Chapter 807 Arrival at Takeshima Strait (Two chapters in one)
Commander Xin, who was eager to equip the army with weapons, also wanted waterwheels, windmills, and automatic forging hammers, so he agreed to Elder Jin's suggestion and negotiated with the Han tribe's delegation to ask for these technologies.
The delegation's attitude was unclear, and they did not say they would give them, but they did not explicitly refuse, so the two sides began to argue with each other on a daily basis. Of course, these were all the covers provided by Shouya for Elder Jin's intelligence transmission. Elder Jin would go to the delegation to find Shouya every few days. The apparent excuse was to seek the technology of automatic forging hammers, but in fact, he revealed the defense deployment of the Xin tribe to Shouya again and again.
Elder Jin's frequent exchanges with the Han tribe delegation certainly made Commander Xin suspicious. In fact, he was anxious, not because he really did not trust Elder Jin, but because he had gone to talk so many times, but there was no actual progress, so Commander Xin was of course anxious.
Whenever this happened, Shouya would perform a double act with Elder Jin, revealing some of the technology and at the same time offering a high reward to the Xin tribe leaders, that is, asking the Xin tribe to provide a certain amount of copper ingots.
They would exchange copper ingots for windmill and waterwheel technology, and clearly stated that these were only agricultural water-lifting or mill-type waterwheels and windmills. As for the automatic forging hammer type, the delegation said they would not give them anything.
However, this also dispelled the doubts of Commander Xin. If the Han tribe was so easy to talk to and gave them so easily, that would be really wrong. Elder Jin also advised them.
"Great Commander, as long as we have windmills and waterwheels, no matter whether they are used for water lifting or flour grinding, can't we just modify them ourselves?"
"This, can we modify it ourselves?" Commander Xin was a little hesitant, of course, mainly because he lacked confidence.
"Don't worry, Commander. I saw those windmills and watermills in the Han tribe in my early years. Although I don't know how to build them, if we have the technical support of the Han tribe, we can build the framework first, and then I will definitely be able to transform them." Elder Jin immediately patted his chest and promised.
After hearing Elder Jin's promise, Commander Xin was very excited. He patted his shoulder enthusiastically and said, "Although Elder Jin was not born in my Zhudao, he has made great contributions to my Zhudao. Don't worry, as long as this matter is done, I promise to make you a big clan like other elders, and your descendants will always inherit Elder Jin's position."
Elder Jin was so moved that he couldn't speak, and even squeezed out two tears on the spot. He was deeply grateful for Xin Tong's kindness, and he swore allegiance from the bottom of his heart. Commander Xin sounded even happier.
Such a skilled talent, who has no foundation, does not have a large clan like other elders, dares to challenge himself, such an easy-to-use and obedient elder, no smart commander would not like it.
In this way, the Xin tribe began a vigorous iron-making undertaking. The delegation agreed to support the windmill and waterwheel technology, but during the construction period, they had to follow the arrangements of the Han tribe. They had to build wherever the Han tribe said.
Shouya also took advantage of this opportunity to cooperate with Elder Jin many times to conduct reconnaissance, and continuously sent a large amount of defense deployment intelligence to Luo Chong's desk.
At the same time, the delay plan here was still in progress. Elder Jin sent people to assist in the construction of windmills and waterwheels according to Shouya's instructions. However, the delegation required that the Xin tribe build kilns and burn bricks first to make qualified building materials before they could be used to build windmills and waterwheels because of the poor building materials of the Xin tribe. This undoubtedly slowed down the progress of weapons production.
In order to prevent Commander Xin from being dissatisfied, Elder Jin ordered his men to start learning ironwork and train a large number of blacksmiths. Finally, the scale of blacksmiths was increased to a considerable number of people, dozens of people. Of course, a lot of pig iron was consumed in the process. After all, each blacksmith needed an anvil weighing hundreds of pounds, and a large number of hammers and other tools.
The supply of iron weapons finally improved. At the beginning, only one iron knife could be produced per week. Now with so many new forces joining, hundreds of iron knives can be produced per week, which is a big improvement.
However, it is still a long project to equip an army of 10,000 people at this speed. Commander Xin certainly would not let the army that was finally formed fight with fire sticks. Although the knife was slow to make, it would be okay to prepare more spears and bows and arrows.
