Chapter 3019
Costa, the Governor of Malacca, has been in a state of panic in recent months. This is not because his old enemy Aceh is preparing to send troops to attack Malacca City again, nor is it because the trouble-loving Dutch are coming to cause trouble again, but because Haihan The recent military developments are really worrying.
A few months ago, Costa received news from his nephew Gabriel from Cam Ranh Port, saying that the Haihan army stationed in Annan and other places were undergoing large-scale mobilization and might carry out large-scale military operations in the South China Sea. , but its target cannot be confirmed yet.
The subsequent war that lasted for more than two months in the direction of the Philippine Islands also confirmed the authenticity of the intelligence obtained by Gabriel. The Haihan Army defeated the Spanish colonial armed forces that had been operating there for a century and completely occupied the central part of the Philippine Islands. area.
This leaves Spain with only Mindanao as its actual control area north of the Sulawesi Sea. In the subsequent armistice agreement signed between Haihan and Spain in Cebu, even Mindanao became the exchange condition for the Spanish to escape from there.
Spain's defeat is good news for Portugal, but losing so completely to Haihan may not be entirely good news. Because after the Spanish's activity range is further compressed south of the equator, the battle with Portugal and the Netherlands in this area will become more intense.
Portugal may have to mobilize more forces from Malacca and other places to deal with Spain, the prodigal dog, to prevent the Spaniards from starting a pirate raiding mode in the area in order to recover losses and target Portugal.
At the same time, the special operations division known as the Haihan Army's ace unit set out from Cam Ranh Port, first circled the Gulf of Siam, and then headed south along the Malay Peninsula, visiting various countries along the way, and finally stationed at Star Island.
In a non-war state, Star Island obviously does not need to station so many armed forces. Costa believes that the most ideal possibility is that Haihan wants Qian Tiandun to take over Star Island instead of Roger, and at the same time replace the local garrison.
But things obviously did not go as he wished. Qian Tiandun's special operations division and the troops from Annan had been stationed in Xingdao for some time, but the original local garrison showed no signs of withdrawing and returning home. On the contrary, Xingdao is frequently holding various large and small military exercises, showing a vigorous posture.
Although Xingdao has not taken any major diplomatic measures for the time being, these actions certainly cannot deceive the discerning. Costa has been dealing with Roger for a long time, and he knows that Roger is not a person who likes to bluff. These transfers and exercises must mean that Haihan is preparing for war to some extent.
But before Costa could figure out who the real target of Star Island was, armed pirates suddenly appeared on the other side of the Malacca Strait and stole the spotlight.
This group of pirates are not picky about their food. They board ships whenever they see them and attack frequently. Portuguese merchant ships passing through the waters were also attacked, but they were lucky enough to escape the pirates' pursuit.
Costa had to focus on maintaining the security of trade routes and sent warships from Malacca City to escort his own merchant ships.
Not long ago, someone witnessed a British Galen ship being surrounded by four pirate ships in the area, and a fierce artillery battle took place. The British ship never reached its destination and disappeared at sea. It was probably captured or sunk by pirates.
This made Costa give up the idea of sending troops to exterminate the pirates. If he failed, it would make the pirates resentful, and Portuguese merchant ships entering and exiting the Strait of Malacca would be even more dangerous in the future.
But at this time, Xingdao suddenly stood up and claimed that many Haihan merchant ships had been attacked in the area and that they would send troops to wipe out this group of pirates who did not know the heights of the sky.
The time between Singdao's declaration of dispatching troops and completion of assembly was so short that Costa only received Singdao's troop dispatching statement the day before, and the next day received news from Singdao that Haihan was already at the military port. More than a hundred sailing ships and thousands of men and horses have been assembled, ready to set off at any time.
Even if Haihan had superior military strength, preparing for such a large-scale expedition was obviously not a task that could be completed in three or two days. Costa suddenly realized that the Haihan people's move was not a temporary move, but was well prepared.
But when did the Haihan people start preparing to take action? Costa did not dare to think about it because he had already vaguely sensed a very dangerous possibility.
"Mr. Governor, General Lopez is here." The attendant's report awakened Costa from his meditation, and he quickly ordered the attendant to invite the visitor in.
General Lopez is the current military commander of Malacca City and the next governor of Malacca scheduled in advance in Portugal. After the aging Costa completes his term, Lopez will become his successor.
Later, a soldier with a beard quickly walked into the room, bowed slightly to Costa, and said: "Your Majesty the Governor, the ship we sent to Star Island has returned."
Costa said in astonishment: "How come it's so fast? Judging by the time, we shouldn't have arrived at Star Island by this time, right?"
Lopez's face was very gloomy: "Mr. Governor, I suggest you go to the port in person. I will explain the specific situation to you later on the way."
Costa knew that this subordinate would usually not bluff, and if he made such a suggestion, I was afraid that things would not be simple, so he immediately ordered a carriage to be prepared to go to the port outside the city.
Costa appointed a special envoy Sanchez the day before and rushed to Star Island by boat. He hoped that Sanchez could meet with Roger in person to communicate about sending troops to eliminate pirates.
If possible, at least strive to send troops together with Haihan, so that he can also supervise Haihan's actions during the operation, so as not to be unaware of the situation that occurred near the Strait of Malacca.
But the situation obviously did not go as smoothly as Costa expected. The envoy's ship apparently turned back before arriving at Star Island. The weather conditions in the strait have been good these two days, and it is obviously unlikely that there will be bad sea conditions that will prevent him from going to Star Island.
On the carriage, Lopez explained to Costa the real reason that forced the envoy to turn back midway: "Mr. Sanchez's ship encountered Haihan's fleet near the Carrimon Islands, so he quickly turned back and came back to report to you."
The Karimun Islands are dozens of miles west of Xingdao, and you can see Xingdao Port in the distance when you enter the sea area.
Costa said: "If that's the case, why doesn't Sanchez come to see me in person when he comes back? He hasn't even set foot on Star Island, so how does he know that the Haihan people are going on an expedition and not for daily exercises at sea?"
"Mr. Sanchez's health is not good. His staff said it was a sudden onset of illness."
Lopez paused and then said: "It is said that the scale of the Haihan Fleet's expedition was very large. Mr. Sanchez was too excited after seeing it, which led to his illness."
"Then why are we rushing to the port now? Are we going to visit Sanchez lying on the stretcher?" Costa was obviously very dissatisfied with this situation.
Lopez shook his head and said: "No, Mr. Governor, there are more important things that you need to confirm personally."
(End of chapter)