Chapter 51 of Part II

  The imperial edict of the Chinese Empire was handed down to King Meng Tsu of Burma. The Burmese palace was in great turmoil. The courtiers proposed that the former Ming emperor must be handed over to the Chinese Empire, saying that this Chinese Empire is a superior country under heaven and cannot be offended.

  However, Zhu Youjian had already made sufficient preparations. The generals and guards inside the Burmese palace had all been bribed by Zhu Youjian. At this time, Zhu Youjian rushed in from outside the palace gate and said: "Your Majesty, are you going to hand over the widow to me, a rebellious minister of China?"

  At that time, he looked at Zhu Youjian's embarrassed expression and said: "The king has something to know. The military power of this Chinese empire is obvious to us, and even you can't defeat it, let alone us. So please understand the difficulties of our country."

  Zhu Youxiao gave a signal to the people beside him. All those who were preparing to rebel stood up and said, "Hmph, Zhu Xunying, you don't know what's good for you. His Majesty has already promised our country that if we help block the Chinese Empire, we will be given Yunnan and other places. You are short-sighted and can't see the situation clearly, you're not worthy of being a king." After finishing speaking, he ordered the soldiers: "Lock up all those who support Zhu Xunying!"

  On that day, after the king of Burma was captured, Zhu Yujian ordered these Burmese officials to mobilize troops nationwide, including the old, weak, women and children. All of them accelerated the construction of the city, building a wooden city outside Momeik City, the capital of Burma, preparing for a decisive battle with the Chinese Empire army.

  Although Zhu Youjian urgently recruited 150,000 people to join the army, after all, they were untrained and had no combat experience, compared with these seasoned imperial soldiers, it was simply a difference between heaven and earth.

  A motley crew is so fragile and unbearable in front of a regular army. The newly established outer walls were all wooden structures, so they quickly ignited under the bombardment of hot weapons. The red light dyed the entire sky red. The warriors' anger and pain of losing their comrades over the past few days were all vented in this battle. When cleaning up the battlefield, there were charred limbs everywhere on the battlefield, emitting a burnt smell.

  After the war, the pacification work also unfolded. Gao Wengui publicly declared that Zhu Youlang had killed the King of Burma, Meng E, and attempted to occupy Burma with the entire Burmese royal family, and that the Chinese Empire had come to eliminate the harm for the Burmese people after receiving the news. At the same time, Gao Wengui announced that Burma was a province of the Chinese Empire. Meanwhile, part of the Ninth Army was stationed there, waiting for the national army to arrive and take over before leaving.

  The people of Myanmar have long relied on the Chinese imperial court. After the king was killed, the anger also subsided. Gao Wengui implemented new agricultural land policies and new economic and commercial policies, and established a naval port for the Indian Ocean fleet in the place near the Bay of Bengal (now Rakhine), named "Nan Shanghai". The original forest was also developed by the army to build a road directly to Yunnan. From both sides began to build. A large amount of materials entered Myanmar, which greatly improved the living standards of the people of Myanmar. In fact, people are very contented animals. As long as they can be given food to eat, there will be no such thing as rebellion. The people of Myanmar also began to accept the fact that they had become part of the Chinese Empire.

  Hainan Island, the new Indian Ocean Fleet's base of operations. The fleet commander and former naval chief of staff, Major General Deng Zijiang stared at the map on the wall, lost in thought. Headquarters and the Naval Command had already issued orders for the Indian Ocean Fleet to attack Dutch strongholds in the South Seas. Because now it was necessary to open up the sea route from Malacca to the Indian Ocean. Therefore, they must confront the Dutch directly.

  Deng Zhijiang flipped through the detailed information about Holland sent by Mingfeng's team and fell into deep thought.

  The Dutch East India Company was established in 1602. The Netherlands' transit trade and colonial plunder were closely linked. The East India Company was a commercial organization, but the Dutch government gave the East India Company some administrative powers. Various countries, including Britain, France, Portugal, and Spain, came for the Spice Islands. Their tentacles had extended to Malacca, Siam, the Malabar and Coromandel coasts of India, and even Japan. The various East India Companies competed fiercely in the Spice Islands region, openly and secretly fighting each other. The Dutch East India Company was extremely cruel in its treatment of Chinese immigrants. In Batavia, more than 10,000 Chinese immigrants were beaten to death or tortured to death by the Dutch. Headquarters suggested that humane measures need not be taken against the Dutch.

