1592 The Empire We All Dreamed of - Chapter 322



Only Krnovel

1592 The Empire Everyone Dreamed of (322)

Battle of Pratas (1)

1592 The Empire Everyone Dreamed of (322)

Battle of Pratas (1)

Despite the raid, the response from Fort Valant was calm.

While about 40 ships anchored off the coast responded quickly, about 30 ships anchored at the dock left the port.

And the fleet of 80 ships, including the scout ships that had escaped, surrounded the enemy in a wide area.

The junker opened fire, perhaps taken aback, but its range was limited.

“Ignore the junks. Focus on the Holland Galleons.”

“Is there a need for the flagship to come out?”

As the ship rocked violently, Admiral Walter grabbed the side of the ship.

“If we are going to attack, now is the time. The enemy is not getting any benefit from the attack and we are surrounding them. The flagship will take the lead and designate the target for the strike.”

“Yes, Admiral.”

Kook, kung.

Wave, wave.

“Player decorations are hit, but there is no problem in combat.”

Despite the damage from the cannonballs from the Galleon, the flagship made a sharp turn, exposing her broadside.

“Open the gates.”

“Yes. Open the gate.”

Rattle, rattle, rattle, rattle.

“Fire from the prepared batteries.”

“Fire!”

Chijijik.

Kwakwakwang, bang, bang, bang.

As the nine cannons fired, a long trail of smoke followed the trajectory of the shot. After a while, a spray of water rose near the enemy’s surface.

“Slowly press the flanks and fire freely.”

“Fire!”

Boom, boom.

The ships formed formation next to the brave flagship.

In the meantime, the two camps continued to exchange artillery fire, causing a continuous shower of water. As time passed, the results began to appear.

Kkwarreung.

A large mushroom cloud tore a ship in two. The wreckage, ignited as if gunpowder had exploded, fell to the water.

“One enemy junk sunk.”

“Wow.”

“The Queensberry has captured a red ship.”

The admiral was impressed by the shouts of the sailors.

“What are you going to do by shooting at a junk ship that isn’t even a threat? Eric, that idiot.”

“Still, the morale of our troops has risen.”

“Shut up. The captain doesn’t even understand tactics, tsk.”

In any era or organization, it was disgusting to have to have a commander who was a shithead of London’s political establishment.

But, as the adjutant said, it was clear that they had gained momentum.

“The enemy shows his tail.”

“Return the function. I’ll chase after you.”

The hull tilted sharply and waves crashed into it.

“Is this a battle? Are we going to scrap the operation planned for tomorrow?”

“It’s not about breaking, it’s about starting a day early. With 40 galleons and 20 junks, it’s a small force. We’ll keep this momentum going.”

If 10 junks were taken as supply ships, it would match the information.

“Cease fire. The wind is against you. Set up the mast.”

“Heavy, heavy.”

While the raiders made a long turn, the Eastern Fleet also made a quick turn. Thus, the role of the airborne forces changed.

Danny Gerrard said what he had to say as a deputy.

“It could be a decoy from the enemy.”

“Of course that could be the case.”

Admiral Walter took out his pipe and motioned for his sailor to light it.

“Phew.”

White smoke dispersed in the sea breeze.

“If there are 40 galleons, that’s all of Holland’s power. Didn’t you check with the company several times? And as you can see, there are junks.”

The admiral glanced at the wreckage of the ship floating in the sea.

“Even if we hide about 100 feet away, it’s not that scary. Besides, we can always retreat if necessary.”

“When I looked at the intersection, it clearly looked like an old-fashioned cannon.”

Adjutant Danny Gerrard nodded.

“Danny, recite the manual we drafted at the operations meeting.”

“Yes. First, we will reduce the galleons by overwhelming numbers. Second, we will respond by keeping a distance from the junks and bombarding them.”

“You remember well. I wish the other commanders would do the same.”

It was okay for a useless guy to die honorably.

‘Like this cigarette smoke.’

The admiral took a sip of his pipe and put it in his coat pocket.

Soon a chase began.

“The junk ship is moving quickly.”

“It’s okay. I can pick up speed for a while. That’s all.”

Using oars and sails together may provide superior instantaneous maneuverability, but humans do not have infinite power.

“The wind is northeasterly. It’s almost a headwind.”

“It’s not a bad thing, since the old guys will get tired early.”

Clang, thud.

About 40 galleons and 19 privateers fled, with 80 ships of the English Eastern Fleet in pursuit.

Both sides repeatedly used all their navigation skills to increase speed.

