Zhao Ming and a group of generals hurried out of the camp and saw eight warships moored on the bay, most of which were damaged in the side of the ship, obviously experiencing a fierce battle.

This made everyone feel shocked because they knew that there were fifteen warships in the joint fleet, and now there were only eight left. Could it be that they had suffered a great defeat?

At this time, Zheng Chenggong had already led everyone off the boat. Seeing Zhao Ming coming, he hurried forward.

"Regent!" Zheng Chenggong clasped his fists and lowered his head, showing shame on his face.

Zhao Ming held his arm and asked with his liver trembling: "Is this?"

Zheng Chenggong said: "I led the fleet and sailed towards Yangon. When I met the Zhou army fleet on the way, I stepped forward to intercept it and fought fiercely with its escort fleet. Although I sank an enemy ship and captured the enemy ship flagship, the fleet also suffered great losses. The Yangwei sank, and several other warships were too seriously injured and could only return to the Malacca shipyard."

When Zhao Ming heard Zheng Chenggong's words, he felt relieved, and everyone was also feeling relaxed.

It was so scary that I thought the fleet was defeated and half of the warships were sank.

If that is the case, it can be called the Ming Navy's unprecedented defeat.

However, while breathing a sigh of relief, Zhao Ming saw eight warships in the distance. Seeing that the ships were somewhat damaged, he heard that the enemy had only lost two of them. He knew that the enemy was strong at sea and that the goal of blocking Yangon would be difficult to achieve in a short period of time.

Having said that, Zhao Ming still asked: "Successfully, can the maritime blockade of Yangon be completed with existing ships?"

Zheng Chenggong shook his head, "Regent, the strength of the enemy fleet is beyond our previous expectations. The British, French and Dutch have joined the Dongshu side. Except for the Dutch warships, most of the British and French warships are stronger than our ships. During the war, I found that when I fired at one mile away, the fleet sometimes struggled to smash the side of the enemy ship with solid bullets."

Zhao Ming said in a deep voice: "That should be the British oak warship."

Zhao Ming really has no choice. Britain and France have colonies in the Americas, and large areas of oak can be used for shipbuilding.

Zhao Ming did not expect that the Ming fleet would meet such warships in the Indian Ocean.

Zheng Chenggong was a little surprised that Zhao Ming knew about this kind of warship, "The British flagship captured by me is this kind of ship, which turned out to be called an oak warship!"

Zhao Ming heard the words, "Go and see your results!"

At that moment, Zhao Ming and his group boarded the British flagship under the leadership of Zheng Chenggong.

At this time, everyone looked on the boat. Judging from the appearance, it was similar to the Ming Dynasty warships. However, everyone looked at the side of the boat and found that there were marks and cracks on the side of the boat, but they did not have been smashed on a large scale.

This should be a mark caused by the attack of solid bullets and fire bullets. It can be seen that there are many shots, but the hull is very damaged.

Zhao Ming stood on the side of a smashed boat and looked at the hard texture of oak. It seemed that later rails also used this kind of wood as sleepers.

At this time, Zhang Jiayu and others also saw the problem and said in a deep voice: "This kind of wood is so hard that it is difficult for naval guns to smash. Then the enemy will have a huge advantage in the naval battle. Our Ming Dynasty is vast and rich in resources, so is there no such wood?"

Oak warships and ordinary warships encountered at sea. One can break the defense with one shot, and the other needs to shoot several shots to break the opponent's armor. The advantages of Western barbarians are quite obvious.

In this situation, Zheng Chenggong was able to defeat the Western-Air Combined Fleet and capture an oak warship, which made Zhao Ming feel a little surprised.

Zhao Ming said in a deep voice: "This kind of wood is produced in Dongzhou. I don't know if our Ming Dynasty has it. However, I have already ordered the Ministry of Works to study a more solid iron-clad ship."

After checking on the captured oak battleship, the group of people landed on the shore to the camp.

In the big tent, Zhao Ming sat down in the position of commander, while a group of generals sat on both sides.

The strategic goals on land and sea were not achieved, making the tent silent.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Ming admitted the current situation and said: "Now it seems that the strategy of quick decision has gone bankrupt, and everyone should be prepared to fight in Dongxu for a long time."

When everyone heard the words, their expressions became solemn. Dongshuo's climate was humid and hot. If they stayed here for a long time, it would be extremely unfavorable for the Ming army.

Zhao Ming glanced at everyone and said in a deep voice: "In view of the current situation, what do you think and have strategies?"

Zheng Chenggong said: "Regent, if you need a navy army and continue to complete the previous strategy, then you need two conditions."

Zhao Ming said in a deep voice: "You say success!"

"First, the joint fleet needs to establish at least one military port in the Indian Ocean to replenish and repair warships!" Zheng Chenggong said.

Zhao Ming nodded slightly. When the joint fleet fought in the Indian Ocean, it really needed a stronghold, otherwise the ship would be damaged and could not be repaired nearby. It would be necessary to bypass Malacca and return to the southern style, which would naturally not consume the Western Air fleet.

If the decision cannot be made quickly, it should be compared with national strength and organizational capabilities. Zhao Ming is still very confident about this.

With the quality of the military and civilians of the Ming Dynasty and their hard work, they must be better than A San under Wu Sangui's rule.

Then, compare the infrastructure capabilities.

Zhao Ming ordered Zhang Jiayu: "Give the order to Nanjing, transfer 5,000 craftsmen from Longjiang Shipyard, Jiangnan Shipyard, and Fuzhou ShipGuangzhou Shipyard, and then recruit 20,000 civilians from Siam, Annan, and Zhenla to establish a military port and a shipyard in Maudanmian."

"Here!" Zhang Jiayu bowed and accepted the order.

Zheng Chenggong then continued: "Secondly, the joint fleet needs to replenish warships, and at least twenty are needed to gain a numerical advantage."

For the British ships and cannons, the Ming Dynasty could either build stronger warships or build armor-breaking conical shells.

The armored ship is still under research. Before the research has begun, the artillery that fires cone-shaped bombs can only be used to offset the ship's disadvantages.

Zhao Ming said in a deep voice: "Okay! I asked the Beihai and the East China Sea Fleet to transfer twenty gunships over."

Zheng Chenggong said: "If there is a military port to repair warships and twenty more gunships come to support me, I am confident that I will force the Western Yi fleet out of the Yangon waters."

After hearing Zheng Chenggong's statement, Zhao Ming said that if the joint fleet could control the sea power, he might be able to force Wu Sangui to come and fight to the decisive battle.

Thinking of this, Zhao Ming narrowed his eyes and continued, "I ordered Li Dingguo and Xia Wanchun to recruit civil servants and accelerate the construction of the Yunnan-Burma official road. I hope that Li Dingguo's army can cross the mountains of northern Myanmar as soon as possible and apply pressure from the north to the east."

If the sea transportation supply is affected, and the Ming army will open the road to the north, the Zhou army in Yangon will be in trouble.

They continued to stay in Yangon, not to mention the difficulties in supplying. Once the Yunnan-Burma Highway is built, the continuous stream of Ming army and materials will change the strength comparison of Myanmar from Yunnan and Guizhou, and gradually form an overwhelming advantage.

For Wu Sangui, his only choice is to defeat Zhao Ming before the road is built.

Since this is the case, Zhao Ming can build a fortress that makes Wu Sangui feel desperate and wait for Wu Sangui to come and die.
Chapter completed!