Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

In the ninth year of Xuanji, in the third month of spring, in the Taiwan Strait.

The strong southeast monsoon billowed the huge sails, propelling the Great Xia's eastern expedition fleet like a moving forest, steadily and resolutely heading towards the verdant land to the east.

Seagulls darted and cried out among the masts, and sunlight shone on the bluish-gray hull and the freshly applied tung oil, reflecting a sharp luster.

On deck, the sailors performed their duties, the gunners wiped the blackened cannon barrels one last time, and the soldiers of the land camp checked their armor and weapons. The air was filled with the solemnity and anticipation unique to the eve of a major battle.

Zheng Zhilong stood on the stern of the "Qinglong" ship, holding a monocular telescope, gazing for a long time at the increasingly clear coastline on the sea surface ahead.

Taiwan, the island the Portuguese called "Formosa," was now, in his eyes, not only a strategic location that the emperor had ordered to be recovered, but also the homeland that tens of thousands of suffering Han compatriots longed for day and night to be saved by the royal army.

"My lord, we can see the Penghu Islands ahead. According to Guo Huaiyi, the remnants of the Red-haired Barbarians in Penghu have all retreated to Taiwan after their defeat at Liaoluo Bay, and Penghu is not heavily guarded," reported Deputy General Gan Hui.

Zheng Zhilong nodded, his gaze still fixed on the distant land: "Send word that the fleet bypass Penghu and proceed directly to Dayuan Bay. Strengthen vigilance along the way and be wary of scouting by the Taiwanese fast ships."

"yes!"

The fleet continued eastward.

After another half day, the outline of that bountiful island became increasingly clear.

The towering Central Mountain Range stretches endlessly like the spine of a giant dragon; near the sea lie vast plains, sandbars, and lagoons.

This is the core area of ​​the Dutch East India Company's operations in Taiwan—the Ta-Yuan area.

"Report! A fortress of the Red Barbarians has been spotted ahead!" the lookout shouted.

Zheng Zhilong raised his binoculars.

On a prominent sandbar peninsula stands a Western-style castle with sharp angles, made of red bricks.

The castle wasn't particularly tall, but it was sturdy, surrounded by low walls and bastions, with gun emplacements on the seaward side, their dark muzzles pointing towards the bay.

At the highest point of the castle, a red, white, and blue striped flag fluttered in the wind.

This is Fort Zeelandia, the most important stronghold for the Dutch in Taiwan.

To the northeast of Fort Zeelandia, across a narrow strait, on a larger sandbar, the outline of another smaller fortress can be faintly seen—that is Fort Provintia. The two fortresses form a strategic defensive position, controlling the entrance to the Taijiang Inner Sea and Dayuan Bay.

At this moment, Zeelandia had clearly discovered the existence of this massive fleet.

The castle's alarm bells rang continuously, figures moved about, and the cannons on the ramparts began to adjust their direction.

Inside the port, several armed merchant ships and speedboats flying the Dutch flag hurriedly weighed anchor and raised their sails, seemingly trying to escape into the inland sea or go out to scout.

"Hmph, your reaction time isn't slow."

Zheng Zhilong sneered, put down his binoculars, and ordered, "Order the fleet to anchor and form ranks outside the range of Fort Zeelandia's cannons. Send fast ships, flying my flag, to deliver a message into the city."

Soon, a fast ship flying the flag of "Lord Zheng of Jinghai" and a white flag of truce broke away from the fleet and headed towards Fort Zeelandia.

The ship carried Zheng Zhilong's envoy and a letter written in both Chinese and Dutch.

The letter was shot onto the walls of Zeelandia with arrows.

Inside the castle council chamber, the Dutch governor of Taiwan, Coyett—a thin-faced, brooding middle-aged man—opened the letter with a grave expression.

He was surrounded by important officials from Zeelandia, including administrators, military commanders, and representatives of the merchant guild, all of whom wore expressions of undisguised panic.

News of the disastrous defeat at Liaoluo Bay had already arrived, and the appearance of the Great Xia fleet at their doorstep plunged them into despair.

The letter was concise and forceful:

"Zheng, Marquis of Jinghai of the Great Ming Dynasty and Admiral of the East China Sea Fleet, writes to His Excellency Coyett, Governor-General of Taiwan of the Netherlands:"

Taiwan has been Chinese land since ancient times, inhabited by Han people for generations. You barbarians with red hair have come from afar to seize it, building cities and stationing troops, oppressing our people, and plundering our goods. This is truly contrary to the laws of Heaven and violates the royal authority. Previously, in Penghu and Liaoluo Bay, you repeatedly waged war and violated our maritime borders, all of which resulted in divine retribution and defeat. Now, I, the Marquis, have received a clear decree from the Emperor of Heaven, leading an army of 100,000 and a warship of 1,000 to reclaim our homeland and rescue our people from suffering.

Considering your long journey and the possibility that you may be unfamiliar with Chinese customs and etiquette, I hereby grant you three days to immediately withdraw from all fortresses and garrisons in Zeelandia, Provintia, and Taiwan, surrender all weapons and goods, and depart by ship to return to your country. In return, I will show leniency and spare your lives, forgiving all past transgressions.

If you remain obstinate and resist stubbornly, when my heavenly army lands and breaches the city, we will surely slaughter you all, leaving not a single one alive! Decide quickly what to do! Do not say you were not warned!

Zheng Zhilong in the third month of the ninth year of Xuanji.

