Chapter 26: The Galleon Sets Sail
Before hijacking the Manila Galleon, he had already conducted extremely detailed investigations and planning.
However, the Rudder Lock was an absolute secret. He knew of its existence, but he could never ascertain its exact structure and could only adapt to the situation as it developed.
Lin Qian thought to himself, no wonder there had been several Ship Robberies in the decades since the Manila Galleon appeared, none of which succeeded, and even when docked at Port, only a dozen Soldiers guarded the ship.
It turned out that this Rudder Lock was the Spaniards’ source of confidence.
Jose cautiously persuaded: “This thing cannot be removed. You can still escape now.”
Lin Qian ignored him.
Jose said again: “Even if you remove the Rudder Lock, you cannot Hoist Sail or weigh anchor on the Galleon. Moreover, there are Navy Warships at the Port, as well as shore defense cannons. Better to grab some Goods and flee. I can take you to the Cargo Hold.”
Lin Qian stared fixedly at the Rudder Lock, unmoved.
At this moment, Lei Sanxiang’s voice came from the helm cabin entrance: “Lin Laodi, more and more Franks are gathering on the Dock. You need to hurry on your end. Once these Thief Turtles charge up, the brothers won’t be able to hold them off.”
“Got it.” Lin Qian’s tone was steady.
The clamor outside the cabin grew louder and louder, with the occasional sound of Matchlock Gun fire.
In the helm cabin, the other two Crew Members could no longer hold out. One of them said in a strained voice: “Helmsman, what are we going to do?”
“Quiet. Let me think.”
After a short while, Lei Sanxiang shouted from the helm cabin entrance again: “Lin Laodi, a Frank Gunboat is heading toward us.” His voice trembled slightly.
“Just hold the Ship’s Rail. They won’t fire.” Under the heavy pressure, Lin Qian became even calmer. His mind raced, and a plan gradually took shape.
“Got it!” A flash of inspiration struck Lin Qian’s mind. He turned to the bare-assed Jose and said, “You just said you could take us to the Cargo Hold, right?”
……
At this time, outside the Galleon, the area around the Dock was filled with onlookers.
Thunder rumbled in the sky, and heavy rain fell without warning.
The onlookers’ enthusiasm did not diminish in the slightest. They fetched umbrellas from their homes to continue watching. Those farther from home simply held a Stone Slab over their heads, unwilling to budge an inch.
More and more Spanish Guards gathered, all soaked to the skin as they blocked the Pier, holding Matchlock Guns that had become useless as fire pokers, sighing as they gazed at the Galleon’s towering Ship’s Rail.
Governor Alonso specially had a Servant move Table and Chairs to a high spot at the Dock, with a rain canopy overhead. He sat in the chair, holding a Wine Glass, watching everything at the Port, looking exceedingly comfortable.
An Officer ran up through the downpour to report: “Your Excellency Governor, Holy Justice is fully prepared. The Captain asks whether to commence firing.”
Alonso angrily rebuked: “Fool, what if you damage the Galleon?”
“But Holy Justice’s Ship’s Rail is far too low compared to the Galleon; it’s difficult to board…”
“Have Holy Justice patrol near the Dock for encirclement.” Alonso smugly took a sip of wine. “Once Fury returns, it will be the end for this band of Pirates. Until then, just keep the prey trapped.”
Fury was a standard-tonnage Galleon, with a Ship’s Rail height roughly level with the Manila Galleon, allowing for smooth boarding.
After dealing with the Pirates in Lingayen Bay, it would return to Manila Bay in at most one day.
During this period, these Great Ming Pirates could not move a single step.
Not to mention the obstacles of the Rudder Lock and Anchor, the Sail Cable system alone, far more complex than Chinese Lug Sails, was something these yellow-skinned monkeys could not master in a day.
Alonso admired the Galleon’s towering Mast.
The highest Yard on this ship was nearly thirty meters from the Deck.
Even the lowest Yard was nearly ten meters from the Deck.
Without extensive training, ordinary Crew Members would not have the courage to climb up.
Without climbing to the Yard to undo the locks, they could not lower the Main Sail, and the Ship would have no power to move.
Thinking of this band of Pirates’ helpless predicament, Alonso nearly laughed out loud.
He drained his wine in one gulp, then set the glass on the table and lightly tapped the surface. The Servant behind him poured more.
As he poured, Catherine’s voice came from behind: “Is it Lin Qian?”
Alonso turned to look and saw her approaching draped in an overcoat, with a maid holding an umbrella behind her.
