"Your Majesty, please see, this is the Port of Calamba, and a dozen miles to the east is the city of Calamba. It was first built by the Sinhalese. After it was occupied by the Eastern Romans, it was renamed the City of the Condor." At this point, Zhang Jin no longer dared to hold anything back and wanted to pour out all the inventory in his stomach.
"The entire south and southwest of Ceylon were in the hands of the Eastern Romans, and the north was controlled by the Sinhalese. The Tamils were forced to retreat to the central mountains and completely lost access to the sea. The students suggested that before attacking the City of Condor
When the time comes, you should carefully consider the future layout!”
The corner of Zhu Qizhen's mouth rose slightly. No wonder this guy is so happy in a foreign country thousands of miles away. He has a good strategic vision!
We are still thinking about how to deal with the Eastern Romans, who have already begun to make plans to capture the entire island of Ceylon.
"Tell me, how to lay it out?"
"Students are brave enough to offer advice..."
Zhang Jin's attitude was respectful, but she couldn't hide the excitement in her eyes, and even her title changed from "criminal citizen" to "student".
"...All the forces of the Eastern Romans have shrunk in the City of the Condor. For our Ming army, this is an excellent opportunity. The emperor only needs to send the armored warship Sheep to attack Calamba Port, and then the main force attacks from the land.
, just kill from here and reach the City of Condor!"
Zhu Qizhen secretly said yes. This tactic is simple and crude, but if you think about it carefully, it is very effective.
Now the Eastern Romans were most afraid of the ironclads. They gathered all their forces and built a large number of defenses at the port. All preparations were made to target the ironclads.
Although in Zhu Qizhen's view, no matter how prepared the Eastern Romans were, it would be in vain in the end.
In this era, ironclad ships can crush almost all combat forces, whether in terms of armor or firepower.
Capturing Calamba Port is just a matter of time and how much it will cost.
However, if Zhang Jin's plan is followed, the armored ship will attack, attract the opponent's firepower, and then make a surprise attack from land... It seems to be a good choice.
After landing at Negombo Port, it is only a few dozen miles away from the City of the Condor, and the Shenji Battalion can arrive there in just one day with its light artillery.
All the forces of the Eastern Romans were concentrated in the Port of Calamba, leaving the City of the Condor empty. As you can imagine, this siege was like target practice.
The problem now is...
Zhu Qizhen looked at Zhang Jin with a somewhat suspicious look in his eyes.
This guy can't trap himself, can he?
After all...his whole family was captured by me...
"Your Majesty!"
Zhang Jin seemed to have seen through what Zhu Qizhen was thinking, and knelt down with a thud.
"The students know that their sins are serious, and that my father... my father is more than worthy of his death. The students do not dare to ask for forgiveness from the emperor, but they want to contribute to the Ming Dynasty. In this battle... the students are willing to be the vanguard. If they die on the battlefield, it will be considered as a result.
It is better to die for the country than to be executed as a treasoner, please ask the emperor for permission!"
Zhu Qizhen still doesn’t believe it. How is your life worth my Three Thousand Battalion and Shenji Battalion?
For the sake of safety, it is better to attack from the sea. Even if you pay a certain price, you will eventually win.
Zhang Jin was eager to make a contribution at this time. Seeing the other party's hesitation, he hurriedly said: "If the emperor does not approve of the student's tactics, it does not matter. The student can return to the City of Condor to provide internal support for the emperor, and... the student's identity can be close to the queen.
Lord, it is better for students to learn from Yan Shi Jing Ke..."
Zhu Qizhen sighed and said, "How sure are you?"
Zhang Jin was stunned for a moment and replied: "The students are a bit weak in skills, but those foreigners are not prepared for the students, as long as they can get close..."
"No!"
Zhu Qizhen waved his hand, interrupted him, and asked: "I'm here to ask you, how sure are you of attacking from land?"
Zhang Jin became excited and said: "Your Majesty, you are overly worried. No matter from land or sea, the strength of our Ming fleet far exceeds that of the Eastern Romans. This battle will definitely be won. The student suggested a land raid. Once we arrive,
It can lead to a quick victory, and moreover, it can reduce battle losses and casualties."
Zhu Qizhen thought for a long time, and then ordered someone to summon Zhang Mao, Li Zhen and Chen Ying.
At first, these three people almost ignored Zhang Jin, but when they heard about the tactics of the land and sea attack, their expressions gradually became serious.
Chen Ying was the first to say: "Your Majesty, I think...this plan is feasible!"
As the most advanced firearms unit of the Ming Dynasty, the Shenji Battalion hardly participated in the battle along the way.
