1635 Han style rises again

Chapter 613 Preemptive strike (five)

September 1648, 9, Makassar.

Compared with the state of Qi's army in Annan, which smashed through the Annan capital, Thang Long City, the Dutch attack fleet of the East India Company's expedition to Makassar encountered serious trouble.

After two days of shelling, the Dutch destroyed several small forts set up by the Govasudan Kingdom on the coast and landed smoothly.However, when more than a thousand mercenaries and native servants attacked the Zomba-Opu Fortress, they encountered difficulties immediately.You said that such a small Tubang kingdom actually built such a fortress in the shape of a European fortress, and there are more than a dozen large and small cannons on the top of the city.

The Dutch only launched an attack tentatively. After dozens of casualties, they gave up the idea of ​​relying on manpower to capture the fortress.Not to mention that there are a large number of artillery deployed at the top of the city, there are more than 3000 soldiers of the Govasudan Kingdom stationed in this fortress, including hundreds of musketeers. Faced with this situation, the Dutch themselves have fewer troops and , the heavy artillery has not been transported to the shore, how can we conquer this well-defended fortress?
During the confrontation for several days, the commander of the Dutch landing force also found that sporadic Portuguese appeared on the walls of the fortress. Obviously, the other party had actually united to resist the Dutch invasion.

Colonel Carsten Kuritz, the commander of the fleet, also wanted to divide his troops to attack the Portuguese strongholds, but although the opponents were small in number, they were extremely vigilant. Landing ashore without a chance of breakthrough.

The Portuguese learned the lesson of the failure of the defense of Malacca, and fully combined their built fortresses, coastal defense facilities and the terrain of Makassar without leaving any flaws for the Dutch to take advantage of.

Of course, the Dutch could also choose to blockade Makassar, but this would only weaken the Portuguese’s economic strength and prevent them from conducting normal trade, but this method could not cause the other party to voluntarily surrender due to lack of supplies.Because the Gowa people on the island would provide the Portuguese with a steady stream of food and other basic living supplies, enough to keep them going longer.

"Colonel, I think this expedition should end." Lieutenant Colonel Curtis Bellman, the deputy commander of the fleet, said solemnly: "We are facing the Portuguese and the Gowas. We may not be able to break through the opponent's defense head-on. In addition, Our military strength is not superior, and logistical supplies are also a big problem. In order to ensure the safety of our entire fleet, we must retreat."

"Your Excellency and Major General Kopet have great expectations for this expedition, and this military operation will also play a decisive role in our future strategic situation." Colonel Kuritz couldn't help but sighed: "If , our expedition failed to achieve any goals, which may affect the prestige of our East India Company here, and it is more likely to inspire many natives in the East Indies, making them resolutely resist our rule and distribution of benefits .”

"However, with our current strength, it is impossible to capture the Gowa and Portuguese strongholds at the same time." Lieutenant Colonel Behrman shook his head and said: "We need more assistance, otherwise, we can only be blocked by the enemy at sea .”

"Lieutenant Colonel Behrman, do you have any good suggestions?" Colonel Kuritz asked.

"For more than 100 years, the Gowa people have conquered this island in order to obtain a large amount of territory, and attacked many kingdoms established by the Buji people in the north." Lieutenant Colonel Bellman said: "I heard that these Buji people (also known as Bukit people) Sri Lanka) are very dissatisfied with the rule of the Gowa people, and armed resistance often breaks out. We should suggest to the Governor, send envoys to contact them to attack the Gowa people. If the Gowa people are defeated, then, I think the Portuguese will lose the protection and support they deserve."

"Lieutenant Colonel Bellman, I am very pleased that you have such a detailed understanding of the natives on this island." Colonel Kuritz nodded with satisfaction, "Then, we will send a liaison boat back to Batavia and The actual situation here and our suggestions will be reported to the Governor-General. But in the meantime, we need to continue to blockade Makassar, and we must make the Portuguese and Gowa people feel the pressure we are exerting on them."
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September 9, Thang Long City.

The negotiation between Qi State and Annan Zheng Clan has been going on for four days. He is eager to get rid of the enemy on both sides and prepares to organize all forces to deal with the southern Ruan Clan’s attack. Zheng Bing almost agreed to all the conditions proposed by Qi State, including paying compensation, severing relations with the Dutch, and doing business. Opening up the market, establishing business stations, sending representatives, etc., can all be approved, but they disagree with life and death except for the cession of land.

Due to being under the direct rule of China for a long time, Annan was deeply influenced by Chinese culture. After independence, although he was still a vassal state of Chinese dynasties, but because he was far away from the political center of China, the monarch of Annan adopted two sets of discourse internally and externally. : Calling China "King" and internally calling it "Emperor" (that is, "outside the king inside the emperor"), and regard China as the Northern Dynasty, and think that the North and the South are "each emperor and one side", quite a concept of "two Chinas".

In Southeast Asia, Annan regarded himself as China and Huaxia, and called other countries barbarians. Since independence, he often sent troops to surrounding Ailao, Champa, Laos, Khmer and other countries and regions in the name of "using Xia to change barbarians". From a small country in the Red River Basin to a big country on the Indochina Peninsula.

Therefore, how can the majestic "Chinese" country easily cede territory to a small foreign country [-] miles away?It's too bad, we can't afford to lose that person!Although this small Fanbang country was also built by the "survivors" of the northern dynasty, it lived in a remote and barbaric place after all, so it naturally belonged to the barbarians.

