Chapter 643: Struggle of Interests
Van Longen didn't have much trust in these capricious Mingren. This kind of back-and-forth had happened many times before. When the Fujian Ming Army was unable to capture Penghu, it used the pretense of peace talks to cease the war. However, during the peace talks, the Dutch delegation was detained and used to blackmail the Netherlands to withdraw from Penghu. Xu Xinsu, who had had close business cooperation with the Dutch, quickly drew a clear line with the Dutch after surrendering to the Ming Dynasty and entering officialdom, and switched to the Haihan camp. As for the pirates of Shibazhi, what they usually do is murder, smuggling and hijacking ships, not to mention their credibility. Even if they want to reach an agreement, it must be at the level of the big boss of Shibazhi. Only when people speak out can they be effective, and the weight of aides like Zheng Xinzhi is far from enough.
Zheng Xinzhi was really prepared. He immediately took out a letter from his arms and handed it over respectfully. Hans opened it with some confusion - of course, except that he could recognize Zheng Zhilong's signature at the signature, he couldn't understand basically a word of the content. The only reason he could recognize this signature was because Zheng Zhilong had exchanged letters with him several times in the past and was already familiar with this "pattern".
Of course, Zheng Xinzhi also knew that the other party would not be able to understand the content of the letter, so he immediately explained to them: "The Folangji people are at the two ports of Jilong and Tamsui on the north side of Taiyuan Island. My lord can provide detailed defense arrangements." Figure, you can also send people to sneak into the local area in advance to coordinate inside and outside when launching. ”
After hearing this explanation, Hans couldn't help but feel moved in his heart. The several attacks he organized in the past few years failed to win, not because he was weaker than his opponents. In fact, it was because he was unclear about the local situation and could not formulate a plan. A detailed and feasible combat plan led to the ultimate defeat on the battlefield. If local defense intelligence can be obtained, it will undoubtedly bring great combat advantages to the attackers.
In terms of intelligence and reconnaissance, Shibazhi undoubtedly has a clear advantage. They have always maintained business contacts with the Spanish and can easily collect local intelligence. If they were to sell the Spaniard with peace of mind, it would be a bit hard to guard against.
Of course, Hans also thought of another terrifying possibility - if they refused to accept Shiba Zhi's proposal, then maybe they would sell the Dutch information to others when necessary. In this way, if you want to reject Zheng Xinzhi, you need to carefully consider the consequences.
Hans took another look at the letter and put it on the table first. Of course, he would not make a decision so quickly. He would definitely have to find someone to take a look at the letter and study the contents carefully. Consider whether to agree to the other person's proposal.
Hans asked Zheng Xinzhi to go back and wait for a reply. Zheng Xinzhi also knew that this matter could not be rushed, so he nodded and bowed back.
"Mr. Van Longen, if you are willing, I would like to invite you to participate in our discussion about Shibazhi." Hans had no intention of settling this matter any further and was planning to follow up immediately. Of course, this involves major matters such as starting a war. Hans cannot make the decision by just patting his head on his own. He still has to summon his officials in charge of all aspects of affairs and solicit their opinions.
"It's easy for me to work with Mr. Hans." Van Longen bowed slightly to indicate that he accepted the invitation. Several of his ships had been damaged to varying degrees in the artillery battles in the past few days, and they happened to need to be repaired and maintained at Damuan Port. He had nothing to do during this time.
While Zheng Zhilong sent people to lobby the Dutch desperately, the fleet led by Qian Tiandun had also sailed into Fujian waters. In addition to eight troop carriers carrying a fully reinforced army battalion transferred from Annan, the Military Commission also generously equipped it with four "exploration-class" ships and four "exploration-class" ships for a total of eight ships. warships, and a small task force consisting of four comprehensive supply ships. This fleet will be permanently stationed in Fujian for a period of time, serving as a bridgehead for Haihan to develop its forces northward. In the Navy's shipbuilding plan, one of the three "Dignity-class" hybrid warships built in the second batch will be assigned to serve in Fujian. Of course, its entry into the fleet will have to wait until next year at the earliest. If there is a large-scale combat plan in the near future, then the battleships will still have to be transferred from Qiongzhou to take charge.
