Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 584: Diplomatic Mission to Brunei (Part )

Zheng Chenggong was somewhat conflicted in his heart. There was Borneo between Batavia and Luzon, and on it were two larger countries, Brunei and Sulu, both of which believed in Islam.

Although these small countries have to give face to the Zheng family in this sea area, for a large army expedition, if the logistical supplies are transported from Luzon to Batavia, then this supply line is too fragile.

If Brunei is used as a transit station, the risk would be too great. Thinking of this, Zheng Chenggong couldn't help but curse inwardly, the emperor really does whatever he wants!

After thinking for two days, Zheng Chenggong still couldn't make up his mind to send troops. He then summoned his naval subordinates to hold a private military meeting. All the generals said that Batavia was far away across the ocean and would not be easy to attack. If they wanted to attack Batavia, they must control Borneo, or at least control the coastal ports of Brunei. Otherwise, they would not send troops.

Even the most optimistic generals did not dare to say that they were sure of victory. Instead, they all persuaded Zheng Chenggong to make the construction of Luzon the top priority at the moment.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Chenggong nodded silently at the meeting and thought about it for several days. Finally, he decided not to send troops for the time being. He then ordered Chen Yonghua to write a letter to inform Qingluan Guard of his decision.

In his letter, Chen Yonghua described in detail the difficulties of conquering Batavia, saying: "To conquer Batavia, there are many dangers and obstacles. The sea route is long and the wind and waves are unpredictable. It is difficult for warships to continue sailing. The first difficulty is that the barbarians there have been operating for several years. The city is strong and the moat is deep. The defense is complete and they have accumulated combat power for a long time. It is not easy to attack. The second difficulty is that it takes time and effort to transport food and grass across the ocean, and it is easy to be intercepted on the way, so the supply is worrying. The third difficulty is.

The surrounding situation is complicated, and the attitudes of Brunei and Sulu are unclear. If we rashly raise troops, we may be attacked halfway. These are the four difficulties. Now that Luzon has just been settled, there are many things to be done, people's hearts are not yet solid, and the foundation is still shallow. It is not wise to divide the troops and go on an expedition at this time. "

This letter was not delivered to the capital until October. After reading the letter, Meng Bian went to the palace overnight and delivered it to Meng Jun's desk.

Meng Jun's idea of attacking Batavia remained only a strategy, and he did not reveal any information in the court. After reading Chen Yonghua's letter, Meng Jun felt that it was not an excuse.

When a large army goes on an expedition, it must ensure the safety of its rear route. If it crosses Brunei, logistics will be difficult to guarantee. Moreover, Sulu in Brunei has not yet paid tribute to the Qian Dynasty.

The place of Borneo has been attacked successively by Portugal, Spain and the Dutch. Manila, which is now occupied by the Zheng family, was originally under the rule of Brunei. However, at this time, the main island of Brunei had not yet been conquered by Western colonists.

Zheng Chenggong also knew that Manila was once the territory of Brunei. Although Manila was captured by Zheng Chenggong from the Spaniards, Zheng Chenggong felt that the King of Brunei should be dissatisfied. However, the Zheng family’s navy was now strong and backed by the Qian Dynasty. Brunei was unwilling to conflict with the Zheng family, so it just pretended to be deaf and dumb.

Meng Jun pondered for several days. At the court meeting, he asked the officials of the Ministry of Rites, "I heard that Brunei used to pay tribute to the former Ming Dynasty and was very respectful. It even submitted a petition to the former Ming Dynasty. Now that our Qian Dynasty has just been established, the world is stable and everyone is convinced. Only Bonni has not sent an envoy to the court. Why is that? Do you have any information about this, officials of the Ministry of Rites?"

The Minister of Rites Meng Hong was suddenly confused by Meng Jun's inexplicable words. As the Minister of Rites, Meng Hong naturally knew about the various vassal states during the former Ming Dynasty, but the Brunei Kingdom had not paid tribute for a long time. If the emperor had not asked about it today, he would not have remembered this country.

However, Meng Hong was also quite quick-witted. When he heard the emperor's question, he thought of a response quickly while straightening his clothes and bowing. Meng Hong immediately replied: "Your Majesty, at the end of the Ming Dynasty, the world was in turmoil, the Central Plains was in turmoil, and the foreign countries were far away from the Central Plains, so it was difficult to get news.

Moreover, Brunei is far away overseas, and they may not know that there is a holy ruler who has come to rule the country today, clearing up the world and creating a new dynasty. That is why they have not yet sent envoys to congratulate and pay tribute. I hope Your Majesty will forgive their delay."

Meng Hong said that maybe everyone had not received the news yet. Then Meng Hong said that the Ministry of Rites was already preparing to send envoys to foreign countries in all directions to notify them to come and pay tribute.

Meng Jun thought this was nonsense. The Qian Dynasty had been established for more than five years. How could Brunei not have received the news? What's more, Zheng Chenggong and the Spaniards had been fighting in Luzon for more than half a year. Brunei would not have sought information.

However, Meng Jun also knew that this was also because the court officials were concerned about their reputation. They couldn't say that Brunei looked down on the Qian Dynasty and therefore did not come to pay tribute. That would be embarrassing.

The action of the Ministry of Rites was also within Meng Jun's expectations. Didn't Zheng Chenggong say that there was Brunei in the middle, and it would be very difficult to station the navy in the port and supply materials? In that case, Meng Jun would ask Brunei to become a vassal and pay tribute.

As long as they pledged loyalty and paid tribute, the Qian Dynasty would be able to exercise the rights of a suzerain state, ask Brunei to send some troops and food, and lend a few ports to the court temporarily for supply purposes. Then the problem would be solved.

Over the past two years, at Meng Jun's request, the imperial court has manufactured warships suitable for sea travel in batches at Songjiang Shipyard, Jinling Shipyard, Ningbo Shipyard, and Guangzhou Shipyard, totaling 32 seagoing ships.

The two sides of the bottom of this warship are tilted inward, forming a triangle in the middle. The draft of this type of ship can reach 134 feet (more than four meters) deep, and it is better than ordinary Fu ships in resisting wind and waves at sea.

Each of these ships can carry 46 medium-sized artillery pieces and more than 300 seamen. These ships have been launched one after another and should be completed by April of the sixth year of Zhaowu.

But Meng Jun lacked confidence in this newly established fleet. Only after the test of war could they know whether it was capable of fighting.

At Meng Jun's urging, Meng Hong urgently dispatched Wan Yunguo, an official from the Ministry of Rites, as the head of the delegation, with Zhang Shun leading 16 warships as the escort. They followed the coastline, first to Fujian, and then transferred 20 ships from the Prince of Nan'an to form a huge fleet to go to Borneo.

In the fifth year of Zhaowu, in early December, the delegation arrived in Fuzhou. At this time, the Zheng family's fleet had already assembled. The delegation members only rested in Fuzhou for two days, and then set sail under the guidance of the Zheng family's guides who were familiar with the sea waves.

Zheng Chenggong looked at the mighty fleet and said to Chen Yonghua with some emotion: "Your Majesty, you are really determined to conquer Malacca."

Chen Yonghua shook his head and said, "The officials in the court didn't know that the emperor wanted to attack Batavia, otherwise it wouldn't be so peaceful."

Zheng Chenggong laughed and said, "The purpose of the diplomatic mission to Brunei is to publicize the power of the Celestial Empire, and it does not involve sending troops overseas. How can the ministers object? I just don't know what kind of quarrels will arise in the court when the troops are dispatched."