socalfunplaces Chapter 63 Going South
Chapter 63 Going South
The Ming army's southward advance did not escape the notice of the Dutch. The massive fleet sailed away from the Gulf of Luzon. No matter how careful they were, such a large-scale voyage could not be completely concealed in the South China Sea, where Dutch eyes and merchant ships were everywhere.
The atmosphere inside the Batavia Governor's Palace was slightly tense.
Governor Cornelius Spearman, along with several key members of parliament and the naval commander, sat around a long table with the latest intelligence reports laid out on it.
"It's confirmed." An intelligence officer told everyone, "The Chinese fleet has come out of Manila Harbor in full force, and it's larger than we imagined. They've also conscripted some merchant ships to transport troops, and their target is Mindanao."
Fleet Commander Van der Capelen frowned, tapping his fingers on the table as he pondered, "The Chinese have deployed almost all of their warships, just to wipe out Zamboanga's remaining Spanish troops? This is highly unusual. Aren't they afraid of leaving their rear vulnerable?"
"That's precisely what's suspicious," one lawmaker interjected. "There were rumors circulating that they were going to attack Zamboanga. But mobilizing such a large army is illogical. Aren't they worried that we'll take advantage of the situation and attack Manila?"
The governor listened in silence, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Luzon and Batavia on the map.
He recalled the various intelligence reports he had received earlier—the Ming navy increasing its patrols in the northern Sulu Sea, rumors of a campaign against Zam Bogd, and the fleet that was indeed heading south in large numbers…
"Could it be... that their real target is us?" Van der Kapelen voiced the speculation he least wanted to face. "Deliberately spreading news of the southern campaign against Zamboanga, but their real target is Batavia?"
A moment of silence fell over the council chamber. The possibility sent chills down everyone's spines. If the Ming fleet suddenly turned west and headed towards Batavia... the consequences would be unimaginable.
Although they did not believe that the Ming army could capture Batavia, as the largest trading hub in the Far East, the economic losses from an attack on Batavia would be astronomical, which would cause significant damage to the company's interests.
However, the governor slowly shook his head and said, "No, I don't think the Chinese are targeting Batavia itself; at least, they wouldn't dare attack our headquarters."
Everyone looked at the governor, awaiting his analysis.
"There are three reasons." The governor held up three fingers: "First, Batavia is well-defended. Although the main fleet patrols around the Spice Islands, there are still garrisoned warships in the port, which is incomparable to Cebu."
The Chinese have always been cunning; they wouldn't do something as foolish as a long-distance raid, which would only lead to their complete annihilation in the Java Sea.
"Secondly, intelligence indicates that they have also requisitioned merchant ships to transport troops. If they were truly preparing to attack Batavia, they would have primarily relied on a rapid naval assault—troop transport ships are relatively slow. This seems more like a response to a possible ground operation or long-term occupation of Mindanao."
"Third," the governor emphasized, pointing to the Spice Islands, "and most importantly, the timing of their southward advance."
As he spoke, facing the puzzled or confused gazes of the crowd, he explained, "Don't forget, our previous strategic deployment was to exert pressure on the Spice Islands while the main Ming army marched south, forcing the Ming army to stop expanding by force."
"The Chinese have very likely already sensed our deployment intentions in the Spice Islands through their intelligence network! They're trying to preemptively consolidate the flank of Mindanao, or even... launch a preemptive strike to sabotage our upcoming operations in the Spice Islands!"
This analysis invigorated everyone. Indeed, rather than the seemingly reckless surprise attack on Batavia, Zhu Jiheng was more likely preparing to counter the potential threat from the Netherlands in the Spice Islands by amassing a large army and heading south, intending to disrupt the Dutch plans through offensive means.
"So, Your Excellency believes they are indeed going to Mindanao?" Capelen asked, his tone noticeably more relaxed.
"Highly likely," the governor affirmed. "But that doesn't mean we can let our guard down. The Chinese have always been cunning; it's hard to guarantee they won't pull some tricks along the way, or split their forces to harass other areas on their southward journey."
As he spoke, he coughed lightly, then abruptly changed the subject, issuing a series of orders.
"First, order the Spice Islands to strengthen defenses and patrols as planned, and prepare for a possible attack by the Ming army. At the same time, accelerate the assembly of supplies and troops. Once it is confirmed that the main force of the Ming army is tied down in Mindanao, proceed immediately according to plan!"
