c_t; Of course, Cheng Dapeng also knew the results of last year's negotiations, but the information he knew was sent after being sorted out by the base camp, and he was definitely not as clear about the process as Su Keyi, who had witnessed it, so he asked curiously at the moment: "Then what does this Lord Vanderwegen think of the Haihan militia?"

Even Xu Xinsu, a close-knit ally, would never reveal his true thoughts in front of Haihan's high-level officials. And the commanders of Dutch, an adversary who had been at war with the Haihan, had a harder time inquiring about the Haihan militia. Cheng Dapeng inadvertently bumped into such an opportunity, so he naturally wouldn't let it go.

Su Keyi was talking about it, and he didn't doubt him when he heard Cheng Dapeng ask, so he replied casually: "He thinks that the strength of the Haihan militia can compete with the armies of the powerful countries on the Europa continent, and it is difficult to meet opponents in the South Seas and the Far East. Thankfully, the limited strength of the Haihan militia makes it difficult to deploy in a larger area at present, but if left unchecked, I am afraid that in three to five years, it will really threaten the rights and interests of the East India Company. The Haihan people were quite ambitious, and there would inevitably be friction and even conflict with the East India Company due to local trade competition. And the company's strongholds outside Batavia are often only a few hundred soldiers stationed, and if they do do it, there is a great possibility of losing money. ”

If the Executive Committee really wanted to start a war with the East India Company, it would be able to cut off the shipping routes between Batavia and Northeast Asia at any time. The East India Company's strongholds in Taiwan's Daein Port, Ryukyu Shurijo, and Japan's Hirado Port were all places that could be taken by force at any time in the eyes of the Haihan militia. The reason for not doing so now is simply because even if the East India Company were defeated and these places were captured, there would not be enough military resources to deploy defensive forces. Rather than fighting a senseless war, the Executive Committee hoped to seize the time to further strengthen its own strength, otherwise Su Keyi and the two Dutchmen would go north to Sanya, how could they seek peace for the defeated East India Company.

Cheng Dapeng continued to ask quietly: "Since this Fan Ye has planted a heel under the Haihan Militia League, I am afraid that it will be difficult for his words to be trusted by the deliberations!"

"Who's to say it isn't. Su Keyi put down the teacup, sighed and said: "This Fan Ye is also young, he doesn't talk and do things without turning around, and he came back to talk to the council so stunned." If it weren't for Lord Cohen to protect him at that time, I was afraid that the military position would be swept to the end by the council. ”

"Then this Fan Ye is still leading soldiers in the army in the city?" Cheng Dapeng asked tentatively.

Su Keyi shook his head and said: "The war can't be fought, the negotiation can't be negotiated, Master Cohen gave him two chances to express his appearance, but he failed both times." The council was very angry with him, how could he stay, and a few months ago he was sent to Dayuangang to lead troops for his uncle. But he is also lucky, if he really stays, then he can only be like you and me, trapped here and unable to get out. This can be regarded as a loss of the horse, who knows if it is a blessing!"

Cheng Dapeng said in his heart that I was trapped here for the same reason, if it weren't for the army outside the city, how could I have the opportunity to talk about such a sensitive topic. At that moment, Cheng Dapeng continued to ask: "If the Ma Dalan army does not retreat this time, or if it really breaks through the city defense, then General Fan Dimen who led the troops has other ways to deal with it?"

Su Keyi said: "If Boss Cheng is really not at ease, it is better to take advantage of the enemy's siege and immediately leave the city from the south gate." Read the full text of the latest chapter, but the situation outside the city has fallen into chaos, and if Boss Cheng goes out of the city to take refuge, it may not be safer than in the city. ”

This time, the Mata Blue Army attacked from the northern sea, and landed a part of the army on the east and west sides in advance, and had faintly formed a three-sided encirclement of Batavia. The vanguard was now only three or four miles from the city of Batavia, and only the inland area to the south of the city was temporarily outside its range of activity. However, there are only tens of thousands of acres of plantations stretching for miles to the south of the city, and there is no place to escape the war. A hundred miles to the south are the volcanoes of Sara and Gede, which separate the east and west, and there are no more people in the vicinity. It is difficult for ordinary people to survive for a long time if they flee to such a place.

