Wind Rises in North America 1625

Chapter 236 Challenge
Although the Spanish invading army had not yet arrived and had only sent an envoy and then arrogantly declared war on Xinhua, the news spread like wildfire throughout Dongping County, causing residents to talk about it.

The shadow of war immediately enveloped the land.

After the Spanish envoy left, the decision-making committee immediately convened a meeting of all representatives (time travelers).

Except for representatives working out of town who were unable to attend, almost everyone temporarily put aside their work and gathered in the conference room on the second floor of the executive building to discuss countermeasures for the impending war.

"Actually, there's no need for us to be so nervous. The Spanish arrival was within our expectations, and we just need to follow the various plans we've made."

Luo Zhenhui looked at the solemn expressions of the representatives present and said with a smile, "The reason for holding this temporary meeting is simply to unify our thoughts, strengthen our convictions, and confirm and implement all the preparatory work one by one."

"Yes, although the Spanish have declared war on us, their army did not immediately arrive at our doorstep." Li Xianqing took over the conversation and said with a relaxed look, "I guess Spain probably hasn't made all the preparations to send troops yet."

"Perhaps their troops haven't assembled yet, their supplies haven't been collected, and even their warships haven't been properly prepared for sailing. Given the Spanish's procrastination, if they really want to attack, it will probably be months later."

"They sent an envoy and declared war on us in a high-profile manner. This was simply an attempt to gain an advantage and overwhelm us. Of course, they might also be thinking of a trick. If, by some chance, they could intimidate us with the might of the Kingdom of Spain, they could win without a fight and force us to surrender. That would naturally be a win-win situation for everyone."

"Well, even if they don't scare us, they can still use this declaration of war to put everyone in Xinhua in a state of panic, thus triggering an internal crisis. This action is ridiculous when you think about it. So, we don't have to pay any attention to the Spanish actions. We should just follow the various response plans we have formulated."

"We've been preparing for this moment for so long, haven't we? Next, we must unleash our strength and fight this battle earnestly. Through this battle, we will not only gain the foothold we deserve, but also establish a long-term peace, thereby gaining a window of opportunity for stable development."

"Well, Director Li is right," Luo Zhenhui nodded and said, "This battle is the founding battle of our Xinhua nation, and it is also a key battle for our peaceful development. I believe that as long as we can hurt the Spanish this time and let them know how powerful we are, they will definitely give up their desire to conquer or even destroy us, and thus win us a relatively equal position."

"Since all large ships have already gone to Beiying Island to transport immigrants, we currently have no naval combat forces. Therefore, in order to deal with the Spanish invasion, we in Xinhua must make appropriate defensive preparations. ... Wang Jiarong, please tell me about the preparations for the port artillery."

"Yes!" Wang Jiarong stood up from his seat and saluted the two directors. "After nearly two years of continuous construction, we have now built five artillery batteries along the coast of Shixing Port and Xinning, deploying 42 artillery pieces of various calibers. We have a staff of 142 officers and soldiers, all of whom have undergone at least six months of military training."

"Also, based on our daily live-fire training, our coastal defense forces have marked the firing parameters and corresponding ammunition charges for the artillery positions in the waters they control. If the Spanish fleet dares to intrude, we will annihilate them at sea. ...However, if war were to occur, our coastal defense forces would be short 136 men, and we would then need to fill all the vacancies."

"Well, very good. The personnel shortage in your coastal defense force should be some auxiliary positions on the artillery positions, right?"

"Yes." Wang Jiarong nodded in response. "All the personnel in our coastal defense force have undergone rigorous training. We can ensure that filling the vacant artillery positions will not reduce the combat effectiveness of our artillery in the slightest."

"Where are your Marines?" Luo Zhenhui turned his gaze to Mo Tianhai, Zheng Lihui and others.

"Report to the Director!" Mo Tianhai and Zheng Lihui exchanged a glance, then stood and saluted. "After two rounds of expansion, our Marine Corps has grown to 140 men, now organized into one full-strength company and one skeleton company. All officers and soldiers are well-trained and highly motivated, and we are confident we can defeat any enemy."

"However, in order to ensure the complete annihilation of the invading Spanish landing force, our Marine Corps requests a certain degree of expansion within the existing troop numbers to obtain sufficient manpower to meet the needs."

