Chapter 763 A lot of pressure

Fort Geranje, or its later completed version is more appropriately called City of Geranje. This stronghold was considered a rare fortified city among the Dutch colonies in the Far East in its original history. Zheng Chenggong sent troops in 1661

When attacking the city of Relanje, even though we had ten times the troops, we still had no good way to take advantage of this solid fortress, which was divided into three levels: upper, middle and lower. We could only adopt the simplest and most primitive siege tactics, which cost a lot of money.

It took nearly a year, coupled with the heavy artillery provided by the Portuguese and the assistance of the Dutch traitors, to finally capture this stronghold.

Before turning against Zheng Chenggong in the original history, the Dutch still had nearly twenty years to complete this project. During this period, they even had enough energy to build another bastion stronghold, Prominja City, on the nearby coast.

It is known as Chikan Tower by later generations. But in this time and space, neither Zheng Chenggong nor his opponent Frederick Coyett, due to the appearance of Haihan, an uninvited guest, they basically no longer have the opportunity to command this event that will be remembered by later generations.

of war.

However, at this time, Fort Geranzia had only completed a little more than one-third of the overall design project. The construction of the city defense fortifications on the bottom floor was basically completed, but the upper two floors of the bastion, which played a more critical role in defensive warfare, had just begun.

The construction started not long ago. With the previous construction efficiency, it probably wouldn't be completed in three to five to seven years. Will the Haihan people have the patience to give them enough time to slowly complete this big project? The answer is obviously no.

The Dutch are no strangers to the achievements of the Hai Han people in siege warfare. When the Hai Han people captured Hoi An, Hue and other cities in Annan three years ago, there were also a small number of Dutch merchants in those warring areas who brought the war situation back to the East.

The Indian Company. A fortified city like Hue cannot hold off the Hai Han militia for too long. How can we expect Fort Relanja, which is currently in its rough stage, to perform well in the war?

As for the local maritime armed forces, the Dutch are even less confident. After the Haihan militia led by Qian Tiandun defeated the Dutch armed fleet in the waters near Nanri Island in July last year, the armed fleet of Damuan Port was only

About two-thirds of the ships and personnel were left, and the subsequent retreat of Shibazhi also greatly affected the trade income of Damuan Port, so that the local area could not come up with enough funds to reorganize the armed fleet.

.If it were not for such an embarrassing situation, Hans would not have to worry about providing immigrants with poisonous means to quench his thirst to appease his Haihan neighbors who were about to make a move.

"Order the guards to close the castle gate. No one is allowed to leave the city without my warrant!" Hans ordered angrily: "Let the reserves gather! Send people to our southern port and ask them to be ready to send ships to Badawi at any time.

Ya call the police!”

Although Hans also knew that sending a ship to Batavia to call the police was useless, it was still a precautionary step that he had to take as a chief. Batavia was still semi-paralyzed after surviving this summer's war.

Due to the current situation, the armed fleet guarding the local area would not dare to leave Nanyang easily at this time. Otherwise, if the Malan people risk their lives and make another surprise attack, there will be no way to rescue Batavia. And as far away as Taiwan Island

Compared with the city of Batavia, it is self-evident which one is more important.

To put it bluntly, even if Batavia still has the remaining strength, they are still willing to send reinforcements to Taiyuan Port. In terms of the efficiency of fleet expeditions in this era, if reinforcements are organized from Batavia and rushed to Taiyuan Port, at least

It will also be a few months later. But the voyage from the Penghu Islands to Taiyuan Port is only one day at most. If the Haihan people are willing, they can launch ten offensives from the sea every month while waiting for reinforcements at Taiyuan Port, or

The long-term armed blockade of the shipping lanes in and out of Taiyuan Port is feared that the local economy and defense will collapse before reinforcements from Batavia arrive.

"Bring me my armor!" Hans knew that the current situation no longer allowed him to sit in the office and give orders. If he didn't go out quickly and show off, rumors might spread in the castle that he had taken the lead in escaping.