  Enjoying the salty sea breeze, standing on the flagship of the fleet, Deng Zhijiang did not hesitate at all. Long-term military life must have forged a person's strong character and absolute obedience to orders. Although headquarters had no written order, but with just one sentence that humanitarian measures were not needed against the Dutch, he set a general direction for himself.

  In the distance, a whale emerged from the sea and blew out a high stream of water vapor. Deng Zhijiang turned around to face his aide and said: "Immediately arrange for me to meet with the Governor of the British East India Company."

  The staff officer beside him said: "Commander, will the British agree to our alliance request?"

  Deng Zhijiang did not turn around. Looking at the distant sea, he said: "Do you know about the Anglo-Dutch War? Just 8 years ago, England and Holland launched a war. At that time, England was still under Cromwell's rule, until Stuart restored power in recent years. Charles II was troubled by the huge deficit left over from Cromwell's war. Now, the main source of income for Britain is also colonial, with the East India Company occupying most of it. In the entire Spice Islands, Britain only has one-third of the spices, while the remaining two-thirds are divided among the Dutch. You say, since there is such a great hatred between England and Holland, shouldn't we take advantage of it? Can we afford not to?"

  Deng Zijiang continued to mutter to himself: "Actually, the first war between England and Holland did not resolve the economic contradictions between the two countries. As early as Cromwell's time, the relationship between England and Holland had deteriorated repeatedly, and now Charles II has not alleviated the contradictions between England and Holland either. The military adventure against Holland can bring Britain economic and political benefits, so Charles II continues to firmly implement his aggressive policy. But think about it, Britain's position in Southeast Asia is not as deeply rooted as that of Holland. Holland entered Southeast Asia early on, while Britain was a latecomer."

  The staff officer said with a sudden realization: "So, since there is a grudge between England and Holland, but England must also know that Holland once occupied our Taiwan, so they must think that we also have a grudge against Holland. Although they may not care about us, it's absolutely better than Holland. And we are close to the South Ocean, which can provide good supplies for the British Navy. So Britain can completely drive the Dutch out of the South Ocean and occupy most of the benefits." After finishing speaking, he looked at Deng Zhijiang's back and said: "Commander, I don't know if what I said is right or not."

  Deng Zhijiang nodded and said, "Not bad, you can make a good inference. It seems I didn't choose the wrong person." He continued, "Alright, that's settled then. Go contact the Governor of England and tell him that the Commander of the Chinese Empire's Indian Ocean Fleet wants to meet with him. At the same time, it can also bring benefits to them."

  The sun had just risen above the sea level, and from afar came the rumbling sound of black smoke. The British fleet has arrived. Deng Zhijiang took a look at the distant ships with his telescope and ordered the guards: "Pass down the order. All fleets to line up and welcome, signal with flags: 'The Indian Ocean Fleet of the Chinese Empire welcomes Mr. William of the British East India Company.'"

  William gazed out at the massive fleet standing on the sea, his heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself: "God, how can there be such a formidable fleet? It seems even more invincible than our own Invincible Fleet."

  The two fleets quickly approached the shore, and Deng Zijiang stretched out his hands to William, saying: "Mr. William, it's a pleasure to meet you, I am the Commander of the Indian Ocean Fleet of the Chinese Empire Navy."

  William modestly said, "Your Excellency is too kind, I was sent by His Majesty Charles to establish a trading company in Nanyang. It's my great honor to meet a general like you." Who would have thought that William's Chinese was still so fluent?

  Deng Zhijiang looked at William and smiled. He said directly, "Mr. William, let's get straight to the point. To be honest, we've never gotten along with the Dutch. They once occupied our precious Taiwan and slaughtered our overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia, which is utterly detestable. Now, His Majesty has decided to send our fleet to drive the Dutch out of Southeast Asia, all the way back to Amsterdam. I think this is a great opportunity for cooperation between our two countries."

  William stroked his whiskers and said, "Commander, you are such a straightforward person, I really admire that. Our country and Holland have had great conflicts too. So what do you mean?"

  Deng Zhijiang picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip of tea, saying: "My intention is that we unite. Our navy will help you drive the Dutch out of the Spice Islands. We will also provide supplies to your navy. At that time, as long as you promise not to mistreat our overseas Chinese, I will guarantee that my country and your country share the wealth of the Spice Islands."

  William also stood up and said, "Well, then let's do as you say, we'll set a time for the attack and launch a simultaneous assault. At that time, let the Dutch roll out of the Spice Islands. May God bless us!"