Chapter 416: 416 Whistleblower
Chapter 416 416 Whistleblower
A few hours later, several countries began to stir without warning, as if the calm lake water boiled instantly.
After receiving the order, Strauss, the naval commander of the Kingdom of Dorne, immediately assembled the fleet and attacked all the mirage merchant ships that could be found trading in the offshore Dorne without thinking.
Subsequently, the Kingdom of Dorne declared war on the Mirage Kingdom, and the Dorne Navy formed a fleet of two Bunas-class ironclads, 12 largest sail warships, and 32 logistics supply sailing ships, preparing to join the Datang Group's expedition to the Mirage Kingdom.
Yangmu Kingdom also declared war on the Mirage Kingdom a few hours later. Two Bunas-class ironclad ships were also dispatched, and they drove out to the open sea with supply ships aggressively, crossing the trade routes.
At almost the same time as the Poplar Kingdom, there was also the Ice Kingdom's naval fleet, which also had two Bunas-class ironclads. The Ice Kingdom also dispatched an additional 12 steam wooden ships, which was considered the main force of the navy.
Without saying a word, the fleet of the Kingdom of Wright went north and sailed to the sea off Bunas. The future King Lions I, King Wright VII, declared war on the Mirage Kingdom and announced that it would send a fleet to participate in the crusade against the Mirage Kingdom.
The fleet composed of two Bunas-class ironclads and seven wooden steamships cannot be underestimated, and its combat effectiveness is also quite scary.
The Pinewood Kingdom also sent its navy to participate in the war, but they did not dispatch their own ironclads. Instead, they deployed 50 sail warships to help ensure the safety of sea lines of communication.
For a time, it seemed that the entire endless sea became rough and rough. Naval warships from various countries hoisted battle flags and frantically searched for mirage transport ships on the sea.
As soon as a target is discovered, a fierce battle will immediately break out. Mirage's armed merchant ships suffered heavy losses, and pure transport ships were also captured or sunk.
This only happened within a few hours, and soon the Mirage will discover what a heavy price they paid.
Dorne, Sussus, Wright, Poplar, Pinewood...the five countries that signed the treaty declared war on the Mirage Country one after another, and then the Nanla Empire also added insult to injury and declared war on the Mirage Country.
For a time, coal ships plied the seas, and a modified type of ship with a wooden hull and a steam engine began to emerge.
The navies of various countries seem to want to show their strength and exercise their troops in this war, so they all use their wealth.
Only wooden steamships, as many as thirty or forty have been assembled in Bunas. Most of these ships are coal ships and can be regarded as supply ships for the naval fleets of various countries.
Similarly, there are also many sailing ships assembled. Relying on the huge number, they can transport troops, horses and even people. The advantage is that they are large and full.
Even though it takes more than a dozen sailing ships to match the transportation capacity of one free ship, sailing ships, as the main transportation force in various countries, can easily gather hundreds of ships. They are definitely a transportation force that cannot be ignored.
"Her? Why is she here to join in the fun?" While Harry was busy arranging for ships from various countries to replenish supplies at Bunas Port, Sofia's maid suddenly came to visit, and she seemed to have something urgent to see.
Harry was so busy that he felt dizzy, but he still found time to see the anxious maid. As soon as the two met, the maid spoke first: "Seriously, I heard that you and Mirage had a dispute. I came to you this time to tell you something!"
"Huh?" Harry frowned. He knew that the maid in this state did not come to him for entertainment.
“Cyric has always had an arms business with Mirage. Before that, Mirage purchased a large number of Cyric’s arms.” The maid got straight to the point and revealed the secrets between Cyric and Mirage.
"Can you tell me the contents of the transaction?" Harry was not polite and directly asked about the core contents.
"The transaction was not led by Lady Sophia, so she only knew a rough idea. The Mirage Kingdom purchased dozens of Cyric ships...the kind of steamships with large waterwheels on both sides...Can you understand what I'm saying?" "The maid first talked about the ship deal.
Harry nodded. Of course he knew that Cyric had a paddle steamer, but it was not an advanced thing. So he spoke directly and said to the maid: "We call that kind of ship a paddle steamer. I also heard that the Nanla Empire purchased some..."
"The Mirage bought an armed... paddle steamer. It has turrets at the front and rear, a very powerful one..." The maid looked at Harry's not-so-handsome face and couldn't help but add.
“I know, what about the quantity? Do you know?” Harry continued to ask.
"We are also checking the specific number...but there should be more than 20 ships." The maid knew everything.
“Anything else?” Harry continued to ask.