The size of this fleet was much larger than the fleet of the Haihan mission that visited two months ago. Xu Yuzhuo, the general of the Fujian navy who went to the sea to greet them, had already expected it, but he was still stunned by the generosity of the Haihan people. It's endless - just imagine that the fleet sent by Haihan to Fujian is of such scale, then how amazing their maritime armed strength on Qiongzhou Island will be!
Of course, the actual maritime power deployed by Haihan near Hainan Island is not as exaggerated as Xu Yuzhuo thought. A considerable number of the navy's combat ships have been assigned to station in the coastal areas of Annan and Guangdong. Excluding the two or three "Dignity-class" warships currently in service, the actual size of the navy stationed on Qiongzhou Island is only about twice as strong as the fleet sent to Fujian. The Military Commission dares to deploy its troops to such a far place. In addition to being fully confident in its own logistics supply capabilities, it is also partly because there are no hostile forces in the South China Sea that can launch large-scale attacks on the main ports on Hainan Island from the sea. Attacked.
"Haihan... This is really a posture of fighting in Fujian!" Xu Yuzhuo couldn't help but sigh as he looked on the deck at the Haihan fleet with flags fluttering on the sea in the distance. The Haihan mission that came before had only a few warships, and it was able to capture Nanri Island, which had been pending for a long time for the Fujian Navy. But this time Haihan sent a fleet over in one go. If they were to pull it out and follow If Shibazhi has a naval battle, he won't even make those pirates scream.
However, the Haihan fleet was far less nervous than Xu Yuzhuo. Qian Tiandun stood at the front of the deck and was introducing the situation in Fujian to Luo Wudan, a special reporter from the Propaganda Department. Of course, it seems inappropriate to say an introduction, because the conversation between these two people did not sound like a working relationship.
"Last month, Shi Diwen led his men to capture Nanri Island. It was the last large stronghold of Shibazhi on the coast of Fujian, so there should be no major combat operations in the near future. After we arrive in Fujian, The main task is to build camps and ports and assist the Ming army in guarding the sea. If you are willing, I suggest you live in Zhangzhou City, where the living conditions will be much better than where we chose to station."
"Qian Tiandun, don't lie to me. When I was in Annan, every time you sent troops to fight, you would send me away in advance and prevent me from working on the front line!"
"The battlefield is very dangerous. There are no weapons and no eyesight. If you, a little girl, go to the battlefield, how will I explain to the executive committee if something goes wrong?"
"You, the commander of the theater, won't you protect me?"
"I'm protecting you by not letting you go to the battlefield!"
"What kind of protection is this..."
Takahashi Minami in the back couldn't stand to listen any more, and silently stepped away for a distance until he couldn't hear the conversation between the two people clearly. Although Qian Tiandun didn't seem very happy when he first heard the news that Luo Wudan was going to follow the fleet to station in Fujian, during this period of time on the ship, the two of them quarreled and developed some special feelings. Takahashi Minami would not point it out in his eyes, but silently considered whether he should really find a girl with a decent family background to get married.
Gao Qiaonan also visited Zhangzhou a few years ago. At that time, he was deprived of the title of warrior and was exiled. He had been here several times, but because of his identity, he was unable to find a job in Zhangzhou. Later, he was coerced to work as a pirate on the coast of Guangdong. He never thought that one day he would return to this place, and enter Fujian in glory in his current capacity. This was the first time that Xu Yuzhuo met Qian Tiandun in person. Before, he had only heard of his name but never seen him in person. When he was studying in Port Victory, many of the military courses that Xu Yuzhuo studied were compiled by Qian Tiandun. He also heard about the many glorious achievements of this senior general in the Annan Civil War. His troops He is also nicknamed Haihan Ace Army, and he is somewhat regarded as an idol in the profession of a soldier.
However, he was still surprised when he saw Qian Tiandun. It turned out that Qian Tiandun was not the veteran on the battlefield that he had imagined. Although his complexion was dark, his facial features suggested that he was only in his thirties at most. That's all - in fact, Qian Tiandun's real age is still under 28, and he is indeed considered a young man. But Qian Tiandun is not old, but has experienced a lot of battles. In addition, he has been a military and political official in Annan for a long time, and he still has the aura of a superior. This is comparable to Shi Diwen, who Xu Yuzhuo is familiar with. Obvious difference.
