The newly established First Brigade of the Chinese Army consists of Zhao Tie's First Regiment, Mai De's Second Regiment, and 1,000 people stationed in Manila under the name of a garrison after the original Yan Siqi Fifth Regiment was disbanded. There are also several battalions of artillery and baggage. Soldiers. The Taiwanese indigenous battalion also includes the Luzon mountain tribes, Pampanga, Tagalog and other indigenous auxiliary troops commanded by Da'an, a mixed-race Yi'ero-Chinese young man. The total strength has reached 7,000. In addition, the Luzon-Cebu garrison has 800 people, and 1,000 people from the militia units such as the farm villages and villages around Manila. The navy fleet gathered at the port of Manila included five main battleships, the Fei Zi, and the Manila main battleship, which was built with the wood left by the Spanish. A total of six There are also 35 main battleships, 35 three-masted gunboats, two-masted clippers, and more than 40 auxiliary ships. The sailor musketeers can also be put into the battlefield with more than 30 sentries and more than 3,000 people.
The officers present listened to Yin Feng's words and couldn't help but whisper. Someone whispered: "Captain, we can deal with the related people and the red-haired barbarians at the same time. We just need to call in Captain Zhao's fourth regiment."
Zhao Tie, who was sitting at the front of the venue, touched his three-star epaulette with the rank of colonel. He said coldly: "What are you talking about? The fourth regiment cannot be transferred. Then the Taiwan base will be very empty. The imperial court is enforcing a sea ban. Maybe when will troops be sent out? Calling. Zhao Xuanming’s group cannot move.”
"So, what about the troops of the Ryukyu Regiment? They have no battle to fight in the short term..." Lin Shuisheng, a son of the Haikou Dan family, the deputy commander of the Sailor Musketeers, boldly said: "We occupy Luzon Island. We can defend it. What are you waiting for... Oh, just wait and see. Wait for Hongmao and Qianxuan to come together..."
Zhao Tie, the oldest and highest-ranking officer present, sneered and said coldly: "Brother Lin, what did the captain say during the training at the military academy? Have you forgotten the issue of war initiative? Besides, Ji Zai has to deal with it. The two countries, Japan and Korea, already have insufficient military strength. They must not mobilize any more troops. The only ones that can be mobilized at the moment are the Li Xingtuan scattered in Nanyang..."
Yin Feng's military meetings have always allowed everyone to speak freely. Therefore, he has been standing with his hands around, watching everyone argue. But he discovered a phenomenon. Officers at all levels within the Chinese Army have superior political status due to their generous economic treatment. Now the officer corps is gradually formed. It is vaguely divided into the Fujian faction headed by Zhao Tie, which is mainly composed of infantry officers. The Danmin faction is composed of naval generals from Mai De and Mai Dahai.
When he was thinking about how to rectify the Chinese army officer corps, suddenly a voice shouted: "Instead of waiting for the enemy to come to the door, it is better for us to attack the door. I suggest: kill the red hair first, and then return to the division to fight the Greeks. decisive battle."
The speaker was Yan Siqi. Yin Feng's eyes lit up after hearing this. He stood up and said: "Zhenquan. It will take two months to go back and forth between Luzon and Java. In this way, our fleet is in Batavia and Hongmao." The battle time is only two months. If we cannot achieve decisive results within two months, our fleet must return to Luzon. Otherwise, we may miss the opportunity to deal with the Greeks."
When everyone present heard this, they all understood: Yin Feng had already made a decision in his mind.
Zhao Tie asked with some confusion: "Ship owner, is the person who provided the information reliable?"
Yin Feng did not speak. He turned to Zeng Rui from the Military Intelligence Department. Zeng Rui understood and said loudly: "This person is the ship owner who ambush the Dutch East India Company ten years ago. Huatian Company colluded with the government to plot against the ship owner in Hangzhou." It is the credit of this person that the news can be notified to us in time."
Everyone discussed for a while and expressed "I see" expressions. Mai De remained silent. At this time, he loudly said: "Brother Yan is right. We are sitting in Manila. We are too passive. However, we should take a preemptive strike to deal with the Red Haired Barbarians. First we have to figure out the strength and plans of the Dutch. And the most critical question is: when will the Spanish army arrive on Luzon."
Yin Feng nodded approvingly at Mai De: "Captain Mai is right. If we don't know the exact itinerary of the Spanish army that is related to the Spanish, we will not be able to rush back to Manila from Nanyang in time. Then the battle against the Spanish will have to be Conducted independently by the infantry."
At Yin Feng's signal, Zeng Rui unfolded a crumpled paper and read: "The East India Company authorities have decided that after the Spanish and Chinese go to war at the end of the year, they will use the main force of the fleet to directly drive to Hele Island in the south of Luzon. Camera. Capture Cebu and southern Luzon. The squadron will attack Thenardier and Tidore in the Spice Islands. Drive away the remaining Spanish forces while controlling the entire Spice Islands."
Yin Feng sneered and said: "Our Dutch friends have another plan related to us. Brother Rui, continue reading..."
"...In order to control the entire Java and Batavia, it was necessary to expel the Chinese Company's forces. The East India Company decided to launch an operation to expel the Chinese Company's forces on the island of Java when the Chinese Company and the Spanish were at war. Eradicate all local forces that support the Chinese Company. We will use the power of the Huatian Company, the Japanese in Batavia Nippon Town, and the Makura Principality in the operation."
The generals of the Chinese army were talking a lot. Many people shouted loudly: "Send troops. Send troops. Destroy these red-haired barbarians. Then fight the Qianlu people."
