Led by the first-tier battleship "King", a huge fleet with 11 third-tier battleships, six cruisers, four frigates, and three troop carriers is slowly sailing into the Mediterranean Sea.

Lieutenant General William Simmons is appreciating Haydn's work "Nelson's Mass, also known as "The Sea Emperor's Mass."

William Simmons participated in the Battle of Trafalgar, when he was aboard the Victory, as the starboard gunner of the Victory.

When he heard Admiral Nelson had been shot, the battle was over, they had won, but they had lost their great captain forever.

William Simmons has always blamed himself for not dying in battle. After that, he kept fighting, looking for his own salvation.

However, until Simmons became a fleet commander, he still failed to die with honor. He was very envious of Helmut, who was the first to set off for Beirut.

"It would be nice if the Egyptian and Ottoman fleets were as strong as they boast," said William Simmons.

"28 battleships? It's really scary, but Captain, you're not going to return, are you?"

The deputy captain, Rear Admiral Peel, laughed, he didn't pay attention to the Egyptian Navy and the Ottoman Navy at all. If it was 28 French warships, he might persuade the reckless captain to turn around and return.

"The Egyptian battleships are too weak in terms of protection and firepower. Those fragile guys may not be able to survive a round of our shelling." William Simmons said with some concern.

If it was someone else, or another captain, who said this, Admiral Peel would definitely think that the other party had drunk too much rum.

But William Simmons' "King" definitely has this qualification.

The "King" was built like the "Victory", with a displacement of 3,600 tons. The bottom layer is equipped with 40 64-pound cannons, 30 32-pound cannons, the upper gun deck is equipped with 20 24-pound long-barreled cannons, and the top gun deck is equipped with 20. One 18-pound long-barreled gun, and five 64-pound short-barreled Caron guns on the bow and stern of the ship.

Its firepower is almost double that of the common 74-ship third-tier battleship, and Captain William Simmons likes to fight the enemy within 300 meters.

"Who knows? Maybe the fighting will be over soon, and we can go ashore to find women. It is said that their women like to wear headscarves, and those women don't even know what they look like. How exciting it is to think about it." Major General Peel said optimistically. Said.

"You guy..." William Simmons was a little speechless, and then asked seriously, "Are the explosive bombs ready?"

"Don't worry, I listened to your arrangement, and I've prepared it long ago. Aren't you afraid that the enemy can't help fighting? You still use this kind of foul weapon." Major General Peel joked.

"I won't joke about the lives of my soldiers. Don't you follow me because I am victorious in every battle? Are you here to seek death with me?" Simmons asked back.

"Mr. Captain, didn't you add water to your rum today? Why are you talking nonsense. We followed you, of course, to make a fortune! I heard that Beirut is a rich city. Maybe after this battle, We saved enough money to go home, marry a wife and build a factory.”

On the other hand, under the instructions of Muhammad Ali, the Egyptian navy stayed in Beirut, waiting for the arrival of the British fleet.

Ali received a pigeon letter from the French saying that the French fleet was already on its way to Beirut and was expected to arrive in two days.

According to Ali's estimation, the French fleet will arrive in Beirut before the British. At that time, the size of the combined French and Egyptian fleet will be unprecedentedly large, and it will definitely be able to easily take over the British fleet.

After that, there will be a decisive battle with the British North Sea Fleet. Although the North Sea Fleet is very powerful, he still has a trump card, and he may be able to recruit the Russians at that time.

As long as the British North Sea Fleet is eliminated, British maritime hegemony will end. After all, they still have so many colonies to maintain, it is impossible to send all the fleets to the Mediterranean.

The day when Egypt dominates Eurasia is coming, Muhammad Ali imagined so.

Friedrich also received news from the Egyptian navy, and at the same time confirmed the intelligence that the French navy had not taken any action.

In fact, Thiers had already lost power at this time, the kingdom Louis-Philippe stood up against Thiers' adventurous policy, Quizo also opposed him, and the power of prime minister fell into the hands of Marshal Soult.

The old marshal just wanted to retire safely. He was firmly opposed to going to war with Britain, let alone sending the navy to support the Egyptians. This was supported by Kizuo, who even gave this information to the British.

Palmerston's London Conference became his one-man show, a one-man show in the true sense. Only the United Kingdom participated, France did not receive an invitation, and Russia and Austria refused to participate out of self-interest considerations.

The Prussian ambassador was even bribed by the French and suggested to the King that he should give up attending the London Conference on the grounds that discussing the Near East issue was of no value to Prussia.

William IV felt that Sewell's Prussian foreign minister was right, so he agreed with him. So far, Palmerston's face has been disgraced, and to make matters worse, the advance team of the British Navy was defeated by the Egyptians, creating the largest battle since the nineteenth century. tragedy at sea.

Members of Congress have already begun to impeach Palmerston, after all, he has brought both reputation and military damage to the UK.

What's more terrible is that there is a British squadron, which is advancing towards Beirut according to the previous order. If another British fleet is destroyed ~lightnovelpub.net~, then Britain can only send the North Sea Fleet.

The expedition of the North Sea Fleet means a huge consumption, and it also means the bankruptcy of the British Near East plan, because the task of the North Sea Fleet is to defend the British mainland, not to fight abroad.

This time, Palmerston did not turn his hands into clouds and hands into rain in history. Russia still occupies the Black Sea, and the "Straits Treaty" only exists in his mind.

The French are eyeing Britain's status, and may become a third competitor at any time, referring to world hegemony. Austria's influence has not been weakened, and it is fighting for its own interests in its own way.

Shaken in their faith in Britain, the Ottomans sought help from other powers.

The Egyptians made Britain their number one enemy, and almost wiped out a British squadron, with losses that shocked even the Queen and Prince Albert.

Under tremendous pressure, Palmerston did another stupid thing. He broke the virginity of a Queen's maid in Windsor Castle where the Queen lived.

Although the news was temporarily concealed, it would reach the Queen's ears sooner or later. In order to avoid guilt, he thought of his old friend Sassoon, and perhaps India was a good place.

When Palmerston applied to go to India, he did not arouse suspicion from others. After all, his series of mistakes caused Britain to suffer huge losses, and applying for a foreign transfer was regarded as atonement.

At the same time, Lieutenant General Simmons also received intelligence from the French, telling him that the entire main force of the Egyptian navy was in Beirut, where there was a death trap specially designed for him and suggested that he wait for reinforcements.

"What do you think, Mr. Peel?" Simmons handed the letter to the other party.

"Listen to your captain, I obey the order." Rear Admiral Peel did not read the letter, but gave a military salute.

"The plan remains the same, full speed ahead!"