Before the officers and men of the Spanish Armada on the surface could react, eight columns of water had risen on the surface of the sea, and then landed next to the armed merchant ship of the Banda Islands on the far right of the landing fleet, and the sea water was poured on the heads of the Japanese who were still crowded on the deck waiting to be transferred.

The entire landing fleet suddenly resounded with the exclamations of Spanish, Dutch, and Japanese officers and men. They are now in the process of transferring to land, and the sailboats are all anchored and retracted their sails, and they can't move at all for a while, and the whole thing is a dead target that can't move!

Lieutenant Zhang Wanyu, who just graduated from the Chongming Island Navy Martial Arts Hall more than a year ago, has been lying on the stern deck of a 40-oarled fast crab ship with a cat in the corner of Zhapu Harbor since yesterday evening. He had braved the autumn chill of the September sea for several nights, and finally did not keep it in vain. Seeing that the armed merchant ship of the Banda Archipelago was being shelled, he immediately lifted the sack from his body and shouted: "Brothers, cut the cables, beat the drums, and paddle. Come on! ”

"Yes, sir!"

Zhang Wanyu was not the only one on this boat, but there were also forty oarsmen, one drummer and ten musketeers. Hearing Zhang Wanyu's order, all of a sudden he was in good spirits - to make meritorious contributions, divide houses and fields and become countrymen.

These paddlers, drummers, and guns are all recruits, and in addition to earning military salaries, they just want to get a career!

In today's Ming Dynasty, if you want to be an official, if you want to see an official without kneeling, if you want to participate in politics, you have to have the identity of a countryman or a countryman, and the upper limit of the position that a Chinese scholar can hold is higher, but it is not difficult for a Chinese person to rise to a level to become a countryman.

But if you lack the identity of a Chinese, it will not be easy to climb up!

To get the status of a Chinese citizen, there are only three ways, one is to take the imperial examination and be admitted to the Juren; the second is to spend a large sum of money to donate to a countryman; The third is to be recruited as a soldier for meritorious service or to serve for 10 years.

It's not easy to take the imperial examination. Not only do you have to read through the Four Books and Five Classics, but you also have to be proficient in what "Neo-Confucianism" and "Practical Learning", and the number of places is limited, it is not easy to get in, don't think about it if you are not a scholar.

You have to donate money! What if not?

For the vast majority of aspiring young people in the Ming Dynasty who want to be motivated, but are not top students and are not particularly rich in their families, being a soldier is a good upward path.

After making meritorious service as a soldier, you can not only become a countryman, but also be assigned to the grange. This is the propertied class!

In addition, Chinese people who have been sent out of the military can also have preferential treatment when applying for the official examination, and many errands in charge of public security, or errands sent to remote areas, are reserved for veterans.

So in today's Ming Dynasty, it is still very fragrant to be recruited as a soldier, and it is really possible to turn over poor children.

I saw a shirtless and muscular drummer guarding Zhang Wanyu's side pick up an axe, and with a click, he saw that the rope connected to the dock was broken, and then without saying a word, he dropped the axe, picked up two drum hammers and began to beat the drum.

And this drum is a command!

With the sound of the drum of "dong dong dong", the fast crab boat commanded by Zhang Wanyu had already rolled up its sleeves and waited for the forty oarsmen to be dry. Immediately throw off your arms, swing the wooden oars, and start paddling hard to the rhythm of the drums!

And Zhang Wanyu was not idle, only to see him pick up a purple flag from the deck, put the flagpole into a hole in the deck, and the purple flag immediately unfurled against the wind.

In this way, the high-ranking officers who are supervising the battle on the shore will know who has knocked over a few sampans full of pirates, and this is all due to the merit book!

And in various corners of Zhapu Harbor, there are eleven other identical fast crab boats that have similar things happening.

The sound of cannons is an order, and the shipwrecks on the sea are credit!

These widows are really sensible, and they come all the way to send credit, if they don't knock over a dozen boats, are they worthy of the kindness of the Japanese devils who sent their heads thousands of miles?

While the 12 fast crab boats loaded with ramming angles were rushing towards the landing fleet off the coast of Zhapu Harbor under the drive of long oars, more than a dozen fireboats anchored in Zhapu Harbor were also driven by long oars in the hands of the death squad members who were shirtless and ready to abandon their ships and swim in the water, and rushed towards the armed merchant ships on the sea that were transferring to land.

