Chapter 1152: The English Arrive
The Dengzhou Garrison soldiers couldn't quite fathom it. They had always been impoverished folk, living by fishing on the coast, when suddenly, a heaven-sent fortune dropped on them, making them rich overnight.
They were clad in top-tier armor, their spears all fitted with first-rate iron tips, and their tattered bows and arrows were replaced with brand new Kaiyuan bows, identical to the equipment of the border armies.
Each man received several taels of silver as monthly pay, distributed swiftly, and this wasn't even counting food! Their new superior had also provided for their meals, giving each man several large sacks of rice and dried meat.
Goodies were carried home in droves.
In just a few days, this group of poor wretches, who once sailed broken boats, wore tattered clothes, and rarely ate their fill, had transformed, each face glowing with health.
In their hearts, Jiang Cheng's image had become exceptionally grand and esteemed.
Now, if you asked the Dengzhou sailors whether they'd lay down their lives for the Emperor or for General Jiang, there was no doubt it would be the latter.
However, the sailors did notice one thing: there was still a gap between themselves and General Jiang's personal guards. They still used bows, arrows, spears, and sabers, while General Jiang's personal guards were all armed with flintlock rifles!
This disparity was certainly worth noting!
So, the Dengzhou Garrison soldiers selected a representative, who approached Jiang Cheng: "General, we know we've only just joined your command and haven't yet earned your trust, but we are willing to work hard. Tell us what we must do to become your trusted personal guards, and we will accomplish it."
Jiang Cheng chuckled, "That's not difficult at all."
He swiftly produced a book, "Heavenly Book: Military Discipline and Regulations."
He handed the book to the representative: "If all of you can master this book, and pass our background check, I can make you my trusted personal guards and issue you the same flintlock rifles as my own soldiers."
The representative quickly took the book with both hands. "Understood, General Jiang! Rest assured, we will study this book diligently."
For the sake of their long-term security, what was studying a book?
They were fully committed!
Under the guidance of instructors sent by Jiang Cheng, the Dengzhou Navy began to study fervently, striving for advancement...
While the Dengzhou Navy dutifully absorbed lessons in discipline, in Guangzhou, outside Humen Fortress.
Former English Royal Navy officer John Weddell was leading a fleet of four large sailing ships, cruising off the coast.
At this time, Spain's maritime dominance had waned, its 'Invincible Armada' having been annihilated in 1588, and the British Navy was on the rise.
However, when the English fleet sailed thousands of miles to the East, they discovered that the trade routes to the golden lands of the Orient had long been monopolized by Spain and Portugal—those two 'front teeth,' so to speak—and, of course, the Netherlands.
Just recently, Weddell had led his fleet to Macau, intending to procure some goods, but was rejected by the Portuguese there and denied permission to dock.
While the British could run roughshod across Western Europe, in this distant Eastern land, Weddell, with only four sailing ships, dared not provoke Macau's Portuguese local strongmen.
Thus, he set his sights on the Great Ming Dynasty.
"Admiral," a subordinate reported to Weddell, "our light sailing ship, the Anne, has already entered the Pearl River Estuary to survey the channel. It won't be long before the nautical charts for this area are drawn up."
A subordinate reported to Weddell, "However, the Ming Dynasty navy has already spotted us."
Weddell snorted. "The Ming Dynasty navy? You mean those dilapidated, hard-sailed junks we've seen along the way? Do they even deserve to be called a navy?"
His subordinate chuckled. "My apologies, I misspoke. The Ming Dynasty's rabble has spotted us and sent someone to negotiate."
Weddell nodded. "Alright, let's hear what they have to say."
Soon, a small boat from the Guangzhou navy pulled alongside the English great sailing ship. A minor civil official from the Ming Dynasty's Ministry of Rites climbed aboard and walked up to Weddell.
"My name is Kai Long, a minor official in the Great Ming Ministry of Rites, specifically in charge of foreign affairs," the official introduced himself before continuing. "We've observed your smaller vessel entering the Pearl River—a scout ship, I presume? Such behavior is highly discourteous. We demand that you immediately recall your scout ship and refrain from arbitrarily entering our Great Ming territory."
Weddell's accompanying Portuguese translator immediately rendered the Chinese into English.
After listening, Weddell adopted an arrogant expression. "These are merchant ships of the British Empire. My name is Weddell, and I am here for trade. The weather at sea is somewhat unfavorable, and I fear a typhoon might be brewing, so I intend to bring the fleet into the inner river for shelter."
Kai Long replied, "Entering the inner river to avoid a typhoon is permissible. Our Great Ming, being a land of courtesy and etiquette, has no issue providing shelter for distant friends. However, this matter must first receive the approval of our Great Ming court; it is not for you to simply dispatch a ship to scout the way."
Weddell sneered, tempted to retort: *What if I did scout it? What then?*
But his subordinate whispered, "Admiral, we cannot be aggressive yet. The Anne is still scouting. We are not yet familiar with the local waterways and are not prepared for battle. It's too soon to show our hand."
Weddell immediately changed his expression, offering a smile. "Ah, my apologies. We've traveled a great distance and were unaware of the Great Ming's customs. Now that we know, please allow me to formally submit a request to borrow a port to shelter from the typhoon."
Kai Long glanced eastward at the sea. Based on his many years of experience living in Guangdong, he could tell that no typhoon was imminent.
Kai Long turned back to Weddell, his face serious. "I'm sorry, but I see no sign of an approaching typhoon, and your fleet is perfectly safe. I do not believe you have any need to enter the inner river for shelter. Please lead your fleet away as soon as possible and refrain from lingering in our Great Ming territorial waters."
Weddell cursed silently, but maintained the facade of a polite English gentleman. "Understood. We will depart as soon as possible, but our scout ship, the light sailing vessel, has already gone quite far, and we have no means of long-distance communication with it... nor do we have a smaller boat to chase it down."
Kai Long frowned, a sense of unease growing within him. However, in an era without wireless communication, he couldn't find fault with Weddell's statement. He could only reiterate, "Once that light sailing ship returns, please depart immediately."
With that, Kai Long disembarked, boarded the small Guangzhou navy boat, and returned to shore.
Weddell watched his retreating figure, his gentlemanly facade instantly dissolving into a pirate's wicked grin. "These useless little dwarves, once I've charted these waterways, you'll learn what the British Empire's Royal Navy truly means."
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