I

Page 405

However, the number of patients in the Datong Army has reached 154, and 3 of them died of illness directly.

It's like the Dutch attacked Malacca, 90% of the casualties were from sickness.Because the main forces attacking Malacca were mercenaries recruited from Europe, and they were extremely unaccustomed to the climate when they first arrived in Southeast Asia.

Fortunately, the Datong Expeditionary Army was well prepared, brought doctors and a lot of medicinal materials, and stipulated that drinking raw water was not allowed.

After taking Corregidor Island, the island was immediately converted into a military base of the Datong Army.Fuzhou-Zhuluo-Tortoisebill City-Coregidor Island, there is a steady stream of supplies, and the long-term combat failure will not be caused by lack of food.

The Spanish fleet huddled in Mindoro did not dare to go north to cut off the food route of the Chinese army, because there were too many warships of the Sino-Dutch coalition forces, and they were afraid that they would not be able to return if they went north.

……

In the Binondo area outside Manila, the leader of the Chinese community is the missionary Chen Liangxun.

This guy took off his priest's clothes and put on a traditional Han costume. He brought thousands of Han people and their families to the port to greet the Datong army: "Chen Liangxun, an abandoned citizen from overseas, kneels to welcome the heavenly soldiers and generals, long live, long live, long live the Emperor of Datong!" Long live!"

Li Guangzhi, a merchant from Fujian who was accompanying the army, picked up his stick and walked over, hitting Chen Liangxun on the head with one stick.

"Ah... forgive me, forgive me!"

Chen Liangxun screamed and fell to the ground, then got up again, kowtowed in pain and begged for mercy.

Wang Hui stopped and said, "Come back, don't obey the military order!"

Li Guangzhi said: "General, this guy has forgotten his ancestors and has already believed in the Christian religion of red-haired ghosts. He also bought foreigners for himself, usually wears western clothes, and often bullies Han people in Luzon. Even merchants who have just arrived in Manila to do business , and there are many people who are deceived by him, if you don't kill this person, it won't be enough for the people to be angry!"

Wang Hui thought about it carefully: "Arrest this man's whole family and put him under custody. The rest of the Han people who believe in Christianity are not allowed to harass them!"

"Long live the General!"

The other Chinese hurriedly shouted, as long as they can save their lives, they don't care about Chen Liangxun's life or death.

The Fujian merchants accompanying the army, seeing Wang Hui arresting Chen Liangxun's family, took a breath of anger and stopped yelling at the remaining Chinese.

"The general spares his life, the general spares his life, the grass people are willing to give up all their property!" Chen Liangxun said limply.

He is really desperate, those damn Spaniards are determined not to allow religious Chinese to enter the city.Let them defend the outer forts, but even the Spanish defenders gave up the outer forts, and all shrank in the city and refused to come out.

Wang Hui said with a cold face: "Your property will naturally be confiscated. As for whether you can survive, it depends on how useful you are."

"It's useful, the grassroots are useful," Chen Liangxun said like pouring beans into a bamboo tube. "The city walls of Manila are being defended by the Pampanga soldiers. The Spanish army and the Japanese army have already withdrawn to the castle in the city. The grassroots...the grassroots are willing to take risks." , to recruit those Pampanga native soldiers."

The Datong army had captured Chen Liangxun's wife and children, Wang Hui smiled and said, "Go."

Chen Liangxun rushed to the city of Manila immediately, and shouted in local dialect: "The Chinese emperor's army is coming, and the Spaniards can't hold it. As long as you surrender, you will not be held accountable for your previous crimes. If you dare to resist, kill them all!"

There were thousands of Pampanga native soldiers, and their families also withdrew into the city.

Hearing Chen Liangxun's words, some people's hearts were moved immediately, but more soldiers didn't believe it, because they killed the Chinese people the most.

Although the Spanish soldiers withdrew into the castle, a few officers remained on the walls.

A Spanish military officer shouted: "It will be the rainy season in one month. As long as you persist for one month, the Chinese army will definitely withdraw. If you surrender, you will be retaliated by the Chinese, and you will be killed at that time!"

It worked.

Yes, the rainy season will be in one month. Do the Chinese dare to continue the siege?

The morale of Pangbangya's soldiers was immediately high, and some soldiers even shot arrows at Chen Liangxun.

Chen Liangxun fled back in embarrassment, crying, "General, they are so stubborn that they really won't do anything to persuade them to surrender."

"Trash, drag it down and lock it up!" Wang Hui said contemptuously.

Chapter 498 [Siege in the Rain]

"General, a total of 284 people had headache and fever yesterday, and more than 30 people were added this morning."

"Replace all of them and rest to see a doctor!"

Malaria broke out in the Luzon Expeditionary Army. Fortunately, there were military doctors, and most of them were military doctors from the Guangxi Datong Army.

At present, the military mainly uses two kinds of medicines to treat malaria: Luzon fruit and poppy shell.

Luzon fruit is called Jieredou in Guangxi, the eldest son of Jinma in Yunnan, and Maqian in Qiongzhou, Hainan Island.

