July 22, 1649, Batavia.

Just when the East India Company was in turmoil over the Kupang massacre caused by the Han people, a huge fleet of more than 20 warships sailed outside the Batavia port and carried out a majestic attack on the dock.

shelling.

Although the Hanzhou fleet quickly withdrew from the harbor after being counterattacked by the dock forts, this still shocked the East India Company colonial government.

Since 1619, the East India Company acquired Batavia and built a city here, making it the company's headquarters in the Far East. Thirty years later, although inland it was attacked by the Kingdom of Banten and the Kingdom of Mataram.

The city faced threats and experienced two sieges, but the East India Company relied on its own powerful force to maintain the city's infinite glory, making it the most dazzling trade center in the entire region.

But now, there is actually a fleet that has implemented a blockade and siege on this city from the sea, making all the ships that need to go out for trade transportation hide in the port in frustration. Moreover, during the blockade that lasted for several days, six ships successively

Merchant ships were intercepted. Merchant ships belonging to the East India Company were naturally forcibly seized by the Hanzhou fleet. Merchant ships from other countries and regions were persuaded to return or directed to other ports where transactions could be conducted.

However, this morning, the East India Company mercenaries who were observing the situation outside the port from the dock tower were surprised to find that all the many Han Chinese warships swimming outside Batavia Harbor suddenly disappeared.

After hearing the news, Rear Admiral Gris Coppet, the commander of the Navy, first carefully observed the situation outside the harbor for a while, and then ordered the two ships to quickly contact and sail out of the harbor to confirm whether the Hanzhou Fleet had really evacuated.

Although the colonial government announced in a very high-profile manner that it would retaliate against the Han Chinese for the Kupang massacre, recruiting and assembling armed merchant ships in a short period of time was not a simple matter.

After the disastrous defeat in the Battle of Timor Island, in two months, the East India Company made great efforts and sacrificed some non-essential trade and transportation activities, and gradually assembled eleven armed merchant ships in Batavia. However, in view of the

The Hanzhou Fleet currently has an absolute numerical advantage. Rear Admiral Copet did not dare to dispatch these ships, but continued to wait for more ships to assemble.

After two days of exploration, the Dutch in Batavia finally confirmed that the Hanzhou fleet had really left, and that they were indeed heading to the Ming Dynasty to transfer immigrants. So, at this time, even if the East Indies or the Hanzhou mainland remained,

The number of some warships will certainly not be too large. Next, it will be our East India Company’s turn to counterattack Hanzhou!

"It is expected that around mid-August, we will be able to assemble 15-18 armed merchant ships. Based on this, the entire expedition fleet will go to the Hanzhou mainland at the end of August or early September to carry out a series of attacks on their western coastal towns.

"Major General Copet said solemnly: "In view of the need to conquer the strong fortress built by the Han people, we need to carry some heavy artillery that can be used for siege, and a large number of soldiers for landing operations."

"The mercenaries and native servants drawn from Ceylon and Malacca number 500 and 1,200 respectively. If we add some volunteers recruited from Batavia City, we should be able to gather 2,000 people."

Seeing Governor Delin looking at him, Army Commander Colonel Stuart McGrath quickly said: "In addition, we have also recruited two hundred volunteers from the Chinese. I believe they should be able to play some role when they land in Hanzhou."

Unexpected effect.”

Governor Delin was silent and did not speak for a long time. After the Sino-Dutch War broke out, he was very surprised by the power that Hanzhou unleashed. They could easily assemble dozens of warships, and they dared to face the threat of the East India Company directly. Initiate a local decisive battle at sea.

It can be said that a few months after the war began, the East India Company was severely beaten by Hanzhou, and he did not recover for a long time. At this time, he felt a little regret in his heart, and should not have intensified the conflict with Hanzhou. The conflicts between them caused the company to enter a state of war. Moreover, all of them underestimated the strength of the Hanzhou people, and even underestimated their will to fight.

Although the other party is a centralized kingdom, it is also a civilized country that can produce all kinds of industrial products. As long as their young king is willing to continue the war, Xi Liang can even fight for the whole country and concentrate on it. All the manpower and material resources in the country are constantly being consumed by the East India Company.

So what if we destroy the entire western part of Hanzhou? They still have more than a dozen towns in the north and east of Hanzhou that can continue to provide various materials for combat. After all, the East India Company is a company that needs to constantly obtain A high-profit joint-stock company will never be recognized by investors for occupying a country and spending so much money that it devours the company's profits.

What is the purpose of our war with Hanzhou?

