Late Ming Dynasty: The Counterattack Begins with Sea Pirates

In June and July, the south is experiencing southeasterly winds.

Chi Honghai's ship was sailing southwest, which was somewhat against the wind.

However, for those who rely on the sea for their livelihood, sailing against the wind is not an ideal outcome, but it is not impossible to use the opposite wind.

When facing a headwind, they usually tilt the bow of the boat towards the direction the wind is blowing, and then adjust the angle of the sail so that the wind blows onto the sail, generating a forward-tilting force, and the boat moves forward at an angle.

After a while, turn the bow of the boat around so that the other side of the boat is angled towards the wind, and the sailboat will travel diagonally forward in the other direction.

Sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, sailing against the wind.

Before long, they caught up with the ship they had mentioned.

Instructor Lang stood at the bow of the boat, took out his binoculars, and looked across the water.

"Sir, all our efforts to come out here have been in vain. That ship over there doesn't look like a pirate ship; it looks like an official vessel."

"Instructor Lang, you don't understand. Look at the direction this ship is heading; it's alone, so it must be a smuggling vessel. But why isn't it heading towards your area?"

Instructor Lang put away his binoculars and looked at Chi Honghai with a puzzled expression.

"Sir, you mean they're going to sell these things to the Dutch?"

Chi Honghai chuckled and continued, going along with Instructor Lang's line of thought.

"We are partners, how could I watch my partner's enemy benefit? This is not a good thing for you, nor for me."

After listening to Chi Honghai's words, Instructor Lang turned around and bowed to him.

"I am deeply moved by your sincerity, and I will certainly fulfill my obligations in this cooperation."

As the two ships were about to dock, a sound came from the bow of the opposite ship.

"We are an official ship of Guangzhou Prefecture! If you know what's good for you, turn around and make way for me!"

Chi Honghai paid little attention to what he heard. When the two ships were about to come close together, he ordered the sailors to change the direction of the sails to slow down the entire ship.

"Aim the breech-loading cannons at the enemy mast and fire!"

"yes!"

The breech-loading cannons mounted on the deck were already positioned with men aiming them, and two men were waiting to assist with reloading.

Meanwhile, the crew on deck grabbed their muskets and grappling hooks and moved closer to the starboard side of the ship.

"Sir, there are several cannons below deck. Shouldn't we fire them all at once?"

"No need. The government ships have most of their crew on deck, and the cargo area is empty. There are no weapons. We still want the stuff in the hold."

As they spoke, the two ships began to pass each other very closely.

I can already see the other person's facial expressions clearly.

Upon seeing that the people on the ship were all holding firearms and pointing them at him, he lost his previous arrogance, but by the time he reacted, it was too late.

As Chi Honghai raised his hand and swung it violently, a roar echoed across the deck: "Release!"

The breech-loading cannon fired in response, billowing white smoke as the solid shot that burst from the barrel flew straight toward the mainmast opposite.

In an instant, the enemy's main mast was blasted into flying wood chips.

Those unlucky ones near the mast were either pierced by misfired shells or thrown into the sea, or stabbed by flying wood chips, suffering excruciating pain.

The towering mast made a chilling "clattering" sound, and the entire sail fell onto the deck, covering a large part of the deck. Those who could not escape in time were covered by the sailboat.

"Arma de fogo (musket)!"

Dozens of muskets aimed at the enemy opened fire instantly, sending up plumes of white smoke that drifted along the ship's hull.

As gunshots rang out like popping beans, the people on the opposite ship, who had just struggled out of the sails, were shot and fell down.

Before the thick smoke had dissipated, several iron hooks, dragging ropes, traced arcs and clung tightly to the other ship's hull.

The crew members who were originally carrying firearms threw them on the deck and turned to help pull the ropes.

As the rope tightened, the two boats collided with a screeching sound.

At the same time, the sails on Chi Honghai's ship were also furled.

Pang San and Liu Qingjiang were the first to draw their knives, lean against the ship's side, and jump over.

The enemy's deck was a mess, and cries of agony filled the air.

The few remaining men had been terrified by the earlier artillery fire.

After the two men rushed onto the other side's deck, the remaining few who were still relatively healthy knelt on the ground begging for mercy, as if they had lost their legs.

Chi Honghai stood on the ship's railing, looking at the few people remaining on the opposite deck.

"Throw it in, feed the fish."

The men looked panicked, kneeling on the deck and wriggling towards Chi Honghai, repeatedly begging for mercy.

Pang San walked to the back, grabbed one of them by the back of the collar with each hand, and dragged them towards the side of the boat.

"Sir, if you'll give me a chance to live, I'll do anything. I can repair ships, repair ships!"

"Wait a minute!" Chi Honghai looked at him. "You know how to repair ships?"

"Yes, yes, yes... I'm just a boatman..."

"And what about you guys?" Chi Honghai asked, pointing to the remaining four.

"Boat...boatman..."

Chi Honghai was puzzled. How could a smuggling ship be equipped with five people who knew how to repair ships?

But if these five people really do know how to repair boats as they say, it would indeed be a good thing for me.

Ship construction and maintenance both require such talent, and for us, we either have to spend a lot of money to hire foreigners or take the risk of poaching talent.

There are a few freebies available now, which is really nice.

After all, free is always the best.

"Tie them up and put them in the hold, then move all the cargo from the ship onto the ship."

After Chi Honghai gave the order, everyone jumped onto the deck of the ship and began to unload the cargo from the hold.

Tea, silk, porcelain, and even some calligraphy and paintings by famous artists!

As Chi Honghai looked at these calligraphy and paintings, his years of smuggling experience and the signatures on some of them told him that many of them were genuine works from previous dynasties.

These corrupt officials are truly magnanimous.

"Keep these paintings and calligraphy items separate. When you go back, put them in my room. No one is allowed to touch them, understand?"

"Understood, sir!"

Just as the unloading of goods was in full swing, the people at the stern of the ship suddenly ran to Chi Honghai's side.

"Sir! There are ships coming from behind! Two! Two!"

Chi Honghai suddenly turned his head and looked over. Two ships were faintly visible on the horizon, approaching him.

He approached Instructor Lang: "Instructor Lang, could I borrow your binoculars for a moment?"

"Of course, sir."

Chi Honghai took the binoculars from Instructor Lang and looked behind him.

Two not-too-large sailboats, with their sails hoisted, were approaching this side, as if they were coming straight for us.

What puzzled him was, whose people were those two ships?

If it's government property, why not just sail with this ship? That way, they wouldn't have to worry about going to sea.

But if it's not someone from the government, then whose is it? Ordinary people wouldn't have such power.

pirate?

Is there anyone else in this place besides myself?