Chapter 111 Sing my Empire Anthem

One of the tasks of the British Consul in Guangzhou Jackson was to judge the Chinese military production capacity. Now the military machinery in South China has been fully activated. Although it is difficult to tell from the Guangzhou Pier, how many merchant ships were supply ships to South China Sea were disguised and went to the South China Sea, the continuous long dragons of carriages from the Guangzhou Arsenal made Jackson shocked. China has become a country that can produce the world's first-class rifles and bullets. With the full power of the production line, it can fully support it to engage in a large-scale local war.

Compared with the Chinese, the Dutch's supply in the South Ocean was obviously a natural gap. Jackson knew that the Dutch were secretly contacting the British and Indian governor Earl Canning, and he also knew that the Dutch had rejected the Dutch's suggestion that British India would become its military supply base. However, from a commercial perspective, several trade contracts were signed to provide ammunition and ordnance components for Dutch soldiers in the East Indies. At the same time, the two sides were negotiating the transaction of a newly launched wooden sail steam fast gunboat at the Mumbai Shipyard. This small steam gunboat was very fast and was obviously suitable for pursuing the Chinese supply ships.

Jackson could not predict the final result of this war. According to the telegram sent by India, Earl Canning hopes to use this war to gain some footholds in the northern part of the East Indies and further ensure the smooth flow of the Far East trade line.

It is said that the giants who monopolize the Indian shipbuilding industry all excitedly hope that the Dutch would lose this war. Chinese merchants' desire to buy steamships is expanding more and more, and the total tonnage of Chinese merchant ships is also expanding sharply. In the entire South China, the production of merchant ships with displacement of over 100 tons is actually in a state of stagnation. Only some small shipyards produce offshore sand ships, which makes most Chinese merchant ships purchased by India. If China wins this war, there is no doubt that the total tonnage of its merchant ships will develop leapfrog. Large ships produced in British shipyards such as Mumbai will find a big buyer, and the source of wealth will come.

In fact, although China's industry gradually gained a foundation, its tea and silk are even more profitable, and opium has been hit harder in South China again and again, Sino-British trade has been showing explosive growth, and Britain's exports to South China have not shown an unacceptable deficit. This is why Chinese merchants are very interested in purchasing large industrial equipment, and to a certain extent, it has promoted the industrial development of the Indian colonies.

In the telegram sent to Earl Canning, Jackson also expressed some concerns. Obviously, if the Chinese completely lose this war, the British Empire's colonial sites in the Far East would be more or less affected.

Jackson hoped that the Dutch would curb the Chinese's attempt to go south, as a barrier to control the East Indies, and also made China's military risk-taking behavior more restrained, but it would not make the Chinese lose too badly. It would over-hitly attack the Chinese's enthusiasm for innovation. A southern government with more developed business and open-minded but not aggressive ideas is the one he is most happy to see.

However, Jackson would never have thought that the development of this war was less and less likely to follow the trajectory he expected.

...

Penang Port is located in Sumatra Island controlled by the Dutch, separated from Java Island. It is also the first two archipelagos controlled by the Dutch in the East Indies, and it is also the basis for the Dutch to rule the East Indies.

Chinese people have been active in Penang for a long time. A hundred years ago, the Dutch began to use Chinese workers to start mining here. The Guandi Temple in Penang is the dormitory of the piglets, which enshrines the golden body of Guandi and the uncle whom the piglets floated across the sea to ensure peace on the sea.

More than ten years ago, it was rebuilt here and worshipped to Guan Gong and Da Bo Gong. In fact, it belongs to the Wen family of the local Chinese prominent family. The Guandi Temple today cannot be called a temple, but it is just a place for Chinese people to discuss matters. However, it is worshipped to Guandi's shrine. When Chinese gather, they have to burn incense for Guan Erye together.

Wen Gengnan is the leader of the Wen family today. He is in his forties, looks very gentle and smart.

The Chinese people who gathered in the chamber today all had their faces gloomy. After the outbreak of the Sino-Dutch War, the Dutch people in Penang and Hong Kong began to arrest and shoot Chinese people at will. As for Chinese workers, their fate was even more miserable. Dutch employers even provoked indigenous workers to besiege Chinese, and many Chinese workers were tortured to death.

