Before hanging himself, Chongzhen lifted the table

Chapter 232

Zheng Zhilong did not direct the naval operations on the warship, but went ashore with the Shenji Battalion of the Capital.

No matter how the navy fights, his men can fight, and Zheng Zhilong's specialty is not to direct the navy to fight, but to figure out people's hearts, unite people, and do business.

Of course, this is not to say that Zheng Zhilong cannot command the navy, but he knows that the key to fighting the Dutch is to capture the city of Relanje, and being with the Shenji Battalion will also help to establish a good relationship with the emperor's cronies. This was more valuable than commanding the navy himself.

In addition to the one thousand troops of the Shenji Battalion, the troops on the shore also had more than a thousand soldiers sent by Zheng Zhilong to fight against the Shenji Battalion.

Standing next to Jin Zhensun, Zheng Zhilong watched the soldiers of the Shenji Battalion busy deploying artillery positions. He said with some worry: "According to the information disclosed by my people, there were originally more than 800 Dutch soldiers in this city. With the arrival of their governor stationed in Batavia, the number of troops inside has increased to more than 1,500. Do you think our troops are a little less?"

Generally speaking, the Western Yi's firearms are excellent. Therefore, if Zheng Zhilong attacks these Western Yi, he will attack them with several times the strength of the troops, and often cannot attack the Western Yi's strongholds.

Not only him, but also the previous battles between the Fujian governor and the Dutch eventually turned into a siege by the imperial officers and soldiers relying on their large numbers, and the Dutch were surrounded until they ran out of ammunition and food before they had to surrender.

Even in the original history, when Zheng Chenggong liberated the high officials, he had no choice but to force the city of Relanje into a siege and cut off the water source of the city, forcing the Dutch to surrender conditionally. . That is, Zheng Chenggong promised to let them leave as a condition.

At this time, Jin Zhensun heard Zheng Zhilong's words and immediately smiled and said: "Master Hou, please be careful, our Shenji Camp is equipped with the best firearms in the world. When we were in Beijing, we competed with the best firearms in Xiyi By the way, let’s see how our Shenji battalion defeats these Western barbarians!”

Zheng Zhilong knew that the Shenji Camp's firearms were powerful, but he had never seen them with his own eyes. When he heard what Jin Zhensun said, to be honest, he was a little unconvinced: he might be able to win, but he had to listen to what Jin Zhensun said. It seems to be abusing the Western Yi, but that is unlikely!

Perhaps those who came from the capital, whether they were civil servants or military generals, were accustomed to exaggerating?

Zheng Zhilong was a good person and did not express doubts to his face. Instead, he said some flattering words, saying that he relied entirely on the Shenji Battalion to fight this war.

Jin Zhensun didn't seem to hear it. Maybe he thought Zheng Zhilong was telling the truth and was not being modest. He just watched his men deploying artillery positions, and the fusiliers were lining up and building positions.

About half an hour later, the artillery position was ready.

At this time, Zheng Zhilong, who was a little idle, looked at the city of Relanja for a long time, and then said to Jin Zhensun: "The biggest official in the Netherlands seems to be eating in the platform pavilion above the castle!"

After hearing this, Jin Zhensun looked at his fingers, and then said with a smile: "This is really brave, okay, let's see if his life is good!"

Zheng Zhilong didn't understand what he meant, but soon he heard Jin Zhensun give an order: "First target the pavilion in the castle. After a test firing, fire a salvo of artillery to let the Western Yi have a taste of our artillery." sharp!"

When Zheng Zhilong heard this, he was immediately shocked. Looking at the distance, he quickly asked Jin Zhensun: "Can it be hit at this distance?"

He must be familiar with the Hongyi cannon. At this distance, the range is sufficient, but accuracy is impossible. It depends entirely on luck.

Not to mention, he saw that the largest artillery deployed by the Shenji Battalion was much lighter than the Hongyi Cannon. Just like this, can we really hit the city?

Out of curiosity, Zheng Zhilong waited and waited.

After Jin Zhensun's order was passed down, the artillerymen began to use tools to calibrate, and then an artillery fire was fired.

"boom!"

There was a loud noise, thick smoke rose, and a shell roared out. But unfortunately, we crossed the city of Relanja and fell outside the city.