After several months, when the delegation helped the Xin tribe build the windmill, the 10,000 troops led by Xin had almost finished their equipment. Of course, this equipment refers to basic weapons. Iron spears and bronze spears are the most common. There are also bronze halberds and bronze daggers made by imitating the iron halberds of the Han tribe. In short, there are many long weapons. After all, Bamboo Island is rich in bamboo, and there is no shortage of this material. However, there are only one or two thousand "high-quality" iron knives in total, and they are all forged knives without quenching.
When Commander Xin finally waited for the windmill to be built and hurriedly urged Elder Jin to transform it, the war action on the Han tribe side had already begun.
The two corps of the Xin tribe deployed in Yashan County totaled 4,000 people. They were the first batch of troops to complete their equipment. Almost all of them wore bamboo armor and hats. Among them, there were 1,000 sword and shield soldiers equipped with iron swords and wooden shields, 2,000 long-armed soldiers equipped with spears and halberds, and 1,000 archers mainly composed of herdsmen. There were also a small number of horses, which were mainly used for reconnaissance and transmission of intelligence, military orders, etc.
The two corps were stationed in the mountains and forests on the opposite bank of the mission's residence. It was a mountain forest close to the sea in Yashan County. To the north was the strait between the mainland and the mainland. It was more than 20 kilometers away from the mainland. To the east, it faced the mission across the river. However, they were "hiding" and thought that the location of the corps had not been discovered by the mission. Of course, Shouya also cooperated and pretended not to know.
They secretly built camps in the mountains and forests, built walls with wood and bamboo, dug trenches, set traps, and took turns training soldiers on the other side of the mountain. At the same time, they also built observation posts on the cliffs near one end of the strait, and watched the passing of ships at the mouth of the Qingshui River every day and night, recording how many ships of the Han tribe went to and from the mission and how often they went.
They originally thought that the mission was helping them build brick kilns, windmills and waterwheels recently, and the relationship between the two sides seemed to have eased. The Han tribe should not send troops so quickly, but the actions of the Han tribe were far beyond their expectations.
The super-large fleet consisting of more than 300 ships was sailing on the common route between Han and Xin. Because this route has been running for more than two years, the Han tribe is already very familiar with it. In addition, it is winter now. Although the southern coast is not as cold as the northern Han tribe, the season without hurricanes and heavy rains is very suitable for ships to sail.
Led by the Fubowei Navy, the fleet rode the wind and waves and advanced rapidly towards Zhudao Island. The whole process continued day and night. It originally took a week to make a one-way trip, but with the fleet moving at full speed, it took only five days to reach the passage of the strait, which is the place full of reefs.
This is the area where the Zhudao fishing tribe often moves. At the same time, the fishing tribe has already surrendered to the power of the Han tribe, so this reef area naturally became the actual territory of the Han tribe.
The fleet stopped here and first transferred some necessary supplies to the fishing tribe at sea, and at the same time issued them an order to cooperate in combat. Yu Jiao, the patriarch of the Yu clan, was also ordered to wait here to receive the supplies.
Two of the four special fishing boats promised by the Han tribe to the Yu clan have been delivered. When the entire Yu clan saw the two fishing boats coming up to them and the crew members personally acknowledged that the two boats belonged to the Yu clan, they were all excited.
The military families whose husbands and sons were forced by the tribe leader to fight for the Han tribe no longer complained. Although fighting was dangerous, the Han tribe did not deceive them. They got the promise of the Han tribe, although only half of it was fulfilled now. But looking at the brand new ships, they also knew that these ships of the Han tribe were specially customized for them. How could they be built so quickly? So they were not dissatisfied.
While the Han tribe was busy fighting, Yu Jiao also took his selected tribesmen to learn the operation of fishing boats, the use of trawl nets, fishing skills, etc. from the Han tribe.
However, their boats did not carry out trawl operations again that day, but drove straight to the reef area in the northeast corner of Yashan County, waiting for the arrival of the Han tribe army.
The guard station formed by the original fishing tribe with 2,000 soldiers was the Yingyang Guard. Its commander was also an officer of the Huben Guard. His name was Ying Hong, a young man who was just 20 years old. He was the commander of the Yingyang Guard and also the chief instructor. When Yu Jiao clearly surrendered to the Han tribe and agreed to send troops to cooperate, he was sent to Zhudao by Luo Chong, leading a group of instructors and officers to the fishing tribe to lead the army and be responsible for training. This time, he also came to the fishing boat with Yu Jiao to receive the equipment.
