At the end of the 41st year of Wanli, the Ministry of War requested a strict maritime ban. The Ministry of War reported: "The ban on sea trading has been repeatedly warned, but unexpectedly there are still people who act unscrupulously. They checked and found that although they were not goods destined for the Japanese, their escape was suspicious, so we should They were detained and interrogated by the Yamen of their place of origin, and the coastal military guards were assigned to pass them. The officers and soldiers were restrained and restrained by the officers and civilians. They were not allowed to go out to the ocean privately, engage in smuggling, and engage in Japanese affairs, which would lead to quarrels."
Emperor Wanli approved his proposal from deep inside the palace. In the first month of the 42nd year, the imperial court's announcement reaffirming the sea ban spread throughout the coastal areas of Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong, and most officials from various places secretly smiled bitterly.
On the twelfth day of the first lunar month in the forty-second year of Wanli, Wu Yong, the governor of Sichuan, reported to the court that uprisings broke out in Yuanshan, Tuolang, Tongcao, and Shuishui in Jianchang, Sichuan. The chief military officer Liu Wei spent two years to reduce the total population to less than ten people. Wan's people were pacified.
On the same day, the border soldiers in Zunhua, Jimen, and Yongping, who had been owed pay by the court for more than half a year and could hardly survive, finally broke out in mutiny.
A few days later, in the last few days of the first lunar month, the people in Hebei, Henan and other places were harassed by the government officials and eunuchs who were measuring the land for King Fu, causing chaos everywhere. King Fu had scheduled March 24 of this year When they left the capital, King Fu and his party had 1,170 ships and 1,100 soldiers, several times more than before. King Fu's wedding fee was more than 300,000 taels, and the cost of building the Luoyang palace was nearly 300,000 taels. , which was also ten times the regular amount. This amount of money was enough to support tens of thousands of frontier soldiers. The land of Prince Fu was originally planned to be 40,000 hectares, but due to the efforts of the court officials, it was actually given 19,000 hectares. The land spans Henan, Shandong, and Huguang provinces. Fertile fields, and levied three cents of silver per acre. In the name of measuring acres of land, a large number of troops were sent to harass Henan, Shandong, Huguang and other places. At the request of King Fu, Zhang Juzheng's land confiscated by the court and the land from Yangzhou, Jiangsu to Anhui The miscellaneous taxes along the river in Wuhu and other places and the salt and tea silver from Sichuan were used by Prince Fu's Mansion. An official store was opened outside Chongwenmen in Beijing for the exclusive use of Prince Fu's Mansion. Henan's original Hedong salt was changed to use salt from Huai and Yang, and the Luoyang set up a store to monopolize the salt monopoly in Henan Province, which blocked the supply of salt from Hedong. As a result, border wages were dwindling. When King Fu left, Shenzong also gave away all the rare treasures donated by tax envoys and mine supervisors over the years. King Fu, he was escorting people to the official school and killing people along the way. The people along the way complained endlessly.
Completely different from the Ming Dynasty, which was basically not doing its job properly, the Chinese Company was fighting in Luzon for the Chinese to expand overseas.
In the last few days of the first month, War Island at the mouth of Manila Bay has been on high alert. However, the heavy fog in the early morning of this day prevented the garrison on the island from observing the movements of the southern waters of the island. War Island-Corregidor Island lay across At the mouth of Manila Bay, it is less than ten miles away from Mariveles on the northern coast of the bay, and 30 miles away from the southern coast of the bay. Therefore, the Spanish fleet clings to the southern coast of the mouth of Manila Bay, in the darkness before dawn, in the heavy fog. Under cover, they secretly entered Manila Bay.
The southern area of Manila Bay, except for Cavite, is mostly undeveloped and is the territory of the indigenous people. Therefore, there are no Chinese patrols on this coast at night. At the same time, the Spanish fleet has sailors who are familiar with the topography and waterways of Manila many times. , this is also one of the factors that enabled them to successfully infiltrate.
The Spanish fleet was not discovered by Chinese patrol ships until it reached Cavite.
Near the Cavite Shipyard, dozens of clippers and gunboats launched an attack on the Spanish fleet. However, due to the inability to withstand the firepower of the Spanish five giant ships with an average of more than 50 guns, the facilities of the Cavite Shipyard were bombarded.
The Chinese navy fleet has already assembled five main warships and twenty gunboats in Manila Bay, as well as hundreds of other small ships.
The Spanish fleet entered Manila Bay for a decisive battle with the Chinese fleet. This was what naval generals Mai Dahai, Ye Hua and others were looking forward to. However, what they did not expect was that the Spanish fleet was so bold and dared to fight in the foggy day and dark night. Crossing the mouth of Manila Bay.
What the Chinese military did not expect was that the Spanish troop transport actually risked escaping from the cover of the warships and crossed the waterway south of the war island before heading north. The Spanish warships' attack on Cavite was actually a deliberate attempt to attract the main force of the Chinese fleet. Come to fight, draw them away from other parts of Manila Bay, and create conditions for the infantry troops to land.
