In the western area of the Manchurian military port, more than two hundred prisoners were detained in the cathedral built by the Francois. These included expatriates and officials, as well as priests who were preaching locally.
For more than half a month, they have been detained in the West End Church. Although they pray every day under the organization of Father Markel, it is obvious that their almighty God cannot help them escape. This makes this group of people anxious
Frightened and at a loss.
However, the only good thing is that the soldiers of the Ming Empire did not make things difficult for them. They were not tortured or abused. In terms of food, they were provided with bread and vegetables every day. Although it was not rich, it was enough to fill their stomachs. They were also fed every day.
Let them walk in the church yard and let them relax. Many people gained a few pounds in half a month.
Early that morning, several Ming soldiers pushed the two men into the large iron gate of the church yard. The prisoners of Franji who were taking a walk in the morning immediately recognized who they were. It was Commander-in-Chief Almeida and
Her beautiful daughter Helena.
Rumors about Commander-in-Chief Almeida and her daughter Helena have long been spread in the church. Some people say that they have already surrendered to the Ming Empire, and are arranged in comfortable residences to live a comfortable life. Of course, some people say,
Given Almeida's character, it is unlikely that she would surrender to the enemy.
As for what happened between Almeida and Alfonso, everyone only knows that it was a struggle for power. Those things are not something ordinary people like them can know. The only person who knows some clues about this matter is Father Markel.
.After all, he is a senior member of the Holy See of the Franco Kingdom, and he is vaguely aware of some of the power struggles in the kingdom.
However, Father Markel did not intervene when the incident occurred in Malacca. This is because the power of the Holy See is no longer what it used to be. It is no longer the time when the power of the Holy See could even influence the power of the king decades or even more than a hundred years ago.
The darkness of the European Middle Ages had dawned at this time, and the majesty of the Holy See had long since ceased. After all, the people of the Franconian Kingdom had already begun their great voyages and begun to conquer the world, and most people already believed that the earth was round. And
No more living people will be burned because this matter is contrary to the doctrine.
In this case, the strategy formulated by the Holy See is to try not to get involved in too many power struggles in the country. Unless it is a major matter involving the interests of the Holy See and the interests of the kingdom, the Holy See will never get involved. Instead, it can conduct missionary work overseas.
Expand the influence of the church. While helping the kingdom stabilize the colonial people and enslave their thoughts, it can gain recognition from the secular power and receive huge benefits in return, so that it can continue to exist in a gradually detached attitude and maintain the current situation.
Have dignity and power.
Therefore, when Alfonso came to the Malacca seaport to compete with Almeida for the position of commander-in-chief, Father Markel remained silent. Although he had a good personal relationship with Almeida, he faithfully carried out the church's duties
strategy, maintaining neutrality.
Markle was also very surprised to see Almeida and her daughter suddenly imprisoned in the church. Everyone found it strange to see Almeida looking so angry.
Soon, from Helena's cry, they learned the truth of the matter. It turned out that the Duke leading the Ming Dynasty captured Almeida, and after confirming his identity, he wanted to learn from him about the fate of the Franco Kingdom.
Military secrets. He wanted Almeida to explain in detail the number of troops stationed at each of their seaports, as well as the exact number of their warships and the parameters of their firearms and other military secrets.
They even want to know the location of Folangji Kingdom, the number of domestic troops and defense situation, etc., and they seem to have some coveted ideas about the homeland of Folangji Kingdom.
Naturally, Almeida was determined not to say anything. The other party used coercion, inducement, and torture, but Almeida remained unmoved. After a stalemate for many days, the Duke of the Ming Dynasty lost his patience and drove the father and daughter to the church to be imprisoned. He threatened that he would be imprisoned in a few days.
They must all be hanged.
After listening to Helena's words, most people suddenly realized and believed her words. Of course, some people expressed doubts. Almeida was covered with wounds, how could Helena be safe? Such a beauty, the Duke of the Ming Dynasty was actually willing to let her go.