"Secondly, the garrison at Batavia Port has raised its alert level, and patrol boats have increased the frequency and scope of their patrols, especially along the northeastern waterway leading to Luzon, closely monitoring the movements of any suspicious vessels. Coastal artillery positions are ready to fire at any time!"
"Third, inform the Sultan of Sulu that the main force of the Ming army has moved south, and instruct them to strengthen the surveillance and containment of the Ming army's patrol ships. If any unusual movements are detected, report them immediately!"
"Fourth, recall ships carrying out secondary missions in the nearby waters and strengthen the mobility of Batavia Port, but the main fleet... will remain stationary for the time being and continue to monitor the Spice Islands."
Capelen remained somewhat worried and asked, "Your Excellency, is Batavia's defense sufficient? What if...?"
"No 'what ifs'!" the governor interrupted him, his tone resolute. "The Chinese are not targeting this place! We must not be intimidated by their bluff, nor can we allow it to disrupt our strategic deployment in the Spice Islands. We should simply strengthen our defenses; our focus remains on the east."
His sharp gaze swept over the crowd: "The Chinese want to continue using the Spanish to establish their authority, then we'll grant their wish and deliver a fatal blow to them in the Spice Islands when they are at their most arrogant! Give the order!"
"Yes, Your Excellency!" the crowd replied in unison.
……
The Dutch believed they had seen through the Ming army's tricks and prepared to set a trap for the "arrogant" Ming army on the other side of Southeast Asia.
Little did they know, a deadly net targeting Batavia was quietly and rapidly closing in from the north.
Following their predetermined course, the Ming army sailed south towards Mindanao Island in a grand procession. The sea breeze billowed the sails, and the ships cut through the waves, making a monotonous and continuous splashing sound.
Below deck, the soldiers crammed into the cabins silently endured the turbulence and stuffiness, with only the occasional cough and the slight clinking of weapons breaking the silence.
Inside the flagship Jinghai, the cabins were brightly lit.
Chen Ang and Lü Qianfan stood side by side in front of the nautical chart, their expressions serious. Lü Qianfan's finger traced the outline of Luzon and Mindanao, eventually stopping at a wide expanse of sea where the Sulawesi Sea and the Maluku Sea meet.
"As planned, we will turn here," Lü Qianfan said in a deep voice, his finger pointing heavily to a mark on the nautical chart. "This place is far from the main shipping lanes, the Dutch surveillance is relatively sparse, and the ocean currents will help us accelerate our westward journey. It is estimated that after turning, we can reach the waters off Batavia in half a month at full speed."
"Half a month is a bit too long," Chen Ang said, frowning. "If the Dutch find that we haven't appeared in the waters off Zamboanga as expected, they are very likely to discover our intentions and inform Batavia."
Lu Qianfan shook his head, pointed to another point on the nautical chart, and said, "General Chen's concerns are very valid, therefore we need to divide our forces here in advance."
Chen Ang looked at the point he was pointing to, which was the vast waters between Mindoro and Palawan in the central Sulu Sea: "Divide the troops?" he asked thoughtfully.
"That's right." Lü Qianfan explained, "The Dutch spies are mainly watching southern Luzon and the northern Sulu Sea. If we sail south in a big way, their spies will follow. But if we continue to go deep into the Sulu Sea, we will become too conspicuous. Therefore, when the fleet reaches this point, it will split in two."
As he spoke, he offered further explanation.
After the fleet split into two, the first group would consist of slower troop transport ships, some old warships, and requisitioned merchant ships. They would continue to use the original flags and distinctive markings, maintain their imposing presence, and continue their journey along the original route toward Zamboanga, Mindanao.
Their mission was to put on a show for the Dutch, and they might even actually conduct some shelling and symbolic landings off the coast of Zamboanga to solidify the illusion of attacking the Spanish.
The second squadron, consisting of all the Tier V and Tier VI ships, as well as faster troop transport merchant ships, broke away from the main force at night, changed flags, and sailed at full speed southwest, rounding the large island of Borneo, and approaching Batavia from the northeast.
Although this route was circuitous, it had several advantages. First, it completely avoided the Sulu Sea and Spice Islands, which were of great concern to the Dutch. Second, the seas along the way were relatively open, and the Dutch had a low profile in these areas.
