Chapter 3474
Although the Dutch deployed a blockade at sea to prevent Portuguese reinforcements from suddenly rushing out to steal the retreat of their own landing troops, this defensive measure was obviously ineffective against the Haihan army that openly broke in.
The fleet of the special warfare division seemed to ignore the presence of the Dutch armed merchant ships, and swaggered through the blockade, arrived at the coast near Colombo Port, and immediately landed under the nose of the Dutch.
Although this seemed a bit presumptuous, Takahashi Minami actually used telescopes to conduct reconnaissance on the coast in advance. He carefully avoided areas controlled by the Dutch and chose an uninhabited area about five miles south of Colombo Port. Landings were made on the coast.
Since the troop transport carrying the landing troops was still on its way to Colombo, Takahashi Nan could not send many troops to land at present. He only mobilized 200 people from several warships and put down the small boats to row to the coast.
However, after this small group of troops landed, they immediately erected the red and blue flags symbolizing Haihan on the coast. Moreover, the flag brought ashore by the Haihan Army was really not small. Even from a distance, you could see it fluttering in the wind.
This was naturally Takahashi Minami's intention. He immediately sent troops to land after arriving here, not to rescue the besieged Colombo City, but to declare the presence of the Haihan Army to both warring parties.
Of course, the landing force of these two hundred people alone could not relieve the Portuguese. Takahashi Minami's idea was to knock on the mountain and stun the tiger. He was sure that the Dutch did not dare to ignore the Haihan Army and would definitely feel uneasy about his arrival.
The purpose of this troop's landing was to stall for time. As long as it could affect the Dutch's attack on Colombo, even if it only delayed the other side for a few hours, it would be considered as achieving its goal. When his main force arrives, Gao Qiaonan will have more means at his disposal.
Sure enough, the Dutch responded quickly and sent envoys to the Haihan Army's beach position, asking them to evacuate the area immediately to avoid miscalculation.
The Heihan officer who met with him ignored the other party's request, and instead suggested that the Dutch immediately stop their attack on Colombo City - the Heihant Division would enter Colombo City to fulfill the joint exercise agreement with the Portuguese defenders.
Of course, the Dutch would not believe this made-up excuse. Even if the Haihan Army wanted to hold a joint military exercise with the Portuguese, it would not coincide with a massive Dutch offensive.
You must know that when the Dutch launched a surprise attack into the Port of Colombo, there were no signs of preparations for war. At that time, several Portuguese armed sailing ships were destroyed by Dutch artillery fire before they even had time to leave the dock. This was obviously not the state that should be before a large-scale military exercise.
But no matter what the excuse is, the purpose of the Haihan people is obviously very clear, which is to relieve the Portuguese in Colombo City.
In such a situation, it was not the ordinary officers who could make the decision, and the negotiations between the two sides immediately escalated.
About an hour later, Takahashi Minami met the opposing commander, General Van Hollen, at the landing site.
The Dutch general's beard and hair are all gray, and he must not be young anymore. After hearing Takahashi Minami declare his identity, Van Hollen seemed very calm and did not show any uneasiness because his opponent was the Haihan special combat division.
"General Takahashi Minami, we are all soldiers, and this is a battlefield. There is no need for any nonsense. I think there is no need to waste time on diplomatic rhetoric."
Van Hollen said straight to the point: "I don't know what conditions the Portuguese offered to ask your country to rescue Colombo, but I am thinking that there must be some suitable conditions that can make you give up your current actions. , lead the troops to evacuate here.”
After listening to the translation, Takahashi Minami shook his head and said: "I suggest you put away your unrealistic illusions and stop the attack on Colombo City as soon as possible. Otherwise, according to the military agreement signed between our country and Portugal, our country has the obligation to respond when Portugal is in crisis. Send troops to help." Van Hollen spread his hands and said, "Don't you hesitate to go to war with our country for this?"
"I just wanted to ask the same question!" Takahashi Minami refused to give in.
Van Hollen said solemnly: "I heard a long time ago that your army is Haihan's strongest combat force. I have always wanted to see it. It seems that this is the right time."
Takahashi Minami did not respond in a hurry, but looked at the other person expressionlessly, as if trying to tell whether the words were sincere from his expression.
Special warfare divisions have been famous for many years and have long been a fearsome existence for opponents in East Asia. In recent years, no one has dared to challenge special warfare divisions. But Van Hollen's words meant to declare a challenge to Takahashi Minami face to face.
Takahashi Minami judged that the other party probably believed that the Haihan army that appeared in Colombo had limited strength, especially since the number of troops landing here was only a few hundred, while the Dutch strength outside Colombo was at least ten times that. It seemed that There seems to be a good chance of winning.
If he were lucky enough to defeat the Haihan Special Forces Division, it would be a sensational event in the world. This record would be enough for Van Hollen to brag about until the day he was in the coffin. Taking some risks for this seemed to be worthwhile.
If Van Hollen has this mentality, then Minami Takahashi will have to teach him a lesson.
Takahashi Nan smiled and said: "In that case, there is no need to say more. Your Excellency, please come back and see you on the battlefield!"
Both parties had already talked to each other. Seeing that Takahashi Nan didn't hesitate at all, Van Hollen could only stand up and leave.
After Van Hollen left, Takahashi Nan immediately ordered the entire army to enter combat mode, and at the same time ordered the Weixing and three other warships to go to the open sea to pick up troop transports and supply ships.
If there is any change in the armed sailboats deployed by the Dutch in the nearby sea, the Weixing can carry out strikes nearby without further request.
Takahashi Minami himself stayed on the coast, planning to personally direct the next battle. But at this time, the number of troops on the shore was only increased by the guard platoon led by Takahashi Minami.
Consicario, who had watched the entire negotiation process, saw that Takahashi Nan actually planned to fight thousands of opponents with two to three hundred troops. He immediately advised Takahashi Nan to act with caution and there was no need to put himself at risk.
Takahashi Nan smiled and said: "Are you worried that if I fall here, the Haihan Army will withdraw immediately, regardless of the life or death of Colombo City?"
Although Consicao was right by Takahashi Minami, he certainly couldn't admit it. He just persuaded Takahashi Minami to return to the warship and command the battle. His subtext was that if the Haihan army was unsuccessful in fighting on land, it could still maneuver around the sea and wait for the arrival of follow-up troops.
Takahashi Minami could not have guessed what the Portuguese were thinking, but since he had made up his mind to use this battle to establish his authority, he had to show some real skills, not only to defeat the Dutch, but also to frighten the Portuguese. OK.