I

  Chapter 501 498 [Siege in the rain]

   "General, a total of 284 people had headache and fever yesterday, and more than 30 people were added this morning."

   "All replaced and rested to see a doctor!"

   Malaria broke out in the Luzon Expeditionary Army. Fortunately, there were military doctors, and most of them were from the Guangxi Datong Army.

  At present, the military mainly uses two kinds of medicines to treat malaria: Luzon fruit and poppy shell.

  Lu Song Guo is called Jieredou in Guangxi, the eldest son of Jinma in Yunnan, and Maqian in Qiongzhou, Hainan Island.

   Of course Luzon also has it!

  This drug can effectively treat the early symptoms of malaria, but when it comes to the fever and sweating periods, the therapeutic effect will be greatly reduced.

  Military doctors from Guangxi are very experienced in this, so they suggested to the generals in the army: Once the soldiers feel tired, have a headache, or have a low fever, they should immediately take the medicine prepared from Luzon fruit. There must be no delay, and the danger will be multiplied by one more day!

  Peter, the commander of the Dutch Army, found Wang Hui anxiously: "Dear General, I heard that Chinese doctors are good at treating malaria. Can you also help Dutch soldiers to see a doctor?"

   "Of course." Wang Hui did not refuse the friendly army's request for help.

  The miracle drug "Cinchona tree" for treating malaria was discovered in South America six years ago. But it has not spread yet, and it will take at least another ten years before it will be sold as a medicinal material to Southeast Asia.

  The Dutch planted cinchona trees in Java, which was two hundred years later.

  Peter did not leave immediately, but sat down and chatted with Wang Hui: "The rainy season is coming soon. In such a short time, the city of Manila can be breached at most, and the Spanish castle in the city is impossible to capture. Do you want to continue fighting?"

   "Of course, this is an established combat mission." Wang Hui said.

  Peter said: "All the captured walls, castles, and forts can be demolished. It is impossible for the Spaniards to organize repairs during the rainy season. After the rainy season, we will send troops again. There is no need to stay in Manila for consumption."

  Wang Hui said: "Your country can withdraw its troops, but the Datong Army will never withdraw."

   Peter suddenly had nothing to say.

  In the eyes of these Dutchmen, sinking and capturing so many Spanish warships, and dismantling some Spanish outlying strongholds, such results are enough to be called a success. Spain, which is rapidly declining, cannot recover its losses for several years, while the Netherlands can quickly replenish soldiers and warships. It would be better to continue to fight in the second half of the year or next year.

   To put it bluntly, it is to grind Spain to death at sunset.

  Going out with a fleet and a large number of indigenous servants, if you stay in Manila to survive the rainy season, how much money and food will be consumed!

   This is the Dutch East India Company that must be accountable to its shareholders, not the real Dutch government.

  Historically, when they learned that Zheng Chenggong was going to recover Taiwan, they couldn't bear to send more than a dozen ships to station for half a year. In order to reduce the consumption of the garrison, 80% of the fleet was withdrawn, and Zheng Chenggong seized the opportunity to recover Taiwan in one fell swoop. How can the Dutch, who are so preoccupied, waste a few months of rainy season in Manila?

   At this moment, Batavia has fallen into a quarrel.

   "Can't withdraw troops!"

Governor Van Diemen slapped the table and roared: "Once we withdraw, we will give Spain a chance to breathe. Moreover, the Chinese army is likely to occupy Manila after the rainy season before we send troops. At that time, how to negotiate with the Chinese? Everything It will all turn into begging for alms!"

Director-General Huis said: "Your Excellency, although we have achieved brilliant results this time, we have also paid a huge price. The rainy season will last for several months, leaving the fleet and army in Manila, and we have to pay for thousands of indigenous soldiers. How much consumption would it take to provide food? We have to withdraw our troops now and send them out after the rainy season is over. This is the most cost-effective deal.”

  Van Diemen said angrily: "Sir, this is war. War! Do you understand? This is not business!"

  Huys said: "War is a business, and everything is for profit. Moreover, if you want to spend the rainy season in Manila, you must organize a fleet to transport food. Is there still time?"

   "Of course it's too late. If it weren't for your opposition, the food would have been shipped to Manila long ago!"

Van Diemen glared at the members of the council: "I want to exercise the power of the governor, and I want to exercise the power of the commander-in-chief of the navy. I will not accept any objections from you. You can impeach me, but you must wait until the seventeen members of the headquarters meeting recognition!"

  The councilors looked at the angry Van Diemen, and they didn't dare to object anymore.

  The system is the system, and the authority is the authority. Van Diemen has enough authority in Batavia, and this authority can often crush the company system.

  If history remains unchanged, Van Diemen can live for another year, and will die of illness in another year.

  …

   "Boom boom boom!"

   The army artillery of China and the Netherlands, as well as the artillery of the fleet, poured their brains towards the city wall of Manila.

  With the morale of Pampanga soldiers, how can they withstand this kind of fire suppression? Every time they heard the sound of cannons, they ignored the orders of the Spanish commander and were so frightened that they all hid under the walls of the city.

  The craftsmen brought by the Datong Army have already built the Lvgong Chariot, and the indigenous warriors have also filled up the moat.

  The Dutch fleet all returned to Batavia, and they were going to **** the food fleet, otherwise they would be attacked by the Spanish fleet.

  China's grain merchant ships also have to be escorted by the fleet, but they are relatively safe.

  The first batch of siege troops were the native army brought by China and the Netherlands.

