The Rise of the European Emperor

Valgerie was originally one of Louis XII's knights and came from an ordinary family of knights in Orleans. However, Valgeri was loyal to Louis XII, and among Louis XII's bodyguards, he was considered to be relatively talented.

When Louis XII was fortunate enough to become king, Valgeri also followed the "chicken and dog to heaven". Because of the centralization of power, Louis XII naturally relied more on these cronies. Even though many great nobles were better, for Louis XII, he valued loyalty more.

"Your Majesty, why don't you let me participate in the battle?" said a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy beside Louis XII who watched the fleet leave.

"No, Gaston! Child, you are still young, and the war is so cruel. When you grow up, I will let you lead the army alone..." Louis XII turned his head lovingly and said to the young man.

The boy, named Gaston de Foix, was the son of Marie of Orleans, Louis XII's sister, and was only 16 years old. And this guy is also the commander-in-chief of the French army in the Battle of Ravenna that originally happened in 1512. However, this unlucky bastard also died inexplicably in that battle. However, the French were victorious. At the time, he was only 23 years old. But at the age of 23, he was able to lead more than 20,000 French troops, which shows that he was highly valued by Louis XII. After all, he was the nephew of Louis XII, and he must be valued. However, at the moment, Lord Gaston, Duke of Narbonne, is only 16 years old. Although he has been named a full knight, Louis XII thinks that his martial arts are not yet at home, and he has not reached the level of battle...

On the first day of the French voyage, nothing happened. After all, the British are not stupid. If the French had just set out to sea, they would have sent a large number of warships to besiege them, which would definitely scare the French back.

But on the night of the first day, Henry VII sent a large number of warships, and in the middle of the night, quietly passed the Calais...

It stands to reason that in this era, it is very dangerous to sail in the middle of the night. However, in order to achieve the purpose of sneak attack, Henry VII chose to sail in the middle of the night.

At the same time, in the French fortress of Calais, a riot broke out in the city...

After all, the British have been operating in the fortress of Calais for many years. Although they were occupied by the French, they still left too many hidden piles. In order to cover the fleet crossing the sea, Henry VII brazenly ordered the spies of the fortress of Calais to riot that night, attracting all the attention of the French army in the fortress of Calais. However, the British also paid the price of losing the lives of more than thirty spies. But in Henry VII's view, it was worth it...

Under the cover of night and the riots of spies, the British had about 150 large ships and more than 400 small ships passing through the Calais. Among the 150 large ships, there are 10 Kirk sailboats that were recruited from the North Sea Chamber of Commerce in Marin... Of course, the captain and most of the sailors on the ship were replaced by Englishmen to facilitate command and unified operations... …

After the fleet safely passed the Calais Strait, it continued to sail all the way west. Even if they arrived near Hastings Port, they did not stop, but continued to sail west...

As for why? Because the English Channel is the prevailing westerly wind belt, the westerly wind blows in the Channel all the year round. If you come from the east to outflank the French fleet, it is likely that the speed will not be enough. After all, sailing against the wind.

So, Henry VII sent the fleet along the British side of the English Channel and kept sailing westward. After dawn the next day, the fleet did not stop sailing in detail, but kept heading west...

Moreover, the French did not discover this fleet...

Because the English Channel is one or two hundred kilometers wide, and the French sailed halfway, and it was also a hundred kilometers away from the coast of England. But in this era, except for the traveler Marin, people in other countries did not have telescopes. The naked eye can only see a vague shadow more than ten kilometers away, and it is impossible to see 100 kilometers away. Therefore, the westward voyage of the main British fleet, the French will not be able to detect even in the daytime...

At the same time, Wallace's mixed fleet, which was originally ambushed in Southampton Harbor, lined up and sailed out of Southampton Harbor in a fearless spirit.

Heading to the southeast - they will intercept the French fleet at sea head-on...

Wallace was full of anxiety at this time. Only 54 warships under his command could compete with the 100 warships of the French main force. As for the dozens of small ships, they can only play a supporting role in the battle between the big ships. Of course, it was not a big problem for them to intercept the French convoy trying to land. Moreover, it was originally arranged by Henry VII - Wallace led 54 large ships to fight against the French's 100 large ships. The other small boats were responsible for intercepting the French convoys...

But thinking that he would take 54 ships against 100 main French warships, Wallace couldn't help but feel a little drum in his heart. There have also been naval battles between Britain and France in the past. Although England has won every time, the advantage is not very large. In every naval battle, the British dispatched no fewer ships than their opponents. Then, by becoming more familiar with naval warfare and the advantages of archery, it was possible to defeat the French fleet. In other words, the British did not have the ability to defeat the French with less. After all, the boats used by the two sides are similar, only the sailors have a slightly higher quality and have the advantage of archery. Otherwise, there is not much difference between the two countries. Under such circumstances, it seems very dangerous to use 54 large ships to intercept 100 large ships on the opposite side...

However, thinking of Henry VII's previous promise, Wallace is full of fighting spirit again... Because, Henry VII promised - if Wallace completed the task of this naval battle well, drag the French on the sea the fleet, then, after the war is won, Wallace will become a hereditary baron and gain a fertile fief...

Thinking of this, Wallace's heart suddenly became extremely hot...

The Wallace family is from Scotland and was originally just a family of shipowners in New Romney Port, one of the Five Port Alliances. In 1485, when Henry VII raised troops from Brittany to fight back to England, Wallace's father, Wallace Sr., bet heavily on Henry VII to help Henry VII transport French mercenaries to land in England. Not only that, old Wallace also donated part of his family property to Henry VII as military expenses.

Therefore, Wallace and his son, as Scottish merchants, were canonized by Henry VII and became knights. Of course, it is not hereditary. In other words, Wallace's son cannot inherit the position of knight...

The baron title thrown by Henry VII has a fatal temptation for Wallace. As long as he becomes a baron, his descendants will inherit the title from generation to generation and become a standard aristocratic family. As long as there is no extinction or rebellion, he will enjoy wealth forever.

"For the Baron, fight!" Wallace clenched his fist...

By noon, the French fleet had crossed the middle line of the English Channel, and was getting closer and closer to the port of Hastings. At this time, the commander-in-chief of the French fleet, Count Valgerie, was surprised to find that an English fleet appeared in front of him... It seems that they were here to intercept...

Count Valjery was nervous for a while. After all, the strength of the English navy was deeply rooted in the hearts of the French. It is a lie to say that you are not nervous when you encounter an English naval fleet...

But soon, Count Valjery was not nervous anymore...

why? Because, the sailors with good eyes in the fleet reported that the opponent's fleet had only about 50 large ships. The rest are small boats...

Although the combat effectiveness of the English navy is stronger than that of France, it is not the difference between heaven and earth, it is just superior in skill. Now, when the gap between the enemy and us is obvious, and our side has a greater advantage, the French have no reason to be cowardly. Moreover, they are approaching the main island of England, and there is no reason to retreat. So, Earl Valgeri ordered loudly:

"All transport ships stand by! All warships, gather and attack the British fleet!"

Because there is no semaphore, the French can only rely on loud sailors to relay orders to relay. For a time, the sea was full of the shouts of loud sailors...

At the same time, the opposite English fleet. Wallace also ordered loudly:

"All warships, spread out to meet the enemy! Don't make head-to-head contact first, and fight with the opponent by fighting and archery!"

The strengths of the English lie in archery. Naturally, they must spread out the formation and keep a distance from their opponents in order to give full play to the advantages of archery. If they fight with France as soon as they come up, then the English will have no advantage...

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