1635 Han style rises again

Chapter 1001 The Vision of the British
June 1683, 6, night, ten twenty, Tecoman.

Colonel Jose Calderon Borrallo sat in the corner with a dejected expression, his eyes slightly closed, and he did not respond at all to the officers of the Qi State who came to question him.

As a high-ranking military officer of the Kingdom of Spain, he even has the inherited title of knight and nobleman. He has his own pride and dignity.Even though he is now a prisoner of the Qi army, it is absolutely impossible to obtain some intelligence and information about the Kingdom of Spain and the Viceroyalty from him.For him, this is undoubtedly a betrayal of faith and loyalty.

After he refused to answer the question, although the Qi people seemed a little disappointed, they did not torture him harshly, nor did they further humiliate him in words or deeds, and fully gave him the dignity a senior officer should have.When the people of Qi State left, they solemnly announced that as prisoners of war, he and more than 700 Spanish officers and soldiers would be escorted to the American territory of Qi State, where they would be temporarily detained and punished with hard labor until the end of the war between the two countries. Peace treaty, will be sent back to Mexico.

Recalling the battle in the afternoon, Colonel Borallo felt like a dream.

After a day and a half of rapid march, more than 300 of the Spanish Royal Army used a large number of pack horses to quickly rush from the port of Manzanillo to the small city of Tecoman, and then waited for the arrival of the Qi army.

Through cavalry investigation, the Qi people indeed looted a large amount of gold, silver, and other property from Colima City. There were nearly a hundred vehicles, and the team stretched for several miles, slowly approaching the sea.

What made the Spanish officers and soldiers even more angry was that the Qi people also kidnapped more than 100 Spanish women in the city of Colima and the farms along the way, making the whole team extremely noisy and noisy.

Some brave local people launched wave after wave of attacks on this shameless invading army. Although the Qi people did not cause much damage, they greatly hindered their marching speed.

After learning this information, Colonel Borallo became even more confident in defeating the Qi army.They are nothing but a band of predatory, undisciplined, brutal brigands!

In the past two months, they have continuously attacked those weakly defended coastal ports and towns, and all they have faced are local militias who lack military training, which has allowed them to succeed repeatedly.

Once you encounter the regular army of the Kingdom of Spain, you will definitely blow them up and wipe out these shameless and greedy Qi robbers in one fell swoop.

Therefore, when the Qi army convoy arrived near Tecoman, Colonel Borallo did not choose to defend the city with a fortress, let alone set up an ambush to start a surprise battle.He pulled all the troops out of the city and waited in formation in the plain area one kilometer away from the north of the city, preparing to fight a dignified "decisive battle" with the Qi army.

Although it was observed through the telescope that the Qi army carried several artillery pieces, Colonel Borallo did not take it seriously.This group of troops who had plundered countless treasures would definitely be extremely surprised when they bumped into the Spanish Kingdom's army, followed by endless panic. It is estimated that the whole army would not think about fighting at all, but trying to escape from this place.As long as our army is more resolute in attacking and more aggressive, I believe the enemy will soon be disbanded, and finally let our army chase and kill.

However, to the surprise of all the Spaniards, the Qi army's reaction speed was quite fast. About 400 troops in navy blue uniforms lined up at the first time, holding muskets, facing the Spanish army from a distance. In an array, a dozen carriages traversed in front of them as a protective barrier.Immediately afterwards, under the organization of officers at all levels, more than a thousand soldiers in gray uniforms lined up in order, and were arranged at the forefront. Several artillery pieces were also untied from the back of the carriage and pushed to the front of the formation.

Colonel Borallo was not shaken in the slightest by the fact that the current situation was different from the pre-war assumptions.He decided to take the lead in launching an attack while the Qi army was not gaining a stable foothold.

The artillery fired, and their luck was good. In the first round, a shell hit the enemy's formation, causing the opponent a little confusion.

After several rounds of artillery bombardment, the enemy first lost his composure and began to launch an infantry attack, walking in neat steps, holding muskets, and slowly approaching.

Colonel Borrallo was overjoyed when he saw this.Although their entire army lined up in the field to meet the enemy, they still carried dozens of carriages and arranged them all in front of the position.Although these carriages may not be able to provide comprehensive protection for the soldiers when the two armies meet the battle, there is more or less a layer of cover, which is the greatest psychological comfort for the soldiers, allowing the officers and soldiers to shoot calmly.

