Chapter 103: Crossing the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Town

Leaving the king of Mugu Dushu, Zheng Zhilong said to Mu Yi: "Fuck! How can there be such a king, such a small thing can be bought! ”

"Actually, this king of the wood bones was originally afraid that our people would be a threat to them if they stayed here for a long time, so he resolutely disagreed with us leaving people to build a supply depot. Now, firstly, we are very resolute about this, and secondly, we really like what we have given him! Mu Yi analyzed.

"That's not right! We sent him a lot of stuff as soon as we got here! Not so bad, right? Zheng Zhilong still didn't understand.

"I guess the king saw that we were too determined to do this, did he not dare to refuse? If that's the case, after we're gone, we should be careful when we leave behind! Mu Yi said with some concern.

"It's all right," said Zheng Zhilong, "as long as we keep having ships pass through here, and King Mukudushu can get the benefits, he won't and won't dare to do anything to us!" However, our supply base is to build an independent base of our own outside the city of Mukudu. There must be a minimum of defensive measures. ”

Mu Yi and his fleet left more than 100 soldiers and sappers to build a supply base in Mugudushu, and also left a 5,000-ton ship here, where they unloaded a lot of construction materials, as well as coal, heavy oil, diesel and other materials.

The fleet continued southward, and as they approached the Cape of Good Hope, they were attacked by huge waves. The Cape of Good Hope, also known as Cape Storm at the beginning, refers to the fact that the waves here are very strong, and some of these waves can reach 10 to 20 meters high, and many ships are left at the Cape of Good Hope by these waves.

Mu Yi and Zheng Zhilong have also encountered wind and waves at sea, but when the fleet sails to such sea conditions, they are still nervous. Before entering the Cape of Good Hope, the ships were carefully prepared, and all the objects on board were re-entrenched. Mu Yi used the radio to inform all ships not to be careless, and believed that our ship could beat the waves. We will be able to do what others can pass with sailboats. Fortunately, the ships in their fleet have their own power, and they do not need to rely on sails for power, and the fleets that have passed the test of westerly winds and waves have basically passed the Cape of Good Hope without danger.

The fleet bypassed the Cape of Good Hope, and Mu Yi told everyone on the radio that our fleet had crossed the southernmost tip of the African continent, and after here, our fleet had entered the Atlantic Ocean from the Western Ocean (Indian Ocean), and our fleet was about to sail north. Before heading north, though, we'll have to take over their supply depot from the Rimbrants in Cape Town. Because we need it here more than they do. Everyone must be ready for a battle immediately.

Mu Yi's words amused everyone, and the reason why Mu Yi wanted to seize Cape Town was that we needed it more than they did. However, it also eased the tension when everyone passed through the Cape of Good Hope.

Cape Town, less than fifty kilometres from the Cape of Good Hope, was originally a supply depot for the Dutch East India Company. The Fort of Good Hope has just been built, and it is also the official residence of the Dutch governor. However, the first governor Simon van der sdale has not been in a good mood lately, although he did not expect the fleet of Yaogang to come here so soon, but the Dutch ships that escaped from Badawi (Jakarta) and Java and Sumatra brought him bad news, the Dutch East India Company had lost its colonies in the East, and many merchant ships were sunk or captured by the Ming Dynasty. More wealth has been lost, and many Dutchmen who are reluctant to return to the Netherlands have stayed here.

Governor Simon van der Dersdale sent a letter to the Dutch head office asking for instructions on what to do next, but there was no reply, in fact, he knew that there was no way to reply at home. They knew that no matter how many ships they went, they would probably not be able to defeat the warships of the Ming Dynasty. But Cape Town was populated by more and more people, and it would be difficult to feed so many people without the task of supplying passing ships.