In naval battles, ship-borne artillery is enough.
Landing operations... The ports attacked by the armored ships were basically reduced to rubble. The Shenji Battalion disembarked but could not find the target of the attack.
The Three Thousand Battalion could at least take over the city defense, but the role of the Shenji Battalion was not fully utilized.
Now that he finally had the opportunity, of course he agreed.
Zhang Mao had a thought in his mind and said: "Actually, this tactic can be adjusted slightly. If the divine machine battalion attacks Condor City on land, the Eastern Romans will inevitably return to defend. At this time, the armored ships will attack from the sea and they will be able to win it in one fell swoop!"<
/p>
At this time, Zhang Jin said cautiously: "Iron-armored ships can advance or retreat at sea, but it's hard to say on land. If the Eastern Romans came out in full force and fought for their lives, I'm afraid, I'm afraid..."
Everyone understood that it was indeed different on land than at sea, and they were still fighting in a foreign country.
They are not familiar with the terrain, and the Shenji Battalion is a supply force and moves slowly. If someone targets it, there will inevitably be some casualties.
Li Zhen said: "Then the three thousand battalions will work together, and the Shenji battalion will be responsible for long-range fire suppression."
Zhang Mao frowned and said: "In this case, wouldn't this line on the road become the main attack again?"
Finally, Chen Ying understood and said angrily: "Why can't we focus on the attack?"
Because except for the Shenji Battalion and the Three Thousand Battalion, the rest of the troops were brought out from Jiaozhi and Luzon. The Luzon Navy and King Xi stayed on Danmaxi Island, and the only remaining force was the Jiaozhi Navy.<
/p>
Zhang Mao commands the Jiaozhi Navy. This unit cannot be compared with the Three Thousand Battalion and the Shenji Battalion in terms of weapons and equipment or the combat quality of the personnel.
However, the level is not enough, so the armored ship comes to help!
As long as you drive an armored ship, it doesn’t matter which battalion you have, I’m invincible, you can do whatever you want!
Therefore, when he heard that the Three Thousand Battalion and Shenji Battalion were attacking from land, he was naturally reluctant.
This is a military achievement that is easily available, so of course we must fight for it.
Chen Ying and Li Zhen also understood and immediately joined forces to insist on attacking mainly from land and using armored ships to attack.
Zhang Mao fought one against two and was instantly defeated.
This result was unexpected to Zhu Qizhen. He called these three people to discuss the attack route. However, as soon as the discussion started, Zhang Mao's little idea was exposed and he was defeated directly. p>
"You two nobles must think carefully about attacking from land. If you encounter any unexpected situation, or even get ambushed by the enemy, you will have no way to retreat and it will be too late to regret it!"
Zhu Qizhen was too embarrassed to say it out loud, be careful with Zhang Jin, that young boy. I killed his whole family, maybe he was pretending to surrender, and he was secretly thinking about how to get revenge on me!
Li Zhen looked disapproving and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. How can the combat effectiveness of these foreign devils be compared with the Three Thousand Battalions? Even if they set up an ambush, I dare to get in openly and fight my way through the ambush circle."
Blood Road, cooperate with the Shenji Battalion to take down the Bird City!"
"Well said!"
Chen Ying also stood up and said: "The target of the ironclad ship is too big, and the enemy's main defenses are built against the ironclad ship. It is not a good idea to storm the port. It is better to order the ironclad ship to attack, and then the Shenji Battalion and the Three Thousand Battalion will attack together.
Attack from land."
Zhang Jin blushed and said, "Students know the terrain here well and can lead the way!"
Zhu Qizhen looked at the two of them, then at Zhang Jin, and finally nodded.
No matter how you look at it, this tactic is the most perfect.
I just hope it won’t be a trap, otherwise, the consequences will be hard to say...
Forget it, now that you’ve decided, let’s do it!
"Since everyone agrees, let's proceed without further ado, Chen Ying, Li Zhen!"
"I'm here!"
"I'm here!"
"You two will set off tonight. You must arrive at Condor City before dawn tomorrow morning."
"Obey!"
"Obey!"
Zhu Qizhen turned his head and said in a deep voice: "Zhang Mao!"
Zhang Mao quickly saluted: "I'm here!"
"You lead the Cochin Navy and board an iron-clad ship. Set off now. Calculating the time, you will arrive at Calamba Port at about midnight. Do not take any rest and attack directly. Remember, you can only attack like a sheep, not a war!"
"I obey the decree!"
Although Zhang Mao had no choice but to agree.
