As the Manila fleet turned and the Raphael fleet continued to move north, Li Mingxun immediately judged the enemy's intentions. He also ordered Piron to lead three cruise ships and two frigates to go north to protect Fort Glory.

The large fleet turned, seized the upper hand, distanced itself from the Manila fleet, and began to adjust the battle line position on the battlefield based on the news of the frigate's delivery. The reason for such a risky decision was that after the cruisers left, the large fleet's disadvantage became even greater.

In terms of quantity alone, both sides have three cruise ships. After all, the difference in the number of main ships is still two, but the difference in combat power is completely different.

In terms of battle line duels, Lopez will definitely let the last two battle line sail on the other side of the battle line of the main battle line, attacking the enemy ships under the premise that the number of main battle line is advantageous.

(The number of main battleships is insufficient, and the disadvantaged side will definitely make the last position empty, because if the front position is missing, the advantageous side will make the vanguard turn, and the side side will be against the disadvantaged side's bow, forming a T-shaped character, while the middle position will be missing, and the battle line will be cut obliquely, causing the battle line to collapse, so it can only be the disadvantaged side's guard's unlucky)

If both sides have cruise ships, then the two extra fleets will definitely be cruise ships (Spanish cruise ships are weak, except for Piron's Bloodhound, they are a huge disadvantage against any one, and they can only be vacant). Even if these two cruise ships are all heavy firepower cruise ships like Ester, and when the large fleet of the society has the protection of the main ship, they are still at a disadvantage of being attacked by ten eighteen-pound cannons on the other side, but if the cruise ship leaves, the disadvantage will be great.

Without cruise ships, the extra battleships of Manila's large fleet are all battleships, and the best side sides of these battleships have 22 heavy artillery of more than 18 pounds. The battleships that are pinched are dangerous. If the battleships that are pinched by the large fleet are compared to boxers, the difference is whether they are facing two boxers or one boxer and an ordinary person.

In fact, Lopez had this intention long ago. From the arrangement of troops on his battle lines, it can be seen that Lopez now has five heavy gunboats and three modified Manila sailboats. According to general principles, three large sailboats should be behind him. However, in order to make his advantage more obvious, Lopez changed his position since he left the port. The flagship Santa Maria is also the strongest warship in Manila. It has twenty-six eight-pound cannons, twenty-six twenty-four-pound cannons and twelve eight-pound side cannons. The firepower is the first in both sides of the enemy and us, with a displacement of over 1,200 tons, and he is the leader and naturally in a forefront position.

Behind him are two heavy gunboats, then three large sailboats, and the last two are also heavy gunboats. This configuration is to better wield the maneuverability of heavy gunboats and to attack the large fleet more quickly. (The main reason is that the large sailboats are too stupid)

It was precisely because of this arrangement that Li Mingxun also risked to adjust his position before the battle. The large fleet now has six heavy gunboats. The White Shark is a flagship in the forefront, with tiger sharks, fin whales, orcas, humpback whales and pilot whales. The reason why he still chose the White Shark as the flagship is that all the Orca-class warships are built in standardized manner. If the flagship is modified, the main structure must be modified. In the case of the community urgently requiring the main ship, any delay in construction will not be accepted. The Navy believes that the White Shark is just a transition, and the real flagship is the third-level battle line on the ship platform, but no one expected that it had not been launched yet.

In any case, the flagship White Shark is called the weakest link of the community fleet, and it also laid the groundwork for the subsequent combat results. After obtaining the order to adjust the position, the Tiger Shark quickly turned left and left off the battle line, and then the sail was full. The front mast and the cross sail on the main mast turned rapidly, and the direction was opposite to each other, forming a trumpet-shaped forward. The huge resistance reduced the Tiger Shark's scale. Four heavy gunboats sailed past it. The Tiger Shark lowered its sail and turned, becoming a frigate on the battle line. The whole action was completed in one go, without giving the enemy any chance. It was worthy of the most experienced main ship of the large fleet.

After the position change, the only shortcoming was that the sub-flagship in the middle of the battle line was that the Elf Whale, where Simmons was located, became the No. 2 ship, but the large fleet gained advantages in part, because the opponents of the Elf Whale and Orca were both 800-ton heavy gunboats, and before the position change, only the Elf Whale had similar advantages.

