The eldest nephew said that he missed A-shi, but his body was very honest. He turned around and took out a blueprint, on which was a drawing of his true love - the 117-caliber Yongle cannon.

"Uncle, I have a new idea. Do you think it's reliable?" He handed the blueprint to Zhao Hao like presenting a treasure.

Young Master Zhao glanced at him helplessly. This won't do. You will be alone forever, nephew. Then he looked at the blueprint and his eyes lit up immediately.

I saw that in the position of the cannon on the drawing, there was a flintlock-like device.

"Are you going to convert the cannon into a flintlock?"

"Uncle really saw through it at a glance!" Zhao Shizhen nodded hurriedly and explained: "I talked to the gunners and found that they generally believed that using a fuse to ignite the cannon would affect the hit rate. It takes several seconds from lighting the fuse to firing the cannon, and the lead time must be caught. Moreover, each fuse burns at different speeds, and the lead time is difficult to catch. In addition, even if a fireproof fuse is used, the ignition cord can still be easily extinguished when it rains."

"Yeah." Zhao Hao nodded. It turned out that weapons needed to be improved in actual combat.

Before the popularization of rotating turrets, although the shooting angle could be fine-tuned manually, it was very inconvenient. Therefore, it was very important to seize the fleeting opportunity to make an accurate shot. The current firing structure of the cannon using a fuse is indeed a major shackle that affects the hit rate.

"So my nephew naturally thought, can we also change the firing device of the cannon to the Longqing style, so that it can be fired immediately after the trigger is pulled." Zhao Shizhen hooked his finger and looked at Zhao Hao eagerly and said, "Uncle, do you think this method is feasible?"

"Of course there is a way!" Zhao Hao laughed and put his arm around his shoulders, as if he was hugging a peerless beauty, and said with infinite love: "You are such a genius. Just follow this approach and try to get it done as soon as possible!"

Then he added, "Uncle promises that when we come to Japan again, we will definitely get Ah Shi and her three daughters for you!"

"Hey." Zhao Shizhen was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling. He didn't know whether he was happy for Zhao Hao's promise or because he was on the right path. Probably... it was the latter.

This is the top secret of the Royal Navy! In 1745, British warships began to use flintlocks to fire their cannons, but they kept it a secret and said that the reason they were so accurate was "nothing else but practice". Napoleon believed it and, like a fool, ordered all French warships to hang Nelson's portrait to urge them to learn from their mistakes and train well.

As a result, Napoleon never lived to see the day when the French Navy improved its hit rate.

It was not until the middle of the 19th century that Europe began to generally adopt the more superior pull-tube percussion artillery, and the French realized that they had been fooled by the British for a century. If the German devils were not so fierce, they would never forgive them.

Young Master Zhao secretly made up his mind that when his nephew invented the flintlock for cannon, he would learn from him and keep it secret for two centuries!

~~

The journey from the Kanmon Strait back to the garrison base is 700 miles, the first half is upstream and the second half is downstream. Fortunately, the northeast wind has been blowing for the past few days, so it will take about two days to get there.

Taking advantage of the time on the road, Mr. Zhao convened a meeting of all police officers and announced the successful completion of his two-month "punitive operation". In addition to expressing his gratitude and congratulations to them, he also asked the police officers to sum up the gains and losses of this operation, and to seriously study and discuss it after returning to the base, and to formulate targeted training plans for the coming year.

After the meeting, he held a small meeting in his room with Jin Ke, Wang Rulong and Ma Yinglong.

They were about to return to Hong Kong, and everyone was in a relaxed mood. Zhao Hao asked Qiaoqiao to bring some refreshments, and invited the three of them to chat while drinking tea.

"We have exceeded our goal this time." Zhao Hao held the teacup in his hand, lazily leaning on the sofa, and smiled, "Not only have all three of our plans - hunting galleons, destroying the navies of Kyushu, and monopolizing Kyushu trade - been achieved, but we have also forced the Mori family to sign the Treaty of Shimonoseki through the Battle of Kanmon Straits, and obtained the Iwami Silver Mine in advance... I was planning to wait two years before talking about it."

"Who would have thought that both of Mori Motonari's sons were trapped in Moji Castle?" The three of them couldn't help but laugh and said, "It shows that the young master is very lucky."

"Hahaha." Zhao Hao laughed out loud. "Oh, and Sakai City has also surrendered. And it has achieved the effect of training troops through actual combat. This trip is really worthwhile."

"Yes." The three of them nodded in agreement.

"In the battle of Kanmon Strait, we finally showed some elite performance." Wang Rulong looked quite proud, and then changed the subject and said, "But there are still many problems, and we need to summarize and improve."

"That's right, so we need to formulate a good training outline this year, and conduct strict training next year to improve our combat effectiveness as soon as possible." Jin Ke also said in a deep voice.

The twelfth lunar month is almost here, and the police force will go on vacation. They can only wait until the beginning of next spring to resume training properly.

"Yes." Young Master Zhao put down his teacup and said, "In the fourth year of Longqing, the garrison area will focus on expanding its forces and training, and there will be basically no major actions." He glanced at Wang Rulong and said, "As long as we take over Sado Island and Zhenyuan Island according to the plan, it will be fine."

"Yes." Wang Rulong responded quickly.

"Next year, the garrison area will set up the framework of each water police bureau and police station, and build bastions and docks." Zhao Hao also instructed Ma Yinglong: "Please take care of this matter and share some of the burden for Brother Jin."

