Chapter 4, The Spanish Treasure Ship

The art of cannon firing; pirates are indeed not a match for the Spaniards, as they excel in hand-to-hand combat rather than in the manipulation of firearms

I know, and I will not sacrifice the lives of my brothers for nothing!" said Luo Sangui

This merchant ship, an armed vessel of the Manila Chamber of Commerce, is named the "Black Pearl". It was commissioned by the Spanish Governor-General in Luzon to transport a shipment of gold back to Spain. To ensure the safety of this gold, the Spanish military in Luzon arranged for more than twenty soldiers to provide protection. Additionally, this armed merchant ship is equipped with two 6-pound cannons and four 4-pound cannons, making it fully capable of dealing with ordinary pirates

Perhaps due to Long Yufei's scholarly background, he was assigned to the ship where the chief, Luo Sangu, was located. This is a large vessel approximately thirty meters long, divided into two decks, with three masts, making it the largest ship in Feiyu Island. Additionally, Long Yufei noticed that there were two cannons on each side of the ship. Judging by the caliber, they should be four-pounders. As for the range, it is estimated to be around one thousand to two thousand meters. Furthermore, Long Yufei observed that there were two cannons on each side of the ship. Judging by the caliber, they should be four-pounders. As for the range, it is estimated to be around one thousand to two thousand meters.

Captain, the cannons on the 'Black Pearl' can easily send those pirate ships to the bottom of the sea! My soldiers will also be responsible for ensuring the safety of the ship!" insisted Lieutenant Carlos

"Boss, it's not that I'm afraid of death; I just don't want to see my brothers make unnecessary sacrifices!" Long Yufei explained

"Captain, why not shake them off? Wouldn't it be better to send them all to hell?" Lieutenant Carlos said with a smile

It is evident that Luo Sangu attaches great importance to this operation. The pirates of Feiyu Island have dispatched more than ten ships of various sizes, with over two hundred pirates participating. However, only the ship that Luo Sangu is on is equipped with cannons, while the other ships are armed with firearms or weapons such as steel knives and spears.

"Huzi, who is the target we are preparing to take action against this time?" Long Yufei asked

Bang! Bang! Bang! The Spaniard's rifle fired, and several pirates who had just climbed aboard the "Black Pearl" were shot on the spot

Upon hearing this, Long Yufei finally felt relieved

"Lieutenant Karl, prepare your men for battle! Let those damned pirates know our strength!" Captain Carlos immediately issued the order and then, led by the sailors, proceeded to the bridge

This is a dark era, yet it is also an age full of opportunities! The development of the Industrial Revolution is causing the old colonial powers to weaken, while emerging nations are rapidly expanding. Additionally, the decaying Qing Dynasty is on the verge of collapse. Long Yufei aspires to achieve something earth-shattering in this era, contributing not only for himself but also for the entire nation

An hour later, a merchant ship flying the Spanish flag appeared in the distance. This was a merchant vessel over forty meters long, with three tall masts adorned with white sails.

One morning, a week after Long Yufei arrived at Flying Fish Island, he was summoned by Li Hu to the dock. The pirates had already begun to board the ship one after another. Long Yufei understood that it was time to go out to sea for work, marking his first operation since joining the crew

Damn! Am I supposed to use my charm to win him over? What if Luo Sangu treats the entire Flying Fish Island as a dowry and brings it over? Long Yufei thought to himself. However, he believed that this possibility was too low. The chance of Luo Sangu being interested in him was even lower than winning a five million jackpot. With no other options, he could only find ways to slowly climb up and strive to make a name for himself on Flying Fish Island

After leaving Flying Fish Island, the fleet sailed westward, exiting the Sulu Sea and arriving at the South China Sea, taking a total of two days. In a certain area of the sea, the fleet came to a halt, and several small boats were dispatched for reconnaissance. Long Yufei speculated that the pirates were preparing to ambush a certain target

Huzi looked around and, seeing no one else, quietly said to Long Yufei: "Mr. Long, we have received news that the treasure ship of the Spanish Governor-General in Luzon is set to return to the country in the next couple of days. Therefore, the boss has brought us here to prepare for a big score!"

"Boss! Move closer, we will kill and skin those red-haired devils!" Chen San said with a fierce expression.

In the afternoon, a small boat swiftly approached to report to Granny Luo San that a target had been discovered. Granny Luo San immediately ordered the pirates to prepare for battle and quickly set course to the northeast.

"Huzi? Can we defeat the regular army of Spain? Their treasure ships are likely warships! The cannons on board could easily destroy our small boats with a single shot!" Long Yufei said

After much effort, a pirate ship finally approached the "Black Pearl." Two iron claws flew up from the ship, grabbing hold of the "Black Pearl's" railing. Several fierce pirates began to climb up the ropes. However, as soon as they jumped onto the ship, they discovered that the Spanish soldiers were already waiting for them, along with *Tush*.

