Eighth year of Chongzhen

Chapter 766

In order to deal a devastating blow to the Spanish army, the Ming army still made a lot of targeted deployments. The ultimate goal of these strategies is only one: not to let the invading enemy retreat.

The merchant ships between Daming and Manila have been suspended for some time, and there is no ship in the empty port, as if there is enough space for the Spanish fleet to berth. This scene makes the Spanish fleet commander Delgado happy. Besides, I have some regrets.

“Many years ago, I followed the Armada of our Habsburg dynasty to Manila. My impression was that Manila was a bustling city with many merchant ships docked in the port and countless coolies loading and unloading various goods, from which a third of the revenue of our Spanish empire comes.

But now the Manila port that appeared in front of my eyes turned out to be so deserted!There was no sign of a merchant ship!

Damn barbarians of the Ming Dynasty completely destroyed the prosperity we have worked so hard to create!

This time we must teach these barbarians a harsh lesson, and claim war against Ming! "

Standing on the top deck of a three-story gunboat, Delgado expressed his feelings with some indignation while observing the approaching Manila port through a telescope.

"Your Excellency, I have never been to Manila, and I don't know what kind of scene you describe, but the desertedness of the port may be the reason why the Ming people have already prepared themselves!

You know, those Dutch people who seem to be allies with us are used to gaining benefits on both sides.

I have reason to believe that the news of our army's expedition to the East has long been betrayed by the Dutch to the Ming government, so the Ming merchant ships disappeared in a short time! "

It was Luis Garcia who was speaking, and he was also the highest officer in charge of the entire fleet's surface combat missions. Although his military rank was one level lower than Delgado's, one of them was the army and the other was the navy, and their respective divisions of labor were different, so he There wasn't much respect in his tone when he spoke to Delgado.

What Louis saw was that several piers in Manila Port were obviously newly built, which should have been organized by the Ming government after the Ming army captured Manila.

This shows that the original pier is no longer enough for more merchant ships to berth. It also shows from the side that after Manila was occupied by the Ming Dynasty, trade activities should be more frequent than before, and the prosperity of commerce should be higher. With a rigorous style, Luis raised objections to Delgado's emotion.

"Oh, Mr. Brigadier General's judgment on the Dutch is still very accurate, which is completely consistent with my thoughts!

The Dutch are a bunch of merchants and liars!

How despicable and outrageous they are to demand a fee of one hundred thousand dinars of gold from us in Spain!

These damned Dutchmen should all go to hell! "

Delgado put down his binoculars and turned to Luis, with a deep disgust for the Dutch in his tone.

After the Ming army released the Spanish captured in the Battle of Manila, since Spain had only one local ship, they had no choice but to entrust a Dutch merchant ship to send the captured people back to China. The Dutch took the opportunity to propose high transportation costs. Due to the seriousness of the situation, the deputy chief executive in Manila, who escaped by chance because of his visit to Ming Dynasty, finally had to agree and sign the arrears document.

"Your Excellency, this battle is related to our long-term interests in the Far East. I sincerely hope that our great army can win, and our navy will provide you with strong fire support!
There are still about two nautical miles, and it is time for you to land. May God bless us Spain! "

Luis did not respond to Delgado's anger, but turned the conversation to the upcoming battle.

However, he had a hint of worry in his heart: the major general's emotions seem to be not well controlled, I hope he will not be disturbed by such negative emotions when commanding the battle, this time the expeditionary force is an elite force in Spain, it is best not to There is too much to lose.

He had already known the position of the fort in Manila port through the map. Several main warships in the fleet had already aimed their muzzles at the target, preparing to suppress the attack of the Ming army on the landing of the Spanish army with powerful naval gun fire.

When the Spanish landing fleet entered within two miles of the port of Manila, the cannons on several forts of the Ming army on the port began to fire one after another, and the projectiles visible to the naked eye drew arcs and hit the berthing ship. The Spanish warship, but none of the several projectiles could hit the target, and in the end they just splashed in the sea water.

Immediately afterwards, several Spanish warships also opened fire almost at the same time, dozens of shells roared and flew towards a fixed direction, but none of them were able to hit, but the momentum was rather frightening.

Naval guns want to hit the target in the ups and downs of the sea, unless they focus their fire on the same place, otherwise it is as useless as a medium and anti-aircraft gun to hit a mosquito.

However, it may be that the Ming army was too timid. The cannons on the Spanish battleship fired two rounds, and after about a hundred shells flew past, the cannons on the Ming army's fort gradually misfired. Delgado saw from the telescope that the fort The Ming army on the ground began to swarm and flee to the rear.

"The fighting strength and willpower of the Ming army are nothing more than that, I don't know how Thiago, who is known as the rising star of the Spanish army, lost to them!

Such an army and soldiers, no matter how many there are, it is impossible to easily defeat our Spanish Invincible Phalanx! "

Delgado observed with a sarcasm, and said to Luis beside him.

"Your Excellency, the firepower on the fort of the Ming army has been completely suppressed, please land as soon as possible to command the battle!
I am here to remind you that the army of the Ming Empire may not be as fragile as you have seen. We still don’t know how many people they have, what weapons and tactics they use. I advise you to be more careful! "

Louis, who also saw the Ming gunners on the fort starting to retreat, reminded Delgado again.

He also knew that although the Spanish army stationed in Manila was not the main force on the front line, with the power of the Spanish phalanx, there should be few armies from other countries in the East that could compete with it.

However, more than 1000 people in the garrison were killed or captured in the end, and according to the returned civilians, these soldiers were all regarded as coolies, and these people who were released did not know what the fighting power of the Ming army was. This is still a bit worrying.

"Please rest assured, Louis, I am not a general without wisdom!

I led this army in the Mediterranean and fought against the powerful army of the Ottoman Empire for five years. Their powerful Sipahi cavalry has also been defeated many times by the army under my command. How can the Ming army compare with the fierce Ottoman Turks? !
Just wait on the boat for my good news!
If all goes well, I hope to have dinner with you at the Governor's Palace in Manila tonight!

see you later! "

Delgado smiled at Luis in a proud tone.

"OK then!

I wish you all the best, Your Excellency, and I await good news from you! "

Without encountering any resistance interference, after half a day of busy work, more than [-] Spanish troops successfully set foot on the land of Manila Port.

　Thanks to Sunny and Rain for being the most touching, and SHAJIA for the reward.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)