For Lee Myung-hoon, he was unwilling to become a reality, whether it was the disadvantage of the flagship or the advantages of the fin whale or the orca, because the purpose of the large fleet's combat is very clear, which is to buy time for the Castle of Glory. Piron went to chase Raphael, and the Castle of Glory will definitely be fine. As long as the fleet dragged the Manila fleet, the Castle of Glory will be completely out of threat.

Therefore, the large fleet is to fight cautiously. It is best to go around in the vast South China Sea and the Manila fleet, so that both sides can't stand it anymore. They go back to their own houses and find their mothers. Li Mingxun doesn't want any of the main battleships to lose.

It was precisely because of the intention of the large fleet that Lopez took the initiative to give up the upper hand. Unlike the large fleet, Lopez was eager to fight. At least he had to severely damage the large fleet to seize the power of sea control. Logically speaking, Lopez, who was eager to fight, should seize the upper hand to gain the initiative. But that was when the two fleets had similar maneuvers. The reality was that the large fleet of the community was not only fast, but also had outstanding steering. Once it was put in a disadvantaged position, the large fleet that was determined to avoid war could continue to turn with its maneuver advantage, and play a cat and mouse game with Lopez, delaying time. Now that Lopez had seized the lower hand, it would destroy the steering advantage of the community and make it easier to achieve results.

"At the 20th December of the 17th year of Chongzhen, the wind was northeast and northeast, and the enemy fleet turned toward the west, and the large fleet responded to the battle!"

The navigation log has a record of the large fleet fighting. Before that, both sides were sailing deep into the South China Sea. The large fleet has been keeping a distance of about one nautical mile from the Manila fleet, at about six quarters, and sailing leisurely. If this continues, both sides will either sail to the Vietnamese waters or turn after encountering the islands and reef groups in the depths of the South China Sea, but Lopez obviously can't wait.

Once you turn, you turn left, and then head either south or southeast. If it is the former, the large fleet will have a moderate advantage. If it is the Manila fleet cannot catch up, it will naturally not be able to fight. If it is the latter, it will be even more unacceptable. After the large steering, the large fleet will be in a downward direction that is more conducive to escape, and Lopez has no initiative anymore.

At one o'clock in the afternoon, the Santa Maria began to turn right and approach the large fleet. The steering angle was not large. It took an hour to approach a distance of about 400 meters. The side guns on both sides began to fire. The rounds of longitudinal shooting looked very gorgeous, with gunfire like dragons and cannons like flowers. Li Mingxun stood on the deck of the stern tower and stared at the Santa Maria opposite with a telescope.

The advantage of the upper wind position is fully revealed. Even though the battle has caused the White Shark to only raise the bow sail, the foremast mainsail, and the mainsail and the rearmast uppersail that provides power. However, the wide canvas and dense support cables still create a huge turbulent zone. This turbulent zone is 400 meters long, causing the rustling of the sail cable of the St. Mary, which causes the hull of the St. Mary to shake, causing the starboard gunners to aim.

After several rounds of shelling between the two sides, the firing of the artillery of the Santa Maria was significantly lower than that of the White Shark. After all, they needed to reset the main gun to make the heavy artillery climb up a steep slope of more than ten degrees. The White Shark artillery was reset on the downhill. After each round of shooting, the smoke that stimulated people could not open their eyes and open their mouths would blow towards the Santa Maria, making the dark artillery deck more like the region.

The Santa Maria is still approaching, but the current steering is so large that most of the artillery with only a twenty-five-degree shooting angle cannot aim at the White Shark, while the White Shark is firing fiercely, especially the newly added six-pound cannons on the open-air deck, which hit the chain and rod-shaped expansion bombs quickly and accurately, tearing the Sailing ropes and Hengheng of the Sailing ropes and Hengheng of the Sailing ropes. There are now six six-pound cannons, and the Orca-class main ships have laid a large number of nine-pound cannons on the open-air deck before going to war. For this reason, the main ship of the Great Fleet hung the largest longboat and small boat at the stern, but at this time it seems that everything is worth it. The Sailing rope structure of the Sailing ropes was severely damaged.

"Report, the enemy's guard has moved!" the lookout on the mast floor shouted loudly.

"Check monitoring and pay attention to the enemy's movements!" the officer responded.

Half an hour later, the lookout reported loudly: "Two enemy frigates, turn right and move on the right side of the battle line, and move forward with all sails!"

When Li Mingxun returned to the command module, the staff had placed the model in the exact position. The two heavy gunboats advanced quickly from the five chains, with the five chains at least nine hundred meters. This is not a distance that can be carried out. Obviously, the enemy heavy gunboats did not intend to attack the defenders of the large fleet, the pilot Whale and the Tiger Shark, but chose a more radical tactic, attacking the flagship and the Fleet Whale.