…
Yin Feng slept on the ground with his guards in the North Fort at night. Since the North Fort was built on the land of Qiao's family in Shanxi, it was not until the Spanish first attacked Cebu that it began to take shape. Therefore, the soldiers' dormitories There are not enough beds inside.
Yin Feng used to live a life of running around and didn't care about the details of life.
In the morning, when Yin Feng was woken up by Lin Yue, the captain of the personal guard, most of the brothers around him had already sat up sleepily, whispering to each other and asking questions.
"What happened? What happened?"
Jin Mingyu, the first sentry commander of the third battalion of the second regiment of the first brigade, hurried over: "Sir, sir Qianhu, there is an army of Qianla in the west."
Yin Feng was quite surprised. He quickly stood up and took the telescope handed by Lin Xiao: "When did you find it on the city wall?"
Everyone in the fortress had woken up and was hurriedly arranging equipment and ammunition. They were busy but not in a hurry. Yin Feng climbed up to the tower of the fortress and could clearly see the scene to the west without a telescope.
On a large plain in the distance to the seaside, an army spread out for several miles and was slowly approaching the front of the North Fortress.
This unit was flying several flags with crosses on a white background and was the Spanish Royal Army.
"An hour ago, we received a firework signal from the warning post north of the Pasig River. Then, we did not receive any signal again. The enemy should have landed on the coast near Tondo, bypassed the swamp and then came to Here, otherwise Santiago Castle will definitely issue a warning," Yin Feng immediately made a judgment. He turned back to Jin Mingyu and said: "Have you issued a warning to Manila?"
Before he finished speaking, there was a "whoosh" sound, and a rocket rose into the sky in the southern part of the castle. It exploded and exploded into millions of stars. However, it was daytime and the fireworks effect was not obvious, so the beacon smoke at the highest point of the castle fort was It was also set on fire.
"Chief Jin, your troops will be on the front line, Zhuang Ding will be on the second line as loaders, and my guards will be on reserve. Get ready for battle."
Jin Mingyu opened his mouth wide: "...Sir, this is dangerous here. You can't stay here. Please return to Manila quickly."
Yin Feng ignored him and looked to the west with his telescope.
"boom,"
The sound of artillery was heard in the distance from Fort Santiago on the south bank of the Pasig River. This was the Chinese garrison at Fort Santiago who had discovered the enemy and was giving a warning.
"Sir, you can't..."
Yin Feng waved his hand and interrupted Jin Mingyu's words: "I have never escaped from a battle. Now there is still time to quickly organize the evacuation of labor coolies and withdraw from the ferry to Manila. At the same time, I will send a personal guard to go to Manila with your orderly troops. The old camp in the south of the city sent an order that all the troops of the first brigade should be mobilized, and we will stop the related people at the north fortress..."
"Sir," Jin Mingyu said a little bit. Yin Feng insists on staying here, and the responsibility he bears is too great.
"This is the crossing of the Pasig River, which is the narrowest section of the Pasig River. From the North Fort to the west and north, you can reach the territory of the Pampanga people. We cannot give the opportunity to the Pampanga people to unite. Get up, Captain Jin, get ready for battle, "
The Tondo coastline is only ten miles away from the North Fort in a straight line, but Tondo is full of swamps. Ten years ago, it was a refuge for the rebellious Chinese to avoid the Spanish army. Therefore, the Spanish army's troop transports boldly broke away from the fleet cover and moved quickly. After landing in Tondo, it took two hours to bypass the swamp and reach the plains north of the Pasig River.
At present, the Spanish regular army, including some Indians, and black auxiliaries, totaling more than 3,000 people, are forming a team one mile away from the north fort. German mercenaries, Swiss spearmen, pirates from various countries, and a total of 1,000 people are quickly making a detour to the north of the fort. The 1,000 native American white troops marched towards the crossing of the Pasig River south of the fort.
…
The North Fort suddenly erupted with a loud noise at noon. Ten cannons opened fire at the same time, and the Spanish army on the front also opened fire. The sound of cannons shook the entire city of Manila.
All the people in the Neihu military camp have been mobilized, the four camp gates are wide open, and the fully armed Chinese soldiers are marching hurriedly.
Zhao Tieqi was on horseback, standing on the roadside, constantly looking at his troops, and urged loudly and anxiously: "Brothers, hurry up, the Qianlu people have landed, let's drive them into the sea now, hurry up," said the red uniform The supervisor officer looked to the north, where the cannons were rumbling, and he said anxiously to Zhao Tie: "The news about the Mexicans entering Manila Bay came three hours ago, and now they have arrived at the North Fortress. They are moving so fast. ,"
…
A Yin Feng bodyguard in black clothes and a red belt rushed into the north gate of Manila on horseback, followed by a Chinese infantryman in black clothes and a black helmet. There was a chicken feather stuck in the helmet, showing his identity as a messenger.
