Chapter 118: The Great Ming Navy Sails Galleons
Five or six days later.
The Santa Ana loaded all the cannons, powder kegs, and furniture back onto the ship, reattached the ship’s cables and canvas, and returned to the Houjiang Bay port to anchor.
They arrived just as the fourth batch of delivery ships was returning from Macau.
After the fleet anchored in Houjiang Bay, they unloaded firearms, silver, and other goods in sequence.
Lin Qian frowned: “The firearms this time seem fewer?”
Jose flattered: “Helmsman has sharp eyes. This time we only procured ammunition. The number of cannons and muskets is indeed less than before.”
“What’s going on?”
“The Bojia Lao foundry’s stock has been bought out.” Jose smiled bitterly. “The foundry is rushing production.”
These days, firearms are custom-made. Even a large foundry like Bojia Lao won’t keep much stock.
Producing while selling off stock, supporting four deliveries was already difficult.
Jose said: “As instructed earlier by the helmsman, I’ve placed an order with the foundry. If the helmsman thinks it’s improper, your subordinate will go change it.”
Currently, Lin Qian had ten Haicang Ships under him. Seven had been refitted into Sea Wolf-class Frigates. With this procurement, the remaining three could be armed.
Ten Sea Wolf-class Frigates were enough for the short term.
So as per Lin Qian’s earlier instructions to Jose, the subsequent deliveries focused mainly on procuring matchlock guns, cannonballs, and gunpowder.
After the Santa Ana completed cargo hold refit and built a second cannon deck, they could buy more large-caliber cannons.
Lin Qian said: “Proceed with the current order for now. Come to the Santa Ana tomorrow morning.”
The next morning, Jose arrived as promised. He found Huang Hetai on the deck too, and the two greeted each other awkwardly.
On the stern deck, Lei Sanxiang looked at Huang and Jose and said: “Helmsman, for today’s training, why call these two?”
Lin Qian glanced at the two on the deck and said flatly: “Naval combat training can’t be done behind closed doors. These two understand Great Ming and European naval tactics respectively, which might be useful.”
Chen Jiao walked from the bow and said: “Helmsman, all participating ships are assembled.”
Lin Qian ordered: “Set sail.”
Chen Jiao shouted: “Wind from northwest, course due west, weigh anchor!”
Lei Sanxiang hurried down to the cannon deck in big strides, ordering the crew to the deck to hoist the anchor.
Half a shichen later, the mainsails on the Santa Ana’s several masts dropped one by one. The brand-new canvas reflected dazzling white light under the winter sun.
“Ship speed seems faster?” Chen Jiao faced the wind with his hand, saying in surprise.
This was no illusion. After maintenance, the barnacles on the Santa Ana’s hull bottom were cleared, reducing drag and naturally increasing speed.
This was the first time Lin Qian boarded after the galleon’s maintenance. He said casually: “Come, let’s go to the deck and see.”
Lin Qian walked down the stern deck after speaking, with Chen Jiao following behind.
Huang and Jose came up, saluted Lin Qian, and followed behind.
Lin Qian stopped at a spot in the midship deck, where the wooden board’s color differed from elsewhere.
During the extermination of Li Kuiqi, this deck spot had a hole smashed by debris from the ship city’s explosion.
Now this smooth deck was patched with camphor wood.
Lin Qian squatted down, stroking the deck with his hand. It felt oily and smooth, with clear wood grain.
He tapped around the deck; the sound was no different.
Lin Qian stood and walked toward the bow, passing Franchi Cannons on both sides of the bulwarks. Their bronze barrels gleamed coldly in the sunlight.
Around each Franchi Cannon was a bucket and five loaded chambers.
Five gunners stood around the Franchi Cannon. Seeing Lin Qian arrive, they all stood at attention and saluted.
At the bow, three jibs bulged to the left. Ahead was overcast sky and deep blue ocean, with faint land visible in the distance.
The bow cut through waves, splashing icy mist mixed with salty freshness, invigorating the spirit.
The Santa Ana had passed Da Jian Mountain. Chen Jiao ordered course southeast, helm to, change sails.
Lin Qian felt the hull tilt slightly rightward, from turning centrifugal force and portside following wind.
Rope men came to the bow, pulling sail sheets as the ship turned.
With a whoosh, the three jibs all bulged rightward, catching full wind for southeast course.
Helmsman and rope men coordinated perfectly. Even such a sharp turn kept the hull very steady.