Of course Luzon also has it!

This drug can effectively treat the symptoms of malaria in the early stage, but the therapeutic effect will be greatly reduced in the fever period and sweating period.

The military doctors from Guangxi are very experienced in this, so they suggested to the generals leading the troops: Once the soldiers feel tired, have a headache, or have a low fever, they should immediately take the medicine prepared by Luzon fruit.There must be no delay, and the danger will be multiplied by one more day!

Peter, the commander of the Dutch army, found Wang Hui anxiously: "Dear General, I heard that Chinese doctors are good at treating malaria. Can you also help Dutch soldiers to see a doctor?"

"Of course." Wang Hui did not refuse the friendly army's request for help.

The magic medicine "Cinchona tree" for treating malaria was discovered in South America six years ago.But it has not spread yet, and it will take at least another ten years before it will be sold as a medicinal material to Southeast Asia.

The Dutch planted cinchona trees in Java, which was 200 years later.

Peter didn't leave immediately, but sat down and chatted with Wang Hui: "It's almost the rainy season. In such a short period of time, the city of Manila can be broken at most. The Spanish castle in the city is impossible to capture. Do you want to continue fighting?"

"Of course, this is an established combat mission." Wang Hui said.

But Peter said: "All the captured walls, castles, and forts can be demolished. It is impossible for the Spaniards to organize repairs during the rainy season. After the rainy season, we will send troops again. There is no need to stay in Manila for consumption."

Wang Hui said: "Your country can withdraw its troops, but the Datong Army will never withdraw."

Peter was speechless immediately.

In the eyes of these Dutchmen, sinking and capturing so many Spanish warships, and dismantling some Spanish outlying strongholds, such results are enough to be called a success.Spain, which is rapidly declining, cannot recover its losses for several years, while the Netherlands can quickly replenish soldiers and warships. It would be better to continue to fight in the second half of the year or next year.

To put it bluntly, it is to grind Spain to death at sunset.

With a fleet and a large number of indigenous servants, if they stay in Manila to survive the rainy season, how much money and food will be consumed!

This is the Dutch East India Company accountable to its shareholders, not the real Dutch government.

Historically, when they learned that Zheng Chenggong was going to recover Taiwan, they couldn't bear to send more than a dozen ships to station for half a year.In order to reduce the consumption of the garrison, [-]% of the fleet was withdrawn, and Zheng Chenggong seized the opportunity to recover Taiwan in one fell swoop.How can the Dutch, who are so preoccupied, waste a few months of rainy season in Manila?

At this moment, Batavia has fallen into a quarrel.

"Can't withdraw!"

Governor Van Diemen slapped the table and roared: "Once we withdraw, we will give Spain a chance to breathe. Moreover, the Chinese army is likely to occupy Manila after the rainy season before we send troops. At that time, how to negotiate with the Chinese? Everything It will all turn into begging for alms!"

Director-General Huis said: "Your Excellency, although we have achieved brilliant results this time, we have also paid a huge price. The rainy season will last for several months, leaving the fleet and army in Manila, and we have to pay for thousands of indigenous soldiers. How much consumption would it take to provide food? We have to withdraw our troops now and send them out after the rainy season is over. This is the most cost-effective deal.”

Van Diemen said angrily: "Sir, this is war. War! Do you understand? This is not business!"

Huis said: "War is a business, and everything is for profit. Moreover, if you want to spend the rainy season in Manila, you must organize a fleet to transport food. Is there still time?"

"Of course it's too late. If it weren't for your opposition, the food would have been shipped to Manila long ago!"

Van Diemen glared at the members of the council: "I want to exercise the power of the governor, and I want to exercise the power of the commander-in-chief of the navy. I will not accept any objections from you. You can impeach me, but you must wait until the 17-member meeting of the headquarters agree!"

The councilors looked at the angry Van Diemen, and they didn't dare to object anymore.

A system is a system, and authority is authority. Van Diemen has enough authority in Batavia, and this authority can often crush the company system.

If history remains unchanged, Van Diemen will live for another year, and will die of the disease in another year.

……

"Boom boom boom!"

The army artillery of China and the Netherlands, as well as the artillery of the fleet, poured towards the city wall of Manila.

With the morale of Pangbangya soldiers, how can they withstand this kind of fire suppression?Every time they heard the sound of cannons, they ignored the orders of the Spanish commander and were so frightened that they all hid under the walls of the city.

The craftsmen brought by the Datong Army have already built the Lvgong Chariot, and the indigenous warriors have also filled the moat.

The Dutch fleet all returned to Batavia, and they were going to escort the food fleet, otherwise they would be attacked by the Spanish fleet.

China's grain merchant ships also have to be escorted by the fleet, but they are relatively safe.

The first batch of siege troops was the indigenous army brought by China and the Netherlands.

They pushed Lv Gongcar, braved the shells fired from the city, and rushed towards the city wall with high morale.

After several rounds of shelling, he fled back in embarrassment, and six of Lu's vehicles were also destroyed by city defense artillery.Then continue to organize the attack, and continue to be beaten back by artillery.In one day, more than 300 indigenous people were killed and more than 1000 people were injured.

