Chapter 725 A rare opportunity

Of course Cheng Dapeng also knew the result of last year's negotiation, but the information he knew was all sorted and sent from the base camp. He was certainly not as clear about the process as Su Keyi, who had experienced it, so he asked curiously: "What about this?"

Mr. van der Wegen, what do you think of the Haihan Militia?"

Even an ally like Xu Xinsu, who cooperates closely with Haihan, will never reveal his true thoughts in front of Haihan's senior officials easily. As for Holland, an opponent who once fought against Haihan, it is even more difficult to find out the commander's views on Haihan's militia.

Okay. Cheng Dapeng accidentally stumbled upon such an opportunity, so naturally he would not let it go easily.

Su Keyi was in a lively conversation, and when asked by Cheng Dapeng, he did not doubt that he was there. He immediately replied casually: "He believes that the strength of the Haihan Militia can compete with the armies of powerful countries on the continent of Europe, and in both Southeast Asia and the Far East.

It is rare to find an opponent. Fortunately, the Haihan Militia has limited troops and is currently difficult to deploy in a larger area. However, if it is allowed to develop, I am afraid that it will truly threaten the rights and interests of the East India Company in three to five years. The Haihan Militia

The ambition was quite ambitious, and there would definitely be friction or even conflict with the East India Company due to trade competition in various places. However, the company's strongholds outside Batavia often only had a few hundred soldiers stationed, so if it really took action, it would probably suffer a lot.

"

Cheng Dapeng thought it would take three to five years. If the Executive Committee really wanted to start a war with the East India Company, it could cut off the route between Batavia and Northeast Asia at any time. The East India Company was in Tai Yuan Port, Taiwan.

Strongholds such as Shuri Castle in the Ryukyus and Hirado Port in Japan are all places that can be taken by force at any time in the eyes of the Haihan militia. They are not taking action now because even if they defeat the East India Company and seize these places, there will not be enough

Instead of engaging in a useless war, the Executive Committee hopes to seize the time to further strengthen its own strength. Otherwise, if Su Keyi and two Dutchmen go north to Sanya, how can they win peace for the defeated East India Company?

.

Cheng Dapeng continued to ask calmly: "Since this Mr. Fan has suffered a setback at the hands of the Haihan Militia, I'm afraid it will be difficult for the council to trust his words again!"

"Who says it isn't?" Su Keyi put down the tea cup and sighed: "This Mr. Fan is also a young man. He doesn't use any indirection in his words or deeds. When he came back, he just said it to the council. If it weren't for Cohen at that time,

Your Excellency, I'm afraid that if you protect him, your military position will be wiped out by the council."

"Then Mr. Fan is still leading the troops in the city?" Cheng Dapeng asked tentatively.

Su Keyi shook his head and said: "We can't win the war, and we can't negotiate. Mr. Cohen gave him two opportunities to perform, but he failed both times. The council has a lot of resentment against him. How can he stay? The former

A few months later, he was sent to Taiyuan Port to lead troops for his uncle. But he was also lucky. If he really stayed, he would be like you and me, trapped here and unable to get out. This is considered

It's a blessing in disguise, but it's a blessing!"

Cheng Dapeng thought to himself that I was trapped here for the same reason. If the army outside the city hadn't pressed down on the border, there would never have been a chance to talk about such a sensitive topic. At that moment, Cheng Dapeng continued to ask: "What if the horse and blue army are here?"

If he refuses to retreat even after the siege, or if he really breaks through the city defenses, does General Van Diemen, who is leading the troops, have any other ways to deal with it?"

Su Keyi said: "If Boss Cheng is really worried, it is better to leave the city from the south gate immediately before the enemy's siege is completed. However, the situation outside the city has fallen into chaos. If Boss Cheng takes refuge out of the city, it may not be safer than in the city.

"

The Ma Da Blue Army attacked from the northern sea this time, and landed some troops on the east and west sides in advance. It has formed a vague encirclement of Batavia City on three sides. Now the vanguard is only three or four miles away from Batavia City.

, only the inland area south of the city is temporarily outside the scope of its activities. However, there are only tens of thousands of acres of plantations stretching for several miles in the south of the city, and there is no place to escape the war. A hundred miles to the south is the east-west separated Sasha.

There are no human settlements near La Volcano and Gede Volcano. It would be difficult for ordinary people to survive for a long time if they fled to such places.

