Chapter 1653 Attack on Manila (3)
Controlling the combat distance is a headache that any country's army will encounter when fighting the Haihan Army. The effective range of the guns and guns equipped by the Haihan Army is far better than that of other countries, and the advantage is particularly obvious when fighting in plain areas. Generally speaking, there are only two choices left for the opponent. One is to push forward despite the hail of bullets, shortening the combat distance to close combat, and minimizing the advantages brought by the excellent performance of Haihan weapons; the other is to The combat distance is extended beyond the range of Haihan's weapons, but this means that it is difficult to cause direct damage to Haihan's army, which will inevitably lead to one's own being passive.
In today's first encounter on the plains south of Manila, the Spanish commander chose the second approach, actively retreating to widen the fighting distance. It is difficult to say that there is anything wrong with this response, because the Spanish army is mainly composed of infantry, and it must maintain a strict square formation in order to implement established tactics. At the speed of the infantry, if we maintain this formation and push forward to the Haihan Formation under artillery fire, it would obviously be an extremely stupid act of suicide. Therefore, when the Spanish commander discovered that the war situation was not favorable to his side, he immediately ordered a retreat, which was actually a wise choice.
Later, they chose to have the cavalry attack the flanks of Haihan's position in a roundabout way. The purpose was also to shorten the combat distance through the high-speed advance of the cavalry, thereby reducing Haihan's weapon advantage. However, this road was still impassable despite the rapid attack of the Haihan cavalry. The Spanish cavalry just came out and slipped around. About one-fifth of the men and horses were killed without even seeing the main leader, and then they had to stop. He withdrew without despair.
The Spanish army tried two methods of response, but neither attempt was able to achieve the ultimate goal. Of course, judging from its troop reserves and composition of arms, it was indeed impossible to fight Haihan head-on. If the Spanish commander knew that his counterparts in the far north had failed to attack Haihan's infantry position with thousands of cavalry, they might not have bitten the bullet and sent out the few cavalry they had on hand to hit the wall.
But there is actually a small problem with Qian Tiandun's judgment. If the Spaniards start street fighting, it will certainly be able to effectively delay Haihan's attack on Manila, but the street fighting will not only limit Haihan's offensive, but also the defenders themselves. Combat effectiveness will also be greatly affected. The combat method that the Spanish army is good at relies on infantry square formations, but there is no way to form formations in street fighting. In the absence of daily training, there is naturally no tactics. While street fighting delayed the Haihan Army's attack, the defenders also had to bear far greater risks than normal battles, and this was an issue that the Spanish commanders had to seriously consider.
Francis was deeply troubled by this at this time. If it were an ordinary opponent, then he would definitely choose to use street fighting to delay the opponent's offensive under the current situation. But now he is fighting against the Haihan Army, even if it is not easy He knew whether his opponent was good at street fighting, so he didn't dare to take risks easily. But this is the city of Manila. If we retreat, we can only retreat into the city and passively defend, giving up a large area outside the city. This is also an unreasonable tactic from a military perspective.
Francis suddenly remembered that when Juan was still there, although the Manila fleet was limited in strength, it could at least share part of the pressure for the city defense, preventing the enemy from advancing unscrupulously from land to the city of Manila. Unfortunately, the fleet only went into battle twice before being beaten to pieces by the Haihan army. Even Commander Juan was captured alive by the Haihan people. This was really different from what was expected before the war.
But Francis also understood that the city defense force was now the city's last hope. If the Haihan people could not be kept under the city, the thousands of Spaniards in the Manila area would probably have no chance to live here anymore. For some of them, this is actually no different from death. And Francis' personal future and destiny have long been tied to the city of Manila. There is no other way but to fight to the death.
In addition to the two armies confronting each other under the city, there is of course a group of people who are most worried about the outcome of the battle, and that is the people living in the warring area south of the city. There are no Spaniards living here. Most of the people who settled here are local indigenous people, immigrants and foreign businessmen based in Manila. When war broke out, those who could run would of course have already packed up their belongings and rolled up their beds and ran away, but there were still many people who stayed for various reasons, such as the employees of Chaosheng Store and the shopkeeper Ran Tianlu.
