After hearing what Wu Sidao said, everyone here couldn't help but look at Shi Shipiao. Although Yinzhen was the main one on the mission to Europe, everyone here knew that Yinzhen could not get involved in naval affairs at all. Whether to fight or not, whether to fight or retreat was the final decision.

To turn the tide, the Nanyang Fleet must face the combined fleet of Britain, the Netherlands and Portugal alone. It is not daring to say that it is a big victory. At least it must be a small victory to inspire France and Spain to continue to build confidence in order to obtain supplies from the two countries, especially ammunition and food supplies. If it is defeated, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Of course, in this case, you can retreat second, go to Lisbon, form an alliance with Portugal, or simply return, there is no doubt, whether to fight or retreat? The former is to take the two options against each other, while the latter is to follow the trend, one is difficult and the other is easy, which is extremely different. Everyone is looking at Shi Shipiao in a complicated mood, waiting for his decision.

Seeing that several people were staring at him, Shi Shipiao couldn't help but smile and said, "This expedition to Europe is unprecedented. Not only is the fleet unprecedented scale, but the envoys are also unprecedented. There are also a group of children who come to Europe to study. It is of great significance. I don't need to say anything more. Everyone talks about their own ideas. Lin Wei, you talk first."

Seeing Shi Shipiao pointing directly to his head, Lin Wei was not shy. After pondering for a moment, he spoke: "Spending Europe, causing Europe to fall into war, and having no time to take care of others. Win time for the overseas expansion of the Qing Dynasty is the primary task of this expedition to Europe.

I strongly advocate a war. At present, our fleet is sufficient supply, and even a large-scale naval battle is enough to support three times. Secondly, after more than ten years of war, the loss of the naval strength of the British, Dutch and Portugal should be quite large. It can be said that it is the weakest time. This may be a rare opportunity for the Qing Navy in a century. If it can be weakened or allowed to continue to fall into war, the Qing Navy is expected to become the strongest navy. We cannot miss this opportunity.

Furthermore, the emperor also mentioned many times that the navies of European countries are the main opponents of the Qing navy, and the Nanyang Fleet is the elite of the Qing navy and the backbone of the navy in the future. They will go for 40,000 miles to expedition to Europe, without fighting a single battle, and without seeing the combat power of the first-class European navy. This is not conducive to the growth of naval generals, nor is it conducive to the development of the navy.

Therefore, we will believe that even if it is difficult, we should let go of the battle. Since its establishment, the Royal Navy of the Qing Dynasty has never had a precedent of being cowardly before the war."

"I will not agree." Fu Anding immediately retorted: "It is precisely because the Nanyang Fleet has concentrated most of the elite of the navy that we must be more cautious. If the losses are too large, the development of the navy will inevitably be affected. More concerns are that once the war is defeated, it is very likely that Britain, the Netherlands and Portugal will point the finger directly at our Qing Dynasty.

Europe has been in a ten-year melee, and people's livelihood has declined. If you want to recover your vitality as soon as possible, plunder overseas and develop overseas trade is the only way. Looking at the world, only the Qing Dynasty is the richest, and Portugal is very familiar with the situation of the Qing Dynasty. Once the Nanyang fleet is severely damaged, the three countries will inevitably invade eastward. In this way, will we become the eternal sinner of the Qing Dynasty?"

"This is a big mistake." Lin Wei immediately retorted: "The range, rate of fire and hit rate of our navy's artillery are far better than that of the European navy. As long as we are not besieged by the other side, how can we lose too much? The horizon at sea is not as easy as land, and it is not easy to surround the world."

Fu Anding replied unyieldingly: "Although our artillery has great advantages, we are fighting in other places. Our understanding of geography, currents, and wind direction is not as good as that of the European Navy. Moreover, neither practical experience nor the control of warships can match the European Navy, and it is not impossible to be made into dumplings. Even if we are just bitten by the other party, the losses will be unbearable."

Seeing that the two of them were arguing endlessly, Yinzhen was not in a hurry to speak. He was inclined to take a risky battle. The purpose of the Eleventh Old sent him to Europe was to disrupt Europe. If Europe had settled the war and made peace, he would not have the value of staying in Europe. Just return to the capital, how would the Eleventh Old would treat him?

It is not possible to encircle the ban, but it is inevitable to hide idleness and cause trouble from time to time, punish, demote, and reduce the title. He really doesn't want to go back to Beijing to live that kind of life.

Shi Shipiao reached out and pressed it quietly, stopped Lin Wei and Fu Anding's debate, then looked at Yinzhen and said, "Do you dare to ask what Prince Yong thinks about this?"

Yinzhen pondered for a moment and said in a deep voice: "The Emperor has already stated clearly that the expedition to Europe is a century-old strategy of the Qing Dynasty. I think that maritime hegemony is only one aspect, and the American hegemony is the main purpose. America is rich and vast, and it is rich in gold and silver. If it is owned by Europe, how can the Qing Dynasty compete with Europe in the future?

