To fight the Spanish merchant fleet, it was indeed best to have the support of the Dutch. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 Although the distance between Batavia and Manila is geographically greater than that of Manila from Beigang or other ports in Fujian, Manila is definitely a better supply point if you consider the route to Europe. From Manila, it was easier to intercept Spanish merchant ships bound for Europe. Ships laden with silk, spices, and other goods sailed through the waters near Batavia as they sailed to Europe on the northeast trade winds. If the support of the Dutch can be obtained, then the Zheng family's fleet will not only be able to obtain supplies in the Dutch port, repair ships, but also sell captured Spanish supplies to the Dutch nearby. In this way, their ability to continue looting will increase dramatically. The Spaniards could also have been hit harder.

"The Dutch should be willing to offer support." Zheng Zhilong said. It was also obvious that if it weren't for the expectation that they would have fought the Spaniards, the Dutch would not have come to the news at all.

"It's just that we have always had two important customers, so it's hard for them to stick with us on price. If we get into a fight with the Spaniards, we will have a big impact on the price of the Dutch in a short time. Moreover, now that we are an official army, we don't inform the court about this war with foreigners, and we will do it ourselves, right? Obviously, Zheng Zhilong is still a little reluctant to suffer losses in business, and as for the latter words, of course, they are excuses.

"Imperial court, after the annihilation of the Tianxiong Army, what else is there in the imperial court?" Zheng Sen didn't have to hide his contempt for the court in front of his father. "And we can fight with our Tessie ships."

"If you only use these ships, will it be enough?" Zheng Zhilong asked.

"Enough, our ships have an advantage in speed over any of the ships of the Spaniards. The Spaniards had limited forces at their disposal, and it was impossible to equip all their merchant fleets with enough convoys to resist us. Zheng Sen replied.

Zheng Zhilong stopped asking, just stared at Zheng Sen for a while, then patted him on the shoulder and said, "The little tiger has grown claws and teeth, and it's going out to hunt." But if it's not peaceful today, you should learn the ability to fight as soon as possible. It's just that now it's not convenient for me and your second uncle to go with you. I can only let your fourth uncle go with you. Well, do the two gentlemen you brought back know about this? ”

"I know it all." Zheng Sen replied.

"Are they reliable?" Zheng Zhilong's eyes flashed.

"Mr. Gu plans to go to the sea with the child, and as for Mr. Fang, he is also a reliable person." Zheng Sen replied, "Besides, even if there are any rumors that are revealed, can the imperial court really do anything to our Zheng family?" ”

"You evil obstacle, you just don't know how thick the sky is." Zheng Zhilong scolded with a smile, "Since you have made up your mind, let's try it yourself." Well, tell me about your specific plans......"

……

Ten days later, Captain Jack arrived at Bukpa from Jeju Island with three cruisers.

"Major General, are we going to war with the Spaniards?" Captain Jack asked as soon as he saw Zheng Sen.

"The Spaniards slaughtered my people in Luzon for no reason, Jack, and you know how well I have been educating those lads." Zheng Sen replied, "Do you think I have any other choice in such a situation?" ”

As soon as he said this, the old pirate immediately understood what Zheng Sen meant. The reason why those soldiers under Zheng Sen's command have such high morale and such firm combat effectiveness is not only because they eat the Zheng family's food and wear the Zheng family's clothes, but also because they were brainwashed by the set of things that Zheng Sen taught them, and they thought that they were fighting for the nation. The reason why Zheng Sen was able to win their loyalty and support was precisely because they all believed and believed that Zheng Sen was a great commander and great mentor in their battle to defend the nation, and a great leader and helmsman on the voyage to create a better future for the Chinese nation. It is precisely because of this that they will have a strong fighting ability. If Zheng Sen did not react at all when the Spaniards wantonly slaughtered the Han Chinese, then those soldiers would have been disappointed, and once or twice they might have found a reason for Zheng Sen themselves, but in any case, doing so would have seriously damaged the morale of this army and damaged its loyalty to him. Such a price is something Zheng Sen cannot afford. Therefore, Zheng Sen really has no more choice.

