Book 2 Chapter 53

  The Queen of the Netherlands, upon receiving news that the Dutch East India Company had been defeated, immediately dispatched Admiral de Ruyter to lead a fleet against Britain. The Dutch had already recognized the importance of their navy during the First Anglo-Dutch War and had developed it extensively, from updating shipyards to building ports and training naval commanders. The Dutch Navy was no longer just a supporting role, but had actually risen to a higher level, with over 190 ships. Meanwhile, French King Louis XIV had lost interest in his agreement with the Queen of the Netherlands and had decided to renege on it. When the Dutch attacked Britain, France did not provide any assistance. Charles II showed his own strength by quickly organizing all available warships and merchant ships that could be converted for battle in Britain, as well as recalling naval vessels from nearby colonies to fight against the Dutch in a second war.

  Charles II also quickly sent a secret envoy to negotiate with Louis XIV's ambassador. Charles agreed to give France one-third of the original Dutch gains after declaring war on Holland in favor of France.

  By the end of 1659, France formally declared war on the Netherlands under the pretext that the Dutch had violated the treaty with the Vatican. At the same time, the declining powers Spain and Portugal also followed suit and declared war on the Netherlands. The Netherlands was attacked by enemies from all sides, and morale plummeted. After more than three months of fierce fighting, a ceasefire agreement was signed with Britain in April 1660. Britain gained the right to anchor in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and occupied some Dutch colonies in Africa. At the same time, part of the Navigation Act was revised. From then on, the Netherlands' position as a dominant power was finally thoroughly destroyed by Britain, which replaced the Netherlands as the dominant power in Europe.

  It's another Spring Festival, and the Chinese Empire has recovered from a year of rest. The newly occupied areas last year have also become more stable. A new batch of military commanders graduated from school and joined the army nationwide. At the same time, the empire began to implement a retirement system. All former old soldiers who were the only sons in their families were allowed or forced to retire. The armies all over the country were filled with the atmosphere of farewell. Comrades-in-arms gathered together, saying words of farewell.

  The retired warriors, all walked on the barracks that had been walked through in the past, the training grounds where they had shed sweat. Their hands caressed the shoulder badges and hat badges that had once been worn on their bodies. Tears of nostalgia fell from their eyes.

  "See off comrades, tears streaming down! Say a word of respect to your comrade, bid farewell to your comrade!" A song "See Off Comrades" specially written by the Royal Music Academy for retired soldiers brought all the soldiers present to tears.

  Shi Leng sat in the Qingdao Naval Command, (after more than a year of reorganization, the administrative divisions of the Chinese Empire have now been restored to their original form during Zhu Xiao's time. This is also for everyone's convenience) Although the navy still lacks sailors and generals, for this system, the navy has finally retired some who should retire. Yesterday's farewell ceremony brought tears to the eyes of this naval commander.

  The kerosene lamp in the headquarters had lit up the entire room of the headquarters. Shi Rong's neat naval commander uniform was still upright. Looking at the naval documents on the table, Shi Rong felt a surge of excitement. In the past, he never dared to imagine that there would be such a powerful navy, and thinking about it again, he couldn't help but sigh.

  "Who!" Shi Leng only felt a black shadow flash by outside. He immediately put some important documents into the safe and opened the window, saying: "What's sneaking around here? Guard! Check it out quickly."

  A man in black stood behind Shi Qiang and said, "Shi Qiang, today is the day of your death." He drew out a short knife he was carrying with him and shouted angrily, "Shi Qiang, you will die!" and rushed forward.

  Shi Lang's instincts flashed an attack, shouting: "Assassins, guards!"

  Several close guards rushed in and fought with the assassin. The assassin did not expect Shi Lian to dodge what he thought was a fatal attack. In a fit of rage, he launched a killing move, completely disregarding his own life as he charged forward. Shi Lian thought he was already safe, but unexpectedly, the assassin gave up his own life. There was no time to dodge. The assassin's short knife stabbed into Shi Lian's heart. The sound of gunfire from the guards and Shi Lian's instinctive shot rang out, with bullets piercing the assassin's body. As the assassin fell to the ground, he said one last thing: "Long live the Emperor!" (in Japanese).

  The news of Shi Lang's assassination and death spread rapidly throughout the country. All the people were outraged, especially those in coastal areas who had been deeply affected by the Japanese pirates and had only recently begun to live stable lives thanks to the navy. People all over spontaneously set up altars in their homes to mourn Shi Lang. The entire empire was shrouded in gloom.

  Zhu Xiao and the heads of various branches of the People's Army were all seated in the back hall of the mourning hall, listening in detail to the accounts of several guards who were present at the time.

