In that case, it will greatly increase the strength of the Ming army that is in Kagoshima Castle at this time, and it will be extremely unfavorable to us.

If I can lead people to defeat this fleet of the Ming people and sink those troop carriers, it will be a great achievement. ”

Yamashita Fengjin thought a lot in his heart at this time, this person is a son of a wealthy family in the Japanese country, and he has seen extraordinary knowledge, and at this time he also saw the great merit contained in it.

But then, he looked at such a large fleet on Hong Sheng's side, and the five three-masted gunboats in it were even more like giants.

The warships on the side of the White Dragon Army, after several years of construction and improvement, are much more tonnage than those on the side of the Wa Kingdom.

But we must not underestimate the greed in people's hearts, at this time, it is obvious that the strength of the fleet on Hong Sheng's side is stronger than theirs.

But he decided to give it a go, and if he let him win, he would be in the sky.

"Wealth is in danger, fight!"

The order went down, and the fleet took up its position and rushed towards the fleet of the Akito in front.

The 1st and 2nd Battalions faced the Akito's fleet in front, and the 3rd Brigade attacked the Akito's troop carriers in a roundabout way.

The Ming people's troop carriers didn't have much firepower, and sinking one was a great credit. ”

Yamashita Fengjin's face was fanatical, his expression was excited, and he gave an order.

Immediately, the fleets of the two sides began to form formations at a great distance, preparing to meet each other.

"Hmph, on the side of the Japanese fleet, there are only these warships? There were only about 30 of them, so I thought there were many.

This should be just a detachment of the Japanese army, and it dares to attack us without knowing whether it is alive or dead, and it simply does not take Lao Tzu seriously. ”

When Hong Sheng also saw the number of warships on the side of the Japanese fleet, he also breathed a sigh of relief and said with a cold snort.

"Look at their warships, they've long been something we don't want to get rid of.

Just take advantage of this battle to try our new explosive bombs and how effective they are in striking warships.

Hou Ye can say that it is very good, and he has to try it himself. ”

Immediately, Hong Sheng's eyes were cold, and he shouted: "Order, go at full speed, and eat this Japanese fleet." ”

(End of chapter)