My British Empire

  Chapter 544 New Era

  ps: Thank you for your votes, two updates today

   As for military expenditures, this is something the king and the government should worry about, but Drake actually doesn’t care at all.

  Now he only thinks of one thing, he wants to travel around the world, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, and then back to England.

   Rediscover an eastern route, a route in the hands of the English.

   In this regard, John Hawkins, an English navigator, expressed his support, especially for this kind of behavior that benefits the country and wins the favor of His Majesty the King.

  In the study, Francis Drake, like an assistant, spread out the paper for his cousin John, observing the hull of Hawkins from time to time, sighing.

   "Unexpectedly, Hawkins, you actually went to the navy and became the secretary of the staff office. It is simply amazing!"

  Looking at a navy uniform, a white coat, a boat-shaped hat, and that golden armband, it exudes a confident atmosphere from the outside to the inside.

  In Drake's eyes, this is the breath of power, which is thick and exudes a strange fragrance, which makes people get lost in it unconsciously and cannot extricate themselves.

   "You are a knight, and I am just a staff officer. How can I compare to you! Dear Sir Francis!"

  Sirs can only be named by their first names, and surnames are only used for barons and above.

  Hawkins looked at Drake's desire that was about to flow out, couldn't help curling his lips, and reminded him softly.

  Since the last time Drake discovered the Drake Passage and contributed most of the robbed gold, he was directly knighted, which is extremely honorable.

As one of England's few shipping tycoons, John Hawkins was recommended by His Majesty the King as a member of the House of Commons, and then benefited from his rich sailing knowledge, so he was appointed as a staff member of the Naval Staff Office. , as a small assistant.

  For Hawkins, who is a commoner, becoming an official is more important than a title. With rights, can the title be far behind?

  While drawing the picture, Hawkins did not forget to satirize Drake who seemed a little satisfied.

   "This—" Drake was a little embarrassed for a while, but he glanced at the ship graphics that were gradually being perfected, and he couldn't help but said in surprise:

   "Oh! My God, dear Mr. Hawkins, this work of yours is simply an eye-opener!"

  Finally found a reason to alleviate the embarrassment, Drake couldn't help praising his wit.

   "Yes, this is indeed a fascinating work, and it can even be said to be a work of art!"

  Looking at the work in front of him, Hawkins couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

  Thus, Drake couldn't help but look carefully, and what appeared in his eyes was a ship that was quite different from the previous ones:

  It is much smaller than the previous Galen ships. It is narrow and long, with a low side. It seems that the front ship tower has been completely cancelled, and the rear ship house has been reduced. It looks like a slender lady with no combat effectiveness.

  However, if you look closely, there are a large number of cannons on both sides of the hull, which are very aggressive, and with a thin body, it has both speed and strength.

   "However, Your Excellency, this ship cannot engage in boarding battles, and is very easy to capture!" Drake's rich experience told him that this kind of ship's defense is extremely weak, and if it is a battle, it is easy to suffer.

  "Although it has such shortcomings, but in the vicinity of the English Channel, there are dense reefs and dangers, and the huge size is a burden. This thin ship is very suitable."

   After observing for a while, Drake made a conclusion about the ship on this picture, and then said softly.

  The current ship type is restrictive, and the current situation of naval warfare is that the ship is large, with many people, and the body is too small.

   "But, Hawkins, aren't you the finance officer? Why are you in charge of designing ships?"

   Drake had no doubts about his cousin's ability, but didn't he serve as an assistant to his father-in-law, who was the treasurer of the navy, from the very beginning? Why did you design the ship again?

   "What do you know? Master Gunson has not retired yet. As an assistant, who will listen to what I say?"

  Hawkins looked at his wild cousin and shook his head, skeptical of his idea of ​​advocating the ocean and freedom.

   "You are not in the officialdom, so you don't understand these things. I am not in the official position, and I don't plan for politics. My father-in-law is different from me!"

   "You should actually come to the officialdom. It can be seen that His Majesty the King likes you very much, and your achievements in the future will be higher than mine! Instead of looking for new routes and traveling around the world!"

   Regarding this, Hawkins looked like he hated iron but steel, and his eyes and expression revealed deep dissatisfaction.

  However, there was a hint of joy in his eyes.

  His Majesty Edward likes Drake, and the sailing experience of the two is almost the same. If they take office at the same time, Drake is likely to become the Secretary of the Navy one step ahead of him.

  Yes, yes, Lord of the Admiralty, this is John Hawkins' ideal.

  The family is well-known on the coast of West England, and the family property is rich. Compared with ordinary nobles, they are not far behind.

  So, now he only thinks about how to improve his status and social status, rather than pursuing some ideals and traveling around the world.

   "Okay, okay! Go busy with your official position, you official fan, the sea is where I should go!"

  Drake waved his hand. He has seen many fans of this kind in recent years.

  Especially if you pass the last round of the London Examination, also known as the Kingdom Examination, after a few months, you will be able to become an official and walk shoulder to shoulder with the nobles. Don't be too tempted.

   "So, you just want to use this new type of ship to attract His Majesty's attention?"

  In this way, Drake immediately thought of this. For official fans, only promotion is what they are most interested in, and Hawkins in front of him is like this.

   "Yes, that's right!" Hawkins nodded excitedly, and said directly:

   "Compared with Spain, the English navy is still weak, and if a large number of such small ships are built, the huge Spanish navy will be gang-beaten throughout the English Channel!"

   "Do you have any ideas? Dear Drake!"

   "No!" Drake nodded after thinking about it for a moment. Having rich sailing experience, he certainly knew that this small fast ship is indeed a sharp weapon in the English Channel, and its role is obvious.

"Yes, despite its small size, it is fast. The clumsy Galen ship cannot catch up with it. Moreover, the low side of the ship is easy to be boarded, but it will carry more artillery. The era of side-to-side combat will never return!"

  Drake's affirmation made Hawkins even more energetic. He was absolutely convinced that this ship map would be an important bargaining chip for him to take off.

   "The era of artillery is coming, and England will dominate this era!"

  (end of this chapter)