Let's attack sheep as sheep attack. After all, they are the Ming Dynasty's most elite Shenji Battalion and Three Thousand Battalions. How can the shrimp soldiers and crab generals under my command compare...
However, all three of them accepted the order, but at the same time they had a question.
Which way does the emperor go?
If you take the land route, attacking a city would be awe-inspiring, but it would be a bit risky.
If we follow the boat... wouldn't it be like the emperor personally covering it?
Who can afford this grace!
Finally, before leaving, Zhang Mao boldly asked: "Your Majesty, do you want to board the ship?"
Zhu Qi smiled calmly and said: "I'm tired, so I'll stay here tonight. You can go!"
The three of them all felt strange. When had the emperor ever slacked off during a personal expedition?
Why is today...
The Ming army became busy again, the Shenji Battalion and the Three Thousand Battalion began preparations, and the Jiaozhi Navy directly boarded the ship and set sail.
Zhu Qizhen came to a camp where many Eastern Romans were imprisoned, all of whom were lucky enough to survive the war.
"Zhang Jin!"
"Students are here!"
"Tell them that I am the emperor of Ming Dynasty."
"Yes!"
Zhang Jin translated this sentence, and some of the Eastern Romans looked surprised, while others were at a loss, because they did not know the country of Ming Dynasty at all.
Zhu Qizhen continued: "My fleet attacked your port and destroyed your family. However, you started this war. I have traveled thousands of miles to come here just to tell you that Ming Dynasty has never been afraid of war!"<
/p>
"I will let you go now, return to the City of the Condor, and tell your Queen that I am coming to settle a score with her! And tell the people of Eastern Rome that as long as they surrender, they will be spared death."
"Three days later, my fleet will attack Calamba Port and attack your City of Condor. If you can surrender, or lead more people to surrender, I will spare you again. However, if you don't have a long memory,
If you still go against me, I guarantee that none of you will survive!"
"Remember what I said and let's go!"
After finishing speaking, Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and actually let them go.
These people were still hesitant at first because they didn't believe that some people caught prisoners and released them directly without killing them or working them, or even humiliating them verbally or physically.
If there is nothing wrong with this person, then there is only one answer, that is, he does not care at all.
Regardless of whether he brings the news to the City of Condor or not, this battle is inevitable.
Moreover, the Ming emperor seemed to be very confident.
Because the only remaining condor fleet of the Eastern Romans had just been destroyed, such a fleet has no rivals in the entire world.
These Eastern Romans were getting farther and farther away, and finally they were far away from the control of the Ming army.
Only then did they realize that they had been rescued!
Zhu Qizhen saw those people gradually disappearing from sight and asked: "Zhang Jin, what are you thinking about?"
Zhang Jin replied respectfully: "Students think that the emperor seems to be rough and unrestrained, but in fact... he is thoughtful and sees things very far-term."
"Are you doing charades again?"
"No, students don't dare!"
Zhang Jin waved his hands repeatedly and said: "The emperor has designated the battle route, but he did not follow the ship, but stayed here. This is great wisdom!"
】
"How could I be so wise if I didn't follow the soldiers to the front line? Shouldn't it be cowardice?"
"The emperor is really good at joking!"
"Then tell me, just tell me what I think?"
Zhang Jin nodded and said: "The emperor stayed here and let those Eastern Romans go. He must be planning something."
"Oh?"
Zhu Qizhen became interested and asked: "What game?"
Zhang Jin thought for a while and felt that there was no problem, and then said: "Letting those people go is to let them pass the message back. My Ming Dynasty's fleet is still resting in Negombo Port and will attack the City of the Condor in three days.
The Eastern Romans will inevitably organize troops to resist, but..."
"But what?"
"However, the attack will start tonight. The enemy is not fully prepared. If an ironclad ship is suddenly discovered docking at the port, the defenders of Eagle City will definitely go to support. In such a tense atmosphere, the enemy will not consider their own safety.
Just send all the troops out, and the Shenji Battalion can take the opportunity to attack the city!"
Zhu Qizhen nodded and said: "You are right, this tactic is very good."
"Thanks to the emperor's false praise, the students are too stupid to deserve it!"
"Don't be humble either!"
Zhu Qizhen continued: "Your father rebelled, and it is natural for me to kill him. If this battle is as you said, and can be fought quickly and minimize the damage, I will spare your life, and there will be rewards!
”
Zhang Jin knelt down with tears in her eyes: "Student, thank you for your grace."
"Get up!"
Zhu Qizhen waved and said: "I remember you said that the layout of the entire Ceylon Island must be planned in advance."