Iron Dynasty Chapter 1039

Chen Wei leaned forward to survey the trench, which stood taller than he did. Just as his troops, eager for battle, prepared to vault into the pit, he signaled for a sudden halt.

Abiding by the order, the soldiers immediately dropped to the earth before the forward trench line, awaiting further instructions.

“Commander, what is the reason for this pause?” a squad leader inquired, stepping closer.

Chen Wei studied the web of intersecting trenches. “There is something suspicious about these Dutch tactics. I fear a trap. Observe the depth of this trench; should we climb down, escape would be impossible. Even the Dutch require stools just to peek their heads above the parapet.”

“You are correct. Entering there would surely lead to our capture. Rumor has it in Zeelandia that the Dutch are desperate to seize our Han-style rifles and Changping machine guns. They failed previously, so they are undoubtedly planning something else now.”

Chen Wei nodded. This was merely an initial probe; plunging into the trenches with only a single company would be a fool’s errand. “Keep watch here,” he decided, “I shall return to seek orders.”

Chen Wei crouched low, sprinting back to brief Liu Chen on the situation and his observations.

Liu Chen had been wary since their arrival, which was why the reconnaissance was ordered. He found it highly irregular for the Dutch to engage in a formal, static positional battle. No other European power understood the current Empire’s might quite like the Netherlands.

Eric, specifically, understood well that the Chinese Empire possessed the power to shatter all Dutch military presence in Southeast Asia.

Logic dictated that the Dutch should be busy loading their plundered colonial treasures onto ships and fleeing.

Instead, they were doing the complete opposite, proving hidden motives were at play.

“Idiots. Do they truly believe we are forced into a frontal assault simply because they built some earthworks?” Liu Chen scoffed. “Deploy the First Regiment for a frontal feint. The Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Regiments will maneuver to the flanks. We are going to surround them entirely.”

“Understood, sir!”

The marines moved quickly upon receiving their orders. The First Regiment began a loud, aggressive display, utilizing grenades and concentrated machine gun fire to mimic a full-scale assault.

Simultaneously, the remaining marine units fanned out, swinging around the perimeter of the trenches to cut off all exits.

Eric and Simon observed the imperial maneuvers, their hearts sinking in unison. They finally realized the Chinese Empire deployed a force far more disciplined and tactical than the disorganized native militias they were used to.

The Imperial generals were proving far more adaptable than their European counterparts.

“This is dire. They intend to box us in,” Eric stated grimly.

Simon replied, “Any fool can see their designs. There is no alternative left. We must charge.”

“No, that would result in catastrophic casualties; you have witnessed their rapid-fire weaponry,” Eric argued. “We should withdraw to Jakarta and then sail for India. The Allied forces wait for us in Calcutta; they have heavy cavalry and field cannons. At the very least, they are equipped to challenge the Chinese Empire.”

Simon ignored the advice, regarding Eric’s mission as a failure. “I am the Manila administrator. I command you to attack!” he roared at the officers.

Following the demand, the officers vacated their cover and returned to their ranks to rally the native units.

Each soldier grabbed a stool, clambering up the trench walls to unleash waves of fire from their Conqueror rifles toward the advancing imperial frontline.

Gunfire erupted across the field as bullets sleeted toward the Imperial soldiers.

The imperial troops simply prone-fired, their Han-style rifles letting them stay flat while firing efficiently as rear-loaded weapons.

The Dutch were less fortunate. Their Conqueror rifles featured long barrels; after tearing the cartridge, soldiers were forced to stand, exposed, to use a ramrod for powder packing.

In that fatal delay, the native troops became nothing more than target practice for the machine gunners.

“Dah, dah, dah…”

The relentless stutter of the machine guns tore through the native soldiers as they mounted the trenches. Wave after wave fell in the leaden hail.

The first group to climb out was annihilated almost instantly.

Witnessing the slaughter, Simon and Eric felt a cold dread regarding the machine guns, realizing their total inability to counter such fire.

The first push had failed, yet Simon refused to quit. Viewing the lives of the natives as expendable, he yelled, “Why are you hesitating? All native units, charge! I will award one hundred gold bars to anyone who brings back a single Han-style rifle!”

Driven by greed, the terrified soldiers charged forward, only to find the firepower even deadlier than before. Liu Chen had reinforced the First Regiment with a reserve unit, significantly increasing the death zone.

“Dah, dah, dah…”

The intensity turned lethal, and the native soldiers experienced total destruction. The remaining three thousand perished in mere moments. Simon finally lost his composure.

Panic took hold. “Retreat! Everyone, retreat!”

The terrified Dutch soldiers broke ranks and scrambled toward Manila City.

The Pasig River, circling the city, held armed Dutch merchant ships ready for a quick escape. Reaching them was the only chance for survival.

Once the retreat became a rout, it was impossible to organize. The soldiers abandoned the trenches in a disorganized scramble.

Liu Chen immediately signaled the pursuit.

It was a hunt. Dark-green uniformed imperial troops drove the khaki-clad Dutch into the city like livestock. Periodically, the imperial soldiers would stop to aim, and Dutch soldiers would crumple to the ground.

Eric frowned while watching the disciplined imperial marksmen, agonizing over how to counter such effortless reloading.

As he pondered, the Pasig River came into view, but the imperial force was relentless. Noticing the defensive obstacles pre-arranged by the river, Eric had a realization: “Simon, we must hold them back if we hope to board the ships.”

He rallied a detachment of soldiers behind the barricades. He ordered a three-rank firing formation: the first rank would fire, while the rear two ranks cycled firearms. A constant flow of loaded rifles was passed forward while empty weapons were passed to the back for reloading.

“I must have been mad,” Eric muttered, “to have forgotten the hedge-fire technique until now.”