The Battle of Liaoluo Bay was the first time the Chinese defeated Western colonists on the ocean.
For China, which is dominated by agriculture, this is undoubtedly a great achievement worthy of special mention.
However, the funny thing is that if we look at the causes of the Battle of Liaoluo Bay, the Dutch were actually the victims.
In 1624, the Dutch built a castle in Penghu.
This move greatly stimulated the Ming Dynasty.
Shang Zhouzuo, the governor of Fujian at that time, sent superior troops to surround Penghu and forced the Dutch to retreat.
Although this was a great victory against aggression, in subsequent negotiations, the Ming Dynasty showed its consistent arrogance and amateurism.
In his letter of negotiation to the Dutch, Shang Zhouzuo mentioned that if the Dutch withdraw from Penghu and return to Taiwan, the imperial court is willing to protect the commercial exchanges between Fujian and Dajuan.
The main purpose of the Dutch colonial invasion was to make money through business.
After receiving the guarantee from the Ming government, the Dutch retreated happily.
However, the Ming government did not fulfill its promise.
The Fujian local government knew clearly about the existence of the sea ban and deceived the Dutch by promising a bad check.
With no other option, the Dutch had no choice but to start a smuggling business.
After Xu Xinsu was defeated by Zheng Zhilong, the Dutch also signed a trade agreement with Zheng Zhilong.
But Zheng Zhilong has the same moral character as the Fujian government and does not pay attention to the agreement.
The supply quantity specified in the contract was never completed.
The Dutch complained about this and made a request to Zheng Zhilong, hoping to obtain free trade rights along the Chinese coast.
For this reason, the Dutch also showed goodwill and took the initiative to help Zheng Zhilong defeat his main opponent at the time, the pirate Li Kuiqi.
As a result, Zheng Zhilong failed to fulfill his promise.
The actual reason is that Zheng Zhilong's official position at that time was only that of a general, and he had no power to decide on business transactions.
In order to defeat Li Kuiqi, he just deceived and used the Dutch.
In addition, the newly appointed governor of Fujian, Zou Weilian, was dissatisfied with Zheng Zhilong and further strengthened the sea ban after taking office.
At that time, there were only six permits to go to Dangyang.
This undoubtedly caused the Dutch business to be in trouble.
After continuously getting promises and paying the price without getting any results, the Dutch's patience finally ran out.
The decision-makers of the Dutch East India Company in Batavia decided to use force to achieve their own goals.
Hans Putmans, who was also in charge of Chinese affairs in Batavia, became the supreme commander in charge of military operations.
On April 30, Batavia sent personnel to inform the generals of the upcoming battle.
On June 2, Batavia gathered six warships, collected passing ships at the same time, and headed for the coast of China by taking advantage of the southwest monsoon wind.
In the end, this invading army possessed thirteen Galenic warships, and its force was extraordinary.
South Australia became the place for the first battle.
After observing the situation in South Australia on the flagship, Hans Putmans was extremely arrogant and believed that such a small island could not stop the Dutch attack.
On July 7, the Dutch colonists brazenly launched an attack on the Ming army on Nan'ao Island.
Commander-in-Chief Fan Ruyao was fearless of life and death and bravely accepted the challenge.
The battle became intense from the beginning.
Although the Ming army was trapped on an isolated island, they still had an inextricable fight with the Dutch thanks to their long range and powerful landing guns.
Regardless of today's world, the Dutch's maritime power is second to none.
But in fact, the Dutch's combat effectiveness is very impressive.
The Dutch are like teddy bears at sea, basically they can cause trouble, but they can't calm it down.
Facing Nan'ao Island, which was defended by hundreds of Ming troops, the Dutch concentrated thirteen Galen warships and besieged it for a whole day, but made no progress.
Although Commander-in-Chief Fan Ruyao was seriously injured and seventeen soldiers were killed, the Dutch suffered considerable losses.
"Your Majesty General, I don't think we need to waste too much energy on such a remote island."
A Dutch general made a suggestion.
Hans Putmans immediately took to the good deeds.
"We should go to a better place and let the damn Akito understand our will."
So the Dutch army retreated and the fleet began to move north.
Regardless of being seriously injured, Fan Ruyao once again sent someone to convey military information to the Fujian local government.
Unfortunately, Fujian's mountainous terrain determines that the transmission of information on land is far slower than the speed of marching on the sea.
The situation on Nan'ao Island has not yet reached the ears of the governor of Fujian, and the Dutch army has already launched a second wave of attacks.
On July 12, the Dutch fleet arrived in Xiamen.
At this time, dozens of ships belonging to the Ming Dynasty and Zheng Zhilong were moored in Xiamen Port for repair.
However, Xiamen guard Zhang Yongchan was in charge of equipment in Quanzhou at this time, and Zheng Zhilong was far away in Funing. As a result, Xiamen was leaderless.
Hans Putmans was overjoyed and immediately rushed his army into the harbor and launched a surprise attack on the Ming army.
All the ships parked here during the Ming Dynasty were in a state of repair and had no time to pull up their anchors and set sail, and were completely lost under the gunfire of the Dutch army.
After a day of fierce fighting, the Ming army sank more than 20 large warships and more than ten small warships.
Xiamen's maritime power was swept away and completely lost.
At this time, the local officials in Fujian finally understood that the situation was serious.
But without maritime power, the local government was helpless against the Dutch fleet.
Although the Dutch blocked Xiamen Bay and plundered everywhere, they had to send a message to the Fujian governor's Yamen and Zheng Zhilong.
Funing.
Compared to the war-torn Xiamen, it is peaceful here.
Zheng Zhilong was hiding comfortably on his flagship, and was even in the mood for fishing.
The Xiamen battle report was right next to him, and he didn't even look at it.
Zuo Hua, who accompanied him fishing, was equally at ease.
"Yiguan, when do you plan to take action? Your losses this time are not small."
Zheng Zhilong stared at the calm sea.
"I am a court official, so of course I have to listen to the court. I will do whatever the governor says."
Zuo Hua snickered inwardly, gaining a new understanding of Zheng Zhilong's shamelessness.
"I believe it won't be long before the governor will lean against you like a great wall."
Knowing that he was being sarcastic, Zheng Zhilong didn't care at all, but started to test his teachings.
"General Zuo, where do you think our army should fight?"
Zuo Hua was tit for tat.
"I'm afraid it's too early to talk about this now. If my prediction is good, the first officer is waiting for Liu Xiang, right?"
A flash of light flashed in Zheng Zhilong's eyes, and then he laughed.
"Hahaha, the one who knows me is General Zuo."
He asked again: "In your opinion, will Liu Xiang take action this time and help the Dutch to make trouble?"
Zuo Hua looked at him deeply.
"Liu Xiang, a thief, what kind of moral integrity can he speak of? In order to deal with an official, what can't Liu Xiang do?"
Zheng Zhilong's hand holding the fishing rod couldn't help but tighten. No one knew what he was thinking under his copper-colored skin.
