Total War: Restoration of the Ming Dynasty in Luzon

Chapter 71 Conquest of Batavia

"Your Excellency, we..."

The officer beside him watched Van Lier mutter to himself, feeling flustered but unable to speak. His face also showed no sign of unwavering confidence.

Van Lier undoubtedly wanted to surrender, but he was unwilling to bear the shame of surrendering, so he remained silent for a long time when questioned by the officer.

After a long pause, Van Lier sighed and said, "Let the soldiers go up the walls to defend first. We need to take stock of the ammunition and food reserves in the castle. We must first figure out how long the supplies can support us in holding out."

"...Yes, ma'am."

The officer responded, though he didn't think much of it, but he still turned around to relay the order, trying his best to maintain the last shred of order in the castle.

The soldiers were driven up the city wall and into their respective defensive positions, but they moved slowly, their eyes were unfocused, and many were simply obeying mechanically, showing little sign of fighting spirit.

Inside the castle, a hasty inventory of supplies began. The food warehouses and ammunition depots were opened, and the scribes and quartermasters in charge of logistics began a frantic tally. However, the situation was far from ideal.

Although successive governors required the stockpiling of necessary military supplies in the castle to prepare for the worst, as the company’s influence in Southeast Asia grew, the Dutch lowered their guard and believed that no one could threaten Batavia’s security.

Therefore, the military supplies in the castle were either smuggled and sold privately by corrupt officials, or simply falsely reported. After a series of statistics, the report that Van Lier obtained was shocking. He originally thought that the supplies could support the thousands of soldiers and civilians in the castle for at least three months, but in reality, they could only last for less than two months.

"Damn it!"

Upon reading the report, Van Lier flew into a rage, throwing the list to the ground and yelling at the uneasy officers around him, "A bunch of damned parasites! How dare they! This is treason! Utter betrayal! They should be dragged out and shot!"

However, no matter how angry Van Lier was, he couldn't change the predicament. After venting his anger with a string of curses, he finally calmed down and gritted his teeth, saying, "Rations must be controlled. Starting today, civilians will only receive one ration, soldiers will receive 70%, and officers and combat personnel will maintain basic rations."

The order immediately sparked a new round of small-scale unrest within the castle. The civilians dared not speak out against the reduction in their rations and could only suppress their discontent. When the soldiers learned that their rations would also be reduced, their already low morale was further dampened.

In the outer city, after the Ming army captured the governor's mansion, Chen Ang began to mobilize troops to besiege the inner castle. He ordered all the cannons to be moved outside the castle, the residents around the castle to be evacuated, houses to be demolished, the firing range to be cleared, and artillery fortifications to be built, in preparation for a long-term siege of the inner castle.

Meanwhile, the Ming army also posted notices in both Chinese and Dutch throughout the city to reassure the people. The notices were issued in the name of the Ming Regent and were concise in content:

Batavia was declared under the jurisdiction of the Ming imperial army. All armed resistance fighters were ordered to lay down their weapons and surrender immediately, in exchange for their lives. All civilians in the city, regardless of ethnicity, were to be protected by the Ming army as long as they remained law-abiding and did not aid the rebels. Looting, murder, arson, and other illegal acts committed during the chaos would be severely punished.

After the notices were posted, and with the Ming soldiers patrolling and preaching at the main intersections, the situation in the outer city gradually stabilized. Chinese Kapitans such as Chen Qitai were also invited to the Governor's Mansion, where, at Chen Ang's request, they assisted in calming the people and stabilizing the order.

The Europeans and natives who did not flee into the inner castle were initially worried that the Ming army would slaughter them or at the very least plunder them after entering the city. However, after seeing that the Ming army was disciplined and did not harm the people, they gradually lowered their guard.

At the same time, Chen Ang also ordered a recount of the city's population. This order required the assistance of Chinese Kapitans familiar with local affairs, as the journey from Batavia back to Luzon was long and the control of the sea was not yet fully in the hands of the Nanyang Fleet, making communication difficult.

Chen Ang then dispatched a two-masted fast ship to return to Luzon with a report of victory, along with a memorial requesting that he appoint a local Kapitan to handle the affairs.

Evening, inside the council chamber of the Governor's Palace.

Chen Ang listened to the report on the initial stabilization of the outer city and the completion of the encirclement of the inner castle, and nodded slightly.

His gaze swept over the assembled army and navy officers standing at attention, as well as several Kapitans, including Chen Qitai, who were specially invited and held considerable prestige among the Chinese community. He said in a deep voice:

"The inner castle is now trapped, and it's only a matter of time before it's breached. However, Batavia is newly annexed, and the people's hearts are not yet settled. The Dutch navy may come back to reinforce us at any time. Although our army has won, we cannot be complacent in the slightest."

