Cohen believed that Hans's biggest mistake was that he did not fully understand and reconnoiter the situation of his opponents before the battle, so he ordered a fleet to be sent to the coast of Fujian to help Shibazhi. ~, although he claimed in the letter that his intention was not to directly enter the war, but to hope that the appearance of Dutch armed galleons would deter his opponents from acting rashly, so as to leave enough time and space for Eighteen Zhi to attack Nanri Island, his starting point seemed to Hans to be a hasty decision, not only wanting to catch a big fish, but also not wanting to wet his shoes, thinking that he was a hunter, but not knowing that he was the real prey in the eyes of his opponents.

Vanderwegen recounted the events of the Battle of Nanri Island that day, and Cohen listened intently, interrupting his description from time to time to ask very detailed questions, such as the number of guns on the Haihan galleon, its unique rope system, and the fleet formation they maintained during the naval battle. Cohen asked in such detail that Vanderwegen did not dare to deflect the blame for the course of a sneak attack as he had conceived beforehand, and could only honestly explain it one by one.

After Vanderwegen had finished, Cohen leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes for a long time, as if he had fallen asleep. Vanderwegen was about to get impatient before Cohen suddenly spoke: "So the fact is that the Haihan people defeated the six ships you led with four ships?"

Van der Wegen's face turned red, and he hurriedly defended: "Lord Governor, Haihan actually has ten warships participating in the battle, and there are dozens of ships of the Great Ming Naval Division on the periphery......

Vanderwegen didn't know that two of the ten ships were also part of the Ming Marine, but his argument was not shared by Cohen. Before he could finish speaking, Cohen shook his head and said, "If Haihan's warship rushes up, I think your chances of escaping will be greatly reduced because of this." I remember you mentioned that after you ordered the evacuation of the battlefield, the Haihan warships did not continue to pursue your ship?"

"Yes, they did not pursue us after they had driven us away from the battlefield. I think this is the intention of the Haihan people to completely annihilate the eighteen Zhi members on the island, so they chose a more important target. Van der Wegen explained: "The trend of the battle after that is indeed the same, the Haihan people blocked the only port on Nanri Island with their fleet, Eighteen Zhi was very unhappy in the subsequent battle to seize the island, and paid a very painful price in the process of breaking through when evacuating, Zheng Zhihu, a senior leader of Eighteen Zhi, was also killed on the spot, this person is the younger brother of Zheng Zhilong, the leader of Eighteen Zhi, and his status in this gang is very high, and his death should be a very heavy blow to Eighteen Zhi." ”

"You mean the reason why they let go of the pursuit was because they wanted to catch a more important target, the high-ranking leader of Eighteen Zhi?" Cohen shook his head lightly and said, "With the situation at that time, they could completely destroy your two ships and then go to blockade the port." As you mentioned earlier, the Ming army still has dozens of ships on the periphery, and they can completely let the Ming army do the job of blocking the port, and then concentrate their forces to kill you and your men. But they didn't do it, why?"

"Perhaps...... Maybe they just made a mistake in the decision?" Vanderwegen had already vaguely thought of another possibility, but he was reluctant to say it, because he felt it was a shame.

"No, they just need to let go of something alive and make us aware of their attitude. Cohen's voice was low and unforgiving: "Mr. Vanderwegen, you're just the one they put back to tell the news. ”

"But...... What exactly are they doing this?" Van der Wegen was so excited that his ears and neck were already red, he was not afraid of dying in battle, but the decision to leave the battlefield was the right one, and he was glad that he had withdrawn in time afterwards, but now Cohen's statement made him feel more like a pathetic worm.

"Maybe it's just a warning, but it's also a demonstration. Cohen gently motioned for Vanderwegen to sit down with his hand, and slowly continued: "They made a claim for war reparations to Dayuangang after the war, which should be testing our bottom line, but it is far from their real purpose. I think these Haihan people ...... is trying to find us in trouble. ”

"Looking for trouble with us?" Van der Wegen was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said, "They are just emerging forces that have only emerged for a few years, how can they take the initiative to oppose our East India Company?"

"But they're already doing it, aren't they?" Cohen said with a deep breath, "According to our intelligence, the Haihan people have gradually taken control of the coast of Guangdong, especially the waters of the Pearl River estuary, over the past three years, where they have built ports, forts, and huge migrant camps, and have taken control of the waterways in these areas. Judging from their recent actions, it is likely that they hope to extend their tentacles into Fujian. And if they want to do that, they have to deal with the local stumbling blocks first. The Fujian government already regarded them as allies, and the only one standing in their way was Eighteen Zhi. ”

"In the last few years, the infiltration of the Haihan people in Fujian has been very good, far better than your uncle and his predecessors. Cohen gave a very unkind evaluation: "The object you failed to win has been won over by the Haihan people." If it weren't for the Fujian government's choice to cooperate with the Haihan people, they would not have appeared on the local battlefield to participate in the military campaign against the Eighteen Zhi. And we, who have always supported Eighteen Zhi, have naturally become their opponents. ”

"But if they force us to go to war, they may not be able to achieve any good results!" Van der Wegen was young and vigorous after all, and he would not be disheartened by such a humiliating defeat, and Cohen's words aroused his unwillingness even more: "Our East India Company far surpasses these Haihan people in terms of financial and military strength, and I am sure that we will be able to defeat them on the battlefield!"

