Chapter 3019

Costa, the Governor of Malacca, has been in a state of panic in recent months. This is not because his old enemy Aceh is preparing to send troops to attack Malacca City again, nor is it because the trouble-loving Dutch are looking for trouble again, but because Haihan

The recent military developments are really worrying.

A few months ago, Costa received news from his nephew Gabriel from Cam Ranh Port, saying that the Haihan army stationed in Annan and other places were undergoing large-scale mobilization and might carry out large-scale military operations in the South China Sea.

, but its target cannot be confirmed yet.

The subsequent war that lasted for more than two months in the direction of the Philippine Islands also confirmed the authenticity of the intelligence obtained by Gabriel. The Haihan Army defeated the Spanish colonial armed forces that had been operating there for a century and completely occupied the central part of the Philippine Islands.

area.

This left Spain with only Mindanao as its actual control area north of the Sulawesi Sea. In the subsequent armistice agreement signed between Haihan and Spain in Cebu, even Mindanao became the exchange condition for the Spanish to escape from the area.

The defeat of Spain is logically good news for Portugal, but the defeat to Haihan was so complete, it may not be completely good news. Because after the scope of the Spanish activities was further compressed to the south of the equator, Portugal and the Netherlands were here.

Fighting in a region will also become more intense.

Portugal may have to mobilize more forces from Malacca and other places to deal with Spain, the prodigal dog, to prevent the Spaniards from starting a piracy mode in the region in order to recover losses and target Portugal.

At the same time, the special operations division known as the ace unit of the Haihan Army set out from Cam Ranh Port, first circled the Gulf of Siam, and then headed south along the Malay Peninsula, visiting various countries along the way, and finally stationed at Sing Tao.

In a non-war situation, Star Island obviously does not need to station so many armed forces. Costa believes that the most ideal possibility is that Haihan will let Qian Tiandun take over Star Island instead of Roger, and at the same time replace the local garrison.

But things obviously did not go as he wished. Qian Tiandun's special operations division and troops from Annan had been stationed in Xingdao for some time, but the original local garrison showed no sign of withdrawing and returning home. On the contrary, Xingdao was frequently

Various large and small military exercises were held to show a vigorous attitude.

Although Xingdao has not taken any major diplomatic measures for the time being, these actions certainly cannot deceive the discerning. Costa has also been dealing with Roger for a long time, and he knows that Roger is not a person who likes to bluff. These maneuvers and exercises

, it must mean that Haihan is preparing for war to some extent.

But before Costa could figure out who the real target of Sing Tao was, armed pirates suddenly appeared from the other side of the Malacca Strait and stole the spotlight.

This group of pirates were not picky about their food. They boarded ships when they saw them and attacked frequently. Portuguese merchant ships passing through the waters were also attacked, but they were lucky enough to escape the pirates' pursuit.

Costa had to focus on maintaining the security of trade routes and sent warships from Malacca City to escort his own merchant ships.

Not long ago, someone witnessed a British Galen ship being surrounded by four pirate ships in the area, and a fierce artillery battle was carried out. The British ship did not arrive at its destination and disappeared at sea. It was probably captured or shot down by pirates.

sunk.

This made Costa give up the idea of ​​sending troops to exterminate the pirates. If he failed, it would make the pirates resentful, and Portuguese merchant ships entering and exiting the Strait of Malacca would be even more dangerous in the future.

But at this time, Xingdao suddenly stood up, claiming that many Haihan merchant ships had been attacked in the area, and that they would send troops to wipe out this group of pirates who didn't know the heights of the sky.

The time between Singdao's declaration of troop dispatch and completion of assembly was so short that Costa only received Singdao's troop dispatch statement the day before, and the next day received news from Singdao that Haihan was already at the military port.

More than a hundred sailing ships and thousands of people have been assembled, ready to set off at any time.

Even if the Haihan people had superior military strength, preparing for such a large-scale gathering and expedition was obviously not a task that could be completed in three or two days. Costa suddenly realized that the Haihan people's move was not a temporary move, but had been prepared for it.

But when did the Haihan people start preparing to take action? Costa did not dare to think about it in detail, because he had already vaguely sensed a very dangerous possibility.

"Mr. Governor, General Lopez is here."

The attendant's report awakened Costa from his meditation, and he quickly ordered the attendant to invite the visitor in.

General Lopez is the current military commander of Malacca City and the next governor of Malacca scheduled in advance in Portugal. After the aging Costa completes his term, Lopez will become his successor.

Later, a soldier with a beard quickly walked into the room, bowed slightly to Costa, and said: "Your Majesty the Governor, the ship we sent to Star Island has returned."

Costa said in astonishment: "How come it's so fast? Judging by the time, we shouldn't have arrived at Star Island by this time, right?"

Lopez's face was very gloomy: "My Lord Governor, I suggest you go to the port in person. I will explain the specific situation to you later on the way."

Costa knew that this subordinate would usually not bluff, and if he made such a suggestion, he was afraid that things would not be simple, so he immediately ordered a carriage to be prepared to go to the port outside the city.

Costa appointed a special envoy Sanchez the day before and rushed to Star Island by boat. He hoped that Sanchez could meet Roger in person to communicate about sending troops to eliminate pirates.

If possible, at least try to send troops together with Haihan, so that you can also supervise Haihan's actions during the operation, so as not to be unaware of the situation that happened near the Strait of Malacca.

But the situation was obviously not as smooth as Costa expected. The envoy's ship had obviously turned back before arriving at Star Island. The weather conditions in the strait were good these two days, and it was obviously unlikely that anything would stop him from going to Star Island.

rough sea conditions.

On the carriage, Lopez explained to Costa the real reason that forced the envoy to turn back midway: "Mr. Sanchez's ship encountered Haihan's expedition fleet near the Carrimon Islands, so he quickly turned back and came back to report to you."

The Karimun Islands are dozens of miles west of Xingdao, and you can see Xingdao Port in the distance when you enter this sea area.

Costa said: "If that's the case, why doesn't Sanchez come to see me in person when he comes back? He hasn't even set foot on Star Island, so how does he know that the Haihan people are going on an expedition and not going out to sea for daily exercises?"

"Mr. Sanchez's health is not very good. His staff said it was a sudden onset of illness."

Lopez paused and then said: "It is said that the scale of the Haihan Fleet's expedition was very large. Mr. Sanchez was too excited after seeing it, which led to his illness."

"Then why are we rushing to the port now? Are we going to see Sanchez lying on the stretcher?" Costa was obviously very dissatisfied with this situation.

Lopez shook his head and said: "No, Mr. Governor, there are more important things that you need to confirm personally."
Chapter completed!