Lin Qian had inspected the deck, bulwarks, sail locks, and stays. All were tung oil coated and repaired properly.
He checked the bow main anchor. The previously snapped anchor chain was reconnected. The anchor was from an old Haicang Ship, mismatched size but usable.
Lin Qian walked back to the stern deck, the others following up.
Behind the galleon, seven Sea Wolf-class Frigates followed. On both sides of the Sea Wolf Ships, over ten single bird ships escorted.
From the stern deck, masts like a forest, sails blotting the sky, covering a vast sea area, quite imposing.
To accommodate Sea Wolf Ship speed, the galleon’s three masts’ top yards’ sails were not set.
Sailing southeast for about two shichen, they reached an open sea area.
Lin Qian ordered to lower sails and anchor.
Several crew lifted a wooden frame below the stern deck, placing it against the captain’s cabin wall. Crew inserted five large flags into it.
The flagpoles were about sixteen chi long. Tops had red, blue, green, black, yellow square flags, seven chi long, three chi wide, hung vertically on poles, nailed at ends with wooden strips, immobile in wind.
Flags made of Chaozhou Silk, vivid colors gleaming in sunlight, very conspicuous.
While Santa Ana busied with five-color flags, bird ship crew took out coconut shell rafts, fitted simple red sails, and placed them on the sea.
After one incense stick, the sea had a fleet of coconut shell target ships. Under northwest wind, they drifted southeast grandly.
On the galleon, five signal flagmen were positioned before the flag rack.
All silent, awaiting Lin Qian’s orders.
Lin Qian took out the telescope, eyed the targets, estimated one or two li drifted, put it away, and said gravely: “Begin.”
“Training starts!” Chen Jiao ordered loudly.
Lookouts ready, one reported: “Starboard ahead, one thousand paces, enemy fleet sighted.”
Lin Qian said: “Order fleet maintain line abreast, course southeast, starboard engage.”
Chen Jiao shouted: “Raise red flag! Course southeast, half sails!”
At the order, the entire Santa Ana deck bustled. Rope men climbed yards swiftly to loose sails.
The red flagman took the red flag, ran to stern deck and stood.
The red flag glowed bloodily under winter sun.
Rear ships saw red flag, hoisted sails, formed line, followed Santa Ana. Bird ships trailed Sea Wolf Ships.
“Enemy fleet, five hundred paces.”
“Enemy fleet, three hundred paces.”
Lookouts updated distance.
Lin Qian lowered telescope, said to Chen Jiao: “Maintain two hundred paces, open fire.”
Chen Jiao said: “Open starboard gunports, starboard engage!”
“Enemy fleet, two hundred paces.”
Chen Jiao immediately: “Helm slight port, hold two hundred paces! Shake red flag, fleet fire!”
At order, stern flagman waved red flag left-right.
Sea Wolf Ships’ Franchi Cannons and galleon’s Siren Cannons fired almost simultaneously.
Dozens of cannons roared like thunder, deck trembled slightly.
Entire line’s starboard enveloped in thick gunpowder smoke, choking stench near suffocating.
Around target fleet, huge waterspouts erupted, terrifying salvo, few hits.
Most shots fell short, waves pushing targets farther.
Siren Cannons reloading, rear Sea Wolf Ships fired two more broadsides, only three or four ships hit.
Targets too small, two hundred paces perhaps beyond Franchi Cannon range.
Lin Qian said: “Order Sea Wolf Ships close and fire.”
Chen Jiao to flagman: “Rotate blue flag!”
Blue flagman pulled pole, strode to stern deck, arms taut, rotated blue flag.
On Sea Wolf Number One bow, Bai Langzai holding Great Miao Saber, squinted at rotating blue flag, to subordinates: “Helm right, close in!”
Sea Wolf Number One turned right, charged targets. Remaining six Sea Wolf Ships followed closely.
Lin Qian watched Sea Wolf Ships, said: “Galleon cease fire!”
“Cease fire!”
“Cease fire!”
Orders passed from Chen Jiao, Lei Sanxiang down. Siren Cannons silenced.
Fierce northwest wind dispersed smoke. Sea Wolf Ships in line like sea serpent, coiling toward targets.
Sea Wolf line sailed east to west, fifty paces from targets. Lead ship fired, then each in turn.
Franchi Cannons low power, small splashes, but short intervals, many guns. Sea erupted nonstop, spectacular boil.
