1635 Han style rises again

Chapter 619 The Decisive Battle in Ambon ([-])

1649, the year of Ji Chou, the seventh year of Ganwu in Hanzhou Daqi, the fourth year of Yongchu in Ming Dynasty, and the sixth year of Shunzhi in the Puppet Qing Dynasty.

After the signing of the Peace Treaty of Westphalia in October last year (1648), the European continent was filled with 10 years of war, which was completely extinguished in the new year and began to enter a rare period of peace.

On January 1, King Charles I of England was sent to the guillotine, ending the rule of the Stuart dynasty in England, and England has since become a republic without a king and a House of Lords.

After Li Zicheng's death in Changsha in August last year, the Shun army was in disarray, and within a few months, a huge split appeared.At the beginning, Tian Jianxiu and Yuan Zongdi intended to surrender, but Li Guo, Gao Yigong and others were still hesitant.Tong Yanghe, the governor of Huguang in the Qing army, was ecstatic, and sent letters six times to appease him. Each time he offered more generous conditions, each time his attitude became more sincere, and his feelings became stronger each time.As a result, most of the Shun army gradually had the intention of submitting,

However, Dorgon, who was in Beijing, repeatedly insisted on shaving his hair for the anti-surrender army, and all his family members moved to Hebei.This move was flatly rejected by most of the generals of the Shun Army, and the idea of ​​surrendering to the Qing Dynasty was cut off.

Subsequently, Li Guo and others advocated descending to the Ming Dynasty, but they were flatly rejected by He Tengjiao, governor of Huguang in the Yongchu court.Because the first Emperor Chongzhen died at the hands of Li Zicheng, Emperor Yongchu hated the rebellion. Before that, under the great pressure of the Qing army, he ordered the Hunan Ming army to flank the Shun army, which seemed to form a joint attack with the Qing army.And when Li Zicheng was attacking Changsha, he was hit by artillery from the top of the city and died in the battle. At this time, it was a great time to wipe out the thieves with all his strength, how could he be allowed to surrender.

In January, in desperation for the Shun Army, Li Guo, Gao Yigong, Yuan Zongdi and others led most of them to Guizhou and Yunnan, trying to join forces with Sun Kewang, Li Dingguo and other Western troops.Zhang Wei, Liu Rukui, Ma Chongxi and others went north to Wuchang, shaved their hair and changed clothes, and surrendered to the Qing army.

On February 2, the Daqi Kingdom of Hanzhou declared war on the Dutch East India Company on the grounds of the Mangkassar Incident, which opened the second Han-Dutch War.

A group of heavily armed East India Company mercenaries escorted two carriages and arrived at the port of Batavia.Huang Mingfang, Qi State's representative in Batavia, waited for the car to stop, stepped out of the carriage, and then smiled and looked at the senior foreign affairs representative of the East India Company, Yvel Jimenez, who got off from another carriage.

"Unfortunately, you Hanzhou chose to enter the war with us." Evel Jimenez looked at the young Hanzhou representative with a complicated expression, "This is a huge disaster for both of us. "

"Facing the aggressive situation of your Dutch East India Company, our Qi State has no choice." Huang Mingfang said: "Because you have never really respected our Qi State's interests, nor have you faced up to our Qi State's political and economic demands. Put us among the savage and ignorant natives. . . . It's time to change that!"

"Huang, tell me. Are you Hanzhou already preparing for this war in advance?"

"Our ancestors once said a very philosophical saying, no matter how big the country is, it will perish if it is warlike; although the world is safe, if you forget the war, you will be in danger."

"……Um?"

"Our country Qi is united as one, and we are ready to deal with various external threats at any time." Huang Mingfang stared at the other party's eyes, "So, we are fully prepared for any upcoming war."

"Now I somewhat agree with Mr. Upton's prediction of your Hanzhou." Evel Jimenez said seriously: "You are just waiting for an opportunity to start a war with our East India Company. You want to completely Defeat us to replace us and gain dominance in this region."

Huang Mingfang listened, looked at Ivel Jimenez, and said word by word for a while, "Your East India Company is an outsider after all, and you need to respect the new local order."

After finishing speaking, Huang Mingfang walked towards an armed merchant ship that was about to set sail back to the mainland of Hanzhou.
-
February 2, Weiyuan Island, Weiyuan Port.

The main fleet of Qi State, led by the battleships "Hanping" and "Hanhe", set sail in turn and sailed out of the harbor. Officials and people gathered on the shore stood by the pier, waving their hands constantly, saying goodbye to the fleet .

This special attack fleet gathered two battleships from the Qi State, 500 professional warships, [-] armed merchant ships, and [-] flying fish clippers, carrying more than [-] soldiers from [-] companies of the Marine Corps, and [-] native servants. More than a hundred, as well as more than a thousand doctors, construction craftsmen, and native servants.