Of course, Ran Tianlu had long known that Haihan's land attack route would be to the south of the city, but he could not evacuate here voluntarily. Even Father Blanco had suggested that he enter the city to avoid the war, but he decisively declined. Of course, Ran Tianlu was not reluctant to part with the property and houses that Chaosheng Commercial Store could not move away, but he had another special identity. When the Haihan army came to the city, that was when he really played a role. How could he be like other people? Flee and leave.
Of course, the identity of the Ming Dynasty merchant also gave him an excellent cover. Even the Spaniards in the city believed that a neutral businessman like him would not be embarrassed by the Haihan army if he stayed outside the city. After all, Haihan claims to build a country based on business and has always treated multinational businessmen with courtesy. This is a fact known to the Far East. Even in a war zone, Haihan will not deliberately embarrass some businessmen who remain neutral. That's why Father Blanc boldly transported all the church's property out of the city and entrusted it to Ran Tianlu in the Chaosheng Merchant Store.
Although Ran Tianlu stayed in the south of the city reasonably and legally, there were too many uncontrollable things in the war, and he did not dare to be careless. He gathered the store personnel early before the Haihan Army arrived nearby, and stopped external business and When people come in and out, just guard the Chaosheng Store and wait for the war to end.
Even so, the two armies were fighting in the south today. After the rumble of cannons, there was still some small commotion inside the business inn. Some employees didn't quite understand why the shopkeeper wanted to stay here. In fact, they could have gone out to avoid the war and come back after the situation stabilized. In any case, whether this place is owned by the Spaniards or replaced by Haihan people, Chaosheng Commercial Store, which exists as a neutral party, will not be greatly affected. Maybe it can take the opportunity to make a fortune after the war.
Ran Tianlu was actually panicking. Although he had received systematic intelligence training, he had never really experienced a war. He only knew that human life was like an ant in wartime, and his special identity might not be able to be used as a life-saving talisman at critical moments. Fortunately, there are still about 20 armed guards at the store. Many of these professionals from the Golden Shield Guard are actually veterans who have retired from the Haihan Army. They show little to no nervousness about the war taking place in the outside world. The mood has been to comfort everyone. This war will not last long. The Haihan Army will capture this place later. By then, the store will only need to express its neutral attitude and nothing will happen.
These comforts finally made Ran Tianlu feel a little calmer. He now hopes that the Haihan Army will advance to the city as soon as possible, so that he and the store can be protected. After today's battle, the Spanish defenders had retreated to the city. It seemed that this retreat was due to the Haihan Army. Ran Tianlu felt safe. When the Spanish retreated into the city tomorrow, he would be liberated.
However, things did not go as smoothly as Ran Tianlu expected. Shortly after nightfall, a group of Spanish soldiers found Chaosheng Trading Post.
"You...are...going to set up an ambush here?" After hearing the other party's intention, Ran Tianlu felt that he could be as big as two people with one head.
The Spaniards suddenly had the idea to set up an ambush in this area and wait for daybreak to engage in street fighting with the Haihan people. The Chaosheng Store covers a large area, has sturdy buildings, and has several exits. Not only infantry and cavalry, but even carriages can enter and exit directly from the door. If used well, it can be used as a small fortress to station troops. However, Francis also knew that this place was Ran Tianlu's property. He had saved face by not directly expropriating the business inn, but he would then station fifty infantrymen and ten cavalrymen in the business inn, as well as deploy a six-pound cannon. Here it is. This group of Spanish soldiers came to inform Ran Tianlu and asked him to prepare enough rations in advance, and the troops would be stationed here later.
Ran Tianlu secretly complained in his heart. It is no wonder that when the Ministry of Security set up this store, they deliberately designed it according to the functions of a stronghold. In wartime, it only needs a little modification to convert the place into an armed one. stronghold. In the battle plan of the Haihan Army, the Chaosheng Store was where the frontline headquarters would be set up after advancing to the city. The Spaniards were quite knowledgeable, and they actually chose his place to garrison troops to set up an ambush, and they didn't even allow him a chance to refuse. Of course, Ran Tianlu knew that direct refusal would definitely not work. If it was normal, he could also try to follow Father Blanco's path and see if he could get Colonel Francis to revoke such a ridiculous order. But this is wartime, and it is extremely common for the army to temporarily expropriate people's houses. Saying hello in advance is already a very polite gesture. If Ran Tianlu refuses, I am afraid that a large group of Spanish soldiers will kick in the door next.
