Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 755 When it comes to protecting one's own, Xia is second to none.

The usually bustling dock is now under martial law, filled with fully equipped "Zhang Family Volunteer Army" members. Behind them, a lever crane is continuously lowering new naval cannons from the ships.

These cannons were specifically developed for naval warfare. They have a smaller caliber but a longer range and are lighter, and can produce remarkable effects when used with different types of shells.

When the pirates arrived at the dock, they were immediately attracted by the new naval cannons. The smooth barrels and the telescopic barrels that could slide to offset recoil were truly the cannons of their dreams.

"Old monitor!"

One of the generals saw that one of the soldiers in the Zhang Family Volunteer Army outside was his old sergeant who used to lead him in drills when he was a soldier. He couldn't help but run up to him and call out, "It's been almost ten years since we last met!"

The old squad leader chuckled and helped him straighten his appearance: "I heard you guys quit even being lieutenants and insisted on becoming river pirates?"

"Haha, that's not quite right. It's just that life in the city is too stifling; it's better to be on the front lines."

"Well done, but you must protect yourself. You'll be going deep into enemy territory alone."

"Old squad leader, it's a coincidence that you're here too. Let's have a drink together later! It'll be quite a while before we can load the cannons."

"Drinking, drinking, drinking! You've got some nerve! You dare to drink while on a mission? You really don't respect the Commander-in-Chief at all!"

"Then...then I'll wait until you're on your day off."

Just then, Xia Lin arrived. He waved his hand and said, "Hu Qiang, have someone finish the shifts for the next few days, and then you can rest here. Don't occupy the port for too long."

"Order!"

Actually, there is a county magistrate here, but the magistrate here is usually an exiled official. The magistrate who was exiled here a few days ago just passed away. The affairs here are generally managed by the port authorities, who are basically transferred from Quanzhou Port. They know who should manage and who shouldn't. Not to mention the twenty large ships that came a few days ago, even the few cargo ships that came today are not something they can touch.

The flag hanging above is the flag of General Fubo, and who is General Fubo?
The next few days were spent installing the cannons, and Xia Lin gave these "pirates" a precise job assignment.

They may curse, but they are ultimately traitors to the country. Regardless of whether it's righteous or not, using any dirty tricks to deal with these bastards is like giving them a chance to purify themselves.

"First, you need to set up a base on an island at a suitable distance so that you can bring back supplies to exchange after looting. Secondly, you need to reduce the risk of being wiped out. Those bastards are not weak. Strategically, we can disregard them, but tactically we must take them seriously. Underestimating them and being arrogant will lead to trouble."

"Also, make sure the scholars on board are put to their best use. Every bit of knowledge they possess might save your lives on the vast ocean. Once you head east, you'll be deep in enemy territory alone. This is no easy task; it's a mission with a slim chance of survival. So my requirement for you is that the mission comes second, and self-preservation comes first."

All the commanders in the room stood up at attention in unison: "We guarantee the mission will be completed!"

"Afterwards, I will assign command ranks. I am well aware of your abilities, but I also know your tendency to be brave and aggressive. Therefore, there must be someone among you who can make the decisions. Do you understand what I mean? Regardless of whether the commander I appoint has more seniority or ability than you, you should all act accordingly."

"Unconditional obedience!"

“Okay.” Xia Lin nodded: “I will issue the organizational structure tomorrow, and I will also arrange seventy experienced sailors and gunners to operate with you. Don’t exclude anyone, understand? Show them respect. They are here to teach you how to fight at sea.”

"understand!"

The voices of the burly men in the room were all in unison, and their intimidating presence was truly frightening. In recent years, whether it was the Tian Wei or the Li Tang dynasties, the folk customs have become quite effeminate. But there's no way around it; it's an aesthetic trend that's hard to avoid during a period of economic growth. However, these men's masculinity was not diminished at all. The tavern proprietress, who was cooking wine and warming dishes for these men, watched with a flirtatious gaze.

