Total War: Restoration of the Ming Dynasty in Luzon

Chapter 65 The Bombardment of Batavia

After listening to the sergeant's report, Captain Carls carefully examined the Andris's hull again. Everything seemed so reasonable, and the nautical log and cargo in the hold matched up. The only suspicious point was that the ship was far off course.

Even so, the dire state of the ship before him, desperately needing rescue, and its identity as a vessel flying the company flag, overwhelmed the slight sense of vigilance in his heart.

"Looks like we're really in trouble." He stopped worrying and ordered the first mate, "Move closer, prepare to tow them with cables, take them back to port for repairs, and tell the crew of the Andris to stabilize the ship and cooperate with the hook-up."

"Yes, Captain!" The first mate immediately relayed the order, and the Hercules adjusted its posture again, slowly approaching the stern of the Andris. The Dutch sailors busied themselves again, coiling up the heavy towing ropes, ready to hook them.

On the deck of the Andris, the Spanish prisoner disguised as the first mate secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but his heart was beating even faster. Following the script he had rehearsed beforehand, he directed the crew members, also played by Spanish prisoners, to pretend to clear the debris on the deck in preparation for boarding.

Although the colonial infantrymen still kept their heads down, their taut muscles and sharp eyes beneath their lowered eyelids revealed a cheetah-like focus and killing intent. Their hands were quietly reaching for the machetes, axes, and flintlock muskets hidden behind or beneath them.

As they drew closer, the sailors of the Hercules hurled the heavy tugboats toward the stern of the Andris, and the hooks slammed into the hull with a clang.

The two ships then drew closer together.

"Let's do it!"

Seeing that the enemy was completely unprepared, the Ming army company commander no longer hesitated, suddenly pulled out a pre-loaded flintlock musket from under the tarpaulin, and roared loudly at his men on the deck.

The colonial infantry reacted quickly, grabbing their flintlock pistols and firing at the Dutch sailors who were almost within arm's reach, just a few dozen yards away.

The flintlock muskets simultaneously spewed deadly flames and thick smoke, and the dense gunfire suddenly shattered the tranquility of the sea.

The Dutch sailors, who were manipulating the cables and preparing to secure the tow hooks, hadn't even had time to react before they were struck as if by an invisible hammer, falling to the ground screaming in pain, their blood instantly staining the deck red.

Captain Carls was standing on the ship's side directing operations when several lead bullets struck his chest and abdomen. He looked down in disbelief at his gushing wounds, his face filled with shock and bewilderment, before slowly collapsing to the ground. The first mate and helmsman were also hit by bullets almost simultaneously.

The colonial infantry, who had already fired their lead bullets, did not reload. Instead, they took out the grappling hooks they had prepared, lifted the gangplank, and hurled it at the Hercules, creating a bridge between the two ships.

Meanwhile, the soldiers who hadn't fired yet quickly filled the gaps and continued firing on the enemy soldiers on deck who had luckily escaped being hit.

The crew of the Hercules finally recovered from their shock. Although they didn't understand why these natives were attacking them, it didn't stop them from shouting and picking up their weapons to fight back.

But the Ming army's muskets fired again, killing several more sailors, leaving the rest trembling behind cover.

Taking advantage of the cover fire from their comrades, the colonial infantry pounced on the Hercules like tigers descending a mountain. With sharp blades in their mouths, they used their hands and feet to leap across the less than ten feet between the two ships, using the ropes or directly, and fearlessly jumped onto the enemy ship's deck.

Seeing the overwhelming number of enemy troops and the fact that their captain had fallen in the initial attack, the remaining Dutch sailors lost all courage to resist. They quickly dropped their weapons, knelt down, and surrendered to the enemy.

The battle, from its start to complete control of the Hercules, lasted no more than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. The patrol boat quickly changed hands with the Ming army, and the Dutch sailors on board were either killed or surrendered, all of whom were swiftly brought under control.

"Clear the deck! Throw the bodies and the seriously wounded overboard, tie up the prisoners and lock them in the hold! Inspect the ship's condition, especially the artillery!" The company commander quickly issued orders while wiping the blood off his face.

The soldiers who had already boarded the ship quickly got to work, cleaning up the battlefield. The bloodstains on the deck were quickly washed away by the seawater, and the bodies were thrown into the sea, leaving only a strong smell of blood in the air.

The Ming army dispatched half of its soldiers to control the patrol boats, coercing the surrendered Dutch sailors to continue sailing, heading towards the main fleet with the merchant ships, and hoisting the pre-arranged red flags on the masts to signify the success of the operation.