"First, fully staff the Second Marine Reserve Company and expand the number of line infantry to 260 men. Second, conduct a limited mobilization in Dongping County, recruiting 400 to 500 armed militiamen to further strengthen our Marine Corps' combat capabilities. Simultaneously, expand our artillery, cavalry, and other technical arms accordingly. Ultimately, before the Spanish army arrives, we will have expanded our land forces to 800 to 900 men."

"If we include the conscripted Indian servants, your Marines should have over a thousand men, right?" Luo Zhenhui asked. "Are you planning to launch a decisive battle immediately after the Spanish troops land?" "Director, even if the Spanish delay, they will undoubtedly reach Qiming Island and attack us before winter arrives," Mo Tianhai said. "Based on this calculation, the Spanish will most likely be ready for war by July or August, and will reach Qiming Island no later than the end of September or early October."

"The Spanish arrival will definitely affect our autumn harvest. If we choose to defend the city and remain closed, the Spanish will undoubtedly burn and destroy the farmland and agricultural facilities outside the city."

"Under these circumstances, we had no choice but to take the initiative and engage in a decisive battle with the Spanish landing forces in order to avoid greater losses of supplies."

"Moreover, defeating the Spanish army in one fell swoop through a magnificent battle will not only establish our army's belief in victory, but will also greatly deter the Spanish and surrounding Indian tribes, thereby establishing in their minds the image of Xinhua's powerful military strength."

"Good! Only by not fearing powerful enemies and daring to take the initiative can we forge a strong military spirit." Luo Zhenhui said excitedly, "From now on, whether we in Xinhua want to completely occupy the fertile land of Xinzhou Continent or aspire to dominate the world and expand the living space of the Chinese nation, we must have this belief that we will win if we dare to fight."

"We, Xinhua, should use this battle to establish strong self-confidence for the entire country and even the entire nation in the future!"

"Director, although our Xinhua main battleships are not in Xinzhou, our navy is not without the ability to fight." When the Deputy Minister of the Navy Kuang Xu saw that the Marine Corps had made a high-profile statement and received applause from the whole audience, he felt a little unwilling and immediately stood up to speak.

"Currently, we still have two small clippers capable of going out to sea: Swordfish-1 and Swordfish-2. Although their width prevents them from mounting large-caliber guns and lacks the necessary force, we can form a raiding squadron with these two clippers. Before the Spanish army descends on Xinhua, we can carry a small number of troops and supplies and launch a surprise attack on the Pacific coast of Spanish America, setting their rear areas on fire and making them feel our threat."

"Our Marine Corps is already short of manpower. How can we have extra manpower to cooperate with your raiding squadron to attack the coastal areas of Spain?" Mo Tianhai said with dissatisfaction, frowning.

The two small boats, with a displacement of only about 200 tons, should have stayed at home and served as a liaison and supply ship between the various strongholds. Why did they overestimate their capabilities and run to the Spanish doorstep to cause trouble?

Based on the carrying capacity of these two small boats, how many troops and combat supplies can they carry?
At most, they would just wander around the coastal areas of Mexico, capture a fishing boat, or sneak into a remote village or town to fire a few shots to scare the Spaniards.

Isn't this just looking for trouble?

As long as our Marines can completely wipe out the Spanish landing forces, we can completely crush the Spanish offensive attempt.

Without an army, could the Spaniards still drive their warships onto land?
The Spanish had no supply bases nearby, and after their supplies were exhausted, they had no choice but to return to Mexico in disgrace.

The Spanish are probably unable to continue to blockade Qiming Island at sea, right?
"If the enemy can go, I can go too!" Kuang Xu ignored his objection and continued, "This raiding squadron we've assembled doesn't seek to capture cities or territories, nor do we expect to achieve significant results. However, by raiding the coast of Spanish America, we want them to feel the consequences of an expanded war."

"Even though we are so far away, we in Xinhua can still inflict damage on the Spanish. Once the coastal areas are in constant flames, the Spanish will have to consider the safety of their rear when launching an expedition, and they will have to consider the necessary defense when mobilizing troops."

"..." Mo Tianhai was speechless when he heard this.

Oh my god, your navy is doing this for the sake of our Marines, fearing that the Spaniards will mobilize too many troops to attack Qiming Island.

This reason is really hard to refute!

(End of this chapter)