However, before the smile faded away, Colonel Borralo suddenly saw bursts of fireworks rising from behind the Qi army's position, and countless rockets with trailing flames roared into the sky, and then drew beautiful arcs and landed in Spain. In the army formation.

The debris produced by the rocket explosion, the drifting smoke, and the burning fireworks "scattered the densely packed Spanish team like a heap of ants", and the entire battlefield was "like lightning and thunder, and the sound was endless."

The rockets also frightened the horses on which the two hundred cuirassiers were riding, and fled with the panicked riders, constantly trampling and hitting the Musketeers arrayed nearby, making the entire army even more chaotic.

In a short time, the Qi army rushed forward with shouts, they moved the frame that blocked the road, and rushed into the formation.After firing a round of volleys, they rushed over with bayonets in their hands, stabbing one Spanish soldier after another to the ground.

oh god!
When Colonel Borallo thought of the scene at that time, he couldn't help shivering.Those thin Qi soldiers seemed like a pack of hungry wolves, no matter whether the Spanish soldiers had surrendered or not, they stabbed down fiercely with bayonets.

Even though some soldiers of the Qi army were deprived of their muskets by the brave Spaniards, they did not flinch at all. Instead, they drew their short blades from their waists and continued to charge left and right, extremely brave.

In the wilderness, there are Spanish soldiers who collapsed and fled everywhere. They cried, screamed, and discarded all the weapons on their bodies. Just like those Indians who had been chased, they ran desperately, trying to escape the pursuit of the Qi army. kill.

Under the protection of several soldiers, Colonel Borallo tried to escape back to Tecoman City, but was intercepted by more than a dozen Qi troops on the way, and had no choice but to abandon his weapons and surrender.

Although no losses were checked after the battle, Colonel Borralo knew that his troops were almost wiped out from the number of captured Spanish soldiers, and more than 500 people died in the battle. Even his adjutant --Captain Goyle was also stabbed in the back by a bayonet, and then his throat was slit by a sharp knife. He died extremely tragically.

In this battle, our army of the Kingdom of Spain was completely defeated by Qi in a very short period of time. They are not only powerful in combat, but also have many advanced weapons that have never been seen before, terrifying rockets, and light army guns that can be carried with the army. And a lot of flower bombs.

Judging from this situation, as long as the Qi people have enough supplies and powerful sea power, they will be invincible on the entire Pacific coast, and they are allowed to wreak havoc.

How will our Governorate of New Spain respond?
-
July 7, Port of Veracruz.

Veracruz, located on the southwest side of the Gulf of Mexico, is the largest port on the east coast of Mexico and is known as Mexico's "Oriental Gateway". Built on the beach in 1519, it is the oldest city in Mexico.Because of the rainy and humid conditions, it is not suitable for living and has been abandoned twice.The present city was founded in 1599 as the main point of contact between Mexico and Spain during this period and was also the largest trading port.

A merchant ship flying the flag of the Kingdom of England slowly entered the port, and then under the guidance of the guide, it docked at the berth on the south side of the port.

British trader John Wilmot got off the boat and stepped on the solid land, he couldn't help but let out a long breath.

Oh, thank God for dodging the monstrous storm and finally reaching New Spain alive!

Two months ago, he brought a shipment of grain and tobacco from South Carolina. He first traded in Barbados, where he bought a large amount of cane sugar, and then traveled to New Spain to prepare Trade with the Spaniards here.

Although, as early as more than 100 years ago, the Spaniards imposed strict trade bans and did not allow foreign businessmen to enter the American territories to conduct trade activities.

However, with the weakening of Spain's national strength, especially their navy has been attacked, they have long lived up to their reputation as the world's hegemony.Coupled with the fact that the local native whites-the Creoles gradually took control of the economic dominance of the American territories, no one would seriously abide by the so-called trade ban issued by the Spanish royal family.Various smuggling trades are popular, filling the entire American market, and there is no prohibition. Local colonial officials, from the governor to the town officials, all turn a blind eye and close their eyes, allowing businessmen from all over the world to do what they want.

"Are the Spaniards preparing to launch an anti-smuggling operation?" John Wilmot saw four Spanish warships docked at the pier. They seemed to have just completed supplies, and they were raising several vice sails one after another, preparing to leave the port.

"Oh, no, they're not going to crack down on smuggling operations." Hearing the news, a staff member of the Campeche business house who came to welcome him said, "Most of them are going to return to the Spanish mainland via Havana. It is said that Qi The Chinese formed an expeditionary fleet, which attacked the mainland of Spain in February this year, and several coastal port cities were bombarded. The Spaniards were located in Mamura, Melilla, Ceuta and other places in Morocco, and also With the cooperation of the Qi fleet, they were taken back one by one by the Moroccans."

