Chapter 401: Fairburg Preparations

After sending out the reconnaissance ship, Fairburg was still uneasy, and there was a vague feeling that something was going to be bad.

If all his worries were not superfluous, then at the moment, the defense of the city of Geranza was too weak.

Although he had as many as 12 large gunboats and more than 10 smaller reconnaissance ships at his disposal after the increase in troops the year before last, the main force of the fleet at present is all in Dagou Harbor.

Fighting dogs was the starting point for them to intercept the Ming merchant ships from the sea to Manila, as well as the Pacific route of the Spanish caravan, so it became the home port of the fleet, guarded by the fleet commander Vanderland.

In addition to the three gunboats that are not permanently stationed, there are only more than 800 infantry soldiers in the city of Geranza, where Fort itself is located, and there are less than 500 people stationed in the city of Pu Minsha (that is, the Red Embedded City), which is more than ten miles away.

The forces on the island are too scattered, except for more than 300 soldiers stationed in the distant Jilongyu Castle, the remaining more than 1,000 people are all stationed in the area of Bengang, where the Han people live - under the high-pressure tax policy, the Han villages there are not peaceful, and of course, there are natives to be guarded against.

At the moment of the great enemy, after repeated weighing, Feuerburg decided to shrink his forces.

He felt that it was better to concentrate the defensive forces on the western coast closest to Penghu - once the Ming army attacked, Dayuangang, where the city of Gerancha was located, would inevitably bear the brunt.

"The people of the city can't move, and it shouldn't be a big problem to draw out five or six hundred people from Bengang......

In contemplation, his gaze shifted from the fortified castle of Geranza to the other side of the harbor.

In the field of vision, on the east side of the Taijiang River, there is a half-abandoned and simple fortress, although this city is also built of bricks and stones, but the volume is very small, can only accommodate about 100 soldiers and a small number of artillery.

"It needs to be expanded as soon as possible, and at least a hundred more people should be sent there......"

If the fortress can be transformed into a strong fortress, then the two cities can form a pattern of mutual support, and with the fortress on the island on the northern line, the safety of the entire Dayuan Port can be basically guaranteed.

Unfortunately, he now has only enough manpower to fortify the castle of Gerancha, and the fortifications in other places are too late to start even if they are slightly repaired.

"We must find some more laborers, time is tight."

Feuldberg pondered in his letter.

After thinking quietly for a while, he had the commander of the castle's garrison, Major Weidmann, called.

This Major Weidmann was a retired German veteran, already in his forties, who had been employed by the company shortly after his retirement, and had only joined the army with the reinforcement the year before.

Weidemeyer also had two captains under him, Captain Beder and Captain Aldorp.

The three of them commanded an army of about 800 East India Company troops stationed in the city of Geranza, a mixed force of Europeans, Archimen from the East Indies, blacks, and Japanese.

"I must tell you right now, we have ...... here It's likely that a battle will break out,"

"How sure are you about the Guards?" ”

"Lord Governor, it depends on who the enemy is......"

Major Weidmann replied in a proper manner, "If it is Chinese, whether he is Zheng Sen's man or Daming's army, I am sure to deal with it - one soldier under my command can fight twenty-five Chinese." ”

"I'm glad you are so confident......"

Fairburg nodded approvingly, "However, the opponent is likely to be a stronger enemy......

"Then, I need to further strengthen the fortifications,"

Weidmann hesitated and said, "It's better to ...... It is also necessary to recruit some people who can use weapons. ”

"Who are you going to recruit?"

Feuerburg shook his head and smiled wryly, "Those yellow-skinned monkeys are very unreliable." ”

"Of course it's Japanese,"

Weidmann also grinned and said, "Those ronins are not afraid of death, and they are very fierce when they kill people. ”

"Well, let's do it."

Feuerburg nodded thoughtfully.

He knew that there were several Japanese villages in Daikan, where many believers were expelled by the shogunate, and there were also some fugitives who ran away after the defeat of the rebellion.

"Yes, Lord Governor."

"However, it must be strictly scrutinized, and where to be stationed must also follow my instructions."

Feuerburg suddenly remembered the incident that made him hate the Japanese.

The Han people don't obey, and those Japanese monkeys are even more hateful, don't look at them on the surface respectful, in fact, they all have ghosts in their hearts, they are really cunning, and they will show their fangs and bite back at every opportunity.

"The Japanese often cover up their big traitors with small virtues!"

This is what Felburg has learned many times in exchange.

"Yes, sir."

Weidmann respectfully replied that he would be confident that he would retain his rank as long as he agreed to conscription.

"I authorize you to strengthen your existing defenses at once,"

Felburg glanced at Weidmann and said in a deep voice, "I know the fortifications are being repaired, but not ......fast enough."

"You have to make the most of the conditions at hand to expand and strengthen those fortifications as soon as possible,"

Without waiting for Major Weidmann to squeak, Feuerburg raised his hand and pointed across the Taijiang River, "Also, notify the fleet to come to rendezvous immediately, and double posts will be added everywhere every night, I don't want to be caught off guard by then." ”

"Yes."

Weidmann bowed his head in response.

"Okay, you go get busy, the new recruits need to be trained immediately."

"Yes, my lord."

Watching the major withdraw, Felburg suddenly remembered the inventory and cash in the storehouse warehouse and on the ship, and he was a little worried about his cargo worth 25,000 guilders.

"Basten, you go and inform them and deliver the goods to the castle immediately."

Feuldberg summoned his servant and pointed to the fleet of unloading ships in the harbor and commanded.

"Yes, sir."

The servant Basten bowed in response.

……

Under the direct deployment of Fairburg, the Dutch people immediately became busy in the big staff.

Within a few days, the soldiers sent out to protect the missionaries and merchants were called back, and more than 600 of the garrisons in Bengang alone were brought back under the command of Major Weidmann.

Major Weidmann recruited more than a thousand volunteers from the Japanese village near Dayuan, and a small number of natives were also called up to practice day and night outside the city.

In this way, the strength of the city of Geranza swelled dramatically, and even if the Japanese volunteers were not counted, the regular army alone reached more than 1,500 people.

In addition to this, Major Weidmann ordered the laying of mines on the beach, and at the same time raised the fence with bamboo poles on the northern line of Oshima and other improvised fortifications, and some of the artillery stored in the warehouses was taken out to strengthen the batteries.

By order of the Governor of Fort Fel, all the ships anchored in the harbor were ready for battle.

Four large gunboats moved to anchor at the entrance to the South Passage, ready to intercept enemy ships attempting to break into the harbor, while only two smaller gunboats were dispatched to the North Passage.

Fort Feull believed that the water was relatively shallow, and since the ships of the Ming army were large, it was difficult to pass smoothly, and it was a secondary direction for defense, plus there was already a fortress on the tail island of the northern line, and the artillery fire on it was enough to block the northern passage.

In addition, Fairburg even scuttled several wrecked ships in the harbor, hoping to prevent the landing of the Ming fleet at that time.

Vanderland, the commander of the fleet who fought the dogs, also received an order to send three of the nine large gunboats over to assist in the defense.

Vanderland himself personally led six other main gunboats and eight reconnaissance clippers directly to the coast of Penghu to carry out the task of reconnaissance and combat readiness for contact with the former enemy.

(End of chapter)