1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 763
Fort Zeelandia, or its later completion, is more appropriate to be called Zeelandia City. This stronghold was also regarded as a rare fortified city among the Dutch colonies in the Far East in its original history.When Zheng Chenggong sent troops to attack the city of Zeelandia in 1661, although he had ten times as many troops, he still had no good way to take this solid stronghold divided into upper, middle and lower layers. He could only adopt the simplest and primitive method. It took nearly a year for the siege tactics, coupled with the heavy artillery provided by the Portuguese and the assistance of the Dutch traitors, finally took this stronghold.

Before they turned against Zheng Chenggong in the original history, the Dutch still had nearly 20 years to complete this project, and even had enough energy to build another bastion stronghold Prominja on the nearby coast during this period, that is, The Chihkan Tower known to later generations.But in this time and space, no matter whether it is Zheng Chenggong or his opponent, the Dutchman Frederick Coyett, due to the appearance of Haihan, an unexpected guest, they basically no longer have the opportunity to command this war that will be passed down to future generations.

However, at this time, Zeelandia Fort has only completed a little over one-third of the overall design project, and the fortifications on the bottom floor have basically been completed, but the upper two bastions, which play a more critical role in defensive warfare, have just begun. Construction will start soon.With the previous construction efficiency, it probably wouldn't be completed in three to five or seven years.And will the Haihan people have the patience to give them enough time to slowly complete this big project?The answer is obviously no.

The Dutch are no strangers to the Haihan people’s achievements in siege warfare. When Haihan conquered Hoi An and Hue in Annan three years ago, a small number of Dutch businessmen in those warring areas brought the battle back to the east. Indian company.A strong city like Hue can't stop the Haihan militia for too long, so how can we expect that Zeelandia Fort, which is currently only in the rough stage, can perform well in the war?

As for the local maritime armed forces, the Dutch are even less confident.After the Haihan militia led by Qian Tiandun defeated the Dutch armed fleet in the waters near Nanri Island in July last year, only about two-thirds of the ships and personnel remained in the Dayuangang armed fleet. The steady retreat of Shibazhi also greatly affected the trade income of Dayuan Port, so that the local area could not afford enough funds to rebuild the armed fleet.If it weren't for such an embarrassing situation, Hans wouldn't have to rush to appease the Haihan neighbors who were about to move by offering immigrants, such as drinking poison to quench their thirst.

"Order the guards to close the gates of the castle, and no one is allowed to leave the city without my warrant!" Hans ordered angrily, "Let the reserve team gather! Send people to our southern port, and have them prepare to send ships to Badawi at any time." Call the police!"

Although Hans knew very well that sending a ship to Batavia to call the police was useless, it was still a precautionary step he had to take as a senior officer.Batavia is still in a semi-paralyzed state after surviving the war this summer. The armed fleet guarding the local area dare not leave Nanyang easily at this time. There is no way to save Batavia.Compared with the city of Batavia, Zeelandia, which is far away on the island of Taiwan, it is self-evident.

Taking a ten thousand step back, even if Batavia still has spare capacity, it is willing to send reinforcements to Dayuan Port. In terms of the efficiency of fleet expeditions in this era, organizing reinforcements from Batavia to Dayuan Port will at least It is also a few months later.But the voyage from the Penghu Islands to Dayuan Port is only one day at most. If the Haihan people are willing, they can launch ten offensives from the sea every month while waiting for reinforcements in Dayuan Port, or blockade the entry and exit of Dayuan Port for a long time. channel.I'm afraid that before Batavia's reinforcements arrive, the local economy and defense will collapse.

"Bring my armor!" Hans knew that the current situation could no longer allow him to sit in the office and direct. If he didn't hurry out to show his face, there might be rumors that he had taken the lead in running away in the castle. .However, before going out to command the army, Hans did not forget another thing: "Find Philip immediately and bring him to see me! I want to know what this bastard talked to the Haihan people in Penghu!"

