Late Ming Dynasty: The Counterattack Begins with Sea Pirates

However, after Chi Honghai showed off his power, the Dutch became much more humble, if not humble. At this critical juncture, for them, having more friends is always better than having more enemies.

If they couldn't hijack the ship, sending people ashore wasn't unacceptable; the Dutch had considered all of these options, but they preferred to prevent people from landing if possible.

Right now, the enemy's ships can't get out, and their only fleet has to deal with the Spanish, so they can't do anything about the English for the time being.

The island had to deal with provocations from the Spanish while also guarding against misdeeds by the locals. With only a few hundred combat personnel, the island was indeed stretched thin militarily.

Therefore, he bowed his head, admitted his mistake, and begged for forgiveness.

How many people should we ask for? If we ask for too many, not only will the other side not provide them, but we also won't feel at ease having them in our own homes. If we ask for too few, we won't be able to cope with military tensions. We can't ask for more after asking once, can we?

After much deliberation, the Dutch envoy did not dare to make any big demands, and only asked Chi Honghai for three hundred people. This number was less than half of the number of people in Zeelandia. Even if they wanted to use tricks, they could not cause any trouble. Besides, not all of these people would be assigned to one place, and some of them would be assigned to Chikan.

Chi Honghai first pretended to be embarrassed and hesitated for a long time before deciding to help them this time. However, if these 300 people went, there would have to be another 300 people to replace them. Someone had to pay for their food, rations, and even subsidies.

The Dutch understood this principle; there was no reason to provide aid without paying out of pocket. If they were to pay out of pocket, it would mean that there was a greater benefit for the other party. Therefore, they promised to cover all the expenses and, in addition, to send an extra 100,000 taels of silver as a token of their gratitude after the matter was settled.

This was certainly a good thing. The two finished their conversation quickly, and Chi Honghai immediately summoned Liu Qingjiang, instructing him to select three hundred brothers to wait on the beach. Liu Qingjiang probably understood his master's meaning, accepted the order, and left.

After selecting the people, Chi Honghai called Liu Qingjiang over: "This time, you will be going to Fort Zeelandia with the Dutch for a period of time."

"Ah? Master, what? How long will it take us?"

"I don't know, but I hope you can stay a little longer. Take good care of the brothers over there. I will come to pick you up when the time comes."

Liu Qingjiang didn't know how long "a little while" was—a few months? Half a year? Or a year?

At this point, he didn't know what kind of pickup the master meant. He thought that someone would be sent to pick him up when the deadline arrived, but Chi Honghai didn't think so.

Before leaving, he told his brothers to take good care of themselves when they got there, and to follow the other side's arrangements. He said that the two sides were allies and there was no need to worry too much. He also whispered to Liu Qingjiang.

Tell him to be aware that if the Tianquan appears in front of Zeelandia one day, it means he has come to pick someone up.

Liu Qingjiang was a little puzzled and asked the master, "Do we really need to use the Tianquan ship to pick up these three hundred people?"

Chi Honghai turned his head slightly and glanced at the side with a sidelong light: "These three hundred men were personally selected. I trust them. When the time comes, organize the brothers and take care of them all. Zeelandia will be ours."

Liu Qingjiang grinned and said, "Sir, I'm relieved to hear that. I can eat and drink to my heart's content over there for a while."

Chi Honghai patted him on the shoulder and told him that he was the only one who understood this matter before he saw the Tianquan. He should find out the situation once he got there.

After giving their instructions, the three hundred men followed the Dutchmen toward Fort Zeelandia.

"Master, why did Brother Qingjiang leave with them?" Pang San asked, leaning closer.

"Go help them. These foreigners are incapable themselves and can only come to us for help."

"No, sir, why didn't you call me? I, Pang San, have plenty of strength too."

Chi Honghai glanced at Pang San: "You think that foreigner's matter is more important than the master's, right?"

"No, no, no. Master holds the most important place in Pang San's heart. We don't care about those foreign devils, no matter how much money they offer."

Chi Honghai chuckled: "Come on, I'll make you go to Zeelandia later."

"Oh, sir, am I really going?"

"Come with me, sir."

Pang San was a little stunned, not understanding the meaning behind the old man's words. However, there were many things in Fort Zeelandia that he had never seen before. He hadn't had time to see them last time because he was in too much of a hurry. He would have to take a good look next time he went.

However, while there's no need to hide the fact that 300 people are being sent abroad, it's true that people are needed to fill in for them.

It should be noted that the three hundred men Liu Qingjiang selected were basically all from the Tianquan ship, each with rich and experienced combat experience, and almost irreplaceable.

But the people have already left, and the missing 300 people must be filled. Otherwise, how can the Tianquan ship sail in the future with half of its crew gone?

According to Instructor Lang's report, there are now two thousand crew members. Excluding the three hundred people taken away by Liu Qingjiang, there are still more than seventeen hundred people left.

The missing personnel on the Tianquan ship naturally had to be replaced by other ships, and only the best and most capable personnel had to be selected. And that wasn't the end of it; they also had to train intensively.

In addition, Chi Honghai discussed with Instructor Lang that they needed to practice naval warfare, and also land warfare, especially amphibious landing operations.

However, Instructor Lang said that sea landing can be practiced, but the sea areas are different and the specific conditions are different, so the things to pay attention to during landing are also different.

Chi Honghai pondered, "Why are there so many things to consider in the 17th century?" But upon closer reflection, he realized that when Koxinga took over Taiwan, he encountered considerable regional troubles. Even after reaching the Penghu Islands first, he almost returned empty-handed. This was indeed something worth paying attention to.

He instructed Instructor Lang to conduct the training according to standard procedures. As for the situation in the sea, it was still unclear, but it could be investigated gradually.

Although many people on the island came from Zeelandia and probably know a little about the area, these are people you absolutely cannot ask. So far, these people are just workers earning money, not our own people. If you ask them, everyone will know that Chi Honghai has designs on Zeelandia.

This matter naturally did not escape Instructor Lang's notice. Although he knew that he would not cause trouble for Haojing, he still asked one more question: Why did the situation at sea suddenly require practicing landing operations?

Chi Honghai didn't try to hide anything. If Instructor Lang wasn't one of his own, he would have sold him out back in Macau long ago and wouldn't be here today, or even have the Tianquan ship.

He slowly uttered four words: Zeelandia.

Upon hearing the place name, Instructor Lang immediately understood everything. He had no affection for the Dutch; on the contrary, the Dutch had enemies such as the British and the Spanish.

One could be considered a former ally, and the other a current overlord. Even if they didn't acknowledge it, their hands were stained with Portuguese blood to some extent.

However, he asked one more question: What about the north side?

Chi Honghai looked at Instructor Lang and remembered that the Spanish were to the north.

"What is your opinion, sir?"