Chapter 39

Calm Western Europe, turbulent North America.

On April 19, 1775, the British army in Portland was ordered to check the hidden arms in Concord. They passed by the grassland of Lexington and came across the people's army undergoing shooting training

The North American War of independence began with a slap in the face.

In the battle of Lexington, the British army lost 286 people and was defeated.

On June 14, 1775, the United States Continental Army was established. The next day, George Washington became commander in chief of the Continental Army.

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress issued the declaration of independence, and the United States of America announced its birth.

Great Britain behaved awkwardly in the face of this vigorous revolution.

On the one hand, the navy has not been able to choose a suitable successor since Baron Elijah Drake, the last new continental fleet commander, died accidentally on his way to office.

The powerful new world fleet was in chaos for a long time. It was not until the middle of 1777 that they finally waited for their new commander, Sir Peter Parker.

On the other hand, the colonial army was caught in another form of chaos.

In early 1776, John Burgoyne became commander in chief of Canada, competing with William Howe, who was then commander in chief of North America, and successfully divided the small British army into two.

In order to get along well with colleagues at the same level, they further divided the army into smaller parts and worked out a large-scale [New England Division campaign], which was divided into three routes to Albany, New York.

This is a ridiculous military operation.

Three unconnected troops, Colonel Barry St. redger, who was small and weak, were driven back to their starting place by the Yankees early.

Commander Howe changed his mind on the way to Pennsylvania and occupied Philadelphia, where the Continental Congress was located.

Only the honest commander bogoin led a mere 7000 soldiers to continue to move towards the goal.

His troops first captured the fort of teconderoga, and then collided head-on with the main force of the U.S. Army on the Hudson River. They were alone and ran out of ammunition and food.

On October 17, 1777, John bogoin led his men to surrender to the US Army in the north of Saratoga Springs, which is known as the great victory of Saratoga in history.

The Saratoga victory changed everything.

Since February 1778, France, the Netherlands and Spain have recognized the independence of the United States, and a huge fleet has sailed to North America.

Overnight, the enemy of Great Britain changed from the Hicks who "don't deserve to be called opponents" to half the world.

The trade wind in early spring blew across the vast Atlantic and brought the news of the war back to Europe.

This is the foundation of the maritime powers. The kings are still talking and laughing, trying to maintain the final restraint, but the horn of war... Has already sounded in the merchant world.

……

Elgin black harbor, April 1778.

The beauty of Attis slowly docked into the calm harbor. Pierce swayed off the ship with his trouser waist. Just like Lorraine, he popped a shilling and landed accurately in the palm of the pilot's hand.

In a flash of two years, little Pierce was much taller and darker.

His every move is very much like Lorraine. The faint smile of Forsythia at the corner of his mouth is the same as Lorraine.

"Beautiful semaphore, Mr. Med."

Pilot Med smilingly put away the shilling, put away the double flag and rubbed Pierce's head.

"Little Pierce, how does it feel to be a captain for the first time?"

Pierce's shoulder collapsed at one stroke.

With a sad face, he said, "Mr. Med, it's not a gentleman's job to ask questions."

"Eh? I know... Isn't Mr. Drake taking turns this time?"

"It's a rotation break." pierce blushed and looked, "but now in the form of the sea, sister Haina must be there if brother is not here. With her at the helm, even if I hang the name of the commander, don't I have to listen to her?"

As she spoke, Hannah got off the boat.

After two years of HNA, she didn't make too many changes. She was still dressed in a smock and hood veil. She was cold and indifferent. She was just taller and didn't look short when standing next to tall men. She was just thin and light.

She jumped down from the stern tip, and the height of four or five meters was like nothing to her.

She frowned and walked up to med and handed out a small bag wrapped in oil paper from under her blouse.

Hyde felt uneasy and looked at Haina: "this is..."

"We found Mr. pimon's ship on the route, with only some wreckage and no living mouth. This is his sailing diary."

"Old pimon..."

Haina nodded silently.

Med took a deep breath and took the oil bag with both hands: "I'll hand the relics to the Management Committee immediately. Ms. yesla, please follow me. Little Pierce, excuse me."

He took Haina and flew away, cursing in his mouth as he walked.

"The fourth resident of this month! Is this world crazy!"

As pierce and Mr. Hyde said, the situation at sea has been very bad in recent months.

The war in the new world has escalated.

The colonial troops of Britain, France, the Netherlands and the West fought together on the land of the new United States. They could not find a moment of peace from sea to land.

The situation in Europe is more stable than that in the new world. This is the mainland. Every move affects the foundation. The government does not dare to act rashly. They still maintain general harmony with each other.

For black businessmen, this is also the worst situation.

With the connivance of the state, the privateer loosened the reins.

The hunt began.

Overnight, the number of Pirates scattered on the route more than doubled?

Endless pirates are drifting on the sea. The black merchant with few people and weak guns is their best target.

Robbery, murder, body dumping, ship destruction

In recent months, pierce can't remember how much bad news he heard. In belmayo and Stavanger, the most... Is Elgin.

Ding Dong! Ding Dong! Ding Dong! Ding Dong

The bell tower on Fanhua Avenue rang a short and anxious death knell again, which shows that the management committee has confirmed Mr. pimon's relics.

The death knell means that Elgin has lost another free, optimistic and brave black businessman in Hong Kong.

"According to Mr. Mead, pimon is the fourth... Next... Or next... When will it be our turn?"

Pierce bit his lip.

Lorraine is very strong, Haina is very strong, and even Noah, who blushes at people and doesn't show mountains and dew, is much stronger than ordinary people.

But in front of the artillery, how valuable can personal strength be?

The Drake business group is too weak now.

They had only four standard Kirk freighters, and Lorraine gritted his teeth and equipped each with four medium range six pound guns.

That kind of gun basically can't break through the hull or the mast. Its only function is to fire shrapnel at the deck in order to ignite the shells stacked on the deck or kill the sailors running around.

During this time, pierce recalled the scene of visiting the Gemini in Stavanger more than once.

The brigantin type high-speed ship with 20 guns can't fight and run away. As long as the Drake business group meets once, it will inevitably destroy the whole group, destroy the ship and kill people.

They've even been through hell.

More than 40 days ago, on the last trade line, they drove out of bocken fjord loaded with Nordic fur and collided with a Dutch brigantin.

If it weren't for heaven and man, the powerful Viking Skull Pirate regiment was preparing to go to Stavanger to supply and expel the Dutch gunship in an attack posture

Can the Drake business group escape?

brother! What are you hesitating about!

Pierce stared at the ringing copper bell in the distance, took a deep breath and quickened his pace.

He decided!

Today, we must persuade Lorraine to buy a boat. Even if the Drake business group has saved money in the past two years, it will buy a real gunboat!

Otherwise, you're dead!