The treasure ship of the Spanish Governor-General in Luzon? Long Yufei was dumbfounded. Spain is a long-established colonial power! Although it has declined in recent years, how could ordinary pirates contend with it? Moreover, the treasure ship of the Spanish Governor-General in Luzon is likely to be a warship. Can the pirates of Feiyu Island, with their small boats, take on a warship? He believed that Luo Sangu was completely throwing eggs against a stone, sending these pirates to their deaths!

Long Yufei knows that the Philippines, specifically Luzon, is a country rich in mineral resources, ranking third in the world for gold reserves, fourth for copper reserves, and fifth for nickel reserves. During the tumultuous period of independence movements in Latin America, the Luzon colony had already become the most valued colony of Spain. One can imagine the stringent defenses surrounding the treasure ships of the Governor of Luzon. These more than two hundred pirates would have no problem dealing with ordinary merchant ships, but facing the regular army of Spain would be akin to seeking death

The Spanish cannons did not instill fear in the pirates; rather, they ignited their ferocity. Several small boats swiftly headed towards the "Black Pearl," with those bare-chested pirates brandishing steel knives, shouting loudly at the bow of their ships

"However, Captain, the gold on the ship is very important; we need not complicate matters unnecessarily!" the captain said with some concern

Boom! A dull explosion echoed, and thick black smoke rose from both sides of the "Black Pearl." As the pirates' ship approached within a thousand meters of the "Black Pearl," the cannons on the "Black Pearl" fired!

Long Yufei's weapon is a firearm. Given his small arms and legs, akin to those of a *picture* book character, he probably cannot wield a steel knife. However, his marksmanship is quite decent, so when using a firearm, he is able to maximize his potential.

We may have encountered pirates! the sailor said

"Captain, I believe we are being targeted by pirates! However, with the speed of the 'Black Pearl', we can easily shake them off!" said the captain

Rest assured! What we are dealing with is not a Spanish warship, but merely an armed merchant vessel! The Spanish treasure ship left a month ago; this time it is just an armed merchant ship transporting the treasure that was not fully delivered last time! At some point, Luo Sangu appeared beside them and spoke.

Send them a signal flag, instructing them to lay down their weapons and surrender. We can spare their lives! At a distance of just over 2,000 meters between both sides, Luo Sanggu commanded

What happened? Captain Carlos asked

The captain of the armed merchant ship "Black Pearl" is a bearded Spaniard in his thirties. His ship has long been engaged in trade between Luzon and Spain, and he is very familiar with this route

Under the influence of kinetic energy, the solid projectile flies far away and strikes the surface of the sea, splashing up a column of water

The "Black Pearl" is ready for battle, as more than ten ships of various sizes, piloted by the pirates of Flying Fish Island, are surrounding the "Black Pearl"!

Open fire! Captain Carlos issued the command with a face full of ferocity

The pirates' ship swiftly approached the "Black Pearl," with both sides closing the distance rapidly. However, at the same time, the accuracy of the Spanish cannon fire was also increasing. More and more pirate ships were being hit, resulting in significant casualties on the pirate side.

"Captain Carlos, the captain requests your presence!" A sailor found Captain Carlos of the Spanish Army.

"Fire!" Luo Sanggu saw her subordinates being killed, and her pretty face turned ashen with anger

Upon arriving at Flying Fish Island, he already had a preliminary plan, which was to leverage these pirates to develop his own power, establish a foothold in the South Seas, and build a formidable army to resist invasions from the West. However, he was merely an ordinary soldier on Flying Fish Island, and no one paid him any heed. If he could persuade the island's leader, Luo Sangu, it would simplify matters. Yet, why would Luo Sangu listen to him?

However, the gunnery of the pirates was indeed not commendable; after several rounds of cannon fire, they failed to hit their target, and instead, two of their small boats were sunk, resulting in heavy losses for the pirates on board

"Very well, as you wish!" the captain said nonchalantly. He did not regard these pirates with any seriousness; he simply did not want to stir up trouble! Since Captain Carlos wanted to teach these pirates a lesson, he would not say anything further

Boom! A solid cannonball struck a pirate's small boat, the 6-pound projectile crashing down at high speed. The pirates at the bow were immediately affected, with two of them being gruesomely injured on the spot, and a large hole was blasted into the bow. The wooden hull was utterly incapable of withstanding the assault of the cannonball

Luo Sangu nodded, but her expression was not very pleasant, as this method of attack would result in significant losses for the pirates. However, there was no time to consider other matters; they could not abandon this operation.

However, the "Black Pearl" did not respond to the signals from the pirates