Struggle in Russia

"The rudder of the Three Saints was damaged. The captain and crew are undergoing intensive repairs. The situation is not ideal. They may have to withdraw from the operation."

After one day at sea, Nasimov received endless bad news. Most of the small fishing boats capsized or were knocked back by wind and waves as soon as they left the port. The larger ships that could go to sea barely moved forward, and they did not complete one-third of the journey after sailing for a day. , which is three times slower than the original plan.

To make matters worse, the fleet suffered varying degrees of damage. Even if the Three Saints' rudder had problems, the mast of the cruiser Fierce was blown off by the wind, almost causing the captain's head to explode.

The only good news is that we have control of the Black Sea, and there is no need to worry about enemies taking advantage of the damaged fleet to add insult to injury.

"Keep moving forward and tell the Three Saints to follow as soon as possible. Our mission is very heavy. The battle situation in Ineada is very unfavorable to us. Our brothers on the shore are in urgent need of reinforcements and supplies!"

Nassimov had no choice but to continue moving forward. After nearly five days of tossing, the exhausted fleet finally arrived at Ineada. After docking at the port, looking at the almost paralyzed army landlubbers, he knew that he could not count on these in a short time. Poor thing.

"How is the situation?" Nassimov asked Kornilov.

Two days later, Chankornilov personally arrived at Ineada to inspect the situation, and what he saw and heard made his heart tremble.

"It's very bad!" He replied bluntly, "We only have more than 24,000 combat troops left, but the enemy has at least more than 100,000. We can only retreat to the outer defense of Ineada, and the ammunition and Other supplies are extremely scarce and the soldiers are very tired and can only barely support themselves."

Nasimov sighed and said: "Paskovich refuses to stop, and he will continue to increase his troops. What I have brought here is the first batch of vanguard troops..."

Kornilov was not surprised at all that Paskovich would do this. He sighed and said, "I know that old bastard has always been stubborn. How could he stop without any gains?"

After a pause, he lowered his voice and whispered: "I want to tell you another bad news. According to intelligence from inside Istanbul, the British Expeditionary Force has arrived in Istanbul, with about two thousand people. The French Expeditionary Force is also about to arrive. It is said that it has arrived from Toulon is out to sea!”

Nasimov was taken aback and quickly asked: "Approximately how many troops are there?"

"More than 10,000 people!"

This number shocked Nassimov, but before he could be surprised, Kornilov added: "This is just the vanguard. According to insider information, the prodigal emperor of the Bonaparte family is preparing to do something big." A full-scale mobilization is underway, at least 100,000 people will be sent to participate in the war!"

Nassimov's heart grew colder. This was just the French. If the British also sent the same number of troops, they would have great fun. Even if the British army is only half of the French army, it is enough for them to drink a pot.

If you do the math on your fingers, you will know that the Turkish army has invested 100,000 troops in Istanbul. If you include the 100,000 French troops, the British army must be tens of thousands at least. Even if Paskovich could invest all the troops at hand, he would only be beaten!

"We must warn Paskovich immediately and cannot continue like this!" Nasimov immediately screamed.

However, Kornilov just sighed quietly and said: "He won't listen. What's more, this information was revealed to us by insiders in Li Xiao's personal relationship. We can't leak it casually, otherwise it will be a betrayal of our friends." In danger!"

Nassimov immediately stopped talking. He also knew that the so-called insider was actually David Leboeuf. Only Li Xiao's uncle now has this magical power. Indeed, if they tell Paskovich this shocking news, that old Qiu Ba will definitely not believe it and will break the casserole and ask what will happen then?

He also sighed and said, "What should we do?"

Kornilov smiled bitterly and said: "I have ordered the troops to continue to retreat and rely on the city to hold on. I am also trying to strengthen the dock..."

Nassimov knew what he wanted to do, which was to hold on for a while, and then wait until Paskovich realized that nothing could be done, then use the reinforced docks to withdraw the troops.

"That's all we can do!" Nasimov sighed again and said sadly: "I hope that old guy can wake up as soon as possible!"

But this was really just an extravagant hope, because Paskovich had no intention of waking up at all. After Nassimov returned to Constanta and warned him again, he remained unmoved and without hesitation gave him another five thousand The landlubbers boarded the boat and ordered firmly:

"Now that the weather is better, nothing can stop us from winning this victory. I ask your fleet to transport troops day and night and transport the main force of our army to Ineada as soon as possible!"

Nasimov couldn't help it anymore and asked: "Your Excellency, didn't you hear what I just said? Our army has fallen into complete passivity in Ineada and can only rely on the city to defend, and there are rumors that indicate The British and French expeditionary forces are about to arrive on the battlefield!"

However, Paskovich snorted coldly: "You also said that it was just hearsay and not trustworthy. I'm afraid it was a rumor deliberately spread by the Turks, a trick to boost morale and undermine the will of our army! "

Nasimov shook his head, but he did not continue to argue with Paskovich. He found that it was meaningless. It was better to be out of sight and out of mind than to waste words.

A group of 5,000 people were transported to Ineada, and the situation was slightly better than the previous batch. It also brought some help to the naval infantry who were holding on, but the situation on the battlefield was still deteriorating. Soon they discovered that the Turkish army's firepower had become more powerful, obviously reinforced by heavy artillery, which was very unusual!

"It is indeed unusual. Turkey does not have so many artillery. It should be the British and French! I have sent people to conduct reconnaissance, and there will be news soon!" Kornilov said with a grimace.

Sure enough, his guess was very correct, and the scouts soon brought them breathtaking information - the French Expeditionary Force had arrived on the battlefield, and it was initially estimated that there was an artillery brigade!

"Don't forget to tell that old Qiuba when you go back!" Kornilov sneered, "Now there is solid evidence. An artillery brigade with an infantry regiment came so quickly!"

The French moved really fast. As the first batch of vanguard troops arrived in Istanbul, French ships in various ports in the Mediterranean continued to go out to sea loaded with soldiers and supplies, with the target directed at Istanbul!