bayedsolid Chapter 178 Supplies
Chapter 178 Supplies
Outside the port of Singapore, a large number of warships were anchored. The largest of these warships was over 10,000 tons, while the smaller ones were several thousand tons.
Any country would be terrified if dozens of foreign warships were anchored near its doorstep. But today is an exception.
Although these fleets appeared large, they were now in a state of utter disrepair. The ships were covered in rust, and a large number of seashells were visibly attached near the waterline.
The white flag with a blue cross on the mast drooped listlessly, and the dirty naval officers and soldiers on the ship's side stared longingly toward the harbor.
This fleet is none other than the Russian Baltic Fleet!
They set sail from the Baltic Sea last October to reinforce Port Arthur. After a long journey of six months, they finally arrived in Singapore in early April. The fleet encountered countless difficulties and dangers on this voyage.
After setting sail, the various colonies and ports along the way refused the fleet's requests to dock and resupply. The ship's tea, food, vegetables, and other supplies had long been exhausted.
They also encountered storms along the way, losing two supply ships. Due to a lack of medicine, many crew members fell ill, and crew members continued to die and be thrown into the sea.
Now that they have finally arrived in Singapore, the fleet urgently needs repairs and resupply, and the warships need to remove the attached seashells. Because of these seashells, their original speed of 15 has now been reduced to only 10.
Moreover, the ship's fresh water and coal supplies will soon run out, and if they are not replenished soon, the ship will be unable to operate.
Commander Stevinsky, the Russian fleet commander with a full beard, gazed worriedly at the distant port. His once pristine white naval uniform was now stained in many places, and his usually neatly trimmed beard hung haphazardly over his face.
A short while later, a small boat sped towards them from a distance. Soon, a middle-aged Russian military officer climbed up the rope ladder.
"How is it?" Stevinsky asked hopefully as he saw the officer approaching.
"Commander! The British have refused our request to enter the port and are unwilling to provide us with supplies!" The middle-aged officer shook his head bitterly.
"Shit! Bastards, these scoundrels who kick you when you're down!" Stevinsky cursed upon hearing this. He had suffered enough humiliation from the great powers along the way and was already furious.
"Go back and tell the British that our fresh water and coal are almost exhausted, and we cannot reach Port Arthur. We must resupply here today. If the British Governor's Office deliberately makes things difficult, they will bear the consequences!"
With his fleet in dire straits, Stevinsky had no choice but to take a hard line. He refused to believe that such a small place as Singapore would dare to confront him head-on.
After the officers went to negotiate, Stevinsky, in order to exert pressure, directly ordered the warships to start and point their dark cannons at the harbor.
After several rounds of negotiations, the British finally relented, agreeing to supply coal to the Russian fleet, but the Russian fleet was still not allowed to enter port. They could only receive the coal at sea.
Stevinsky had no choice but to grit his teeth and agree. Despite his outward toughness, he was genuinely afraid to go to war with the British.
After three days of emergency transport, the Russian warship was finally filled with coal and began preparations to depart for its next stop, Golden Bay.
"Despicable British pigs!" Stevinsky cursed the British ancestors for eighteen generations, looking at the billowing black smoke above his head.
The British didn't supply them with high-quality anthracite, but rather ordinary, low-grade coal. This type of coal not only had low calorific value but also contained many impurities, producing a lot of smoke when burned, slowing down the warships, and damaging their boilers.
Unfortunately, even so, Stevinsky was helpless. He could only order the fleet to set sail immediately. Fortunately, they weren't far off; he could only hope to reach Vladivostok as soon as possible. His fleet couldn't withstand any more trouble!
Shortly after the fleet left Singapore, a merchant ship caught up with them.
“General, it is a great honor to meet you!” A tall, white man in a well-tailored, high-class suit and bow tie stood before Stevinsky.
"Do you really have supplies?" Stevinsky asked, staring at the hook-nosed Jew in front of him. He wouldn't have met these annoying merchants if he hadn't heard that they could provide him with supplies.
"Of course, 100,000 tons of high-quality anthracite coal, as well as fresh water, vegetables, fruits, tobacco, and spirits—you name it, we have it!" Adams said proudly.
They heard that the enemy even had tobacco and strong liquor. The officers standing nearby couldn't help but swallow hard; they had been without food for months.
"These things must be expensive, right?" Stevinsky said sarcastically.
“Of course, Your Excellency! As you know, the Western countries are refusing to supply you. Obtaining so much stuff involves a huge risk for us. Naturally, the price will be higher than usual,” Adams nodded.
“Tell me! I want to know how much more expensive your prices can be?” Stevinsky frowned.
"We can discuss business later. To show my sincerity, General, please allow me to present you with a gift!" Adams didn't rush into business but instead presented a gift.
After receiving Stevinsky's permission, a lifeboat quickly delivered two boxes.
“General! I’m sure you’re already quite short of these things at sea!” Adams said with a smile as he opened the box.
One box was full of liquor, and the other box contained Chinese cigarettes and dozens of red apples.
These are things they desperately need, especially cigarettes and alcohol; what Russian soldier could do without them?
"Thank you very much! To be honest, we've been lacking these supplies for a long time." Faced with the temptation of alcohol and cigarettes, Stevinsky also lowered his proud head.
"Then what are we waiting for! General, why don't we enjoy this fine wine first, and discuss business later!"
No one objected to Adams' invitation, of course. Soon, every Russian officer present raised a glass of wine, lit a cigarette, and began to smoke greedily.
A barely perceptible smile appeared on Adams' lips.
“Mr. Adams, now you can tell us the prices of your supplies! If the prices are right, we would be very happy to purchase them!” Stevinsky nodded while he was still clear-headed.
“Of course, no problem! General, here is the price list, please take a look!” Adams took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it over.
“Fifty dollars a ton of anthracite? You’re robbing me!” Stevinsky glanced at the bill and suddenly stood up.
The list was indeed very comprehensive, and all the items were things they urgently needed. However, the prices were more than ten times higher than the market price.
“General, the price is indeed a bit high! But the situation is different now, and we are the only ones in the Far East who can provide these things!” Adams smiled slightly, not angry at all.