New Ming Empire mixed in America

"When did the Orientals have such powerful battleships?"

Governor Birmingham stayed up all night and his voice was very hoarse with dark circles under his eyes.

The sound of artillery in Manila Bay continued all night last night, as did the coastal defense artillery.

But Governor Birmingham still has not accepted the fact that it was Easterners who bombed his port.

"Don't worry, Mr. Governor. I have sent merchant ships to deliver messages to the country. I believe our support fleet will arrive soon."

The secretary comforted Governor Birmingham. He was also very confused about the appearance of Oriental warships in Manila Bay, but it was useless to talk about it now.

"I didn't expect that one day we would be blocked in the port by Easterners..."

After sighing with emotion, Governor Birmingham ordered the commander of the Manila garrison, Colonel Allen Butler, to be invited over.

Although there were several troops coming to support him, the one he trusted most was undoubtedly Butler, his old partner in his fifties.

Soon, Colonel Butler walked into the temporary office in Birmingham.

"When will the two supporting troops arrive?" The first thing he asked after entering the door was the question he was most concerned about.

If all the militiamen and regular troops near Manila were mobilized, there would be a total of 20,000 people.

But now there are less than 8,000 people stationed at the Manila port.

The two supporting troops that were supposed to appear early this morning have not yet appeared, which had to make him a little impatient.

"I will send someone to urge them. They are already on the way."

Regarding the matter of the two armies, Governor Birmingham just said something vague, then changed the subject and asked: "How is the mobilization of the militia in the city?"

Butler frowned slightly when he heard Birmingham's words.

There were many rumors that the Governor of Birmingham was not dealing with certain army officers, and now this rumor has become a fact.

"The militias are gathering, and it is expected that 5,000 people will be mobilized in the afternoon."

In fact, this number is a relatively conservative statement by Butler, because in addition to the militia, they can also mobilize a group of original residents and indigenous servants.

"The Orientals have the advantage on the sea this time, so we must be prepared to be attacked by them on land."

Birmingham handed Colonel Butler a report from the steam gunboat after it had withdrawn to port.

It states the number of Easterners' warships and some other more specific information.

"Two ironclads, at least six battleships, and more than a hundred other gunboats and auxiliary battleships?!!"

After scanning the information, Colonel Butler couldn't help but exclaimed.

This was completely beyond his expectation. Let alone attacking Manila, it would not be a surprise for this Eastern fleet to appear on the Spanish mainland.

"Yes, this is the crisis we are going to face."

The Governor of Birmingham was actually very shocked, but now that the facts were placed outside the port, he couldn't help but believe it.

"I have sent people to negotiate with the Qing Dynasty. I believe I will get a reply soon."

After finishing speaking, Governor Birmingham lit his cigar impatiently.

"I have seen the Qing people's army. It is impossible for them to organize such a powerful navy!"

Butler was on a mission to the Puppet Qing Dynasty last year, so he had some understanding of the Puppet Qing Dynasty’s military strength, so he retorted:

"If they had such a powerful navy, their imperial city would not have been breached a few years ago!"

Governor Birmingham tapped the table with his cigar hand and said:

"I don't believe it either, but it is the truth. We have been deceived by the Qing people in recent years! If it is not the navy of the Qing people, is it the small country called Lanfang in Borneo in the west?"

"They can't even deal with the Dutch. It's impossible for them to have such maritime strength!"

After finishing speaking, the Governor of Birmingham also sat back in his chair dejectedly.

He received very limited information about this fleet that suddenly appeared. But if it was the Qing navy as he said, then the situation in the Far East would be dangerous.

Not only Spain, but also Britain and France.

So he had sent people to invite the envoys from Britain and France last night. After the earthquake, the envoys from various countries temporarily withdrew from Manila. It is estimated that the envoys from the two countries will arrive here in the afternoon.

For a moment, the two people in the room were silent, no longer discussing which country the fleet outside the port belonged to, because there was no point in arguing about that.

"I will arrange troops to block the opponent in the port area. The position is preset one kilometer away from the port area..."

Butler broke the silence and spoke out his thoughts.

"One kilometer is too far. Why not let the soldiers enter the port area?"

Governor Birmingham strongly disagreed with Colonel Butler's battle plan.

If the Orientals were allowed to occupy the port area, even if they were defeated in the end, Manila would suffer huge losses.

"There are no defensive facilities in the port area. The streets are straight and very wide. If the soldiers let go there, they will suffer huge losses."

"Our army artillery is no match for the Eastern naval artillery. They even have reconnaissance balloons, while our artillery observers can only observe from rooftops or trees."

Butler came well prepared this time. He had to convince Governor Birmingham to agree to his battle plan, otherwise the army soldiers would suffer heavy losses.

The two argued in the room for a full hour, and finally Governor Birmingham reluctantly agreed to Colonel Butler's plan, but the defensive distance changed from the initial one kilometer to relying on the port area for defense.

The reason for persuading Colonel Butler to compromise was very simple, that is, both of them were old enough to return to China for retirement. If the port area suffered heavy losses, the two of them might face criticism after returning to China.

It doesn't matter if you lose a few more soldiers. Most of the soldiers are composed of immigrants anyway.

In the eyes of the Spanish royal family, these people are just a series of numbers. There is not much difference between 10,000 people and 20,000 people.

But if the losses in the port area are serious, those European businessmen will definitely encourage the government behind them to go to the Spanish royal family to protest.

In that case, people like them who are far away from home will be very passive, and they won't be able to speak clearly when the time comes.

While the two men were arguing, the Pacific Fleet was ready for a full-scale battle.

The forts in the port area have been locked, and I believe that after just a few salvos, the opponent will be able to withdraw from this battle.

And the airships have begun to inflate, and they will appear over Manila in a few hours.

The captured governor's son was right, the governor of Birmingham would not agree to cede the land.

Li Mingqi didn't expect the other party to agree. It didn't matter if he didn't agree, as long as the Spanish royal family agreed.

After annihilating the Spanish in Luzon this time, I believe that the Spanish royal family can make the right choice.

Losing Luzon in the Far East or losing Cuba and Puerto Rico, the Spanish royal family should be able to distinguish the importance.