Philip went to Penghu with the heavy responsibility of fighting for peace for Dayuan Port, and came back after a few days of talking. Unexpectedly, Philip arrived at the front foot, and the Haihan fleet had already approached the gate of Dayuan Port the next day.Hans' first reaction was that Philip's report back was not true. Even if he didn't collude with Haihan to sell the company, he at least concealed something from himself. Under such circumstances to engage in such a surprise attack?
In fact, Philip's mood at the moment is similar to that of Hans. Hearing the news that the Haihan fleet has arrived outside Dayuan Port, his heart is like [-] grass-mud horses galloping past—it was agreed two days ago that negotiations will be carried out. To resolve the current differences of opinion between the two parties, before I left Penghu, the other party also promised to wait for the reply from the Dutch side, but it has only been a long time, and they came directly to the door with a gun and a cannon.Are the Haihan people still trustworthy?What about resolving differences through negotiation?
But before Philip heard any further news, Hans' people had already arrived at the door.But this time the soldier who came to his house was not as polite as when he was invited out of the mountain last time. He directly grabbed his arm and dragged him away: "Master Hans needs you to explain something to him in person."

If it wasn't for Philip's good mental quality, another person would probably think that this is the rhythm of being dragged out and hanged himself.Fortunately, he also knows that he is currently in control of the progress of the negotiations with Haihan. As long as the battle has not yet started, there is still room for maneuver.

Five minutes later, Philip saw Hans who was in a rage at the temporary headquarters in front of the city gate.

"You came at the right time! Tell me, what's going on? Didn't you bring back the good news of peace for us? Why did the Haihan fleet attack the door so quickly?" Hans was angry when he saw Philip's face If he didn't hit one place, he asked him like a cannonball.

Philip could only respond with a look of innocence: "Master Hans, I did have a good talk with the Haihan people before, and they also said that they will not take any violent action in the near future... This must be a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding? In the past three months, you were the only emissary to negotiate with the Haihan people. What kind of misunderstanding could there be?" Hans didn't really believe Philip's words. He always felt that the chubby businessman was hiding something from himself. The place.

Philip really lacks the basis for self-defense on this issue. After the Haihan people occupied Penghu in May, Dayuan Port has no direct contact with Haihan, but occasionally passes through some maritime merchants of Ming or Ryukyu nationality. information.The tacit understanding between the two parties basically follows the armistice agreement signed at the end of last year. There has been no new progress or major changes. Naturally, the East India Company will not take the initiative to change the situation.It wasn't until recently that Haihan sent troops to land on Taiwan Island that Dayuangang panicked and hurriedly sent Philip to negotiate with the Haihan people.

But Philip was the person in charge of the negotiation, and Hans could only listen to Philip's report on what he had discussed with the Haihan people, and he had no way to verify it with the Haihan people.But Philip had no circumstantial evidence, and it seemed that he could not prove his innocence by self-examination alone.If he wants to clear himself, he can only take another risk.

"Master Hans, with your permission, I would like to go to the Haihan people to have another interview immediately, right now!" The only way Philip could think of to prove his innocence was to go to the Haihan people again.Although he also knew that if the Haihan people were really reassured and wanted to start a war, even if he went, he might be regarded as a sacrificial flag sacrifice, but if he didn't do so, he wouldn't be able to clear himself up in Hans' eyes. "Traitor" image.

Hans was about to agree, but then he shook his head and said, "If you join the Haihan people directly after leaving the port, wouldn't it be just right?"

Philip couldn't laugh or cry: "My property and family are in Fort Zeelandia. If you are worried, please send someone to row a boat to take me out of the port. If I choose to join the enemy, then please dispose of my property and family as you like." Bar!"

Since Philip placed such a heavy bet, Hans had no choice but to trust him, and immediately sent a team of people to take him out of the city to the pier for a boat.

"There is a ship coming out of Dayuan Harbor!"