Cheng Dapeng hurriedly explained: "That's not the intention, Brother Su Shi shouldn't misunderstand." I'm just worried that if the Dutch see that they can't fight the enemy, they will abandon the city, and then people will be swordsmen, and I will be fish and meat, wouldn't it be dangerous?"

Su Keyi said: "What Boss Cheng said is not unreasonable, but you and I are not soldiers, so we can't go into battle to kill the enemy, and we are not qualified to criticize the Dutch's use of soldiers, so we can only be spectators." ”

Cheng Dapeng said: "I can't see what the battle situation is, so I can only listen to the news at home." ”

Su Keyi heard the taste of the words, and couldn't help but ask: "Could it be that Boss Cheng still wants to watch the battle?"

Cheng Dapeng nodded and responded: "Don't hide it from Senior Brother Su, I am indeed a little curious in the lower part of the city, and I want to go to the city to have a look during the war." ”

Su Keyi stared at Cheng Dapeng for a long time and didn't say anything, as if he wanted to judge whether his statement was true or false. Just when Cheng Dapeng himself began to feel uneasy, Su Keyi spoke: "If Boss Cheng really has this intention, he can help him in the future." It's just that this is an extraordinary period, and you may need to become a boss to spend a dollar or two. ”

Cheng Dapeng held back the ecstasy in his heart, and hurriedly responded: "At this time, naturally I won't let Brother Su Shi be busy in vain, and I will definitely have a thank you gift." ”

Su Keyi waved his hand and said: "Boss Cheng misunderstood, this waste is not on the contemptible side, and there is no need to prepare any thanks." In the following meaning, Boss Cheng can use the name of consolation to watch the battle in the city. If you prepare your own comfort materials, the cost will not be too much, and it is estimated that a few hundred thousand taels of silver will be enough. I'll introduce you to the Dutch at that time, and I don't think there will be any problem. ”

Cheng Dapeng hurriedly arched his hand and said: "Brother Su Shiren is benevolent and righteous! No matter whether the matter is successful or not, I will thank you first." ”

Su Keyi also said politely: "You're polite! In fact, Boss Cheng has already registered with the council, and if you apply for this kind of thing by yourself, most of them will be allowed." ”

As soon as Cheng Dapeng heard this, he knew that Su Keyi had thought about it. He probably thought that Cheng Dapeng's real purpose was to use the name of consolation to catch up with the Dutch and brush up on the Dutch, but he was worried that bypassing the Su family would make him unhappy, so he deliberately brought up this matter in front of him to ask for help. After all, Cheng Dapeng's rice bank also had business dealings with the council, and if he proposed condolences to the council on his own, it was indeed very likely to be approved.

Of course, Cheng Dapeng would not explain to him, and said wrongly: "If it weren't for Brother Su Shi's introduction, how would I have the opportunity to express one-two reads in front of the adults in the council." By the way, when Brother Su Shi leaves later, bring some of this big red robe back and give it a taste of freshness to Old Man Su and the elders in the family. If you like it, next time you wait for a boat to go to Fujian, ask someone to buy some back. ”

Cheng Dapeng is such a good person, Su Keyi is naturally willing to accept his flattery, and he thanked him immediately. Seeing that the time was approaching noon, Cheng Dapeng instructed his subordinates to prepare a luncheon to entertain Su Keyi. The day's counting lasted until the sun went down, when the next person in charge of counting the grain presented the counted list.

Su Keyi looked at it, handed it to Cheng Dapeng again, and asked, "Boss Cheng, see if there is a difference in this number?"

Cheng Dapeng looked at the number, but it was consistent with the grain inventory recorded by his family, and immediately nodded and responded: "The number is true, and there is no discrepancy." ”

Su Keyi took the brush on Cheng Dapeng's desk, lightly dipped it in ink, and crossed out the last few digits directly: "This fraction does not need to be counted, Boss Cheng can use it by himself." ”

Su Keyi's stroke saved Cheng Dapeng tens of thousands of catties of food, which can be regarded as selling him a big favor. Cheng Dapeng hurriedly thanked him, although the grain requisitioned and controlled by the council would also pay, but in the end, it was unknown how much the council could pay.

"The matter of consolation mentioned earlier, the boss should hurry up and deal with it, if the war enters a stalemate after a few more days, the meaning of this consolation will not be much. Su Keyi got up and said goodbye: "After your side is ready, I will send someone to inform you, and I will arrange a suitable time for you in the next meeting." That's all for today!"