It was almost evening. Ying Hong stood on the bow of the fishing boat with a telescope looking towards the northeast route. They had contacted the fleet yesterday and agreed to meet here this afternoon, but now it was almost dark and there was still no sign of the fleet. Ying Hong, who had been away from home for several months, missed his relatives in his hometown very much. Of course, he was more eager to see the army of the Han tribe, so he was a little anxious.
The old patriarch Yu Jiao patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, "Commander Ying, don't worry. The sea is very stable in this season. There is no strong wind or heavy rain. Besides, the Han tribe has the most experience in using ships. This route has been running for two years. There will be no accidents."
"Well, the old patriarch is right. Haha, I'm not worried, but I miss them a little." Ying Hong laughed helplessly twice.
"Hahaha, young people are prone to homesickness. I heard that you have several children." Yu Jiao smiled and chatted with the young officer.
"Yes, there are three children at home. It's a pity that I haven't been home for several years. I guess the children don't recognize me as their father when I go back." Ying Hong sighed helplessly.
Yu Jiao didn't know how to respond, so he took the opportunity to pick up the telescope given to him by Luo Chong and looked to the northeast. Suddenly, he saw a large area of sails on the sea, which scared him immediately.
Yu Jiao had been on the fishing boat for two or three months. Of course, he had seen the sailboats from Takumi County to the diplomatic mission. When he saw the sea ship from a distance, the first thing he saw was the mast and sails on the upper part. Although he didn't understand why, he had gotten used to it.
However, this time, the number of sails that appeared in the telescope was frightening. From a distance, it seemed as if a curtain had appeared out of thin air on the sea. He quickly reminded Ying Hong, who was alone and missing home.
"Commander Ying, look over there. Is the fleet coming? Why are there so many?"
Ying Hong quickly raised the telescope and saw a large area of sails. It was too dense to count. Not long after, the outline of the hull also appeared on the sea. The huge fleet was really scary, but he only had strong pride and excitement in his eyes.
He suddenly sighed, "Who else in the world can come up with so many ships except our Han tribe!"
Yu Jiao nodded in agreement. If not, he would not have resolutely chosen to join the Han tribe. People are always so realistic. Only by following the Han tribe can their people live a good life. What is there to hesitate about? Seeing so many large ships, Yu Jiao knew that the troops from the Han tribe would not be few, so he would be more relieved. At least with so many soldiers on Zhudao Island, the Han tribe would never fail easily, and his clan would be safer. Yu
Jiao ordered two fishing boats to set sail to meet the fleet. Not long after, the two sides met.
The leader of the Han tribe fleet was the battleship Fubo. Yu Jiao had seen this big ship before when he went to Takuhai County, and he also knew that it was the current flagship of the Han tribe. The fleet commander and the commander-in-chief of the battle were also on this ship.
The two ships intersected, and Shu Da ordered people to put down the ladder to pick up the two people. As soon as they met, Shu Da smiled and said.
"Sorry to have kept the old patriarch waiting for so long. This time, in addition to replenishing supplies for the Yingyang Guards under the order of the chief, we also brought the remaining two fishing boats to you. They were just out of the Liuyang County shipyard. After two months of sailing, we finally caught up with our expedition. The chief was afraid that the old patriarch would be worried, so he asked me to hand over the fishing boats to you first."
Yu Jiao was very happy when he heard this. The four trawlers promised by Luo Chong were finally in place, which also put his last worry to rest.
"No, no, the chief is so kind and righteous, how could I be worried? For this military operation, if the chief needs any cooperation from our clan, just let us know. Our Yu clan will do its duty." Yu Jiao immediately thanked excitedly.
"There's no rush. I have asked people to load the supplies on the two new fishing boats in advance. You can take over directly when the time comes. Let's rest here for a night first." Shu Da replied immediately.
"Oh? Isn't the army going to land today?" Ying Hong also asked on the side. He didn't know the specific attack plan yet.
"The fleet has been sailing day and night for several days. The crew and soldiers are exhausted. It's getting late today. We are not familiar with Takeshima. Marshal Tu said that we should not land at night. This is disadvantageous to us. We should just rest outside the strait for one night and formally attack tomorrow. You are here just in time. Come with me to the command room. Marshal Tu has a specific battle plan to tell you." Shu Da explained immediately.
"I see. Let's go to the command room now." Ying Hong thought of the old commander Xue Tu and missed him.
(End of this chapter)
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