Yin Feng and Zeng Qian's daughter lost her mother just after she was born. She starved for three days and almost died. Finally, she found a wet nurse in Taiwan and Hong Kong and saved her life.
When Yin Feng left Taiwan Port, he didn't even look at her. Others could feel it. Although Yin Feng still maintained his original style and didn't like to directly intervene in the specific work processes of his subordinates, he seemed very silent. And I lose my temper more easily than before.
More than 10,000 Chinese armed to the teeth are waiting in the northern port of Taiwan, waiting to go north to Ryukyu to avenge the attack on Taiwan Port. But the wind is still blowing from the north. Ships in the sailing era cannot do without the wind, and are also restricted by the wind. .At this time, Yin Feng simply wished that he could have Zhuge Liang's magical power borrowed from Dongfeng.
Soldiers whose family members were killed came to the old camp to petition one after another. They took the initiative to risk going north against the wind.
Yin Feng disagreed and personally came forward to appease them.
The Sea Spirit trimmed its sails and sailed into the wind. Going north against the wind was a forced move. Moreover, during this period, the north wind was strong and the sea was rough. At this time, thousands or tens of thousands of people were allowed to take the boat and go north against the wind. God bless if half of them reach their destination.
When Chen Zhongji left Taiwan, the instructions given to him by Yin Feng did not actually include insisting on defending Naha to the end. However, Chen Zhongji judged from some information given to him by Yin Feng that the Ryukyu campaign planned by Yin Feng required the Chinese Commercial House to contain the Japanese pirates. Therefore, he insisted on staying to guard the Naha Commercial Building. At the same time, he also began to organize the evacuation of civilian personnel and store clerks.
Early the next morning, Chen Zhongji hurriedly took those who needed to be evacuated to the port.
They just walked out of the business building. Several Ryukyu soldiers in gray corsets with spears in their hands hurried over and stopped them at the gate.
The leading soldier was quite respectful. According to the Chinese custom, he cupped his fists and saluted. He said in the southern Fujian dialect: "I am Xie Yuanshui. I am also a descendant of the Fujian Thirty-sixth Family. I am currently the head of the Xie Ming Oyakata Guards. Excuse me, is your shopkeeper here?"
Chen Zhongji looked around and found that the surrounding situation was very chaotic. Countless Ryukyu people dragged their children with them, carrying gold, silver and soft goods. They were shouting at the sky and the earth, crying for their mothers and running from the direction of the port.
He stood up and returned the courtesy with his hands raised: "That's it. May I ask who you are..."
Several Ryukyu soldiers were surprised at his young age. They looked at him a few times. Xie Yuanshui said: "My dear relative, Mr. Zheng Jiong, would like to ask you to pay a visit..."
Chen Zhongji smiled: "Since Lord Zheng invited me, I will go with all the elder brothers." He ordered his men: "Send these brothers to the Sea Soul. Hurry..."
Xie Yuanshui suddenly said: "Do you want to go to sea now? Do you want to go back to Tangshan? It's too late. You can't leave."
Everyone looked at him in surprise. He pointed in the direction of the port and said: "The Japanese fleet has appeared outside Naha Port. You can't leave now even if you want to."
"What? So soon..." Chen Zhongji was startled. Suddenly he saw several people wearing blue tights, the crew uniforms of China Company, rushing out of the crowd and heading straight for the door of the business building.
"Captain Huang, what's going on?" Chen Zhongji grabbed the person in front and asked anxiously. The captain of the Sea Spirit said breathlessly: "Shopkeeper Chen, we can't leave. The Japanese pirates have blocked the exit of Naha Port."
Chen Zhongji had no choice but to send the civilian personnel who were to be evacuated back to the commercial building. Then he followed the guards of Xie Mingyakata to Uraza Mori Castle.
The castle is not big, but the high walls are all made of stone. They are tall and thick. There are three gun mounts on it, which are equipped with old-fashioned front-loading bronze cannons imitating the Ming Dynasty of China.
A middle-aged man wearing a Chinese-style robe and official uniform looked sadly at the sea ahead.
On the sea surface of Naha Port, there are more than a hundred Japanese-style sailing ships of the Shimadzu Army. The Anzha ship has become a large area of darkness. The Shimadzu family's Maru Cross flag is hoisted. The flag is fluttering, covering the sea area as far as the eye can see.
This is another group of Shimazu troops that separated from Urasoe Castle. They have more than 1,000 people. They are a waterway army led by Satsuma Deputy General Hirata Masumune. They arrived at the sea of Naha two days later. Since the front of Naha Port is guarded by north and south forts, it is defensive. Strong. In order to avoid an attack, the Shimazu army temporarily blocked Naha Port outside the range of artillery.
Chen Zhongji had already paid a visit to this Chinese-born chief of the three division officers, named Zheng Jiong. After he went up to pay homage, he was not in the mood to say any polite words. He came to the fort and took out his binoculars to observe the Japanese pirate fleet in the direction of the port. .Then he handed the telescope to Xie Mingyakata and said: "Master Zheng, this is the telescope. It was given to me by my lord personally."