Yesterday, several drunk Dutch soldiers rushed into the Wen family and happened to meet a beautiful concubine in Wen Gengnan. They immediately surrounded her and touched her hands and feet, and pulled off her concubine's shoes. They insisted on looking at her three-inch golden lotus, and almost raped her. Although the Dutch soldiers were pulled away in the end, the Wen family compensated a lot of money to send these plague gods away, Wen Gengnan's concubine could not bear the humiliation and committed suicide by hanging herself on the beam.

Overseas Chinese businessmen are immediately in danger. The Wen family is the richest Chinese in Penang. Wen Gengnan has a very small relationship with local Dutch officials. The Wen family is still treated like this and is in danger, let alone other people.

When everyone gets together, they just want to think of a way to protect the safety of all families.

"Just donate tens of thousands of taels. If we kill people, we can't kill them. The Dutch will not force us to death. The Southern Dynasties went to war with them, but it's not our business. Even if we talk about it, we are also a citizen of the Qing Dynasty in the north, right?" said a fat businessman sitting in the second place in the left.

"Will the Dutch care about you? Look, even if we take out all our wealth this time, the Dutch will not let us go." A thin man immediately expressed his objection.

The fat businessman who spoke before sighed and said, "Tell me, tell me, isn't this a problem to find trouble? It's okay if you rebel, why bother to fight against the Dutch? You can't beat others, but it's better that we've all been implicated!"

Several people agreed and cursed the legendary regent in the southern country.

Wen Gengnan's face sank, "What are you talking about?! You are all very satisfied with being a slave to the Red-haired Japanese, right? I want me to say, this battle is good! If someone dies in my family, I still have to say, it is good! Even if all my family dies, I am willing!"

No one spoke, and the Chinese overseas Chinese who had just scolded the Southern Dynasty were all a little embarrassed. Some people thought to themselves, are you crazy after your favorite concubine?

Wen Gengnan said with a calm face again: "Don't think about donating money or something, I won't donate a penny! The Dutch people want to arrest and kill! Let him! Whoever you like to donate will donate, but then again, don't discuss here, don't insult Mr. Guan Er's ears!"

He had said this, and what could others say? Some people stood up embarrassedly and prepared to leave. They went to discuss donating money to calm the Dutch's anger.

The fat businessman named Zhang, with the ugly face, bowed and said, "Goodbye!"

At this moment, there was a noise outside, and even screams came. With a bang, the wooden door of the conference hall was kicked open, and more than a dozen red-haired Japanese soldiers rushed in. The Dutch officer who was in charge of the head looked fierce and pointed at Wen Gengnan for a few words. Immediately, two Dutch soldiers ran up to tie Wen Gengnan with ropes. Wen Gengnan wanted to resist, but he was immediately fucked by a heavy gun on his stomach, and squatted down with a pale face and retching.

Fatty Zhang was frightened, but he couldn't help but gloat, but his expression changed immediately. Everyone knew the Dutch officers. They even called Wen Gengnan a while ago, but they turned against each other so heartlessly that they couldn't help but make Fat Zhang fall into an ice cave. This time, they were afraid that everyone would be doomed.

Dutch soldiers pushed Wen Gengnan out of the meeting hall. In the courtyard outside, there were soldiers with shiny bayonets and several bloody corpses. They were from the Wen family. When they stopped the Dutch soldiers, they were stabbed to death by these thugs with bayonets on the spot.

Anyone who dared to resist at this time was afraid to look at the Dutch people in fear, and even some merchants felt hot under them and were so scared that they peeed their pants.

The Dutch pushed Wen Gengnan away, leaving a terror all over the yard. After a long time, no one dared to move, as if the Dutch's cold bayonet was waiting outside the Wen family mansion.

"Master, Master!" The woman shouted anxiously, and hurriedly walked out of the inner courtyard with a maid, a woman in gorgeous clothes with a beautiful appearance. She was Wen Gengnan's wife.

When Mrs. Wen saw the situation in the courtyard, she was so scared that she exclaimed and almost fainted in the maid's arms.

Fatty Zhang came to his senses first and hurriedly came up and said, "Mrs. Sister-in-law, hurry up, clean up the fines and go out to hide. I guess, this Dutch will come to search the house in a while!"