He paused, then changed the subject, saying, "There are three priorities at present: first, to thoroughly eliminate the remaining enemy forces and stabilize the city; second, to inventory the spoils and strengthen the city's defenses; and third, to appease the people and restore their livelihoods."

He looked at Chen Qitai and the others, his tone softening slightly, and said, "You are all familiar with the local conditions and deeply trusted by our compatriots. Your efforts in stabilizing the Chinese community, assisting in the investigation of hidden Dutch immigrants, guiding the indigenous people to submit, and even in the initial census and maintaining the market, all require your strong support."

"I have already submitted a memorial to His Highness the Regent, explaining the situation and earnestly requesting permission for the local Chinese community leaders to temporarily manage affairs in order to reassure the people. I will trouble you all until the new decree from the court arrives."

Chen Qitai and the others quickly bowed and said they dared not accept such praise, but were willing to serve him with utmost loyalty.

Although they originally held a certain position under the Dutch, they were ultimately second-class citizens and did not have a high status. Now that the royal army had recovered their homeland and entrusted them with important tasks, they were excited but also knew that the responsibility was heavy.

"Rest assured, General Chen!" Chen Qitai, representing everyone, bowed and said, "We will do our utmost to assist the royal army in pacifying the villagers, investigating traitors, maintaining order in the neighborhood, and taking stock of the population and property. We will never dare to betray your trust."

"Alright." Chen Ang nodded and continued, "All matters involving military secrets, the handling of prisoners, and large-scale captures shall still be under the direct jurisdiction of our army; daily civil affairs, neighborhood disputes, and the restoration of small-scale commerce shall be handled jointly by you and the military officers I have appointed. If there are any difficult issues, we shall report them to higher authorities."

With the assignments made, everyone accepted their orders and left. Chen Ang then issued new orders to the officers, namely, to strengthen patrols and guards at the port and other key locations, to increase the blockade of the inner castle, and to strictly enforce military discipline, etc.

In the port area, the warships of the Nanyang Fleet also moved in one after another, taking over the port defense and access control. They used the shipyard to urgently repair their own warships and captured Dutch ships, replenish ammunition and supplies, and at the same time dispatched relatively intact fast ships to patrol and guard the outer sea.

Outside the inner castle, the Ming army was still building artillery fortifications. As cannons were pushed to the front line, they were brought into full view of the defenders, and the morale of the defenders inside the castle became increasingly low.

And so, the first night passed slowly in an atmosphere of despair among the defenders.

The following day, the sixth day of the first month of the first year of the regency, was the morning after the Ming army captured the outer city of Batavia.

Sunlight streamed through the morning mist onto the white walls of the inner castle. Van Lier had barely slept all night. He climbed to the top of the city wall early in the morning and looked out at the Ming army's artillery fortifications that had been built overnight.

Dozens of cannons of various types were lined up in an orderly fashion, their dark muzzles pointing at the weak points of the city wall and the protrusions of the bastion. Although the Ming army was not yet ready to attack the city, the oppressive feeling brought by so many cannons made it difficult for them to maintain the courage to resist.

The soldiers on duty on the city wall watched this scene, their hands holding muskets trembling slightly. The officers avoided eye contact, and their faces, filled with fear and exhaustion, came into view of Van Lier.

"Your Excellency," an artillery officer approached him, his voice hoarse, "Are we... are we really going to hold out here until the very last moment? The cannons outside... you've seen them yourself. Once they open fire, our walls will probably..."

Van Lier opened his mouth, wanting to say something to boost morale, but found that any words seemed pale and ridiculous at this moment. The reality was right in front of him, and no matter how much he talked, he couldn't change it.

Time passed slowly, the morning mist finally dissipated, and the scorching sun shone on the soldiers of both armies inside and outside the castle. The Ming army outside began to gradually assemble, and the Ming artillerymen were making final preparations, moving cannonballs and checking equipment.

Further back, a large contingent of Ming infantry had already formed ranks, their bayonets reflecting blinding glints of sunlight. Many Chinese civilians had also gathered around the perimeter of the position, seemingly eager to see how this castle, a symbol of Dutch colonial oppression, would groan under the Ming army's artillery fire.

Ding ding ding—

Inside the castle, alarm bells rang frantically. Soldiers hurriedly climbed the city walls and took their positions to load the city's cannons, even though they knew these pitiful cannons could not inflict much damage on the Ming army.

