Bright Spring

The soldiers of the Ming army, wearing blue navy uniforms and wide-brimmed iron hats, quickly picked up the firecrackers and left the side of the ship.The second row of neatly armored soldiers walked to the back of the perforation in unison, and together they laid down the heavy spring cold guns and put them on the perforation.

After several rounds of lead bullets flew wildly, the giant ship gradually moved away from the nearby enemy ship.The white gunpowder smoke gradually dissipated, and people could see that the sampan enemy ship was in a mess, its canvas was full of small holes, and the hull was slightly tilted.

And to the east of the enemy ship, another ship was burning on fire, billowing in thick smoke, floating on the water and slowly sinking.

Dotted on the surface of the sea were many heads, all Manchurians and Chenla people who had jumped into the water, and the air was full of shouts for help.Most of the enemy soldiers did not have armor, but survived, and those generals with status in armor may have sunk into the sea like a stone falling into the water.

In the official hall on the second floor above the deck, a civil servant was writing hard, describing the situation of the naval battle on the spot.There are two lines at the beginning of his article: At the end of October 27th in the fourth year of Wude, Saigon Bay, Xiaofeng from the northeast, low waves and clear sky.

The civil servant buried his head in writing for a while, when suddenly the floor shook violently again, the hull was visibly shaking, and the roar of cannons made people dizzy.There was a "scratch" sound around, and the fine debris in the wooden house bumped around.The inkstone on the table jumped a few times, and then slid out towards the edge.With sharp eyes and quick hands, the civil servant hurriedly stretched out his hand to hold down the inkstone, and picked up a rag to clean up the ink on the wooden case.

The uppermost floor of the ship building is the command building, and the red-robed official standing behind the railing is none other than Navy Admiral Chen Xuan.

Chen Xuan is not like Tang Jing, the commander of the guards under him, who can take the lead and fight with the soldiers; Chen Xuan can't even steer the rudder.He didn't wear military uniforms and armor, he was still wearing official uniforms, and he looked stable and full of official appearance.

Chen Xuan, who is in his forties, has taken good care of his skin.His big face is very square, and his figure is tall, burly, broad and fat. With the wide belt around his waist, his stomach seems to be a little bit protruding.When Emperor Taizu was around, he was still brave and hard-working, and also quite talented, and was promoted to a high-ranking official through hard work; after Taizu passed away, he began to relax himself and prepare to enjoy the blessings. It's about to hit rock bottom.

Chen Xuan intends to do his best this time, but he has been in a high position for many years, and he will not be able to change his living habits for a while.His demeanor remained the same.When the gunpowder smoke rose to the command building, Chen Xuan took out a handkerchief and gently covered his mouth and nose.

A senior executive who likes to enjoy himself in a pampered environment must have a few subordinates who are swaying around him, so that he can keep mentally happy at all times.Chen Xuan also hasn't gotten rid of this problem.

The generals watched the scenery at sea for a while, and some people began to chatter: "The commander-in-chief knows things like a god, it is really because Kong Ming is alive. The prestige of this battle will surely resound the reputation of the commander-in-chief."

Chen Xuan pretended to be modest and said: "If you just wait here, the bandit army may not be fooled. The left deputy general Zhu Zhen did a good job on the Dong Nai River. Thousands of people made a formation of 2 people. The bandits thought our men and horses had all gone ashore, otherwise how would they have the guts to come up and die?"

Immediately someone echoed, "I heard that General Zhu built dozens of barracks, and made a big splash in the barracks. The most wonderful thing is to use some medicine to repel mosquitoes, so that the surrounding area of ​​the barracks will be smoggy, making it difficult for the enemy to find out the truth. The mosquito smoke It’s real mosquito smoke, and the locals will know it when they smell it, so the thief will no longer be suspicious.”

The general who praised Chen Xuan just now hurriedly said: "It is still due to the commander's proper deployment, he has a good plan." He paused, then lowered his voice, and said in a low voice, "I heard that Zhu Zhen was in charge of the water transport, and he didn't know it at all." Had a decent fight."

Several other people immediately echoed with interest: "We still rely on Marshal Chen to strategize."

Chen Xuan thought for a while and said, "Zhu Zhen has made great contributions to the success of this battle, and no one can say otherwise."

Everyone immediately changed their minds and began to praise Marshal Chen's morality, such as his heart is like a sea, and he is not greedy for merit.

Chen Xuan went on to say: "The decision-making and deployment are decided by the prince and his army and all the civil and military personnel in the army. Of course, this commander dare not be greedy for great achievements alone."

This embarrasses those who intend to compliment him, but in this position, Chen Xuan only wants to please himself, and doesn't need to pay attention to everyone's wishes.How to speak well is someone else's business.

During the discussion, there was a sudden roar of artillery and the ship building shook.Everyone just shut up for now.

After the salvo of heavy artillery was fired, there was another crackling sound of firecrackers.However, with the loading speed of the Hanwang cannon, the scary battle just now will not appear again for a while.

Chen Xuan showed a self-deprecating expression again, and said: "The key is that the Holy One is wise and powerful, ordinary people really dare not use me as handsome."

Now everyone has nothing to say, and they can't blame the emperor.However, the general who praised the most before found something to say: "While Chen Dashuai was talking and laughing, the mast and scull were wiped out. It is really the style of a famous general of the Ming Dynasty."

"Haha!" Chen Xuan finally laughed heartily.He stood upright, watching the grand battlefield with billowing white smoke and rumbling guns. He was full of vigor and ambition, and he had never been so happy for many years.

In fact, the key to the steps of the Battle of Saigon on the sea surface was to lure the enemy into the ambush range in the early stage; after the strategy was successful, the battle itself was not too difficult.