"Ah?" John Wilmot was surprised when he heard this, "Isn't that Qi country a country located in the Indian Ocean region? They actually crossed tens of thousands of miles of sea routes, entered Europe, and attacked the mainland of Spain?"

"Yes, Mr. Wilmot." Sherman Ball had a gloating expression on his face, "The Qi people not only attacked the Spanish mainland, but also crossed the vast Pacific Ocean and attacked the west coast of New Spain. Acapulco, Banderas Valley (now Vallarta, the Pacific port of Mexico), Mazatlan, Colima, Tecoman and other coastal port towns were all attacked by the Qi people. A month ago, A battle broke out between the Spanish army and the Qi army that landed in the small town of Tecoman. More than 300 people were completely wiped out under the charge of the Qi people. A few days ago, news came from the port of Salina Cruz , the only fleet of the Spaniards in the Pacific region was also severely damaged by the Qi Navy, two ships were sunk, one was captured, and the remaining two are said to have fled to Lima."

"In this way, wouldn't there be no Spanish sea power on the west coast of Mexico?"

"Hehe..." Sherman Ball chuckled twice, then shook his head and said, "That's right, the Spaniards have given up their defense on the Pacific side and let the Qi people ravage the coastal areas. Their governor has issued an emergency mobilization In addition to relocating the residents on the Pacific coast, a large number of militias and armed volunteers were recruited to prepare for the massive invasion of the Qi people."

"Could it be that the Qi people will attack Mexico City?" John Wilmot asked in shock.

"...Probably not." Sherman Ball thought for a while, and said with some uncertainty: "My personal opinion is that the people of Qi would not take such a risk, going hundreds of miles inland to attack the populous Mexico. This is a very unwise behavior. Oh, of course, the behavior of those Qi people has always been unexpected. Maybe a series of victories will make them take a military adventure. The Chinese would organize two expeditionary fleets, across such a distance, to attack the Spanish mainland and Mexico respectively. Oh, God, they are crazy!"

"Oh, poor Spaniards, they are going to suffer a lot when they face a crazier and more arrogant state of Qi than they were back then." John Wilmot looked back at the four people who left the port one after another. A Spanish warship, and said sympathetically: "By the way, this Spaniard seems to have been unlucky for the past few decades, and he has never taken a sigh of relief.... Hey, how does the last ship that left port look different from other ships?" Are the Spanish ships obviously different?"

"Oh?" Sherman Ball looked towards the sea and saw a large ship with a slender and streamlined body. In addition to three tall masts, there was also a thick mast erected at the stern. He shrugged his shoulders and said: "That warship is called the Santa Lonia. A few years ago, an armed immigrant ship from the Qi State ran aground on a small island off the west coast of Mexico and was captured by the Spaniards. Later, they will The ship was restored in the port of Acapulco, then sneaked across the Strait of Magellan from the west coast to the Havana shipyard, where it was refitted and named Santa Lonia, making it a member of the Caribbean Fleet. A major battleship."

"What is that chimney for? Could it be that the Spaniards built a large kitchen on board, preparing to enjoy delicious meals at sea?"

"No." Sherman Ball shook his head and said with a smile: "Although the Spaniards are always ridiculous, they are not so luxurious to build a large kitchen on the ship. It is said that when the Spaniards captured the ship, , the erected chimney already exists. Well, it should be something built by the Qi people. I guess, the chimney may have been specially added by the Qi people to increase the power of the ship."

"Oh, really?" An incredible thought suddenly flashed in John Wilmot's mind, "Will the Qi people install some kind of driving device on the ship as the power of the whole ship? Just like us The steam pumps in the many coal mines in England use coal as raw material to continuously output steam power to drive large ships and completely replace wind power to sail freely on the sea.”

"Oh, Mr. Wilmot, what a imagination you have!" Sherman Ball laughed. "This is a large ship, displacing millions of pounds, how can a pump drive it? "

"No, it's not imagination." John Wilmot kept his eyes on the warship that was gradually receding, and said softly: "I once heard a Dutch businessman mention that the people of Qi do have a kind of sail that doesn't use sails. It is reported that such a ship has a thick chimney, and it will continuously emit thick smoke during driving."

"Um?……"

"If we can get a ship like this from the Spaniards, research and copy it, maybe it will change the future mode of maritime transportation!"

(End of this chapter)