1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 521 Unifying Qiongzhou Island

If the militia army hadn't arrived in time to relieve the siege, it would be hard to say if the city of Qiongzhou could hold on for a few days. Therefore, although Yan Chujie's words were a bit of a show off, they were indeed irrefutable.

Yan Chujie continued: "Everyone is invited to come here today. There are two main purposes. One is to inform you of the current situation so that the local people know what's going on outside. The other is to announce our next defense measures for the northern part of Qiongzhou Island , after everyone understands, we should try our best to cooperate with our militia army... and the local government to drive away the invading pirates together."

Anyone with a discerning eye has already discovered that something is wrong with today's occasion. None of the top figures in the government showed up, only a master from the government office came as a representative.Whether it's a celebration or an oath, it seems too unreasonable for someone without the government to show up.However, what Yan Chujie said obviously did not put the Qiongzhou government in its proper place.

"Come on, hang up the map!" Yan Chujie ordered, and immediately several soldiers hung up a large hand-painted map of Qiongzhou Island on the wall next to the banquet hall.

Yan Chujie walked to the map and began to explain the battle situation to the gentry present: "Currently, except for the capital city in the northern part of Qiongzhou Island, all other states and counties have fallen into the hands of this gang of pirates. According to the information we have learned, this gang invaded Qiongzhou The number of pirates on the island is not just a few thousand as previously reported, but nearly ten thousand soldiers! Although our militia army has broken their encirclement of Fucheng, this group of pirates has not retreated too far, and I am afraid there will be many tough battles ahead To fight!"

"It's a pity that the Ming Dynasty's garrison on Qiongzhou Island is useless at all. Their fighting will, weapons and equipment, and combat level are far inferior to this group of invaders. Drive away the pirates and regain the lost land. It seems that the task can only be completed by our Haihan militia." Yan Chujie waved his arms and said firmly: "In order to ensure the victory of the battle, during this period, all defense arrangements for the northern part of Qiongzhou Island, including Fucheng It will be arranged and commanded by our Haihan militia, and those who do not cooperate during this period...we can only treat them as pirate accomplices for the sake of the overall situation!"

The preparation time for the "Liaoyuan Project" was more than half a year. Regarding how to take over and control the area that originally belonged to the Ming Dynasty after the war, the relevant departments have already made relatively comprehensive arrangements and detailed plans.To implement these new systems, the first thing to ensure is the obedience of the people.Whether it's intimidation, deterrence, or appeasement, the people must be obeyed first, especially those upper-class people who hold social resources and the right to speak, and they are the first targets that Haihan must solve.

The purpose of Yan Chujie's meeting was to let the gentry living in Fucheng understand that the people who make the decisions here have changed, and they must abide by the new rules and adapt to the new system in the future, so as not to be like the officials in Qiongzhou. Like useless officials, they were quietly discarded.

Of course, he didn't expect to be able to completely frighten those restless people just by relying on his own speech. In the process of Haihan's unification of Qiongzhou Island, some "reactionary elements" will inevitably jump out and try to stop Haihan. governance measures.But looking on the bright side, at this time, there will eventually be some people who will take the initiative to play the role of leading party for various reasons, and Hai Han doesn't have to worry about no one available locally.

Beginning on the 24th, the people of Fucheng discovered that the guards at the city gate and various yamen had all been replaced by the Haihan militia in gray short-shirt military uniforms instead of the yellow and emaciated guards.Although the yellow-bottomed red-sun pennant flag symbolizing the Ming regime is still flying on the top of the city, an extra flagpole has been erected beside it, and a red and blue flag has been hoisted—according to the notices posted in various places in the city , This is the military flag of the Haihan Militia.No matter how ignorant the common people are, they can feel that the sky here is about to change from this atmosphere.

On the 25th, the militia army assembled outside the east gate, then entered the city from the east gate, and marched through the city on the east-west avenue.During this period, the militia did not impose strict military control on the city, and the people were able to enjoy an armed parade deliberately arranged by the Haihan military at close range.And this kind of marching in rows is a basic skill that almost every Haihan militia soldier must master, so it is easy to practice in Fucheng.

