Anti-Qing: Starting from the Jintian Uprising

Chapter 432 Chairman of the Maintenance Association

Outside the concession, in a secret room.

Congressman Dave from Batavia is meeting with a spy from the Tang Dynasty Military Intelligence Department.

Chen Zhi took out a deposit check from the Tang Royal Bank with a face value of one thousand yuan from his pocket and said with a smile.

"Congressman Dave, please order some!"

"The information that Councillor Dave provided this time is very important. This is a small reward from the Tang Dynasty to you."

However, Dave did not take the deposit ticket, but said expressionlessly.

"Mr. Chen, you know this is not what I want."

Dave is a capitalist. His family's business is very big and they are not short of money.

Therefore, the reason why he colluded with the Tang Dynasty was naturally not just for money.

But it has a political purpose!

Chen Zhi said with a smile.

"Don't worry, Councillor Dave. I can assure you that after the Tang Dynasty takes over Batavia, we will support you in becoming the chairman of the Batavia Maintenance Association."

"Moreover, your business will be unimpeded throughout East Asia!"

"This is the preferential treatment that the Tang Dynasty gives to its friends!"

"The Tang Dynasty never treats its friends unfairly!"

Dave heard this and nodded in satisfaction.

He is just a congressman now. If he is promoted normally, it will be difficult for him to be promoted to the position of Governor of Batavia in his lifetime.

However, the Tang Dynasty was indeed willing to give him a maintenance chairmanship.

Let him manage the Dutch throughout Batavia.

Naturally, he was moved!

Then Dave picked up the deposit slip and examined it.

Looking at the number on the deposit slip, he took a deep breath and nodded.

"Okay, the quantity is no problem."

As he spoke, Dave put the deposit ticket into his pocket and turned to leave.

After Dave left, Chen Zhi also left the secret room quietly.

……

In the meeting room of the development zone government office in Tang Concession.

District Chief Song Zhengqing convened all the senior officials of the development zone to discuss the matter.

"The latest news from the Military Intelligence Department is that the Dutch may take action against the concession."

"Mobilize all police stations and garrisons and prepare to meet the enemy!"

After everyone arrived, Song Zhengqing appeared and spoke.

Just now, he received a tip from the Military Intelligence Department that there were some unusual movements of the Dutch garrison in Batavia.

They are gathering, probably heading for the concession.

To be cautious, the Tang Dynasty naturally cannot remain indifferent.

The reason why the Tang Concession in Batavia was plotted against by the Dutch last time was because there were loopholes in the concession’s judicial system.

The second reason is that the concession had only been established in Batavia not long ago, and the intelligence system had not yet been deployed.

Plus Batavia is the home ground of the Dutch.

That's why we are so passive and are led by the nose.

But now it is different.

The Tang Dynasty’s intelligence network in Batavia has been established quite well.

Therefore, as soon as the Dutch took action, the Tang Dynasty received the news.

And, be prepared to respond.

Upon hearing this, the garrison commander Li He, the police chief Wu Tianhai, the captain Wang Hui and others all clasped their fists and accepted the order.

Then, Wu Tianhai asked.

"District Chief, what is our goal in this battle? To capture Batavia? Or just to defend the concession?"

In the Tang Concession in Batavia, there was originally a reorganized regiment that was transformed into a police force stationed there.

Later, with the outbreak of the Batavia Incident, the Tang Dynasty once again sent reinforcements to Batavia from its homeland, and the number of troops stationed in Batavia increased by another reorganized regiment.

Judging from the organization of the Tang army, two reorganized regiments would have three thousand people!

In Wu Tianhai's opinion, the 3,000 men in his hands should be enough to take over the entire Batavia.

Although the Dutch also sent more troops to Batavia after the Tang Dynasty showed its covetousness for Batavia, the current garrison in Batavia is several times that of the Tang army.

But how could the Dutch, who generally used muzzle-loading weapons, be a match for the Tang army, which used breech-loading weapons on a large scale?
You know, the Dutch now can't get any help from the local natives of Batavia.

Because, after the last Batavia incident, the Tang Dynasty sent a fleet to put pressure on the Dutch authorities, asking the Dutch authorities to assist the Tang Dynasty in eliminating the rebellious natives.

The Dutch agreed and did so.

The natives were stabbed in the back by the Dutch, so how could they not feel resentment and continue to help the Dutch?
In other words, the Dutch have now pushed the natives, who were originally on their side, to the opposing side.

Therefore, Wu Tianhai now really wants to take over the entire Batavia directly.

Li He, Wang Hui and others also spoke up to second the motion.

The ready-made military merits are right before your eyes, and the opportunity for promotion is right before your eyes, and no one can refuse it!

Upon hearing this, Song Zhengqing hesitated for a while before speaking.

"No matter what, the safety of the concession should be our top priority."

"After ensuring the safety of the concession, we may launch an offensive!"

Song Zhengqing's decision was somewhat conservative.

Or it can also be said that one does not seek to achieve anything but to avoid making mistakes.

Upon hearing this, the people in front of him all clasped their fists in agreement.

It would be good if Song Zhengqing just let it go!
Song Zhengqing was a civil servant who believed in avoiding mistakes rather than making achievements.