The race continued for four days and nights.

“It’s already been four days. If things continue like this.”

“Is it Pratas Islands?”

Admiral Walter Haines pointed to a spot on the map.

“It’s not an island, it’s a huge reef area.”

“It’s a suitable place to be someone’s grave.”

“It turns out that their lure is clear. Shouldn’t we approach them more cautiously?”

The admiral nodded and looked back at his adjutant.

“Let me read the manual we drafted at the operations meeting again.”

“First, we reduce the galleons by overwhelming numbers. Second, we keep our distance from the junks and bombard them. That’s all.”

Deputy Danny Gerrard reported from a standing position.

“That principle is enough. After the victory in the Battle of Calais, the paradigm of naval warfare has long since shifted to the performance and number of cannons. Even if hundreds of junks ambushed you, it wouldn’t have affected the outcome of the war.”

“Okay, I’ll keep things as they are.”

“Keep your speed up. Artillery remains on combat standby. Over.”

“Yes, Admiral.”

On the fourth day of the chase, the wind had become a tailwind.

The sky was overcast and drizzling. The sea was calm, but the end was approaching, a catastrophe for some.

* * *

Yi Sun-sin climbed up to the watchtower and held the telescope.

The day was cloudy with the rain having stopped and the sea was still calm.

“What day is it today?”

“It’s the 8th day. Hey, be careful.”

As the ship tilted, the adjutant grabbed Yi Sun-sin and sat him down.

“It’s okay. I’m a sailor too, so I can maintain balance.”

“I’m sorry.”

Yi Sun-sin dusted off his clothes, got up, and picked up the telescope again.

“The wind that was blowing from the northeast until yesterday has changed to a west wind.”

“We must return before this wind becomes a southeasterly wind.”

In the summer, the waters around Taiwan become a path for typhoons. There is nothing more frightening than Mother Nature in the world, so at that time, regardless of war or anything else, you had to evacuate to the mainland.

The sea seen from the watchtower was vast.

The coral reef formed a wide circular band, and 80 panokseons were lined up in a single formation, their gun ports facing one direction. At the end of the formation, 12 battleships were piled up.

“General, over there.”

“hmm?”

Adjutant Oh Seung-ryong lowered the telescope and rubbed his eyes. Then he put his eyes back to the lens.

Yi Sun-sin also held a telescope.

That thing flickering on the horizon was clearly a mast.

“One, two, three, four, it keeps increasing.”

“Ring the bell. I’ll go down first.”

“Yes, General.”

Ding, ding, ding, ding.

The decks of the panokseons became busy.

“Prepare for battle, all hands in position.”

“Open the port.”

Yi Sun-sin came down from the watchtower and sat on the admiral’s seat in the stern.

“Let’s get started.”

“Yes, General.”

The flagship’s captain, Cho Gyu-sun, raised his baton.

“Hoist the anchor, spread the sails, and beat the drum.”

“Yes. Let’s raise anchor.”

Knock knock, knock knock.

“Be strong. If you keep doing this, you will be able to spread out your distance to one meal.”

Ding, ding, ding, ding.

The battleships left the formation of the panokseon in an oblique direction. As the two straight formations crossed, a crane-wing formation was briefly visible, but the battleships soon distanced themselves and disappeared.

It was a truly precise formation and coordinated movements.

* * *

Clang, thud.

The English Eastern Fleet increased its speed in pursuit of the enemy as they bypassed the coral reefs.

Before I knew it, the rain that had been falling had stopped.

“Slow down.”

“Yes, Admiral. Slow down.”

Then, as if he had been waiting, the lookout from the watchtower shouted.

“Enemy ships ahead, 80 new junks.”

“What distance?”

“It’s about 1 nautical mile (1.8 km).”

“It’s amazing. It’s exactly as you expected, Admiral.”

Danny Gerrard’s eyes were filled with respect for the admiral.

“Captain! Turn rudder to port. Form a firing line.”

“Yes, Admiral.”

Sunmi’s height turned violently.

“Put the sails down.”

As the flagship’s bow turned sharply and her side was extended, the fleet that followed her began to line up one after another. It seemed like a long time, but in fact, it was a surprisingly precise and fast maneuver.

Walter’s Eastern Fleet began its attack without hesitation.

“In fleet gunfire formation.”

The galleons formed a line of battle.

“Open the gates!”

Rattle, rattle, rattle, rattle.

“1 nautical mile away, fire from the prepared batteries.”

“Fire!”

Chijijik.

Kwakwakwang, kwakwakwang, bang bang bang.