Ran Tianlu tried to use gold and silver to persuade the officers who came to deliver the order, and said that he had some friendship with Francis's attendant, Gonzalo, to see if he could be accommodating and garrison troops in another place. But the officer decisively rejected Ran Tianlu's request: "This is an order directly issued by Colonel Francis. In addition, it was Lieutenant Gonzalo who recommended this place to the colonel."
This damn Spanish guy! Ran Tianlu could only curse Gonzalo's two faces in front of and behind others in his heart. When he went to the labor force earlier, Gonzalo accepted the benefits he gave him. He said very beautifully at that time, why would he definitely take care of Chaosheng Merchant Store if something happened in the future? But in the end, this was how he took care of him?
Ran Tianlu secretly made a decision in his heart. After the army breaks through Manila City, he must advise the military to deal with this troublesome Gonzalo. But what should we do now? Should we really let the Spaniards move into the merchant house? After the fighting starts tomorrow, this place will become a Spanish stronghold. In other words, it will become a target of the Haihan Army. In the midst of the chaos, if the Haihan Army's guns and artillery were to blast at the merchant house, it would be difficult to guarantee their personal safety in this place.
But if we reject the Spaniards now, trouble will come immediately and become even more uncontrollable. In desperation, Ran Tianlu could only agree first. While the Spanish soldiers were returning to recover, Ran Tianlu quickly gathered a group of armed guards together and asked them for advice on how to deal with it.
"Everyone, this is a time of life and death. The Spaniards are hiding in the merchant house and starting a war with the Haihan people. At that time, everyone will be implicated. You are all heroes who have traveled all over the world and seen the world. Please give us your ideas quickly. What should we do? How can we deal with this dilemma?" Ran Tianlu lowered his stance and asked the armed guards for advice on how to deal with it.
"Then Mr. Peng has to say this."
"Yes, Master Peng has served in the army before, so what I heard from Master Peng is correct."
Ran Tianlu's audience was all talking, and they all recommended the man named Fang Peng to be their leader, so he took the initiative to step forward and bowed his head and said: "Please give me some advice from Mr. Peng."
Fang Peng is in his thirties, with a lean build and piercing eyes. At first glance, he looks like a man of firm will. He cupped his fist at Ran Tianlu and said, "The shopkeeper doesn't have to be so polite. Since I've been asked, let me tell you what I think. As for how to make a decision, it's the shopkeeper who has the final say."
At that moment, Fang Peng gave Ran Tianlu two ideas. One was to let the Spaniards do what they did without participating or cooperating. When Haihan attacked this place, the Spaniards would naturally retreat into the city, and they should not have been fighting to the death in the merchant house. . However, doing so does have the risk that Ran Tianlu is worried about, that is, he may be accidentally injured by the Haihan army during the battle.
The other method is relatively more proactive. It is also to let the Spaniards into the merchant house, but put down as many people as they come. When the Haihan Army arrives, these Spaniards will be handed over to the Haihan Army. Naturally, they can be exchanged for A peace. As for the risk, of course it was to quietly knock down dozens of Spanish soldiers in the merchant house, and to keep this secret until the Haihan army arrived.
"Isn't this risk too great?" After hearing this second method, Ran Tianlu couldn't help but be a little surprised at Fang Peng's boldness.
Fang Peng said: "If the shopkeeper is sure that the Haihan people can capture the city of Manila, then he might as well use the second method to make a great success with Haihan earlier, so that he can continue to operate here in the future. If you feel that the situation is unpredictable, Then use the first method to get a stable result.”
Ran Tianlu thought to himself, I am sure that the Haihan army will definitely break the city, but they are going to send No. 60 people. How can they subdue so many people quietly in the store without leaking the news?
(End of chapter)