The Philippines only has rainy and dry seasons, and the dry season is from November to June, which is the best time to go on an expedition.
Of course, if we calculate according to the lunar calendar, we must go south before May.
Sun Xiu was also decisive. After resting for a few days, he loaded up a large number of soldiers and supplies and headed towards the Philippines in a mighty manner.
Five warships with three thousand materials, thirty ships with one thousand materials, eight thousand naval troops, and three thousand musketeers, a total of eleven thousand people, its scale is unprecedented.
In the Governor's Palace in Manila, Governor Manric Te Lara anxiously wandered around the study, raising his head from time to time and asking: "Is the Archbishop here?"
The yellow and black servant on the side always replied respectfully: "Sir, the archbishop hasn't arrived yet."
"Oh my God--"
"Damn, damn—"
He stamped his feet from time to time, leaving holes on the expensive carpet, which frightened the servants.
You must know that the Governor is from a noble family and has extremely strict requirements on his etiquette and posture. This is the first time for the servants to be in such an irritable and restless situation.
I don’t know how long it took before a servant came to report: “The archbishop has arrived——”
"finally come--"
Governor Mankley hurriedly opened the door and walked down the stairs, three steps and two steps at a time, to the door.
Only then did he see the face of the Archbishop.
Seeing this, the Governor breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had met a savior: "Your Excellency, Archbishop, you are finally here."
"Good morning, my Lord Governor."
The archbishop had a thick beard on his face, and his green-brown eyes seemed to exude a tranquil atmosphere, making people suddenly calm down.
He was wearing a missionary's white robe. Even in such hot weather in the Philippines, he did not dare to relax at all. He looked like a strict self-disciplined missionary.
"Sorry, I was too rash."
The governor took the black tea poured by the servant, added a spoonful of sugar with his own hands, and then asked: "How many spoons do you want?"
"Just three spoons will do, thank you." The Archbishop was not polite.
In order to close the relationship, the governor personally offered him sweets, but he had to accept them no matter what.
After taking the black tea and taking a sip, the Archbishop sat upright with bright eyes.
The Philippines was named after the then Crown Prince Philip.
Although it was only a colony, Spain implemented a centralized system of power here, with the Spanish King personally appointing a governor to govern the Philippines.
It was difficult to completely rule the Philippines with a population of hundreds of thousands with just a few thousand people, so the Spanish relied on the power of Catholicism to rule the Philippines spiritually.
That is, the military took the lead, political pressure was exerted, Catholicism took advantage of the opportunity, and the animistic indigenous people were defeated.
The Spaniards are worthy of being Catholic filial sons. In the Philippines, missionaries have political privileges and can receive salaries. Sometimes when the governor is vacant, the archbishop fills in as his substitute.
Their privileges include occupying land, interfering in administrative appointments and dismissals, supervising taxation, census, budget review, etc.
For example, if the indigenous people fight or commit a crime, the priests control the judiciary, and they will favor the believers, thereby forcing other indigenous people to believe in Catholicism.
All in all, the Spaniards did not trust the Filipino indigenous people and allowed the missionaries to serve as the management class, thereby achieving ruling and exploitation.
Therefore, in a sense, the archbishop is actually the deputy governor.
"Mingren is coming!" The governor slowly spoke after the archbishop finished drinking a cup of black tea.
He looked at the bishop, hoping that this was false news.
"You're right."
The Archbishop sighed softly, immediately extinguishing his hope: "Because of a mistake made more than ten years ago, Akito is going to come to Manila."
"But you and I both know that this is just a reason for war."
"Don't they have Taiwan?" Governor Manrique grabbed the teacup feebly and suppressed his anger: "Is Manila better than Taiwan?"
As he spoke, he widened his eyes and looked at the archbishop seriously: "You know, Manila's location is extremely important. It is the kingdom's largest colony in the Far East and is also a transit point for trade."
"Every year it contributes hundreds of thousands of gold coins to the kingdom. If I lose it, His Majesty the King will never let me go lightly."
"Once the Ming people occupy the Philippines, the missionary work may not be so smooth..."
"I understand, I understand." The archbishop said with a headache: "For us, this is a matter of life and death."
As he spoke, he stood up with determination and looked at the burly governor: "Whether it's money or manpower, please give me your orders, and the church will go all out."
"The Kingdom cannot lose the Philippines, and neither can the Church."
