Chapter 814 Compromise
Delgado would not let down his guard at this time. He pretended not to understand and shook his head: "Sir, I don't understand what you mean."
"Okay, Delgado, you don't have to keep pretending to be innocent!" Gesman said impatiently: "Your tricks are enough to fool a rough guy like Lopez, but I don't understand. Idiot who knows the situation!”
Delgado thought for a moment and responded: "If Mr. Gesman really wants to talk to the Haihan people outside the city, then I am willing to deliver the message for you out of the city."
"Listen, I ask the Haihan people to ensure that I can leave here in safety and dignity, and that they cannot detain my personal belongings." Gesman said viciously: "If they can't do that, then I can only ask the defenders in the city to Fight to the end!”
All Gersman did was to get out safely and take away his property intact. As for the life and death of other people in the city, Gesman didn't care that much. Of course, the Spaniards still want to preserve as much as possible, so that they may be able to make up a reason to ask the Manila authorities for credit afterwards. The casualties were so severe that it would be difficult for Gesman to explain to his superiors when he returned to Manila.
Delgado knew that Gesman was just trying to be tough for the time being, and how could he really have the courage to fight the Haihan people. Even if nothing happened to Lopez, he would inevitably be discouraged when he saw the siege guns outside the city. Although Delgado is only a semi-professional soldier, he can also see that the strength gap between the two sides is not only reflected in the will to fight, but also the gap in weapons and equipment and combat methods that cannot be filled.
Gesman quickly reconvened the officers of the garrison in the city and informed them of the current situation - the city of Santo Domingo had been besieged, its request for help from the outside had failed, and it was impossible to engage in a decisive battle with the enemy. It was only a matter of time before it fell. question.
This view of Gesman naturally aroused doubts among the officers. Many people believed that relying on the city defense, they could still try to defend it for a few more days. At this time, Gesman could only use Delgado as a useful tool again: "Delgado, tell them what you saw outside the city."
"Siege cannons, siege cannons with thick and long barrels!" Delgado knew exactly what he should say now to break the will of these soldiers to fight: "And there were more than one! They had previously used field artillery to siege the city, probably Just test the range of our city defense artillery so that the subsequent siege artillery can be deployed to the appropriate position."
"Is that a real cannon?" In fact, some people in the city had already observed the large artillery in the distance, but they thought it might be a camouflage made by the Haihan Army using thick tree trunks, and it was just a prop used to scare the defenders. . But if this thing is real, then the battlefield situation will be completely different. Many of these soldiers have fought in European battlefields and know how protective the so-called city wall of Santo Domingo can be. . If you want to rely on this adobe city wall to block the bombardment of siege artillery, it would be more useful to pray to God that the cannonballs will not hit you.
After getting the affirmative answer from Delgado, almost everyone felt a deep sense of despair. They have traveled thousands of miles from Europe to come to this remote island in the Far East. They are not here specifically to be loyal to the country. The enemies outside the city are not natives with bamboo spears. They can easily defeat them with the advantages of city fortifications and weapons. rout. In front of the Haihan army, which was armed to the teeth, the Spaniards felt that they were the natives holding the bamboo spears.
Seeing that the opposition voices had disappeared, Gesman continued: "Gentlemen, I think we should calm down and deal with the current situation. Captain Lopez has used his life to give us a warning, and we cannot compete with the city. If we all die here, it will be a huge loss to the interests of the Kingdom of Spain in the Far East. Everyone here is one of a hundred, one of a thousand talents, and we should not lose our precious lives here. This remote island. I think we should be realistic and evacuate here in a dignified manner, and then come back to avenge Captain Lopez when we are ready!"
"Lord Gesman is right. It won't help if we all die here. It's better to conserve our strength for the future."
"I just don't know if the enemies outside the city will kill us and won't let us leave?"
"I heard that the Haihan people are not bloodthirsty. The Dutch were defeated last year, but aren't they just staying in the south now? I haven't seen the Haihan people coming to liquidate them."
"But our ships have been sunk, and we have to take the land route to evacuate to Jilong Port..."
After Gesman's statement, everyone immediately started talking, but by this time no one had any objections to Gesman's proposition. Instead, they began to discuss what would happen after the surrender. Looking at this attitude, they didn't want to fight the Haihan Army any more. .
After some discussion, Gesman proposed that Delgado, who could speak Chinese, be used as a negotiator to negotiate with the Haihan Army outside the city. No one objected to this proposal, because the attendees were all Spaniards and could not communicate verbally with the enemies outside the city, so the conversation was in vain.
"Delgado, I now appoint you as my temporary bodyguard, and you will represent the city of Santo Domingo in negotiating with the enemy forces outside the city. My request is to protect the lives and property of everyone in the city as much as possible. " Gesman issued the order sternly, as if he was the savior of Santo Domingo City.
"Sir, I will do my best to complete this task." Delgado stood up and bowed, but he was not at all happy about this promotion because he knew that Gesman had already suspected that he and the Haihan people There is secret collusion, and it is impossible to give him any trust in the future. The temporary appointment at the moment is just a sweetener given by Gesman in order to escape smoothly. After getting out safely, Gesman will probably start thinking about how to get rid of himself who knows too many inside stories. While Delgado was completing the tasks assigned by Takahashi Minami, he also had to consider how to arrange his own way out.
That afternoon, Delgado slipped down the rope again and down the city wall. Originally, as a negotiator, he should have gone out through the castle gate. However, on the day when the Haihan army came to the city, Lopez had people seal the city gate with stones from the inside to prevent the wooden gate from being blown down by the opponent's artillery. It was difficult to clear the stones piled up at the city gate for a while, so Delgado had no choice but to choose the abnormal passage through the city wall to leave the city.