Such a choice is really ambitious. If it attacks the defender of the large fleet, the upper hand will not be able to maneuver. If it transfers left, it will be hit by the battle line, and if it transfers right, it will be hit by the clamped ship, and the defender situation will be dangerous, but it can only leave two main battleships of the large fleet. Lopez chose to let the two clamped ships pursue the flagship with the purpose of clamped attack. In this way, if the flagship and the Bruce Whale collapse, the large fleet will be in danger.

At this time, the difficult choice was placed in front of Li Mingxun. He had only two choices. First, he was moving forward with his advantage in sailing and leaving the battlefield with his degree advantage, but the enemy would also pursue him. The clamping ships cooperated well and could even cut off the large fleet from it to leave some ships. The other option was more dangerous, that was, to take the upper hand, take the initiative to stick it up, fight with the Manila fleet, and take advantage of the firepower advantages of the Celtic Whale and Orca, and to open a gap on the battle line of the Manila fleet before the clamping ship reached its position.

Lee Mingxun is still considering that all the staff around him are suggesting the first option. The reason is very simple. The second option is too dangerous for the flagship. Not only the staff members are selfish, they do not want Lee Mingxun to take risks. The first option can ensure that the first three ships can evacuate.

While hesitating, the flagship captain ran in and said to Li Mingxun: "Old Master, His Excellency Simmons' ship has fired the No. 9 signal flag!"

Li Mingxun ran out of the command room and looked back. Sure enough, the signal flag of No. 9 was flying on the top of the mainmast of the Bruce Whale. It was a request: Please allow me to take the lead in charge!

This means that the flagship can still keep a distance from the Santa Maria, while the Bruce Whale leads the four ships behind it to face the challenge, so that the flagship will not be in danger.

"Agree with Simmons' request!" Li Mingxun made a quick decision.

On the Pin Whale, Simmons was wearing gorgeous military uniforms and held up the sword and shouted excitedly on the forecastle: "Hahaha, the commander gave us a chance to teach Spanish bacon a lesson. He sent the gun deck to load all the solid bullets on both parts, and the nine-pound gun was loaded with double parts of shotgun. Once the fire was opened, the fire was fired as fast as possible! A round of volleys, I was going to hit the bacon pants!"

The sound of pig-killing horns sounded on the entire ship. Both sailors and soldiers emitted light in their eyes. The look at the opponent was like seeing a pervert. With a scream, the whole ship was ready.

Orca chose another tactic. The captain ordered the gunpowder monkey to bring as much ammunition from the ammunition depot as possible to the cannon position. The captain's order was very simple. He swung the fast firing degree that Orca was most proud of, and after getting close, he poured the shells at the fastest level.

Whether it is Simmons or the captain of the Orcas, they all know that the hope of the large fleet lies with them. If they want to escape unstoppable and win, they have to open the gap between the two ships. They have no choice but to do so!

Soon, with the order issued by Simmons, the five main battleships left the flagship's tracks, and used the wind direction to approach the enemy ships. For a moment, the sea in South China was boiling, with gunfire rumbling and gun smoke everywhere, and countless screams and shattering sounds clamoring on the sea. This sea area was already more terrifying than the eighteen levels of hell.

Suddenly, Li Mingxun found something wrong, because the shelling on the St. Mary stopped. Even if the steering angle was too large, some artillery could be fired. Why can't it be shot? He observed the Santa Mary with a telescope, but he did not see anything unusual, but the sound of shelling in his ears made Li Mingxun feel more and more that the situation was wrong.

He observed the battle line behind the side, and suddenly it appeared that on the entire battle line, Simmons' thunder strike did not work. The reason was very simple. The enemy fleet was approaching, causing a chaotic rhythm. The gunners fired without getting the order. Li Mingxun's heart tightened and a bad idea appeared in his head.

"Quick, captain, turn to avoid, the Spaniards are going to fight to the death!" Li Mingxun shouted.

The captain quickly issued an order: "Drop the sail of the cable and fill the rudder with the right!"

However, the White Shark was still slowing down. The St. Mary was ruddering right and approaching madly. St. Mary raised all the sails that could rise as fast as possible and rushed to the White Shark. The tall and heavy hull caused huge waves and rushed directly to the White Shark's hull. The St. Mary was close to thirty meters and finally chose to fire.
Chapter completed!