Ming East India Company

The flames of the Battle of Manila Bay have long since dissipated.

The despair and panic that permeated the entire city of Manila were growing stronger at this moment.

The crushing defeat in the naval battle was like a heavy hammer blow, shattering the last vestiges of confidence and defense of the Spanish colonial authorities, and delivering the most fatal blow to Governor Pedro de Acuña.

The servants and guards in the governor's mansion were all pale-faced, walking hurriedly, not daring to make a sound, and even deliberately breathing softly.

Everyone knew that Governor Acuña was on the verge of collapse.

Acuna sat alone, slumped in the main seat, showing no sign of life or energy.

He has remained in this position, sitting motionless for a full six hours.

His governor's uniform was stained with dirt and wine, his usually meticulously combed blond hair was disheveled, his eyes were bloodshot, and his haggard face was filled with a hollow gaze full of despair.

A few hours earlier, the wrecked Patache ship, which had managed to escape back to port, brought back the devastating news of the annihilation of its entire fleet in the naval battle.

All four galleys were sunk, only two of the fourteen Pataches survived, more than ten small boats belonging to the Kampan people were wiped out, and the vast majority of the more than thirty warships sank to the bottom of the sea.

Thousands of sailors and indigenous oarsmen were killed or wounded, and together with the ships lost in the earlier raid, the Spanish naval power in Manila was almost completely wiped out.

The city's supply routes were completely blocked by Ryukyu; not even a fly could get out.

As night fell, the lights in the council hall became dim.

Acuña remained slumped in her chair, her eyes vacant, saying nothing.

Just then, the door to the hall was gently pushed open, and several trusted officers cautiously walked in slowly.

Leading the group were Archbishop Miguel de Benavides and Major General Garcia, who had just taken over as commander of the city's defenses.

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness and solemnity in each other's eyes. After hesitating for a long time, they finally gritted their teeth, walked up to Acunia, and bowed.

The hall was completely silent; you could hear a pin drop. Everyone held their breath, afraid to make the slightest sound.

The archbishop took a deep breath, lowered his voice, and spoke slowly, his tone respectful yet firm, breaking the deathly silence:

"Your Excellency, the situation is now completely clear, and we... have no way out."

Acunia didn't look up or respond; she merely twitched her fingers slightly, a flash of anger crossing her eyes, but she didn't lash out.

Major General Garcia then spoke, his voice hoarse and full of helplessness:

"Your Excellency, we suffered a crushing defeat in the naval battle. Our naval forces were completely wiped out, the bay entrance was completely blockaded by pirates, and our land forces were harassed by Lynn's rebel army."

The city's food supply could only last for twenty days at most, and merchants and citizens were already discussing the matter extensively; a riot was imminent.

"We have no warships, no reinforcements, no supplies, and insufficient troops. We simply cannot defend this isolated city."

Moreover, after our navy's defeat, even the previously obedient indigenous people began to waver. Many indigenous tribes have now joined Lynn's rebel army, and there has been a large-scale exodus of the indigenous people we employ within the city.

These words, every single one, struck at Acuña's most painful spot and revealed the cruelest reality before him.

Acuña's body trembled slightly, and the fingers holding the wine glass cracked from being bent for too long.

Archbishop Miguel de Benavides, observing his expression, continued to bow, his tone growing increasingly earnest, uttering the words that no one dared to say, yet had to say:

"Your Excellency, in order to save the lives of the Spanish expatriates in the city, to preserve the remaining troops, and to protect your own safety and future..."

After discussion, our subordinates unanimously requested that Your Excellency send an envoy to the Ryukyu fleet at the mouth of the bay to negotiate with the King of Ryukyu and Lin En.

The moment the words "negotiation?" were uttered, Acunia abruptly raised her head.

In those empty eyes, an overwhelming hatred suddenly erupted. He stood up abruptly and smashed the wine glass in his hand to the ground. The glass shattered, and wine splashed everywhere.

"You idiot, do you know what the consequences will be if we go to beg for peace now? What's the difference between negotiating now and surrendering?"

We killed so many Chinese in the Eighth District, what do you think the consequences will be? What conditions will they offer us during peace talks? How will we atone for our sins?