Someone in the crowd asked, "Why is the spear tip of the Haihan people so narrow?"

"That's not a spear, look clearly, it's all muskets! A dagger is poked in front, so that you can kill the enemy at close range with a musket..." Immediately, someone kindly carried out the "science popularization".

"There are so many musketeers... No wonder they drove off the pirates within two days of their arrival!"

"My Ming Dynasty also has musketeers, why can't I beat the pirates?"

"You're stupid, you didn't see the cannon behind them!"

Watching dozens of cannons dragged by pack horses pass slowly on the avenue, all the onlookers fell into silence.Although the garrison in Fucheng is also equipped with a lot of artillery, either it has been in disrepair for a long time and can only be displayed on the city wall, or it has been destroyed in a fight with pirates a few days ago. It was too flustered when withdrawing, and it was thrown on the ground and was taken away by pirates.The number of artillery pieces of the Haihan Militia seems to be far more than that of the Ming army. As for its combat effectiveness, there seems to be no need to doubt it.

This army passed through Fucheng city in silence, and then moved out of the city from the west gate.Only an hour later, there was the sound of rumbling cannons in the distance.It goes without saying that this is the militia army and the pirates.Even those who don't like the presence of the Haihan militia in the city can only silently pray that the militia army can drive away the invading pirates as soon as possible and restore tranquility to Qiongzhou Island.

At this time, Yan Chujie and Qian Tiandun had already met at a manor ten miles west of Fucheng to discuss the next march arrangement.

"I have only 2000 people near Danzhou. The others have already arranged to evacuate to the west. If you set off here, I will arrange to evacuate here. Just keep an interval of one or two hours, so that you can also be in time. Take control of the place." Qian Tiandun pointed to the map and said: "But most of the ones left on my side are Annan guards, and their marching speed is not too fast, so don't rush too much It’s up, so as not to ruin the show.”

"I will remember to remind the people below to pay attention to this detail." Yan Chujie nodded and said, "Is everything normal in the occupied counties?"

"Only something went wrong in Chengmai. The county government caught fire and burned all kinds of files. But this may not be a bad thing for you, and there will be no pressure to expropriate land in Chengmai." Qian Tiandun He smiled and said, "It happens that you also like to be a villain, this time you can be enough."

"Then hurry up, the base camp sent a telegram today, urging us to close the show." Yan Chujie sighed: "You guys have fought a few battles anyway, and I brought the team here, it's all about arming Parade, there is no job at all!"

"Satisfied, why don't we do the dirty work for you?" Qian Tiandun replied: "The base camp is in a hurry, probably because the expenses here are too high, I want to finish the trick earlier to save some money .”

Just as Qian Tiandun guessed, the base camp was urging to finish the work quickly, and indeed some of the reasons were due to the consideration of expenses.In order to achieve the desired results in this military operation in the northern part of Qiongzhou Island, the Annan Front Army, which played the role of the villain, mobilized more than 5000 people.Coupled with the Haihan militia that almost came out in full force, the Military Commission has invested nearly [-] troops in the northern part of Qiongzhou Island. It is undoubtedly the largest military operation after crossing.

Although there was not even a single large-scale battle during this period, and the consumption of ammunition was not large, the daily consumption of horse chews for such a large-scale army was quite astonishing. In order to ensure the supplies of the troops participating in the war, Haihan The recent sea trade had to be sacrificed, and the sea ships were concentrated as a means of transportation for logistics supply and projection of troops.Calculating the expenses here and there, a considerable amount has been consumed in half a month.

Judging from the current progress, the effect expected by the Military Commission has basically been achieved. It is difficult for the local people to realize that the pros and cons in this drama are actually played by Hai Han, and Hai Han takes over the local government. The reasons for the affairs were so sufficient and irresistible that Daming basically had no chance of turning things around.At this time, based on the consideration of saving a little bit, the base camp naturally wants to urge them to speed up the pace of action.

After two hours of simulated combat exercises, the two have already discussed a rough plan for the next regional handover steps, and the details of subsequent actions must be passed through the radio during the process of advancing and retreating. Waiting for means to keep in touch.