   They pushed Lv Gongcar, braved the shells fired from the city, and rushed towards the city wall with high morale.

  After several rounds of shelling, he fled back in embarrassment, and six of Lu's vehicles were also destroyed by city defense artillery. Then continue to organize the attack, and continue to be beaten back by artillery. In one day, more than 300 indigenous people were killed and more than 1,000 people were injured.

  The Datong Army and the Dutch Army watched the show all the way without sending out a single soldier.

  Sieging the city like this for four consecutive days, the Spanish defenders consumed a lot of shells, as well as rolling stones and other defensive materials. But the native soldiers quit. They didn't want to be cannon fodder anymore, and they didn't want to attack the city no matter how they were commanded.

  Unless, the Chinese and Dutch armies also go together!

  There are only more than 700 people left in the Dutch Army, and some are sick. They hid behind Mr. Lu's car and proceeded cautiously. They really didn't want to fight this kind of battle.

   To siege the city, of course use artillery first.

   If you don’t blow down the city walls and attack again, with the strength of the Dutch Army, you will be killed in one or two sieges.

  However, the city walls of Manila are too short, and the smoothbore cannon is difficult to hit!

   Inside and outside the city, artillery from both sides kept firing. Even the cats and dogs in the city were used to the sound of the cannon.

   "嗙!"

  A Lvgong vehicle was smashed by city defense artillery, causing more than a dozen Datong soldiers to be killed or injured.

   "嗙!"

  Another shell hit, and after Lu's bus was destroyed, the Dutch army pushing Lu's forward immediately fled.

  Wang Hui was furious. He found Peter and said, "The morale of your army is even worse than that of the native soldiers!"

  Peter said confidently: "Sir, I only have more than 700 people, and dozens of people are sick. How can I take them to death?"

   On the fifth day of the siege, it still ended in failure.

   During the period, trenches have been dug. But the rainy season is coming, even if the trench can be dug to the city, it will be impossible to attack again in the rainy season.

  Day by day.

  The grain transport fleet of the Netherlands has all returned. I heard that they were attacked halfway. Fortunately, they were protected by warships. Only two grain transport ships were sunk by Spanish galleons.

   "Boom!"

  A muffled thunder came from the sky.

  Governor of the Philippines, Coquila, looked at the sky and smiled: "Gentlemen, we have defended. The rainy season has come, and Manila is favored by heavy rain, and it will not be breached in another hundred years."

  Outside the city.

  Religious Chinese live in the outskirts of Binondo District. In the area that cannot be bombarded by the city defense artillery, these Chinese helped to build many new houses, and the soldiers of the Datong Army lived in these houses.

   "Old Tie, drink a bowl of barley porridge to get rid of the moisture on your body." Wang Hui filled a bowl himself.

  Tie Hong sat down cross-legged and drank half a bowl in one go: "Decided?"

Wang Hui said helplessly: "It's decided, and we will attack the city in the rain. I have also discussed with the military doctors. Before fighting in the rain, drink more salty boiled water, and get medical treatment immediately after fighting. It can't be delayed until after the rainy season. There are more and more people getting sick, some of which even the military doctors can’t figure out. It’s just raining and you can’t fire guns, and the defenders in the city can’t fire guns. The mud is pushing too slowly. The simple ladder is ready, and the ladder is carried to the city in the rain, and Manila will be knocked down in one fell swoop.”

   "This is also a way." Tie Hong nodded.

Wang Hui added: "After capturing the city walls of Manila, we will choose another day to attack the castle in the rain. The Spanish castle in the city is also that kind of bastion. It takes time and effort to capture it on a sunny day, and it takes people's lives to attack it. Just attack the castle on a rainy day!" "

Tie Hong finished his barley porridge and put it on the table with a bang: "I'm here to lead the team up first. This place is hot and humid, so finish the work early and call it a day. My son will start primary school next year, and I want to go back to see it during the New Year. I'm afraid I won't be able to go back if I drag it on."

   "Please!" Wang Hui cupped his hands.

   "They are all Datong soldiers, not to mention those." Tie Hong grinned.

   Tie Hong can probably guess what his superiors are thinking. Many people in the army are not used to him, and it is difficult for him to continue to be promoted if he stays in the country. This time when he was transferred to Luzon to fight, Wang Hui came here to be gilded, but he was "exiled". He estimated that he would lead troops to station in Luzon for a long time.

   Another day passed, and it rained heavily.

  The defenders are all hiding in the house, and the Dutch soldiers are also in the tents. No one wants to fight in the tropical rainy season. If you get sick, it is no joke.

   "Brothers, finish this bowl!"

  Two thousand soldiers picked up pottery bowls and drank salted water instead of wine.

  In the tropical rainy season with high heat and humidity, it is easy to dehydrate and desalinate even if it does not rain, and it is easier to get caught in the rain for a long time. Although they don't understand the principle, Chinese medicine practitioners in the south know that drinking salt water can replenish physical strength.

  Drinking a bowl of boiled salt water, the Datong army, naked and only in leather armor, carried a ladder and rushed towards the city wall in the rain.

  The rain was so heavy that people couldn't open their eyes, and even affected the visibility ahead.

   Not to mention the Spanish army and Pampanga soldiers defending the city, even the Dutch friendly army stationed next door did not know that the Chinese army was fighting out in the rain.

  If it were the Dutch, they would not dare to play like this, for fear that all the soldiers would fall ill.

  (end of this chapter)