The maid continued to answer: "They also purchased some field breech-loading cannons. We copied your first-generation artillery. The specific number is not clear, and it is not the way of Lady Sophia... But the number cannot be too many. This is very important." Sure."
"You guys are really good at business." Harry said sarcastically. Previously, there was really no news from the senior management of Datang Group about Mirage purchasing new weapons and equipment.
It can be said that Cyric used the method they are most familiar with to stab Datang Group in an unexpected direction.
"We don't need to inform you when we sell weapons, right?" The maid snorted, a little arrogant. "Any more? Keep talking." Harry made an indifferent gesture and continued to ask.
"In addition, Mirage has purchased 10,000 Cyric Type 1 bolt-action rifles and 3,000 revolvers..." the maid said: "That's about all we know. We hope it can be helpful to your operations."
"Thank you." Harry said, "Since you are here, I will tell you what Mr. Tang told you."
The maid looked at Harry curiously, her eyes full of friendship and her long eyelashes fluttering, making Harry suddenly nervous.
He coughed, looked away, and said, "Mr. Tang knows that your Lady Sophia is in need of money recently... It seems that the plan to divide the assets of Smiling Tiger is not going so smoothly."
"The opponent is determined to defend and has a few people to help, so he is very tenacious. Although Lady Sophia has the advantage, she cannot completely win." The maid did not hide it and said.
"We can provide Lady Sophia with a loan of 10 million gold coins." Harry picked up a document from the table and handed it to the maid: "As long as you sign your name on it, you can pay it in five installments from the Tang Dynasty. The money was taken from the bank."
“No need to return it?” The maid took the document and looked down at the terms above, as well as the price Cyric had to pay.
"Ha, what are you thinking about? In one year, you will have to repay 10.5 million gold coins. With interest, it's a very favorable price." Harry smiled and was businesslike.
The maid nodded, then stretched out her hand: "Pen."
She read the terms, which were very simple. There were really no traps, it was just the most favorable loan contract. For Sophia, who is embezzling the legacy of the Smiling Tiger, this is indeed a timely help.
Harry handed the pen to the maid, and the maid signed directly on it: "It seems that when you attack Zheng Guo, Cyric will not have the energy to share the cake."
“Sofia, aren’t you satisfied with eating Cyric’s big cake?” Harry replied.
"Then, let's... each take what we need this time." The maid handed the second copy of the written document back to Harry, then shook the document in her hand: "Thank you for the loan."
"Thank you for the information." Harry waved his hand, looking rude.
"Let's have dinner together tonight?" When the maid walked to the door, she suddenly turned around. She has always been the more proactive one, always.
“…” Harry didn’t refuse, he just spread his hand and gestured to the pile of documents on the table.
The maid nodded. She knew that Datang Group must have a lot of things to deal with after learning the news, so she understood Harry very well. She waved the documents in her hand, turned around and walked out of Harry's office.
A few minutes later, the intelligence department of Datang Group sent a telegram to the front line, confirming that the Mirage troops were equipped with new rifles and new warships.
When Bernard got this information, it was still dark near Dongwan Island. It had been two days since the Datang Group troops landed here, and the entire 1st Regiment had already landed.
“Cyric Type 1 Rifle... This is indeed a troublesome thing.” The 1st regiment leader got the intelligence from the fleet, stared at the information above, and said in embarrassment.
If the attacking troops also have new weapons, it will be more difficult to deal with tactically. If our own technological advantages are not compromised, the enemy's military superiority will be infinitely amplified.
Originally, they have fewer people to fight against more people. If the opponent really breaks through the defense line, the situation will be passive.
“The opponent also has an ironclad ship... This time, the situation seems not to be good.” On the sea, Bernard, who had been waiting for the enemy for a whole day, was also stumped by the sudden change.
He has not actually fought against an armored battleship and does not know the specific combat power of the opponent, so he can only adopt a cautious attitude.
You must know that what he holds in his hands is the main force of the Datang Group's navy. As long as something goes wrong, he will be the group's eternal sinner.
On the other side, Mirage is not aware that a series of countries have declared war on itself. At the same time, the Mirage Kingdom did not know that in fact, their sailing ships for maritime trade had been robbed by several countries.
In order to ensure that they can attack from both sides at the same time, the Mirage naval warships near Dongwan Island deliberately agreed on a time.
Therefore, the navy heading north towards Fengshun City was waiting for the fleet heading south and deliberately slowed down its advance.
With this delay, the battle was postponed until the early morning of the third day. Both sides are waiting for dawn, waiting for the battle that will determine the outcome after dawn!
(End of this chapter)