"Young people, it's good to be confident, but you also have to see reality. Cohen said unhurriedly, "If it were to be fought near Batavia, I would be more than ninety percent sure that I would be able to defeat them." But the probability of success will gradually decline with the increase of distance, and if the war is to be fought in Fujian, IMHO, judging by the situation of the engagement you described, our chances of victory may be only 20%, maybe less than 20%. ”

About seventy percent of the East India Company's armed forces were concentrated near Batavia, and it is no exaggeration to say that even if the armies of any kingdom in the Far East came to attack here, the Dutch were sure to deal with it. However, it is one thing to fight a war at one's own doorstep, and it is another thing to go on an expedition overseas, and the transfer of personnel, the transportation of supplies, and the transmission of information, any delay in any link may affect the battle situation, and the flaws in these links will multiply the negative effects in overseas operations, not to mention that the opponent is still a Haihan who is not weak.

"Answer me, Mr. Vanderwegen, how much time did you spend preparing for war after you decided to send troops? Cohen asked.

"About ten days, Lord Governor. Vanderwegen didn't know what he meant, but replied respectfully.

"I think you must have been involved in the process, right?" Cohen saw Vanderwegen nodding his head and then asked, "So if you were to organize a military expedition to Sanya, what would you do?"

"Sanya?" Vanderweigen looked embarrassed: "It will take more than ten days to sail from Dayuan Port to Sanya, and I heard that the military port built by Haihan in the local area has very complete coastal defense fortifications, there are dozens of large-caliber coastal defense guns alone, and there is also an armed fleet stationed in the port for a long time. If you only rely on the existing ships and troops in Dayuan Port, it will probably not be enough......"

"But the Haihan sent their fleet, crossed the long voyage to Fujian, and defeated your fleet. Mr. Vanderwegen, this is the difference in strength, when you can't hurt your opponent, your opponent is free to swing his fist and strike you. ”

Unconvinced, Van der Wegen argued: "The conditions of the port of Dayuan are very limited, and it may not be possible, but if Batavia ......"

"It's also hard to do in Batavia. Cohen shook his head and said, "The voyage from Batavia to Sanya is two and a half times that of Dayuangang to Sanya, what does that mean? This means that we have to bring at least two months' supplies with us when we go out, and a large fleet needs supplies for two months, do you know how many?"

"I ...... I can probably imagine it......" Van der Wegen blushed again, this operation on Nanri Island was already the largest number of ships and men in the operation he commanded. And what kind of fleet is needed to attack the lair of the Haihan people, and how to coordinate the command and supply of such a fleet, this is indeed not something he can deduce by relying on past experience.

"Mr. Vanderwegen, we are not afraid of war, but we must consider the consequences and consequences of participating in the war, and at the same time measure whether we are able to accomplish the objectives of the war. Cohen raised his arm lightly and said, "Please help me to the balcony." ”

Vanderwegen quickly got up and walked over to Cohen, helped him up, and then slowly walked to the balcony on the side of the living room.

The Doge's Palace was built on a gentle slope on the west side of the harbor, from which you could see the busy scene of the harbor at sunset, with a constant stream of sailboats entering and leaving the harbor, and the sound of sailors shouting slogans and pulling the sails could be faintly heard in the wind.

Cohen looked at the harbor in the distance and said, "When I came here twelve years ago, Batavia was just a small dock built by the natives, and our large merchant ships couldn't even dock directly. But if you look at Batavia now, I think every employee in the company will be proud of it!"

"Yes, my lord, I am also proud of this prosperous port, and it is all under your wise command. Van der Wegen wasted no time in slapping a sycophant. Of course, what he said was true, and the East India Company began to develop rapidly from its founding in 1602 to 1619, when Cohen became governor and set up its headquarters in Batavia. After more than ten years of construction, Batavia has also become the most prosperous port city in Southeast Asia, and as an important gateway connecting the two oceans, it has faintly confirmed the position of the maritime trade hub between the East and the West.

"But I've been talking to some businessmen who have been to Sanya recently, and the prosperity of the place is far greater than we could have imagined, and some even think that the city is better than Batavia. Cohen said with a gloomy face: "Maybe there is an element of exaggeration in this statement, but it has only been a few years since the Haihan people arrived in Sanya? It only took us a third of the time to run a new city on Qiongzhou Island, and at the same time they continued to expand abroad. I've heard that they have a very strong presence in both Annam and Guangdong, and that they have the intention to continue to expand elsewhere. Mr. Van der Wegen, if they look to the South in the future, the only thing that may hinder their development is our East India Company. ”

"I will not allow this to happen!" Van der Wegen said, clasping his fist to his chest and excitedly, "Your Excellency the Governor, I will defend the interests of the company to the death!"

"You're a good lad, but your military talents need further training. Cohen stretched out his hand and patted the tall young man in front of him on the shoulder: "You stay in Batavia for the time being, maybe the company will need your service later." ”

"I'd love to serve the board!" Vanderwegen replied immediately, secretly relieved. Seeing that Cohen's tone was so kind, it was obvious that he would no longer hold him accountable for the defeat in the Fujian War.

Sure enough, Cohen then said: "In the matter of Fujian, even if you didn't choose to send troops at that time, I think sooner or later the Haihan people will find trouble for you in other ways." It is only a matter of time before an armed conflict breaks out, and it may not be too late to be exposed. If your uncle is not old and confused, I think he should start strengthening the city defense of Dayuangang now. ”

Van der Wegen replied, "Your Wise Governor, as you think, by the time I left the port of Dayuan, Uncle Hans had temporarily summoned a thousand additional laborers to speed up the construction of the walls of the city of Geranza. According to his calculations, we hope to bring forward the completion of the first phase of the project from next year to before the end of this year. After the completion of this project, the defense capability of the city will also be significantly improved, and even if there is an attack from outside, we will be able to protect ourselves within a certain period of time. ”

"I hope so. I'm a little tired, you can step back first. Cohen waved his hand and motioned for Vanderwegen to leave.