Not only the Andris, but the other merchant ships that were used as decoys also completed their missions and returned to the main fleet.

Meanwhile, in another body of water, a plan to lure the Dutch patrol fleet into splitting up by using fire ships was also underway. After spotting black smoke rising on the distant horizon, the Dutch patrol ships, without suspicion, dispersed to investigate.

For a time, the northern waters off Batavia were temporarily empty, with patrol fleets either lured away or captured, leaving only a constant stream of unsuspecting merchant ships from various countries.

After the main Ming fleet spotted the decoy merchant ship flying a flag signifying success, Lü Qianfan and Chen Ang finally relaxed slightly.

They exchanged a glance, both seeing a strong fighting spirit in each other's eyes. Lü Qianfan decisively gave the order:

"Order all ships to proceed at full speed to Batavia port!"

The command was transformed into urgent flag signals and horn calls, instantly spreading throughout the entire fleet. Dozens of ships of all sizes, like cavalrymen who had heard the order to charge, adjusted their sails in unison, billowed their sails, and cleaved through the waves at full speed toward the sea to the southwest where the faint outline of land could be seen.

The fighting spirit that had been suppressed for so long seemed to be completely released at this moment.

The flagship Jinghai took the lead, with the two officers standing side by side on the deck. The sea breeze made their cloaks flutter, and in the distance, merchant ships traveling to and from the Java Sea could be faintly seen.

"General Chen, how is the army's preparation?" Lü Qianfan asked in a deep voice.

"The soldiers are ready and waiting for the order to land!" Chen Ang said, his voice strong and clear, his hand on the hilt of his sword. "All officers and soldiers are in position, landing equipment has been checked, and we await the fleet's opening of the battle. Our army soldiers will surely fight bravely and break through the barbarian cities!"

"Good!" Lu Qianfan nodded emphatically and said seriously, "The navy will tear open a gap for the land force and provide artillery cover. First, we will destroy the Dutch coastal defense fortifications, and then use warships to storm the harbor and seize it."

The dice had been rolled, and they all knew the brutality of a direct assault on Batavia. Even if some of the coastal defense batteries were destroyed, the unprotected troop transport ships would inevitably suffer heavy casualties if they forced their way into the port. But this was unavoidable.

In order to capture Batavia and reverse the increasingly dangerous situation of the Ming Dynasty, the necessary sacrifices are worthwhile.

……

The fleet braved the wind and waves, sailing at full speed towards Batavia. On the morning of the following day, which was the fifth day of the first month of the first year of the Regency, they finally arrived at the sea off Batavia.

The magnificent city on the distant coastline was faintly visible in the Ming fleet's view, gradually emerging from the morning mist like a mirage.

The towering church spires, the sturdy bastions, the dense forest of masts... all showcase the prosperity and fortification of this "Queen City of the East".

After the outline of Batavia was discovered, the entire Ming fleet became lively. Soldiers, carrying weapons, ran out of the cabins and lined up on the deck at the command and shouts of their officers.

The gunners then worked together to carry the wooden crates filled with solid shells to the side of the cannon, preparing for the long bombardment to come.

Lu Qianfan and Chen Ang, dressed in their finest attire, came to the deck. Gazing at the outline of the city, their eyes burned with fierce fighting spirit.

"Soldiers!" Chen Ang withdrew his gaze and addressed the officers and soldiers assembled on the deck, proclaiming loudly, "Ahead lies Batavia, the stronghold of the Dutch for centuries! After a thousand-mile raid, whether our Great Ming Dynasty can establish itself in Southeast Asia hinges on this!"

"Our naval officers and soldiers should use artillery fire to pave the way for the land forces, suppress the Dutch fortifications, blockade the port, destroy their warships, and cover the landing!"

"Our soldiers and officers, upon landing, shall bravely charge forward, striking straight at the heart of the Dutch! We shall breach their walls, seize their fortifications, capture their chieftain, and burn their warehouses! Let the Dutch know that those who offend our mighty Han, though far away, shall be punished! Those who dare to defy us, though powerful, shall be slaughtered!"

"This battle is a battle for the fate of our nation, and also a battle for us to achieve great deeds and leave our mark on history! All soldiers, advance bravely, with no turning back!"

"Ming army, may you be victorious!" He drew his sword sharply, pointed it at the rising sun, and shouted loudly.

"Victory for the Ming army!!!" Roars like mountains and waves erupted from the decks of the ships, and the long-suppressed fighting spirit was like a volcanic eruption!

"Raise the battle flag! Fleet, deploy into attack formation! Full speed ahead!" Lü Qianfan took over command at the opportune moment and shouted the order.