About an hour later, the sailors in charge of watching from the mast reported their findings to the deck.Qian Tiandun came to the bow immediately after getting the news, and observed the small sampan sailing from Dayuan Harbor with a telescope.Such a small boat with a length of less than five meters obviously did not come out to fight the Haihan Fleet, and the "voc" flag hanging on it representing the East India Company already showed its identity.

"When the ship arrives, bring their people to see me." Qian Tiandun ordered succinctly.He knew very well what the purpose of the Dutch sending a small boat out at this time was, and he brought the Fourth Fleet here to show off his force, and he needed such a channel to transmit news and show his purpose to the ruler of Dayuan Port.

Philip had not met Qian Tiandun during the negotiations a few days ago, but he also knew that Penghu was under a military control system, and the person who made the decisions there was a senior military officer in Haihan—probably the Qian Tiandun in front of him. Haihan officer.And being able to command such a fleet should be one of the best in Penghu.Based on this judgment, Philip immediately said what he had just thought about on the way after the meeting.

"Dear sir, we Dutch people believe that communication requires both parties to be honest. I just reached a verbal agreement with your Mr. Li in Penghu two days ago. He also assured me that Haihan will not take the initiative. Take military action against Dayuan Port." Philip's tone suddenly increased: "But what do I see now? A fully armed Haihan fleet blatantly blocked Dayuan Port without any warning. This is an act of robbery, and I protest against it on behalf of the East India Company!"

After listening to the translation, Qian Tiandun responded unhurriedly: "First of all, I want to correct one of your statements. We have not taken any military action against Dayuan Port, nor have we blocked Dayuan Port. I would like to ask you to pay attention Just to clarify, the distance between our fleet and Dayuan Port is not as close as you said, at least it is still outside the range of the artillery of both sides. In addition, we have not shown any signs of damage to Dayuan Port or the ships entering and leaving Dayuan Port. hostility, you can see, we haven't even removed the gun coverings from the artillery."

Philip sneakily glanced at the gun positions on both sides of the deck, and sure enough, the deck guns he could see were still covered with waterproof gun jackets, and it didn't look like they were about to start firing.Of course, it is not known whether the condition of the lower artillery deck is the same.As Qian Tiandun said, the Haihan Fleet didn't get too close to the harbor when it came to Dayuan Harbor, but has been cruising at a certain distance outside the coastline.It seems a bit reluctant to say that the Haihan fleet blocked the port. After all, Haihan's ships did not block the passageway in and out of the port, nor did they use force against any target.

"Then what's the purpose of your fleet coming here? They don't come here specially for fishing, do they?" Philip was also a little annoyed that Qian Tiandun's wording was dissolved by Qian Tiandun's words.

"This is a very common daily sea training for us, but we just happened to be near Dayuan Port." Qian Tiandun smiled and said, "I believe that your country's navy will also conduct similar training, which is not unusual, isn't it? ?”

Forced coincidence!Philip is not an idiot, so he naturally wouldn't be "just right" as Qian Tiandun said, military operations would be planned in advance, how could there be such a "just right" arrangement?And the timing was too coincidental, as soon as I came back from Penghu, the Haihan Fleet followed. Wasn't this intentional to demonstrate to Dayuangang?
"Dear sir, no matter whether you are out of naval training needs or have other purposes, this kind of action without prior notification is very easy to cause misunderstandings. I suggest that you start from now on. Try to put an end to this kind of behavior, so as not to affect the armistice agreement between us and the unfinished negotiations." Although Philip was furious, he still tried his best to maintain restraint and bargain with Qian Tiandun as calmly as possible.

"It would be a pity if you misunderstood our normal military training for other purposes." Qian Tiandun nodded and said, "I agree with what you said, and it is indeed necessary to inform you. But since it is still There is no major misunderstanding, presumably it is too late to report now."

"Huh?" Philip could faintly smell an ominous smell from Qian Tiandun's tone.

(End of this chapter)