Chapter 664 Conversation with the Governor

Cohen believed that Hans's biggest mistake was that he did not fully understand and reconnoiter the opponent's situation before the war, so he ordered a fleet to be sent to the coast of Fujian to support Shibazhi. Although he claimed in the letter that his intention was not to directly participate in the war

, but hoped that the appearance of the Dutch armed sailing ship could deter the opponent from acting rashly, so as to leave enough time and space for Shibazhi to attack Nanri Island. However, his starting point seemed to Hans to be a

He makes hasty decisions because he wants to catch a big fish but doesn't want to get his shoes wet. He thinks he is a hunter, but he doesn't know that he is the real prey in the eyes of his opponents.

Van der Wegen recounted the story of the naval battle on South Island that day. Cohen listened attentively, interrupting his description from time to time to ask some very detailed questions, such as the number of guns on the Haihan sailing ship, its unique rigging system, and their

The fleet formation maintained during the naval battle, etc. Cohen asked in such detail that Van der Wegen did not dare to fabricate a sneak attack battle process to shirk responsibility as he had imagined beforehand, so he could only explain everything honestly and clearly.

.

After Van der Wegen finished speaking, Cohen sat back in his chair and closed his eyes in silence for a long time, as if he had fallen asleep. When Van der Wegen was about to become impatient, Cohen suddenly said: "So the fact is that the Haihan people used four ships.

Defeated the six ships you commanded?"

Van der Wegen's face turned red and he quickly defended: "Your Majesty Governor, Haihan actually has ten warships participating in the battle, and there are also dozens of ships of the Ming Navy to provide support..."

Van der Wegen did not know that two of the ten ships actually belonged to the Daming Navy, but his defense was not recognized by Cohen. Before he could finish his words, Cohen shook his head and said: "If Haihan's

The warships swarmed up, and I think your chance of escape will be greatly reduced as a result. I remember you just mentioned that after you ordered to evacuate the battlefield, the Haihan warships did not continue to pursue your ship?"

"Yes, after they drove us away from the battlefield, they did not continue to pursue us. I think this is the Haihan people's intention to annihilate all the Eighteen Zhi members on the island, so they chose a more important target." Van der Wegen explained.

: "The subsequent battle situation was indeed like this. The Haihan people used their fleet to blockade the only port of Nanri Island. Shibazhi was very unsatisfactory in the subsequent battle to seize the island. During the evacuation, they paid a very heavy price during the breakout process.

, Zheng Zhihu, a senior leader of Shibazhi, was also killed on the spot. This man was the younger brother of Zheng Zhilong, the leader of Shibazhi. He had a very high status in this gang. His death should be a very important moment for Shibazhi.

Heavy blow."

"You mean they let go of the pursuit because they hoped to seize a more important target, the senior leader of Shibazhi?" Cohen shook his head slightly and said: "Based on the situation at the time, they could definitely kill you.

Two ships, and then blockade the port. As you mentioned just now, the Ming army still has dozens of ships supporting the outside. They can let the Ming army do the work of blockading the port, and then concentrate their forces to kill you and your men.

But they didn’t do that, why?”

"Maybe... maybe they just made a mistake in their decision-making before the battle?" Van der Wegen had actually vaguely thought of another possibility, but he was unwilling to express that thought because he felt that it was really a shame.

"No, they just need to let some people go to make us aware of their attitude." Cohen's voice was low and ruthless: "Mr. van der Wegen, you are just the person they let back to report the news."

"But... what is their purpose of doing this?" Van der Wegen was so excited that even his ears and neck were red. He was not afraid of dying in battle, but his decision to leave the battlefield at that time was right. He also felt sorry for him afterwards.

He felt lucky to have withdrawn in time, but now Cohen's words made him feel even more like a pathetic person.

"Perhaps this is just a warning, but also a demonstration." Cohen gently motioned Van der Wegen to sit down with his hand, and continued slowly: "They made a request for war compensation to Taiyuan Port after the war. This should be in

Testing our bottom line is far from their real purpose. I think these Haihan people...are trying to cause trouble for us."

"Looking for trouble with us?" Van der Wegen was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said: "They are an emerging force that has only emerged a few years ago. How can they take the initiative to oppose our East India Company?"

"But they are already doing this, aren't they?" Cohen took a deep breath and said: "According to our intelligence, the Haihan people have gradually controlled the Guangdong coast, especially the waters of the Pearl River Estuary, in the past three years.

They have built ports, forts and huge immigration camps, and have de facto controlled the water channels in these areas. Judging from their recent actions, it is likely that they hope to extend their tentacles into Fujian. If they want to achieve this goal, they must

The local stumbling blocks must be resolved first. The Fujian government already regards them as allies, and the only thing standing in their way is Shibazhi."

"In the past few years, the Haihan people have done a very good job in infiltrating Fujian, far better than your uncle and his predecessors." Cohen gave a very unkind evaluation: "You failed to win over the target.

, have been won over by the Haihan people. If the Fujian government had not chosen to cooperate with the Haihan people, they would not have appeared on the local battlefield to participate in the military operations against Shibazhi. And we, who have always supported Shibazhi,

Naturally, he became their opponent."

"But if they force us to join the war, they may not have any good results!" Van der Wegen is young and energetic after all, and will not feel disheartened by such a humiliating defeat. Cohen's words are even more arousing.

He expressed his reluctance: "Our East India Company far exceeds these Haihan people in terms of financial resources and military strength. I am sure that we will be able to defeat them on the battlefield!"

"Young people, self-confidence is a good thing, but you must also see the reality clearly." Cohen said unhurriedly: "If the war starts near Batavia, I am more than 90% sure that I can defeat them. But this success

The probability will gradually decline as the distance increases. If the war starts in Fujian, with all due respect, judging from the fighting situation you described, our chance of winning may only be 20%, maybe less than 20%."