Thirdly, by taking a roundabout route, they would arrive at Zamboanga later than the first group. If the Dutch discovered that the former were already active in Zamboanga, they would relax their vigilance towards the east and north of Batavia.
After speaking, Lü Qianfan paused and added, "Sailing along this route, it is estimated that we can reach the sea off Batavia in about twenty days. At that time, the fleet that was feigning an attack on Zamboanga should have just begun its attack on Zamboanga, and the Dutch will be firmly drawn to the south."
Chen Ang stared at the route Lü Qianfan had drawn on the nautical chart and slowly nodded: "This plan is brilliant! It's a feint that appears real, and a real feint that appears fake. The Dutch thought they had seen through our 'feigned south,' but they never expected that our 'strike north' would come from such an unexpected angle and at such an unexpected time."
But then another question popped into his head: "How should the land forces be allocated? Should all the elite troops follow the main assault fleet? Or should the army on the fleet be feigned to attack..."
"The feint fleet mainly carries newly recruited colonial infantry and some line infantry, enough for a deterrent landing, but not the core of the assault," Lü Qianfan said. "The most elite troops truly intended for the raid on Batavia are all with the main fleet. We must ensure our strength is sufficient for a decisive, swift victory!"
Chen Ang had no further objections and slammed his fist heavily on the chart table: "Good! Proceed with this plan! Once the fleet reaches the turning point, immediately divide the fleet! Notify all captains and officers to prepare for separate voyages!"
……
Several days later, the Ming fleet arrived at the designated area for troop deployment. The day was overcast and visibility was low. The flagship used its lights to signal the ships to split up, and the massive fleet began to slowly adjust and disperse.
The feinting fleet, consisting of two level-six ships, an old galleon captured from Spain, and numerous requisitioned local Chinese merchant ships, maintained its original flag and continued sailing along its predetermined course toward Mindanao.
However, most of these ships were already empty, with the soldiers originally on board being transferred to fifth- or sixth-tier ships to follow the Nanyang Fleet in its roundabout maneuvers.
The fleet responsible for the feint attack carried only two squadrons of colonial infantry and four squadrons of line infantry. These more than 700 soldiers were scattered across various ships to avoid being detected as empty, although the Dutch would not risk approaching the fleet to scout.
The feinting fleet continued south, while the main attack fleet, consisting of five fifth-class ships, two sixth-class ships, and more than ten troop transport merchant ships, changed course under the cover of night and headed southwest.
The sailors swiftly lowered the battle flag representing the Ming army and replaced it with the flag of the Dutch East India Company. The visible gun ports on both sides of the ship were temporarily covered with wooden planks or canvas. Some ships even hung tattered fishing nets or extra canvas on key parts to further obscure the ship's characteristics and disguise it as a company fleet.
Meanwhile, several merchant ships, used as bait, set off first, with the colonial infantrymen on board taking off their red uniforms and changing into ordinary civilian clothes, or simply going shirtless.
The selected European prisoners were dressed in better clothes and stood trembling on the deck under the watchful eyes of the surrounding colonial soldiers, ready to face any possible interrogation and questioning.
The fleet sailed along the northern coast of Borneo, a route that, while avoiding major trade routes, was fraught with complex sea conditions, with reefs, shoals, and unpredictable currents threatening the safety of navigation.
Navigators had to carefully guide the fleet with limited nautical charts, star charts, and years of experience. To further avoid any potential encounters with scattered Dutch or indigenous vessels, the fleet sometimes had to venture into deeper, rougher waters, where the ships rocked violently and seasickness and injuries began to increase.
Despite having prepared supplies in advance, the shelf life of fresh water is still limited. While there is no need to worry about pickled food, water cannot be preserved for long periods.
As the fleet sailed for longer periods, the fresh water stored on board gradually deteriorated and became foul-smelling.
The soldiers could only learn from the Europeans and pour alcohol into the slightly spoiled fresh water to neutralize the taste so that the water could be swallowed.
The long voyage, the crowded and filthy cabins, and the dwindling supplies were all affecting morale. Although the officers tried their best to maintain order and boost morale, a suffocating atmosphere of anxiety still permeated the cabins.
However, the soldiers all knew the significance of this expedition, so even in the harshest conditions, the loyalty and discipline deeply ingrained in their blood sustained them, allowing them to grit their teeth and persevere through the difficult days and nights.