Chen Ang stood behind the artillery fortress, gazing at the figures moving about on the city wall, a mocking smile playing on his lips. An officer then stepped forward and asked:

"Sir, all cannons are loaded. Shall we begin bombarding the castle?"

Chen Ang pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Let's send someone forward to try to persuade them to surrender. If the garrison is willing to open the city gates and surrender, that would be ideal. But if they are not willing, it's not too late to bombard them."

"Yes, sir!"

The officer responded and left. A short while later, an interpreter rode out of the main camp, carrying a white flag, and arrived at the moat, shouting loudly:

"Listen up, garrison troops inside the city! Batavia is now entirely under our control! Your governor, who resisted to the bitter end, has been executed in the governor's mansion! You are trapped in this isolated fortress, with no reinforcements from the outside and no supply lines from within. Your annihilation is imminent!"

"Our Great Ming army is benevolent and righteous. Considering that you are mostly people who have been ordered to do this, we are unwilling to commit further bloodshed. We give you half an hour to open the city gates and surrender, and your lives will be guaranteed. We will not kill indiscriminately! If you remain obstinate and resist stubbornly, when the time comes, ten thousand cannons will fire simultaneously. After the city is breached, not a single chicken or dog will be spared! Whether you fight or surrender, you must decide quickly!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the interpreter stopped looking at the city wall, turned his horse and returned to his own camp, leaving the city wall in complete silence.

Van Lier felt all eyes were on him, the fate of thousands of lives in the castle weighing on his shoulders, making it hard for him to breathe.

Van Lier closed his eyes, his body swaying almost imperceptibly. He knew there was no time to delay. He could almost hear the castle collapsing under the bombardment of cannons and see the carnage after the Ming army stormed the castle...

After a long while, the Chief Justice slowly opened his eyes, which were filled only with exhaustion and emptiness. He didn't look at anyone else, but with his last bit of strength, he said in despair:

"Lower the flag...hung the white flag, opened the city gates, ordered all soldiers to lay down their weapons and assemble in the courtyard, let's surrender."

After saying that, he seemed to have all his bones removed, slumped down on the stone stool in the corner, buried his face in his hands, and dared not look at the scene of the soldiers lowering the company flag.

As the company flag was slowly lowered and the white flag, symbolizing surrender, was raised, this fortress, which once symbolized the Dutch colonial regime, surrendered without firing a single shot after holding out for less than a day and a night.

……

Congratulations on successfully conquering Batavia!

This city was the capital and heart of the Dutch in the Far East, and one of the major trading hubs in Southeast Asia. Taking it would be tantamount to destroying the cornerstone of the Dutch East India Company's rule in the Far East!

[Settling your victory reward.]

You have acquired 8 line infantry (960)

You have obtained 6 skirmishers (540)

You have obtained 4 Dragoons (240)

You have acquired 6 Grenadiers (540)

You have obtained 4 Tier VI ships.

You have obtained two Tier 2 ships.

You have obtained a Tier 5 flagship x1

You have acquired a military building—the Barracks. You can choose to convert any building within the city into a Barracks to recruit troops loyal to you.

[You have acquired the military building – Artillery Foundry. You can choose to convert any building in the city into an Artillery Foundry to recruit loyal artillerymen.]

You have acquired a military building—the Shipyard. You can choose to convert any shipyard in Batavia into a Shipyard to recruit a loyal fleet.

Almost at the same time that the garrison of Batavia Castle surrendered, a series of notifications suddenly popped up in front of Zhu Jiheng, who was far away in Luzon.

He remained expressionless, his eyes slightly lowered as he rapidly scanned the lines of information.

"They actually took Batavia so quickly?" Zhu Jiheng wondered to himself.

It has only been half a month since the fleet set sail, and most of the time has probably been spent traveling. The Dutch defense is indeed not focused on Batavia.

He then focused his attention on the rewards. In addition to the regular line infantry and skirmishers, there were also dragoons and grenadiers, totaling more than two thousand elite troops and seven warships. Even if the Dutch really joined forces with the Qing government to try to besiege him, he was confident that he would defeat them decisively.

Zhu Jiheng pondered to himself, "Let's keep these army ships for now. We can summon the warships to work with the existing Nanyang Fleet to fight against the Dutch fleet and severely damage the Dutch East Indies Navy before the Qing Dynasty really gets involved."

Without the assistance of the Dutch East Indies navy, how could the Qing government's poor naval capabilities possibly be a match for Zhu Jiheng?

If they really want to embark on a long sea expedition, then they should be prepared to be sunk halfway and perish at sea.