About 70% of the East India Company's armed forces are concentrated near Batavia. It is no exaggeration to say that even if the army of any kingdom in the Far East attacks here, the Dutch will be sure to deal with it. But at their own doorstep

Fighting a war is one thing, but going on an overseas expedition is another. The mobilization of personnel, the transportation of supplies, and the transmission of information. Delays in any link may affect the war situation, and flaws in these links will affect the situation in overseas operations.

It will amplify the negative effects exponentially, not to mention that the opponent is Haihan who is not weak in strength.

"Mr. van der Wegen, please answer me, how much time did you spend on pre-war preparations after you decided to send troops? This included formulating combat plans, preparing supplies, and mobilizing troops." Cohen asked.

"About ten days, Lord Governor." Van der Wegen didn't know what he meant, but still replied respectfully.

"I think you must have been personally involved in this process, right?" Seeing Van der Wegen nodding, Cohen continued to ask: "So if you want to organize a military expedition to Sanya, what are you going to do? What do you think?

To defeat your opponent?"

"Sanya?" Van der Wegen looked embarrassed: "It takes more than ten days to sail from Damuan Port to Sanya, and I heard that the military port built by Haihan there has very complete coastal defenses.

There are dozens of anti-cannons, as well as an armed fleet stationed at the port for a long time. If we only rely on the existing ships and troops in Taiyuan Port, it will probably not be enough..."

"But the Haihan people sent their fleet, crossed a long voyage to Fujian, and defeated your fleet. Mr. van der Wegen, this is the gap in strength. When you can't hurt your opponent, your opponent can freely

I wave my fist and hit you."

Van der Wegen argued unconvincingly: "The conditions of Taiyuan Port are very limited, and it may not be possible, but if Batavia..."

"It's also difficult to do in Batavia." Cohen shook his head and said: "The voyage from Batavia to Sanya is two and a half times that from Damuan Port to Sanya. What does this mean? It means that we are going out.

When traveling, you must bring at least two months of supplies. Do you know how much supplies a large fleet needs for two months?"

"I... can probably imagine..." Van der Wegen blushed again. Among the operations he commanded, this battle on Nanri Island was already the one with the largest number of ships and people participating in the battle. And attacking the Haihan people's home base requires an army.

What size of fleet and how to coordinate the command and supply of such a fleet were indeed beyond what he could deduce based on past experience.

"Mr. van der Wegen, we are not afraid of war, but we must carefully consider the consequences and impact of participating in the war, and at the same time, we must measure whether our ability can complete the combat objectives." Cohen gently raised his arm and said: "Please help me to the balcony.

."

Van der Wegen quickly stood up and walked to Cohen, helped him up with strength, and then slowly walked to the balcony on the side of the living room.

The Governor's Palace is built on a gentle slope on the west side of the port. From here, you can see the busy scene of the port in the sunset. There is an endless stream of sailboats entering and leaving the port. The sailors can still be heard faintly in the wind, shouting slogans and pulling the sail ropes.

the sound of.

Cohen looked at the port in the distance and said: "When I came here twelve years ago, Batavia was just a small dock built by local indigenous people. Our large merchant ships could not even dock directly. But look at

I think every employee in the company would be proud of Batavia now!"

"Yes, sir, I am also proud of this prosperous port. These are all achievements under your wise command." Van der Wegen lost no time in flattering him. Of course, what he said is true.

It is a fact that the East India Company was established in 1602. It was not until 1619 when Cohen became governor and established the company's headquarters in Batavia that it truly entered a period of rapid development. After more than ten years of construction, Batavia

, has also become the most prosperous port city in Southeast Asia, and as an important gateway connecting the two oceans, it has firmly established its position as a maritime trade hub between the East and the West.

"But recently I have talked with some businessmen who have been to Sanya. The prosperity of that place has far exceeded our imagination. Some people even think that the local urban construction is better than Batavia." Cohen

He said gloomily: "Perhaps this statement is exaggerated, but how many years have it been since the Haihan people arrived in Sanya? They only used one-third of our time to build a new city on Qiongzhou Island.

, and are still expanding externally. I heard that they have a very strong influence in Annan and Guangdong, and have the intention to continue to expand to other places. Mr. van der Wegen, if they set their sights on the south in the future,

Then the only thing that might hinder their development is our East India Company."

"I will never allow this to happen!" Van der Wegen put his fist on his chest and said emotionally: "My Lord Governor, I will defend the interests of the company to the death!"

"You are a good young man, but your military talents need further training." Cohen reached out and patted the tall young man in front of him on the shoulder: "You stay in Batavia for the time being, maybe later the company

Your services will be needed."

"I am happy to serve the board of directors!" Van der Wegen responded immediately, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. Seeing that Cohen's tone was so kind, it was obvious that he would no longer be held accountable for the failure of the Fujian War.

Sure enough, Cohen then said: "In the case of Fujian, even if you didn't choose to send troops at that time, I think the Haihan people will come to you in other ways sooner or later. It is only a matter of time before an armed conflict occurs, and it may not be too late to expose it now."

Late. If your uncle has not become an old fool, I think he should start strengthening the city defense construction of Taiyuan Port now."

Van der Wegen responded: "Wise Governor, as you may have imagined, when I left the port of Damian, Uncle Hans had temporarily recruited a thousand additional laborers to intensify the construction of the city wall of Geranzea. According to

According to his calculations, we hope to advance the completion time of the first phase of the project from next year to the end of this year. After completing this project, the defense capabilities of Relanja City will also be significantly improved.

Even if we attack, we can also protect ourselves within a certain period of time."

"I hope so. I'm a little tired. Please step back first." Cohen waved his hand, indicating that Van der Wegen could leave.
Chapter completed!