The Datong Army and the Dutch Army watched the show all the way without sending out a single soldier.

For four consecutive days of attacking the city like this, the Spanish defenders consumed a lot of artillery shells, as well as rolling stones and other defensive supplies.But the native soldiers quit. They didn't want to be cannon fodder anymore, and they didn't want to attack the city no matter how they were commanded.

Unless, the Chinese and Dutch armies also go together!

There are only more than 700 people left in the Dutch Army, and some are sick.They hid behind Mr. Lu's car and proceeded cautiously. They really didn't want to fight this kind of battle.

To siege the city, of course, use artillery first.

If you don't blow down the city wall and attack again, with the strength of the Dutch army, you will be killed in one or two attacks.

However, Manila's city walls are too short, and smoothbore cannons are difficult to hit!

Inside and outside the city, artillery from both sides kept firing, and even the cats and dogs in the city were used to the sound of the cannon.

"Ah!"

A Lu public car was smashed by the city defense artillery, causing more than a dozen Datong soldiers to be killed or injured.

"Ah!"

Another shell hit, and after Lu Gong's car was destroyed, the Dutch army pushing Lu's car forward immediately fled.

Wang Hui was furious. He found Peter and said, "The morale of your army is even worse than that of the native soldiers!"

Peter said confidently: "Sir, I only have more than 700 people, and there are dozens of people who are sick. How can I take them to death?"

On the fifth day of the siege, it still ended in failure.

During this period, trenches have been dug.But the rainy season is coming, even if the trench can be dug to the city, it will be impossible to attack again in the rainy season.

Days pass by.

The Dutch grain fleet came back. I heard that they were attacked halfway. Fortunately, there were warship protectors, and only two grain ships were sunk by the Spanish galleon.

"Boom!"

Thunder came from the sky.

The Governor of the Philippines, Coquila, looked at the sky and smiled: "Gentlemen, we have defended. The rainy season has come, and Manila is favored by heavy rain, and it will not be breached in another 100 years."

outside the city.

Religious Chinese live in a more peripheral area than Nongduo District. In areas that cannot be bombarded by city defense artillery, these Chinese helped build many new houses, and the soldiers of the Datong Army lived in these houses.

"Old Tie, drink a bowl of barley porridge to get rid of the moisture on your body." Wang Hui filled a bowl himself.

Tie Hong sat down cross-legged and drank half a bowl in one gulp: "Decided?"

Wang Hui said helplessly: "It's decided, and we will attack the city in the rain. I have also discussed with the military doctors. Before fighting in the rain, drink more salty boiled water, and get medical treatment immediately after fighting. It can't be delayed until after the rainy season. There are more and more people getting sick, some of which even the military doctors can’t figure out. It’s just raining and you can’t fire guns, and the defenders in the city can’t fire guns. The mud is pushing too slowly. The simple ladder is ready, and the ladder is carried to the city in the rain, and Manila will be knocked down in one fell swoop.”

"This is also a way." Tie Hong nodded.

Wang Hui added: "After capturing the city walls of Manila, we will choose another day to attack the castle in the rain. The Spanish castle in the city is also that kind of bastion. It takes time and effort to capture it on a sunny day, and it will cost people's lives to attack it. Just attack the castle on a rainy day!" "

Tie Hong finished his barley porridge and put it on the table with a bang: "I'm here to lead the team up first, this place is hot and humid, so finish the work early and call it a day. My son will start elementary school next year, and I want to go back to see it during the New Year. I'm afraid I won't be able to go back if I drag it on."

"Please!" Wang Hui cupped his hands.

"They're all Datong Army soldiers, needless to say those." Tie Hong grinned.

Tie Hong can probably guess what his superiors are thinking. Many people in the army ignore him, and it is difficult to continue his promotion if he stays in the country.This time when he was transferred to Luzon to fight, Wang Hui came here to be gilded, but he was "exiled". He estimated that he would lead troops to station in Luzon for a long time.

Another day passed, and it rained heavily.

The defenders are all hiding in the house, and the Dutch soldiers are also in the tents. No one wants to fight in the tropical rainy season. If they get sick, it is no joke.

"Brothers, finish this bowl!"

Two thousand soldiers held up pottery bowls and drank salted water instead of wine.

In the tropical rainy season with high heat and high humidity, dehydration and desalination are easy even if it does not rain, and it is easier to get caught in the rain for a long time.Although they don't understand the principle, Chinese medicine practitioners in the south know that drinking salt water can replenish physical strength.

After drinking a bowl of boiled salt water, the Datong army, naked and only in leather armor, carried a ladder and rushed towards the city wall in the rain.

The rain was so heavy that people couldn't open their eyes, and even affected the visibility ahead.

Not to mention the Spanish army and Pampanga soldiers defending the city, even the Dutch friendly army stationed next door didn't know that the Chinese army was fighting out in the rain.

If it were the Dutch, they would not dare to play like this, for fear that all the soldiers would fall ill.

Chapter 499 [Typhoon Operation]