1635 Han style rises again

Chapter 403 Attacking Luzon ([-])
March 1641, 3, Luzon, Cavite port. .

In a big tent near the pier, more than a dozen generals of Zheng Jun showed serious expressions on their faces. They glanced at each other occasionally, and then quickly shifted their eyes. .

Yang Geng, the commander of the Zheng Army and Army Division, divided the left and right generals in the majestic left and right shuttle tents. I hope they can put forward constructive opinions on how to deal with the current stalemate with the Spaniards in Manila.

Originally, according to the plan of the leading coach Yang Geng this time, the city of Manila was well-defended, the Westerners had many firearms, and the city walls were tall and thick, so it would not be possible to break through in a short time.Therefore, I want to adopt a long-term siege to cut off the external supply of the Spaniards, and finally force them to surrender the city.

However, a week ago, the Spaniards took advantage of the opportunity of countless volcanic ash falling over the Luzon region, blocking their sight, and gathered more than a dozen fishing boats, piled with a large number of fire igniters, under the cover of five Spanish galleons. Out of the port of Manila, they attacked the naval warships of Zheng Jun who were carrying out the blockade mission outside the port.

Zheng Jun's navy was caught off guard, and the fleet was intruded by a Spanish refitted arson ship, which caused Zheng Jun's ships to dodge in a panic, but was bombarded by the Spanish warships on the periphery with their dense artillery and tall and strong hull. Colliding, attacking and killing Zheng Jun's scattered ships one by one.

After more than two hours of fierce fighting, the Spaniards sank and damaged more than [-] warships of the Zheng Army Navy at the cost of more than a dozen arson ships. , sailed towards the open sea, and disappeared into the vast sea.

Afterwards, the other part of the Zheng Jun Navy, which was temporarily repaired in Cavite, rushed to Manila Bay after hearing the news, but as far as the eye could see, there were boards, wooden barrels, and countless warships of the Zheng Jun Navy floating on the sea. broken ship canvas.

Angry, Yang Geng ordered the warships to try to forcefully enter the Manila port again, but was blocked by the opponent's dense coastal defense forts, and had no choice but to retreat out of the range of the dock forts.

In this battle, Zheng Jun's navy lost 45 large and small ships and more than [-] sailors, which made the coach Yang Geng furious.

Before Zheng Jun recovered from the attack, just two days ago, the five Spanish warships that broke out of the blockade appeared near Cavite again, and raided the Zheng Jun navy warship that was being repaired here.After they sank and injured several Zheng Jun ships, they quickly withdrew and disappeared into the sea again.

Faced with this situation, Zheng Jun coach Yang Geng couldn't help but feel a headache.The five gunboats on the other side did not know where they were hiding, and rushed out suddenly to attack Zheng Jun, so that Zheng Jun didn't dare to spread the ships too far.You know, at that time, when they completely blocked the port of Manila and blocked the Spanish warships at the pier, Zheng Jun's navy only needed to be vigilant and pay attention to the direction of the port of Manila.

Today, the Spaniards have five powerful warships rushing out, not only can sneak attack Zheng Jun's ships in Manila to carry out the blockade mission, but also can sneak attack Zheng Jun's ships repaired in Cavite, and they can even go north Driving, hiding on the route between Taiwan and Luzon, attacking the supply transport ships that Zheng Jun traveled to and from, if one is not good, it may cut off Zheng Jun's logistical supplies.

"The Xiyi ship must be hidden in a certain stronghold in Luzon to stop and repair, and wait for an opportunity to attack our naval warship. On the way now, our land division will not be afraid of casualties, quickly break through the city of Manila, capture its high-level colonial officials in Luzon, and then Then slowly wipe out all the strongholds in Xiyi, and finally take all the land of Luzon. Or, our navy can find a temporary shelter for Xiyi warships, annihilate its mobile fleet, and continue to besiege Luzon, waiting for its own Extinct." Said a Zheng Jun naval guerrilla.

"Although Luzon is an island, its territory is very vast. Xiyi has been operating for decades, and there are probably not a few occupied points. How can my naval warship find the hiding place of Xiyi's big ship?" Another naval guerrilla frowned. Said.

"The city of Manila is well-defended. If we want to attack quickly, I'm afraid we will fill in all the more than [-] soldiers we bring, and we may not be able to break through the city." Chen Hui, who is in charge of the Zheng Army's land division, said with a wry smile: "In this case, we can only take it slowly. , Waiting for Xiyi to die of sleepiness."

"If we can't wipe out the big ships of Xiyi, our navy will have to fortify day and night. After a long time, the soldiers will inevitably be exhausted. If you are not careful, you may lose the ships again." Yang Geng frowned and said: "Besides, I will attack Lu Song It has been more than two months since the army has assembled here, and the consumption is increasing day by day, and the supplies and supplies it carries may not last long. If Manila cannot be conquered before June, when the southeast trade wind arrives, our army's supplies will be in extremely unfavorable conditions."

"Therefore, the Army Division must at least be able to capture its docks before June to achieve the goal of completely blocking and besieging Manila City. Only in this way can our army be in a state of freedom to advance and retreat. Ladies and gentlemen, can you teach me any good strategies?"

