Chapter Fifty-Eight: Occupation of Taiwan City, Hongmaofan Surrenders

The kiln officers and soldiers outside the castle saw a person coming out of the castle with a white flag constantly waving, and knew that this was Hongmaofan about to surrender, and shouted loudly: "Come here!" We don't shoot! ”

At this time, a red-haired fan, holding high a white flag, came to the kiln gang officers and soldiers and said in Chinese: "I am a negotiator sent by the governor of Coyette, and I want to see your general!" ”

"Negotiations?" The infantry company commander in front came over and said, "It's a surrender, right?" ”

"Yes! It's the surrender that's coming! The frightened deputy hastened to say that he was afraid that the company commander, who was looking at his eyes on fire, would kill him.

This red-haired fan held a white flag, and was brought to Mu Yi and Zheng Zhilong, who had just stepped on the dock, by the Yaogang soldiers, and quickly knelt down on one leg, "General! I pay you the utmost respect on the orders of the Governor of Coyette! Your Excellency the Governor has said that as long as you can guarantee the safety of our lives and property, we are willing to lay down our arms and surrender! ”

"Haha!" Zheng Zhilong listened to the words of the red-haired representative, laughed loudly and said, "It's late! We cannot guarantee the safety of your lives and property. You don't have to surrender, we will go into the castle and kill you all, and avenge the people who died at your hands and those who were sold into slavery by you! Wouldn't that be more enjoyable? ”

"No, no! Shogun! We are not afraid of death, but we still have women, the elderly, and children! For their sake, we, Lord Coyette, are willing to lay down our arms and surrender! For God's sake, please accept our surrender! The representative did not dare to talk about the conditions anymore.

"For God's sake? When you killed people, when you took our people and sold them into slavery, why didn't you look at God's sake? At that time, was your God asleep? Mu Yi also said fiercely.

This representative was really afraid that the kiln people would not accept their surrender, so he killed them all, and kept kowtowing and asking to accept their surrender.

In fact, Mu Yi and Zheng Zhilong now want to catch more prisoners, and they are already thinking about the future construction of Xiaoliuqiu (Taiwan).

Looking at this man's incessant kowtow, Mu Yi said, "Get up!" Go back and tell your Governor, that you will come out empty-handed with your men, and that you will all kneel on this side of the dock and wait for the end! ”

"Excuse me! Are you accepting our surrender? "This Dutchman is quite serious.

"Go! Otherwise, we'll kill it! Zheng Zhilong shouted impatiently.

When the kiln man launched ***, he immediately burned the Dutch soldiers who did not rush out of the castle. Those Dutch soldiers who were stained with the solution of *** burned one by one and cried wolf, and the people who went up to rescue them were also burned to death, the tragic situation was very terrifying, and they really thought that the devil had come. Fortunately, many of the passages that came out of the underground layer were blown up, and those who came out were slower, and those who didn't come out were considered to have saved their lives.

At this time, Coette didn't care about holding any council, and immediately sent this general (translator) out to negotiate with the kiln people. Corette told him to fight for the best result, but if he couldn't, he had to surrender unconditionally, and in short, he couldn't fight again. Corette saw that the people of the kiln had the intention of killing them, otherwise they would not have used such weapons.

When the messenger returned, he told the story of the situation, and Corette bowed his head deeply. The general (interpreter) said anxiously: "Your Excellency, be quick! Can't wait for them to actually come in! ”

Ke Ye shook his head and stood up, and said to everyone: "Go out, drop everything, and raise your hands to go out!" We must fight to get out of Xiaoliuqiu alive! ”

There was a cry from below, and Corette yelled, "Get out! Otherwise, it's too late! ”

The men began to walk outside, crying, but when they came out of the exit on the ground floor, they found that outside the exit was already full of soldiers in colorful clothes, holding muskets that they had never seen before, facing them. One by one, they hurriedly raised their hands and walked under the guns of the kiln soldiers with their heads bowed. Forget to cry too!

