One of the main reasons why Julian Luc dared to appear so swaggeringly off the Chesapeake Bay was that he had received definite news that a fleet of the Royal Navy, which was originally docked in Yorktown, had already I left Yorktown a week ago and went north to support New York.

　　 Last year, William Howe led his army to capture Philadelphia, the seat of the Continental Congress, but the tragic battle that took place in Saratoga changed the situation in the entire 13th colony of North America.

　　The Continental Army lost more than 5,000 people in Saratoga, so their strength on the northern battlefield has become even weaker.

In the original historical time and space, although William Howe occupied Philadelphia, because of Saratoga, the British were forced to withdraw from Philadelphia after only nine months in Philadelphia, and gave up Philadelphia again. Continental Army.

　　 But now it’s different. Without Saratoga, although Burgoin’s troops suffered similar losses, they also caused heavy damage to the Continental Army. So now the British are very confident in holding Philadelphia and New York.

　　 For this reason, the British even mobilized the fleet that guards Yorktown and Jamestown to New York to increase New York’s defense forces. At the same time, they sent part of the New York garrison to Philadelphia to make Philadelphia’s defense forces stronger.

　　 It was precisely because the British fleet left the Chesapeake Bay that Julian Luc dared to appear in the open sea of ​​the Chesapeake Bay so swagger and prepared to shell Norfolk.

　　 The sound of guns heard by Lieutenant Colonel Adria Fogg was the one fired by the Brittany cruiser that had been out for investigation before.

Since the three French battleships pretending to be pirates entered the Chesapeake Bay and bombarded Yorktown the year before, the British troops stationed in Yorktown and Jamestown began to observe posts at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. .

　　Because the southern part of the Chesapeake Bay mouth is now the territory of Norfolk, the British can only set up observation posts in the northern part of the mouth.

The British set up an observation post on Fisherman’s Island in the northern part of the bay. Not only is there an observation post on this small island, there are also two small sailboats at all times in the bay on the north of the island. This ship is used exclusively. To transmit information.

　　 The speed of this small sailing ship is very fast, much faster than that of a sailing warship. Fisherman Island is located in the northern part of the mouth of the bay. Once an enemy ship enters the Chesapeake Bay, only Fisherman Island can be the first to see the enemy ship except Cape Henry.

　　 Once an enemy ship is found entering the Chesapeake Bay, the messenger will drive the two small sailboats at the fastest speed to Jamestown and Yorktown to report the situation.

　　 But when Lieutenant Colonel Fogg received the news from Fisherman Island, it was already five hours after the naval battle ended.

　　 And the news he received was that only eight French battleships appeared at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and were preparing to enter the Chesapeake Bay. As for where and what happened, Lieutenant Colonel Fogg only found out after a lapse of one day.

　　 At the British observation post on Fisherman’s Island, there are usually only twelve people stationed there. Among these twelve men, there are also eight soldiers who specialize in sailing small sailboats, and only four soldiers actually perform observation tasks.

　　 One day later, Lieutenant Colonel Fogg and the highest commander in Yorktown, Colonel Jackson, boarded Fisherman's Island by boat and met the four observers. Only then did the two Royal Army officers know what happened.

"Sir, at noon yesterday, eight French battleships flying Iris and Citigroup suddenly appeared in the open sea. One of the cruisers went forward to investigate and fired at a position about four kilometers away from Cape Henry, south of the bay mouth. However, the Cherokee was on the opposite side. People didn't fight back." A soldier named Frank said nervously to Colonel Jackson and Lieutenant Colonel Fogg.

　　 Iris flag is the royal flag of the Bourbon dynasty, and it is also the flag of the French Empire.

Colonel Jackson frowned and glanced at Lieutenant Colonel Fogg. Fogg didn't say a word, so Jackson said in a deep voice, "Frank, don't be nervous. Tell me everything you see. The more detailed the better, this is very important. "

　　 Frank swallowed, obviously still a little nervous. Fogg took out a cigarette and handed it over. Frank thanked him. After lighting the cigarette and taking two deep breaths, his emotions gradually calmed down.

"We don’t know why the Frenchman’s battleship suddenly appeared here, but since the Frenchman is here, we must sound the alarm. So John and the others immediately sailed away from here, and only the four of us stayed on the observation post. Observed."

"Not long after John and the others left, one of the Frenchmen's cruisers was dispatched, but their target did not seem to be us, but the Cherokee on the opposite side. Because their cruiser went straight to Cape Henry on the opposite side. ."

　　 Fogg and Jackson looked at each other, Fogg whispered: "It is estimated that the French are going to retaliate. After all, three of their ships were sunk by the Cherokee the previous summer."

　　 Fogg and the British people around here still call the Yanhuang tribe the Cherokee tribe, this is habit.

　　 Jackson nodded, obviously he thinks so too.

After seeing the two commanders' exchanges, Frank continued: "The cruiser returned to the fleet~lightnovelpub.net~ after firing a few shots with the stern gun, and then the French fleet was dispatched collectively. "

It seems to be thinking of the frightening naval battle that took place at noon yesterday. Frank's expression became a bit sullen. "The French fleet has four battleships, including one second-class ship and three third-class ships. Ship, the remaining four are cruisers."

　　 This number changed the expressions of Jackson and Fogg slightly. This is a powerful fleet. If this fleet is allowed to enter the Chesapeake Bay, neither Yorktown nor Jamestown can resist it.

　　 "When the Frenchman's fleet was about five kilometers away from Cape Henry, the Cherokee's shore defense artillery fired!"

　　 "Five kilometers? Frank, are you sure you are not mistaken? The Cherokee fired when the Frenchman's fleet was five kilometers away from Cape Henry?" Colonel Jackson asked seriously, his expression changed.

"That's right, sir. Although I can't be very sure of the exact number, I can still see the approximate distance." Frank said affirmatively, and then he explained: "Sir, I have been an observer here. It's been more than half a year, and my judgment of distance is quite accurate."

　　 Fogg and Jackson looked at each other again, and both found shock in each other's eyes.

　　 Frank's judgment should be correct, but he can fire a gun at a distance of five kilometers, which is really incredible.

　　 But as Frank said, both of them felt that there might be something wrong with this world...

　　:. :