Coming back? This is absolutely impossible.
However, they soon got a reasonable explanation. Helena revealed a secret while whispering to a French woman. The Duke of the Ming Dynasty was an eunuch. In the Ming Empire, there was a special title called
The eunuch had his genitals circumcised since he was a child, so he couldn't act without being a boy or a girl. So Helena was able to escape because the Duke was not interested in women.
At this point, the vast majority of people believed Almeida and Helena's explanation.
Apart from anything else, the injuries on Almeida's body were real. The ulcerated wounds had eroded into the flesh. It was said that the ulcers were caused by the vicious execution methods used by the people of the Ming Empire. Father Markel saw Almeida's body.
After the injury, he concluded that he would not live long and believed that he would not lie.
Father Markle said so, and naturally no one else had anything to say.
In the following days, the Ming Dynasty people began to kill people. Within two days, seven captured Franco soldiers were pulled out without any reason. Soon after, their bodies were hung on the big tree in front of the church.
Everyone who originally thought that the Ming Dynasty people were very polite to their captives suddenly fell into extreme panic. Only then did they understand that the reason why they had received preferential treatment before was entirely due to the Ming Dynasty people still holding on to persuading Commander Almeida.
Expectation, but not hope that things will be done. But after Commander Almeida refused to cooperate, the Ming Dynasty people began their killing.
Some people even began to complain in their hearts about why Commander Almeida did not cooperate honestly and surrender to the Ming Dynasty. He was loyal to the country, but all of them were going to die.
Under this situation, Almeida held a discussion with Father Markle and other key prisoners. Everyone agreed that they could not sit still and wait for death, but must find a way to escape from here. But how to escape, no one had a clue.
Almeida said that he was the commander-in-chief of the Eastern Fleet and he had no shirking responsibility. He would find a way to act. He asked everyone to cooperate with his actions and obey his command. Everyone, including Father Markle, had no backbone. Seeing Almeida
Da Yan was resolute and determined, and all she could do at this moment was listen to his orders.
In the afternoon of the third day, Catherine came to the door of the church and met with Helena under the watchful eyes of the guards. The two stood at the door and had a fierce quarrel while everyone watched from a distance. Catherine even beat Helena.
He dropped a package and left.
After Catherine left, everyone gathered around and asked why. Helena covered her face and told them the reason. The governor's daughter Catherine had taken refuge with the Duke of the Ming Dynasty and served as his servant. She had betrayed her country and God.
She came here to persuade her and her father to quickly surrender to the enemy, because she was the last
Finally, her conscience asked her to tell herself something about her former best friend. That is, today at midnight is a day called Dragon Head Festival in their Ming Dynasty. The tyrannical Duke of the Ming Dynasty has decided to
All the captives were killed at midnight to complete the sacrificial ceremony of the so-called Dragon Head Festival.
After hearing the news, everyone in the church was like a bolt from the blue. Some people were so frightened that they collapsed, and some people began to cry and howl. Some people even began to persuade Commander Almeida to surrender to the Ming Dynasty quickly.
Save their lives.
Almeida stopped these people who were talking indiscriminately and panicked. He had already learned the news from Helena. Tonight was the time for them to escape. Of course Catherine was not here to persuade them to surrender, she was here to say goodbye.
Inside the package for Helena was the note she had written for Governor Goya. She sent it on Zhang Yanling's order, informing Helena of the action tonight.
The sky turned dark. There was a dead silence in the church. All the Francois had accepted their fate of dying. Many people did not eat or drink, and huddled in the corner in a daze.
Outside the church, dozens of guards lit a bonfire, drinking and dancing around the bonfire. Obviously, today is their Dragon Head Festival, and they are celebrating this festival. After midnight, they will kill people and sacrifice, and now they are
What mysterious ceremony is held?
The wanton laughter and dancing drums made everyone upset.
At the first watch, Almeida called Father Markel. He asked Father Markel to pray to God for him. Father Markel thought Almeida was going to pray beforehand, so he prayed for him for a while.
