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Chapter 1386 The Fall of the Fortress
The Xhosa people in Enbird City all came from several large nearby tribes. Although they were enthusiastic about more modern workshops and large-scale farming, and were willing to change their lifestyle to settle in the city, how could they change their semi-nomadic and semi-hunting lifestyle in a short time? Some of the tribesmen remained on their original land to continue living.

Now that their ancestral home is almost destroyed by the enemy, the clansmen in the city naturally want to go back and see it. In their hearts, the land left by their ancestors will always be the most precious.

"Alas... what is destined to happen will happen! Governor Zhang, there is something I must say in advance, even if it is unpleasant to hear. If we cannot stop the Xhosa people in the city, it is only a matter of time before it falls. Rather than being in a panic when the time comes, we should make plans in advance."

Xiao Si knew exactly what the European coalition was planning, but it was an open conspiracy, and even if he understood it, it would be difficult to break. If he desperately tried to stop the Xhosa from leaving, it would not only be ineffective but could also backfire.

If they were not stopped from leaving the city, they would soon become prisoners of the European coalition, be forced to join the siege force, and die in front of the Xhosa people in the city at the guns of the Ming army.

Whose life isn't given by their mother and father? Imagine how the Xhosa people in the city must feel, watching their parents, children, relatives, and friends die before their eyes. It's hard to say whether the tens of thousands of Xhosa people in the city will still be of one mind with the Ming army.

"...Will it really come to that?" Zhang Yongling understood Xiao Si's words perfectly and knew what he meant, but he was unwilling to agree.

As the first governor of South Africa appointed by the emperor, he should have governed the region peacefully. However, he was forced to abandon the city due to internal strife just as a major war broke out. This not only constituted dereliction of duty but also tarnished the emperor's reputation.

“Governor Zhang, you are one of His Majesty’s men. Even if I were not good with words, I would not speak recklessly about such matters. If we abandon Enbird City now, we can retreat to Enbird Port and rely on its strong defenses to continue fighting the enemy. As long as we hold the port and wait for reinforcements, the final outcome is still uncertain.”

If they are forced to leave Enbird City, less than half of the more than 2000 Marines here will be able to return, and all the weapons and ammunition stored in the city will fall into enemy hands, increasing the difficulty of defending the port area.

Although I am of low rank and have little influence, I understand the importance and urgency of matters, and I am willing to take full responsibility for this decision. However, the families and artisans within the city cannot be driven away by military orders; the governor's approval is also required.

Xiao Si explained why he wanted to give up Enbird City in plain language, outlining the pros and cons and stating his willingness to take responsibility.

Whether or not to give up in the end is not up to him alone or the military. After all, the governor is still alive, and his consent and cooperation are required for an orderly retreat.

Conversely, if the military acts alone, even abandoning some families and civilians within the city, that would be considered abandonment, not a responsibility. Even if it ultimately proves to be the right thing to do, it would still be very troublesome, and might even implicate Yan Busi, Jie Ji, and the Naval Staff, making them suffer the consequences.

"...What about the Xhosa people in the city?" Faced with matters of life and death and responsibility, Zhang Yongling was undecided for a moment, pacing back and forth for a long time before finally speaking.

"Those willing to retreat to the port area with the Ming army will be held in centralized custody and will not be released until after the war. Those who wish to return to their territory will not be forced, but they must return to the port area first before heading east, thus avoiding capture by the European coalition forces. Those who refuse to comply with either... will simply remain in the city to fend for themselves!"

In fact, the Naval Staff and the General Staff had developed multiple contingency plans for Enbird Port many years ago, including specific steps for evacuation in the event of a forced retreat. Now, Xiao Si didn't need to rack his brains to create anything; he only needed to read the corresponding plan clauses according to the different levels of the situation. "...Now that things have come to this, I have no choice but to do this. I have been deeply involved in the Governor-General's region for three years, yet I have failed to appease the people. I have failed His Majesty and the Court. Commander Xiao, His Majesty has given a clear decree: the Governor-General cannot interfere in military affairs, much less dictate to the frontline commanders."

Since you believe we should evacuate voluntarily, then don't hesitate. Follow the rules, and I will faithfully record the entire process. However, evacuating the city's inhabitants safely will require some work. How much time do we have left?" After pacing around a few more times, Zhang Yongling made up his mind.

His true intention was not to abandon the city; the governor had lost even his capital, how could he possibly face the emperor? But he had commanded troops before and knew what he should do now, and he also knew who the emperor hated most.

If you listen to the military's advice and don't obstruct them, you'll at most bear the responsibility for poor governance; but if you insist on going against the military to avoid responsibility and stubbornly cling to Enbird City, you might end up implicating the military as well, and your responsibility will be even greater.

"Ten hours is a process, from arresting to driving them into action. I figure it should be done by noon tomorrow. Of course, the sooner the better. I'll also arrange for the transfer of important supplies as soon as possible. Anything that can't be moved should be blown up; nothing can be left behind!"

Xiao Si had no idea how long the European coalition would need to capture the nearby Xhosa people, or when they would send Xhosa people to be used as cannon fodder. He could only make a rough judgment based on common sense.

In reality, as long as Zhang Yongling agrees to the evacuation, a few hours earlier or later makes little difference. Enbird City's defense system is not yet at the point of collapse; the evacuation is merely to gain the initiative, not to hastily flee.

A resounding victory! The capture of Ennbird in seven days was a powerful boost and a life-saving remedy for the Allied commander Bernhard and the European generals throughout the Ennbird war zone.

If the battle drags on for another half month without any results, this multinational army will likely gradually lose confidence in the face of ever-increasing casualties.

To be fair, when the European allied generals first arrived at the Cape of Good Hope and witnessed the roaring westerly winds, the towering waves, and the impregnable harbor of Ennis, a sense of dread generally arose. Privately, more and more people believed the battle was unlikely to be won, and doubts began to arise about Bernhard's battle plan.

However, facts speak louder than words. Bernhard truly deserved his title as Marshal of the French Army and lived up to the honor of Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces. Disregarding his own safety, he personally led a large army across the desolate deserts, plateaus, and Gobi to launch a surprise attack on Enniu City. Facing the fierce and well-equipped elite troops of the Ming Dynasty, he conquered them in just seven days.

Who can still say that the Ming Dynasty's navy is invincible? Who dares to say that Enbird Port is impregnable? No one, no army, and no country can stop the united forces!

Asia should not belong solely to the Ming Empire. It should still allow merchant ships from any country to enter and exit freely, just as it has always done. What kind of business to conduct, with whom to conduct business, and how to conduct business should not be decided unilaterally by any one country.

As for the fate of the Ming Empire, although it is unlikely to be destroyed in one fell swoop this time, it must be dealt a severe blow, and its influence must be completely driven out of Asia Minor, Persia, and the Indian Ocean.

(End of this chapter)