Steel Dynasty - Chapter 429

[Chapter 429 History]

Rhodes grabbed a handful of white sand from the beach and let the sand slip through the gaps between his fingers.

Looking at the direction where the sand was drifting, Rhodes muttered softly: “North wind.”

Behind him, the boat responsible for transporting soldiers kept moving back and forth to transport soldiers from the ship to the beach. In the distance, ten warships were arranged in a line. He could see Claire sitting on the deck enjoying the sea breeze.

Ever since the Battle of Qiantang, Claire has been worried about the news told by the King of Chu, so after repairing and replenishing ammunition, they set out for Dengzhou, preparing to explore the reality of this another vassal king of the Great Chongqing Kingdom.

It’s not that Claire is sensitive, but that they need to grasp the real situation in the countries surrounding this sea area today.

In fact, their warships had arrived here eighty years ago and had established a colony on what is now Ryukyu Island. However, at that time the Dutch were competing with the British for maritime supremacy and had six major battles in thirty years. After that, they were finally defeated by the British.

It was the time when the Netherlands was at its weakest. They were defeated by the pirates in this area before they could gain a foothold. However, they never forgot this rich land. After recuperating for more than ten years, they returned here again and regained it. Ryukyu Island and ruled for forty years.

However, like previous records, the largest country in East Asia is still not worth mentioning. He remembered that the first batch of missions trying to establish diplomatic relations with Dayu once described Dayu like this:

Our governor’s gift was transformed into Dayu. It became a tribute, and was openly embezzled by local officials in Guangzhou. The officials of Dayu lied about our arrival here, and tore up the letter we wanted to send to the emperor of Dayu, and in order to cover up the embezzlement of tribute, they finally Drive us out.

Dayu is a mysterious country to us, but behind the veil of mystery is a weak and fallen country.

The officials here are corrupt, and a class equivalent to the European aristocracy rules here. But unlike the European aristocrats, the class here called the “gentry” only cares about their own interests and ignores the consequences of their actions for their country. It will bring huge harm and hidden dangers.

The officials here are ignorant, arrogant, corrupt, and the people live in dissatisfaction with the officials. They are as cowardly and incompetent as the natives we conquered. The Japanese and Filipinos are braver than them, and this country can only rustle in the face of the barbaric tribes in the north. Trembling, there is no trace of the noble spirit of us Europeans who must fight against the enemy. This is enough to support my point of view.

At the same time, the emperor and officials of this country are not nationalists. They are always incredibly generous to foreigners, but unbearably cruel and cruel to their own people.

Great King, if you are willing to send troops, just like we conquered the natives of the Americas, we will surely defeat this country and turn this place into our colony.

Recalling this record, Rhodes raised his eyebrows. At least in the south, he found that the mission’s description was not exaggerated at all, and even beautified the country.

The King of Chu they came into contact with was exactly such a king. Although the Chu land was very wealthy, the wealth was in the hands of the noble families, and the people still lived in poverty.

But just when they thought that the whole country of Chongqing was like this, King Chu’s words aroused their doubts.

Because flintlock guns actually appeared in this backward and ignorant country, and after the defeat, the King of Chu even said that the King of Qi even built a hot-air balloon.

This made them very surprised and horrified. Although hot air balloons have been eliminated by hydrogen balloons in Europe, the appearance of hot air balloons in this place still shocked them.

Because this means that a civilization that is different from other places in Great Chongqing is rising here.

And that was the source of their fear, being able to create arquebuses, they could defeat them easily with the population of the country.

After all, it is already difficult for them to maintain their military presence in East Asia, and they are simply unable to support a large-scale war.

It is for this reason that they are preparing to go to Dengzhou or even Qingzhou. Once they find out the details of King Qi, they will decide whether to establish trade relations with King Qi or nip this threat in the bud.

After all, the Dutch had lost too many colonies and they did not want to lose this sea area again.

“Dengzhou City is twenty miles ahead.”

While Rhodes was stunned, a Japanese man walked up to him and pointed forward.

Rhodes glanced at this Japanese man. His name was Sakai, and he was a Japanese pirate in this area. Ever since they established a trading point in Nagasaki, Kyushu Island, they had been doing business with Japan for more than thirty years. They had a stable relationship with Japan. Relationship.

In the eyes of outsiders, these Japanese pirates are pirates, but in fact they know in their hearts that these Japanese pirates are just soldiers sent by Japanese daimyo to rob wealth.

Under their education, the Japanese mastered the production technology of matchlocks earlier than the Yu Kingdom, and over the years, as the Japanese used matchlocks to arm their troops, the ambitions of the Japanese gradually expanded.

However, for the Dutch, the Japanese country still had a respectful attitude, which reduced their worries about the Japanese country becoming stronger.

The Japanese expansion abroad is not without benefits for them. At least they can sell more supplies to the Japanese.

“Mr. Sakai, please lead the way. After all, we lack understanding of this place,” Rhodes said.

Sakai nodded, his eyes swept over the flintlocks with bayonets on the Dutch soldiers, and then he looked at the six-pound field cannon being transported ashore. This type of artillery was installed between two wheels, making it very convenient to transport. .

Turning his head, these weapons that exuded dangerous aura revealed a trace of greed in his eyes, and he said: “Okay, Mr. Rhodes, as you wish, our army will go in front.”

As he said that, Sakai began to convene. Three thousand soldiers gathered and formed a neat column to set off for Dengzhou City.

Each of these Japanese soldiers carried a matchlock gun on their back and ammunition pouches on their waists. This was the fighting method given to them by the Dutch.

After the Japanese army, Rhodes commanded the Dutch soldiers to go ashore. A thousand infantrymen carrying guns walked behind the Japanese. Behind the infantry, the artillerymen were tying six field guns to the backs of the horses.

Following the infantry, the artillery also wanted to advance to Zhoucheng.

The distance of twenty miles was not very far. Two hours later, they saw the city of Chongqing surrounded by city walls.

Rhode then picked up his binoculars and looked at the soldiers on guard at the top of the city, and suddenly laughed, “Is this plate armor? It’s interesting.”

(End of Chapter)