After the Dutchman had walked to the dock and squatted, it was getting late. Mu Yi said to Zheng Zhilong: "Old Zheng! And the castle on the other side, we probably won't have to fight tomorrow! Keep it! ”

"Yes! Keep it! Keep the Dutch in there, too! Zheng Zhilong said, "I think this Governor of Corette should send them a message and ask them to surrender tomorrow!" ”

"Hmmm! Good idea! Otherwise, we'll have to watch them tonight! After Mu Yi finished speaking, he said to the staff officer, "Invite that governor of theirs over!" You're welcome! ”

Mu Yi and Zheng Zhilong were on the dock, sitting on chairs and drinking tea, and the governor of Coyette was escorted over by two kiln soldiers! The soldier introduced Mu Yi and Zheng Zhilong to Corette. Corette lowered his head and did not respond. The kiln soldier got angry and slammed his foot in the crook of his leg, and Corette fell to his knees with a "plop". Corette slammed to the ground and protested: "I protest against your barbarism! I'm a governor, and you can't do that to me! ”

"Huh!" Zheng Zhilong smiled and asked, "Lord Governor, do you know who I am?" I'm Zheng Zhilong, I've been a general for you, and I know you very well. Don't pretend to be a civilized person with me? When have you been civilized to the people here? You still protested, why didn't you protest when you burned, killed and looted? You kowtow a few more now, and when I kill you, it may be more effective to make you suffer less sin! ”

Keyette was speechless by Zheng Zhilong all of a sudden.

Mu Yi smiled and asked Zheng Zhilong: "How can this guy also speak Chinese?" ”

"Hmmm! They look stupid, but they're not stupid. ”

"It's good not to be stupid!" Mu Yi said, "I think you feel very sorry for your people. In this way, I will give you a chance to write a letter to the side of Provencha (Red Embedded City) and ask them to surrender! How about we not scrap the shells again? ”

"I can write to them to persuade them to surrender, but you have to give me a minimum of respect!" Corette also talked about the conditions.

"Oops! Why bother! Zheng Zhilong said, "Go back!" We don't need you to write anymore. Tomorrow we will have artillery blow up the city of Provencha (Red Embedded City)! It's training! After speaking, he waved his hand to the escorting soldiers.

Just as the soldier was about to carry Coyett away, Corette hurriedly said, "Slowly! Slow! I'll write to them right away and make them surrender! ”

Mu Yi and Zheng Zhilong muttered for a moment, and then said to Corette, "Come on! Don't write letters either! Before it's dark, you're going to go over there! We'll let the speedboat get you there! ”

Corette didn't expect this, "What? Will you let me go to the city of Provencha? ”

"Yes! Can you still run? Hehe! Zheng Zhilong smiled after speaking.

After saying that, he sent Koye to the city of Provencha (Red Embedded City) by speedboat. By the time the speedboat returned, it was already dark. At this time, the Yaogang warship that had entered the Taijiang River to patrol came back and reported that the two Dutch warships had been found in the Taijiang River, as well as two Dutch merchant ships. These ships were blocked in the Taijiang River and could not escape, and the warships in Yaogang did not open fire.

Zheng Zhilong said: "Okay! We need these boats. ”

Mu Yi saw that the captain of the report did not understand, and said to him: "We have to get a boat to send these red-haired women and children away!" Without their boats, we have to find them boats. These ships delivered to the door are just in time for us to help! ”

Early the next morning, five steel-hulled ships from Yaogang circled from the Taijiang River to the front of Provencha City (Chichicheng), and a part of the marines quickly landed in small boats. The cannons of the warship were aimed directly at the castle of Provencha (Red Castle). If you find signs of stubborn resistance inside, you will immediately open fire and begin the demolition of the castle. However, Mu Yi and Zheng Zhilong both saw it, and there was a white flag floating on the castle. Under the rising sun, the gate of the castle was wide open, and He Lanbing lined up with his hands raised, came out of the castle, and sat down in a line outside the castle.

