Total War: Restoration of the Ming Dynasty in Luzon

Chapter 35 One Month

Nearly a month has passed since Zhu Jiheng took over as head of Lin Jiayan.

During this nearly month-long period, the villages and tribes surrounding Lin Jiayan all chose to side with the Ming army. Those who remained loyal to the Spanish or wanted to remain on the sidelines were directly swept away and destroyed by the army sent by Zhu Jiheng with swift and decisive action.

This made the tribal chiefs realize that this Ming army commander was not someone to be trifled with; he only showed benevolence to his friends, while he was ruthless and merciless towards his enemies.

This combination of carrot and stick tactics quickly consolidated the Ming-controlled area centered on Lin Jiayan and rapidly expanded the influence of the Ming army to the surrounding areas.

In the south, however, the Spanish army's mobilization did not go smoothly.

Troops mobilized from places like Zamboanga and Iligan have not yet fully arrived, either due to the long distances involved or because of delays by commanders.

The conscripted indigenous vassal army, though barely meeting the required numbers, was poorly equipped, demoralized, and full of complaints, causing headaches for the Spanish officers.

Worse still, rumors began to circulate quietly among the assembled army about how powerful the Ming army in the north was, how well they treated the indigenous people, and that the Spanish might suffer a crushing defeat, further eroding morale.

The company that came to reinforce from Cavite was the only unit with relatively high morale and good equipment, but its limited numbers meant it could not become the mainstay of the army.

The governor had originally planned to suppress and quell the rebels before they gained any real power, but now he had to pessimistically admit that the rebels, after joining forces with the surrounding indigenous people, had become a force to be reckoned with and were no longer an opponent they could easily deal with.

November 5th arrived quickly, a month after the Ming army took control of Lin Jiayan.

Zhu Jiheng has recruited two squads of colonial infantry through the military barracks. They have completed their training and are now officially in service and ready to be deployed in battle at any time.

After receiving the system notification, he immediately went to the drill ground to check on the soldiers of the two companies.

The soldiers of the two companies were arranged in three rows. They wore red European-style uniforms, tricorn hats, and carried flintlock rifles on their shoulders. Their bayonets reflected dazzling spots of light in the sunlight.

Zhu Jiheng was somewhat surprised by the neatness of the colonial infantry's formation. He had thought these guys couldn't even stand still in formation. At least for now, they looked quite presentable. He just didn't know if they were any good.

Next, under the command of their officers, the two teams of soldiers underwent inspection by Zhu Jiheng. They demonstrated to Zhu Jiheng basic tactical maneuvers such as marching in formation, aiming with their rifles, loading, and firing in three volleys.

Although their skill and uniformity in movement were still inferior to those of line infantry, they already possessed the basic tactical qualities of line infantry. More importantly, these soldiers' eyes were filled with nothing but loyalty and fervor for Zhu Jiheng.

"Not bad." Zhu Jiheng nodded in satisfaction. As expected of a product of the system, the quality was indeed up to standard.

With the addition of these two colonial infantry companies, his military force consisted of eight line infantry companies, two local cavalry regiments, two skirmisher companies, two colonial infantry companies, and four falcon gun companies, totaling 1440 soldiers and 16 falcon guns.

If the newly recruited Chinese army and the indigenous allied army are added, the total strength can reach at least three thousand.

Conservatively speaking, the Guangwei Army alone would be enough to deal with the Qing army, which was twice its size, on the mainland, let alone the weaker Spanish colonial army.

When Zhu Jiheng returned to the government office from the fortress, the Pasig tribe's delegation also arrived in Lingayan, accompanied by Ming envoys.

Rakan Dula's son, the young and valiant warrior Magbanu, along with several tribal elders, entered this town, which was both unfamiliar to them and steeped in legend, with scrutinizing eyes.

They were first struck by the orderly scene in Lingayen. The streets were clean, soldiers and civilians were doing their jobs, and market prices were stable. There was no sign of the chaos that was about to break out, which was completely different from the chaotic scene they had imagined under the rebel occupation.

Zhu Jiheng ordered his adjutant to receive the delegation and lead them to the drill ground. There, they saw a thousand line infantrymen practicing with muskets in perfect unison. Magbanu and the elders exchanged surprised glances at the dark muzzles of the cannons.

"Even the Spanish probably couldn't muster so many musketeers in such a short time," an elder who had the most dealings with the Spanish said in a low voice to someone nearby.

"Not just muskets, look at their cannons too, quite a few of them, and the gunners are quick and efficient, clearly well-trained." Another elder pointed to the artillery unit practicing in the distance, his tone filled with amazement, "How old is Lin Jiayan, how can he afford to support so many musketeers and cannons?"

Magbanu didn't speak, but his tightly pursed lips and burning gaze betrayed the shock he felt inside.

His father sent him here with the intention of observing cautiously whether this Ming army was as powerful as rumored, and whether it was worthwhile for Pasig's troops to risk a complete break with Spain to form an alliance.

In retrospect, the rumors were not only not exaggerated, but may have actually underestimated the situation.

He also noticed that both the Chinese soldiers and those who were clearly recruited from the indigenous people had high morale on their faces, a spirit never seen before in the Spanish vassal army.

Finally, in the main hall of the government office, Zhu Jiheng personally received them.

Zhu Jiheng was not dressed in a fancy robe, but in a close-fitting outfit. His expression was solemn and dignified. He did not engage in much small talk, but went straight to the point and reiterated the necessity of uniting against Spanish tyranny.

He also displayed some of the captured Spanish flags and officers' swords, and detailed the rights that future allies could obtain—not just the distribution of spoils, but more importantly, land rights, autonomy, trade privileges, and a place in the new order.

"The Spanish treat you like cattle, taking whatever they want from you, but my Great Ming regards those who are willing to fight alongside me as brothers," Zhu Jiheng said to Magbanu and the elders.

"I have long heard of the bravery of the Pasig tribe. The richness of the Pashi River basin should belong to the people who live there, not to the raiders who have come from afar."

The choice is yours: to continue living under the Spanish whip, awaiting even more brutal exploitation; or to take up arms and join us in fighting back, driving out the Westerners.

Magbanu was moved by Zhu Jiheng's imposing manner and words. He and the elders had witnessed firsthand the strength of Lingayan's order and military, and the Chinese had always been bullied and exploited by the Spanish alongside them. Based on this alone, they should be allies fighting side by side.

However, he replied, "We have seen your determination and strength. But such a momentous matter cannot be decided by me alone. I need to return to the tribe and truthfully report what I have seen and heard to my father and all the elders. The future of the Pasig tribe requires the collective decision of all the tribe's wise men."

"That's how it should be." Zhu Jiheng nodded. "I look forward to Chief Lakan's wise decision."