Xiao Chongye recognized him, which made Zhong Yanwen loose a lot of energy, and his body that sat upright relaxed a little. Even though his family scandal was pointed out, the former reporter Zhong didn't care. After all, how many people in Luzon can sit in front of two imperial envoys and have a cup of tea now?
After a few words of greeting, Xiao Chongye said: "We have been waiting for the two imperial envoys to come here to meet with Spain for a long time - but we did not expect that the imperial court would take the matter of Jintong Island so seriously."
Xiao Chongye and Xie Jie were filled with questions after hearing this. When Zhong Yanwen saw the two people's doubts, he became uneasy, as if what he had just said had offended the imperial envoy.
Xie Jie asked: "What Gold and Copper Island? What are you talking about?"
Zhong Yanwen's heart turned over when he heard this, and he tentatively explained: "Golden and Copper Island is a large island called Masbate Island in Spain. The expedition team of my family and the Lu Wang family discovered a large-scale open-pit gold and copper mine on the island before the end of last year. Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy, don’t you know?”
Xiao Chongye and Xie Jie looked at each other, and only then did they understand the purpose of the imperial court in sending them here from Ryukyu - no wonder they had to use a fast ship to deliver the edict. It turned out that the imperial court was eager to use the canonization of Sulu to gain leverage with Spain!
This is not a secret. Is it necessary to hide it from the two imperial envoys? This cabinet can’t do it! Xiao Chongye couldn't help but have such thoughts in his heart.
Xie Jie didn't have this idea, because the current situation in the country is declining, and the officials and the people are thinking about making a fortune. If they heard that an open-pit gold mine was discovered here, a large number of people would come across the sea, and things might get out of control. Besides, King Zhou and King Lu probably also wanted to make a fortune in silence. These two must have secret reports, and they also took confidentiality measures in Luzon.
In fact, there is nothing wrong with Jun Ling of Zhengshitang. The canonization of Sulu was just asking for advice, and the Ming Dynasty did not intend to go to war with the Manila authorities immediately - if it really wanted to go to war, it would be overwhelming. How could it be possible to attack such a big city with four warships. At the very least, you need to bring enough troop transport ships to transport the field troops over so that you can be sure of victory.
But what no one expected was the sound of a cannon from the "St. John", which angered Mr. Xiao, the imperial envoy of the Ming Dynasty. Just after he came out of Ryukyu, his old man didn't change his mentality of being very powerful in China, and directly bombarded Manila several times, which led to Zhong Yanwen's misunderstanding.
After two words, Zhong Yanwen opened his mouth and looked at Xiao Chongye. I thought to myself, brother, you were not so impatient when you were in the capital. Why, the sailing time is too long, are you exhausted?
He heard that the imperial envoy had already started contact with the Manila authorities. He pondered in his heart, frowned and thought hard for a while and said, "My lords, this matter is in trouble now."
Then he explained: "If you two accept the apology form and retreat, it will give Manila a chance to breathe. They will concentrate all their Nanyang forces on Luzon and mobilize troops from New Spain. In the future, the imperial court will inevitably attack again. A lot of trouble. This is one of them.”
Xiao Chongye heard what he said was reasonable, and he didn't regret it in his heart. I had no choice but to listen attentively to what he said "Second": "Now there are five towns on the north bank of the Passi River. Most of them are immigrants from Quanzhang, and the number of people has reached tens of thousands. If the warships leave, these people will be massacred by the Spaniards."
After saying these words, Xiao Chongye was so scared that his hands were shaking, and he wished he could slap a big mouth on his face. Compared to the massacre of the emperor's people, what does it mean to drill a hole in the bow of a sealed ship? It was his improper handling that led to the tragedy of massacre in Luzon. Not to mention his merits when he returned to the country, he would only be burned if he did not go to jail.
Xie Jie didn't think much about it these days. At this time, he was sweating after listening to Mr. Zhong's analysis. The two looked at each other and then looked at Zhong Yanwen, waiting for him to continue.
Zhong Yanwen was shocked by the sight, and after sorting out his words, he asked: "Did the two adults fight with the Spanish Navy?"
The two imperial envoys shook their heads first, and then nodded. Xiao Chongye said: "Except for the Lao Shi Zi Sheng, I have never seen any other warships."
Zhong Yanwen frowned and said, "No! There is a large naval port sixteen miles east of Manila Port. I have gone and counted it. There are six large ships and twenty or thirty small ships. Why don't you come out to see the battle now?"
Fleet commander Qi Zuoguo interjected: "I have sent a ship to investigate, but there are no ships in the port now."
At this time, Zhong Yanwen was full of contempt for the trio, wondering what the hell are these? Nowadays, the imperial court can send such weak officials and mediocre generals as envoys, which shows the extent of its incompetence. I made the right move by going out to sea to make a living.
He was slandering in his belly, but he said respectfully on his face: "Sir, Manila is the hub of the Spanish in the entire Southeast Asia. Now that all the warships are missing, they must be ambushing behind our fleet, waiting for our army to attack the city without success and the ammunition is empty. Attacks must be guarded against."
Xiao Chongye, Xie Jie and Qi Zuoguo all scratched their heads when they heard this. After listening to Mr. Zhong's analysis, the matter is indeed very serious. Maybe after the second year of Wanli, the biggest tragedy of losing a master and humiliating the country will happen to them.
At this time, Xiao Chongye no longer had the arrogance of being an "imperial envoy of heaven". He took a deep breath and regained his composure. He looked at Zhong Yanwen with burning eyes and asked in a deep voice: "Mr. Zhong is familiar with the situation here, does he have any clever ideas?"
Zhong Yanwen smiled and said: "I can't take any clever ideas. I only have a clumsy plan for your reference." He cleared his throat: "For the current plan, we have to capture Manila! In this way, everyone will survive!"
Qi Zuoguo interjected: "Mr. Zhong, the sealing fleet has a total of 900 elite soldiers, 378 gunners, and 651 sailors - these sailors have basically no combat skills. Can people with this idea capture this city?" "
Zhong Yanwen sighed first: "It's not enough to attack the city with people." After Xiao Chongye frowned, he put a smile on his face and said: "But the full force in Manila is only 800 soldiers, and the indigenous soldiers Although it is thousands, it is negligible. Although he relies on the fortified city, we are not without reinforcements. Together with the King of Lu's family, we can summon 600 brave warriors. In addition, the brave warriors who are prospecting for minerals and exploring in Luzon It is very possible for a man of extraordinary talent to gather 1,500 soldiers!"
When Xiao Chongye heard this, his breathing became heavy. If there are unexpected reinforcements, you may not be able to give it a try!
Mr. Zhong added: "Now there are tens of thousands of people in the five towns, and the adult population is at least 10,000. There is no shortage of knives, axes and other cold weapons - if we open the city gates or walls first, guide them to pour water into the city ——" He made a gesture of surrender, "How many Spaniards are there? Not enough to fight three of them! If the native soldiers see the situation and rebel, it will be a fortune if a Spaniard can come out!"
Then he looked at Xie Jie and said, "Master Xie, hasn't the Military Intelligence Bureau buried a few nails in Manila over the years? If it can be mobilized to get some elite people to enter the city and steal the city gate at night - this battle will be won!"
Xiao Chongye looked at Xie Jie after hearing this. Xie Jie pondered for a moment and nodded silently. Zhong Yanwen was overjoyed and stood up and said: "Sir, I have used the opportunity of providing vegetables to the city to go in and conduct detailed surveys several times. I can roughly draw the streets and buildings in the city. Let's work together to plan this battle. How to fight, okay?"
(End of chapter)