Mrs. Wen was frightened. Although she was a family man, she had never experienced these things. "But, Master, what should I do?"

Fatty Zhang shook his head and said, "I have to go home quickly after saying goodbye. This Dutchman is afraid he will take action."

Everyone in the courtyard also woke up. Just as the birds and beasts were about to scatter, a man with open arms rushed into the outside of the courtyard, and ran and shouted, "The fight started, the fight started!"

Seeing the situation in the yard, the body was pooled with blood, he screamed in shock, "What's wrong with this? What's wrong with this?"

"Scream!" Fatty Zhang scolded him, and had a little impression of him. He seemed to be buying vegetables from Mr. Wen, nicknamed Big Mouth, and was the most troublesome gossipy, just like an old woman.

"No, it's really a fight! The fight starts on the sea, the fight starts on the sea!" Fatty Zhang pointed to the east and shouted loudly, saying, "I heard that it was the Qing fleet in the south who came over!"

Ah? The people in the yard immediately burst into trouble and rushed around and asked for their own questions.

In mid-July 1860, the Pingyuan Navy launched an attack on the Dutch fleet in the waters of Belitung Island in Penang Port.

There are twelve Pingyuan Navy ships, with a total displacement of 21,000 tons and 364 artillery pieces; there are 23 Dutch ships, with a displacement of 19,000 tons and 373 artillery pieces.

Of course, this kind of data comparison in actual naval battles is completely meaningless. For example, the Jinling only has thirty-six cannons, but it is obviously more powerful than the three-deck wooden-shell battleship equipped with seventy or eighty various cannons.

During the naval battle between Russia and the Ottoman Empire several years ago, because of the use of blasting bombs, wooden sailboats hid in the military port and did not dare to fight, which also proved how effective the steam-powered gunboats were to avoid artillery.

The Pingyuan Navy formation lined up in three V-shaped shapes and launched a fierce battle with the Dutch fleet under the scorching sun.

When the Dutch fleet saw the Chinese fleet approaching, it was not only shocked, but also more joyful.

Although the Dutch suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Pontianak, the commander of the South China Fleet, Blake, stubbornly believed that it was just a result of Kalimans' great excitement and rashness. Strictly speaking, China had only a few years to have a navy. In the attack on the East Indies, all British instructors evacuated the warships. Blake did not believe that the Chinese navy could achieve the final victory with just a few cannons that could fire blasting bombs.

Without knowing the reality of the Chinese, Kalimans' fleet still caused the Chinese to lose its combat effectiveness. It is still huddled in the Pontianak military port and dare not drag it back to China for real maintenance.

Now I have a clear understanding of the situation of the Chinese fleet, and Blake believes that it is not difficult to annihilate it in the vast sea of ​​the East Indies.

But Blake did not expect that after hiding in Pontianak Port for more than half a month, the Chinese fleet suddenly appeared in the waters of Belitung Island, and suddenly launched an attack on the Dutch and Indian South China Fleet.

The artillery roared and smoke rose on the sea. However, the Chinese Navy's first regular naval battle was quite good.

The wooden-hulled ship and iron-clad ship are mixed together. According to the firepower and formation, white lines are drawn on the blue sea. On the opposite side is the Dutch Navy, which has been tempered for a long time.

That is, it is not a sneak attack, nor is it a melee, deck, gun room, command room, busy officers, gunners, and helmsmen, although they are dogmatic and mechanical, and do not have the unique tricks of naval warfare like old fox, but they also follow the rules. After the Battle of Pontianak, the Pingyuan Navy's fear of the Red-haired Devils gradually faded.

Looking at the masts of Dutch ships not far from the sea, everyone was extremely excited.

"Grandma, blow you to death! I will blow you to death!" Ding Ruchang has been promoted to a second-class gunner. Every time he pulls the rope and fires, he will mutter and curse a few times.

When Ye Zhao saw the battle report, he would definitely feel this way. If the Battle of Pontianak was more similar to the melee between the Italian Navy and the Austrian Navy in Lisa in 1866, then the Chinese Navy in the Battle of Belitung Island was obviously more confident and aggressive.