The sound of the artillery obviously startled the Dutch in the city of Relandia. Many people looked up at the Ming army artillery position and pointed, as if to say that the artillery could hit far, but they were not afraid. Panic or something like that, probably because I feel like I'm not sure.

In fact, Zheng Zhilong also sees it this way.

He also saw that the Dutch governor who seemed to be having a leisurely meal in the pavilion was still pointing his fork in his direction and talking to the people next to him. He was probably commenting on the artillery level of the Ming army!

As for the Ming Army's artillery position, after the test firing of one gun, there was no second test firing. Instead, the artillerymen were informed of the information obtained from the test firing, and then they were all adjusting the firing units and busy preparing for the salvo.

Zheng Zhilong saw it and couldn't help but remind him: "Would it be better to try it again?"

After hearing this, Jin Zhensun immediately smiled and said: "No, they are all veterans, and His Majesty has personally taught the techniques and principles of how to fire artillery. There is already a reference, and there is no need to test fire a second time."

The fact is that with the artillery of this era, it is definitely impossible to point where to hit, so multiple artillery must bombard the target together to reduce errors. With the first parameter as a reference, the artillery salvo is almost enough.

When Zheng Zhilong heard what he said, he was a little surprised and said: "Your Majesty is so brave that you still know the art of artillery?"

Generally speaking, people with strong strength usually have simpler brains because they are used to using strength to solve problems. Anyway, most of the fierce generals in history are just fierce generals.

Now Emperor Chongzhen also knows artillery technology, which definitely surprised him.

When Jin Zhensun heard this, he immediately said with a smile: "Not only that, your Majesty knows almost everything! Nowadays, you have heard of the banks opened in the capital and Nanjing, right? Your Majesty also taught you how to operate this matter." Hong It’s so prosperous, if it weren’t for Your Majesty, it would be impossible.”

"And His Majesty also issued a decree saying that withdrawals can be made in other places. We have heard that this kind of thing is a bit unrealistic, but Your Majesty has the means to ensure that withdrawals can be made in other places. This makes many businessmen rush to Deposit money in a bank, and you no longer have to carry a large amount of money on the road. Before leaving, I heard His Majesty say that there may be more banks in the Central Plains and the west..."

"...By the way, there is also a steam engine in the capital, which contains a lot of knowledge. It was only made after His Majesty taught him..."

Jin Zhensun seemed very excited about this topic, and immediately told Zheng Zhilong endlessly about the abilities of the current emperor, which made Zheng Zhilong a little dumbfounded.

It seems that the emperor is very powerful in all walks of life, which far exceeds his estimate of the current emperor.

"Boom boom boom..."

He was thinking about it when suddenly, a deafening sound sounded and artillery started firing.

The sound was so loud that it interrupted the chat between Jin Zhensun and Zheng Zhilong. Both of them also looked at Relanja City, wanting to see the result of the bombardment?

The speed of the cannonballs was very fast. When they looked over after their conversation was interrupted by the sound of cannons, they saw that the top of the city of Relanja was already covered with rocks, all of which were splashed out after being hit by the cannonballs. The cover of the pavilion was also hit by artillery shells. In the flying dust, you can see that the cover of the pavilion is broken.

The people in the pavilion were crawling away and running away. One of them seemed to be still holding his head, looking very embarrassed.

After Jin Zhensun saw it, he looked at Zheng Zhilong and said, "How is it? Is this shelling okay?"

Hearing this, the shocked Zheng Zhilong came back to his senses and was immediately overjoyed. He immediately said to Jin Zhensun: "It's not only possible, it's absolutely possible! With the range and accuracy of this artillery, wouldn't it be possible for the Western Yi army to defeat them?" They can't hit us, but we can hit Xiyi, hahaha..."

You know, since Zheng Zhilong went to sea, he has always been in a passive state of being beaten when facing Xiyi. That is to say, Xiyi's artillery has a farther and more accurate range than his. He knows very well what his mentality is when facing this situation!

Now, it was Xi Yi's turn to enjoy this feeling. Just thinking about it, he couldn't help laughing!

The breath I have been holding in my heart for many years can finally come out!

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but be curious, and immediately asked: "Why did our artillery suddenly become so powerful?"

Even if we invite skilled craftsmen from the West, it is impossible to defeat the Western Yi!

After hearing this, Jin Zhensun immediately smiled and said: "The Marquis forgot, it was all taught by His Majesty! Your Majesty taught us artillery, and also taught craftsmen how to make better artillery, as well as the muskets and so on!"

