The Rise of the European Emperor

By the end of May and the beginning of June, the French fleet and men were ready. -- At the same time, more than a hundred large ships and excellent sailors who were deceived by the British abroad returned to England one after another.

However, when these ships returned, they basically encountered the clippers sent by the royal family, and were notified that a naval battle between Britain and France was about to break out. So those ships avoided the French when they returned from Italy and the Baltic.

Merchant ships returning from the Baltic Sea did not pass through the Strait of Calais, but concentrated directly to the north of the Thames Estuary. In order not to be discovered by the French, dozens of large merchant ships returning from Italy chose to pass through the English Channel at night, and then hid in Southampton Bay on the north side of the Isle of Wight.

Southampton Bay is located to the south of Southampton Harbor, at the 'confluence' of the estuary of the Test River and the Icahn River, and the bay is relatively wide. On the south side of Southampton Bay, there is the Isle of Wight blocking the sea from the Solent Strait between the Isle of Wight and the mainland of England, which is an excellent hidden ambush place. The 54 large merchant ships that returned from Italy were ambushed in Southampton Bay, repaired in Southampton Harbor, and supplemented with reorganized bows and arrows, suet, swords, armor and other naval warfare materials. Then the ships were in Southampton Bay, waiting for the French fleet to cross...

However, the French did not know much about the arrangement of the British. The French do not have telescopes either. Although the English Channel is only one or two hundred kilometers wide, it is difficult to see very far through the ' naked ' eye. What's more, Southampton Bay, where the ambush fleet is located, is separated by a small Isle of Wight to the south. This island, which Marin took a fancy to, blocked the sight of the French.

As for the Strait of Calais, it is only more than 30 kilometers wide, and the French can see the opposite side by sending ships. However, the British had no fighting ships here at all, only a few small fishing boats to look like. After a final reconnaissance, and after finding nothing unusual, Louis XII decided that twenty thousand French troops, together with tens of thousands of war horses and hundreds of 'door' artillery, as well as a large amount of food supplies and other logistical supplies, should be loaded on a ship and immediately ready to cross the sea...

And just when Louis XII personally came to the mouth of the Seine and arranged for the French army to cross the sea on a large scale, Marin suddenly sent his men to chase after him, saying that the battle situation on the island of England was 'mysterious', and the two sides were confronting each other. The opposing army doesn't look very 'elite'. At the same time, 10 merchant ships in the port of London were forcibly conscripted as military ships by Henry VII, so I was worried that the situation would change, and asked the French army to delay the crossing of the sea until the situation became clear...

The remarks were vague and did not name the purpose of the 10 merchant ships that had been confiscated by the British. And the French are already on the ropes at this time, you came here to say this...

Marin's messenger ran to say this at this time, so angry that Louis XII almost wanted to kill Marin's messenger. Because this news is so demoralizing. Moreover, the news was so confusing and confusing that it did not provide any valuable information. Just doubt, let the 20,000 French troops and more than 10,000 people on the string stop crossing the sea, as well as livestock and supplies... Doubt you are a hammer...

Louis XII impatiently drove the Marin messengers away,

This message is blocked. Then, firmly arranged for the army to start crossing the sea...

In fact, Marin did it on purpose. He deliberately sent a messenger to stop the French army when it was about to cross the sea. At this time, the well-prepared French are unlikely to listen to Marin's persuasion. In this way, the French will suffer a big loss in the future, so don't blame Marin - I really didn't plan on you, I finally blocked you, you just didn't listen...

Marin's messenger had actually arrived in Paris long ago, but he never showed up. When the French 'get' all the troops and supplies to the sea, they all prayed, and they were about to cross the sea, and then they suddenly appeared, blocking the French from crossing the sea, and the reasons were very vague... Will the French listen?

But it doesn't matter, Marin just wants to pick himself out - I warned you, you have to cross the sea, don't blame me if you are unlucky and hungry...

Louis XII did not believe Marin's intelligence, but his men repeatedly conducted reconnaissance in the English Channel, and indeed did not find any trace of the large British fleet. So, he trusted the eyes of his men, not Marin's vague judgment.

Even Louis XII suspected that Marin was deliberately blocking the French army from crossing the sea. Perhaps, Edward knew something and did not want the French army to cross the sea to participate in the decisive battle. In this way, after the victory, Edward did not have to share the benefits with the French...

Marin's messenger is also very vague, saying to let the French wait and wait until the situation is clear before crossing the sea - Mingming, you hammer! When the situation is clear and the decisive battle is over, what else can the French get? How could France annex England without taking the opportunity to gain a foothold in England?

Anyway, the wily Louis XII did not believe what the Marin Messenger said, but believed in his own judgment - this is the advantage of a wise man, but sometimes it can also be a disadvantage... Moreover, the thousands of troops who are ready will never Will stop sending troops because of a suspicious word - the arrow is on the string, and I have to send...

After the messenger of Marin, who had "bewitched" people's hearts, was driven away like a fly, Louis XII held a grand expedition ceremony at the mouth of the Seine. Then, the first ships began to load infantry and prepare to cross the sea...

Because there are too many troops, livestock, and supplies to cross the sea, one can't hold sex at one time. Therefore, the French decided to cross the sea in two batches. Among them, 100 large ships collected from all over the country will not undertake the task of carrying people and goods. Their task was to escort the fleet against counterattacks by the British. The remaining small and medium-sized ships are responsible for loading personnel and materials. Of course, those nobles and knights moved with the big ships. If necessary, also participate in naval battles.

The first shipments were 5,000 infantry and 5,000 men and women, as well as a large amount of building materials. Their task was to first reach the coast of England and find a foothold. Then, disembarked to set up a camp and a temporary Longbridge pier for ships to dock.

The first batch of 5,000 infantrymen landed to protect their footing. The 5,000 strong people are responsible for the construction of a temporary military camp and a temporary Long Bridge Pier.

Along with the ship were not only ten thousand people, but also a large amount of building materials. There are wooden piles, fences and tents for the construction of camps, as well as a large amount of wood for the construction of temporary long bridge piers...

As for the destination of this sea crossing, the French chose Hastings, the port of the Five-Port Alliance...

It was chosen because it was one of the most important ports in the English Channel at the beginning of the 16th century. The docks and harbors here are very suitable for the docking of the army.

As for other places, the French are not familiar with the local hydrology, and do not know whether the water depth is suitable for landing... If you encounter a shallow coastal area and let the ship run aground, it will be over... So, the French choose Hastings. The port landing of the Five-Port Alliance...

In fact, England also has many excellent harbors in other parts of the English Channel. For example, the port of Plymouth to the west, including the port of Southampton, where Henry VII's ambush fleet was located. However, the French's strategic intention was to quickly encircle London. Therefore, those ports on the west side did not meet the requirements of the French.

Only Port Hastings, which is closer to London, is due south-east of London. After landing from Hastings, the army only had to march for two or three days and be able to surround London. And then...hehehehe...Louis XII 'Lu' gave a smug smile - England, you are mine...

Standing on the high platform of the pier, after delivering an encouraging speech, Louis XII "drawn" his sword and ordered loudly:

"Set off!"

As a result, the first batch of ships, loaded with 5,000 infantry, 5,000 people and a large amount of building materials, rushed to Hastings, an important port in England, under the escort of 100 large ships...