"I see." The old pirate nodded, and said, "But the young general, you must know that this battle is not easy. The Spaniards had been running Luzon for many years, Manila's defenses were very strong, and the Spanish navy was no match for the barbarians of the north. Even in Europe, they are strong at sea. Honestly, we will lose a lot against them. ”

"I know that." "So I didn't plan to attack Manila directly, using our wooden warships to shoot at the rocky forts." You know, in such a battle, a fortress with one cannon can even fight against a battleship with a hundred guns. After all, a fortress will never sink. I'm just going to do what you did. Constantly attacking the Spanish merchant fleets, capturing them, or sinking them. In this way to strike at the Spaniards and force them to accept our terms. I think we should still be able to handle this kind of battle. ”

"It's a smart thing to do." Captain Jack said, "It's just that the Spaniards have ships comparable to our cruisers. If they find it...... Major General, you know, our sailors are still novices - yes, they have fought, but they are only dealing with a bunch of barbarians who know nothing, know nothing. Shoot them like you would with a shotgun and go to a hare. Even if a person hits a thousand hares, you can't say that he is a veteran. Therefore, these cruisers of ours may not be able to outrun the cruisers of the Spaniards. Major General, where is the Enterprise now? ”

"Enterprise is now in Batavia." Zheng Sen replied, "Our clipper waited for them in Batavia and then informed us of the news with carrier pigeons. We will first go to Batavia to rendezvous with the Enterprise, and then you can use this ship as your flagship to search for Spanish ships in the waters between Malacca and Manila. With Enterprise, I'm sure our battle should be a lot easier." ”

"That's right." The old pirate nodded, he knew what a monster the "Enterprise" was, if you only look at the weight, this ship can be regarded as a first-class battleship in Europe. It's just that the ship was cut off by Zheng Sen with an entire gun deck, which greatly reduced the number of cannons. However, doing so also gives it better defense and faster speed.

"The sturdiness of this ship was unmatched in speed, and the guns of the Spaniard's cruisers were not strong enough to penetrate her planks, and no other cruiser could withstand her fire—it was a beast built to hunt the cruisers. She is the most perfect pirate ship in the world. Major General, if one day, I accidentally dig up a big gold mine, I must buy you a battleship like the 'Enterprise', and then go around to rob those big fat sheep merchant ships, especially the golden ships that go to the Caribbean to strengthen the Spaniards." ”

"Spanish Golden Ship?" Zheng Sen thought, "This is really a tempting target. It's a pity that it was in the Atlantic, and I can't reach it yet. ”

But Zheng Sen said, "Captain Jack, then I think your name will become louder than Francis Drake." ”

"Thank you for the compliment." The old pirate said proudly, and suddenly he remembered something, and hurriedly asked: "Ah, by the way, young general, what is the attitude of the Dutch?" Are they willing to act with us? ”

"Dutch?" Zheng Sen smiled, "Of course they want to see us turn against the Spaniards, and they want to see us teach the Spaniards a hard lesson, or be taught a hard lesson by the Spaniards." But they themselves are not willing to fight alongside us. But if we really beat the Spaniards badly, they might jump out and take advantage of the fire. For now, though, they've only agreed to let us use their port, get supplies from there, and sell them their hunt nearby. ”

"These Dutchmen know how to take advantage. But that's enough, at least for a pirate operation. Enough is enough. ”

"Very well, Captain Jack. How much time do your men need to recuperate before they can head south? Zheng Sen asked.

"The morale of the boys is very high, as long as we have replenished the supplies, we can go at any time." Captain Jack replied.

"That's good." "It takes time to make all kinds of preparations. In addition, we have produced a new batch of twelve- and eighteen-pounder guns, which are a great improvement over the ones used on your previous ships. All of these cannons will be delivered to your ship tomorrow. Replace part of the artillery. It's a pity that the number is still insufficient, and it can't be replaced. I'm going to give you three days to rest, and then two days to get acquainted with the new guns - you can continue to get acquainted with them during the voyage anyway. Then we set off. No problem, right? ”

"Major General, there is no problem with this. Five days later, we set off for Batavia. ”