Cheng Dapeng quickly explained: "That's not what I meant. Brother Su Shi, please don't misunderstand me. I'm just worried that if the Dutch are unable to defeat them, they will abandon the city. Then they will be cutters and slaves, and I will be a fish. Wouldn't it be dangerous?"

Su Keyi said: "What Boss Cheng said is not unreasonable, but you and I are not soldiers. We cannot go into battle to kill the enemy, and we are not qualified to dictate how the Dutch use their troops. We can only be spectators."

Cheng Dapeng said: "I can't see what the actual situation of the war is, so I can only listen to the news at home."

Su Keyi heard the flavor in the words and couldn't help asking: "Does Boss Cheng still want to watch the battle?"

Cheng Dapeng nodded and replied: "To be honest, Brother Su, I am indeed a little curious and want to go up to the top of the city to have a look during the war."

Su Keyi stared at Cheng Dapeng for a long time without saying anything, as if he wanted to judge whether his statement was true or false. Just when Cheng Dapeng himself began to feel uneasy, Su Keyi said: "If Boss Cheng really does this,

I think I can help you. But this is an extraordinary period, so the boss may need to spend a little money."

Cheng Dapeng suppressed the ecstasy in his heart and responded quickly: "Of course I won't let Brother Su Shi's work go in vain at this time. I will definitely give you a thank you gift."

Su Keyi waved his hand and said: "Boss Cheng has misunderstood. The expense is not on my side, and there is no need to prepare any thank you gifts. What I mean is that Boss Cheng can use the name of condolences to come to the top of the city to watch the battle. If you do it yourself

The cost of preparing the relief supplies will not be too much, a few hundred thousand taels of silver is probably enough. I will introduce you to the Dutch then, and I think there should be no problem."

Cheng Dapeng quickly raised his hands and said, "Brother Su Shi is kind and righteous! Regardless of whether the matter succeeds or not, I would like to thank you in advance."

Su Keyi returned the courtesy and said: "You're welcome! In fact, Boss Cheng has already registered with the council. If you apply for condolences on your own, you will probably be allowed."

When Cheng Dapeng heard this, he knew that Su Keyi had misunderstood this matter. He probably thought that Cheng Dapeng's real purpose was to establish a line with the Dutch in the name of comfort, but he was worried about bypassing Su.

The family would make him unhappy, so he deliberately raised the matter in front of him to seek help. After all, Cheng Dapeng’s Mihang had business dealings with the council. If he offered condolences to the council on his own, it would indeed be helpful.

Very likely to be approved.

Of course, Cheng Dapeng would not explain it to him, so he made a mistake and said: "If Brother Su Shi hadn't introduced him, how would I have had the opportunity to show off in front of the adults in the council? By the way, when Brother Su Shi leaves later, tell me

This Dahongpao will also take some back to give Mr. Su and the elders in the family a taste. If you like it, ask someone to buy some back next time when there is a ship to Fujian."

Cheng Dapeng was such a good person, Su Keyi was naturally happy to accept his flattery, and thanked him immediately. Seeing that the time was approaching noon, Cheng Dapeng ordered his servants to prepare a lunch for Su Keyi. The day's counting continued until the sun went down.

At that time, the servant responsible for counting the grains presented the calculated list.

Su Keyi looked at it, handed it to Cheng Dapeng for review, and asked: "Boss Cheng, see if there is any discrepancy in this number?"

Cheng Dapeng looked at the numbers and found that they were consistent with the grain inventory recorded by his family. He nodded and said, "The numbers are true and there is no discrepancy."

Su Keyi took the brush on Cheng Dapeng's desk, lightly dipped it in a little ink, and crossed out the last few digits of the number: "There is no need to include this small change. Boss Cheng can use it himself."

With this move, Su Keyi saved Cheng Dapeng tens of thousands of kilograms of grain, which was considered a big favor. Cheng Dapeng quickly thanked him, although he would also pay for the grain that was requisitioned and controlled by the council.

, but it is unclear how much the council can pay in the end. Su Keyi's change will undoubtedly reduce the possibility of losses for Dacheng Rice Bank.

"Boss Cheng will hurry up and handle the condolence mentioned earlier. If the war reaches a stalemate after a few more days, the condolence will not be of much significance." Su Keyi stood up and said goodbye: "After you are ready,

I will send someone to inform you and I will arrange a suitable time for you. Come here today!"

