The Way to Treat Guests
"We can't possibly lose," Zijin asked, posing the core question. "How much can we consume?"
The simulation began, and the first plan was for the White Triangle to advance and intercept the enemy.
Pirates have a numerical advantage, and a normal commander would deploy a suitable battle line, using a T-formation to bombard the White Triangle with heavy fire. Specific details and micromanagement depend on real-time sea conditions, wind direction, and ship performance.
Rear-loading cannons are now common in this world. Although they cannot reach the Star Empire Navy's maximum range of 11 kilometers, they can still cover a range of over 6 kilometers. Muzzle-loading cannons are lightweight and agile, covering an area within 3 kilometers.
There are also incendiary ships capable of rapid short-distance dashes. Although incendiary attacks are ineffective against the White Triangle, replacing the oil bombs with explosive bombs is not a difficult idea.
Therefore, for safety reasons, the White Triangle had to maintain a firing range of 6 kilometers or even further. With the performance of the MK 71 Gun, this distance could easily take out the enemy, and three or four ships in succession would be no problem.
Then the enemy will scatter, and even if they pursue, they can only catch two or three ships. After all, the Triangle is also responsible for escort duties and cannot leave its position for an extended period of time.
"Six to seven ships." Su Ming was very dissatisfied with the simulation result. With so many pirates gathering and coming to him on their own initiative, this kind of opportunity might not come again, and it would be a real pity not to make full use of it.
Concealing their strength indefinitely is not an option. The enemy numbers are too great, and if they cannot be suppressed, the situation could easily spiral out of control. In particular, if pirates storm the fleet, they could take merchant ships and hostages. The White Triangle can handle one or two such situations, but if there are more, the situation will definitely deteriorate.
According to the escort agreement, 55% of the loss of personnel and goods will be deducted from the commission.
The three of them simulated the battle several times, but the results were not ideal.
"We can use a surprise attack to close the distance from the start," Beianqi suggested. "We can overwhelm the pirates with our firepower and quickly annihilate them! Being close prevents them from spreading out immediately."
"Close-quarters combat?" Su Ming thought for a moment. "That's a bit reckless. The enemy has more ships and more cannons. If we're slow, they'll riddle us with holes."
"To achieve more victories, we have to take certain risks," said Beianqi. "At this range, I'm confident I can take down one ship with three shots and crush the pirate fleet in three minutes!"
"I think it's worth a try!" Zijin said while Su Ming was still weighing the risks. "These pirate ships only have ordinary cannons; I can intercept dozens of shots."
"What if it exceeds your limit?" Su Ming asked.
"The Hundred Triangle is so fast." Zijin shrugged. "If things get bad, we'll just run, create distance, and then fight back. Anyway, with the current performance of the White Bone Fortress, I can't think of any way we can lose."
"Alright." Su Ming made his decision, turning to Beianqi, "Then you'll take command."
This battle is a stand-and-fight match, a contest of stats, skills, and who will back down first. It's most suitable for a professional artillery officer like Beianqi to be in command.
"Then I'll gladly accept," Beianqi said without hesitation.
As the pirate fleet appeared within visual range, filling the western horizon in a vast and imposing manner, the communications of the White Triangle were almost completely disrupted. All the cargo ships, including several other escort ships, frantically turned east, fleeing along the routes they had come from.
The White Triangle remained disguised as a cargo ship, blending in with the others, even mimicking their escape tactics. Su Ming replaced the fuel with pre-treated charcoal, activated the purification equipment at the flue gas outlet, and minimized boiler exhaust as much as possible under low power conditions, while also significantly reducing steam output and cooling it at the outlet.
From a distance, it really does look like a sailboat.
On the control panel, Beianqi spread out a large stack of calculation papers and calculated constants based on the current wind speed, temperature, and humidity to simplify the radiation table.
"Su Ming executes the pre-battle checklist; Ailisha marks the enemy ship's threat level." She issued the instructions to the two.
"Received," Su Ming replied to Zijin.
Following the checklist, Su Ming inspected the MK71 in sequence, checking the loading, reloading, muzzle rotation, and elevation/depression movements.
Next, the observation and sensing equipment was tested, and all of them were normal.
Zijin also identified the actual ship type, cannon type and quantity of the enemy ships, and marked them one by one.
The pirates were eleven kilometers away, and the White Triangle pretended to fall behind, gradually retreating to the very back of the convoy.
"All units prepare; power system at maximum output, standby!"
Su Ming quickly switched the power system out of smoke-free mode and back to normal operation.
As the Second Hand, the three waited for the pirate fleet to approach within ten kilometers of their rear. Suddenly, the Triangle sped up, its propellers accelerating and sending up large white sprays of water from its tail.
"Port full, port side waders deployed!"
A white slat extended below the port waterline and spread outwards. With the help of the lateral drag provided by the slats, the White Triangle made a 180-degree turn with a very small radius, facing the pirate ship.
The boilers and steam engines were pushed to maximum power, and large plumes of steam billowed from the stern, increasing the ship's speed. The canvas, which had been disguised as sails, was untied and floated on the sea behind, enveloped in steam. The warship revealed its true form, facing off alone against the massive pirate fleet.
Amidst the wind and waves, Zijin drew her staff, twirled it, and launched three signal flares—red, green, and yellow—into the sky above the battlefield. It had only one simple meaning: a declaration of war!
Instantly, all the sunlight in the room focused on them.
The White-Colored Triangle accelerated at full speed, exceeding 20 knots in just a few minutes. The pirate fleet, in a triangular formation, approached with the wind at a speed of 12 knots. At this distance, it was too late for them to avoid it; they could only continue charging forward to meet the White Triangle -on.
"Order to turn left! Change formation to a two-pronged cross formation!" The pirate commander adjusted the formation. The White-Colored Triangle was approaching from a slightly rightward angle, so the commander chose to have the fleet turn left, passing the White-Colored Triangle at a distance of about three kilometers.
The pirate ships, arranged in two columns, would take turns getting the best firing angles and firing all their cannons. After thirty-one warships, the commander didn't believe any of them could survive, not even the recently popular undead bone ships!
Legend has it that the terrifying bone demon on the ship possesses a powerful forbidden technique capable of sinking a ship in one strike; in this battle, one or two unlucky ships are bound to become its casualties.
Faced with an unavoidable situation, the pirates were also aroused to their ferocity; in a narrow encounter, the brave would prevail!
The side panels of the pirate ship opened one after another, and at the shouts of the buglers, the gunners pushed out all the main and secondary guns with all their might, waiting for the White Triangle to enter the firing range. The crew members were on edge, watching the wind billow the sails and the waves crashing against the shore, nervously waiting for the moment to fire.