When the battlefield was almost cleared, Shang Yi received another news. The three Spanish warships that escaped from the battlefield, as well as the six Spanish supply ships behind them, were encircled by the Spanish army on their way back.
The attack by the Second Squadron of the Merchant Navy in the rear resulted in the sinking of four ships and the capture of two. In the end, only three ships escaped. This also brought a complete end to this naval battle.
When the three escaped ships were off the southeast coast of Taiwan, they were intercepted by the Dutch fleet. In the end, only one ship escaped back to Manila and reported to Philippine Governor Coquilla.
At this time, the sun finally disappeared completely in the western sky, and darkness fell on the sea. Shang Yi also ordered all warships to return to Keelung Port to rest.
In this battle, the merchant army dispatched a total of 71 warships, of which 47 were deployed on the main battlefields, including 25 main warships, with a total of more than 3,200 soldiers. The Spanish army dispatched 24 warships.
Eighteen ships were deployed on the main battlefield, with more than 1,500 soldiers.
As a result, the Merchant Army achieved a comprehensive victory, sinking and destroying fourteen of the opponent's warships, and captured seven, including the Spanish flagship San Luis. More than 1,200 Spanish soldiers were killed and more than 600 were captured alive.
They also seized more than 300 artillery pieces of various types, more than 1,000 muskets, of which more than 300 were flintlock muskets, 34 war horses, and a number of other food supplies.
As for the Merchant Army itself, eight warships were sunk by the Spanish army, including six auxiliary battleships, a cruiser, and a frigate. Among them, the First Squadron suffered the greatest losses, with five auxiliary battleships and a frigate. In addition,
Nine warships were injured, and the First Squadron took seven of them. At the same time, 372 soldiers and sailors were killed, and another 315 were injured.
Therefore, after a night's rest, the merchant army also held a grand celebration in Keelung the next day to celebrate the merchant army's navy's first battle and achieved a major victory. Because it was the first squadron, although it suffered losses
It is very large, but it is responsible for the most difficult task. However, it successfully disrupted the Spanish army's formation and laid a good foundation for subsequent victories. Therefore, Shang Yi also focused on commending all the members of the First Squadron.
officers and soldiers.
Although judging from the results, the Merchant Army did win, and considering that this was the first battle since the Merchant Army Navy was formed, it was even more commendable. However, Shang Yi did not forget about this victory.
I thought that the navy of the Merchant Army would be able to roam the sea from now on and be invincible, because judging from the strength of both sides
In comparison, the Merchant Army has an overwhelming advantage in almost all aspects, so such a victory is nothing. It can even be said that the Spanish Army is proud of its defeat. And judging from the battle process, the Merchant Army
There have also been many mistakes, and there are many areas that need to be improved and summarized.
Among them, two problems are the most prominent. One is that the navy still lacks actual combat experience as a whole. Once it encounters an unfavorable environment or a situation that was not prepared before the war, the flagship cannot issue clear orders, and the officers and soldiers need to use their own strength.
When you use judgment to decide the next action, you will get confused.
.At the same time, within the navy, the quality of soldiers is also quite different. In comparison, the quality of the soldiers and sailors of the main warships is obviously better than that of the auxiliary warships. In addition, the soldiers' implementation of [Naval Regulations] is not thorough.
When we are busy, we often forget the requirements of [Naval Regulations].
This is indeed a problem that is difficult to solve in a short period of time. After all, combat experience cannot be completed in a day or two. It can only be made up for through rigorous daily training.
The other problem is the warship. This battle has once again proved that the old-fashioned Fuchuan and the Western-style sailing warship are not at the same level at all, and are not suitable as warships, even as auxiliary warships.
, and also quite powerless.
.In comparison, the performance of the improved Fu Chuan is obviously much better. Therefore, the new Fu Chuan built in the future will all be based on the improved ship type. At the same time, the size of the fleet should not be expanded for the time being, and new ships will be gradually used.
Let’s talk about it after replacing the old ship.
But it also takes time to solve this problem. Before new ships are built, we can only use old ships for a while. However, in future battles, we must also pay attention to the combination of various warships, and try not to let the old ships be used as much as possible.
It is a lucky ship but has too many combat missions.
Afterwards, Shang Yi temporarily rested in Keelung Port to treat injured soldiers and repair warships. At the same time, Shang Yi also wrote a very stern letter, attaching the names of the main Spanish army officers captured in the two battles.
It was sent to Manila and handed over to the Spanish Governor of the Philippines, Coquilla. The person to deliver the message, Shang Yidu, had already been selected, and they were the translators of a Spanish expeditionary fleet, Yuan Pu and Wu Yanming.
After the entire Spanish expeditionary fleet was destroyed, Yuan Pu and Wu Yanming were persuaded by Zhang Gengqiu and were willing to join Shang Yi. However, in order to try their best to conceal the news of the destruction of the expeditionary fleet, Shang Yi kept the two people in Zhejiang and did not let them go.
go back.
Zhang Gengqiu helped take care of their business in Manila. Now there was no need to hide it. It was also time for Yuan Pu and Wu Yanming to play their roles. Of course, Shang Yi also sent a missionary to accompany the two to Manila.