After Mu Yi and Zheng Zhilong went ashore, Koyette came with an officer and said, "All the defenders of Provencha City (Chichicheng City) have driven out of the city and surrendered to your army. Now the city of Provencha (Red Embedded City) is handed over to you! ”

"Good! It seems that you are talking the talk! Mu Yi said, "That's right! Your Excellency the Governor, if you work harder, there are still a few of your boats in Taijiang, we don't want to sink them, you can persuade them to surrender too! Also, you need boats to see you off, so let's leave these boats! ”

"Good! I'll go and persuade them right away! When the Governor of Corette heard that he needed a ship to see them off, he was more willing. In fact, when Corette persuaded the Dutch on the side of Provencha (Chijicheng) to surrender, because the Dutch here had not yet been hit, and they did not know how powerful the shell explosion of the kiln gang people was, many Dutch people really could not accept surrendering to the Chinese. In their eyes, the pig-like Chinese were only worthy of being slaves for them, and now it was worse to lay down their arms and surrender to them than to kill them. In addition to describing to them how terrible the weapons of the Kiln Men were, Corette had a reason to keep the women and children alive, and to let the Governor of Badawi and Her Majesty the Queen of Holland know the real situation here. The Kilnmen here have mastered the most advanced seafaring technology and the most advanced weapons, and we must face them seriously, otherwise we will not be able to deal with them if they sail their ships to Holland. This is very terrible news and must be sent back to the kingdom.

Corette was a very wise man, and he must now do everything in his power to get back to Badawi the letter he had written almost overnight the previous night. They will pass it on to Her Majesty.

After counting, more than 2,000 Dutch people came out of the city of Provencha (Red Embedded City) and surrendered. After counting the number of Dutch who surrendered, there were more than 1,500 Dutch, as well as more than 1,000 women, children, and the elderly. There were more than four hundred people on four ships.

After questioning Koyette, he learned that there were more than 1,800 sailors on board, more than 600 were rescued by the Yaogang people, more than 1,200 Dutch people died on board at sea, and more than 2,500 people were killed in the city of Geranza (Taiwan City).

More than 4,600 Dutch were captured, as well as more than 1,000 women and children.

However, to the delight of Mu Yi and Zheng Zhilong, there was still a lot of gold and silver in the treasury of the city of Geranza (Taiwan City), and Governor Corette said, "Those are the income that has not yet had time to be sent away this year." ”

Mu Yi sent someone to count it, and there were 20,000 taels of gold and 150,000 taels of silver. There are also quite a few guilders.

When Mu Yi heard that there was so much gold and silver, he was startled and said, "Good girl! That's all the gold and silver that the Dutch didn't send away in a year? ”

Zheng Zhilong smiled and said, "Commander Mu, don't make a fuss!" The Dutch East India Company, which pays a quarter of its annual profits, has 400,000 guilders, equivalent to 80,000 taels of gold. They collect more than 30,000 taels of silver in the poll tax they collect every year in Xiaoliuqiu, and they sell 100,000 pieces of deer skins to Japan every year. Each deerskin can make fifty times the profit. Do you think that's a lot of gold and silver? ”

"Fuck! Can't just be so cheap Dutch! Mu Yi stomped his foot angrily.

"Huh! Of course they can't be cheaper! Zheng Zhilong said, "I think the Dutch side is characterized by a small number of people, we leave a large number of Dutch people behind, they will not give up easily." This is our bargaining weight with them! ”

"Hey! We need a lot of labor, and I don't want to sell them easily! Mu Yi said.

"Hey, hey! Let's talk slowly! These people can use two years and then change it for a good price! Zheng Zhilong said with a smile, "Don't forget, my old Zheng is also from a business background, when did he do anything at a loss?" ”

At this time, someone came to report: "There is a Dutch merchant ship loaded with a large amount of deerskin and silk porcelain. ”

Zheng Zhilong said to Mu Yi: "This ship may be going to Japan. Unload all the goods! We should use these boats to send their women, children, and old people away as soon as possible! Otherwise, we will have to take care of their food every day! ”

Mu Yi said: "Immediately send the statistics back to Yaogang and Fujian. Go and get Corette over! ”

The staff officer drafted the telegram, and Mu Yi read it, signed it, and asked the staff officer to send the telegram.

When Keyette came in, Mu Yi said to him, "You have seized Xiaoliuqiu for so long, and you have done many sins that cannot be forgiven. But we Chinese are kind-hearted and will not learn from your practices in these barbarians. That's why we decided to send your women, children, and the elderly away by boat. It's the North Trade Wind right now, so let's leave tomorrow. On board, we will be rationed enough food, fresh water, etc. Everything else will not be taken away! Go back and inform them! ”

"Please allow them to take their personal belongings with them!" Corette fought for it.

