Late Ming Dynasty: The Counterattack Begins with Sea Pirates

Even after eating his wife's meal, he'll still miss her.

In the following days, he did not remain on the north bank 24 hours a day, but instead took a boat back every time the sun set.

After guiding the training on the field for several days, and after everyone became familiar with the entire training process, Chi Honghai finally felt at ease and handed over all the affairs to Liu Qingjiang and Instructor Lang.

However, the pirates' peaceful days were usually short-lived.

This won't last long, not only because some people will cause trouble for you, but also because you will cause trouble for others.

The reason someone is causing trouble for others is definitely because there's trouble in their own warehouse.

People can't stand seeing their savings emptied.

Although the warehouse was filled with silver, it was necessary to have both silver and genuine treasures.

Without backups, there is a lack of security.

Judging by the days, ships should be arriving on this "golden waterway" soon.

Moreover, it's time to properly examine the results of the training.

Chi Honghai returned to the North Shore and gathered all those who were training.

He ordered 150 veteran crew members to board the ship in batches.

This order left the rest of the people puzzled.

Weren't we training together? Why are you boarding the ship now without the others?

Chi Honghai was not too surprised by the doubts raised by his subordinates.

Although they had only been on the island for a short time, living and eating on the island, along with the experienced members mentoring newcomers, led to a rapid shift in their mindset.

After all, one is bound to be obliged if one accepts food or lodging from others. If something really happens, how can one refuse to serve?

Aside from this Master Chi, who else would treat us like human beings?!

"This time we're not going on board for training, we're going to hijack a ship, an official ship!" Chi Honghai emphasized the words "official ship." "People will die on this trip. Your training isn't good enough, so we won't take you with us."

"Sir! What are you saying? Are you looking down on us? We all have two shoulders and one head. We've been training for a while now, and both the foreign instructor and Brother Qingjiang said we're doing well. Why don't you believe us!"

"That's right, sir! What's wrong with this official boat! Back in Fragrant Hills, didn't we all have that corrupt official's blood on our hands? Didn't you say you'd take us to get revenge on that official?"

Seeing the enthusiasm of his subordinates, Chi Honghai couldn't refuse, so this time, he took action beyond what was expected.

As assigned, Chi Honghai, along with Pang Sanshen, led the "Caravel" they had bought from the Portuguese.

Instructor Lang was in charge of the ship that had been captured from the pirates' lair.

The last cargo ship was led by Liu Qingjiang.

Each ship is staffed with a mix of experienced and new crew members.

Although it's true that plundering is a good idea, with the current setup, there's not much point in using that cargo ship. After all, forcing the other side to surrender with guns and cannons is more practical and cost-effective than using swords and knives.

You can buy another shell if you're short one, but if you lose a person, you lose one.

But everyone's enthusiasm was just too high.

The three ships left Hong Kong Island in a grand procession. Before leaving, Chi Honghai specifically instructed Ai Si to send some people to keep watch in the vicinity.

We must mobilize all our forces; we can't let anyone take advantage of any loopholes.

They rowed in the waters near Hong Kong Island and its southern edge for two days without seeing any boats coming.

Liu Qingjiang's cargo ship sailed up to Chi Honghai's side.

"Sir, have we made a mistake? We haven't seen a single civilian fishing boat in this area, let alone any official vessels."

Chi Honghai waved his hand, and Pang San turned to say, "Master said not to rush!"

Half an hour later, a shadow finally appeared in the middle of the water.

Three ships, one in front and two behind, were seen sailing towards this direction.

Chi Honghai took out the single-tube telescopic saw he had bought from the Frankish man last time.

Looking at the ships, only the middle one had a deep draft; the other two were basically empty, and there were sentries standing on the deck.

It's obvious that the two ships on the side are escorting the one in the middle.

At this distance, you can see the other person clearly, and the other person can see you clearly as well.

If I were to move aside with my three ships at this point, there would be no casualties. But if a battle breaks out, the number of casualties would be unknown.

The problem is, this is on the south side of Hong Kong Island, although you can't see anything on the island from there.

But if they are allowed to leave safely, the Guangzhou government might conduct a thorough investigation in the area afterward.

Since they've collided, we'll have to see whose deck is stronger.

Chi Honghai found a better angle and observed again.

Make out the two centipede-shaped escort ships.

This centipede-shaped ship was a fast, multi-oared warship, 30 meters long. It had two to three masts and more than 40 oars on each side. It could be equipped with multiple breech-loading cannons and was propelled at high speed by several oarsmen, making it suitable for use as a fast boat for coastal warfare.

Logically speaking, these centipede boats should typically have three to four hundred people on board, but judging from the appearance, the number of people on board is not that high; there are probably only about two hundred people on each boat.

But even with all three ships combined, the total number was still more than their own men.

"Sir, should we do it?"

"Tell them to have Liu Qingjiang go around to the side, and Instructor Lang follow behind me as we travel with the team."

Pang San turned his head and shouted towards Liu Qingjiang.

"Isn't there a command flag? Let the flag bearer use the flag signals."

Upon receiving the order, the cargo ship led by Liu Qingjiang broke away from the formation and circled to the side.

Instructor Lang's boat slowed down and lined up behind Chi Honghai's boat.

Three sailboats, with oars on their bottoms, rushed past the three government boats.

The government reacted quickly, and the oars of the two centipede boats moved like centipedes crawling, quickly reaching the front of the cargo ship in the middle.

The ship's breech-loading cannons fired three shots at intervals.

"Sir, the enemy's cannon fire is terrible! How can it hit targets at such a distance!"

"Those three cannon shots from the other side are a warning to us, telling us not to go looking for trouble."

"Then, sir, what should we do now?"

"We're their bad luck."

Chi Honghai's two ships pressed forward, one in front and one behind.

Seeing that the other side wouldn't listen to advice, the centipede boat also rushed forward.

Chi Honghai was not in a hurry and continued to accelerate forward.

Only when the enemy is about to enter their firing range should the fleet begin to turn sideways.

"Bang bang bang"

Thick smoke billowed from the muzzles of the cannons on the Caravelle's sailing ship, and the thunderous roar of the cannons heralded the start of the battle.

Because the two centipede boats were in a parallel formation, the bows of both boats were hit when the solid shot struck them.

One of the ships was unlucky; a shell flew by and hit the breech-loading cannon mounted on the bow, immediately silencing it. The person guarding the cannon was also killed along with the breech-loading cannon.

When Instructor Lang's warship came up and opened fire again, although its overall firepower was not as good as Chi Honghai's, the caliber of its guns was still powerful, and the guns hit the hull, causing considerable damage.

However, due to the distance, after one or two rounds of shelling, although there was damage, the overall effect was not ideal.

Once they realized what was happening, the centipede boats began to rotate and align themselves with the oncoming vessel.

Chi Honghai witnessed this scene.

"Full speed ahead!"