anovelconsole Chapter 36 The Expedition to Manila
Chapter 36 The Expedition to Manila
After seeing off the Pasig delegation, Zhu Jiheng did not rest but immediately convened a military council to discuss the matter of sending troops.
As mentioned earlier, these 1,400 system soldiers could defeat an enemy at least twice their size even on the mainland, let alone the Spanish who had just suffered a crushing defeat.
Therefore, Zhu Jiheng had the idea of taking the initiative to attack, using these 1,400 system soldiers as the main fighting force, supplemented by the indigenous allied forces to assist in the siege, and concentrating all the artillery to bombard one point, so that he was not afraid of not being able to take Manila.
The only concern is that the Spanish might take advantage of their attack on Manila to launch a surprise attack on Lingayen by sea. If their rear is breached, the front lines will be thrown into chaos.
The adjutant, Zhao Wu, and the company commanders of each company quickly arrived. Zhu Jiheng looked at them and said in a deep voice:
"Gentlemen, holding out in this isolated city is not a long-term solution. In just one month, our army has gained two additional companies of soldiers and many native allies. After the Battle of Snake Kiss Gorge, our morale is high, while the Spanish, having just suffered a defeat, are slow to assemble their forces and their morale is wavering. This is a golden opportunity!"
His gaze swept over the faces that understood the implication and were eager to try, and his voice suddenly rose: "Therefore, I have decided to take the initiative and send the entire army to Manila to seize this capital of Luzon and liberate the Chinese people of the city!"
This statement shocked everyone present. Although morale was high, directly attacking Manila, the heart of Spanish rule in Luzon, with its fortified bastions and a certain number of garrison troops, was still an extremely bold and even somewhat crazy idea.
Zhu Jiheng raised his hand, silencing the murmurs of the crowd: "I know this move seems risky. But time waits for no one. The Western barbarians could mobilize reinforcements to hold Manila at any time. If our army cannot encircle Manila before then and allows their reinforcements to enter, it will be even more difficult to attack Manila in the future."
After speaking, he gave a detailed analysis to everyone: "According to the prisoners' confessions and investigations from various sources, Manila's garrison is currently weak. The garrison at Fort Santiago has suffered heavy losses, and the city's defense mainly relies on the governor's guard, some city defense troops, and conscripted indigenous servants, totaling no more than a thousand, who are scattered in different places and have low morale."
Although our army consists of only 1,400 elite soldiers, they are all courageous warriors, and we possess the advantage of artillery. Once we reach Manila, the surrounding Chinese communities will respond and join us. Our indigenous allies can also provide support, fill trenches, and transport supplies. Concentrating all our artillery fire on a weak point in their city walls may well lead to their capture!
"But, Your Highness," a company commander couldn't help but stand up and say, "If our entire army goes out, Lingayan will be left vulnerable. What if Western warships attack from the sea, or the Manila garrison comes out of the city to outflank us and cut off our retreat..."
"Good question!" Zhu Jiheng nodded. "This is the key to this battle. Therefore, while our main force is attacking, Lin Jiayan must also defend."
"Zhao Wu." He called out a name.
"Your subordinate is here!" Zhao Wu stood up abruptly.
"How is the training progress of the 500 new recruits? Are they ready to participate in the battle?" Zhu Jiheng asked.
"They can form ranks, but they have never been in actual combat. I'm afraid they are not up to the task. They may be able to defend the city, but if they were to launch an offensive, the risk would be extremely high." Zhao Wu reported truthfully. How could it be possible to train new recruits to be good at fighting in just one month?
Zhu Jiheng nodded, as he had expected: "In that case, I appoint you as the garrison commander, leading your Han troops to garrison Linjiayan. The naval warships will also remain in the port, and the sea and land forces will work together to defend the city and ensure its survival."
"Your subordinate obeys! The city stands as long as we live, and we die if the city falls!" Zhao Wu clasped his hands in a fist salute and replied in a deep voice.