In boiling sea, targets doomed. Ships hit nonstop, shattered, coconut shells flying, sails riddled.
Soon, each gun’s five chambers fired. Sea Wolf cannonade paused.
Normally, after chambers empty, quench in water, cool, refill for continuous fire. Five chambers suffice for nonstop.
But gunners unfamiliar with Franchi Cannons, couldn’t reload that fast.
Plus first fleet action, from command to gun performance needed integration.
This was purpose of Lin Qian’s training.
After half incense pause, Franchi Cannon fire resumed. Remaining targets devastated.
After five, fire paused again. Half targets left afloat.
Santa Ana downwind of Sea Wolf line. Northwest wind blew gun smoke volleys. Sulfur smell tangible, stinging eyes to tears.
This pause shorter, under half incense refired, but intervals lengthened. Reloading while firing, gunners flustered, supply lagging.
Lin Qian didn’t call halt; firing continued near half shichen.
Sea had only scattered dozen targets left.
On Santa Ana stern deck, all reeked of sulfur, bodies sticky.
Lin Qian throat itched, suppressed voice: “Order Sea Wolf Ships, bird ships board!”
Chen Jiao: “Wave blue flag, black flag.”
Black flagman pulled flag to deck, beside blue flagman. Flags waved front-back.
Distant sea, Sea Wolf and bird ships split lines, full sails, charged scattered targets.
Naval gunfire hit low. Solid shot on wooden ship, hundreds hard to sink.
Thus sea battles often end in boarding.
Franchi Cannons’ main role: kill enemy deck crew before boarding.
In view, twenty-plus warships like unleashed stallions charged targets. Moments later, scattered targets ram-sunk.
Just drill, no real melee.
Actually, Lin Qian most worried for this fleet was boarding combat.
His crew mostly Tanka People, brave but lacking paired combat and simple formations like mandarin duck. Precisely boarding essentials.
Crew might beat garrison or camp soldiers in boarding. But against true Great Ming elites, no match. Vs. Haimen Guard commander’s retainers last seen, far inferior.
Thus Lin Qian trained gunners live ammo lavishly, to offset boarding weakness.
Seeing “boarding” victory, Lin Qian: “Order all fleet withdraw.”
“Sound gong, raise red flag!” Chen Jiao shouted.
Soon red flagman raised red flag on stern deck. Other two flagmen took flags down, reinserted in rack.
Gong rang far across sea.
Sea Wolf Ships and bird ships acknowledged, disengaged, returned to galleon stern in line.
By then, thick smoke dispersed. Sky sprinkled scattered snowflakes.
Lin Qian turned to Jose and Huang Hetai: “Well?”
Jose flattered: “Is this Great Ming sea signal flags? Eye-opening today.”
Lin Qian: “Say something useful.”
Jose knew Lin Qian’s temperament, sobered: “Spanish fleet command uses flags, lights, messenger ships, and captain improvisation.
Spanish alphabet allows simple orders by flags, perhaps easier than Great Ming.”
Perhaps long in Great Ming, Jose spoke truth then pivoted flattery: “But helmsman’s five-color flags clearly more efficient. Training used only three colors, far better than Spanish!”
Crew handed wet towel. Lin Qian wiped face; towel thick gray-black grime.
“These five-color flags aren’t my invention. I learned from Jixiao Xinshu.”
Jose thumbs-up: “Great Ming full of talents!”
Lin Qian wiping hands: “What does Garrison Commander Huang think?”
Huang Hetai about to cup hands in praise, Lin Qian cut: “Skip flattery. Say problems directly?”
Huang Hetai paused: “This five-color flag system from General Qi back then, still used in southeast navy. Slightly different from helmsman’s signals.”
Lin Qian returned used towel to crew, explained: “I made changes.”
Simple words, but Huang Hetai heard Lin Qian’s resolve against Imperial Court, tensed.
Lin Qian to Chen Jiao: “Elder brother, trouble you continue drills.”
Chen Jiao cupped fists: “Yes!”
Lin Qian led Huang and Jose to officer’s restaurant, sat. Crew served hot tea.
“What tactics does Great Ming Navy use in sea battles?” Lin Qian held tea cup, blew steam, asked.
“This lowly one ignorant, dares not…”
“Say what you know.” Lin Qian voice flat.
He knew Great Ming naval tactics somewhat, but theory vs. practice differed. Better confirm with expert.
