Chapter 688: The Ming Fleet in Hiroshima (3rd update, please subscribe)

On January 13, 1875, ten days after the British Royal Navy's "China Fleet" arrived in Osaka, the Ming fleet led by the battleship "Nanhua" slowly entered the Shimonoseki Strait. The narrowest part of the Shimonoseki Strait is only about 700 meters wide. After entering the Shimonoseki Strait, the fleet entered the Seto Inland Sea. Their arrival shocked the whole of Japan.

When the fleet passed through the narrow strait, the banks on both sides were filled with people, both soldiers and civilians, with different expressions. The government troops at the Shimonoseki Fort all had smiles on their faces, while the rebel soldiers on Honshu Island looked as if they had lost their parents.

Although their expressions were different, their faces were full of envy and desire.

"It really is worthy of being the most powerful steel battleship in the world!"

This gunboat equipped with 12-inch cannons was not only the most powerful warship of the Ming Dynasty, but also the most powerful warship on the waters of East Asia at that time.

"After crossing the Shimonoseki Strait, we will reach the Seto Inland Sea!"

Zhao Yaozu, commander of the dispatched fleet, looked at the Seto Inland Sea and said to several staff officers around him with a smile.

"The Shimonoseki Strait is the western gateway to the Seto Inland Sea. It has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times. Looking at the map of Japan, you can see that it is a wonderful place. On one side of it is Honshu Island, and on the other side is Kyushu Island. The two seem to be close yet distant. The Japanese have set up artillery batteries on both sides, which are enough to prevent any country's fleet from entering the Seto Inland Sea from Shimonoseki in wartime."

Zhao Yaozu, holding a telescope, looked at the people on the shore with different expressions, with a smug smile on his face. After a moment, he said with pride.

"Today, with the arrival of the Ming fleet, the history of Westerners conquering a country and a nation in Asia by setting up a few cannons will come to an end."

Yes, it is a glorious moment!

In the past, Western countries could conquer a country by simply sending a fleet and a few cannons.

But now everything has changed. The emergence of the Ming Dynasty has fundamentally changed everything.

They can no longer conquer Asian countries as recklessly as they did in the past. Even if they want to conquer those countries, it should be the Ming Dynasty that conquers them.

"If Westerners want to conquer this country, they also have to see who their master is!"

Who is Japan's master?

Of course it is the Ming Dynasty.

This time, the reason why the Ming Dynasty sent a fleet here was of course to "support" Japan.

The next morning, the Ming fleet arrived in Hiroshima, and the fleet docked amid the sound of booming salutes.

"It really deserves to be the world's top battleship!"

When staring at the battleship "Nanhua", the eyes of the Navy Vice Admiral Junyoshi Kawamura were full of envy. Two years ago, he was sent to Europe to participate in the 1873 Vienna World Exhibition in Austria. While in Europe, he had a chance encounter with this battleship in France. From then on, in his eyes, the battleship "Nanhua" was definitely the most powerful battleship.

All-steel hull, 12-inch naval guns...

Although it was just a glance, from then on, he became a die-hard fan of this giant ship!

Now, I finally have the opportunity to board this warship in person.

What an honor!

Kawamura Junyoshi seemed a little excited. He even envied his luck. You know, he might be the first Japanese to board such a huge battleship.

Of course, he is definitely not the first.

After all, there are some naturalized Japanese citizens in the navy, who were captured by the navy during the "Battle of Okinawa".

But they are no longer Japanese. Instead, they are naturalized citizens of the Ming Dynasty. Although there are not many of them, there are still one or two on the Nanhua.

According to the practice of visiting countries, after the warship docked, the first to disembark were the honor guards composed of marines and sailors. The honor guards, composed of more than 100 marines, all had a proud look on their faces. These tall and sturdy marines in beautiful navy blue uniforms attracted everyone's attention as soon as they stepped onto the port. The marines, who were generally over 1.8 meters tall, stood next to the Japanese military band, forming an immediate contrast. After all, the average height of the Japanese was only... 1.5 meters.

"You are truly worthy of being a Ming soldier!"

The sharp contrast made the Japanese naval officers and soldiers who came to greet them have such thoughts in their minds. As for the wives of generals and admirals who were wearing gorgeous Western dresses, when they saw these handsome and tall Ming officers and soldiers, they all felt their breathing quicken and their hearts pounding.

There's nothing we can do about it. Who made them so tall and mighty?

Of course, in the past, they had also seen naval officers and soldiers from Britain, the United States and other countries. They were equally tall, but those people were just... Western monsters, with red hair and blue eyes, looking exactly like yakshas.

In terms of appearance, the officers and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty are handsome!

Well, at that time, Japan had not yet experienced the bombing and occupation by the US military, and had not yet reached the point of blindly licking the Europeans. In fact, in the eyes of the Japanese, Europeans looked like evil spirits.

However, this did not prevent these Japanese women from getting excited when they saw the handsome Ming sailors. They even had a hard time keeping their bow legs together. With blushing faces, they couldn't help but cheer for the handsome Ming sailors.

In contrast, the childlike Japanese naval band played the "Navy March" of the Ming Navy.

Amid the sound of inspiring military music, a Marine officer with a saber in his hand marched in step, walked proudly up to Zhao Yaozu and Kawamura Junyi, and shouted.

"Your Excellency, the Great Minister! The Marines of the Pacific Fleet of the Ming Empire have lined up! Please review them!"

They are truly worthy of being the Ming army!

No wonder they could launch expeditions to Europe and even defeat the Prussians!

When Kawamura Junyoshi was reviewing the troops, another idea suddenly popped into his mind - what about inviting them into the city?

The reason why Kawamura Junyoshi had such an idea was very simple. Just last night, the Hiroshima Garrison left Hiroshima on 13 naval and civilian ships to implement the "back-attack plan."

The departure of the Hiroshima garrison left the defense of this area extremely empty. Those samurai and ronin had originally been thinking about rebellion. Now that the Ming fleet has arrived, why not use the Ming fleet to intimidate those cowards?

When this thought flashed through his mind, Kawamura Junyoshi admired his own intelligence. Since he wanted to rely on the military power of the Ming Dynasty, why not just borrow it to the end? How could a mere fleet visit intimidate the small fry?

Invite the Ming sailors to hold a parade!

After this thought came to his mind, Kawamura Junyi could no longer control his inner thoughts. He had an idea in a flash.

"Your Excellency, Commander, to express our welcome to the Ming Royal Navy, we have set up a reception dance in the city. Please come and have a look. Well, in order to let the people of Hiroshima feel the majesty of the Ming Royal Navy, the honor guard will accompany them into the city!"

The ceremonial guard accompanied them into the city!

Feel the majesty of the Ming Royal Navy!

It has to be said that Kawamura Junyoshi's words touched Zhao Yaozu's heart.

This... is a good thing!

This will spread the country's prestige far and wide!

Not bad, not bad…

After this thought came to his mind, Zhao Yaozu nodded and said.

"Since Your Excellency is so kind, how can I refuse?"

(End of this chapter)