The soldiers guarding the gate were building temporary fortifications at the city gate. They hurriedly stepped forward to stop the two of them, muttering: "The shipowner has an order that anyone entering or leaving the city gate in wartime must have a certificate."
The guard's face turned red and he was dripping with water. He rode on his horse and shouted: "Stop talking nonsense, brother, time is urgent. The captain is surrounded by the Greeks in the North Fortress. Let me go over and report the news."
The soldier guarding the gate was so surprised that he could not speak. The guards galloped past him and entered the city.
…
Li Lihua rushed out of the yard, pulled the little white horse given to her by Yin Feng, stepped on the stirrups and was about to mount the horse. Magalo grabbed her and said in a pleading tone: "Madam, please don't go, I'll do it right away." Take the guards across the river to rescue the boat owner, don't worry, the boat owner will be fine,"
Li Lihua bit her lip and did not answer.
Zeng Jingshan hurried over and saw Li Lihua standing in front of the little white horse. He immediately understood what she wanted to do. He stepped forward and took the reins and said: "I have issued martial law in the city. Many foreign businessmen are attending Sunday services in the church. They are very panicked. , need your help,"
Li Lihua sighed, nodded, looked at Magalo and said: "Uncle Ma, please,"
Magaro gathered his black guards and led them towards the north gate.
…
The Spanish army's rush into Manila Bay this time was completely a desperate gamble. The previous series of attacks on various parts of the Luzon coastline were indeed the Spaniards collecting supplies.
Fort Agana on Guam is extremely strong, and the defenders cannot hold on. They are well prepared, have many firearms and do not spare ammunition. Commander Fonseca, Fleet Commander Lord Juan, and Army Commander General Marilo decided after repeated discussions. Collect as much supplies as possible in Guam, and then set off directly to attack Luzon without getting entangled with Agana Castle.
The Spanish's initial plan was consistent with the Chinese army's estimate, which was to attack Cebu first and then move north to Manila. However, the level of defense in Cebu was completely beyond the imagination of the Spaniards. They wanted a quick victory and did not want to fight under Cebu City. It was a waste of manpower and material resources, and food had indeed become a major problem, so there was a series of raids around the island. In fact, the Spanish Asian Expeditionary Force had been arguing internally about whether to continue the war. Lord Juan was completely opposed to the war. There was no confidence, but Army Commander General Marillo had full confidence in the Spanish infantry. He believed that the failure of the colonial army in Manila was due to the poor quality of the troops themselves and underestimation of the enemy.
After repeated weighing, the prestige of the Spanish Empire, the dignity of the king and the rich production of the East attracted the upper echelons of the Spanish army. Finally, Commander Alonso Fonseca decided to take a risk. The more important factor was that the Spanish expeditionary force had only enough food. They can eat for another five days, but after five days the entire army will be out of food. All Spanish officers understand that now they only have a chance to land and fight, or have a chance of victory.
Yin Feng knew that his ability to command on the battlefield was limited, so after the war started, he just walked around under the wall to encourage morale and handle some emergency matters. The person commanding the battle on top of the wall was Jin Mingyu, who was a fugitive from Manila - Yin Feng's second The descendant of a group of direct descendants, a native of Zhangzhou, Fujian, his father was an iron craftsman who was rescued by Yin Feng from the city of Manila.
Under the cover of heavy muskets, the spearmen on the front line of the Spanish army launched the first frontal assault on the northern fortress. However, halfway through the charge, the fierce and intensive artillery fire on the fort suddenly defeated the Spanish spearmen.
The Spanish army pushed up the cannon and began to bombard the northern fortress. They did not expect that the Chinese artillery fire would be so fierce, so they did not think of pushing the cannon forward until now.
The fort of the North Fort braved repeated bombardments from thirty Spanish cannons and fought back desperately.
At the same time, the Native American white troops occupied the Pasig River crossing in the south, but were bombarded by cannons from the city of Manila and were unable to control the ferry. To the north, detouring European mercenary troops had appeared northeast of the North Fortress.
At this time, the first Chinese army unit began to cross the river - the black guards began to forcefully cross the Pasig River. They rushed to the north bank despite a hail of bullets and had a fierce battle with the American troops who came to block it.
The black troops only fired one round of muskets, and immediately launched a hand-to-hand charge with flintlock muskets equipped with bayonets. The unprepared Spanish American troops were marching. The Spanish musketeers did not have such equipment as bayonets, and they carried matchlock guns. In close combat, it was similar to burning fire sticks. Seeing that 150 black men actually dared to charge, they had to mobilize the spearmen to stop them. However, it was too late. The black guards were not willing to fight. They just knocked down the musketeers in front of them, which was not obvious. Attack the American troops in depth, but penetrate the left wing array of the American troops diagonally, and rush towards the northern fortress.