Lanfang's army was not only able to defeat the Spanish, but also captured the city of Manila, which proved that Lanfang's army was absolutely capable of breaking through this bunker.
The person who made the suggestion had seen the majesty and solid defense of Manila City, and believed that compared with Manila City, this fort was no more than a log cabin, and Lanfang's army would be able to easily destroy this fort.
Everyone was excited, but some people also raised doubts.
"Why should the Lanfang people help us? What benefits can we give them? If, like the Spanish, we drive the Spanish away and invite the Lanfang people over, is there any difference from before?"
In response to this issue, some people have also put forward counterarguments.
"I heard that Lanfang people have several copper and iron mines in the south. The people there are treated very well. I heard they can eat three meals a day and get their wages on time, so many people go there with their families. Go, I think Lanfang people are different from Spanish people."
Everyone began to express their opinions, but no one opinion could convince everyone.
In the end, everyone couldn't argue, and the final decision-making power was given to Apu, the most powerful warrior.
Apu looked at his injured left arm, and then at the indigenous warriors who were mostly defeated. He was silent for a moment, and finally sighed and made a decision.
"We have paid too high a price. This bunker cannot be taken down, and none of us can explain it to the tribe. We have no choice but to ask Lanfang for help."
He will send people to Manila to negotiate with Lanfang, strive to form an alliance with Lanfang, and invite Lanfang's army to help.
Otherwise, after we have killed so many of our own clansmen and paid such a high price, it is very likely that we will get nothing.
That's it.
Coincidentally, in addition to Apu and others, the indigenous people in other areas also quickly reached an internal consensus.
They all believed that Lanfang's army was powerful and could defeat the Spaniards, and the reputation of Lanfang Republic was quite good. It did not enslave or massacre anyone. It should be okay to ask them to help.
So like the Apu in Cavite, the indigenous tribes in Bataan and Laguna also began to send their representatives to Manila to seek help from Lanfang.
In addition, indigenous people in other areas have serious concerns about this.
They want to be free, but their strength is not enough, and they are worried that it will be easy to invite Lan Fang's army, but it will not be easy to send Lan Fang's army away. What if Lan Fang also makes many excessive demands to them?
So I have been hesitating.
While they were hesitating, Zhao Xuening had already contacted representatives of the indigenous tribes in the three areas who came to ask for help.
Zhao Xuening said that I am willing to accept your request for help and am willing to send troops to help you, but you must fall under the rule of the Lanfang Republic, pay taxes to Lanfang, report the number of household registrations, and obey the orders of the Republic government.
Of course, I am not Spanish. We can discuss the specific amount and discuss it openly and honestly.
After the discussion, the Lanfang government can also provide you with assistance in agricultural production, and the specific details can also be discussed.
Lanfang wants to rule this place, develop it, and then collect taxes and rule normally so that everyone can win-win, unlike the cruel exploitation of the Spanish.
If you agree, I will help. If you don't agree, I will be helpless.
I am here to fight, not to do charity. There is no such thing as a free lunch. I will put my words here. You can decide for yourself whether you agree or not.
The three representatives looked at each other, you looked at me, I looked at you, and then returned to discuss with the people in the tribe.
A Pu and others learned about Zhao Xuening's conditions and discussed it over and over again. They found that there seemed to be no better way.
Now that the fight with the Spanish is like this, reconciliation is impossible, and peaceful coexistence is even more unthinkable. Either they die or we die.
In order to live longer, the helpless A Pu and others decided to compromise with Zhao Xuening.
They agreed to Zhao Xuening's request and sent an envoy to negotiate with Zhao Xuening about the details of their rule.
Zhao Xuening put forward requirements such as measuring land, conducting a population census, paying physical taxes, obeying military conscription orders, and abiding by Lanfang laws and regulations. He also requested that an administrative district be set up here and a formal chief executive be dispatched to officially establish this place as Lanfang territory. They all Will become a Lanfang citizen.
Of course, they will also be protected by the Lanfang Republic. As citizens, if they are wronged, the country will naturally make the decision.
The tribesmen who had no choice chose to sign an agreement with Zhao Xuening and join the Lanfang Republic collectively. Later, Zhao Xuening abided by the agreement and sent troops to fight.