Starting with the flagship, a barrage of artillery fire began. About 600 pieces of metal flew at an invisible speed, accompanied by a deafening sound of gunfire.

And then a similar number came flying in.

Peeweeee, peewee.

“… … ?”

Bang, bang, bang.

The cannonballs that came crashing down the side of the galleon pierced through everything in their way.

Admiral Walter Haines was astonished.

“Wasn’t that a junk ship with old cannons? A galleon that managed to turn around? Hey, lookout.”

The dock was a mess.

The officer, with half of his head blown off, sat down.

“Battery sergeant, the lieutenant is acting for you. Harry, clean the muzzle. Thomas, prepare a canister of gunpowder. Bernard, stand by with the shells.”

Even in fear of death, the elite artillerymen did their job.

The watchman’s cry was heard late.

“It’s a completely different type of junk. Ah! There’s smoke now. The number of shells hasn’t decreased at all.”

“this.”

Admiral Walter Haines momentarily considered retreating.

Meanwhile, the artillerymen of the Eastern Fleet continued their bombardment silently, enduring sacrifices.

“Loaded.”

“Fire!”

Chijijik.

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.

Eight shells flew into the sky from the flagship, and then, with a time difference, 600 shells rained down on the 80 panokseons.

Papak, land, ttang, land, land.

The shells that penetrated the deck tore holes in the bottom of the ship, but the armor plates on the sides protected the artillery.

The plan to armour only one side of the ship of the line and reinforce the panokseon with the rest worked well. While the sailors repaired the hole, the artillery could safely fire follow-up shells.

“Look, we are safe. Keep firing.”

Namhae-do Manho Lee Un-ryong encouraged them until his voice was hoarse.

Chijijik.

Kwakwang, kwakwakwang.

As many shots as had been fired again were fired at the enemy fleet.

Pfft, thud, thud.

“Ugh, the mast is going to fall over. Get out of here.”

Thud, splash.

“Ugh.”

The broken mast struck the bow of the ship and she fell into the sea.

“Oh, Marton!”

But the one who floated with his back to the water looked hopeless.

“Admiral, the enemy’s attack is relentless.”

“… … .”

Admiral Walter Haines of the English Eastern Fleet gritted his teeth.

Phew, puck.

A shot passed him, made a hole in his bow and disappeared.

“Enemy fleet appears on the port side!”

At the lookout’s shout, Admiral Walter shouted and asked.

“What type of ships are there? How many in total?”

“It’s a line I haven’t seen before. The numbers just keep increasing.”

For a moment the admiral remembered the forty galleons he had been chasing.

“Oh my gosh, it’s so big. It’s a three-story ship.”

“Gyeonsi-su, wake up! There is no such ship in the world.”

“The battery is three stories. There must be twelve gun ports per story. Oh my god.”

At that moment, a huge silhouette was seen rushing forward in a single line.

The hull, which was so large that it made the sense of distance seem meaningless, was wide at the bottom and narrowed towards the top. As I got closer, its enormity became more real.

‘Oh, really?’

Admiral Walter Haines shook his head vigorously.

“Fleet, advance at full speed. We will engage the enemy from the flank.”

“Hoist the sails.”

In the past, naval battles were won by attacking the enemy ships from the side. But not anymore. Rushing from the side meant getting hit by a barrage of fire.

“Shoot the player to port! We need to show more cannons.”

“Prepare to fire. Fire from the prepared batteries.”

As the two formations tried to show their sides first, they faced each other in the shape of a person.

“Three, my goodness.”

The ship I saw before my eyes was twice as long and tall as a galleon. The shadow of its gigantic hull seemed to foretell the end of the world.

Amidst the fear, the artillerymen silently did their job.

“Fire!”

Boom, boom. Boom.

Pfft, punk.

“Ugh.”

The exchange of shells was fair.

The shells that flew from close range tore apart the soldiers’ bodies. Those who had their limbs blown off were thrown around, groaning.

“Fire, we have to light a fire.”

Hanson, of the Second Battery, limped toward the cannon.

A shot flew in at that moment and pierced his stomach and broke the wooden box behind him.

Kwajik, hwaaak.

The gunpowder box broke and gunpowder was scattered throughout the ship.

Gulp, gurgle.

The center of the deck flew away, creating a mushroom cloud.

“The Queensbury is sinking.”

“We still have more cannons. Speed ​​up.”

A commander must look at the whole picture. For now, the best option was to surround the enemy with overwhelming numbers.

Admiral Walter Haines gritted his teeth.