Cheng Dapeng sent Su Keyi away with great gratitude, and then ordered the business to close. He called a few capable men to the backyard, informed them of today's harvest, and asked everyone to start buying relief supplies tomorrow so that this could be realized as soon as possible.

plan.

Cheng Dapeng is actually not very sure how much military intelligence this kind of consolation activity can elicit, but since such an opportunity arises, he will certainly not let it go. As for spending some money on it, as long as he can find out

After obtaining useful information, these expenses are not a big problem at all. After all, in order to place the intelligence team he led in Batavia, the Ministry of Security spent not only 100,000 but also 80,000 yuan. So much money

Isn't it just to collect valuable information at a critical moment?

On July 9, the leading troops of the Mater Blue Army arrived at the gates of Batavia. After a short rest, they lined up to launch an offensive. However, this attack was obviously just a test, and about 1,500 Mater Blue infantrymen were cautious.

They marched about three hundred meters below the city and were stopped by artillery fire on the city wall.

The defenders took the initiative to open fire, causing the Ma Da Blue Army to stop advancing. Since the vanguard lacked the heavy weapons to fight back on the city wall, only a small number of archers in the Ma Da Blue Army launched meaningless projectile counterattacks against the city wall. After leaving behind two

After more than a dozen corpses were laid, the vanguard of the Ma-Da Blue Army retreated angrily, and the defenders won the first battle with zero casualties.

Van Diemen, who was supervising the battle at the top of the city, immediately asked the messenger to inform the council of the good news and report the victory to the residents in the city. Although he did not know the specific battle situation, after hearing the news that the defenders had "heavily damaged" the incoming enemy, the people in the city

The residents still expressed their joy at the victory with cheers.

However, the first victory did not make Van Diemen really feel relaxed. In this battle, the city defense artillery fired sixteen shots to kill more than twenty enemies. The cost-effectiveness ratio was astonishingly low. Although there were also enemy troops among them.

Due to reasons such as the scattered shape, long distance, the gunner has not yet entered combat status, etc., Van Diemen is still not satisfied with the result. If calculated according to this kill rate, he wants to rely on the advantage of artillery fire to kill the numbers outside the city.

It is almost impossible to have an army of ten thousand. What's more, the Ma Da Blue Army outside the city is not without heavy weapons equipped with long-range strikes, but they have not yet been transported to the front line to participate in the battle.

That night, the Mata Blue Army camped about two kilometers outside the north city gate. At the same time, on the east and west walls, the Mata Blue Army camp was also observed in the distance outside the city. Although the defenders did not appear in any battle that day.

It was a loss, but Van Diemen was really not happy at all. Before dusk, he suggested to the council that while it was still dark and the opponent's camp was not stable, let the two teams of cavalry in the city go out and charge for a while, even if they could not kill

No matter how many enemies there are, they can at least delay their progress in setting up camp.

However, the council rejected Van Diemen's bold and somewhat risky battle proposal on the grounds that city defense security was the priority. The cavalry in Batavia was only about 300, and the council believed that this kind of force should be used to attack the opponent's camp.

, if you are not careful, your vitality may be severely damaged. It is better to focus on city defense and fight steadily.

Although the council's decision was a bit conservative, it cannot be said to be anything wrong. After all, even Van Diemen himself could not guarantee that the cavalry would be able to achieve results if they attacked. As the only mobile force in the city, they were defeated in the first encounter.

Going all into the battlefield is indeed a very risky act. If anyone agrees with Van Diemen's suggestion, it is probably the deceased Governor Cohen, who was known for his fierce fighting methods.

But the conservativeness of the Dutch did not lead to a peaceful night. At midnight that day, the Malta Blue Army organized people to go to the city wall to cause trouble. Unfortunately, these people were discovered by the defenders on the city wall when they were swimming across the moat.

, even though there were hundreds of torches being thrown down from the top of the city, the musketeers on the top of the city used the light of the fire to attack the enemies below the city. After a burst of crackling gunfire, the horses defeated the blue army's night attack.

Seeing that they could not succeed, the troops retreated silently into the night.

As soon as it got light the next morning, Van Diemen sent people outside the city to count the results of the night. In the end, they only found the corpses of four enemy soldiers, which can be said to be better than nothing. However, hooks and ropes were found from these corpses.

If they really climbed onto the city wall at night, it's hard to say how much trouble they would cause. The defenders used horses to carry the corpses back to the city, and put them in front of the council.

It was hung in the square for public display to demonstrate the military force of the defenders and calm the hearts of the people in the city.
Chapter completed!