“No need to worry. They are already trapped on the Galleon.”
Alonso said, raising his wine glass.
“As for this Pirate called Lin Qian, I still underestimated his audacity and overestimated his intelligence.”
Catherine walked under the rain canopy, her emotions complex. She confirmed again: “Is Lin Qian on the ship?”
Alonso called a Servant to bring another chair and gestured for Catherine to sit. He rubbed the rim of his glass with his finger, his tone lighthearted.
“Lin Qian is either in Lingayen Bay or on the Galleon, but my intuition tells me he is here.
I originally thought his target was either the 100,000 Peso ransom or Manila itself.
I never imagined he would attempt to hijack the Galleon. It’s laughably foolish.”
Catherine’s tone held some dissatisfaction: “From what I know, Lin Qian is not a foolish brute. If he made a move on the Galleon, he must have some preparation.”
Alonso keenly detected the shift in his daughter’s mood: “You seem to be defending him?”
Catherine grew somewhat flustered and explained: “I just want to remind Father to be cautious. This man has frighteningly precise intuition and the self-discipline of an ascetic.
I spent over forty days on his ship and saw with my own eyes how he sailed out of a storm. He even slept less than five hours a day and never engaged in any entertainment…”
Alonso interrupted her: “It seems you suffered quite a bit on his ship. Rest assured, he will soon pay the price.”
“He really is a terrifying man,” Catherine concluded.
“I know, child. I know…”
Time passed minute by minute.
Suddenly, a bird call sounded from afar, gradually swelling into a chorus.
Catherine was awakened by the bird calls, and the Silk Cloak draped over her slid off.
“Is it dawn? How is Lin Qian?” Catherine looked anxious.
“Don’t worry. The situation hasn’t changed at all. They are trapped on the Galleon,” Alonso’s voice came from beside her.
Catherine turned to the east. The night’s heavy rain had stopped, the thick clouds in the sky had dispersed, and behind Luzon Island’s massive mountains, the faint light of dawn glimmered.
“How long did I sleep?” Catherine asked.
The Servant replied: “Less than three hours, Miss.”
Catherine felt somewhat restless. She draped the Silk Cloak over herself and stood up.
This spot was on high ground, allowing a distant view of the Galleon’s Deck.
On the Deck, countless ant-sized figures were scurrying back and forth.
“What are they doing?” Catherine asked.
Alonso replied in a mocking tone: “Making futile attempts to pull out the Rudder Lock.”
Though he said this, after sitting there for over three hours, he too felt somewhat fatigued.
He had seen enough of this Sisyphus-like foolish spectacle.
Alonso summoned a Soldier and instructed: “Send someone under the ship to call for surrender. Tell them the Governor promises no gallows if they surrender.”
“Yes, Your Excellency Governor!” The Soldier saluted smartly and went to relay the order.
Catherine turned back and pressed: “Father, do you mean that?”
“Of course not.” Alonso smiled slyly. “There’s no need for credibility with a band of Pirates. Half an hour ago, I already sent people to prepare the gallows.”
“Oh.” Catherine turned back, gazing at the distant Galleon, murmuring: “Dead Pirate, do you really have no way out?”
Suddenly, Catherine saw the lower Main Sail on the Galleon’s mainmast drop down. A few minutes later, the middle Main Sail followed, its surface gleaming snow-white in the dawn light.
Thinking her eyes deceived her, Catherine hurriedly rubbed them. When she opened them again, the upper Main Sail on the mainmast had also dropped, and the Latin triangular sail on the mizzenmast unfurled.
On the Deck, the main anchor Winch slowly turned.
“Your Excellency Governor, the Galleon has hoisted sails!” A Soldier rushed up to report.
Alonso snapped: “I’m not blind!”
He rose from his seat, muttering: “This is impossible. The Anchor hasn’t been raised yet. Why hoist sails?”
An Officer ran up in a panic: “Your Excellency Governor, Holy Justice requests permission to fire.”
“No!” Alonso suppressed his inner turmoil. “The Rudder Lock isn’t out, and the Anchor isn’t raised. They can’t go far. It’s just a bluff.”
The Officer said urgently: “Your Excellency, we need orders.”
Alonso pondered briefly and said gravely: “Have Holy Justice blockade the entrance to Manila Bay. Have the Soldiers on the Pier forcibly board with ladders!”
“Yes.” The Officer responded loudly.
Before he could relay the order, the Galleon’s three-mast sails had all unfurled, and it slowly set sail from the Port.
