Autumn of the 17th year of Chongzhen

Chapter 435 Invite Zheng to Attack Taiwan

Shipbuilding is a technical job. Although there are only blueprints, although it can be built barely, it will definitely take a lot of time to explore. That's why Wang Yan proposed to borrow Zheng Chenggong's [-]-material warship.

With the sample reference, you can disassemble it to see what the keel looks like, and what the cabin looks like at a glance. After getting all kinds of information, the craftsmen can quickly figure out the structure of the ship. Build the warship in the shortest possible time.

Hearing the words, Zheng Chenggong did not refuse, but said with a look of surprise: "The imperial court wants to start a war with the Dutch?"

Zheng used to mainly run business along the line of North Korea and Japan. The Japanese shogunate strengthened the prohibition of religion because of the Catholic uprising, and gradually evolved into a Japanese version of the closed country, which imposed certain restrictions on the number of merchant ships from China and the Netherlands.

The Zheng family had sufficient supplies, but the shogunate only gave so many indicators. Apart from smuggling, they could only cooperate with the Dutch who had indicators but no goods.

The title of the Dutch sea coachman, that is, pulling supplies and selling them around.

After defeating the Dutch in Liuluowan, Zheng's and the Netherlands' trade in Japan and Southeast Asia have cooperated a lot, and the relationship is quite harmonious.

After the change in Central Fujian, the Dutch naturally withheld taxes and stopped buying Zheng’s command flags. Zheng Chenggong had no choice but to fight against the Qing Dynasty, and Jinxia’s land was not enough to raise troops. His main source of money was smuggling. Many supplies needed to be sold to the Dutch in exchange for money, so he didn't think about going to war with the Netherlands.

Wang Yan knew that although Fujian was occupied by the Qing soldiers, the relationship between the Zheng family for decades was still there. The materials smuggled out of Bamin must have a market, so the Dutch obviously have some use for Zheng Chenggong.

"The Dutch are very rude on the South China Sea. The emperor is already furious. Moreover, the maritime trade matter is a matter of life and death for the imperial court. The Dutch have already crossed the imperial court's territory if they want to dictate trade." Wang Yan explained as he walked. .

Zheng Chenggong was silent for a while, and said after a while: "The fight against the Qing Dynasty is very urgent now. Is it too risky for the imperial court to start a war with the Netherlands?"

"Fighting against the Qing army mainly relies on land divisions, while fighting against the Dutch relies on naval divisions." Wang Yan explained: "Before I came to Jinxia, ​​I went to Macau first to find out from the Portuguese population, the old enemy of the Dutch. After a while, the total strength of the Dutch in Taiwan was only over a thousand, and the Nanyang Batavia could send no more than two thousand reinforcements. "

Zheng Chenggong nodded, and Wang Yan continued: "Kinmen is not enough to raise troops, and Xiamen Maru City is not enough to resist the enemy. As long as the Dutch are defeated, not only the court's sea trade can be developed, but Taiwan can also be controlled. The island is thousands of miles away. Tens of thousands of hectares of fertile land can be reclaimed, hundreds of thousands of salaries can be paid every year, and food can be self-sufficient. If you manage here successfully, move the people of Jinxia to the island, settle the families of generals, and then build ships and utensils on the island, and then send troops to fight east and west. Then success can attack the Qing at any time, and the Qing soldiers can only look at the island and sigh."

Zheng Chenggong's biggest problem right now is food, and Wang Yan's words moved him a lot. If he won Taiwan and really reclaimed ten thousand hectares of grain fields, then he would not have to worry about food. It is possible, but if we want to attack Taiwan, we may not even know where Taiwan is.

If he occupies Taiwan, he will be invincible as Wang Yan said.

"The words of the Ministry of Cabinet, Jin Xia is inconvenient to last for a long time. Success must first strengthen the foundation, strengthen the branches and leaves, and make oneself complete, so that the great cause of resisting the Qing Dynasty can be completed." Zheng Chenggong then bowed his hands to Wang Yan, "Since the imperial court and the cabinet have already decided , then success must cooperate, the warship with [-] materials can be borrowed by the cabinet, and the craftsman's blueprint can also be donated to the cabinet, but after Taiwan is captured, it will be under the rule of Fujian."

Wang Yan nodded, "Naturally, Taiwan will be used for the successful deployment of troops. After a few years of operation, it will successfully lead the large ships of the navy and drive directly to the Yangtze River. I will supervise the people of Chu and Jiangxi and go down the river to hunt Jiangling. Wouldn't it be great!"

When Zheng Chenggong heard about it, he looked at Wang Yan and smiled with high spirits.

The purpose of Wang Yan this time was to invite Zheng Chenggong to deal with the Dutch together for the big ship. After Zheng Chenggong agreed, he relaxed and followed Zheng Chenggong to inspect Xiamen to see the strength he possessed.

As they walked, the two continued to discuss the topic just now. After all, there must be a plan for how to deal with the Dutch.

Zheng Chenggong thought for a while and asked, "Ministry, when will the imperial court plan to attack the Dutch?"

"At the moment, it seems that it may take some time until the imperial court builds warships and cannons are cast in the cannon workshop. What happened again?"

Zheng Chenggong nodded. Not long after he retired to Jinxia, ​​most of the original troops lost. The current force has not yet been integrated, so he is unwilling to start the war too early. "The channel from Jinxia to Taiwan is relatively dangerous, with many hidden reefs, and the Netherlands People are at the critical point, build forts, and the artillery is sharp. If you don't understand the terrain and waterway conditions, and act rashly, the losses will inevitably be huge. Since the court is not in a hurry, during this period of time, success just sent people to check the situation of the waterway and the situation in the Netherlands. The people's fortress, all probed clearly."

Wang Yan was very satisfied. Zheng Chenggong was far more familiar with water warfare and Taiwan's situation than he was. He was willing to contribute, so Wang Yan was naturally happy.

"Success is thoughtful." Wang Yan smiled approvingly: "But in addition, in order not to give the Qing soldiers any opportunity, before dealing with the Netherlands, I want to cooperate with Chenggong to pull out the Zhangzhou tree first." Nails. How about success?"

The Qing Dynasty stationed [-] troops in Zhangzhou. In addition to guarding against the Ming army in Guangdong, it also had another important purpose, which was to monitor Zheng Chenggong in Jinxia.

Tens of thousands of Qing soldiers were on the other side of the strait, which made Zheng Chenggong afraid to leave Xiamen, fearing that if the main force left, the Qing soldiers would take the opportunity to seize his base. Wang Yan wanted to attack Zhangzhou, and Zheng Chenggong naturally agreed with both hands.

"Li Chengdong is extremely difficult to deal with. If I lead an army to attack Taiwan, this person will definitely take advantage of the emptiness of Jinxia and sneak attack on the second island. The Ministry of Cabinet must attack Zhangzhou first, and if it succeeds, it will do its best."

If the Ming Dynasty captured Zhangzhou, then the Longwu court would be connected with Zheng Chenggong, which would help the court to control Zheng Chenggong and further restore Fujian as a whole.

Wang Yan's [-] new recruits will soon be added to the various armies, and the various units of the Five Loyalty Army have also rested for a few months, and it is time to pull them out to practice their skills.

"Very good, if you succeed, you can take me with you first to see the troops under your command."
(Thanks shyion for the monthly pass)
(End of this chapter)