The Americas are close to Europe and far away from our Qing Dynasty. European countries have already begun to enclose territory in the Americas, but the Qing Dynasty's American feudalism has just begun. Judging from the treaties signed by Britain and France, Britain has begun to turn its attention to Europe. What is certain is that once the European war is over, European countries will inevitably vigorously expand their territory in the Americas.

This king believes that for the Qing Dynasty's century-long plan, the Nanyang fleet must be based on fighting. If it doesn't fight, there will be no chance. If it fights, there will be at least a glimmer of hope."

"What the prince said is very much." Wu Sidao took it over, "If you don't fight, Europe will inevitably end the war this year, and then recuperate internally and expand and plunder externally. Within twenty years, it will be able to recover. How will the Qing Dynasty compete with Europe for power?

Based on fighting, there is no hope. European countries have been fighting for more than ten years, and the war has basically ended. It can be said that peace is in sight. The morale of Britain, the Netherlands and Portugal has been bleak, but our morale is as strong as a rainbow. This is a benefit.

Secondly, we still have 1,500 Spanish prisoners on our hands, and most of the warships are captured Spanish warships, which can be used more than enough. As soon as the war begins, Spain will be brought in regardless of whether it is willing or not.

Third, we have the help of Spain, and the right time and place are the 50% and the English, the Netherlands and Portugal are the 50% of the 50% of the time. On the contrary, we have sharp artillery and have taken advantage of it. With this calculation, we can win at least 50%, so we can give it a try."

"It's OK." Shi Shipiao chuckled, "Don't say 50%, 30% of the winning chances are enough for us to try our best." After a slight pause, he restrained the smile on his face, glanced at the four people present one by one, and then said in a deep voice: "Since the European war situation is clear, we don't need to wait in Port Agadir anymore. I want to set off tomorrow and head to Port Cadiz, Spain.

On this trip, one is to show power and strengthen the confidence of the Spanish team in alliance, the other is to confirm whether what the Portuguese said is true, and then ask about the news about the envoy led by Lin Haitao. Three is to make a noise, we will use Spanish prisoners as the vanguard to attack Port Lisbon in Portugal and annihilate Portugal's fleet. What do you think?"

"Wonderful!" Lin Wei was very excited and said loudly: "In this way, Spain can be regarded as being forced to Liangshan. If it can annihilate the Portuguese fleet in one battle, it is tantamount to cutting off Britain and a powerful support from the Netherlands, it will be a killing of two birds with one stone."

Seeing that Shi Shipiao had made a decision, Fu Anding no longer said anything. In fact, he was eager for war. If he could successfully disrupt the situation in Europe, his Marines would have a place to use their skills. After a few battles, he should be promoted to deputy general, and even generals could be.

Yinzhen was also secretly happy, but he had always been serious and nodded slightly, but did not say anything. Wu Sidao smiled and said, "Marching and setting up a formation is not the director of Sidao, but it is not easy to annihilate the Portuguese fleet. If Portugal learned about the purpose of the South China Sea Fleet, they will definitely take strict precautions. General Shi must find the Spaniards to learn more about the situation in Lisbon. If he can annihilate its main force in one battle, the South China Sea Fleet will be invincible."

Shi Shipiao said with a slight head: "Send an order to order all ships to prepare. Tomorrow morning, the target will be the Port of Cadiz."

Port of Cadiz.

The Port of Cadiz is located on the southeast side of the Bay of Cadiz on the southwest coast of Spain. It is one of the most important seaports in southern Spain. It is facing the Atlantic Ocean and at the top of the narrow peninsula. It is surrounded by oceans on three sides and is connected to land. It is not only one of Spain's shipbuilding centers, but also the largest trader port in southern Spain. More than 70% of the trade between Spain and the Americas is carried out through the Port of Cadiz. At the same time, the Port of Cadiz is also an important military port in southern Spain. The British Navy once repeatedly blocked and captured the Port of Cadiz.

Since signing the Treaty of Britain and Spain with Britain last summer, the Port of Cadiz has begun to strengthen its defense forces, not only building many artillery batteries, but also reaching more than 30 fleets.

The climate of Cadiz in early summer was pleasant. After breakfast, the fleet commander Archer used to come to the balcony to watch the battleship training on the sea. The glory of the Spanish Invincible Fleet was the same as yesterday. Today, Spain is getting worse every year. Although the Cadiz Fleet has thirty-four battleships, there are only eight battleships equipped with artillery more than fifty guns. The Royal Spanish Navy has completely declined, which makes him extremely frustrated.

The signing of the Treaty of the United Kingdom and Spain with Britain last summer made him feel even more humiliated. As a Spanish soldier, it was a great shame that it could not guarantee the integrity of Spain's territory.

However, the arrival of the Qing Dynasty's envoy last month gave him hope. He really couldn't figure out why the Qing people came to support Spain and France from tens of thousands of miles away? However, after a night of detailed talk with Carlos, the deputy commander of the Far East Fleet, he keenly felt that the war might not end there, and Spain might have a chance to turn the tables. He firmly believed that the Qing people would not deceive them, so he deliberately increased the training of the navy.

During this period, he was anxiously waiting for news from the Qing navy and the envoys. He believed that neither Louis XIV nor Philip V could refuse the olive branch sent by the Qing people.

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