The letter circulated among the Dutch, causing an uproar.

"Arrogant! Utterly arrogant! 100,000 troops? 1,000 warships? This is just bluffing!" a military officer roared, waving his fist.

"But... their fleet is indeed very large, and they have those terrifying, rapid-fire heavy cannons..." an officer who had survived the Battle of Liaoluo Bay whispered with lingering fear.

"We cannot surrender! Fort Zeelandia is incredibly strong, with ample food supplies and formidable artillery! Those Eastern ships can't even get close to our forts! Batavia's reinforcements are already on their way!" The trading company representative was more concerned about their huge investments in Taiwan—the trade in deerskin, sugar, and sulfur.

Governor Coyard listened to everyone's argument with a gloomy expression.

He walked to the window and looked at the massive fleet outside the bay, its masts like a forest and its formation orderly, especially those few new-style, bluish-gray warships with unique designs. His pupils contracted slightly.

As a seasoned colonial official, he knew all too well what the Battle of Liaoluo Bay meant. The fleet before him was no mere bluff.

However, he could not back down without a fight, abandoning Taiwan, where he had built up his business for many years, and giving up one of the company's most important sources of profit in the Far East. Nor would the Batavia headquarters agree to it.

If he abandons the fight without a fight, he will be sent to the gallows by the company's board of directors.

"reply."

Kui turned around, his voice hoarse but firm, "Tell that General Zheng that Taiwan is unclaimed land, legally developed and operated by the Dutch East India Company."

We traded peacefully with the local inhabitants, bringing civilization and good fortune. The army of the Great Xia Empire had no right to demand our departure.

We have a fortified castle and loyal soldiers, and we are not afraid of any threat.

If General Zheng persists in his course and provokes war, he will bear all the consequences. God bless the Netherlands.

The messenger brought back a firm reply from Coyett.

When Zheng Zhilong received the reply, he merely smiled coldly and casually tossed the letter into the sea.

"You're asking for it."

He said to the generals beside him, "Since those red-haired barbarians are so stubborn, let them see the might of my Great Xia army!"

"Send the order! The fleet must split up!"

"Gan Hui!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"I hereby order you to lead fifteen new warships, including the 'White Tiger' and 'Vermilion Bird,' along with thirty Fujian-style ships, to blockade the exit of Tai Yuen Bay and monitor Fort Zeelandia. If enemy ships emerge, sink them! If the enemy fort opens fire, bombard their coastal forts with heavy artillery to suppress their firepower!"

"Yes, sir!"

"The rest of the troops, follow me to the vicinity of the Luermen Waterway and find a suitable place to land!"

"Guo Huaiyi!"

"Your Excellency is here!" Guo Huaiyi, who had already changed into military uniform, stepped forward excitedly.

"You are familiar with the terrain. Do you know where near Luermen there are shallow waters and flat beaches that would be advantageous for a large-scale landing, and would be difficult for the red-haired barbarians to detect?"

"Rest assured, my lord! North of Luermen, there is a place called 'Heliao Port,' where the waters are calm, the mudflats are wide, and it is far from the two fortresses of the Red-haired Barbarians. I am willing to lead the way!"

"Alright! You lead the way! All troops, turn around, target: Heliao Port!"

The massive fleet split into two. Gan Hui led the blockade fleet, which aggressively approached Fort Zeelandia and confronted its coastal defense batteries.

Meanwhile, the main force personally led by Zheng Zhilong drew a large arc in the open sea and, with the cover of the coastline, quietly sailed north of Luermen.

Kuiyi, atop Fort Zeelandia, saw the Xia army fleet split up, with one part approaching and the other seemingly moving north, and he was filled with doubt and apprehension.

He speculated that Cheng Chih-lung might try to land from other places, but many places on Taiwan's west coast are either cliffs or densely packed reefs and sandbars, making it difficult to find suitable locations for a large-scale landing.

He strengthened the defenses of Fort Provintia and Fort Zeelandia and sent small boats to patrol along the coast, but he did not expect that Zheng Zhilong would choose the seemingly inconspicuous "Ho Lia Port".

Guided by Guo Huaiyi, the "living map," Zheng Zhilong's main fleet successfully arrived at the waters off Heliao Port at dusk.

Just as Guo Huaiyi had said, the water here was shallow and the beach was flat. Although large warships could not dock directly, countless small boats, sampans, and even Fujian-style boats were sufficient to transport soldiers and supplies ashore.

As night falls, the sea and sky are shrouded in darkness, with only sparse starlight.

The waves gently lapped against the beach. Zheng Zhilong stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the unfamiliar land in the darkness, and gave a deep command:

"Land! Establish beachhead according to plan! Guo Huaiyi, immediately send a reliable person to contact the island's inhabitants, informing them that the royal army has arrived and to raise troops in response according to the agreed signal!"

"yes!"

Countless small boats, like arrows released from a bow, silently slicing through the dark sea and rushing toward the beach.

On this spring night of the ninth year of Xuanji, the dragon flag of the Great Xia Empire was planted on the land of Taiwan for the first time in a truly solid and practical way.

Meanwhile, the northern fortresses of Zeelandia and Provintia remained in a state of tense and bewildered vigilance, unaware of the impending storm.

The campaign to retake Taiwan officially began with the first batch of Da Xia soldiers stepping onto the soft sands of Heliao Harbor. The sound of cannons from Fort Zeelandia was no longer a distant memory.