At the same time, the shelling continued round by round, and the 18-pound heavy cast iron shells blasted out in waves, all of which beckoned to the armed merchant ship of the Banda Islands, and after only three rounds, one of the shells seemed to have eyes, and it landed on the amidships of the Banda Islands, crowding the deck of the Banda Islands, and immediately smashed and overturned five or six of them, two of whom did not die on the spot, and the screams suddenly rang out on the Banda Islands. Not satisfied with the five or six would-be guns that had been knocked down by the shell, the shell smashed through the deck with a clatter, and fell into the cabin.

This unfortunate armed merchant ship was in a mess, and it was still on the deck, and the pirates were in a hurry, and now the broken ship had collected its sails and lowered its anchor, and the whole target was dead, and now it was targeted by the artillery on the shore, and it had to be bombarded continuously?

All the pirates flocked to the side of the ship, and everyone scrambled to climb over the side and down the rope net. I don't know which sharp-eyed Japanese coke it was, and when he was squeezing to the side of the ship, he suddenly saw several fireboats that had been lit in the direction of Zhapu Harbor floating towards here! He almost screamed: "Fireship. Lots of fireboats! ”

In fact, there were not many fireboats, Li Zhongzheng only prepared eleven fireboats, and also prepared twelve fast crab boats. But the Spaniards, Dutch, and Japanese in a panic still know what a fire boat is and what a fast crab boat is—they may be fire boats that have not yet been lit!

Now the landing fleet on the sea is in a mess, the sails are hoisted, the anchors are raised, and the captains of these armed merchant ships loaded with pirates don't care about the pirates, let's avoid the fire ships first!

Pity the widows who are still crawling on the rope nets, they can't go up, and when they move down, the armed merchant ships will be separated from the small sampan underneath, and they will fall into the sea if they go down. The shouting and scolding suddenly rang out, and the crew members of several armed merchant ships were not lively enough, and the bronze bell of the early warning was ringed on the ground, coupled with the rumbling artillery - not only the eight 18-pound guns on the wharf of Zhapu Town were firing, but the gunboats and armed merchant ships on the sea also began to fire their guns on the shore.

In the midst of the chaos, the twelve fast crab boats began to rush towards the small, slow, clumsy sampans on the surface of the sea, like wild horses on the loose!

Zhang Wanyu sat on the stern deck of his fast crab ship, placed a wooden shield in front of him, clamped the rudder with his right arm, and aimed the bow at a sampan full of pirates!

The Japanese on the small sampan also noticed that a large ship much larger than their ship was rushing towards them, and they were all in a hurry, while "Yaga! Yaga" shouted, raising the flintlock pistol in his hand and shooting at the rushing fast crab boat. But it is not easy to fire with a flintlock pistol from an undulating sampan.

With a loud bang, Zhang Wanyu's fast crab boat had already slammed into the sampan!

On the surface of the sea, the waves rolled, and the small sampan was knocked over on the spot, and the sampan was full of wokos who let out screams and exclamations, and then without exception fell into the sea, and the dumplings boiled on the sea, and the water splashed and rolled. And the bow of Zhang Wanyu's fast crab boat was also turned over and arched upside down, revealing a metal impact angle like fangs, followed by a heavy pressure, only to hear a click, the water splash flew together with sawdust, and the thin bottom of the boat had been cut and pressed by the metal impact angle of the fast crab boat and the hull, and was broken into two!

Seeing the success of the blow, Zhang Wanyu hurriedly shouted angrily: "Add a paddle, rush up, we have to get out of here quickly!" ”

This short assault battle on the sea near Zhapu Town did not last long, from the eight gates of 18 catties in ambush in Zhapu Harbor to the 12 fast crab boats that suddenly rushed to complete or fail to complete a blow and quickly evacuate, it lasted less than half an hour. A total of 8 sampans were knocked over, and the losses inflicted on the Japanese were 200 smaller, to say the least, and their own losses, according to the report handed over to Li Zhongzheng afterwards, were only 18 killed, 16 wounded, and 3 missing—2 of the fast crab boats were hit by the 6-pounder guns equipped on the gunboats of the Spanish Armada when they were evacuated.