"Alright, we'll talk about the rest after this battle. Today, I'm confirming your overall commander. Liu Changsheng, step forward."

A tall, handsome man with a buzz cut, who rarely smiled and had a dark complexion, stood up and took a step forward.

"As the fleet's commander-in-chief, are you confident?" "Reporting, Commander, yes!"

“Very good.” Xia Lin nodded and said, “Bao Wu, step forward.”

"To!"

At this moment, a seemingly refined young man stood up and took a step forward. He had studied military research at Fuliang Academy and was assigned to the army as a political commissar after graduation. His fighting style was unpredictable and almost supernatural. He was exceptionally intelligent. Although he was thin and weak, once he started fighting, it was as if he had activated a full-map cheat code. He could accurately analyze the enemy's every move in a short period of time.

"You are the deputy commander-in-chief, assisting Liu Changsheng. Not only that, you also have a very important task: to be in charge of tactical deployment during operations. Do you have the confidence?"

"Have!"

"Alright, I won't say anything more. Since you have chosen the most difficult path, I wish you all great success and a resounding victory in the land of the Japanese invaders."

In the days that followed, Xia Lin made some minor adjustments but the overall framework remained unchanged. Meanwhile, the pirates' ships all began to fly the skull and crossbones flag, which was one of Xia Lin's quirky hobbies.

Once everything was ready, they even found a local guide who was an expert on the sea routes and had him join the ranks of pirates.

As the fleet, adorned with the skull and crossbones flag and cannons fixed to its decks, set sail, Xia Lin stood on the dock, gazing at it for a long time.

He knew that the era of the sea had finally arrived, and this time, anyone who didn't go to sea was a dog. What was this talk of the Eight Great Ages of Exploration? They wouldn't even be able to see the taillights of a car.

Oh, and there's Rome too. But it's alright, right now Rome's probably fighting tooth and nail with Persia over silk, porcelain, spices, and everyday goods.

No rush, no rush to expand territory, let's get the shipping routes sorted out first. Then we can bypass those Persian middlemen and wrestle them into a life-or-death battle.

He had no psychological burden about this matter, unlike that damned Song Beiyun who had such a heavy moral baggage. Given the acceptance capacity and greed of those outsiders, playing the game of world unification at this stage would be foolish. First, conquer by force and then talk about everything else.

Putting everything else aside, first erect monuments covered in Chinese characters all over the world, and then your descendants will naturally come to collect this debt.

In the following days, with the help of nautical charts and guides, the pirate fleet rode the monsoon winds and quickly approached the area where Baka Island was located. Now, they were only two or three days away from their destination.

At this time, Liu Changsheng and Bao Wu on the flagship were discussing the next steps. Bao Wu suggested that they first find a relatively safe place to settle down, and then proceed with the next phase of work after the army was settled.

Liu Changsheng, however, disagreed.

“I thought we would take over a town, set up camp there, and then find a safe place to send a group of people to serve as a contact point.”

“That’s rather risky, Commander Liu. I think you should think it over carefully.”

Liu Changsheng frowned: "But doing it this way will waste a lot of time."

At this moment, the baka guide who had been listening all along suddenly spoke up: "I do know a very good place that the fleet only needs to sail forward for one more day to reach."

At this moment, Liu Changsheng asked curiously, "Why would a Japanese person like you volunteer to be our guide?"

"I am an Ainu, meaning hairy person, prisoner, or barbarian. In Japan, we are treated as slaves. In my entire life, I have only been able to be called a human being for two periods: one was when I was in my mother's arms, and the other was when I was paid off as gambling debts to a merchant from your country. That merchant taught me Chinese and how to do business, but he died at the hands of those damned Japanese pirates. Now I have neither a mother nor a teacher. General, where do you think I am from? Where else could I be from?"

"No wonder you speak Chinese so well. Okay, then mark it on the map and we'll go check out this place you mentioned. I hope you can satisfy both of us."

(End of this chapter)