If the Battle of Lisa reflects more of the confrontation between armored steam ships, the Battle of Pontianak demonstrates the huge advantages of armored steam ships when facing wooden shell warships.

As for the Naval Battle of Belitung Island, it was a tragic collision between the old naval power and the new marine forces. The unparalleled naval battle experience and the dull ships, the young but vibrant emerging navy fought an unprecedented confrontation in the waters of Belitung Island.

Perhaps, this kind of confrontation will never be seen again, because after the Battle of Belitung, the navies of various countries began to eliminate wooden shell battleships without exception, accelerating the production of steam iron armored ships, and the change of the British fleet even spent astronomical naval military expenses.

On the blue sea, when several Dutch light ships attempted to approach the Jinling several times to fight for the most primitive ship-catching battle, there was no suspense in the outcome of this naval battle.

In fact, compared with the Battle of Pontianak, the Dutch's losses were not as heavy as that, but it was even more shocking. When the two main second-class ships sank under the fierce artillery bombardment of the Chinese, Blake issued an order to retreat.

In the subsequent pursuit of the Chinese, the flagship Batavia, the only first-class battleship of the Dutch and Indian South Ocean Fleet, was chased by the Jinling. Although it was equipped with steam power, the Batavia was obviously not comparable to the mobile phone of the Jinling. Under the successive heavy artillery attacks, the Batavia was damaged in many hulls. Although he barely escaped from the battlefield under the protection of the frigate, he disappeared from then on. According to inference, he should have sunk in the vast sea. General Blake, the commander of the Dutch and Indian South Ocean Fleet, died.

More than a hundred years later, the legendary Batavia suddenly appeared again and floated alone on the sea. This is also one of the endless legends of ghost ships.

Dutch warships hid in Batavia Port, relying on the fourteen permanent shore defense fortifications in Batavia Port and the deterrence of hundreds of artillery artillery to avoid possible attacks from the Chinese navy.

The Chinese had two gunboats that lost their combat capability. Although the Jinling turret was wrapped in thick iron armor, the two turrets were silenced because they were hit by the opponent's solid bullet. What was derived from the Chinese redesigned the open-air turret and added an open steel cannon cover at the front of the open-air turret.

The results of this naval battle by the Chinese navy seem to be worse than that of the Pontianak Battle, but the two naval battles almost destroyed the main ships of the Dutch South Ocean Fleet. Even if the Dutch Navy wants to reinforce from the country, it will probably take a year to communicate and make a decision. If the Dutch new fleet arrives, this is the biggest advantage of the Chinese in the South Ocean. Except for the British, under the current communications and sea transportation, no country's navy can obtain strong support like the Chinese fleet in the South Ocean.

In short, the Naval Battle of Belitung Island allowed the Chinese Navy to briefly gain sea control in the South Ocean waters, a milestone-like event. No matter how the Netherlands declined now, the Pingyuan Navy achieved the first major victory in the foreign seas. The Chinese Navy and the Chinese truly stepped on the world stage and began to change from staggering to gorgeous dance steps.

Ma Dayong was obviously very clear about this. Standing on the deck and looking at the endless blue ocean, his throat seemed to be blocked by something, and it was difficult for him to do so for a long time.

"Bang bang bang", on the decks of some Chinese ships, sailors fired guns and vented their joy.

On the Guangzhou voyage, while rescuing the Dutch sailors, a loud singing sounded: "In Swanen years, the Great Empire of Asia East! Mountains are independent, and rivers are spreading with civilization waves; thousands of people are gods, and the land is vast and the resources are abundant. Promote my Huanglong Empire emblem and sing my imperial anthem!"

This is the military song tentatively scheduled by Pingyuan Army at the beginning of this year. The song is thick and majestic. The first time, the navy can sing so proudly and emotionally. Listening silently, Ma Dayong's eyes gradually became wet.

...

A few days later, before the Pingyuan Naval Infantry Regiment landed, more than a thousand Dutch soldiers from Penang Port surrendered. This increasingly lazy country not only lost its enterprising spirit, but the soldiers also gradually became more and more at ease. They realized that they had lost the support of the navy and wanted to fight alone to resist the fierce attacks of the Chinese. From officers to soldiers, they obviously did not have the courage to kill themselves. When they saw several prisoners of war sent by the Pingyuan Naval Division to persuade them to surrender and heard the Chinese's humane treatment of prisoners of war, the Dutch immediately shook the white flag.