Chen Xuan let out a long breath, turned his head to feel the cool sea breeze, and said with emotion: "This monsoon is also very appropriate, God help Daming."

Everyone happily agreed.

Naval battles lasted a very long time.At the beginning, the officers and soldiers attacked with the wind, and the progress was fairly fast; later, when the remaining ships of the enemy army turned to retreat, the progress of the officers and troops' pursuit became slower and slower.Because each other is in the wind, the treasure ships of the official army are heavy, and the speed does not necessarily have any advantage.

The fleet had already chased out of Saigon Bay and passed through the mouth of Dong Nai River.The two armies fought along the waters along the coastline and reached the mouth of the Mekong River. The sun has gradually approached the sea level.

At this time, the remaining enemy troops were still fleeing south.Of course, they didn't care about the darkness, they were all focused on getting rid of the official fleet.

Chen Xuan ordered the whole army to stop the pursuit and end the naval battle.Gold began to be heard on the treasure ship of the Chinese army, and several light-colored flags were hung on the ropes on the ship's tower.The nearby warships received the message from the Chinese army, and they also issued a signal to cease troops.

Then the fleet began to change directions one after another. According to the strategy deployed in advance, each team changed its course to the mouth of the Mekong River and the mouth of the Qianjiang River.

Chen Xuan turned his head and asked the soldiers around him: "Have you sent ships to the two river mouths to stand by? If there are no lights, we will not be able to find a place when it gets dark."

A subordinate clasped his fists and said, "Return to Commander, it has been done according to the military order."

The military generals who had previously praised Chen Xuan began to oppose and discourage Chen Xuan.When you say good things, you don't have to bear any consequences anyway, but when you actually do things, they will have their own opinions.

A general warned: "We are not familiar with the water depth of the Mekong River and the Qianjiang River, so we headed hastily at night for fear of encountering shallow water and damaging the ship."

Chen Xuan stared and said, "So what? Don't we rush on the road all night, dare to wait for the news of the naval battle to reach the bandit barracks on the road? There will be losses in the battle, and this is not a reason to miss the opportunity."

The general said: "Even if the officers and soldiers rush all night, it may be too late."

Chen Xuan snorted and said, "Did you see the horses on the bandits' boats? If they can't find the horses in a hurry, they will rush to report the news on foot. I'm afraid they may not be as fast as our boats. Order the whole army to deploy in advance , Immediately dispatch, without any mistakes, those who disobey the order will be executed!"

All the generals had no choice but to hold their fists together and said: "The last general will wait for orders."

8 Chapter Ninety Morning of Destiny

In the early morning of the 28th, the dark gray sky was already bright.The surface of the Qianjiang River was shrouded in mist and there was no wind.

Several small boats lined up, with glazed lanterns on the masts, looming in the mist, flashing orange lights, look like erratic will-o'-the-wisps from a distance.The wood pulp paddles in the water, making a crisp water sound.

The small boats in front are leading the way, because the line of sight is still very unclear.

Behind the boat, a light glowed in mid-air.Where the light is located, a huge black shadow slowly swims forward through the fog. The mountain-like scale is daunting, like a dark monster, giving people a suffocating pressure at first glance.This is the outline of a treasure ship.

The sound from the rear was also louder, and the ends of the long oars on both sides of the ship were moving like propellers.Many sergeants were in the cabin, struggling to shake the oars.

There are still several treasure ships, plus warships of various sizes, meeting along the wide Qianjiang River, advancing in a dragon-like formation.

The rowing sergeants could take turns to rest, but General Chen Xuan didn't fall asleep almost all night.

He stood by the railing of the treasure ship, awake a little from the cool, damp air of the early morning.He said a word: "The fog may be a good thing for us." Then he turned and walked into the official hall.

There are some maps and files on the wooden case.Among them, the map of Chenla Kingdom was not drawn by the officers and soldiers; after all, the army had just arrived in Chenla Kingdom.

Most of the maps come from Shi Jinqing, the Propaganda Envoy of the Old Port, and the old maps collected from Shenglong City in An Nanguo, which may not be very accurate.However, Chen Xuan could only refer to these drawings for the time being.

There are many rivers along the coast of Chenla.Near Saigon Port, the outlets of larger rivers have been recorded on the map, from north to south are the Dong Nai River, Qianjiang River, and Mekong River.

The Dong Nai River and Tien Giang merged into one tens of miles away from the coast, and the Zhu Zhen Department of the official army and the Chen La Army's army and soldiers faced each other near there.

Qianjiang is the river with the widest water surface and the deepest water. The current main force of the Ming army's navy came in from Qianjiang.From yesterday evening to early morning today, Chen Xuan's warship did not run aground at all.

To the north of the army camps of both sides, there is a tributary of the Dong Nai River flowing from the northwest; the tributary can completely cut off the northern retreat of the Chenla Army.However, if the big treasure ship of the Ming army wants to enter this tributary, it may encounter shoals; it can only keep sailing in the middle of the river at all times, so perhaps it will not run aground and block the river.

Chen Xuan made a temporary decision to send sand boats and Mengchong warships into that tributary.

In addition, the Mekong River, which flows into the sea in the south, forms a large semicircle on the map from the mouth of the sea to the city of Phnom Penh.If the Ming army could control this section of the river, it would be able to completely encircle the main force of the Chenla army.

But such a thing seems unrealistic, because the river is too long.According to the information provided by Shi Jinqing, this semicircle is estimated to have a diameter of more than 300 miles; it is far beyond the control range of the officers and soldiers.Therefore, Chen Xuan only sent a team of partial divisions to look for an opportunity to attack the rear of the Chenla army.

Chen Xuan repeatedly speculated that the main force of the Chenla army could still escape.It's just that the opportunity for a surprise attack is right in front of him, if he doesn't try, he won't be reconciled.