"Commander, I have something to say." In the big tent, the generals frowned and were thinking hard, a voice suddenly sounded from the corner.

"Shi Qianhu, do you have a good plan to defeat the enemy? Tell me quickly." Seeing that it was Shi Lang who spoke, Yang Geng's heart moved, and then he said expressionlessly: "If you can present a clever plan, break through Xiyi, and finally win the battle." Accounting for Lu Song, your official position in a thousand households must be mentioned again."

"I have some ideas in my humble position, and I tell you generals. If there is something wrong, please correct me, master and generals." Shi Lang cupped his fists and saluted Yang Geng and the front row of generals and guerrillas, "Five big ships from Xiyi broke through our naval battle. The ship was blocked and escaped into the sea without being found. However, our army still has to beware of the opponent's sneak attack from time to time, and even more worried that the opponent will cut off my supply and transportation. Therefore, if our army wants to focus on attacking Manila, it is necessary to cut off the west. Only by destroying the big ship can we have no worries.”

Many Zheng Jun generals sitting here couldn't help frowning. We all know these difficulties, so you don't need to repeat them to us again, just tell us your solution!

"Actually, it's very simple to find out where the Xiyi ship is hiding." Shi Lang said: "The ship will not always be floating on the sea when it goes out to sea. There must be a supply and repair base to dock. And this can supply ships The base for replenishment and repairs can not only replenish fresh water, but also provide simple maintenance for the ships. As long as we follow this requirement, we will definitely be able to find a temporary stop for Xiyi ships.”

"Xiyi has been operating in Luzon for decades, and it must occupy a lot of colonial points. As for where we can provide ship maintenance, our army is new here, how do we know, and where do we go to find this place?" said a naval officer. Said.

"Some of our navy officers and soldiers should know where in Luzon other than Manila, we can provide simple ship maintenance for ships."

"Oh, who among the officers and soldiers of my navy knows the details of this place in Luzon?"

"Last year, didn't we receive a Spanish ship from the Hanzhou people, and all the officers and sailors on board were filled into our navy. Those Westerners must know about it." Shi Lang reminded with a smile.

"Here!" A naval officer shouted in surprise, "There are officers and soldiers in our navy who have surrendered Xiyi, and they must know where the stronghold in Luzon can provide simple maintenance for the ships! After this fight, even Forget them all."

Yang Geng was also happy in his heart, if he could find the stronghold where the big ships of Xiyi stopped temporarily and launch a surprise attack, maybe he could capture their ships in one fell swoop and increase his own strength.This Shi Lang is really clever!

"Commander, I also have an idea about the Lu division's capture of the Manila port." Shi Lang said that all the generals present agreed with his suggestion, and he was happy in his heart.

"Oh, come on!" Yang Geng cheered up.

"The defense force of Manila port is nothing more than a few forts built by it, as well as the parapets connected to the city, coupled with the bombardment of several artillery pieces from Xiyi, which made it impossible for our army officers and soldiers to approach. However, Xiyi has a fatal The disadvantage is that their numbers are far smaller than our army. If our army can get close to its fortress and protective wall and make a full-scale assault, Xiyi will definitely be unable to resist."

"In order to avoid casualties, our Army Division cannot directly face the attack of Xiyi artillery and muskets, and approach the port area. For this reason, the general suggested that the officers and soldiers of the Army Division should adopt digging and suddenly approach the fortifications of Xiyi. Then suddenly launch an attack on it. In this way, we should be able to conquer the Xiyi port area, and then form a two-sided attack on Manila."

"Excavation of civil engineering, gradually approaching the defenses of Xiyi city, so that the officers and soldiers of our land division will not be killed or injured. People who are older than the army, I didn't expect it. This is really ridiculous!" Yang Geng heard Shi Lang's land warfare method , couldn't help shaking his head and smiling bitterly.

Among the many war cases in the past dynasties, there are dozens of classic battles of digging and attacking the city.Even in today's northern refugee riots, some thieves used the method of digging and attacking the city to break through several counties and prefectures controlled by the imperial court.

However, Zheng Jun was helpless in the face of the fortified city of Manila, and finally tried to capture the city with a long-term siege and then seize Luzon.Although the method of digging and besieging the city is time-consuming and labor-intensive, it is still more active than the all-consuming way of besieging the city.

Qi Dajiang couldn't help but took a closer look at Shi Lang, this young Qianhu had a meticulous mind and was connected to land and water, given time, he would surely become a general.Among Zheng Jun, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is indeed, and should not be underestimated.

However, when Shi Lang mentioned that the Spanish ships would definitely stop at a stronghold that could provide ship maintenance, he suddenly thought of San Fernando, a seaside town where they landed in Luzon.

There used to be a ship repair shop in the Spanish stronghold that they broke. Although all the craftsmen were captured by them to Hanzhou, some of the facilities there are still there. Maybe Spain restored it later.

Will the Spanish ships rushing out of the blockade hide there?
(End of this chapter)