Total War: Restoration of the Ming Dynasty in Luzon

Chapter 34 Negotiation

As for warnings to other European powers, the effect was rather subtle.

After receiving the so-called warning, the representatives of the Dutch East India Company outwardly expressed their respect and commitment to neutrality, but then immediately sent intelligence to their Batavia headquarters about the emergence of a powerful anti-Spanish force in northern Luzon and the Spanish's predicament.

The Dutch had long coveted Spain's colonies in the Far East, and the two countries had fought several battles during the tenures of previous governors of the Philippines.

Therefore, how could they possibly remain neutral and obediently watch the show from the sidelines?

While sending out intelligence, the representative also strongly suggested that the company send envoys to Lin Jiayan to make contact with the Chinese uprising army, provide them with weapons and ammunition, and make things more difficult for the Spanish. The company could then take advantage of this opportunity to seize the Spanish colonies.

Not only did the Dutch have ulterior motives, but British merchants and Portuguese missionaries also had their own plans. The British had always wanted to find an opportunity to intervene in the Far East and increase their influence there.

They were equally intrigued by the news of the Spanish backyard being on fire, and several British merchant ship captains and their shipboard business representatives met privately, believing this to be an excellent opportunity to intervene.

Without directly sending troops, simply providing some "unofficial" support would secure a place for Britain in the future trade landscape of Luzon and even the entire Far East, and might even gain a potential ally against Spain and the Netherlands.

They also encrypted the intelligence and sent it out on the next merchant ship bound for Madras, British India, along with their own analysis and recommendations.

The attitude of the Portuguese missionaries was more complex.

On the one hand, as long-established Catholic countries, Portugal and Spain had a traditional alliance and both had colonies in Asia. They were instinctively wary of any "rebellion" that might shake the dominance of Catholic Europe in Asia.

On the other hand, Portugal and Spain also competed for colonial interests, especially in the spice trade and the division of mission areas. Some Portuguese missionaries even complained about Spain's harsh policies toward the Chinese in Luzon.

Therefore, while they were unlikely to intervene as actively as the Dutch and British, they were closely monitoring the situation and sending messages back to Goa and Macau to alert the local bishops and governors to the changing circumstances. At the same time, they were secretly observing whether it was possible to use this opportunity to expand Portugal's influence, or at least... to prevent the Dutch from gaining too much advantage.

Governor Juan's seemingly strong warning not only failed to frighten his cunning European counterparts, but instead attracted more sharks, like throwing more bait into a pond.

The entire Manila Bay seemed to have become a huge intelligence exchange market and a breeding ground for conspiracies.

Against this backdrop of undercurrents, Zhu Jiheng's envoys, after some twists and turns, finally made contact with the Pasig tribe of Bangbanya, a powerful clan located southwest of Lingaya.

The Pasig tribe was a large branch of the Pampanga people, living in the fertile valley of the upper Pasig River. They had a large population and suffered heavy losses due to the Spanish forced labor to build roads and fortresses, which caused them to harbor resentment for a long time.

The tribal chief, Lakan Dula, was old and highly respected, and was known for his shrewdness and prudence. He had already heard the news of the change of leadership in Lingayan and the great victory at Snake Kiss Gorge, and was shocked, but unlike the Kabugao tribe, he did not immediately express his opinion. Instead, he was observing and weighing his options.

The Ming envoys carried a personal letter from Zhu Jiheng and generous gifts—including silk, porcelain, ironware, and a small bag of refined salt—but they waited outside the village of the Pasig tribe for two whole days before being allowed to enter and meet Lakan Dula, who was sitting upright on a bamboo high chair.

The actions of the Pasigians displeased the Ming envoys, but in order to prevent them from siding with the Spanish, they had no choice but to suppress their displeasure.

He then conveyed Zhu Jiheng's greetings and desire for alliance to Lacan, who was seated at the head of the table, promising to respect the autonomy and land of the Pasig tribe, to jointly fight against Spanish tyranny, and to grant them trade privileges and tax reductions after the war.

Rakan listened quietly, his cloudy yet still sharp eyes sweeping over the exquisite gifts before finally settling on the envoy's face. In a hoarse voice, he said:

"Honorable envoys of the Ming Dynasty, I have seen and heard your gifts and words. It is a fact that the Spanish are greedy vultures who devour our flesh and blood. I am surprised that you were able to defeat their army, and it has shown me another possibility."

He paused, then changed the subject: "But young man, war is not child's play, and allies are not just empty words. The Spanish still have many troops in Manila, many cannons and warships, and their governor is like an angry boar, gathering more henchmen."

"Are you... truly prepared? Can you withstand their next, perhaps even fiercer, attack? If you are defeated, what kind of retribution will my people face if they follow you?"

The envoy was prepared, and after hearing the interpreter's retelling, he replied neither humbly nor arrogantly:

"Your Excellency, Your Highness fully understands your concerns. He has instructed me to convey to you that since we dared to raise an army, we are determined and prepared to win. The victory at Snake Kiss Gorge proved our army's strength. The defenses of Lingayan are being reinforced, and more warriors are joining us. It will take time for the Spanish to transfer troops from afar, and with each passing day, we grow stronger. As for revenge..."

The envoy straightened his back and raised his voice: "His Highness's goal has never been to remain in a corner of the world, but to completely drive the Spanish out of Luzon! As long as the Great Chieftain fights alongside us, we are brothers who will live and die together. Victory belongs to all of us. And in the unlikely event... the worst-case scenario, His Highness promises to live and die with all his loyal allies! He will be the first to die in the war against the Spanish!"

Rakan's eyes flickered slightly. The envoy's words and demeanor were unlike any power he had ever encountered before. There was no humble pleading, nor arrogant boasting, only a calm confidence and a clear analysis of the advantages and disadvantages.

"I need to see more." After a long silence, Rakan finally said, "I accept the gift and thank your prince, but I cannot give you a definite answer for now. I will send my son and several tribal elders with you back to Lingayan to see your strength, your cities, and your leaders with your own eyes. Once they return and tell me everything they have seen, I will make a decision."

The envoy was secretly pleased. This was already a very good start. As long as the Pasig tribe's expeditionary force saw with their own eyes the preparations of Ling Jiayan and the strength of the Ming army, the chances of success would be great.

"We respectfully obey the Great Chief's wishes. We welcome your envoy and will treat him with the utmost courtesy, allowing him to see the true situation."