He roared hoarsely, his voice cracking, pointing at his trusted men and shouting angrily:

"I am the Governor-General of the Far East appointed by the King of Spain, representing the majesty of the Empire! If I bow down and beg for peace, will you ruin my reputation and make the Spanish Empire a laughing stock of all Europe?"

"I absolutely refuse! I'd rather die with Manila than bow down to the Ryukyuans. I would never do such a shameful thing!"

He vented hysterically, his pride and dignity making it impossible for him to accept the offer of surrender.

Several trusted military and civilian officials did not back down or show any fear. They simply stood quietly in place, waiting for him to finish his roaring and cursing, waiting for him to vent the last bit of anger in his heart.

"Governor, negotiations may not necessarily be a bad thing. At least for now, the Ryukyuans do not seem to be as hostile as we thought."

Acunia sensed a dangerous aura:

"You have already made contact with the Ryukyuans."

Archbishop Miguel de Benavides nodded in reply:

"Merchants in Manila recommended Mr. Sanchez to negotiate privately with the Ryukyuans, and he brought back very generous terms."

Benavides then handed Acuña a statement:

"To demonstrate the Ryukyu Kingdom's sincerity in promoting trade and mutual benefit, and to alleviate the hardships faced by the people in Manila, effective immediately, Spanish merchants in Manila are unilaterally permitted to engage in free trade directly with Ming Dynasty merchant ships and Ryukyu merchant ships without waiting for the signing of a peace treaty or obtaining permission from the colonial government."

The Ryukyu Navy will provide full escort for all Spanish merchant ships participating in trade, clearing away all pirates and obstacles along the South China Sea route to ensure the safety of the merchant ships' round trips; the Spanish only need to pay normal customs duties to conduct trade.

Regarding goods, all commodities except grain could be freely traded. However, to prevent smuggling, goods entering Manila had to be unloaded and inspected outside Manila port. After the inspection confirmed the absence of grain, Spanish merchants completed transactions with Ming and Ryukyu merchant ships, with payment made directly in silver, without any delays.

"Your Excellency, this is the latest statement from the Ryukyuans brought back by Mr. Sanchez. He says that he can negotiate on your behalf if you give the order, and promises to end the war in a very fair manner."

Upon hearing about Sanchez, Acuña became even more furious.

Isn't my current success all thanks to this Sanchez?

Acuña said angrily:

"You bunch of fools, you've been completely fooled by a trader from the Far East. This is nothing but a scheme by the Ryukyuans to divide us. By showing sincerity to the merchant, they're trying to weaken us. Once we surrender, they'll send us to the gallows without hesitation."

Archbishop Benavides, who was usually good-natured, finally couldn't hold back any longer. He stepped forward and spoke to Acuña in almost pleading words:

"Your Excellency, things have come to this point, and we are no longer capable of fighting. The food supplies in the city are only enough to last for twenty to thirty days, which is far from enough to sustain us until reinforcements from the homeland arrive."

On the contrary, we could even see Japanese flags on the Ryukyuan fleet opposite us. Moreover, there were traces of Portuguese people in the Ryukyuan's cabins.

We are now under attack from multiple sides. If we continue to resist, we will only face certain death, and the entire Spanish diaspora in Manila will perish with us.

In the name of God, we beg Your Excellency to set aside your prejudices and begin peace talks. Even if it means conceding some benefits, please preserve Manila and the lives of all of us!

The archbishop's words were like a stone thrown into stagnant water, instantly eliciting agreement from the crowd.

City defense commander Garcia stepped forward immediately, his face bitter:

"Your Excellency, the navy has been completely wiped out, and our remaining army has less than two thousand men, which is no match for the Ryukyu army's attack on the city."

The Ryukyuans are besieging us without attacking, intending to starve us out. We can't afford to wait any longer! Peace talks are our only way out, even with harsh conditions, it's better than being slaughtered after the city falls!

"We implore Your Excellency to agree to peace talks!"

The remaining officers and civilians bowed and pleaded in unison, all knowing that peace talks were the only way out.

But their pleas sounded like a harsh mockery to Acunia, instantly igniting the anger in his heart.

"That's enough!"

Acunia slammed his hand on the armrest with a loud bang, which made the candlesticks on the table shake slightly. He stood up abruptly, looking down at his confidants in the hall, his eyes bloodshot, and his whole body exuding a terrifying aura of ferocity and arrogance.

