freeallnovels Chapter 25 The Invasion
Chapter 25 The Invasion
In the following days, more and more warriors from the Iloc tribe rushed to Lingayen, swearing to accept Zhu Jiheng's command and fight against the Spanish together.
Meanwhile, news from Manila was gradually sent back through Chinese merchant caravans that tipped them off, as well as through Zhang San's informants.
Upon learning that the Spanish had first dispatched the garrison of Santiago Fortress as an advance force towards Lingayen, Zhu Jiheng was immediately filled with fighting spirit.
He immediately summoned his adjutant and said to him, "The Western barbarians will not sit idly by and watch us gain a foothold in Linjiayan. Fortunately, judging from the size of their advance team, the Western barbarians are not clear about the true strength of our army and even underestimate us. If we can take advantage of this, we will definitely be able to severely damage the Western barbarians and weaken their military strength."
"Does Your Highness mean to devise a plan to annihilate this advance team?" Lieutenant Chen asked.
Zhu Jiheng nodded and sneered, "That's right. This advance team isn't large, making it an excellent target for us to establish our authority and demoralize the enemy. More importantly, taking them out will really hurt the Spaniards in Manila, forcing them to reveal more of their trump cards or disrupting their plans."
After a moment's thought, Deputy Chen replied, "I will immediately order someone to inform Ma Kandong to find a suitable ambush site on the route the Western Barbarians must take to travel north."
After speaking, he paused and then asked, "I wonder how many troops Your Highness plans to deploy to fight the Western Barbarians? I can order preparations in advance."
Zhu Jiheng did not immediately answer the following question, but instead refuted the previous statement, saying, "Finding the ambush location is of great importance. You must go there personally with Ma Kandong to investigate on the spot, and then return to report to me."
Upon hearing this, Lieutenant Chen quickly lowered his head and said, "It was my oversight, I understand!"
Zhu Jiheng nodded, then pondered the size of the Western Army's advance detachment as reported in the intelligence, and said thoughtfully:
"The vanguard of the Western Barbarians numbered only about six hundred men, equipped with a small number of cavalry and two light cannons. They may also have recruited soldiers loyal to the tribes along the way. To annihilate them, we would need to deploy at least three companies of line infantry, all the cavalry, and falcon cannons, as well as call upon five hundred Ilock warriors to assist in the battle."
The main fighting force in this battle will be the line infantry under Zhu Jiheng's command. They will cooperate with the falcon cannons to crush the Western army with thunderous firepower. After the Western army's formation is broken up, five hundred Ilock warriors will rush into the enemy ranks like tigers descending the mountain and fight to their hearts' content.
This was Zhu Jiheng's plan, simple and brutal.
"Yes, sir. I will immediately order men to prepare military supplies and head south to meet up with Ma Kandong." The adjutant clasped his hands in response and turned to leave.
Two days later, the adjutant returned from the south, travel-worn, carrying with him a hand-drawn topographical map to report to Zhu Jiheng.
He had his eye on a place located on the eastern side of what the locals called Sambaris Mountain, between a gorge known as Snake Kiss Gorge and an unnamed river, about a day's journey from Lingayen.
The adjutant explained to Zhu Jiheng, "The mountainside on one side of the gorge is steep and densely forested, making it easy to hide troops. To the east lies a muddy shoal with a rapid current and difficult-to-traverse muddy banks. If men and horses get stuck, their movements will be greatly hampered. Our army only needs to set up an ambush on the densely forested side, taking advantage of the high ground. The Western barbarians will surely be defeated here."
Zhu Jiheng stared at the location on the map, stroking his newly grown beard as he pondered for a long while before asking:
"Given the terrain of Snake Kiss Gorge, how can we be sure the Western barbarians will take this route? If they find the terrain unfavorable and change their course, wouldn't all our efforts be wasted?"
Lieutenant Chen was clearly prepared. Pointing to the area south of the gorge on the map, he explained:
"Your Highness, I have repeatedly surveyed and discussed the area with Macandong and several guides familiar with the terrain. The main land route from Manila to Lingayen is constrained by the mountains and rivers, and Snake Kiss Gorge is an unavoidable choke point. If we want to avoid this place, there are only two routes to choose from."
He held up two fingers: "First, we can head west into the heart of the Sambhota Mountains and take the more rugged and difficult primitive mountain paths. This route will not only take twice as long, but the dense forests will also make it easy to encounter attacks from indigenous tribes or lose our way. For a regular army carrying artillery and supplies, this is extremely risky and the marching speed will be extremely slow."