Send letters.
Two days later, a lucky ship from Quanzhou, Fujian Province arrived at Keelung Port. The messenger of the ship brought a letter to Shang Yi. It was sent by Zheng Zhilong, the commander-in-chief of Fujian Province. The wording in the letter was very polite.
, first praised Shang Yi and expressed Zheng Zhilong's great admiration for Shang Yi. At the same time, he also explained that Zheng Zhilong planned to go to Beijing to congratulate the emperor on his enthronement, and was passing through Zhejiang, hoping to meet Shang Yi.
After receiving the letter, Shang Yi nodded, and he finally attracted Zheng Zhilong's attention. However, this was what Shang Yi had expected. If Shang Jun wanted to expand overseas, he would have to deal with Zheng Zhilong sooner or later. In fact,
From the day when the merchant navy was formed, Shang Yi always regarded Zheng Zhilong as his own
The biggest potential opponent of the sea. Although there are still sea powers such as Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands in this era, these countries are too far away from China, and it is very difficult to provide logistical support. They lack endurance, and they all need trade with China. Therefore,
Neither of them wants to make long-term enemies with a certain force in China.
However, the situation is different now. The navy of the Merchant Army has taken initial shape, and it has also been tested in actual combat in the Battle of Guishan Island. Although there are still many shortcomings, its strength cannot be underestimated, so it is the battle with Guishan Island.
Zheng Zhilong is not afraid of confrontation, let alone
Kuang Shang's army also has a strong army. This is Zheng Zhilong's weakness. Moreover, Zheng Zhilong's forces are mainly in Guangdong and Fujian, which happen to be adjacent to Zhejiang. If you really can't defeat him at sea, then fight him from the land.
, leaving Zheng Zhilong unable to gain a foothold on land.
Of course, this is just the worst plan to do. Shang Yi did not want to be enemy with Zheng Zhilong. It can solve the contradictions or disputes in a peaceful way. Of course, it is best.
It will be a result of two defeats. On the other hand, in any case, Zheng Zhilong still gave birth to a good son, Zheng Yong, and Shang Yi did not want to be enemy with the national hero in another time, so I am afraid that it would be able to give up to give up.
Part of the interests can be exchanged for some agreements with Zheng Zhilong to jointly have overseas trade. It is also worth it.
However, these are Shang Yi’s thoughts. Whether you can do it as you wish depends on Zheng Zhilong's attitude. If Zheng Zhilong refuses to let Shang Yi a share in overseas trade, then Shang Yi also fights with Zheng Zhilong.
Based on strength.
In fact, this messenger sent by Zheng Zhilong is not an average person. He is his second brother Zheng Zhibao. Zheng Zhilong has two brothers in total.
In the war with Liu Xiang, only Zheng Hongzheng and Zheng Zhibao are now Zheng Zhilong's supporting assistant. Zheng Zhilong sent Zheng Zhilong to see Shang Yi sent a letter, which shows his importance to Shang Yi's rise.
After Shang Yi learned the true identity of Zheng Zhilong's messenger, he immediately ordered to receive Zheng Zhibao's seeing with the highest standard. He also set up a grand wine banquet to entertain Zheng Zhibao and Aris Sandra as a wife of Shang Yi.
Zheng Zhibao's age is not very old. It looks less than thirty years old, but obviously he is used to the people who are used to the occasion. The situation of this occasion is to be free to deal with Shang Yi.
If you are praised Shang Yi's feat from Beijing to welcomes the widow of Chongzhen. Of course, Shang Yi is also a ritual relationship, and also praised Zheng Zhilong. So after touting each other, Zheng Zhibao also intends to lead the topic to the Spanish expeditionary fleet last year.
Come.
Of course, Shang Yi did not hide it, and told how he defeated the Spanish Expeditionary Fleet. He also said that Aris Sandra was the deputy commander of the Spanish Expeditionary Fleet. Of course, he concealed her family.
It is said that after the expeditionary fleet failed, he did not dare to return to Manila, so he surrendered to himself.
After Zheng Zhibao listened, although he was calm, he had a stir in his heart. This time he came to Keelung, and at the same time, he also observed the task of exploring Shang Yi's realism. After all, Zheng Zhilong's understanding of Shang Yi was too little. And Zheng Zhibao and this
The Chinese people are different in the times and have a considerable understanding of the overseas world. He also heard that there is indeed a female officer in the Filipino dried datches. Therefore, it is also doubtful to Shang Yi.
Later, Shang Yi told Zheng Zhibao that this time he defeated the Spanish fleet during the naval battle of Guishan Island. Although Zheng Zhibao tried his best to maintain Zheng Ding, his eyes could not hide the surprise.
These changes of Zheng Zhibao were seen by Shang Yi, and they were very satisfied with their hearts. These things originally hoped to pass through Zheng Zhilin to Zheng Zhilong's ears. And talk to Zheng Zhibao, Shang Yi will wait for Zheng Zhilong in Hangzhou Prefecture, Zhejiang Province.
The big driving came. Then Shang Yi stayed with Zheng Zhibao for two days in Keelung and gave him a lot of gifts to let Zheng Zhibao return to Quanzhou and resume Zheng Zhilong.