"You cowards! Traitors!"

"I am the Governor-General of the Far East, personally appointed by King Philip III of Spain, representing the majesty and glory of the British Empire!"

"Ryukyu is nothing but a tiny island nation in the Sea of ​​Japan, a motley crew. For me to bow down and negotiate peace with them would be an utter disgrace and a desecration of the Spanish Empire!"

He became increasingly agitated as he spoke, his voice suddenly rising in pitch, erupting into a hysterical roar:

"I will never negotiate! Even if I fight to the last man, even if Manila is reduced to ashes, I will never bow down to those Eastern bandits! Anyone who dares to mention the word 'negotiation' again will be charged with treason and executed immediately!"

"From this day forward, martial law will be declared throughout the city. All men will be drafted into the ranks to defend the royal city to the death, and to live or die with Manila! God will protect us."

These words completely blocked any possibility of peace talks.

The people in the hall exchanged bewildered glances, their faces filled with despair and helplessness. Looking at the governor, who had veered from arrogance to madness, their last glimmer of hope was utterly shattered.

After his outburst of rage, Acuña was completely exhausted and slumped back into his seat.

He then waved people out of his house, picked up his treasured wines, and began a frenzied drinking spree.

In the following days, Acuña refused to see any of his subordinates, preferring to stay in his room. He entrusted all important matters to Garcia and others.

His subordinates repeatedly suggested negotiations, but he rejected them all outright.

Meanwhile, Shirane's policy of inducing surrender continued to intensify, and he announced that he would not pursue the crimes of the indigenous people who had been coerced by the Spanish.

A large number of indigenous soldiers in Manila deserted, taking with them not only equipment and supplies, but also further straining the already limited manpower of the Spanish in the city.

A few days later, in a dimly lit, closed room of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Manila, guards were moved to a distance of 100 meters away, and no one was allowed to approach.

In the center of the secret room, on either side of a long table, sat all of Manila's core power holders:

The city's defense commander Garcia, Archbishop Miguel de Benavides, the accompanying priest Rodrigo, the heads of various garrison units, and high-ranking officials of the colonial government—more than twenty people in total—all wore solemn expressions, and the atmosphere was extremely oppressive.

Seated in the main seat was Sanchez, a Manila businessman who had been very active recently.

He looked at everyone present, remained silent for a long time, and finally spoke slowly, breaking the deathly silence of the secret room.

"Gentlemen, we have no time to wait any longer."

The city's food reserves won't last more than fifteen days, the army could mutini at any moment, the morale of the residents is low, and the Ryukyuans outside the city have already begun using appeasement tactics to win over the merchants in the city. If the situation continues to be delayed, I can't guarantee that I can secure better conditions for you."

Everyone sighed, their faces showing bitterness, yet they were helpless.

"What can we do?"

Garcia clenched his fists, his voice filled with helplessness.

"The Governor-General stays indoors, drinks all day, and refuses to see anyone. He won't even step out of his house, let alone negotiate peace. We've made several proposals, but now we can't even get a look at him. What else can we say?"

"Negotiations? Do you really think that the Governor-General's refusal to negotiate is solely for the sake of so-called imperial dignity?"

Sanchez's eyes darkened, and his voice suddenly lowered, becoming cold and heavy:

"The reason I have gathered you all here today is to tell you a secret that I have kept in my heart for many days and dared not reveal easily—the Ryukyu envoy, Mr. Bu Jialao, has already given us Manila the only way out through a secret letter."

Mr. Baccarat said that if they were given two things, they would withdraw all their troops, lift the blockade of Manila Bay, restore trade throughout the city, and guarantee the lives and property of all Spaniards.

Upon hearing this, everyone present instantly perked up and looked up at Sanchez, a glimmer of hope flashing in their eyes.

"What kind of lifeline? What conditions did Borgarau propose? Why didn't you say so before?"

Jiaxi pressed on eagerly, his body involuntarily leaning forward.

Looking at the expectant eyes of the crowd, Sanchez felt a heavy weight in his heart. He slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his tone was icy as he spoke, each word distinct and deliberate:

"The Ryukyu Allied Forces' conditions are: no reparations or land, only two heads—the heads of Governor Pedro de Acuña and his nephew, the garrison commander Diego de Acuña."