The front house of the Wen family became the temporary command post of the Pingyuan Navy, and Ma Dayong also met Wen Gengnan, a highly infectious overseas Chinese businessman.

In the Dutch prison, Wen Gengnan surrendered before he had time to suffer. It can be said that no one has paid any attention to him these days.

In the conference hall, Fatty Zhang and others felt like they were dreaming. A few days ago, they were so anxious that they would be searched by the Dutch and murdered them all day long. A few days later, they were both sad and happy. The ferocious and evil red-haired devils became prisoners, and they turned over and became masters.

At this time, Ma Dayong was looking through the list of the list in his hand, frowned very tightly. The list was filled with the list of Dutch officials and soldiers who had persecuted the Chinese exposed by overseas Chinese. There were many people who could not be named, and they probably had to be recognized by people.

"Mr. Military Sect! The Red-haired Japanese have bullied us over the years and have been arresting and killing people at every turn. Sir, you can't just spare them like this!" Fatty Zhang looked bitter and revenge. Among the overseas Chinese, his attitude was the most intense.

Wen Gengnan frowned slightly and said, "Brother Hengsheng, the military master has his own decisions. He plans for the relationship between the two countries and the future. Sometimes we should not be worried about the old evil."

Fatty Zhang gagged and stopped talking.

Ma Dayong nodded slightly and said, "I don't think about the old evil, but I can't tolerate the evil. The main evil must be dealt with. The first batch of fourteen Dutch officials and military officers with great public anger have been locked up in death row prisons and are ready to be executed tomorrow."

Fatty Zhang was stunned. He was just yelling at the point of drawing a clear line with the Dutch. Unexpectedly, this military master really dared to kill the Dutch, and he would kill him as soon as he said he could.

Then I thought to myself that in the sea war and the Borneo war, I might have killed many Dutch devils, so how could I dare to say that? Why has my head not been able to turn around yet?

Ma Dayong looked at Wen Gengnan again and said, "One of these people is the culprit who forced your dead wife to death."

Wen Gengnan's face turned dark and he bowed and said, "But it is up to you, thank you!"

As he spoke, there was a noisy outside that a Dutch gentleman was pushed in. He was dressed in a very decent manner, grey tuxedo, biting his pipe, and talking to the soldiers who were pushing him.

When he saw Ma Dayong's Dutch gentleman full of anger, he shouted loudly at Ma Dayong, and the translator next to him hurriedly translated.

"Sir, you Chinese are too despicable and have no faith. Why do you kill prisoners of war who have already laid down your weapons? I protest, protest seriously!"

He will definitely not be so polite to speak, so he will naturally have to be more tactful when translated into a translation.

This Dutch gentleman is a civilian official in Penang and Hong Kong. He has a good relationship with some wealthy Chinese businessmen. Whether it is a hypocrite, he is good at everything. At least he shows a relatively noble and upright gentleman image.

Ma Dayong said lightly: "Mr. Heron, war criminals are treated differently. According to the Chinese, they are divided into different levels. We will never tolerate the murderers who kill our compatriots! As for you, Heron, we will release you back to Batavia, and please bring my message to Governor Bolsboom. If any persecution of Chinese compatriots occurs in Batavia or Java, we will determine that he is a first-class war criminal and will be responsible for the deaths of thousands of people. What he faces will be hanging."

Herren looked at Ma Dayong in surprise, not expecting that the Chinese would release him, and not expecting that the Chinese would threaten to hang Governor Bolsboom, and he swears that it is not a dangerous threat.

Wen Gengnan originally wanted to plead for Heron, but after hearing Ma Dayong's words, he felt relieved. He nodded secretly. The first time he dealt with officials of the Southern Dynasties was unexpectedly admirable.

Ma Dayong said again: "In addition, we are seriously warned again that our country's navy will immediately release the merchant ship that I was detained. The ten-day deadline will be. If it exceeds ten days, we will have to carry out retaliatory force strikes against the Dutch merchant ship."

According to the instructions of the Regent, the war was still controlled within a relatively small limit, at least there were no attacks on Dutch merchant ships.
Chapter completed!