At night on the 25th, the restless people finally looked forward to the news of the victory of the Haihan militia, and the defeated pirate army had withdrawn to the west, and the siege of Fucheng was over.The gloomy mood caused by the half-month siege of the city was immediately forgotten by the people. Although the curfew in the city has not been lifted, the people still celebrated this long-awaited victory in various ways.

"You see, as long as we can provide them with a safe and stable living environment, they don't care who the ruler is." Yan Chujie pointed to a few courtyards under the city wall where fireworks were being set off: "Yes As far as these ordinary people are concerned, we are good people, and we have done a better job than the Ming government."

"In a few days, when the situation calms down and the naturalization system is promoted here, then it will be considered that this place will be brought under the control of the executive committee." The person who answered the call was Qiu who had just rushed here to report. Yuan, he has been appointed by the executive committee to be the person in charge of Qiongzhou Fucheng area after the war.

Qiu Yuan was one of the first batch of cadres dispatched abroad by the executive committee. He was one of the members when the office in Ya was established, and was later transferred back to Shengli Port to serve as the director of the port management committee. There are not many competitors in the time-traveling group, so it is logical and indisputable to get this promotion opportunity.

Since the 26th, the militia army has marched all the way west, "recovering" Chengmai, Ding'an, Lingao and other counties like a broken bamboo, and has advanced to the territory of Danzhou on the 30th, much faster than when the pirate army came over. .

On October 10, after a "fierce battle" in the south of Danzhou City, the pirate army retreated again, and the military flag of the militia was successfully planted on the head of Danzhou City. The city has been successfully recaptured by the Haihan militia.

In the afternoon of the same day, thousands of pirates who fled in panic boarded and retreated in Danzhou Bay, declaring the complete failure of the pirates' attack on Qiongzhou Island.Of course, it seems a little inaccurate to say that they fled in a panic. According to the situation seen by the people in the Baimajing fishing village by the sea, the pirates retreated as orderly as when they came, and there was no panic.And the militia army did not carry out the pursuit of the tail. It was not until the pirates finished boarding and left Danzhou Bay for more than half an hour that the troops of the Haihan militia rushed to Baimajing and announced that everything here would be included in Haihan people immediately. In the regiment's military control.

On November 1630, 11, September 2th of the third year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty, the Governor's Mansion of Guangdong and Guangxi in Zhaoqing.

Liu Qian hurried into Wang Zunde's study with a document: "My lord, the latest news has arrived from Qiongzhou Island!"

"Oh?" Wang Zunde raised his head and put down the brush in his hand: "Read!"

"...Our troops fought hard for five days. On September [-], we took back Qiongzhou Prefecture and killed more than a thousand enemies. On September [-], we defeated the enemy in Chengmai County and killed more than [-] bandits. September [-] After a day of hard fighting, Lingao County was broken down, and several bandit leaders were killed. The bandit army retreated all the way west, and our troops chased after each other in the starry night. Two days later, they fought a decisive battle with the bandits outside the city of Danzhou..."

"What's the result?" Wang Zunde finally couldn't help getting nervous when he heard this, and asked aloud.

Liu Qian hurriedly continued to read: "...the soldiers spared their lives, and fortunately they did not disgrace their lives, and successfully regained Danzhou City. The rest of the thieves fled from Danzhou Bay by boat, and it was too late for them to attack. There are no worries in the near future... ..."

"Good! Good! Good!" Wang Zunde finally fell into his stomach like a big stone, and before Liu Qian finished the book, he praised it repeatedly.

The large-scale attack by pirates on Qiongzhou Island this time is undoubtedly an extremely serious dereliction of duty for the Guangdong government. When Qiongzhou Island has almost lost all the cities in the north, the Guangdong government has not even organized a rescue mission. army.If this situation is finally brought to the imperial court, all the officials in Guangdong will be unlucky.

If it wasn't for Haihan's initiative to send militia troops to fight, relying solely on the Guangdong government's own strength, it is estimated that half of Qiongzhou Island has already been lost by this time.For Wang Zunde, the Haihan militia saved not only the cities of Qiongzhou Island, but also the black hat on his head.

(End of this chapter)