"Understood." Ma Yinglong quickly took over the task.

"I'll go back and urge them to equip all the water police stations with boats within a year." Zhao Hao thought for a moment and then reminded the two, "Remember, try not to get involved in Kyushu Island's affairs, even if they get angry. Otomo Sorin is a little too arrogant, we need to sober him up first."

"Understood." The two quickly agreed.

"As for the Mori family, don't rush to go to Hidden Island. There should be a good show there next year." Zhao Hao touched his chin and thought for a while. He thought it would be better to make things clear, so he explained:

"Mori Motonari was anxious to redeem his two sons, not only because he loved them dearly, but also because he wanted them to lead the army to pacify the remnants of the Amago clan and the Ouchi clan in the territory. Although the Amago clan made a lot of noise and launched a fierce attack, they are definitely no match for the Mori Ryokawa and will most likely retreat to the Oki Island. If you show up at the right time, you might as well help the Amago clan."

"If they can swear allegiance to us, we can give Oki Island to the Amago family as their base, and you can build a base on the nearby Nishinoshima Island. It's a natural roundabout island, perfect for a naval base - then let the Amago family help us mine silver, and we will provide them with protection, so that the Mori family will not dare to act rashly."

"As you command." The two hurriedly wrote it down, and Ma Yinglong asked softly, "Sir, are you worried that the Maori family will break the contract?"

"Yeah. These Japanese daimyo have no credibility. Breaking the contract is as easy as taking a shit." Zhao Hao said calmly: "Besides, we will at least double the output of Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine. It would be strange if the Mori family is not jealous. Although they dare not rob openly, it is easy for them to make trouble in secret and make it impossible for us to stay."

"But Iwami Province has always been the territory of the Amago family, and it is basically a mountainous area that is easy to defend and difficult to attack. The mountain people and miners are all loyal to the Amago family. If we let the Amago family help us mine, the Mori family will not only dare not cause trouble, but will also have to please us and beg us not to let the Amago family become too powerful."

Zhao Hao said with a teasing smile: "Otherwise, with the support of our warships, Kanosuke will become the nightmare of the Mori family, and they will never have peace."

"Young Master is so famous!" Jin Ke and the other two could not help but admire him, thinking that no one knows Japan better than him.

"What about the other one?" they asked again.

"Let the Ouchi family fend for themselves. Supporting them is a losing business and we can't do it." Zhao Hao sighed lightly. Who made them not have Iwami Ginzan?

He then warned in a deep voice: "In short, remember that our strategy towards Japan is 'offshore balancing'. We must make sure that neither side can eat up the other, so that we can sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, and obtain the greatest strategic benefits at the lowest cost."

"Yes!" the three responded in unison.

~~

On the 23rd day of the winter month, the Coast Guard fleet returned to Tamra Island after an absence of more than two months.

Tong Zigong led the ten warships of the Chengshanshui Police Station to line up outside Niu Island to welcome the triumphant soldiers by firing salutes.

Amid the joyous sound of firecrackers, warships with patched sails and scarred hulls slowly entered Chengshan Harbor one after another.

The naval port pier was filled with the sound of gongs and drums. The remaining police officers, the laborers working on the construction, the mayor of the new port, Tang Youde, the governor of Jeju of the Joseon Dynasty, Yi Ruodong, the governor of the Jeolla Right Province, Park Seong-seong, and a group of merchants from the Tamra Chamber of Commerce all gathered at the pier to welcome them.

Seeing the coast guard members standing on the side of the ship in neatly-dressed police uniforms and looking majestic, the police officers and civilian workers all cheered enthusiastically.

In the eyes of Tang Youde and others, there was only the high-spirited Master Zhao.

When the gangway was set up, Master Zhao walked down the flagship surrounded by his generals.

"Young Master, you must be worried sick about Old Tang!" Tang Youde wiped his tears and rushed out of the crowd like a cannonball, hugging Zhao Hao's legs.

It was only because he could enjoy this treatment. If it were someone else, he would have been kicked into the sea by Brother Gao long ago.

"Okay, okay, so many people are watching us." Young Master Zhao patted Fatty Tang on the head and looked behind him.

"Your subordinate greets you, young master!" Li Ruotong and Park Chengxing hurriedly led the others to kneel down devoutly. They had already heard Jin Xishan, who had rushed back to receive the goods, tell them about the heroic deeds of Young Master Zhao's fleet in Japan.

If the people of the Joseon Dynasty said that they had previously fawned on him, it was mainly because they were influenced by "big powerism" and the halo of the Celestial Empire.

What they were in awe of at this moment was Master Zhao himself, who led his army back in triumph.

Young Master Zhao is so strong! Being Young Master Zhao's dog makes me feel so safe! Woof woof!

~~

On that day, a grand celebration banquet was held at the garrison base.

Bonfires were lit in the large open space at the foot of the mountain. Xingang City and Jeju Prefecture sent rich supplies to the troops, including stewed beef, roasted whole lamb, roasted suckling pig, fried fish, roasted chicken...

There are also white wine, wine, rice wine, Sanbian wine...

The coast guard officers and soldiers who haven't touched alcohol for more than two months can finally drink to their heart's content!

p.s. I spent the whole day making the outline today and didn’t have time to write two chapters. This is the only chapter left. I’ll try to make it up tomorrow.