The Dutch sailors who came with Mu Yi introduced to Mu Yi, "In 1652, the Dutch captain praised. Van Ribek and other Dutch East India Company staff were sent to Cape Town to establish a stopover for the supply of ships passing through the Orient, and three of their ships arrived on 6 April 1652. They soon set up camps, vegetable gardens and orchards. They carved out aqueducts from the fresh river on Table Mountain to divert water from the river for irrigation, and traded their crops for sheep and calves with the indigenous Khoi. In Cape Town, there are not only the Dutch, but also local blacks, and Asians who have been exiled by the Badawi (Jakarta) courts. There are churches and other places, and they already look like towns! ”

Zheng Zhilong took it and said, "Okay! lest we have to start all over again! ”

The Dutchman immediately complimented: "If you take over here, this place will soon be able to change even more." I saw your ship along the way, and I didn't have to look at the direction of the wind, I could go wherever I wanted. A ship like yours can sail the seas all year round. In the future, there will be more ships to and from Cape Town, and Cape Town will get better and better! ”

Mu Yi said: "So! We are going to build a large supply port in Cape Town. ”

In fact, Mu Yi and Zheng Zhilong knew in their hearts that after they arrived in Cape Town, there was another very important task, that is, according to Zhang Zhimu's suggestion, they brought a capable prospecting team, carrying the best inspection and detection equipment in the kiln, and their task was to find gold and diamond mines. Also to do a holistic exploration study here.

While in Quanzhou, Zhang Zhimu reminded everyone that the kiln people should not only build a supply depot in Cape Town, but also be prepared to mine gold and diamonds here.

When everyone heard Zhang Zhimu say this, they all knew that Zhang Zhimu would not say this for no reason, gold and diamonds are too tempting. Lu Chengxiang said on the spot that as long as the location of the gold and diamond mines was determined, he would immediately organize people to go over to open the mines.

The weather was very sunny at noon that day, and the sentry on the dock, who had been idle, inadvertently glanced at the sea, and suddenly found that a few grasses seemed to grow on the sea, and then looked closely, there seemed to be several plumes of smoke on the sea. This made the sentry break out in a cold sweat, because he heard from those who had fled from the east that the kiln people of the Ming Dynasty had a very terrifying ship, which was powered by steam, and they could be seen coming out of the smoke from a distance.

The sentry rubbed his eyes and looked again, and felt that there was definitely a column of smoke on the sea, and immediately fired a gun to call the police. Only in the event of a very urgent situation were the sentries allowed to call the police with muskets. The "bump" of a gunshot was heard by the whole Cape Town, and the officer on duty ran out scolding, "You fucking crazy! Who told you to shoot casually? ”

The sentry pointed to the sea, speechless, "Look! Look! ”

The officer covered the sun with his hands and looked out to the sea, "What? Is it a column of smoke? ”

"Sir is a pillar of smoke! That's the warship of the Ming Dynasty! ”

"Oh my God! It's really a column of smoke! "The officer was terrified when he saw it!

At this time, an officer ran up to him and shouted, "Your Excellency the Governor asks you what is the matter?" Who fired the shot? This is no child's play! ”

The officer pointed to the sea and said, "Go and inform the Governor that the Ming Dynasty's warship is coming to the sea!" ”

The officer who ran over happened to climb a step, and I don't know if it was because his legs were weak, or because he heard that a warship was coming from the sea. Suddenly knelt on the steps.

The soldier standing guard and the junior officer hurriedly went over to help him up, and the officer who stood up with the strength of the two rubbed his legs and asked, "Do you see clearly?" ”

"Sir, see for yourself!"

The officer looked in the direction the soldier was pointing, "Oh my God! Call the police! ”

After that, he turned around and ran, and he was going to report to the Governor!

The sentry asked the officer, "Do you want another shot?" ”

"Forget it! This shot is enough, didn't he report to the Governor? The officer on duty said, "Immediately inform everyone to prepare for battle!" ”

When they arrived in Cape Town, these Dutch people had a very good way to bully the local blacks, but they never thought of really fighting, but since the alarm sounded, they knew that this time they couldn't hide from it, and they were going to fight with the Ming Dynasty. They knew early on from the Dutch who had fled to Cape Town that the Ming Dynasty were very powerful, and that the weapons in their hands were simply not something they could deal with.