"The rest of the units," Zhu Jiheng said, turning to the other officers who were eager to fight, "follow me on the expedition to Manila. Lieutenant Chen will oversee all logistics and supplies, ensuring the supply lines remain open. Also, contact any tribes along the route that may surrender and requisition laborers and provisions. Each company will begin preparations immediately, traveling light and carrying ample gunpowder and ammunition. The army will set off in two days!"
He paused, his gaze sharp as he swept over each officer: "This battle is crucial for the liberation of Luzon by our Great Ming! Victory will allow us to take over the entire island of Luzon, and those watching from all sides will surely follow suit, thus securing our dominance! Even if we encounter temporary setbacks, we must utterly terrify the Spanish, ensuring they never dare to look directly at the banners of our Great Ming again!"
"We are willing to follow Your Highness! We swear to conquer Manila!" The generals roared in unison, their blood boiling, their voices shaking the rooftops.
After the military meeting ended, the entire Lingayan region immediately sprang into action, like a wound-up machine, preparing for the expedition.
The soldiers in each company inspected the flintlock musket's bolt and flint, sharpened their bayonets, and counted the gunpowder and lead bullets. Their servants made easy-to-carry fried rice and dried meat. The gunners carefully maintained the breech and axles of the falcon guns and calculated the number of shells they needed to carry.
The two captured 6-pound cannons were also included in the expedition, and the missing gunners were drawn directly from the Falcon Cannon team.
Zhu Jiheng then personally summoned several of the most important Ilock leaders, including Ma Kandong.
He did not conceal his intention to go south, but told them frankly and invited them to send their bravest warriors to join the expeditionary force. He promised that the spoils of war would be distributed according to merit, and that their tribes would gain greater autonomy under the rule of the Ming Dynasty after the war.
Makandong, who had already boarded the ship and had no way to retreat, was the first to respond. The Kabugao tribe sent out almost all of its capable warriors, and the other tribes followed suit with gritted teeth.
Over the course of two days, the various tribes had gathered more than 800 experienced Ilock hunters and warriors. Of course, this was only the number that had already arrived in Lingayan, and many more warriors from other tribes were on their way.
Two days later, at dawn.
A light mist enveloped Lin Jiayan. In the drill ground of the West City Fortress, the army had completed its assembly. Musketeers were arranged in neat square formations, their red uniforms appearing and disappearing in the morning mist. Bayonets stood like a forest, cavalrymen reined in their horses and stood at attention, and artillery carriages were neatly arranged with their muzzles covered with moisture-proof tarpaulins.
More than 800 Iloc warriors gathered on the flanks, their bodies adorned with battle markings, wielding various weapons, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.
Without a lengthy speech, Zhu Jiheng, mounted on his horse, slowly swept his gaze over the army on which he had placed all his hopes.
"Soldiers!" His voice pierced through the thin mist, reaching everyone's ears clearly: "Target: Manila! Move out!"
"May the Great Ming Dynasty prosper! Long live Your Highness!"
A deafening roar of shouts pierced the morning mist and soared into the sky. Zhu Jiheng took the lead, leading an army of over two thousand men out of Linjiayan and embarking on their journey southward without hesitation.
In the procession, a brand-new banner with the character "朙" and a flag bearing the inscription "Heir Apparent of the Prince of Lu, Regent of the Great Ming Dynasty" fluttered high. Lady Zheng and her concubines led the children to stand on the city wall and watch the army depart.
"Mother, will Father come back safely?" The five-year-old eldest son, Zhu Zhenlie, raised his childish face and looked at his mother, Zheng Shi, with a worry in his eyes that was beyond his years.
Madam Zheng bent down, gently ruffled her son's hair, and pulled him into her arms, her gaze still following the receding banners in the distance, her tone gentle yet firm:
"Don't worry, Lie'er. Your father is destined by Heaven and is protected by thousands of soldiers and gods. He will surely return safely. What we need to do is stay here in Linjiayan, protect this home for him, and wait for his return."