Chapter 109 The war begins
Before coming, He Xi had fully considered the difficulties of development and even considered Taiwan's experience.
But when I came here, I suddenly realized that Taiwan is not a tropical country after all. The experiences between the two cannot be completely equated.
The biggest difficulty here is the heat.
So hot.
He Xi didn't understand before that when the Jin soldiers arrived in the south of the Yangtze River, they would become unaccustomed to the climate, could not bear the heat, and could not fight. I just think it's an exaggeration. But now, He Xi has truly experienced it. Although Nanjing is known as a hot pot, it only lasts for a few days in the summer. But here it is like this all year round.
Even though most of the soldiers chosen were soldiers from the south, there were still many who could not withstand the harsh sun.
You know, this is still at the beach. With the sea as a natural cooler, the temperature here has actually dropped a lot.
There are also some poisonous insects and poisonous snakes. These are things that people in the Central Plains have never seen before, and they are highly poisonous. If you are not careful, you will die. Plus some tropical infectious diseases. It is even more menacing.
If it weren't for He Xi's arrival, he would have brought several of Dai Shenyi's proud disciples here. Now it is no longer the only battle that has lost more than a hundred people.
Under such circumstances, construction still needs to be carried out. Whether it's building a city or reclaiming wasteland, it's all labor. The soldiers had complaints. They don't understand the long-term strategy of the imperial court, and they don't want to understand it.
They just felt that the superior officials had brought them from their hometown to this place that was like a blazing hell.
This is one of the reasons why Lu Zhongheng wanted to eat, live and work together with the soldiers.
He Xi hopes that the soldiers will adapt to the climate of Nanyang, Xinzhou City will be built, and Ming Dynasty will have a stable base in Nanyang. After completing this series of things, start a war with Java. It's just that although Java has not attacked directly now, Sumatra will once be owned by Java.
This is where the danger lies.
He Xi conceived all the plans. After much deliberation, there is only one battle, a big victory, which is most useful.
Lu Zhongheng laughed and said, "I've wanted to fight for a long time. I don't quite understand your many calculations. But I know the best about fighting. Call Fang Guan over and let's see how we fight this battle?"
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Xinzhou, in a small wooden house by the sea.
This is He Xi's temporary residence. It looks very simple, but it is the best accommodation that can be provided now.
He Xi pinned a simple map of Southeast Asia on the table and said: "Now the Western King of Java is in the old port. It is said that he brought tens of thousands of soldiers, including more than a thousand naval warships, and they are all in this area now. "He Xi drew a finger on the map and drew the Old Port and the islands off the Old Port.
Lu Zhongheng said: "Fang Guan, do you think you can defeat the Java Navy?"
Fang Guan's face was as dark as water, but the bottomless hatred in the depths of his eyes still existed. Said; "I found a water warfare weapon in Mancajia, and I have asked King Zhongxian to purchase it to offset the payment for the weapon. There is this thing, and there are cannons. I don't think I will lose to Java, Java. Ships, let alone a thousand ships, just ten thousand ships, it doesn’t matter.”
Fang Guan is very familiar with Javanese ships. Javanese ships are very primitive in terms of shipbuilding. They are almost just a big wooden basin, but with a keel. Some ships even have no decks, let alone watertight compartments. If he really had fighting ability back then. Fang Guan will not be allowed to take some wounded people and seize the ship.
You know, it's not like the Javanese can't catch up. But can't beat it.
The main function of ships at that time was not combat, but long voyages. Today's thirteen gunboats have almost sacrificed their loading capacity and long-distance navigation capabilities. The only things they have strengthened are their structural strength and cannons. This situation is much better than before.
Lu Zhongheng said: "Then this battle will be left to you. I'm waiting for your good news."
He Xi was shocked and said, "Master Hou, is this okay?"
Lu Zhongheng said: "Why not? Although I have studied the naval battle carefully, I couldn't understand it for a while. In this situation, Fang Guan is the general you recognize as the best at naval battles. Naturally, he should preside over it."