Losing some money, opening up our own market, and doing trade, although it is somewhat embarrassing, does not hinder the territorial integrity of our country.However, if the land is ceded, it will severely damage the prestige of the Zheng family, and it is absolutely unacceptable to Zheng Bing, who aims to unify Annan and establish a prosperous dynasty.

"In addition, your country wants to cut off the piece of coastal land between Banjiang and Taipingjiang in our country (now Haiphong City, Vietnam), which belongs to the essence of our country. It is densely populated and has a large number of people. In addition, this place is too close to Thang Long City. Therefore, this land cession clause is absolutely unacceptable." Zheng Zhongyu, Minister of Rites of the Li Dynasty, said sternly: "If your country insists on doing it, our country of Da Viet will mobilize the whole country, and we will spare no effort to fight for it!"

He Yunfeng turned his head to look at Niu Hu, feeling awe-inspiring in his heart.If the Zheng family is pushed into a hurry, the other party will probably disregard the threat of the Ruan family in the south and mobilize the domestic army to surround them in Shenglong City first, which will be very bad.In order to deal with the possible Sino-Dutch war, we took the military action to beat the Zheng family in advance, not to destroy the country and occupy the land.

Although the other side attacked Thang Long City with a surprise attack, Annan was still a big country with a population of millions, and it had a complete governance system and state power, far from being comparable to the small Tubang country on Timor Island.

"Then how about canceling the cession?" Niu Hu whispered to Qi Dalu.Originally negotiating with the Zheng family, they didn't really want to cut off a piece of territory from Annan. They just wanted to open their mouths and ask for prices, and then waited for the Annan people to bargain.Now it seems that the other party is really unwilling to cede the land, so it is better to let it go and end this military operation as soon as possible.

Zheng Zhongyu looked at the three Qi soldiers in black military uniforms sitting in front of him calmly, but he was a little nervous.The news came from the south yesterday that the Ruan rebellion crossed the sea and landed on the Qiying north of the river through dozens of small boats, causing the Zheng army's defense line to shake again, allowing the Ruan army brigade on the south bank of the river to take advantage of the situation and break through the river. After facing Zheng Jun's defense in person, he is rushing to the north.

The Mo family, who was struggling in the north, heard that Shenglong City had been breached by the Qi army, and immediately moved out of Gaoping, advancing to Beigan, and threatening Taiyuan.

In order to deal with the current unfavorable situation, Zheng Ting told Zheng Zhongyu tactfully that if the Qi State insisted on ceding the territory, it might as well make some concessions, find a remote place near the north, or a coastal island, and hand it over to the other party, but the contract does not allow any ceding typeface.

Zheng Zhongyu threatened Qi State in his mouth, and would mobilize the power of the whole country to fight it with all his strength, but in fact he couldn't do it at all.The biggest threat to the Zheng family is the rebellion of the Ruan family in the south. If they are allowed to attack and unify Annan, the Zheng family may be wiped out.And this country of Qi is thousands of miles away, even if they get a piece of land, they will not swallow the whole of Annan.Therefore, some requirements for them can be slightly compromised.

In the end, because of the firm demands of the Annan people, Qi State canceled the request for land cession, but increased the amount of compensation from 20 taels of silver to 30 taels, and then hastily signed a formal contract with Annan.

[-]. After the signing of the contract, the two sides ended the state of war, and the army of Qi State withdrew from the territory of Annan, and agreed to be friendly with each other. Those who live in other countries will be protected by that country for their safety;
[-]. The country of Dai Viet opened Hung Gai (now Halong City, Vietnam) and Nam Dinh as treaty ports, allowing the people of Qi to bring their families to live, do business, travel, and provide personal protection;
40. The State of Dai Viet decided to make up [-] taels of silver for Qi State's water and army expenses, and to make up for it at its discretion, and to deliver it to Qi State within three months after the signing of the contract.Before the payment is made, the State of Qi can temporarily occupy Powan Island (now Catba Island, Halong Bay, Vietnam) as a mortgage;
[-]. After the signing of the contract, Dai Viet will expel all foreign hired foreigners, and promise not to engage in hostile acts against Qi with any third country (power);

[-]. Where there are businessmen from the State of Qi who go to various ports of trade, no matter who they trade with, they should be at their own convenience, and restrictions that hinder trade should not be set up; if merchants from the State of Qi are allowed to establish their own trading stations at the ports of trade, the State of Da Viet shall properly grant them protection and respect;
[-]. The import and export taxes and rates that should be paid by the two parties for all matters of trade and commerce should be negotiated impartially by both parties so that merchants in the Qi State can pay according to the regulations;
[-]. After the signing of the contract, both parties shall release each other's soldiers and civilians.

After the contract was signed, the army of Qi State immediately began to withdraw from Shenglong City. Nearly a hundred ships of various sizes and countless wooden rafts, loaded with plundered goods, money and silver, stretched for several miles above the Red River.

On September 9, the fleet arrived at the estuary of the Honghe River and joined the fleet of Qi State waiting here.It took another two days to transfer the supplies, gold, silver, and women from the rafts and boats to the big boat.Then, turn the bow and head south all the way, returning to Nanping (now Cam Ranh, Vietnam).

(End of this chapter)