There are too many traitors in Chinese history.
The emperor knew that even if Fan Wencheng and others were cut into pieces, this kind of thing would not be stopped. But it must serve as a warning to the world: traitors who associate with foreigners and harm their compatriots will never have a good end.
This is also retaliation, or revenge. Avenging the Ming people who died in the Jianlu Rebellion is the same as executing Sun Degong's entire family.
Similarly, the conquest of Luzon and the massacre of all the Spaniards was a war of revenge for blood debt.
The emperor wants to use cruelty and violence to declare to the world that those who kill the people of the Ming Dynasty must pay with blood and lives.
Especially for the Western barbarians, nothing could make them understand the toughness of the Ming Empire and the cruelty of the emperor better than violence and bloodshed.
Using a bloody massacre to bring peace to future generations, or to bless the people of the Ming Dynasty with a talisman. No matter where they are, the Ming Empire will be their protection.
The emperor thought far ahead because he knew too much about the blood and tears of overseas Chinese, and he knew even more about the cruelty of the Western barbarians.
For jackals, only by truly crippling and hurting them can they learn their lesson and be afraid when they think of it.
In Manila Bay, the roar of cannons and the air filled with smoke. More than a dozen Ming Dynasty naval warships were cruising, firing, and engaging in a barrage of fire with the artillery batteries on the shore.
There were even more warships and merchant ships on the periphery, totaling 150 to 160 ships, an unprecedented scale.
The Spaniards were completely unprepared for the Ming army's sudden attack.
Several warships were caught off guard by the Ming navy that rushed into the port. Before the crews on board were in place, they were sunk and damaged, completely losing their combat effectiveness.
This was due to the emperor's deep concealment of his strategic intentions. Not only did he never mention the massacre of the Chinese in Luzon, he also allowed trade with the Spaniards.
The Spanish had trading houses not only in Guangzhou but also in Shanghai, and their business was doing well, which was completely different from the situation when it was previously monopolized by the Portuguese.
At the same time, Manila also prospered due to trade. Ming Dynasty merchants bought food, spices, and local specialties from here, which gave the Spanish a great illusion.
Who could have imagined that the Ming Dynasty would suddenly launch a fierce attack on Luzon without any prior signs.
Waves of rockets flew up from the ships, swept across the sky, and hit the two Spanish artillery batteries.
Boom, boom, boom... the sounds of explosions rang out one after another, and the explosive rockets flashed out fireballs.
Boom! A deafening roar echoed from the fort as the rocket ignited the gunpowder stored there. The fort, already battered beyond recognition by the naval guns, suffered a devastating blow.
The fort was completely destroyed, and the Spaniards on it suffered heavy casualties and were no longer able to fight back.
Under the overwhelming bombardment, the other artillery battery lost the ability to fight back. The sound of artillery became sparse, and the surviving Spaniards fled in embarrassment.
In fact, the attack on the fort was carried out from both land and sea. A marine corps had landed in the bay more than ten miles away and was making a roundabout way to encircle the fort.
One hundred and fifty to sixty ships and three thousand marines; Spain only had a few warships and a few hundred people.
Like a lion fighting a rabbit, it must use all its might. This was both an overwhelming attack with absolute advantage and a rare practical training.
Shen Yourong personally took command and all three squadrons in the South China Sea dispatched troops.
"Dock and land, quickly." Gan Hui personally drove the warship towards the dock.
According to the established plan, the one thousand marines that landed were more than enough to reach the Spaniards who had set out from the city of Manila.
But in order to be more confident and to get this rare actual combat training, the Marines should try their best to participate in the battle, even if it is just to watch.
Ships carrying marines emerged from the crowd and approached the dock. Some impatient captains had already lowered their boats and rushed the soldiers to the shallows.
As long as the Marines landed successfully, the conquest of Luzon would be a sure thing. Of course, the Navy's victory was crucial, as it would clear the way for the Marines.
In fact, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty has always had a question: why are the combat effectiveness of those overseas natives so weak?
You have to know that when the Spaniards invaded the Luzon Islands from Mexico, they only had two teams of soldiers, each with only more than a hundred people.
Even if they were well-trained, their weapons were only matchlock muskets, not sophisticated ones. How could they have ruled such a vast territory and forced the local sultan to submit?
If they were really such a weakling, the emperor felt that the pace of expansion should be even greater.
The Marines were divided into three squadrons. After the ships docked at the pier, they quickly went ashore and formed up.
They did not carry heavy weapons, and the rockets on the ships were taken down and used as siege weapons and to provide them with fire support for land battles.
Of course, if the attack on Manila was obstructed, the navy would unload the heavy artillery on the ship and transport it to the city.
"You're definitely going to be the governor." Yan Siqi stood beside Li Dan, gazing at the dock in the distance, and said jokingly, "Why don't we be neighbors? There are many islands around Luzon. Give us one."
Li Dan chuckled and said, "That requires your Majesty's permission. I will only be responsible for Luzon. I cannot take care of the other islands for the time being."
Turning to look at Li Guozhu, Yan Siqi said with a smile: "Guozhu, this is what your adoptive father left for you. Work hard and you can become a governor."
Li Guozhu has resigned from his position in Mekong Province and came to Luzon with his adoptive father to manage this larger area.
Obviously, he also had his own ambitions and aspirations. The emperor did not specify whether the position of governor-general could be hereditary.
But this is not important. As Yan Siqi said, there are many islands around, such as Mindanao, which is almost the same size as Luzon.
As for other smaller islands, there are more than a dozen of them, and their area is equivalent to that of a prefecture in the mainland.
"Uncle Yan, you're joking." Li Guozhu bowed and said, "My adoptive father once taught me that biting off more than you can chew. I'll first help you manage Luzon well. That's our top priority now."
Yan Siqi just smiled and didn't take Li Guozhu's polite words seriously.
He had his own plans. Borneo would be the focus of his operations. With the foundation laid by Li Dan, he would recruit some capable people. If he managed the business well, the governorship would be a piece of cake.
Li Dan smiled at Li Guozhu and said, "You must treat the retired veterans we hired well. Whether we can establish a solid foundation in Luzon and expand our business depends on the effectiveness of their training."
Retired veterans are in great demand. Not only are they hired in Borneo, but chieftains in Mekong Province and newly occupied Burma have also begun recruiting them.
The emperor supported the chieftains' expansion of territory. Not only could retired veterans be hired, but he could also provide them with ample funds to purchase weapons and equipment.
According to the Emperor's terms, 3,000 troops would be stationed in Luzon for a year, after which they could either withdraw all or leave a small number.
In this case, the defense and maintenance of Luzon would depend on the local Chinese, that is, the armed forces trained by retired veterans as officers.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