"Okay-" The governor finally showed a smile.
After a friendly negotiation between the two, the church will use its manpower throughout Southeast Asia to call on all believers to come to Manila to guard the church.
Similarly, the church also knew the strength of the Governor's Palace and decided to call on believers to donate money to recruit mercenaries.
As for mobilizing the natives, there is no need to mention it.
His Excellency the Archbishop raised his chin and said proudly: "After decades of operation, the number of Catholic believers has continued to rise. The entire diocese can directly mobilize more than 30,000 young and strong indigenous people to serve."
"If you can avoid fighting, try not to fight."
The Governor is still a little afraid of the Ming army. The Dutch were defeated by them, let alone Spain.
"Your Excellency, I hope you can write more letters to the Ming Dynasty and let the Jesuit missionaries convey our peaceful intentions."
The vast number of Ming army ships on the sea could not be concealed at all, so after Manila learned of the news of their departure from Xiamen Island, martial law immediately began.
The merchants had long smelled the breath of war and were busy moving ships. The huge Manila Bay was empty, with only a few dozen merchant ships employed to assist the navy in the battle.
Wang Cheng wore short clothes and left the low wooden house. When he saw the door, his wife was busy washing clothes and his two children were helping to fetch water.
"I went out to find something to do -" He glanced at the half bowl of rice on the table, swallowed and turned away.
"Isn't there no one at the dock?" The wife's sallow face was full of confusion and worry: "Isn't there going to be a war recently? We have to escape too!"
"My father's place is crowded, so it will be safe when the time comes."
His wife is an indigenous person, and Wang Cheng is a down-and-out bandit. Although he also wants to marry a Han woman, in the Philippines, a down-and-out man like him can only marry an indigenous person.
With a few feet of cloth and a bag of rice, you can marry a wife, which is as easy as buying and selling.
In Manila, although the Chinese were discriminated against and bullied, the Spaniards could not live without the Chinese. The indigenous people could only hunt, not farm, nor do business, and could not contribute tax revenue.
After a shipwreck, Wang Cheng stayed in Manila to start a family, own a small wooden house, a wife and two sons.
"Where can we find food for your father's dozen children?" Wang Cheng gritted his teeth, shook his head and said, "I'll go to the dock to have a look."
After saying that, he touched the heads of his two sons before leaving.
When I looked at the pier, I saw empty water, flocks of seagulls, but no ship docked.
Helpless, he could only go to the city.
The Governor's Palace is not in the city, so Manila is not built of stone, but of bricks and tiles.
There are a large number of Western-style buildings, Chinese-style houses, and shops in the city. A large amount of sewage is dumped on the roadside and then flows into the sewer.
The street is slightly smooth, but the strong smell of horse manure can't be dispelled, which makes people feel a little nauseous.
However, Wang Cheng is already used to it.
Although Manila was under martial law at this time, it was still a commercial city, and many shops were still operating, unwilling to give up even a day's profit.
Pedestrians came and went in a hurry, and the rich and nobles had merchants come to their doors, while the ordinary poor could only queue in front of rice shops.
Fortunately, the land in the Philippines is fertile, with three crops a year. There is no shortage of food at all. The price of food is low, and it can feed many people.
I walked around and found that there was no odd job at all.
"Hey, Wang Laoer——"
Suddenly, a shout came from the entrance of a narrow alley.
Wang Cheng turned his head and saw the usually playful Zhang Yuzi waving his hand to greet him.
"Rogue, what's wrong?"
Zhang Yuzi had a few scars, so he got such a name, but he was a righteous man, tall and strong, and he was very popular in the Chinese community.
If anyone is bullied by the natives, he must come to him for help.
He was the leader of the workers on the dock, but they got along fine.
"come over--"
A pair of strong hands pulled Wang Cheng directly into a small door.
Then, there were more than a dozen big men who appeared in front of him.
Zhang Yuzi patted him on the shoulder: "I know you are hungry, everyone is the same. No ships have arrived in the port these days, and there is no work."
Wang Cheng frowned: "What should we do?"
"Wang Laoer, you are also a good man, you can't be choked to death by peeing."
Zhang Yuzi closed the door directly, and then said to these dozen trustworthy men: "I am calling everyone here because I have a good thing in mind for you."
"The imperial court is coming -"
These words were like a bolt from the blue, shocking everyone.
Having been away from my hometown and the imperial court for many years, this is such an alienating word.