In addition, there are six armed merchant ships and a marine company in Xuanwubao, and more than two hundred local soldiers are assembled here to support the special attack fleet at any time and launch raids on several strongholds of the Dutch East India Company in the Spice Islands.

On February 2, the task force arrived at Niu Island (now Yandana Island, Indonesia), and stopped at Niubao (now Watmuri Town, northeast of Yandana Island) for a day.

After more than ten years of continuous capture, the wild buffalo herd in the forest near Niubao has almost disappeared.In addition to the endless forests, the local area has no other resources, so it has not been replenished by new immigrants for a long time.Today, the population of the entire stronghold is only over [-] people, relying on the surrounding thousands of acres of cultivated land and a few small fishing boats, living a miserable life.

Now that the special attack fleet has arrived, thousands of people have poured into the town, breaking the peaceful life here for many years.Vegetables, melons and fruits grown behind the field houses, snacks made by residents, non-staple food such as chickens, ducks and geese raised by farmers were almost all bought by the fleet officers and soldiers.

All this made the residents of the whole town smile.Counting the lovely silver coins one by one, he wondered in his heart, if the fleet won a big victory this time, would they still have to pass through this place and return to the mainland.So, in the next few days, should we take good care of the vegetables and fruits in the courtyard, and accumulate more poultry and eggs in the house, so that we can sell more to the navy officers and soldiers next time.

When the local residents learned that Qi had declared war with the Dutch, they couldn't help but sigh.Although the Dutch may not find this inconspicuous island and massacre and kill them, the people of the Qi Kingdom, the peaceful life of more than ten years may be broken here, and more preparations for war must be done.

On February 2, the fleet left Oxburgh and headed straight for the Spice Islands.
-
March 3, Timor Island, Zhenhai (now Dili, East Timor).

Four armed merchant ships under the Dutch East India Company have been swimming outside Zhenhai Port for half a day, but they have never dared to enter the port.

The Dutch often come and go here, presumably because they have a certain understanding of the defense of Zhenhai Port.With the characteristics of the Hanzhou people, they like to build their strongholds like tortoise shells. There are many forts on the docks. Zhenhai City itself has undergone several rounds of expansion and reinforcement, which can be called a fortress.Ten years ago, the Dutch mobilized more than 2000 people and more than a dozen artillery pieces, but they were unable to break through it.Today, whether it is city defense or garrisoned armed forces, it may be more than ever.

As for the blockade and siege of this stronghold, it will not be effective.With the hard work of the Hanzhou people, thousands of acres of cultivated land must have been reclaimed around Zhenhai City. Moreover, the natives in the inland areas have already been conquered by them, and they will not worry about the shortage of supplies due to the blockade.

By noon, four Dutch armed merchant ships left Zhenhai Port one by one, turned around and headed east.

"My lord, they may be going to Baoning (now the town of Manatuto in East Timor), or Baoguai." Gu Sanping looked at the Dutch armed merchant ship going away, and said softly.

"It may also be walking around Timor Island, trying to catch our merchant ships or fishing boats." Hu Pingjiang put down the binoculars, handed them to the soldiers on duty on the watchtower, and turned around to prepare to go down.

"Then the Dutch may have to take an empty trip." Gu Sanping said later: "Half a month ago, the General Manager's Office issued an order requiring all transport ships to avoid entering river bends and ports, so as not to be caught by the Dutch." Take advantage. In addition, the fortresses and towns in various places have sufficient reserves, and there is no fear of the Dutch blockade and siege. In a short period of time, the Dutch may not be able to cause major damage to our general area of ​​Timor Island."

"The Dutch are still not courageous enough." Hu Pingjiang said as he walked: "At the beginning of the war, they should gather a strong fleet, then deploy thousands of landing troops, and directly kill us in the east of Hanzhou. As long as they are willing to pay Some casualties can completely break through a few strongholds. In my opinion, the city defense construction in many areas in the east is far worse than that of our towns on Timor Island. Moreover, I don’t believe it. Over the years, the Netherlands People don't know the location of those strongholds in the east. Damn, they are still afraid of being blocked by our fleet!"

When Gu Sanping heard the words, he didn't know how to answer the words for a while.

"Perhaps, the Dutch are not sure that they can conquer our stronghold town in the eastern part of Hanzhou." Gu San said calmly: "You need to know that the Dutch people came to Nanyang from afar for profit. But our army and civilians from Qi State live and work in Hanzhou in peace and contentment. If they are attacked by the Dutch, they will definitely be able to drive back the Dutch attack with the idea of ​​defending their home and country and uniting with the enemy."

