Chapter 3474
Chapter 3474
Chapter 3474
Although the Dutch deployed a blockade at sea to prevent Portuguese reinforcements from suddenly appearing and cutting off their own landing troops' retreat, this defensive measure was obviously ineffective against the Hai Han army that blatantly broke in.
The special operations division's fleet seemed to ignore the existence of the Dutch armed merchant ships, and swaggered through the blockade, sailed to the coast near the port of Colombo, and immediately landed under the noses of the Dutch.
Although this seemed a bit reckless, Takahashi Minami actually used a telescope to scout the situation on the coast in advance, carefully avoided the area controlled by the Dutch, and chose an uninhabited coast about five miles south of Colombo Port to land.
Since the troop transport ship carrying the landing troops was still on the way to Colombo, Takahashi Minami could not send many troops for the landing. He only drew 200 people from several warships, lowered small boats and rowed towards the coast.
However, after this small group of troops landed, they immediately raised the red and blue flag that symbolized Hai Han on the coast. Moreover, the flag that the Hai Han army brought ashore was really large, and even from a distance, it could be seen fluttering in the wind.
This was naturally what Takahashi Nan intended to do. After arriving here, he immediately sent troops to land, not to rescue the besieged city of Colombo, but to declare the existence of the Hai Han army to both warring parties.
The landing force of only 200 people could not help the Portuguese out of their predicament. Takahashi Nan was trying to scare the Dutch into submission. He was sure that the Dutch would not dare to ignore the Hai Han army and would definitely feel uneasy about his arrival.
The purpose of this landing was to delay time. As long as they could affect the Dutch's attack on Colombo, even if it only delayed them for a few hours, it would be considered a success. When the main force arrived, Takahashi Minami would have more means to use.
Sure enough, the Dutch responded quickly and sent envoys to the Hai Han army's beach positions, demanding that they evacuate immediately to avoid any misjudgment.
The Hai Han officer who met with them ignored the other party's request, but instead suggested that the Dutch immediately stop the attack on Colombo City - the Hai Han Special Operations Division will enter Colombo City to fulfill the joint exercise agreement with the Portuguese garrison.
Of course, the Dutch would not believe this made-up excuse. Even if the Hai Han army wanted to hold joint military exercises with the Portuguese, it would not be such a coincidence that it would be arranged during the period when the Netherlands launched a large-scale offensive.
You have to know that when the Dutch launched a surprise attack on the port of Colombo, there was no sign of war preparation. At that time, several Portuguese armed sailing ships were destroyed by Dutch artillery fire before they even had time to leave the dock. This is obviously not the state that should be expected before a large-scale military exercise.
But no matter what the excuse was, the purpose of the Hai Han people was obviously very clear, which was to help the Portuguese in Colombo city out of trouble.
Such a situation was not something that an ordinary military officer could decide, and the negotiations between the two sides immediately escalated.
About an hour later, Takahashi met with the opposing commander, General Van Hollen, at the landing point.
The Dutch general's hair and beard were all gray, so he must be not young anymore. After hearing Takahashi Nan introduce himself, Van Hollen seemed very calm, and did not show any uneasiness because his opponent was the Haihan Special Warfare Division.
"General Takahashi Minami, we are all soldiers, and this is a battlefield. There is no need for any nonsense. I think there is no need to waste time on diplomatic rhetoric."
Van Hollen said straight to the point: "I don't know what conditions the Portuguese have offered to ask your country to rescue Colombo, but I think there must be some suitable conditions that will make you abandon the current operation and lead your troops to evacuate here."
After listening to the translation, Gao Qiaonan shook his head and said, "I suggest that you put aside your unrealistic fantasies and stop attacking Colombo as soon as possible. Otherwise, according to the military agreement signed between my country and Portugal, my country is obliged to send troops to help Portugal when it is in crisis." Van Hollen spread his hands and said, "Are you willing to go to war with our country for this?"
"I just wanted to ask the same question!" Takahashi Minami refused to give in.
Van Hollen said solemnly, “I heard a long time ago that your troops are the strongest force in Hai Han. I have always wanted to see them. It seems that this is the right time.”
Takahashi Minami did not respond in a hurry. She looked at the other person expressionlessly, as if trying to tell from his expression whether what he said was sincere.
The Special Operations Division has been famous for many years and has long been a feared existence in East Asia. In recent years, no one has dared to challenge the Special Operations Division. However, Van Hollen's words were meant to challenge Takahashi Minami in person.
Takahashi Nan judged that the other side probably thought that the Hai Han army appearing in Colombo had limited manpower, especially since there were only a few hundred troops landing here, while the Dutch had at least ten times more manpower outside Colombo, so it seemed that they had a good chance of winning.
If they could defeat the Haihan Special Operations Division by chance, it would be a world-shaking event. This record would be enough for Van Hollen to brag about until the day he dies, and it seems worth taking some risks for it.
If Van Hollen had this mentality, then Takahashi Minami would have to teach him a lesson.
Gao Qiaonan smiled and said, "If that's the case, then there's no need to say more. Please go back, sir. We'll see you on the battlefield!"
Both parties had already made their final decision. Seeing that Takahashi Minami did not hesitate at all, Van Hollen could only stand up and say goodbye.
After Van Hollen left, Takahashi Minami immediately ordered the entire army to enter combat status, and at the same time ordered three warships including the Weixing to go to the open sea to meet the troop transport and supply ships.
If the armed sailing ships deployed by the Dutch in the nearby sea made any unusual movements, the Weixing could launch an attack nearby without further request.
Takahashi Minami stayed on the coast, intending to personally command the next battle. However, compared with the previous force, the number of troops on the coast was only increased by the guard platoon led by Takahashi Minami himself.
Consicao, who had been listening to the entire negotiation process, saw that Takahashi Nan was actually planning to use these two or three hundred soldiers to fight against thousands of opponents. He immediately advised Takahashi Nan to act cautiously and there was no need to put himself in danger.
Gao Qiaonan smiled and said, "Are you worried that if I fail here, the Hai Han army will withdraw immediately and not care about the life and death of Colombo City?"
Although Conceicao was right, he could not admit it, and only advised Gaoqiao Nan to return to the warship to command the battle. His subtext was that if the Hai Han army was at a disadvantage in the battle on land, they could still maneuver at sea and buy time for the arrival of follow-up troops.
Takahashi Minami knew what the Portuguese were thinking, but since he had decided to establish his authority through this battle, he had to show some real skills. He not only had to defeat the Dutch, but also had to intimidate the Portuguese.