Zheng Jiong took the telescope and looked at it curiously for a while. He was amazed. Suddenly he remembered the current situation. His face sank and he sighed: "After all, the Celestial Empire is a big country. There are such rare things. It's a pity. We don't need them now. Through the telescope, you can also see the fleet of the Satsuma clan opposite. Young man, shopkeeper Chen, you'd better go." Zheng Jiong said resolutely: "The Japanese have wolfish ambitions. I am an advocate of getting closer to China and resisting Japanese pirates. Once the Satsuma clan's army wins, I, the instigator, will not have a good end. The king has treated me well and I cannot bear to abandon him. I just hope that you can take my family out of Ryukyu and send it to Taiwan where your family is. Go to the island.”
Zheng Jiong's words clearly revealed his current mentality: As the highest civilian official at the prime minister level of the Ryukyu Kingdom, he has lost confidence in defeating the Satsuma Domain's army.
…
Chen Zhongji returned to the merchant house. The former shopkeeper Lu Yun also came to Naha from Shuri with his body still recovering from serious injuries. He was also worried about his own fate; when he was the shopkeeper of the Chinese merchant house, he and the samurai merchants of the Satsuma clan He suffered a lot of hatred. What would happen to him if the Shimazu army invaded Shuri? So, he also wanted to catch the last boat to Taiwan. But as soon as he arrived in Naha, he found that the sea outside the port was completely covered with water. It's a ship belonging to the Shimazu Army.
Captain Huang saw that everyone was very discouraged and disappointed. He stood up and said: "The Sea Spirit is a fast ship built under the supervision of the owner himself. It is a unique fast sailing ship in the world. As long as we can escape to the open sea, no ship can catch up with us."
Lu Yun sighed: "Hey, the problem now is how to escape from the port."
Captain Huang smiled and said: "I have been to Naha Port five or six times. At high tide in the evening, our ship can risk crossing the beach south of the port."
Chen Zhongji shook his head: "Are you sure? There are shoals and rocks there. It is easy to hit the rocks and get stranded when sailing at night. The family members of Mr. Zheng, the Third Division Officer, will also go with us. There must be no mistakes."
Captain Huang nodded and said: "I'm sure. I'll leave the load-carrying iron of the Sea Spirit and the bow cannon for you. Reduce the weight of the hull and reduce the draft of the ship. I will definitely be able to pass through the south coast safely. I Reduce some of the drinking water on the ship. Anyway, it’s a smooth sailing trip to Taiwan. You can reach Taipei in a few days. You don’t need too much food and drinking water.”
"Let's do it. Go to Taiwan quickly and let the ship owners' army set off early. Our three hundred brothers here are eagerly looking forward to it." Chen Zhongji made a decisive decision.
…
The weather on this day was poor. There were dense clouds and rolling black clouds, but it never rained. At high tide, the Sea Spirit successfully crossed the beach south of the port. As soon as it reached the waters outside the port, the Sea Spirit was attacked by several ships. The patrolling Shimazu warship discovered it. However, at this time, there was a slight north wind blowing on the sea. The Sea Spirit pulled up all the canvas and sailed south quickly. The Japanese ship was just about to catch up with the Sea Spirit. He had easily left his pursuers behind.
However, the Sea Spirit also happened to take advantage of a loophole; Shimazu Army Vice Admiral Hirata Masumune was dispatching his ships north, ignoring the blockade of the southern bay.
On the second day after the Sea Spirit successfully escaped (April 20), Hiratabe bypassed the front of Naha Port and landed at Kohama Bay not far to the north of Naha Port. He attacked the Ryukyu garrison behind Naha. As a result, Yaraza Mori Castle and Mie Castle on Naha Port were like waste. They lost their effectiveness and completely disrupted the plan of Zheng Jiejie who was stationed here to resist.
At the same time that the Hirata tribe landed in Obama, after adjustments, the Kashan tribe's iron artillery team easily defeated the Echiyikata stationed at Taiping Bridge on the way to Shuri Castle. Suozi Oikata was killed in the battle, and the Echiyakata was killed in the battle. Fight and retreat, retreating to Shuri Castle. The Kayama tribe continued to advance with basically no casualties.
Zheng Jiong got the urgent document from Shuri and was so anxious that after landing in Naha, Hirata Masuso's troops had already approached Naha Port from behind. The surrounding area of Naha Port was suddenly filled with fireworks and gunpowder smoke. Those who escaped slowly could not escape. Basically, the common people suffered.
The merchant house sent away the rest. The remaining 200 escort infantry, 80 special battalion soldiers, and 20 sailors - a total of 300 merchant mall guards were all ready to fight the Japanese pirates. There were ten soldiers in the merchant hall. Four cannons, two small field guns, and two cannons that fire explosive bombs. Each defender is issued a flintlock musket and grenades. Each soldier of the special battalion is also issued a flintlock pistol. 20 The sailors also had a small crossbow used for self-defense on sea ships. It can be said that everyone was armed to the teeth.
Chen Zhongji went up to the east watchtower. The first thing he saw was not the warriors and soldiers of the Satsuma Domain, but groups of fleeing people. Thick smoke billowed behind them.
After a while, the fleeing crowd passed through both sides of the Zhonghua Commercial Building and fled in all directions. At noon, a large number of refugees gathered at the entrance of the Zhonghua Commercial Building, crying and wanting to enter.
"We are all from Tangshan. We are from Jiume Village. Let us in." There was a loud cry outside, mixed with the shrill cries of children and babies from time to time.
Zhang Hai, who was also observing the situation on the watchtower, jumped up and shouted, "Open the door quickly. Hurry."
"No, don't open the door." Chen Zhongji shouted sternly and grabbed Zhang Hai: "Brother Zhang, you can't let anyone in."