In addition, 2 of the 8 18-kilogram guns deployed in Zhapu Harbor were also lost, and 5 members of the artillery crew were killed and 2 wounded. And the result of these 8 cannons was to seriously damage the Banda Islands!

In other words, in this raid outside Zhapu Port, the losses of the Ming army on the side were only 23 killed, 18 wounded, 3 missing, plus the loss of 2 artillery pieces, and 2 fast crab boats damaged.

However, this battle was only the first battle of the offensive and defensive battle of Zhapu. Although Li Zhongshan was ready to give up Zhapu and even the entire Pinghu County, he did not intend to let the Japanese invaders easily take the territory.

Where is the southeastern center of the Republic of the Ming Dynasty so easy to enter? Just as it's going to be too good, the Japanese should know that something is wrong if they have a little heart!

Witnessing this battle like a "bayonet fight at sea" on the heights of Jiulong Mountain, Li Zhongzheng seemed quite satisfied, and gave an order on the spot: "Good fight. All participating units were given one merit, and one merit was given to the ships and artillery units that had achieved success.

In addition, tell the 4th Battalion of the 36th Brigade of the 18th Division and the Zhapu Town Militia Regiment to hold on for two days, and then withdraw to Pinghu County after two days! ”

"Yes!"

The flagship of the Spanish Armadada, the "Our Lady of Concepción", was aboard the Spanish Admiral Pedro. Morality. Admiral Sabala looked at the chaotic landing fleet, but his face was relaxed, and he said to Hotta Masatoshi, who had been stunned by the fierce battle just now: "General Hotta, it seems that the ambush battle of the Ming Navy has been completed, and the sea control is still in our hands, and the next landing should not be much dangerous." ”

The interpreter brought by Hatita Masatoshi translated all these words into Japanese, and the general of the Japanese mercenary army finally breathed a sigh of relief, and ordered left and right: "Since the next landing is not too dangerous, then the shogunate in Edo will report the victory!" Being able to successfully land on the land of Daming is considered a great victory for the mercenary army! ”

"Hay!"

In fact, Hotta Masatoshi is right, for the current Japanese invaders, even if you land a victory, it will be a great victory to take down a town, and if you can take down a county seat. The shogun can go and incense Tosho Daisen!

And the original task of this Japanese mercenary army was only to attract and contain a part of the Ming army, so as to reduce the pressure on the Qing Dynasty and the Great Zhou. In this way, the situation of the three kingdoms of the Ming Dynasty, the Great Zhou Dynasty, and the Qing Dynasty can be maintained as much as possible.

It is unthinkable that if the Ming Dynasty can maintain the current "Later Three Kingdoms", the great powers of all countries will be very satisfied.

After all, a China that was united by the Republic of the Ming Dynasty would be terrible!

Whether it is the "Western powers" such as Spain, the Netherlands, England, and Portugal, or the "Eastern powers" such as the Qing Dynasty, the Great Zhou, and Japan, there is absolutely no way to accept it.

Henan, Guide Mansion, Taoyuan Pass.

September 15, 22nd year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty.

Autumn wind and autumn rain, whistling down.

On the Yellow River near Taoyuan Pass, a pontoon bridge flies north and south, and on the plain south of the pontoon bridge, the cavalry wears robes and hats, patrolling and guarding in the vast rain and fog.

There was also an invisible procession that was briskly crossing the pontoon. The soldiers in the team were all carrying burdens, wearing robes and hats, and a slender braid was exposed under the hat, there was no doubt that this was a great Qing pigtail army. The pigtailed soldiers all carried flintlock pistols wrapped in oilcloth and walked quickly. Everyone was in a hurry, and it seemed that they were in a hurry to leave the land of right and wrong in Guide.

In addition to the soldiers, there were many people in this team who helped the old and the young, pushed carts, and carried luggage, all of whom were escorted by the soldiers to the north very reluctantly, and while walking, they also looked back, and their eyes were full of reluctance.

Emperor Kangxi's uncles Tong Guogang and Tong Guowei, as well as Fan Chengxun, the "lord of the mansion" on the side of Guide Mansion, immediately stood on the embankment of the Yellow River in the rain, looking at the soldiers and people who had withdrawn from Guide Mansion.