With the flag raised, the "Ming" battle flag, representing the Ming army, was immediately raised atop the mainmasts of each ship, fluttering in the wind. The fleet began to change formation and headed towards Batavia, cutting through the waves!

Batavia was still immersed in the tranquility of the early morning, unaware of the impending danger, and not yet fully awakened by the daytime hustle and bustle and heat.

A thin mist enveloped the harbor like a veil, and the distant Sunda Mountains outlined their bluish-gray contours in the morning light.

The port lighthouse lights had been extinguished, and only a few early-rising fishermen were casting their first nets into the mirror-like sea in their small boats.

On the city wall, the sentry on night watch was yawning, preparing to hand over the watch to his comrade who was coming to relieve him.

Although the patrol fleet sent out yesterday has not yet returned, the Dutch are not alarmed. The sea conditions are complex, the weather is unpredictable, and anything can happen, so delays are quite normal.

Governor Spilman had just woken up and was enjoying his favorite breakfast, served by his servants. It was an exquisite breakfast served on fine porcelain tableware imported from Jingdezhen, China.

Inside was warm oatmeal with milk, fresh bread spread with butter and jam, a few slices of perfectly fried bacon, and a steaming cup of fragrant coffee. He was picking up his silver fork, ready to enjoy this cozy morning.

However, just as Governor Spilman's fork was about to touch the edge of the bacon—

Boom boom boom—

A series of deep, loud rumbling sounds, like rolling thunder, suddenly came from the direction of the port, instantly shattering the tranquility of Batavia's morning.

At first, Spilman thought it was distant thunder or a large ship testing its cannons in the harbor, but then the sound became dense and violent, as if countless giant drums were being struck at the same time, interspersed with sharp whistles like tearing cloth!

The fork in his hand clattered into the plate, knocking over the coffee and staining the clean tablecloth, but the governor didn't care. He stood up abruptly and strode towards the floor-to-ceiling window facing the harbor.

"What's that sound?" he shouted, and the servants followed in alarm.

Outside the window, the once peaceful and serene harbor scene has vanished completely!

On the misty sea, a massive and unfamiliar fleet was advancing aggressively towards the port in a well-organized formation, with the glaring "Ming" battle flag fluttering at the top of the mainmast.

The gun ports on the side of the leading ships in the fleet were wide open, and the dark muzzles were spewing out lingering smoke. He stared at this scene, his eyes wide, almost in disbelief.

Before the governor could react, another round of shelling came down, with hundreds of solid shells accompanied by deathly screams, slamming into the coastal forts facing the sea in Batavia port.

The shells came whistling in, smashing the sturdy stone fortifications into flying rubble and sparks. The defending artillerymen never expected that their company governor would be attacked. Under the shelling, they fled in panic, letting out desperate cries.

A coastal defense gun, hastily pushed into its position by the gunner and before the muzzle could be adjusted, was hit directly by a solid shot. The sound of the shot was so sharp it made a sickening metallic creak, and then the gunner next to it was sliced ​​off half of his body by the impact.

Another gun position was hit by a shell, sending wood chips flying and knocking over the gun barrel along with the ammunition box next to it.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

"A Chinese fleet! A Chinese fleet!"

On the port watchtower, the sentry's heart-wrenching screams finally pierced the brief silence, followed by the piercing alarm bells ringing frantically throughout the port!

Clang—clang—clang—

The entire city of Batavia erupted instantly, like a drop of water thrown into a pot of boiling oil!

Inside the port, the sailors of the merchant ships who were mooring their moorings and preparing to load and unload cargo screamed in terror and ran around like headless flies.

On several Dutch armed merchant ships anchored in the harbor, Dutch sailors, disheveled and exhausted, poured out of their cabins. Officers shouted themselves hoarse, trying to organize resistance, but the sudden attack threw them into disarray.

The two armed merchant ships undergoing maintenance in the dock became sitting ducks, unable to move, and the area around the dock was in chaos.

On the city wall, the soldiers who had just changed shifts and were still sleepy were startled by the explosion and rushed to the crenellations. When they saw the huge and menacing fleet on the sea, they all gasped. The garrison on the eastern city wall also heard the commotion, and many of them looked blankly toward the port.

"Battery! Counterattack! Counterattack now!" A Dutch coastal fort commander, his forehead scraped by rubble and bleeding profusely, roared hysterically at his men.

The surviving gunners scrambled to their positions, frantically cleaning the breech and moving ammunition.

However, the Ming army's artillery bombardment continued, suppressing them, destroying several coastal defense cannons, and leaving corpses strewn all around.