"Ah!" Zheng Zhilong couldn't help but exclaimed when he heard what was going on, "Your Majesty knows so much!"

After hearing this, Jin Zhensun showed sincere admiration and said: "No, I haven't even finished what I said just now. Your Majesty also knows a lot about many aspects..."

As he spoke, he began to count the knowledge the emperor had displayed in the capital.

In the city of Geranje, Antony, the Dutch governor in Batavia, was having a leisurely meal and was hit by shelling. Although he was not killed by luck, his head was hit by the shooting stones and he bled.

At this time, while his men were wrapping his wounds, he looked at the Ming army's artillery position through the window with a very panicked expression, and said with some disbelief: "When did these Oriental firearms become so powerful?" ? It’s impossible for our cannons to hit this far, and the key point is to be so accurate. How did they do it?"

When the Dutch Governor-General Kui, who came after hearing the news, heard what he said, he asked with some confusion: "Could it be those artillery made by the Portuguese?"

Upon hearing this, Anthony immediately shook his head and said: "Just because the Portuguese can build better artillery than the Dutch, they won't be beaten by the Dutch! In such an important strait of Malacca, will they? Take it back?"

In the past, it was the Portuguese who occupied the Strait of Malacca. After the arrival of the Dutch, they coveted this strait and attacked by force, driving the Portuguese away. The Dutch occupied the Strait of Malacca.

After hearing what Anthony said, Kuiyi agreed, but now he couldn't understand it even more, and said: "It can't be that the people of the Ming Dynasty made such sophisticated artillery by themselves, right?"

Hearing this, Anthony shook his head again and said: "That's even more impossible! These oriental monkeys have to buy firearms at high prices from the Portuguese. How can they make such good firearms by themselves?"

Kui Yi actually knew the Ming Dynasty better than Anthony. After all, he was the governor of the garrison. Even if he was newly sent, he knew the Ming Dynasty better than Anthony did in Batavia.

Therefore, Kui Yi did not object to Anthony's conclusion and said: "Then where did the Ming Dynasty's artillery come from?"

"Boom boom boom..."

While they were discussing, they heard another loud blast of artillery outside. Then, there was the sound of ghosts crying and wolves howling in Relanja City.

Anthony's face changed greatly when he heard that. He didn't care where the artillery came from, but he immediately said: "You can't be beaten like this, otherwise the city of Relanja will definitely not be defended. Immediately organize a counterattack and seize the Ming army's artillery position. Either take it back or destroy it, quickly!"

Kui Yi naturally understood that this was the only way, so he immediately took the order and went out to make arrangements without hesitation.

They still have some confidence in this.

It's not like they had never dealt with the Ming army, and they knew that the Ming army all used matchlock guns. And they all use flintlock guns, and their range is farther than the matchlock guns of the Ming army.

In this musket battle, they still have the advantage.

But at this time, Kui Yi was actually a little worried. The range of the Ming army's artillery has increased so much, will the same be true for their muskets?

From a certain perspective, the principles of artillery and muskets are similar. If you can make excellent artillery, you can certainly make excellent muskets!

I hope God bless the Ming army’s musketry as it still lags behind!

With this in mind, he ordered five hundred fusiliers and braved the risk of Ming artillery bombardment to launch an attack on the Ming army's position.

This is not to say that the Dutch are not afraid of death, but they all know that the city of Relanja will be destroyed sooner or later if it is bombed. Therefore, they have no other choice.

When Zheng Zhilong outside the city saw the Dutch leaving the city, he immediately regretted why he didn't mobilize more men and horses to land. At least if we form an absolute advantage in terms of military strength, we will be absolutely sure!

With this in mind, he quickly looked around his side and found that the musketeers from the Shenji Battalion were already in place behind a temporary low wall built in front of the artillery position. However, there are not many troops, probably more than 600 people.

Therefore, Zheng Zhilong quickly ordered his men to prepare for hand-to-hand combat with the Dutch who rushed up.

As a result, while he was still explaining, he heard gunshots.

"Blah blah blah..."

The smoke filled the air and was soon blown away by the sea breeze, and the musketeers of the Shenji Battalion were seen firing.

Zheng Zhilong was stunned when he saw it. He shot from this distance?

(End of this chapter)