To the imperial court, these people were just abandoned people, not worth mentioning at all, and did not take them seriously.
Therefore, during the two consecutive massacres in Manila, the Spaniards never worried about Akito's revenge.
"This, this -" Wang Cheng trembled and his lips trembled: "The imperial court wants to attack Manila?"
"That's right." Zhang Yuzi said in a loud voice: "The imperial court wants to avenge us and beat those group of Western barbarians and red-haired devils."
"When Manila is taken, those red-haired devils will no longer dare to bully us, and the natives will be like dogs and not worth mentioning."
"Then, Rogue, we don't know how to fight?" Wang Cheng calmed down: "Without muskets, we are no match for the red-haired people."
"The imperial court doesn't need everyone to attack directly."
At this time, a dignified-looking man walked down the stairs. He was wearing silk and leather boots. Compared with them, he looked like a god.
This appearance immediately shocked everyone.
"I am a member of the Hundreds of Jin Yiwei. I have come to Manila to gather loyal ministers and officials to overthrow the rule of the red-haired people in one fell swoop and make Manila the land of the imperial court."
As he said that, he showed his waist badge.
The carvings are exquisite, and there is an official atmosphere in the thickness. Everyone seems to be scalding their hands, and they quickly spread the word to look at it.
Seeing everyone bending down, with respectful and fearful expressions on their faces, the man Shi Shiran said:
"Brothers, after this is done, Manila will be the land of the imperial court. You will no longer be abandoned citizens, but good citizens of the Ming Dynasty."
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"You can take the imperial examination, become an official, engage in business, and farm, and no one will dare to massacre you."
As soon as these words came out, everyone bowed even lower, but no one dared to speak.
The man is amazing.
At this time, Zhang Yuzi boldly said: "We are not going to fight. We are just waiting for the red-haired devils to fight with the officers and soldiers, so we can make a surprise attack from the city and close the city gate."
"There are not many dangers, but the rewards are very generous."
As he spoke, Zhang Yuzi took out a wooden box from behind, opened it and saw that it was full of silver coins.
"As long as you agree now, you will be given one piece of silver immediately. After the deal is completed, each person will receive twenty yuan, which can buy hundreds of acres of land in Manila."
"Besides, from now on you will be officers and soldiers of the imperial court, and you can live your life with salary. Isn't it much better than carrying bags at the dock?"
These words completely overwhelmed everyone.
In this period of martial law, one silver coin is enough to feed a family for a month, which is simply irresistible.
"It's done -" Wang Cheng gritted his teeth and raised his head: "You can do this, but one yuan is too little. You must give me ten yuan, and I will use it as settlement expenses."
"If I die by then, my wife and children will be able to survive."
"That's right, there is a settlement fee, and you won't be able to spend even one piece -"
Everyone woke up and shouted immediately.
Zhang Zi glanced at the man, and after receiving a positive reply, he gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, but you can't leave. I'm afraid someone will tell someone."
"I will personally deliver the money to your home."
Zhang Yuzi's character was indeed trusted, and everyone nodded.
Then, the flintlock guns from upstairs were also fired.
Everyone became more and more frightened. The cordless musket was even more advanced than the red-haired man. He would definitely win.
It has been more than ten years since the last massacre, and more than 20,000 Ming people live in Manila, with countless large and small wooden houses.
Relying on the advantage of money and the help of businessmen, Jin Yiwei hooked up with hundreds of people, distributed weapons, and prepared to cooperate internally and externally to capture Manila.
On April 20, the tenth year of Shaowu's reign, dozens of Ming warships arrived in Manila Bay.
Sun Lin raised his monocular telescope, looked at the warship ahead, and couldn't help but said: "Good guy, it seems he is waiting for work."
Shi Langze said seriously: "In a sea battle, the first priority is the size of the ship, and the second priority is the number of men and horses. We are at an advantage in both of these two aspects, and the Spaniards have nothing to worry about."
"That's right." Sun Lin smiled confidently: "I know exactly how many warships the enemy has, how many people there are, and how many artillery pieces there are. If you know yourself and the enemy, why worry about defeating them?"
On the bay, thirty Spanish warships dominated the sea, with their white sails fluttering, looking extremely powerful.
However, there were only two warships equivalent to the Ming army's three thousand materials. The rest were small and medium-sized (about five hundred tons) warships or armed merchant ships.