But they came from the military, and what they wanted was to gain wealth and fame by taking risks.

……

Inside the barracks of the garrison in the concession.

Now it is also a bustling and lively scene.

Today is New Year's Eve, and a party is being held in the camp to celebrate the New Year. Chickens, ducks, pigs, and lambs, delicious dishes are constantly being served on the table.

Of course there was no alcohol!
This is the military after all, so discipline must be maintained.

If there is an urgent task, drinking will cause delays.

Therefore, there was a strict ban on alcohol in the Tang army.

Even though today is a New Year celebration, the drinks on the table are just some freshly squeezed juices.

Well, the thing that Batavia has the most is fruit.

In the center of the camp, there is a stage.

On the stage, a drama is being performed.

The general content is adapted from the Eighty-One Days in Jiangyin in the late Ming Dynasty.

During the Jiashen National Disaster, Emperor Chongzhen died for his country, the Tartars moved southward, the Hongguang court was destroyed, and the Tartars brazenly issued an order to shave people's heads throughout the country.

In Jiangyin City, a group of righteous men, led by the Dianshi Yan Yingyuan, resolutely decided to rise up against the Qing Dynasty in order to defend their ancestors' clothing and honor.

Then, the battle to defend Jiangyin began!
Throughout the whole play, the brutal and savage Tartar soldiers, the cowardly Hongguang court, the loyal ministers and righteous men such as Yan Yingyuan and Chen Mingyu who decided to rebel against the Qing Dynasty and live and die with Jiangyin, and the people of Jiangyin who calmly went to their deaths formed a sharp contrast.

As Jiangyin City fell, Yan Yingyuan, Chen Mingyu and others died one by one, the entire city of Jiangyin was massacred, and the whole play finally came to its final moment.

At the very end, Li Yi ordered the establishment of a temple in Jiangyin to commemorate Yan Yingyuan and other heroes.

After the play ended, the Tang army officers and soldiers around suddenly shouted in unison.

"Yan Dianshi is mighty, and the people of Jiangyin are mighty!"

The shouting almost resounded throughout the entire camp.

But at this moment, a shrill alarm suddenly sounded in the camp.

The Tang army, which was originally immersed in the atmosphere of celebrating the New Year, reacted quickly and looked in the direction where the alarm came from.

"quick!"

"It's an emergency assembly!"

"Everyone, find your own organization and quickly assemble at the training ground. There must be no mistakes."

"..."

After a while, the Tang army soldiers recovered from their initial confusion.

The large crowd that had gathered around the stage suddenly dispersed, and the soldiers quickly returned to their respective camps, sorted out their equipment, took out their weapons, and trotted to the camp's training ground.

In just 15 minutes, the Tang army, which was still celebrating the New Year, completed its preparations and entered combat status.

On the parade ground, soldiers were arranged in neat rows according to different organizations.

Gather, count, and shout in the city one after another.

At first glance, the small company-level blocks standing on the parade ground look extremely neat.

Everyone wore a helmet and carried a rifle, looking very impressive.

The company commanders of each company took turns to report.

"Report to the regiment commander. The first company of the first battalion should have 132 people. The actual number is 132. The assembly has been completed. Please give instructions."

"Report to the regiment commander. The 129st Battalion's 129nd Company should have people. The actual number is . The assembly is complete. Please give instructions!"

"Report to the regiment commander. The Third Company of the First Battalion should have 130 people. The actual number is 130. The assembly is complete. Please give instructions!"

"..."

After all the units assembled and reported their numbers, the regiment commander Li He held a copper trumpet and spoke.

"My fellow soldiers, our commander has received the latest mission."

"The Dutch in Batavia are preparing to raid the concession and invade the territory of our Tang Dynasty."

"All units of our army must immediately prepare for battle and annihilate all invading enemies!"

As soon as Li He finished speaking, all the Tang troops on the parade ground responded in unison.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

"Push down the Western Barbarians and defend our country!"

"Long live the Tang Dynasty, long live the emperor!"

"..."

Amid the shouts, various Tang troops began to rush to the battlefield and prepare for battle according to their mission.

The Tang troops that were able to be transferred to Batavia for garrison were the elite selected from the best of the various Tang army units.

Their combat proficiency and training level are top-notch in the entire Tang army.

Therefore, we can fully enter combat status within 15 minutes.

Naturally, as elite troops, they are not afraid of war.

On the other side, the police force in the concession had also completed its assembly.

Batches of heavy weapons were pulled out from the arsenal.

The Tang army is fully prepared for battle.

……

It was almost dawn when Simon finally completed the assembly of the garrison in Batavia.

Simon took a deep breath and looked at the sky which was gradually turning pale.

"May God bless us and help us win this war!"

After saying this, Simon ordered the army to march towards the Tang Concession.

……

Fu Chang stood on the rooftop of a small second-floor house facing the street, observing the surrounding streets and buildings.

"This is a good spot. We can control four streets by setting up two machine guns."

"How about setting up the machine gun position here?"

Fu Chang turned and asked the squadron leader beside him.

The squadron leader hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"Okay, let's set it up here!"

"Only if we can block the entire street will the Dutch be able to threaten the concession."

"By the way, be careful of the Dutch artillery!"

(End of this chapter)