"The second option is to detour eastward and enter that open river beach area. However, we have personally investigated the area. Although the river beach appears flat, it is actually a large area of silt wetland left behind after the river recedes due to the lack of rain for several days. People and horses can easily sink into it, making movement extremely difficult."
"Especially supply wagons carrying artillery, once they get stuck in the mud, it takes a lot of manpower and animal power to pull them out. If the Westerners choose this route, their marching speed will not only not be faster than that of passing through the gorge, but they will also get stuck in the mud, their formation will be scattered, they will be exhausted, and they will become perfect targets."
After listening, Zhu Jiheng's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he said, "Therefore, as long as the Western barbarian generals have some military knowledge and can weigh the pros and cons, even if they see that there are risks in the gorge, they are very likely to choose to risk passing through the gorge quickly rather than getting themselves stuck in the quagmire or venturing into the unpredictable mountains. This is a calculated strategy."
"Your Highness is wise; that is indeed the case!" Adjutant Chen nodded.
"In that case, let's set up the ambush here at Shewen Gorge!" Zhu Jiheng clapped his hands and said, "Pass on my order: each company must immediately prepare weapons and provisions, and tomorrow we will march south to Shewen Gorge to set up the ambush!"
"In this battle, I will personally lead the troops to annihilate the vanguard of the Western Barbarians!"
Upon hearing that Zhu Jiheng was going to personally lead the expedition, the adjutant's expression changed slightly, and he subconsciously wanted to dissuade him, but Zhu Jiheng did not give him the chance and directly ordered him to go and deliver the order to prepare.
News of the army's impending departure quickly reached Zheng's ears. Upon learning that Zhu Jiheng was going to personally lead the expedition, she hurriedly put down the grain and fodder ledgers she was checking and rushed to the hall where Zhu Jiheng handled military affairs.
Her brows were furrowed, and her face was full of worry.
"My lord!" Madam Zheng's voice was slightly breathless. "I've heard... you intend to personally lead a large army south to ambush the Western Barbarians?"
Zhu Jiheng was reviewing the military supplies ledgers brought by his adjutant when he looked up at the voice. Seeing that it was Madam Zheng, his expression softened.
"The lady has arrived. Indeed, the vanguard of the Western barbarians has left Manila and headed north, their forces aimed at Lingayen. This is our first battle against a formidable enemy since establishing ourselves in Luzon, and it is of great significance. I must personally go to the front lines, firstly to boost morale, and secondly to make decisive decisions on the spot, striving to annihilate this enemy force and blunt their advance!"
Lady Zheng stepped forward and earnestly said, "Your Highness! I know the importance of this battle, and I know Your Highness is a man of great strategy. However, war is dangerous and arrows are merciless! Your Highness is the commander-in-chief of the three armies, the hope for the revival of the Ming Dynasty. How can you lightly tread such a perilous path? If anything were to happen..."
She paused, her eyes already brimming with tears, the unspoken words self-evident.
Seeing the genuine concern shown by Madam Zheng, Zhu Jiheng felt a warmth in his heart. He stood up, walked to Madam Zheng, gently took her hand, and comforted her:
"How could I not know your intentions, Madam? However, it is precisely because I bear a heavy responsibility that I must personally go to this battle. Opportunities are fleeting, and if I remain in the rear, the transmission of military intelligence will inevitably be delayed. If we miss this opportunity and let the Western barbarian vanguard escape, they may discover our strengths and weaknesses, causing future trouble. In that case, sitting in a lonely city and passively taking a beating would be even more dangerous, wouldn't it?"
"As for safety..." Zhu Jiheng's lips curled into a confident smile as he gently patted the sword at his waist. "Madam need not worry. I am not a reckless man; I have my own personal guards protecting me."
"Moreover, the terrain of Snake Kiss Gorge is treacherous. Our army can wait in comfort and launch a surprise attack. The chances of victory are extremely high. If we win this battle, we can cut off one of the Western barbarians' arms, greatly enhance our army's prestige, and win over those who are watching from all sides. Only then can Lin Jiayan's foundation be solidified."
As Madam Zheng listened to Zhu Jiheng's reasoned and logical arguments, she knew she couldn't dissuade him. She could only take a deep breath, step back, and solemnly curtsy.
"Your Highness's considerations are thorough and prioritize the overall situation; this is merely my womanly opinion. In that case, I can only pray day and night in the city, beseeching Heaven to bless Your Highness with a successful campaign and a safe return! I will do my utmost in all matters concerning civil administration, military supplies, and pacification within the city, ensuring a stable rear and leaving Your Highness with no worries!"