In the past, in most Europeans' impression, the Qing Empire was just synonymous with exquisite porcelain and silk. However, since last year, European maritime powers such as Britain, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, and the West have begun to pay more and more attention to the ancient empire of the Qing Dynasty. Of course, the focus is no longer on trade, but on the rapid rise of the Qing Dynasty's navy.

However, in just five years, the Qing Dynasty's navy grew rapidly at an astonishing speed. Not only began to expand into the Americas, but it also dared to send fleets to Europe. Faced with such a sudden navy, the major maritime powers in Europe could not afford high attention. What was even more terrifying was the huge, wealthy and numerous population of the Qing Empire.

The olive branch delivered by a huge empire with a territory and population that is comparable to Europe's total, and the navy has amazing combat power. What reason does the frustrated France and Spain have to refuse? It is impossible to refuse! As long as the conditions offered by the Qing people were not particularly harsh, Louis XIV and Philip V would never refuse.

Thinking of this, Archer couldn't help but smile slightly. With the joining of the Qing Dynasty, the situation in the entire Europe will change. I really look forward to seeing with my own eyes whether the Qing Dynasty's artillery was so exaggerated.

A low-level officer walked over with brisk steps and reported after saluting: "Your Excellency Commander, I just received the news that the Qing envoys have arrived at the Port of Santa Maria and will dock in Cadiz in another hour."

Upon hearing this, Archer couldn't help but ask anxiously: "Who else is with him?"

The low-level officer did not expect Archer to be so urgent. He paused for a moment before continuing: "The ones accompanying us are our Foreign Minister Renaldo and French Minister of Finance De Marre."

"Oh, this is the best news I have heard this year." Archer couldn't help but smile. The Minister of Finance was the most sensitive important position in France. France's sending De Marre to the present is enough to show his importance to the Qing Dynasty.

Archer's smile was still rippling on his face, and another officer walked over in a hurry and saluted. He said hurriedly: "Master Commander, a fleet of unknown numbers is coming towards Cadiz. The fleet is about seventy ships and there are many merchant ships."

"The flag is unknown. What does it mean?" Archer was stunned.

The officer hurriedly explained: "The flags flying by the fleet are not from Europe, but the warships are our style."

Archer couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. Could it be the Qing fleet? After pondering for a moment, he asked: "Is the flag red, with a yellow four-legged snake on it?"

"It's a bit like that." The officer said uncertainly.

The red-bottomed golden dragon flag! It was the Qing Dynasty fleet that arrived, and Archer couldn't help but feel excited. It seemed that the Qing Dynasty fleet could not wait and came to test the situation. After pondering slightly, he still said cautiously: "Order the fort to be alert, the fleet gathered, and prepare for battle."

On the flagship of the Nanyang Fleet and the second-class battleship "Zhenxi", Yinzhen, Shi Shipiao, Fu Anding, Wu Sidao and others stood at the bow and observed the movements of Cadiz Port. Seeing that the Spanish fleet came out and even formed a formation to welcome the enemy, Shi Shipiao ordered in a deep voice: "Slow down half of the sail. Reduce."

As the flag danced, the speed of the entire fleet immediately slowed down. When six nautical miles away from the Spanish fleet, the Nanyang fleet sailed all down and stopped. Only two merchant ships left the fleet and continued to move forward half-sail.

Archer was observing the Nanyang Fleet with a telescope on the warship. Seeing them stopping six miles away, he was sure that this was the Qing fleet. He couldn't help but feel very excited. The Qing Fleet was in a neat formation and strict orders, not like the newly created navy. It seemed that it was not only powerful artillery, but also not knowing how good their commanders were. He carefully observed the two merchant ships that were half sailing forward. Seeing that there were no traces of gun doors on both sides, he put down the telescope and thought about the purpose of the two merchant ships.

Soon, the two merchant ships lowered their sails and stopped. Seeing the situation, Archer couldn't help but wonder what the Qing people meant? Didn't these two merchant ships come to pass the message? What was the intention of stopping there? Could it be that they were afraid? He was hesitating whether to order the war preparations were lifted, but the adjutant said in surprise: "They are transferring the personnel on the ship."

Archer raised his telescope and saw that, sure enough, a merchant ship had already begun to lift his sails. The merchant ships who had not lifted his sails were moving. He immediately understood that the merchant ship without lifting his sails was a target ship. He immediately said in a deep voice: "Calculate the distance between the merchant ship and the other fleet immediately."

Soon, the adjutant stepped forward to report: "Your Excellency, there are about 1,500 yards apart."

One thousand five hundred yards! Archer couldn't help but wondered, could the Qing warships accurately shelled at a distance of one thousand five hundred yards? Carlos only said 800 yards. Could it be that the Qing artillery had made great progress in this year? He couldn't help but be stunned. Europe is still shooting at a close distance. The British Navy's combat regulations were to open fire within 400 yards. When they met the Qing fleet, what would they have?

Just as he was stunned, the adjutant beside him reminded again: "The Qing Dynasty warship has moved."

Archer hurriedly raised his telescope and saw that five battleships of the Qing Dynasty had sailed out of the queue. He slowly drove out of the queue. With a turn, he connected the first ones. He couldn't help but secretly praised. Just from the formation changes of these five battleships, it was obvious that the Qing Dynasty's fleet was indeed well-trained.

Soon, the five warships took a half-circle and then turned back. The "boom" cannon sounded immediately. Archer stared at the target ship tightly. The target ship immediately flew with the muffled "bang" sound of the "bang" was intertwined with the sound of water columns rising around. After a rough estimate, the shells hitting the hull were almost the same as the water columns rising. He couldn't help but shouted inwardly. It was unimaginable that one thousand five hundred yards could have a hit rate of 50%.

He was sighing secretly that the "boom" shelling sounded again, and he couldn't help but be happy. Carlos was right. The artillery of the Qing warships was indeed far, accurate and fast. No wonder the Far East Fleet surrendered helplessly.

The target ship was broken and slowly sank after two rounds of artillery. The Spanish naval officers and soldiers of the Cadiz fleet were stunned when they looked at this incredible scene. Everyone was filled with coldness. How could they fight this battle? The effective range of their own artillery is 500 yards, and their own 1,500 yards. Isn’t this not even a chance to fight back? If you really want to confront them, your own warships are moving target ships.

Archer pondered for a moment, then ordered without hesitation: "Send flags and warmly welcome the Qing fleet to visit, order the fleet to close the gun door and return to the port."
Chapter completed!