Traveling through the late Ming Dynasty to promote Chinese civilization

Chapter 228 Strategy for Suppressing Bandits

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At noon on the second day after Wang Qinian and Liang Dong planned their escape, in the Zhongzuo Garrison Office, Governor Zou Weilian sat at the head of the table, with Zheng Zhilong seated below. Below them stood a large group of military officers, including lieutenant colonels and guerrilla commanders. The generals had gathered to discuss the war against the Dutch.

Zou Weilian said, “Gentlemen, our army is now concentrated in Zuosuo to fight the Red Hairs to the death. However, after several fierce battles, the Red Hairs’ fleet has appeared at Lieyu and Penghu at different times, and we do not know where the main force is. His Majesty has ordered that the Red Hairs be severely punished. If this continues, I am afraid that a second imperial edict will be issued soon, and none of you will escape the criticism of being incompetent!”

Gao Yingyue, the deputy commander of the Southern Route, coughed and suggested, "The sea is vast, and fleets come and go freely. Where can we find the main force of the Red Hairs? I think it would be better to strike at their heart, storm Dongfan Island, block the port, and break through the castle, thus cutting off the Red Hairs' supply lines. In this way, their fleet will become like a tree without roots or water without a source, and they can only flee in panic. The situation in the southeast sea will then be settled."

Before Zou Weilian could comment, Zheng Zhilong sneered and rejected the suggestion without hesitation: "Vice General Gao makes it sound so easy. The Red Hair's Fort Zeelandia is exceptionally strong, with cannons densely covering the city walls and a considerable number of musketeers inside. How many lives do you have to take to attack the city?"

Gao Yingyue was somewhat embarrassed and argued, "Commander Zheng, you have many ships and men, and you are a master of naval warfare, but you may not be proficient in land warfare. How do you know that the red-haired castle cannot be taken if you don't try?"

Standing behind Zheng Zhilong, Zheng Zhihu said disdainfully, "My Zheng family also has a musketeer team. If Deputy Commander Gao looks down on us, he can have a contest!" The Zheng family had trained a black musketeer team of about a thousand men. When it came to land battles, Zheng Zhihu believed that no soldier in the entire Fujian province could defeat his black musketeer team if they were of equal strength. These black men were hardworking, loyal, and had been trained for many years, so their combat effectiveness should not be underestimated.

Zheng Zhilong feigned anger, saying, "Second brother, don't talk nonsense. With a formidable enemy at hand, we should all be united in our hatred and stand together against the common foe. Let's not have our own people fighting amongst ourselves..."

Gao Yingyue knew perfectly well that the two brothers were working together to belittle him. Zheng Zhilong spoke with righteous indignation, but in reality, he didn't respect Gao Yingyue at all. He snorted and was about to retort when Governor Zou Weilian spoke up, interrupting their argument.

"Commander Zheng is right. With a formidable enemy at hand, you should discuss strategies for suppressing the bandits, rather than engaging in pointless arguments. Deputy Commander Gao's method is unworkable. During the Tianqi era, the imperial court amassed a large army to fight the Hongmao in Penghu. Despite having a tenfold advantage in troop strength, they still could not achieve a complete victory. They could only use a siege strategy to force the Hongmao to retreat on their own. Now, I hear that the fortresses on Dongfan Island are far superior to those in Penghu. I'm afraid even with the full strength of Fujian Province, we cannot take them down."

Quanzhou Guerrilla General Zhang Yongchan echoed, "The governor is absolutely right. Although our naval forces are weaker than the Dutch, they have come from afar and their fleet is ultimately limited. With Guerrilla General Zheng's fleet, plus the Fujian Navy, finding their main force at sea and winning the battle is the only way to achieve victory."