Daming Military Empire

Chapter 382 Full-scale war

Faced with bright prospects for cooperation and huge benefits, Philip IV finally put aside his grievances with Portugal and really began to consider the issue of an alliance among the three countries.

He pondered for a while, with a serious face, and said sincerely: "Your Majesty, I am very optimistic about the prospects of cooperation among the three countries, and I am willing to form several companies to explore and create wealth with your country and Portugal. But, now I have to solve the problem of the Netherlands first. I have sent all the navy and the army that can be mobilized to Dunkirk. If this battle cannot be won, the situation will be extremely unfavorable to us. Therefore, I hope you can give us what you can Support and help me win this crucial battle."

Zhu Cijiong looked at the map and asked solemnly: "What is His Majesty's strategic intention this time?"

Philip IV shook his head and sighed: "I originally wanted to advance by sea and land, wipe out all the rebels in the Netherlands in one fell swoop, and take back the seven provinces in the northern part of the Netherlands. It is no longer possible for the seven provinces in the northern part of the Netherlands. Now I can only retreat to find their combined fleet at sea, defeat it, block the Straits of Dover and the English Channel, cut off their sea passages, and make them become Into a plate of loose sand."

Zhu Cijiong did not immediately give advice, but continued to ask: "Then what is the problem you are facing now?"

Philip IV pointed to Dunkirk on the map and said: "The main problem now is that Dunkirk may not be able to hold it. If France sends troops from the direction of Calais to attack the Netherlands on both sides, Dunkirk will be dangerous. If Dunkirk is occupied by them, the Armada will not be able to blockade the Strait of Dover and the English Channel without a nearby supply base."

At this time, Joao IV, who had never had a chance to speak, finally spoke. He said sincerely: "Our Portugal is willing to support [-] troops to help you garrison Dunkirk."

Portugal formed an army originally to prevent Spain from counterattacking. Now that Spain has agreed to form an alliance, there is no need to keep so many troops stationed in the country. Instead, they can be deployed to help Spain deal with the anti-Habsburg alliance.

When Philip IV heard the words, he immediately showed a pleasant expression. Forty thousand troops defended Dunkirk. As long as France and the Netherlands did not attack with all their strength, they would not be able to defeat it.Does France dare to attack with all its strength?There are still [-] to [-] Spanish troops on the western French border. If France sends troops to attack Dunkirk with all its strength, its homeland will be in danger. Therefore, with the support of Portugal's [-] troops, Dunkirk should be foolproof. .

Zhu Cijiong doesn’t think so at all. The art of war talks about the right time, place and people. The weather is still unpredictable, so I won’t talk about it. The people and the two sides seem to be similar, so there is nothing to say about it. Looking for a decisive battle with other people's combined fleet, no matter how you look at it, it is a bit unreliable. They can choose any favorable terrain and you can't find the north. How can you talk about defeating the opponent!
This is indeed the case in history. Is the Spanish Armada strong?Very strong!However, the five expeditions to England all ended in failure. The wrong weather was one of the reasons. Every time they encountered sea storms, in fact, the geographical advantage was also a reason, because even if their Armada was blown by sea storms, they were all at a loss. It is still much stronger than the United Kingdom, but if you go to other people's seas to fight with them, is it useful to be strong?If you are not familiar with the terrain, you don't know how to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages, no matter how strong your strength is, it will be fake!

Spain's Armada has suffered such losses many times. It seems that Philip IV has not learned his lesson and told others that the time, place and people are harmonious?This seems to be very difficult.

Zhu Cijiong thought for a while, and said bluntly: "Your Majesty, I have offended you. Have you ever thought about what to do if the other party leads your armada into a narrow waterway and then attacks you with fire, or if the other party takes your Leading to fight with you near the fort, can you win? Besides, the sea storm is still unpredictable, and the Armada is searching the sea aimlessly, what if there is another sea storm?"

Philip IV's expression changed when he heard the words. He knew what Zhu Cijiong was referring to. The failure of the Spanish Armada's five expeditions to England did leave a big shadow in his heart, although it was not when he was king. It happened from time to time, but if it happens like those times again this time, then he is not destined to lose!
He thought about it, and couldn't help asking anxiously: "Your Majesty, do you have any way to find their joint fleet?"

This guy, you still want to find someone else, and you won't let them come to you!

Zhu Cijiong pointed to Calais on the map and asked, "How many French troops are there now?"

Philip IV shook his head and said, "No, France knows that we are going to fight the Netherlands. Why are they stationing troops here?"

Zhu Cijiong pointed to the British city of Dover across the Strait of Dover and asked, "How many British troops are there now?"

Philip IV still shook his head and said: "No, the British also know that I am going to fight the Netherlands. They only need to keep the Netherlands. There is no point in sending troops to garrison these places."

Hearing this, Zhu Cijiong shook his head. These people, have they ever learned the art of war? They don't know any strategy in war. They don't know how to fight for such an important strategic place!

But this is also good, they can easily make them spurt blood, Zhu Cijiong pointed directly at Dunkirk on the map and said: "Da Ming will help you build twelve three-story bastions, and support you with [-] gates Artillery, used to equip bastions. In the first phase, four bastions were built in Dunkirk, and each bastion was stationed with [-] soldiers to block the enemy from the Dutch direction; in the second phase, four bastions were built in Calais. In the third phase, four bastions were built in Dover, and [-] soldiers were garrisoned in each bastion, so that Britain also lost The advantage of the nearby supply, and then, the Armada will come to cruise back and forth among the three bastions, block the Strait of Dover, and prevent any ships from passing through. Do you think they will become angry and organize coalition forces to attack?"

Philip IV nodded, and said worriedly: "This will force them to attack, but Calais and Dover are now owned by France and the United Kingdom. If they directly occupy them, won't they force them to go to war?"

Zhu Cijiong said domineeringly: "If there is an all-out war, it will be an all-out war. Haven't they been secretly uniting to beat you all the time? Is there any difference between a clear fight and a shadowy fight? Are you afraid?"

These words directly aroused Philip IV's arrogance, and he said proudly: "What am I afraid of, it's just that I can't mobilize the army for the time being. The three bastion groups need 6 people to lead, and now they are only [-]."

Zhu Cijiong took the opportunity to remind: "Don't you still have more than 1 horses in Luzon? When I go to take over Luzon, you will have more than 1 people. It is enough to add a few thousand people. You have thousands of people. Can't get it all together?"

Hearing the words, Philip IV gritted his teeth and said fiercely: "Okay, then do this, what's the matter with occupying their two cities, just fight, it's not like I haven't fought with them before!"

Zhu Cijiong then said fiercely: "When I take over Luzon, I will use Luzon as a base to launch an attack on Batavia. We will start a full-scale war with them!"

Philip IV immediately echoed loudly: "Okay, let's start a full-scale war!"

(End of this chapter)