Delgado held a white flag in his hand and walked slowly towards Haihan's position. Compared to the last time he left the city in the dark, he felt much calmer this time. The Haihan people had won the battle early, so they did not want to invest too much in the siege, so they launched such a very targeted action. Delgado knew that the Haihan people were waiting now. News from their own side to determine whether the final step is a peaceful solution or an armed siege.
"You can come out to negotiate with us on behalf of the people in the city. I guess things are going smoothly?" After meeting Delgado, Takahashi Minami went straight to the topic.
"López is dead, Gesman has decided to surrender to you, and the villain is here to negotiate terms." Delgado did not dare to go around in circles with Takahashi Minami, and immediately briefly explained the situation in the city and his purpose of coming.
Lopez's death was expected by Takahashi Minami. In this environment lacking advanced medical conditions, being shot in the police basically meant seeing God. Even if Lopez was not killed on the spot, it would not last long. The main factor that Takahashi Minami was unable to determine before was Gesman's attitude, and one of Delgado's roles is to ensure that there are no surprises in this link. "Did you convince Gesman?" Takahashi Minami asked.
Delgado thought to himself that I not only convinced Gusman but also killed Lopez. However, in front of Takahashi Minami, he did not dare to brag. He just responded humbly: "Actually, Gusman doesn't want to follow either. When your army fights, saving his life is more important to him than saving the city.”
Takahashi Minami nodded and did not comment on Gesman's actions, but he thought that all civil servants in the world were generally timid and would first consider suing for peace whenever there was a war. Fortunately, Gesman is a man who is greedy for life and afraid of death. Otherwise, although the Haihan Army will definitely be able to capture the city of Santo Domingo, the price required will be much higher.
"What conditions does Gesman have?" Takahashi Minami continued to ask.
"He needs your army to ensure the personal safety of the Spaniards in the city and their property." Delgado honestly relayed Gesman's request.
"People can leave, but the money must be discussed, and valuables such as gold, silver, and jewelry must be left behind. These are the spoils of war for the navy. As for the pots and jars and other household items, they can take them away." Takahashi Minami Wei Wei shook his head, indicating that he had different opinions on this proposal. I remember that when he followed Qian Tiandun to chase down the southern rebels in southern Annan, he took over many cities that voluntarily surrendered, but he never negotiated any conditions with the losers, not to mention the wealth looted from this city, which was very important to Haihan. It is also an income that cannot be ignored for the military. The military has been able to support war through war in recent years, largely relying on the oil and water gained from the occupied areas in previous battles. Although the Executive Committee is also aware of the fishery involved, it has always turned a blind eye and will not take the initiative to intervene, leaving it to the military to operate on its own.
Delgado thought to himself that there would be no need to declare to you such worthless things as jars and jars, so he had no choice but to back down a step: "Gessman requires at least to ensure that his personal property can be safely transported away from here, otherwise he will not Surrendered.”
"Does this die-hard money addict want to die with his money?" Takahashi Minami showed a sarcastic smile on his face: "Okay, but I require that his personal luggage should not exceed five wooden boxes. If there is more than We will confiscate it directly.”
"I will take your instructions back. I think Gesman, who is eager to leave here, will compromise." Delgado bowed and responded.
"What about you? What are you going to do? Are you going to follow the Spaniards to Jilong Port?" Takahashi Nan's question did not end, and he continued to ask a more personal question.
Delgado shook his head and said: "Gesman thinks that I have colluded with your army. Even if I follow the large army back to Jilong Port, it will not change my situation. I know too much about Gesman. I’m afraid my life will be in danger if I go to Jilong Port.”
"That's right..." Minami Takahashi can understand Delgado's scruples. After letting Gesman, an insider, go, Delgado has basically lost the opportunity to work under the Spaniards, and even his life safety. It's no longer guaranteed.
"Before Nagelsman leaves the city and surrenders, you come out first. We want to use you as a hostage to ensure that the Spanish evacuation can be carried out safely and orderly." Takahashi Minami was afraid that he would not understand, so he quickly added: "Wait After being a hostage, you don’t have to go back.”
"Thank you, General, for taking me in!" Not only could Delgado speak Chinese, he even knew the etiquette of kneeling down and kowtowing to Takahashi Minami.
"It's a bit late today. I'll give them one night to pack up their belongings. Tomorrow morning, let Gesman leave the city and surrender, otherwise we will attack the city directly." Takahashi Minami waved his hand: "You go back, wait for you tomorrow Good news.”
"Five boxes? How can that be enough!" After hearing the news that Delgado brought back, Gesman suddenly became furious: "My silver coins have to be packed into seven boxes. What tricks are the Haihan people trying to do! Delgado , you make another trip tomorrow and let them think about it!”
"Sir, I'm afraid the Haihan people will not consider any other plan." Delgado said weakly: "They have set a deadline. After the sun rises tomorrow, if we have not surrendered, they will attack the city directly. , no more applications for armistice will be accepted for any reason.”
"Are these damn guys so arrogant?" Gesman gritted his teeth angrily. If he really followed the Haihan people's suggestion, then there would be no way for Gesman to take away all the little private money he had accumulated over the years here. .
"Sir, I suggest you follow their arrangements." Delgado said dejectedly: "Haihan's commander has emphasized several times that they will not accept other conditions. If we can't reach an agreement, we will see you on the battlefield tomorrow. ”
Gesman weighed the pros and cons, and finally said helplessly: "Okay, just do as they say. Do you think there is anything missing?"
"Sir, as a guarantor, when you leave tomorrow, I will be detained by the Haihan Army until you all evacuate." Delgado explained: "The Haihan people said that if there is any problem with our army during the retreat, If it is abnormal, they will take action to suppress it, and the first unlucky person will be me.”
(End of chapter)