After praying, Almeida announced the news that she was going to escape from prison. Markle was shocked. But Almeida shook her body and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"Move the tables and chairs out of the church, build steps, and escape over the southwest wall," Almeida shouted.
Father Markle and the others were dumbfounded.
"The guards outside..."
"While they are all drinking, this is the last chance. Hurry." Almeida shouted.
Everyone was still timid, so Helena rushed out with a bench and said loudly: "Do you want to wait to die? Hurry up. I can see clearly from the bell tower. They are drinking happily. This is the best opportunity.
."
"But……"
"It's nothing. If you want to live, follow me, Almeida." Almeida's words were unquestionable.
Soon, everyone began to move tables and chairs, and high steps were set up on the southwest corner wall. Then one by one they jumped down the rope from the wall and escaped from the church cage. Then everyone followed Alme
Da and others ran desperately towards the mountain.
Soon, there were noises everywhere. The noise of the Ming Dynasty soldiers and horses, and the sound of the cavalry's hooves were heard everywhere. Torches were swaying everywhere. It was obvious that the escape had been discovered. The more than two hundred fugitives were so frightened that their legs were weak.
I feel like I can't escape.
Almeida calmly ordered everyone to enter the forest from the top of the mountain, and then escape along the slope of the forest towards the port. A group of people fell and rolled in the forest, but they didn't care. At this time, there was no need to worry about the pain of falling.
The pain of being scratched by thorns? Although they didn't know whether it was wise to flee to the port, they didn't care much at the moment and just listened to Almeida's instructions.
Fortunately, the other party's hunting soldiers obviously didn't realize this. When a group of people charged high on the port pier, there was actually no movement from the enemy troops on the pier. Almeida saw a warship parked next to the cliff pier in the west.
He waved his hand and led everyone to rush to the dock and board the warship.
Soon the Ming Dynasty soldiers and horses at the port were alerted, and countless soldiers began to pour in. Shouts began to sound, and firearms began to roar. Almeida calmly and loudly ordered the ship to sail. Under his orders, dozens of Dongfang soldiers
The sailors of the fleet took their places and immediately began to row the oars and raise the sails. The rest of the Francois also took the initiative to help.
But when the roar of firearms was heard throughout the dock and a large number of soldiers and horses rushed to the dock, their ship had quickly left the port and headed for the sea.
Soon after, two Ming warships began to chase. The artillery on the Ming warships roared and exploded all around. The Falangji men on the ship were really distracted and trembling with fear. But they unleashed their lifelong potential, and hundreds of people could not paddle.
He stopped, his body was sweating profusely and his arms were sore and he did not rest. In addition, the night wind was blowing towards the west, and the ship followed the wind at a very fast speed. The enemy ship seemed to have damaged sails and did not raise the sail from beginning to end. So it chased farther and farther away.
Finally, after chasing for ten miles, the opponent's ship gave up pursuit and the sound of cannons also stopped.
Everyone was exhausted and breathed a long sigh of relief. They never expected that they had miraculously escaped. Everyone was paralyzed on the boat, panting, some laughing, some crying, congratulating them for escaping.
Day of birth.
At the stern railing, Helena stood holding the railing, looking at the two Ming ships drifting away in the distance. Tears could not stop flowing, and her face was stained with tears. She knew that on the big ship opposite,
Her dear Lord Duke is also looking at her.
There was a jade pendant in the package sent by Catherine, which was worn by the Duke. At this moment, the jade pendant was held in Helena's hand.
"Helena, the Duke asked me to tell you that he hopes you will come back alive. He will take you to the Ming Dynasty, to the ends of the earth, to appreciate the most beautiful scenery in the world, and to taste all the delicious food in the world. Please be safe." Catherine said.
Ringing in the ears.
Helena murmured toward the bright Ming warship in the dark distance: "Dear Lord Duke, wait for me, I will definitely come back to find you."