.But before going out to command the army, Hans did not forget another thing: "Find Philip immediately and bring him to see me! I want to know what this bastard talked about with the Haihan people in Penghu!"

Carrying the heavy responsibility of fighting for peace for Taiyuan Port, Philip went to Penghu and talked for a few days before returning. Unexpectedly, Philip had just arrived, and the next day the Haihan fleet had already arrived at the gate of Taiyuan Port. Hans's first reaction was,

Naturally, Phillip's report when he came back was inaccurate. Even if he didn't collude with Haihan to betray the company, he at least had something to hide from himself. Otherwise, how could the Haihan people carry out such a surprise attack without warning?

?

In fact, Philip's mood at the moment was similar to Hans. When he heard the news that the Haihan fleet had arrived outside Damuan Port, his heart felt as if ten thousand grass and mud horses were galloping past - he had just agreed to negotiate two days ago.

To resolve the current differences of opinion between the two parties, before I left Penghu, the other party also promised to wait for the Dutch side's reply. However, just a short time later, they came directly to the door with guns and cannons. What did the Haihan people say?

No longer trustworthy? What about resolving differences through negotiation?

But before Philip could find out any further information, Hans' people had already arrived at the door. The soldiers who came to his home this time were not as polite as the last time they invited him out. They just grabbed his arm and walked out.

Tuo: "Master Hans needs you to explain some issues to him face to face."

If Philip hadn't had a good enough psychological quality, someone else would probably have thought that this was a plan to drag him out and hang him. Fortunately, he also knew that the progress of his current negotiations with Haihan was in his own hands. As long as this battle hadn't happened yet

In a fight, there is still room for maneuver in everything.

Five minutes later, Philip saw a furious Hans at the temporary headquarters in front of the city gate.

"You came just in time! Tell me, what's going on? Didn't you bring us the good news of peace? Why did the Haihan fleet come to the door so quickly?" Hans became angry when he saw Philip's face.

He didn't hit him in any direction, but just fired a barrage of questions at him.

Philip could only respond with an innocent look: "Master Hans, I did have a good talk with the Haihan people before, and they also said that they would not take force in the near future... This may be some misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding? In the past three months, you have been the only one who has negotiated with the Haihan people as an envoy. How can there be any misunderstanding?" Hans didn't quite believe what Philip said. He always felt that this chubby businessman was hiding something from him.

place.

Philip indeed lacked the foundation to defend himself on this issue. After the Haihan people occupied Penghu in May, Damuan Port had no direct contact with the Haihan people. It only occasionally passed through some Ming or Ryukyu maritime merchants.

News. The tacit understanding between the two sides basically complied with the armistice agreement signed at the end of last year. There was no new progress or major changes. Naturally, the East India Company would not take the initiative to change the situation. Until recently, Haihan sent troops to land.

On Taiwan Island, Taiyuan Port panicked and hurriedly sent Philip to negotiate with the Haihan people.

But Philip was the only person in charge who went to negotiate. What specific content was discussed with the Haihan people. Hans could only listen to Philip's report and had no way to verify it with the Haihan people. And Philip had no circumstantial evidence, so it seemed that he could only rely on self-evidence.

There is no way to prove his innocence. If he wants to clear himself, he will have to take risks again.

"Master Hans, if you allow me, I would like to go and interview the Haihan people again immediately, right now!" The only way Philip could think of to prove his innocence is to go to the Haihan people again. Although he also knew that if the Haihan people

If he really felt at ease and wanted to start the war, then even if he went, he would probably be regarded as a victim of the flag sacrifice, but if he didn't do this, he would not be able to clear his image of a "traitor" in the eyes of Hans.

Hans was about to agree, but then he shook his head and said, "Wouldn't it be just right if you directly joined the Haihan people after leaving the port?"

Philip couldn't laugh or cry and said: "My property and family are all in Fort Relande. If you are not worried, please send someone to row a boat to take me out of the port. If I choose to surrender to the enemy, then please do whatever you want with my property and family."

Bar!"

Since Philip made such a heavy bet, Hans had to choose to believe him, and immediately sent a team of people to take him out of the city to the dock to take a boat.

