novelhk Chapter 43 Battle Losses
Chapter 43 Battle Losses
With the arrival of reinforcements and their takeover of Manila's defenses, the first batch of Ming troops were freed up and most of them were sent to patrol the streets. Order in Manila was quickly brought under control.
The chieftains also realized that the true strength of the Ming army was probably different from what they had shown. In order to reduce unnecessary casualties, they began to rally their tribesmen and enforce military discipline.
The Governor's Mansion was still brightly lit late into the night. Chen, the adjutant in charge of compiling battle reports, finally returned to Zhu Jiheng to report on the day's casualties.
"Your Highness, the initial count is complete. In this battle, our army suffered 53 dead and 141 wounded; the allied forces of Illock and Pampanga suffered approximately 480 dead, and the Chinese righteous people suffered approximately 230 dead, with more than 300 wounded in both groups."
"More than 300 Westerners were killed or wounded, and more than 800 were captured, including about 300 Europeans; 15 cannons of various types, more than 1,500 muskets, countless gunpowder and lead bullets were seized, and enough grain to supply the entire city for two months. The gold and silver are still being counted, and the preliminary estimate is no less than 300,000 taels."
"Hmm." Zhu Jiheng nodded. The casualties were within his acceptable range. His troops were mainly engaged in firefights with the defenders from the rear, without directly scaling the city walls, so the casualties were not high.
The indigenous people and Chinese righteous people directly swarmed the city and fought with the defenders, advancing under the defenders' firepower. It is quite normal for them to suffer such heavy casualties.
Although the natives disobeyed his military orders and harassed the people after the city fell, they still fought bravely in the siege and suffered heavy casualties, so they should be given the compensation and rewards they deserve.
Therefore, after a moment's contemplation, Zhu Jiheng instructed: "All fallen soldiers, regardless of whether they are Chinese or foreign, shall be generously compensated, their remains properly buried, and a monument erected in their memory. The wounded shall be treated with all our might. Of the captured supplies, apart from weapons and gunpowder, 30% of the remaining wealth shall be immediately distributed to reward the three armies and allied forces, according to merit, and we will not break our promise. In addition, a portion of the captured grain shall be allocated to set up porridge distribution points in the city starting tomorrow, which can be received by all, regardless of whether they are Chinese or foreign, rich or poor, to appease the people first."
"Your Highness is so kind! Your subordinate thanks Your Highness on behalf of the soldiers!" Adjutant Chen said, moved. Such generous rewards and compensation are the best way to win over the hearts of the troops.
"As for the prisoners..." Zhu Jiheng stroked his chin and pondered, "Except for the surrendered soldiers of Santiago Fortress, who were allowed to leave by ship with their families and belongings after surrendering their weapons, the rest were forced into hard labor to help rebuild the city walls and repair houses damaged by the war."
After saying that, he thought of the high-ranking officials and councilors who had surrendered and said, "Go and order those councilors to write a letter of surrender and send it to the Cavite fortress, demanding that the fortress garrison surrender, and also allow them to keep their belongings and leave Luzon by boat."
The adjutant nodded in agreement, then asked, "What if the garrison refuses to surrender, Your Highness? We should prepare for both possibilities in advance."
"I have received reinforcements of two level 6 ships and one level 5 ship, which will arrive at Manila Port tomorrow," Zhu Jiheng said. "After sending out the letter of surrender, order the warships to move towards Cavite Fortress. If the garrison refuses to surrender, bombard the fortress."
"Yes! Understood!" Lieutenant Chen's spirits lifted. With the support of the navy, the chances of attacking the Cavite fortress were much greater.
He quickly jotted down Zhu Jiheng's orders and was about to leave to make arrangements when Zhu Jiheng called him back.
"Wait. There's one more thing." Zhu Jiheng tapped his fingers lightly on the table, pondering, "Regarding those tribal chiefs... Although we used military force to intimidate them today and temporarily restrained their behavior, they must still harbor resentment and unease. Simply suppressing them by force is not a long-term solution."
"Tomorrow morning, in my name, you will extend an invitation to Magbanu and the other key leaders to a banquet at the Governor's Mansion tomorrow evening. This will serve two purposes: first, to thank them for their contribution in the siege, and second, to discuss the details of the distribution of spoils and future cooperation."
Lieutenant Chen hesitated for a moment: "Your Highness, isn't hosting a banquet... a bit too much? There was a conflict today; what if they take the opportunity to cause trouble at the banquet, or make unreasonable requests..."
Zhu Jiheng smiled slightly and waved his hand, saying, "It's alright. The banquet is to give them face and also to provide a platform for negotiation in a formal setting. It tells them that anyone who strictly abides by military orders today and does not participate in plundering their tribe can receive extra points when distributing the spoils."
Then, he changed the subject, his tone becoming serious: "Those who disobey the order, if their tribal leaders voluntarily hand over the looted property, punish the ringleaders, and apologize and compensate the victims, can have their tribes' punishment reduced or even waived."
He paused, then continued, "At the banquet, I will invite the chiefs of the major tribes and representatives of prestigious Chinese merchants to discuss matters such as governance, taxation, trade, and defense in Manila and the surrounding areas."
Let them see that as long as they follow the rules, they have the opportunity to participate in power and share benefits. This is more effective in stabilizing people's hearts than simple bloody intimidation, especially for those leaders who are not simply tyrannical but know how to weigh the pros and cons.
Adjutant Chen's eyes showed admiration as he bowed and said, "Your Highness is far-sighted and skillful in combining firmness and flexibility, which I cannot match. This arrangement not only appeases our allies but also gradually integrates them into the governance system; it is truly the best policy. I will take care of it immediately."
Go ahead. Remember to be sincere and earnest when extending the invitation.
Furthermore, tomorrow's distribution of porridge and reward of the troops should be done in a grand and public manner, so that all the people of the city and the allied forces can see our army's promises and benevolence.
"Yes, sir!"
Deputy Chen accepted the order and left. The study returned to silence. Zhu Jiheng walked to the window and looked out at the outline of Manila City sleeping in the night. In the distance, the shadows of boats could be vaguely seen in the direction of the Pasig River.
"System, summon the warships," Zhu Jiheng said to the system with his mind.
As the system notification sound faded, three warships appeared in Manila Bay, gently rising and falling with the waves as they slowly sailed toward Manila Harbor.
Upon receiving the news, Zhu Jiheng withdrew his gaze with satisfaction and ordered his men to go to the port to guide the warships, leaving enough space for them to dock.
……
The next day.
Manila awoke in a complex and subtle atmosphere.
The smoke and blood of yesterday have not yet completely dissipated, but new changes have already taken place.
As dawn broke, the sounds of Ming soldiers and volunteer Chinese laborers clearing the streets filled the city. Squads of soldiers escorted dejected Spanish prisoners and some of the forcibly conscripted indigenous laborers to begin moving rubble, filling craters, and repairing the destroyed city gates and parts of the walls.
Even more striking were the large iron pots set up near the main city gates and in the squares outside the Palian district, with roaring fires licking the bottoms of the pots and emitting the aroma of rice porridge and a few pickled vegetables.
Beside them, bilingual soldiers loudly proclaimed the Ming army's policies and maintained order. Soon, Chinese, indigenous people, and even some mixed-race children who had hidden away formed a long queue under the control of the Ming soldiers.