“Then this lowly one boldly speaks. Ming navy mainly uses tactics founded by General Qi, summed as two sayings: firearms first, boarding last; small beat large, many overwhelm few.
Jixiao Xinshu says: ‘If enemy boats small, close with large ships, press urgently. Crew first fire firearms, then arrows and rakes, then hurl stones…'”
As speaking, outside cabin dense popping: ships doing musket live fire.
Amid smoke, Lin Qian asked Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou’s Nan’ao campaign, and prior Li Kuiqi and Li Zhong pirate suppression rewards.
Huang Hetai smiled bitterly: “Exterminating Li Kuiqi’s merits came half month ago. Court rewarded some silver. Li Zhong’s merits pending. Court busy, delayed in cabinet and eunuch directorate.”
“Oh.” Lin Qian sipped tea, noncommittal.
Training to noon. After lunch, gunfire resumed. Lin Qian in cabin discussed Great Ming and Western naval tactics with Huang and Jose till dusk.
Till sunset, advancing fleet gradually halted.
Then Chen Jiao entered cabin: “Helmsman, ship approaching from south.”
“Oh?” Lin Qian rose.
His chosen spot seven or eight sea miles offshore, outer seas to Great Ming merchants, rarely any ships pass.
Encountering ship odd.
Lin Qian left officer’s restaurant, to stern deck, telescope toward Chen Jiao’s direction.
Between sea-sky, sail shadow clear: double-mast Western jibs. Not Great Ming merchant.
Closer, Lin Qian recognized: caravel.
Such ships weak firepower, fast, agile, favored by explorers. Columbus’s America fleet had two caravels.
Lin Qian frowned, pondered.
This era, British not yet in East Asia. Off Min-Yue coast, caravels only Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch.
Northwest monsoon prevailed, poor for north to Japan trade. Caravels unfit merchants.
So not Portuguese.
Remaining: Spaniards enemies of Lin Qian, Dutch enemies of all Great Ming.
Anyway, ill intent.
While Lin Qian observed, caravel lowered sails, clearly observing from afar. Both sides atmosphere tense.
“Helmsman, what to do?” Chen Jiao asked.
Lin Qian wanted capture, but caravel nimble, jibs versatile, direct chase futile.
Must devise plan.
Lin Qian eyed mast wind flags: strong northwest wind, sky scattered snow.
Best winds beam reach or beam close-hauled. Few run dead downwind, especially caravel jibs losing Bernoulli effect for max speed.
So incoming likely not flee southeast.
Lin Qian eyed sky: low leaden clouds, fine snow.
Such weather to outer seas risky if lost; caravel unlikely due east.
Due west shore, dead end for caravel.
Thus if pursued, likely flee south-southwest.
South-southwest this area: ship city coral reef lagoon, could block.
Lin Qian roughly calculated speeds, reef position, deemed chase viable.
Thus to Jose: “Know Spanish signals?”
Jose nodded: “Only a bit.”
Lin Qian: “Go bow signal: we Great Ming Navy, stop for inspection.”
Jose agreed, took two triangular flags to bow.
Lin Qian then to Chen Jiao: “Order fleet line abreast, galleon full sails, full speed pursue.”
“Red flag slant raise!” Chen Jiao shouted. “Hoist sails, course southwest, pursue!”
Red flagman signaled on stern deck. Sea Wolf Ships, bird ships flanked galleon, formed line, sped southwest with Santa Ana.
Santa Ana fast, soon shot ahead like arrow.
By then, Jose at bow signaling with two triangular flags nonstop.
Best if signals deceived. If not, irrelevant; Santa Ana full speed charging, couldn’t expect sitting duck.
Indeed, after brief hesitation, caravel hoisted sails, fled southwest.
……
Meanwhile, on caravel, Spanish Navy lieutenant general Juan eyed enemy fleet through telescope, brow furrowed.
First mate read incoming signals, relieved: “Lieutenant general, they claim Ming navy, routine inspection.”
Juan lowered telescope, cursed: “Idiot, ever seen Ming navy sailing galleons?”
First mate stunned, raised telescope: lead ship high freeboard, Western soft sails bulging, bow waves, fast speed, outpacing flank hard-sail ships.
First mate tense: “Pirates?”
Juan licked lips, tense laugh: “Big pirate. Probably Lin Qian.”
“Lin Qian…”
Name tensed first mate and officers.
Half year prior, pirate Lin Qian with sixty men hijacked Manila Galleon, etched deep in minds.