"Everything was plundered by you from Xiaoliuqiu, and it must be left behind!" Mu Yi said resolutely.

"What about the rest of us? Let's go home too! In the future, we will never step further to the East. Coyette asked.

"You have plundered too much wealth here! We won't let you go easily. And you have captured a lot of people here to be sold as slaves, and you may not know the pain of being a slave! We're going to give you a chance to stay here as a slave and experience what it's like to be a slave. What do you think? Zheng Zhilong stared at Corette's blue eyes and asked.

"No, no! You can't do that. We Dutch may be defeated, but we will not be slaves! Of course, Corette would not agree, and shook his head like a rattle.

"You will be more than willing to be slaves! How about we make a bet? Zheng Zhilong continued to stare at Coyett and asked.

"No, no! I have written to the defenders in Jicoop (Keelung) and other places to order them to surrender exactly as you demanded! You can't do that! That's all Corette can say.

"Tomorrow, we will send away your women, children, and old people, and I will let you line up and ask them one by one if they would like to be slaves. Those who are willing to stay as slaves, and those who are unwilling are thrown into the sea to feed the fish. Your Excellency the Governor, what do you think they will do? Zheng Zhilong continued to torture Corette.

"No, no! O merciful God! Can't do that! We are civilized people! "Corette has not forgotten his God, and that they are civilized people.

Mu Yi felt very bored and said, "Come on! You're running out of time! Let's go back! ”

After Koye was sent away, someone came to report that "there are many Han and Gaoshan people outside who have asked to see Commander Mu!" ”

Mu Yi said to Zheng Zhilong: "It seems that they saw the notice put up by our officials, and knew that they had defeated the Dutch, and the people were coming to see us." Let's check it out! ”

Mu Yi and Zheng Zhilong came to the dock, which was a wide place and there were already many people standing. At this time, a capable young man led a leader of the Gaoshan clan and a leader of the Han nationality. The young man said to Mu Yi: "Commander Mu, I am from the Yaogang Intelligence Department, and I am Director Li's subordinate. These two are the head of the Gaoshan tribe that I used to work for, and one of our Han leaders. Knowing that you were coming, they wanted to fight, but I didn't let them. Their weapons are no match for ours, and they can easily cause casualties when they participate in battle. Now they are coming to see you! ”

Mu Yi went over and shook the young man's hand and said, "You have worked hard! Director Li's person is truly remarkable. When we were at sea, you sent the information! ”

"No, we each have our own tasks. I'm in charge of contacting the local people here! The young man said, and introduced Mu Yi and Zheng Zhilong to the people who came with him.

The leaders of the Gaoshan clan and the Han people came over and held the hands of Mu Yi and Zheng Zhilong. With tears in his eyes, the leader of the Gaoshan tribe said, "Thank you for defeating the Red-haired Fan. We fought them several times. But we can't use weapons, we can't train, and many people who died didn't fight them. Thank you! ”

The Han leader said, "We've heard, are you going to let go of those red-haired fans?" Don't let these devils go! ”

Zheng Zhilong came over and said, "We want to send their women, children, and old people away!" If we kill their women, children, and the elderly, isn't it the same as the red-haired fan? But those red-haired captives, we will definitely not let them go easily! ”

"That's right! Kill them! ”

"Kill them!"

The surrounding people shouted together to kill these red-haired fans.

Zheng Zhilong stood on a stool and said loudly to everyone: "Fellow villagers! We are going to live our own good life after we beat the red hairy fan. We want to build the widest roads and the best bridges here. It is easy to kill these red-haired fans, but we need them to work to atone for our sins. Isn't it too cheap to kill them! ”

"Good!" There was a cheer from the crowd. They didn't expect to use this method to deal with these red-haired fans, and when they heard Zheng Zhilong say this, they all felt better!

Mu Yi said to everyone: "We know that everyone has suffered a lot. Presumably you will see our notice. We will not charge any taxes and fees for three years from now, and we will also send fertilizers and other materials to everyone for free. Help everyone get back to life as soon as possible. As you can see, many of the cadres we have sent will have a lot to do to support you in the future. In short, the good days are ahead. Yes, we will not let anyone bully you again! ”

Mu Yi's words, the people around him burst into tears one by one, the good days they were looking forward to had finally come, and some of them couldn't believe it.