Cheng Dapeng sent Su Keyi away with great gratitude, and then ordered the closure of the business, recruited a few of his right-hand men to the backyard, informed them of today's harvest, and asked everyone to start buying comfort materials tomorrow, so that this plan could be realized as soon as possible.

Cheng Dapeng is actually not very sure how much military intelligence can be obtained from this kind of consolation activity, but since there is such an opportunity, of course he will not let it go. As for the cost of some silver, as long as useful information can be found, these costs are not a big deal at all. After all, in order to install the intelligence team he led in Batavia, the Ministry of Security spent 80,000 yuan in silver, if not 100,000. Isn't it just that so much silver is being spent like water, so that one day we can gather valuable information at a critical moment?

On 9 July, the vanguard of the Matar Blues arrived at the foot of Batavia and, after a short rest, launched an offensive in formation. However, the attack was apparently tentative, and about 1,500 Matalan infantry cautiously marched to about 300 meters below the city before being stopped by artillery fire from the city walls.

The defenders opened fire and halted the advance of the Matar Blues, who had only a handful of archers who carried out meaningless projectile counterattacks on the walls due to the lack of heavy weapons in the vanguard to return fire on the walls. After leaving behind more than 20 corpses, the vanguard of the Mata Blues retreated in a huff, and the defenders won the first battle with zero casualties.

Van Dimen, who was overseeing the battle at the head of the city, immediately asked the herald to inform the council of the good news and report the victory to the inhabitants of the city. Although it was not known what the exact situation of the battle was, the residents of the city expressed their joy at the victory with cheers when they heard the news that the defenders had "inflicted heavy losses" on the incoming enemy.

However, the first victory did not really make Van Dimen feel easy, and in this encounter, the city fire cannon fired 16 shots to kill more than 20 enemies, and the cost and efficiency ratio was surprisingly low. Although there were also reasons for the scattered and distant formation of the enemy army, and the gunners had not yet entered the combat state, Van Dimen was still not satisfied with this result. If calculated according to such a kill rate, it is almost impossible to rely on the superiority of artillery fire to take out tens of thousands of troops outside the city. What's more, the Mata Blue Army outside the city is not equipped with heavy weapons for long-range strikes, but it has not yet arrived at the front line to participate in the battle.

That night, the Mata Blue Army camped about two kilometers outside the North City Gate, and at the same time, the camp of the Mata Blue Army was observed in the distance outside the city on the east and west walls. Although the defenders suffered no losses during the day's engagement, Van Dimen was not at all happy. Before dusk, he asked the council to take advantage of the fact that the sky was not dark and the other party was not stable in camping, and let the two teams of cavalry in the city go out and kill for a while, even if they could not kill many enemies, at least they could delay the progress of their camp.

However, citing the priority of the city's security, the council rejected Van Dimen's bold and somewhat risky operational construction. There were no more than 300 cavalry in the city of Batavia, and the council thought that if they attacked the opponent's camp with this kind of force, they might be greatly damaged, and it was better to stand on the city's defenses and fight steadily.

Although the council's decision was somewhat conservative, it could not be said that there was anything wrong with it, after all, even Van Dimen himself did not dare to guarantee that the cavalry would definitely achieve the result of the attack. And as the only mobile unit in the city now, it is indeed a very risky act to throw all of them into the battlefield at the beginning of the battle. If anyone would approve of Van Diemen's proposal, it would probably be the deceased Governor Cohen, who was known for his fierce warfare.

But the Dutch's conservatism did not lead to a peaceful night, and the Mata Blues organised at midnight to prepare for trouble under the walls. Unfortunately, these men were discovered by the defenders of the city walls while swimming across the moat, and even though hundreds of torches were constantly being thrown from the city, the musketeers on the city were attacking the enemy under the city by the light of the fire. After a crackling burst of gunfire, the night raiders of the Mata Blue Army saw that they could not succeed, so they silently retreated into the night.

As soon as it was dark the next morning, Fan Dimen sent men outside the city to count the results of the night's battle, and finally found only the corpses of four enemy soldiers, which can be said to be better than nothing. However, from these corpses, hooks and other climbing tools were turned out, and if they really took advantage of the night to touch the city wall, it was really hard to say how much chaos it would cause. The defenders carried the corpses back to the city on horseback and hung them in the square in front of the council to show the strength of the defenders and calm the people in the city