Fan Chengxun sighed and muttered: "Li Zhongshan also came too fast and there are too many people, 800,000 troops!" Even if only half of them are generals, and the rest are people, there are 400,000 soldiers who can fight, how can they fight? Could it be that the Qing Dynasty wants to"

Tong Guowei heard Fan Chengxun's frustrated words, and snorted: "Su Gong, the Qing Dynasty can't be finished. Our emperor still has a way! ”

"Is there a way?" Fan Chengxun will be suspicious, "Is there a way to give up returning to the German Mansion?" ”

The Guide Mansion was given to Fan Chengxun a few years ago, and Fan Chengxun also spent some effort to manage his own territory, and now of course he is unwilling to give up. Although his family still has a "head under the military state" outside the Guan, where is that better than Henan Shangguide Mansion?

Tong Guogang took over the topic and whispered to Fan Chengxun: "Duke Su, this method can only be used if you abandon and return to Germany!" ”

"Uncle Guo, don't sell Guanzi, what is the method?" Fan Chengxun looked at Tong Guogang and asked eagerly.

He lost a lot of money by giving up Guide this time, and it would be nice if there was any way for him to regain the lost ground.

Tong Guogang smiled mysteriously: "This hair is ...... Replace soldiers with water! ”

"What?" Fan Chengxun was shocked, "The emperor wants to pick up the Yellow River?" Why? The Yellow River collapsed, and millions of lives were destroyed! How can the emperor ......"

Tong Guowei immediately interrupted him and said, "This is not what the emperor meant, it is Prince Gong's meaning!" ”

"King Gong?" Fan Chengxun looked at the uncles of the two countries, "What do you really mean by King Gong?" ”

He didn't believe that Prince Gong Chang would rather do this...... Chang Ning is Zhu Changning!

Even if Kangxi is defeated, he loses the land in Guannai, and even loses his hometown in the northeast. Zhu Changning, you still have a chance to replace him and become the lord of Mongolia.

You can also enjoy wealth in Mobei, Moxi and Taiping Valley Tianjing City, why bother to do this kind of thing to offend Daming to death?

Moreover, the flood of the Yellow River could not wipe out Li Zhongshan's 800,000 troops at all, and at most forced them back.

In a few years, Li Yat-sen will still make another northern expedition to the Central Plains.

At that time, he will at most bypass the yellow pan area and be a little troublesome.

Tong Guogang's face was already gloomy: "Su Gong, don't you still believe my words?" If it weren't for Prince Gong's order, would I dare to bring someone here to pick up the Yellow River? This sin of picking up the Yellow River without authorization, where can people like you and me afford it? ”

Tong Guowei said: "That's it, Su Gong, who do you think else ordered this?" ”

"This ......" Of course Fan Chengxun knew in his heart that this matter must be caused by Emperor Kangxi!

And Kangxi also wants to detain Chang Ning for the crime of picking up the Yellow River...... In this way, Chang Ning was hated by the whole world, and if he wanted to usurp the throne, it would be impossible to seize Kangxi's power.

"That's right!" Fan Chengxun had no choice but to follow the two uncles and say, "It's still Prince Gong who is responsible!" Xia Guan admired it very much...... But who is more appropriate to do the Yellow River? ”

"Duke Su," Tong Guogang said, "You are the master of the Guide Mansion...... The difference between picking up the Yellow River or you should send someone to do it. ”

Tong Guowei said: "Duke Su, your people, along with many people under his rule, have now retreated north...... Turning back to the Yellow River again, who do you say did this? ”

Fan Chengxun thought about it a little, and knew that he didn't run this time!

Either help these two people surnamed Tong to "pick up" the Yellow River for Prince Gong, so that this Prince Gong can't even wash it when he jumps into the Yellow River!

Either these two surnamed Tong will regard him as the culprit of the Yellow River!

Now it is either Prince Gong who jumps the Yellow River, or he himself jumps the Yellow River...... Forget it, let's let Prince Gong jump!

Who asked him to put up a good brother like Kangxi?

Thinking of this, Fan Chengxun nodded: "The two uncles of the country, the lower officials have already understood...... Breaking the Yellow River, let's do it together! In short, they are all errands for the Ai Ai Jueluo family. What they say above, let's do below! ”

Tong Guogang nodded: "Duke Su, I've been waiting for your words for a long time!" Okay, let's arrange for people to do the work! ”

(End of chapter)