At this time, Mu Yi and Zheng Zhilong didn't know, and Yaogang immediately went back to make a decision that they didn't dare to believe in.

As Mu Yi's battle reports continued to come, although these progress was similar to what was expected, Zhang Zhimu and them were also very happy in Yaogang.

When Mu Yi sent the final statistical results, Zhang Zhimu took a telegram and said to Chen Yufeng and Ouyang He: "This gold and silver are really a lot. But I have an idea, what do you think? Let's leave this gold and silver in Xiaoliuqiu (Taiwan)! There needs to be construction, and a lot of gold and silver is needed. During the construction process, let the people work hard and earn more silver. In this way, the construction of Xiaoliuqiu (Taiwan) can also be accelerated. We can't be like the Dutch, who only take advantage of it and not give it to the people! ”

Chen Yufeng smiled and said, "Hehe! The two of us have no problem with this, you should talk to Mr. Lu! ”

"Yes! Mr. Zhang, that's a lot of gold and silver, so staying in Xiaoliuqiu (Taiwan) won't make Mr. Lu feel distressed to death? Ouyang He also echoed.

"O you! I don't know Mr. Lu. Mr. Lu will not bother with this little bit of gold and silver now. Besides, these gold and silver should also be placed in the Xiaoliuqiu (Taiwan) ticket number, or it is under the control of Mr. Lu! Zhang Zhimu said.

20,000 taels of gold and 100,000 taels of silver were left in Xiaoliuqiu (Taiwan) in this way.

"I still have to report this matter to the emperor." Zhang Zhimu said, "The disadvantages of being close to the emperor can be seen!" ”

"Hehehe!" Chen Yufeng and Ouyang He couldn't help but laugh when they heard how Zhang said this.

Chen Yufeng said, "Are you willing to treat him as the emperor!" ”

asked the hotel and learned that the emperor didn't go out today, so Zhang Zhimu came to the hotel.

As soon as the two sat down, Zhang Zhimu said, "Your Majesty, I have a good news for you today. We have basically controlled Xiaoliuqiu (Taiwan). Sixteen of the Dutch ships were sunk by us at sea, and the city of Gerancha (Taiwan City) in Xiaoliuqiu (Taiwan) was basically destroyed by us with artillery fire, and the Dutch governor surrendered! More than 2,000 Horan soldiers in the city of Provencha (Red Embedded City) surrendered. More than 1,000 of them, women, children, and the elderly, and we are ready to send them away early tomorrow morning. With more than 4,000 captives, we are ready to stay in Xiaoliuqiu (Taiwan) and let them participate in the construction of Xiaoliuqiu (Taiwan) to atone for the sins they have committed! ”

"Good! That's great! Before Zhang Zhimu's words were finished, Emperor Chongzhen couldn't sit still, stood up and turned around, sat down again and said okay.

After sitting down, he seemed to think of something again, and said: "These red-haired fans have plundered a lot of gold and silver wealth in Xiaoliuqiu (Taiwan)!" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty. They can bully and squeeze the people of Xiaoliuqiu (Taiwan)! Zhang Zhimu said, "I decided to leave some of the gold and silver wealth seized to the people of Xiaoliuqiu (Taiwan)." When the construction is restored, we have to carry out some construction works, and let the people work to earn some silver. This will help them to recover as soon as possible. ”

"How much gold and silver was seized this time?" Emperor Chongzhen glanced at Zhang Zhimu and asked.

"There are 20,000 taels of gold and 150,000 taels of silver!" Zhang Zhimu replied truthfully.

"That's a lot!" Emperor Chongzhen said.

"It's all flesh and blood squeezed out of Xiaoryukyu (Taiwan)!" Zhang Zhimu seems to be more sympathetic to the people than the emperor. However, Zhang Zhimu knew that the emperor deliberately said this, there must be something wrong, and he wanted to talk about silver.

----------

New progress in "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty": the Battle of Yashan, the defeat of the Yuan army, the counterattack of the Song army, and the landing in Fuzhou.