Simon van der Sdale was stunned when he heard the report that the Ming Dynasty warship was coming. Cape Town is so far away from the Ming Dynasty, how could they come here, Simon Vandersdale couldn't accept it at once.

The officer next to him reminded: "Your Excellency the Governor, give the order to prepare for battle immediately!" ”

Simon Vandersdale then woke up and said, "Hurry! Prepare for more than battle! Also, inform the prisoners and slaves that they are ready to fight, this is their chance to behave well! ”

Now all the buildings in Cape Town are built around the port, Simon Vandersdale took a look at the Fort of Good Hope that had just been built and was not yet lived, and he felt this grievance in his heart, he finally built this place a little bit like it, but the Ming Dynasty army came over again.

Although this had not happened in Cape Town, after a period of confusion, the soldiers, the ordinary Dutch employees, and the slaves and prisoners who could be recovered were all ready for battle.

At this time, a captain who had returned from Batavia (Jakarta) came to Simon Vandersdale. Simon Vandersdale was furious when he saw him, "Everyone is ready to fight, why aren't you on your ship?" ”

The captain said, "Your Excellency, there is no one on my ship, what am I going to do on the ship alone?" ”

"What? Your crew will be executed if they escape! ”

"Alas! They were all captured and executed, who will sail for me? Actually, they can't be blamed for this, they don't want to follow the boat to the sea to feed the fish! The captain said, "Our ship, in front of the Yaogang warship, is the same as papier-mâché, and it is vulnerable!" ”

"Is the warship of the Ming Dynasty really like this?"

"Yes, Lord Governor, we all know that many of our ships will not come back, which is a good example!"

"You see so many warships coming to sea, how long can we hold on?" Simon van der Dersdale asked, pointing to the growing number of ships on the sea.

"It won't last long, as long as they open fire, our castle will be blown up!" As he spoke, the ship leaned into Simon van der Sdale's ear and said, "Don't let everyone open fire!" Otherwise, we will all die miserably? Anyway, we can't hold it, so don't anger the Ming Dynasty warships, if they don't open fire, we can still die less, or not die! ”

“”

"What? All of us were given to the Ming Dynasty for nothing? Simon Van der Sdale really couldn't accept it, "Are you a spy sent by the Ming Dynasty?" ”

"Oops! My lord, I am here for everyone's good! Otherwise, you see, if we fire a shot, our castle will be in ruins. The forts on Luzon, Batavia, Java, and Sumatra are much stronger than here, but what about now? ”

Simon van der Desdale, who spoke of the last words of the captain, was moved, and he also knew the situation, those places had been built for many years, and they all thought that the castles were foolproof and very strong, but they were easily taken away, and only these remnants of the army escaped. These people who fled trembled when they heard the people of the Ming Dynasty, and they were already very frightened.

At this moment, a small boat rowed on the sea, and two people came down after the boat landed, and the two men were brought before Simon Vandersdale.

Simon Vandersdale knew that he was from the Ming Dynasty as soon as he looked at the person's dress.

One is an officer of the Yaogang Naval Army, and the other is a general. As soon as they came ashore, they said to the soldiers, "We are the Ming Dynasty navy, and we have come to ask to see Governor Simon van der Desdale!" ”

Simon Vandersdale listened to the soldier's introduction, and thought to himself that my name was still known to the people of the Ming Dynasty, and the intelligence of the Ming Dynasty was really good!

However, Simon Van der Desdale knew that he must not show weakness at this time, and when he saw that the two of them were neither humble nor arrogant, he shouted, "What are you Ming Dynasty warships doing when you sail to our Cape Town?" ”

The Yaogang officer said more truthfully, "Our fleet is here to occupy this place!" The two of us have sent a letter to the Governor, hoping that this matter will be resolved peacefully, so that there will be less bloodshed and less damage to the place! ”

Simon Vandersdale yelled angrily, "Bold! Aren't you afraid of our Cape Town cannons? ”

"Huh!" The kiln officer smiled and said, "You have much less artillery here than there are on Luzon and Batavia, and the castle is much smaller!" It's not enough for us to shell it all at all! ”

"Humph! Since you are so powerful, why do you send someone to say? ”

"That's right, our shells also cost money! We have a long-term intention to occupy this place, and after the bombardment is completed with artillery, we have to rebuild, which is not good for us. I'm here this time, I hope you will lay down your arms to protect the cut here, and if you behave well, we will give you a good choice, such as staying here to do business, or going back to the Netherlands! ”

The kiln officer said it very clearly.

