Iron Dynasty Chapter 1040

Chen Wei’s advance hit a sudden wall of lead as he was met with a relentless barrage of fire. Confronted by such intense and unexpected defensive power, his soldiers immediately scrambled for cover to preserve their lives.

He raised his binoculars, peering toward the stone barricade that stood taller than a man, finally grasping the source of the Dutchmen’s surge in firepower.

Recognizing the inherent lethality of their slow-loading muskets, the Dutch had adapted; some soldiers were now dedicated solely to reloading, while others focused exclusively on firing, significantly bolstering their rate of attack.

This tactical arrangement was not foreign to the Imperial troops, as they had employed similar firing lines themselves when battling barbarians in the earlier days of matchlock warfare.

“How did these Dutchmen manage to get so clever? This is a headache. A direct assault will result in heavy casualties for our men,” a squad leader remarked to Chen Wei.

Nodding in agreement, Chen Wei replied, “Get the machine gun teams up here to provide cover fire immediately. Once they open up, you lead your men forward with grenades under their protective umbrella.”

“Understood.”

The squad leader acknowledged the order and promptly retreated, crouching low to avoid flying lead. Moments later, the machine gun crews arrived at the forward position.

Seeing them in place, Chen Wei signaled for the machine guns to pour fire onto the soldiers hunkered down behind the stone wall.

Their current coordinates were disadvantageous, as the terrain stretching from the riverside to their position was a flat, exposed bank that offered the Dutch a perfect line of sight.

“Dah dah dah…”

The machine guns roared, spitting fire at the enemy line. Slugs slammed into the makeshift stone barrier, the sheer ferocity of the barrage forcing the Dutch defenders to keep their heads down.

Additional machine gun squads arrived soon after, forming a steady, unwavering line and unleashing a relentless torrent of bullets.

Observing the Dutch counter-fire falter, Chen Wei waved his hand, signaling his company to push toward the fortification.

The soldiers summoned their remaining reserves of stamina, sprinting ahead in a zig-zag “S” pattern to minimize their vulnerability.

Behind the wall, Eric found himself in a desperate situation. His tactical shift had only bought him a small window of success; the arrival of the machine guns had tilted the balance back decisively against him. The continuous hail of bullets made it impossible for his men to even peek over the top.

In that critical moment, he spotted the Imperial platoon advancing on them. He scrambled to order a concentrated volley toward the flanking group.

Yet, the sight that greeted him left him stunned. The path the soldiers took was erratic and unpredictable. Just as his men would draw a bead and pull the trigger, the Imperial soldiers would shift their position in an instant, rendering the shots ineffective.

Eric felt a swell of complex emotions—a mix of defeat and grudging respect. He realized there was much to learn from the Chinese Empire, but that window of opportunity had firmly slammed shut.

Watching the Imperial soldiers close the gap and then glancing toward the harbor, where his armed merchant vessels were preparing to depart, he saw his men scurrying toward the docks. He immediately signaled for a full retreat.

Eight hundred Dutch soldiers turned and bolted toward the ships. The moment the last of them scrambled aboard, the merchant fleet turned toward the center of the river and made for the mouth of the stream.

By the time Chen Wei reached the riverbank, it was too late. The river outside Manila was expansive, stretching nearly three li across. The vessels in the center were already out of reach.

Furthermore, the current was running fast, and the ships were moving with haste. Within moments, they were nothing but silhouettes disappearing into the distance.

“Alert the fleet to give chase immediately!” Chen Wei muttered, frustrated that their prize had slipped through their fingers.

An orderly acknowledged the command and sprinted off.

After catching one final glimpse of the retreating Dutch merchant ships, Chen Wei turned his attention to the gates of Manila. It was finally time to formally take control of the city.

Simultaneously, Yue Yun arrived on the shore, standing alongside Liu Chen to survey the city of Manila spreading out before them.

Originally, this territory had been under Spanish control until the Dutch seized the opportunity to occupy it during the assault on Bohol Island.

Both the Dutch and the Spanish maintained competing colonies across the Philippines, leading to friction and minor skirmishes between them.

A section of land bordering Manila had long been a Dutch stronghold. During their offensive against the Spanish, the Dutch had volunteered for the task of taking Manila. With the conflict resolved, they claimed the city, and Simon had been stationed there to see to their interests.

“This land should have been under the Empire’s banner long ago,” Yue Yun remarked, his gaze piercing.

Liu Chen echoed the sentiment, “Indeed. The Dutch have overstayed their welcome. Yet, despite their long residence, their greed drove them to align with their Western peers.”

“His Majesty has mentioned that Western powers clash constantly because they lack any sense of permanent camaraderie; they are like curs fighting over scraps of colonial interest. However, with the Empire rising as a undeniable power threatening their influence, they may find common ground in unity. That, however, is a dangerous trend,” Yue Yun mused as they began walking toward the city, analyzing the shifting geopolitical landscape.

Liu Chen looked at his ironclad fleet moored nearby with pride. “So what? With these ironclads, control of the seas belongs to us. What does their petty unity matter?”

“You cannot be so dismissive,” Yue Yun replied, gesturing toward the stretchers carrying wounded soldiers. “A united Europe is not in the Empire’s best interest. A fractious, warring Europe serves us far better. It allows us to secure our goals with minimal loss of life.”

Liu Chen gave a brief nod. “You have a point. Compared to our campaigns in Goryeo and Japan, the butcher’s bill in Southeast Asia has certainly grown heavier.”

“Precisely,” Yue Yun answered with a faint smile. “War exists to secure economic prosperity. When the populace is fed and clothed, rebellion withers. That is the bedrock of a strong nation. If the people cannot survive, no amount of conquered land can be held; you will only end up working for the benefit of others.”

Sensing a deeper meaning in Yue Yun’s tone, Liu Chen asked, “Is His Majesty planning to halt the advance west after we secure Southeast Asia?”

Yue Yun chuckled. “You’ve grown sharper of late. His Majesty does intend to pause the expansion once the sea route to the Ottoman Empire is secured. We have swallowed enough territory to need a time of stability. Regional military commands will focus on helping officials establish governance, though the Navy and Marines will remain active. Beyond purging Western fleets, there is the vital task of protecting global trade lanes.”

Liu Chen breathed a sigh of relief. “That is a comfort. The thought of being idle is truly unbearable for a soldier.”

As they conversed, they passed through the city gates. Following the panicked Dutch exit, Manila was in ruins. The local inhabitants had pillaged whatever they could find, leaving the streets strewn with debris and the buildings ransacked.

Surveying the destruction, Liu Chen shook his head, “We must act quickly and send administrators to restore order. Otherwise, the lands we’ve fought blood and treasure to claim will be completely decimated by these looters.”