Yin Feng said calmly: "Brothers, Batavia is where our company has been operating for many years. There are dozens of banana plantations and sugar cane plantations in the surrounding area. There is also a large amount of overseas trade every year. If we lose our influence on Batavia If our company cannot control the price of goods exported to Europe, it will have to be at the mercy of others in trade. Moreover, the city of Batavia was originally captured by the Dutch with the support of the Chinese. We have the right to stay There, a battle with the Dutch is inevitable. Well, I decided to use five battleships as the main force of the navy to attack Batavia and leave in two days. The subsequent infantry force was led by Yan Siqi. Composed of the Nanyang Task Force, plus 30 sentries from the Sailor Musketeers."
Yan Siqi stood at attention and saluted: "Yes. Ship owner."
"Yan Siqi stays. The others can leave first after receiving their combat missions."
…
After Manila became a territory of the Chinese Company in the 35th year of Wanli era, it has rapidly transformed into a city dominated by Chinese immigrants. The city walls maintain the appearance of the old Spanish colonial period. However, the size of the city has more than tripled. Numerous Chinese - mainly coastal immigrants from Fujian, Guangdong, and Zhejiang came here. Every year, a large number of Chinese merchants from all over Southeast Asia come here to do business. The number of permanent Chinese quickly reached nearly 100,000. Based on the huge population of mainland China. China As a result, the company quickly transformed Manila into a Chinese city. The penthouse-style houses and Baroque churches left by the Spaniards were quickly overwhelmed by the Chinese-style buildings that sprung up in the past six years. Countless Mazu temples and Buddhist temples Or the mosques built by Chinese Muslim-Hui traders surrounded those originally high-status Catholic churches.
According to Yin Feng's order, all addresses are marked with Chinese street signs on the street. The original Notre Dame Square in the city center is now called Shipowner's Square. Yin Feng and Yan Siqi walked on the bustling street. Next to him were the guards led by Lin Yue - Ma Garro's black guards and Li Lihua went to Malacca together.
Yin Feng looked at the flow of people on the street and the prosperous market, strolling casually. From time to time, people around him would recognize him. They would bow their hands or kneel down to salute. He would return the favor one by one.
There are also many merchants and sailors from various countries coming and going on the street. There are also Jesuit missionaries or Tagalog people. Although Manila is becoming more and more like a Chinese city, there are still one-fifth of the population of non-Chinese residents. From Countries around the world and the Philippines.
There is a guard box at the intersection. There are often Manila garrison personnel wearing black in the guard box, holding sticks and watching the streets. They are equivalent to the police force that maintains public order. Yin Feng once asked Zeng Jingshan: who is responsible for public security management in the city What should be the name of the paramilitary force?
Zeng Jingshan blurted out: "Let's call him urban management officer. City manager."
Yin Feng broke into a cold sweat and immediately rejected the suggestion; therefore, the Manila City Public Security Bureau still used the term "garrison force" used in Taiwan.
"Yan Siqi. Our China Company's escort team doesn't have an official name yet. What do you think the name should be?"
Yin Feng suddenly turned around and asked the absent-minded Yan Siqi.
Yan Siqi didn't think about it at all. He blurted out: "Your boss said that our escort is a force of overseas Chinese that fights back in self-defense. Then let's call it the Self-Defense Force."
"Boom." Yin Feng was distracted for a moment. His head hit the light pole at the corner of the road. He covered his head and cursed: "Fart. You can call it whatever you want. Just don't call it '**Team'!"
Yin Feng shook his head and smiled bitterly. He patted Yan Siqi on the shoulder and said, "Zhenquan, are you willing to be a soldier here for the rest of your life?"
Yan Siqi said seriously: "Captain, what are you talking about? I, Yan Siqi, was originally an abandoned child wandering on the sea. I was looked down upon by everyone on the shore. Only here, by your side, can I live like a human being. I can stand up straight. To face anyone."
Yin Feng nodded, waved his hand and said: "Everything here is a world I built based on my own ideals, but it is completely different from what I thought. You don't understand. Let's put it this way. I am the only one who I cannot fight against the whole world. I have to train young people like you and pass it on from generation to generation. Only then can I slowly change this historical development trajectory."
Yan Siqi choked and said: "Captain, I..."
Yin Feng stopped him. He shook his head and smiled bitterly: "I know what you mean. You have been having a hard time these past few years. I know the reason: you have lost your way. I don't know if I am doing the right thing. I don't know what I should do... ...Okay. Brother Zhenquan, the past is irreversible. When you go to Nanyang, you can only select a group of people from the original army. The fleet can support you in the battle, but the time is only two months. Whatever happens after two months What is the situation? The main fleet must return to Manila."
Yin Feng took Yan Siqi to the original site of the Mali Fort; now there is a newly opened residential area in front of the fort. There is also a large area where ground is being broken.
Yin Feng pointed forward and said to Yan Siqi: "Look here. We Chinese have tripled the size of Manila in less than six years. We Chinese should not stay in our own homes and fight over each other. Go. There is a lot of land in the world waiting for us to develop. My dream is to let the voices of us Chinese be heard wherever the sun can shine. In this process, we have to do many things. Do it. Even if it is something that goes against your own conscience, you have to do it. I know. It sounds very hypocritical to say it... Forget it. I think you can figure it out. Just go and prepare. After you go to Nanyang. You are the one in charge. The world there is created by you. Be careful. Don’t act impulsively. Be calm in everything."
Yan Siqi took a deep breath: "Ship owner, you will always be my ship owner. Don't worry. I will let the Chinese company take root deeply in Batavia. That land will eventually be ours."