To suppress a potential interest challenger, or to continue to maintain the monopoly commercial profits of the East Indies? To prohibit any outside power from sitting at the table and sharing this gluttonous feast with the East India Company?

But, what will happen if the opponent cannot be suppressed?

"Sir Governor..." Major General Badawi saw Governor Delin's determination and hesitation at this time, "No matter where the war progresses, we must currently restore the reputation and prestige of our East India Company. For decades, the East India Company defeated the Spanish, Portuguese, English, and countless native states. Now, facing the challenge of Hanzhou, we must still face it without hesitation and defeat it. Defeat and ultimately establish our unique dominance in the region.'

"Major General Badawi, I doubt your professionalism and command ability." Governor Delin took a breath and said hesitantly: "In order to maintain our honor and prestige, I authorize you to formally form an expedition fleet. , to attack the mainland of Hanzhou, weaken their war potential, and undermine their confidence in combat!"

August 13, Strait of Malacca.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!

The Qiming and Yangming battleships outflanked the fleeing ship.

The Dutch merchant ship was tightly sandwiched in the middle, and the artillery at the front kept bombarding it, warning the other party not to escape again.

This was a Dutch armed merchant ship with a full load of more than 400 tons. It sailed out from the port of Malacca with another merchant ship of about 600 tons. Soon after it sailed out of the Malacca port, it was discovered by two flying fish clippers hiding on the shore. They quickly attracted the professional warships that often swam here, and launched a pursuit and interception of them.

In order to avoid being captured by the "Xiliang Pirates" who suddenly appeared, the two Dutch merchant ships immediately fled towards the east and west directions of the Malacca Strait.

After chasing for most of the day, the "Qiming" and the "Yangming" finally got close to the Dutch merchant ship. Seeing that they could not escape, the other party simply raised the white flag, ending the arduous pursuit.

"A large amount of Indian cotton cloth, saltpeter, indigo... Oh, and wheat for ballast. In addition, two large boxes of coins were seized from the captain's cabin. I estimate that there are thirty to forty thousand Hanzhou silver dollars in total." Qiming Ship

Vice Captain Zhou Maoshen said with a deep smile: "After staying here for more than ten days, we finally opened our doors. I wonder if Lao Ding and the others intercepted another Dutch merchant ship?"

"That Dutch merchant ship is larger and shouldn't run very fast. Old Ding and the others must have succeeded." Wan Changshu, the captain of the Qiming, was in a good mood when he heard about the seizure on the ship. "Let's seize the ship first."

Go back to the small island on the east side of the strait and report the good news to the Admiral."

The temporary raiding fleet formed by the Qi Navy consisted of eight professional warships and two battleships. It also carried three marine companies on board and was followed by Niu Jinming, the admiral of the Weiyuan Fleet.

At the end of July, after entering the Strait of Malacca, Niu Jinming divided the fleet into two and blocked the two ends of the strait respectively. The east side is from the entrance of the Malacca Strait to Malacca City as the activity area, while the west side fleet is from Aceh and Jetwater Bay (

Today's Simawi City in Indonesia) and several other coastal areas were active areas, intercepting and attacking Dutch merchant ships passing through the Strait of Malacca.

Before the arrival of the winter warm current in December, the number of Dutch merchant ships that frequented the strait area was usually not too large. There were even many merchant ships that traveled alone to this area, which just allowed the Qi ships waiting here to do so.

Go on a "hunt" boldly.

However, when the winter warm current arrives, the Dutch East India Company will organize a very large fleet to pass through the Strait of Malacca, and then gather trading ships from trading stations such as Ceylon, India, and West Africa all the way back to Europe to complete the annual

Asia-Europe trade mission.

Qi State has already mastered this information, and at the same time, it has also come up with some bold ideas. Now, in addition to attacking and destroying Dutch merchant ships, the navy's raiding fleet is also unfamiliar with and understands the Malacca Strait.

Hydrological and geographical conditions, and become proficient in "hunting" techniques. As for the many intelligence and tactical staff members who came with the ship, they will also prepare to gradually improve and perfect the bold idea based on various information collected during this period of time.

Refinement.

They often do this, and once they intercept or sink a large number of East India Company's trading ships returning to Europe in the Strait of Malacca, it will definitely shake the Dutch's determination to fight.

When local Dutch shareholders and many investors learn that the East India Company, which can generate huge returns every year, may face the risk of having its entire trade channel cut off during the war with Qi, their dividends and investments will also be affected.

The consequence of losing all your money.
Chapter completed!