  Lan Tian stood up and said: "I think this matter has a great relationship with one of the people present." After finishing, his eyes looked at Zheng Chenggong.

  Koxinga sat there listening to Blue Sky's words, stood up and said: "Commander Blue has something to say, just tell me directly. I know that this time Shiqi died, you all suspect that I am the mastermind. And I don't have enough evidence to prove that I didn't do it." After finishing, he looked at everyone and said: "I request to be suspended from duty first, and wait for the truth of the matter to be investigated before I can lead the army again." He turned his words around and said: "However, my actions are upright and honest. Although I had some conflicts with Commander Shiqi in the past, it's not cruel enough to send an assassin to kill him." After finishing speaking, he was about to leave in a huff.

  Zhou Lun sat there and said, "Commander Zheng, please sit down. Now everyone is investigating the truth of the matter, so don't mind it." He then turned to Lan Tian and said, "Commander Lan, as the commander of the air force, you should think twice before speaking and not make such unfounded inferences."

  Zeng Qing stood up and said, "I think things are not that simple. Didn't you hear what the guard said? The assassin uttered a Japanese phrase when he died. And from the inspection of the assassin's body, it is clear that he was indeed a Japanese ninja. I believe this is a plot by the Tokugawa shogunate."

  After Deng Qing finished speaking, everyone fell into deep thought once again.

  Zhu Xiao stood up and said, "Don't think about it anymore. I believe Zheng Chenggong has no intention of killing Shi Lang. Moreover, according to the information from Japan's Mingfeng Corps, Tokugawa Ieyasu has indeed made a move recently. Since we destroyed their fleet, the Japanese have not shown any signs of hostility and instead have been friendly towards us. I think they must be planning something big this time. And the identity of the assassin has also been confirmed. He is a vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of the four great ninjas, Takeda Masao."

  After Zhu Xiao said something with a factual basis, everyone fell silent for a moment. Blue Sky stood up and bowed to Zheng Chenggong: "Commander Zheng, please forgive Blue Sky's rashness."

  Koxinga also stood up and said, "Commander Lan is right. Everyone was indeed very angry about Shi Lang's death, and Zheng had a grudge against Shi Lang too, so it's natural to suspect me."

  All the senior generals present shouted in unison. They all asked Zhu to declare war on Japan. Vowed to wipe out Japan.

  Zhu Xiao smiled slightly and said, "We will eventually take action against Japan. But I didn't expect the Japanese to be so muddle-headed. They actually sent an assassin to kill Shi Lang. Now they are just forcing us to take action against Japan ahead of time." He looked around at the people seated and asked, "Do any of you have a good way to deal with the Japanese?"

  Li Lei of the First Army stood up at this time and said, "Let me say something."

  "Japan, a country that emerged in the mid-4th century, was then called - Yamato State. Reached its peak in the early 5th century. In 645 AD, an imperial system of government appeared, completing social unification. However, wars between feudal lords continued. Japan is prone to earthquakes and volcanoes. The climate is oceanic. The population is mainly composed of the Yamato people, but there are also around 10,000 Ainu people in the northern island of Hokkaido."

  "After finishing, he looked at everyone and said: "Now the whole of Japan is dominated by the Yamato people. This is also our trouble. In my opinion, we must eradicate the Yamato people. We can support the Ainu people. Moreover, the Yamato people are very cruel and brutal in their treatment of other ethnic groups, including the Ainu people in their own country. The Ainu people have basically no status in Japan and have been oppressed by the Yamato people for a long time. I think we can use the time of General Shilang as a catalyst to support the Ainu people and achieve the goal of controlling Japan."

  Others heard Li Lei's understanding of Japan and didn't dare to fight over who would attack Japan anymore. The few people from the army all shut their mouths obediently.

  Peng Ying said to Li Lei: "Now how are you going to deal with the feudal lords of Japan? How are you going to deal with Tokugawa Ieyasu?"

  Li Lei thought for a moment and said, "Tokugawa Ieyasu's opponent, we unite with his opponent. Didn't the commander-in-chief teach us before that the enemy of an enemy is a friend? So now we can still temporarily make friends with them."

  Lan Tian and Zeng Qing both stood up and said: "Then the army will be left to you, no matter what, the navy and air force will still participate."

  Zhu Xiao said: "Now let's talk about who will take over as Commander of the Navy first." He looked at Zeng Qing.

  Zeng Qing looked at Zhu Xiao and said: "I think let Zheng Chenggong take over this position. Does anyone else have any opinions?"

  Zhu Xiao looked at others who didn't express any opinions and said: "Then it's settled."

  Tomorrow, the Imperial Daily News announced that Japan had killed General Shih Ch'eng and declared war on China!