In his heart, He Xi also felt that Fang Guan should be put in charge of the naval battle. But he was worried.
He never expected that Lu Zhongheng would be so straightforward. He gave command to Fang Guan.
Lu Zhongheng turned his head to look at Fang Guan and said: "Whatever you want, tell me now. Give whatever you can. If you can't give, there is nothing you can do. But if you win this battle, you don't need to say anything. I am in the top position now." , sooner or later it will be yours. But if you fail, remember what you said, for some things, even if the person dies, the debt will not be eliminated."
Fang Guan was extremely excited.
He knew that if he lost, his three clans would probably be buried with him.
However, he doesn't care.
In his first forty years, he experienced great successes and declines. I especially know how precious opportunities are. Is it true that no one in this world is proficient in naval warfare? Not necessarily, but they have no chance to stand here. He is about to turn fifty and looks very old. But many famous generals only started to show their power after they were fifty years old.
What is Lu Zhongheng's position? It is the seat of the Governor of Nanyang.
If he can ascend to this position, it goes without saying that he will have a bright future. At least the Fang family's lintel did not decline in his hands.
And he is sure of this battle.
Fang Guan said: "Don't worry, Lord Marquis. This battle will be won."
He Xi frowned. I still feel uneasy. Because this battle is so important. If they win, the original plan will continue. If they lose, it will be difficult to clean up the mess. They must either ask for help from the Central Plains or pack their bags and leave. Although He Xi recommended Fang Guan, Fang Guan had never fought any naval battles before.
It's just that Fang Guan is his best choice.
Perhaps those who have experienced the battlefield have a big heart. Lawrence Lu didn’t feel there was anything wrong with his decision at all. He only needs the information from Ye Buzai, but does not need to know what Ye Buzai encountered during his mission. This is also true now, since Fang Guan is the most suitable person. Then let him do it, he only wants results. He didn't care what Fang Guan met in it.
Lu Zhongheng said: "Brother He, if you are worried, you can go and watch the battle. However, the power of commanding the battlefield is still in Fang Guan's hands."
He Xi gritted his teeth and said, "Okay. Fang Guan will stay on your boat and leave a place for me."
He Xi also knew that anything could happen on the battlefield. Especially naval warfare, sea combat, is based on ships. The formation is likely to break up. Even Fang Guan's ship may suddenly become the front.
There will be danger in fighting.
It was very possible that He Xi was so unlucky that he missed the target and died, but He Xi was really worried and wanted to see the results as soon as possible.
Fang Guan actually didn't welcome He Xi's arrival. This does not mean that Fang Guan is against He Xi, but that with the war imminent, no general would want him by his side when it comes to his superiors who may be dictating things.
But there is no way, he can refuse anyone. But he couldn't refuse He Xi.
Because He Xi's name was almost carved with iron on Fang Guan's forehead. He is He Xi's teammate. He Xi is his backer, not only he thinks so, but almost everyone in the officialdom thinks so.
Anyone can refuse He Xi. But Fang Guan is not qualified.
Fang Guan was full of bitterness and said: "Sir, you must bring more guards, and not on the deck -------." Fang Guan rambled on, as if there were endless things to say, this is not allowed, that is not allowed of. But Fang Guan was still determined in his heart. During this battle, he sat on the boat and stopped rushing forward. The farther away from the Javanese ships, the better.
But Fang Guan's idea before was that he must take revenge. Only the blood and screams of the enemy can wash away the shame.
It's just that he can not take his own life seriously, but he can't not take He Xi's life seriously, so he can only change his plan.
He Xi didn't know Fang Guan's thoughts and said, "Don't worry, I will abide by all your disciplines, and the guards around me are all good soldiers and can fight at any time. They will not be a hindrance in the war."
But He Xi didn't know that his existence itself was holding him back.