Lanfang's army soon arrived in these areas. In front of the Spanish fortress besieged by Apu and others, and watched by a group of natives, Lanfang's army set up heavy field cannons and bombarded the fortress indiscriminately.
The fortress that seemed indestructible to A Pu and others was as fragile as a log cabin facing a raging fire in front of the artillery fire of Lanfang's army.
Half an hour later, the walls of the fortress began to fall off. Lanfang's gunners immediately switched to explosive bombs and began shelling. There was another burst of indiscriminate bombardment. The Spaniards inside couldn't stand it, so they came out and surrendered.
The natives had been surrounded for half a month but could not do anything. When Lanfang's army came, they bombarded him with artillery and solved the problem directly, leaving the natives stunned.
Apu and other tribal leaders were greatly shocked when they saw this.
Lanfang's heavenly soldiers are indeed powerful.
The terrifying roar and the trembling feeling brought to the earth when the cannon bombarded deeply shocked the indigenous people. The powerful firepower directly cured the indigenous people's severe phobia of lack of firepower, and even directly gave the impression of Lanfang's army being indestructible. It is engraved in the DNA of these indigenous people.
Amidst the roar of artillery fire, these natives understood a truth.
Lan Fang is a more terrifying existence than the Spanish. If it is not necessary, it is best to surrender rather than fight.
They had no chance of winning.
Sometimes, with a little manipulation, subduing the enemy without fighting is the way to go.
Zhao Xuening understands this truth well and knows that for these natives, black and white words are meaningless, and guns in their eyes are the best lobbyists.
Guns and steel, like agriculture, are the foundation of modern countries.
So, population, land, taxes!
Get it you!
After the Spanish forces in Bataan, Laguna, and Cavite were wiped out, Lanfang's army handed over the captured Spaniards to the local indigenous people to handle themselves.
Although these Spaniards asked Lanfang's army to take them away, Lanfang's army received Zhao Xuening's order that all prisoners should be handed over to the natives themselves.
Just kidding, with such a huge loss, if we don’t use these prisoners to quell the grievances of the natives, what else can we use?
Moreover, doing so can greatly increase the favorability and obedience of these natives. Why not exchange a group of captives for the favorability of more natives?
Sure enough, after these Spanish prisoners screamed and were completely executed by the indigenous people using ancient and cruel punishments, the indigenous people's favorability and obedience to Lan Fang soared.
Next, Zhao Xuening sent people to discuss matters such as land measurement, population census and tax payment. They were very cooperative.
Zhao Xuening successfully incorporated the indigenous people of the three places into the Lanfang Republic system and sent people to spread the word.
As time passed and the news spread, more and more natives who had no way to deal with the Spanish defense came to Zhao Xuening with hope.
Of course, their leaders also knew that Zhao Xuening did not come here for charity. He promoted the Spaniards. He must have replaced the Spaniards for himself.
But compared with the inhumane behavior of the Spaniards, Lanfang's reputation is still good. They are also ruled by strong men. They are more willing to choose Lanfang than the Spaniards.
So the indigenous forces in Zambales, Tarlac, Batangas, Quezon and other places also took the initiative to contact Zhao Xuening and invited Lanfang troops to help them eradicate the Spanish forces. In return, they were willing to join Lanfang Fang Republic, pay taxes to Lanfang.
As the war situation became increasingly clear, major areas formerly directly controlled by Spain fell into Lanfang's camp.
Lanfang's power in the Philippines was initially stabilized, and his rule was initially recognized by the locals. The control area of the Lanfang Republic centered on Manila continued to expand, and the Spanish-controlled area of Luzon Island was gradually controlled by Zhao Xuening.
Once you have mastered it, you must start to govern it. If you don't govern it, you won't be able to collect taxes, and mastering it is meaningless.
At the same time, Zhao Xuening also arranged for the army to sail southward and arrive in the Mindanao area to wipe out the remaining Spanish forces here.
——————————
PS: I cooked a bag of beef noodles in the morning and put in the mutton rolls left over from yesterday’s hot pot. I added mutton rolls to the beef noodles without beef. It was delicious and comfortable to eat, so I’ll add another chapter.