The newly arrived fleet will dock at Zhongzuo Station for two days to rest and recuperate, and then go to Nanri Island to replace the mission troops still stationed there. Ning Qi also arrived at the Zhongzuo Institute from Zhangzhou in advance to attend the reception banquet prepared for Qian Tiandun and others.
After the banquet, as soon as Qian Tiandun returned to his residence, Ning Qi came to visit. After the two briefly exchanged greetings, Ning Qi began to get to the point: "According to the intelligence we have recently received, Shibazhi may attack Nanri Island again within the year. You must be mentally prepared for war after taking over."
"I came to Fujian just to fight. After two years of peaceful life in Annan, I feel like my bones are about to get rusty!" Qian Tiandun joked: "It would be best if they take the initiative to attack. I will also train my troops by the way. This group of people had never had combat experience in this subtropical environment before, and this time stationed in Fujian is a good opportunity to gain more experience.”
The special operations battalion under Qian Tiandun is considered the leader with rich combat experience among the entire militia army. From the South China Sea to the coast of Guangdong, this unit has been involved in a wide range of battlefields and faced a variety of enemies. , the Ming Dynasty's army, Annan's rebels, roaming pirates, and even the Portuguese. These rich combat experiences are indeed very valuable assets for this group of soldiers. If they are lucky enough to continue to save their lives on the battlefield, then in a few years, most of these soldiers will grow into leading officers in the militia army like Takahashi Minami.
"It's not just Shibazhi, it's possible that the Dutch will also get involved." Ningqi added.
"Oh? Do you have any definite news?" Qian Tiandun slowly put away the smile on his face and asked solemnly. The concept of Shibazhi raising troops to attack is completely different from the concept of Shibazhi and the Dutch jointly sending troops. Just as the Dutch do not want to offend Haihan at the moment, Haihan is also unwilling to antagonize the Netherlands too early, so he pretended to be a pirate during the military operation in the South China Sea to occupy Amborna Island. But if the Dutch really directly intervene in the battle for Nanri Island, then Haihan will no longer be able to pretend that nothing happened, and may even implement the plan to attack Damiang Port in advance because of this.
"It's the news that Xu Xinsu gave us. He has his own intelligence channel in Taiyuan Port." Ning Qi explained: "Shibazhi sent an envoy to Taiyuan Port. He has been in and out of the East India Company's office very frequently recently. It is said that It's asking the Dutch for military assistance."
"Have the Dutch taken a stand?"
"Not yet." Ning Qi shook his head and said: "But it's difficult to determine the attitude of the Dutch because we don't know what conditions Shibazhi will offer them."
"Does Xu Xinsu have any further accurate information about the Dutch armed strength in Taiwan?"
Qian Tiandun is a very practical person. Since there is objectively the possibility of a battle on the battlefield, the wisest way is to immediately start collecting intelligence information about the opponent in order to make corresponding preparations in advance.
"That's why I came to you." Ning Qi took out a stack of papers from his briefcase and handed it to Qian Tiandun: "This is the information provided by Xu Xinsu. I asked people from the security department to reorganize and classify it. Take it and study it. This is mainly about their troop deployment, weapons equipment, common tactics, and general statistics of combat ships."
"It will be much easier if you have this." Qian Tiandun did not rush to read the content, patted the cover with his hand and said: "Know yourself and the enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles. If the Dutch really want to come to Nanri Island to seek death, then I will do my best. Teach them how to write the word "death"
"Don't get too excited and chase them all the way out. Holding Nanri Island is your immediate task." Ning Qi reminded: "I probably won't send you any more reinforcements this year, because the Military Commission is paying attention now." I have put all my strength in the South China Sea for the time being.”
"What happened to Nanhai?" Qian Tiandun asked in surprise. He has been floating on the sea these days and has not received the information from the base camp in time.
Ning Qi responded: "The Dutch sent a fleet to raid Amborna Island a few days ago, but they failed. They withdrew after two days of fighting. The troops stationed on the island suffered certain casualties. This This battle was not as smooth as usual.”
(End of chapter)