"A ship is coming out of Taiyuan Port!"

About an hour later, the sailor in charge of the lookout on the mast reported his discovery to the deck. After receiving the news, Qian Tiandun immediately came to the bow of the ship and used a telescope to observe the small sampan sailing out of Taiyuan Port. So

A small boat less than five meters in length was obviously not out to fight the Haihan fleet, and the "voc" flag representing the East India Company hanging on it already indicated its identity.

"Bring their people to see me when the ship arrives." Qian Tiandun ordered concisely and concisely. He knew very well the purpose of the Dutch sending a small boat out at this time, and he brought the fourth fleet over to show off his force.

We need such a channel to convey the message and express our purpose to the leaders of Taiyuan Port.

Philip had not met Qian Tiandun in the negotiations a few days ago, but he also knew that Penghu was under a military control system, and the local decision-maker was the senior military officer Haihan - probably the Qian in front of him.

Officer Haihan. To be able to command such a fleet, his status should be one of the best in Penghu. Based on this judgment, Philip immediately said the words he had just thought about on the way after meeting.

"Dear Sir, we Dutch believe that communication requires both parties to be honest. I just reached a verbal agreement with your Mr. Li in Penghu two days ago. He also assured me that Haihan will not take the initiative.

Take forceful action against Taiyuan Port." Philip's tone suddenly increased: "But what do I see now? A heavily armed Haihan fleet blockaded Taiyuan Port without any warning. This is a

This is an act of banditry, and I would like to protest against it on behalf of the East India Company!"

After Qian Tiandun listened to the translation, he responded unhurriedly: "First of all, I want to correct one of your statements. We are not taking any force action against Taiyuan Port, let alone blocking Taiyuan Port. I would like to ask your attention.

Look, the distance between our fleet and Taiyuan Port is not as close as you said, at least it is still outside the artillery range of both sides. In addition, we have not shown any behavior towards Taiyuan Port or the ships entering and leaving Taiyuan Port.

The hostility, you can see, we didn’t even take off the artillery jackets.”

Philip took a sneak peek at the gun positions on both sides of the deck. Sure enough, the deck guns he could see were all covered with waterproof gun jackets, and they didn't look like they were about to start fighting. Of course, as for the condition of the lower artillery deck, was it okay?

Same, then it is unknown. As Qian Tiandun said, the Haihan fleet did not get too close to the harbor when it arrived at Damuan Port, but kept cruising for a distance beyond the coastline. To say that Haihan

The fleet's blockade of the port did seem a bit reluctant. After all, Haihan's ships did not block the waterway in and out of the port, nor did they use force against any target.

"Then what's the purpose of your fleet coming here? It's not just here for fishing, right?" Philip's idea of ​​wording was resolved by Qian Tiandun in just a few words, and he was a little annoyed.

"This is a very ordinary daily sea training for us, we just happened to be near Damuan Port." Qian Tiandun said with a smile: "I believe your country's navy will also conduct similar training. This is not unusual, is it?

?”

Forced coincidence! Philip is not a fool. Naturally, he will not be "just in time" as Qian Tiandun said. Military operations will be planned in advance. How can it be such a "just in time" arrangement? Moreover, this time is too coincidental.

Just after returning from Penghu, the Haihan fleet arrived. Wasn't this intended to demonstrate against Taiyuan Port?

"Dear Sir, whether you do it for naval training needs or for other purposes, this kind of action without prior notification is very easy to cause misunderstandings. I suggest that you start from now on.

Try to put an end to this kind of behavior, so as not to affect the armistice agreement between us and the contents of the previous negotiations that have not been completed." Although Philip was furious, he still tried hard to maintain restraint and bargained with Qian Tiandun as calmly as possible.

"It would be a pity if you misunderstood our normal military training for other purposes." Qian Tiandun nodded and said: "I agree with your statement. It is indeed necessary to inform you. But since it is still

There is no major misunderstanding, so it is probably not too late to report it now."

"Huh?" Philip smelled a hint of ominous flavor from Qian Tiandun's tone.
Chapter completed!