"Your words are not bad." Hu Pingjiang nodded and said: "In terms of desperate efforts, the Dutch are definitely not as good as us. For our own land, for our own family, we will definitely fight to the death.... These days You are acting as the agent for the political affairs of Zhenhai City and the surrounding fortresses. I will supervise the training of the local soldiers and the native servants, so that they will not be on the stage when they attack Ocussi and Kupang! Hmph, wait for this battle After that, our general administration area will be able to expand to the entire Timor Island."

"There are not many Dutch people stationed in Oecussi and Kubang. As long as you pay some price, it should not be difficult to win." Gu Sanping said: "However, after occupying, they may face the counterattack of the Dutch, maybe they will Send a fleet to block and besiege these two places."

"So, after we capture these two Dutch strongholds, we must transport the necessary supplies and food as soon as possible. As long as we can survive the first wave of Dutch counterattacks, we will almost be able to gain a firm foothold. In this way, we will Completely expelled the Dutch forces from Timor Island."
-
On March 3, eight warships flying the red and yellow dragon flags of the Qi State suddenly broke into Ambon Bay. A Dutch merchant ship that had just left the port of Ambon was quickly surrounded by ships from the State of Qi before it could turn around. , Then under several rounds of shelling, he reluctantly raised the white flag and surrendered to the officers and soldiers of the Qi State Navy in shame.

The first battle was won, and the morale of the officers and soldiers of the Qi State Navy was greatly boosted. After sending more than a dozen officers and sailors to take over the surrendered Dutch merchant ships, they sailed straight to the Ambon Wharf.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!..." A warship of the State of Qi was on the sea more than 400 meters away from the wharf, and was suddenly bombarded by more than ten artillery pieces, and one shell hit the front of the ship. A shell penetrated the sail, and immediately three sailors were hit by splashed sawdust, but fortunately they did not hurt any vital parts, and were dragged to the bottom cabin by their companions screaming.

The following Qi warships stopped immediately, and then opened a distance, preparing to turn the hull sideways and use the side artillery to fight back.

Luo Rucheng held the binoculars in both hands, frowned, and watched the four warships in front of him and the fort on the dock bombard each other.In less than half an hour, except for the warship that was exploring the way at the beginning, the other three warships were shot by the opponent several times in different parts. Several large holes were opened in the ship's side, stern, and tower, and there was even a The mast of the ship was hit by chain bullets and fell on the deck, which has greatly affected its maneuverability.

"Signal, let them all withdraw." Luo Rucheng turned his head and ordered.

The defense of the port of Ambon has been significantly strengthened compared to ten years ago. There are sixteen artillery pieces currently firing, but he believes that the number of artillery pieces on the other side must be more than that.The purpose of knocking down the opponent's fort with a warship will definitely not be achieved.

If the Marine Corps landed in advance, walked through the jungle, launched an attack on Ambon City, and replicated the results of the year, it might not be effective again.You must know that Ambon City was captured twice by the Qi army before, no matter how stupid the Dutch were, they would not make the same mistake for the third time.

Watching the four warships of Hanzhou withdraw from the harbor one after another, warm cheers erupted from the fort at the Ambon Wharf.

"Hey, timid Hanzhou people, if you have the guts, go ahead!"

"Haven't the Hanzhou people always acted bravely? Why did they slip away with their tails between their legs today!"

"They are a group of cowards, a group of cowards. ... Hanzhou people know how to engage in sneak attacks. Today, you have tasted the taste of shells. I guess you will have to go back and cry to find your mother. Haha..."

"..."

"The morale of the boys is very high, which is very good news for us." Scotty Evans, the governor of Ambon, said with a smile: "The first round of Hanzhou attack is about to hit our city of Ambon. , presumably trying to reproduce the results of the war ten years ago, and preparing to give our East India Company a blow. Unfortunately, they made the wrong idea!"

"Your Excellency, I think that although the Hanzhou people were repelled by us, they are definitely not willing to leave." Lieutenant Chris Klein, the commander of the fort, said cautiously: "They may intercept and attack outside the port. Merchant ships coming to Ambon may also block us to cut off the connection between the Spice Islands and Batavia."

"Block us?" Governor Scotty Evans couldn't help laughing when he heard the words: "So, how many warships does Hanzhou need to mobilize to achieve this? Don't they worry about our East India Company?" A battle at sea with them at Ambon?"

"...Maybe, Hanzhou just wants to have a decisive battle at sea with us." Lieutenant Chris Klein thought for a while and said with some uncertainty.

"Unless they are crazy, they will do this! You know, in the East Indies, our sea power far exceeds theirs. They... shouldn't take risks?!"

(End of this chapter)