Simon van der Dersdale gritted his teeth and said, "We Dutch, we are not in the habit of surrendering!" ”

"Isn't it!" The officer was not polite, "We have seen a lot of Dutchmen who surrendered!" Well, you can choose to resist by force. But I think you have surrendered, and you can fight for a little benefit for your colleagues, so I advise you to surrender! Otherwise, if you choose to fight, it will be a little troublesome for us! ”

Simon Vandersdale really wanted to fight the arrogant Ming Dynasty to the end, but he was really lacking in confidence, thought for a while, and said to the two: "You wait a minute, I'll answer you later!" ”

As soon as the kiln officer heard this, he understood that this Simon van der sdale was shaken. In this way, as long as it is shaken, eighty or ninety percent will surrender.

Sure enough, after a while, when Simon van der Sdale came out again, he said to the officer sent by the kiln: "We have two conditions, one is that those who leave us are allowed to take their own property and belongings, and the second is that those who remain are allowed to live freely and they are allowed to stay freely!" Thirdly, ships staying in the harbor can leave the harbor freely! ”

"That's fine!" The Yaogang officer said, "The commander-in-chief of our fleet also said that in the future, as long as your ships are unarmed, you can come over at any time to do business." Whether it is Luzon, Java, Sumatra, or all the ports on the mainland of our Ming Dynasty, as long as your ships are unarmed, they can dock at any time to do business, and we also guarantee your safety. ”

"Okay, let's sign an agreement together, and then give me some time, how about you come and take over early tomorrow morning?" Simon Vandersdale's words are already soft!

"Okay!" The kiln officer said to his colleague, "The rest is yours!" ”

After signing the agreement, the two of them planned to leave the port of Cape Town in a small boat.

The Kiln Gang fleet dropped anchor outside the port of Cape Town, and at dawn the lookouts saw that the Dutch flag had been lowered above Fort Good Hope. A few large ships that were parked in the harbor yesterday, Yang Fan left Cape Town.

Mu Yi heard the report of the lookout soldier and said to Zheng Zhilong: "It happens to be the monsoon now, and his boat can go back to the Netherlands on the monsoon!" ”

"Let them go for a few days, and they can't be faster than us! We will definitely arrive before them! Zheng Zhilong said confidently, "But isn't it too easy to win this Cape Town!" I thought there was going to be a fight! ”

"Save some shells, when we go north, we need to use shells!" Mu Yi said.

After dawn, Mu Yi first put down a lot of speedboats, and the officers who went to negotiate led more than 100 sailors and marines to the shore quickly in speedboats. When the officer jumped on the dock, he saw Simon van der Desdale waiting here with a few men and some large account books.

Seeing the officer, Simon Vandersdale greeted him and said, "We have everything in the books. Those of us who are willing to go, have already left here by boat. There are still some people who don't want to go, and I hope you will treat them well. And some slaves and prisoners have been handed over to you to deal with! ”

The officer waved his hand for the soldier to take the account book, and he had a good impression of the gentleman, "Is the Governor willing to stay?" ”

"No, no, I'm just doing my mission, and if I can, I'm leaving now!" Simon Vandersdale said, pointing to the remaining boats on the shore that were ready to set sail.

"You're welcome! Have a good trip, Lord Doge! The officer also said very graciously.

Simon Vandersdale bowed to the officer and turned to board the ship. This ship, raising its sails, slowly left the dock, brushed the warship on the Yaogang sea, and blew away!