Chapter 488: Contempt

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“It’s a pity the cavalry didn’t come this time, otherwise none of these Wokou would have escaped,” Lu Fei said, covered in blood, walking up the high ground. “These Wokou think they can test their skills against this commander. They’re just asking for death.”

Saying that, Lu Fei threw three katanas on the ground and continued, “Your Highness, these Wokou katanas are really good. If it were old weapons, they wouldn’t hold up against these katanas.”

Historically, the quality of Wokou katanas was indeed good. But Xiao Ming cared little for these now. The Wokou’s silver, gold, and sulfur were what he really wanted.

The war was still ongoing, and Lu Fei had come to ask Xiao Ming for the next orders.

“Luo Xin, coordinate with Lu Fei immediately to capture Michira Castle. Also send four thousand troops to support Claire. Their situation seems bad,” Xiao Ming said.

From his vantage point, Xiao Ming could also see Claire commanding troops fighting Wokou reinforcements. Despite the Wokou’s overwhelming numbers, the Dutch were holding their ground.

“Yes, Your Highness!” Lu Fei and Luo Xin answered together.

Luo Xin immediately ordered soldiers to use horses to pull the field cannons toward Michira Castle, while Lu Fei gathered four thousand men and headed toward Claire. Xiao Ming led the remaining soldiers toward Michira Castle.

With Qingzhou army support, the Wokou reinforcements near Claire were soon crushed. Taking advantage of the chaos, Luo Xin and Lu Fei also successfully captured Michira Castle.

After the victory, the Dutch troops and Xiao Ming continued to send soldiers to eliminate the remaining Wokou, while most soldiers stationed inside Michira Castle.

The war lasted from noon until dusk. When night fell, Lu Fei handed over the battle data to Xiao Ming.

“Your Highness, we eliminated six thousand Wokou this time, captured over one thousand prisoners, and the rest fled. We found no bodies of Sakai or Makino Haruaki,” Lu Fei reported.

“What a pity. That villain Sakai escaped again,” Rhodes said angrily.

Claire still mourned the loss of over seven hundred soldiers. After this Wokou uprising, their strength in Ryukyu was further weakened.

Through this battle, Claire also understood the power of the Qingzhou army. This was no weak force.

In her view, this army was already very close to their European musketeer units.

“Sakai is no longer important. We have retaken Michira Castle, and the Wokou have no foothold on the island,” Claire said.

Xiao Ming nodded. The Wokou were crushed and basically lost their fighting ability. They could not resist him holding Michira Castle. He now officially controlled Ryukyu main island and the sea routes.

Because at this time, all merchant ships heading south had to pass through the strait west of Ryukyu. Now he could directly cut off trade from Korea and the Wokou going south, including the Chu and Wei princes.

“Count Claire, this battle proves my loyalty to the treaty. I hope you will faithfully fulfill your part. From now on, you must cease all trade with the Wokou.”

To Xiao Ming, this battle was the best warning to Claire. If she wasn’t stupid, she would understand what to do next.

Sighing inwardly, Claire knew she had no choice. The Netherlands was thousands of miles away. It was impossible to send tens of thousands of troops to East Asia. In fact, as their national power declined, even maintaining existing colonies was difficult. Besides, the British were eyeing their colonies greedily.

“As you wish, Your Highness. From today, the treaty takes effect. I will honor it. Ryukyu main island and Michira bastion are officially handed over to you. I also hope you will station two thousand troops permanently in Fort Zeelandia.”

Claire felt a wave of shame. This was one nation bowing to another.

Now European thought claimed “White supremacy, all others inferior,” because in a century of colonization, there had never been a case where Europeans lost to people of color and were forced to sign humiliating treaties.

So Claire was extremely unwilling. Though he submitted for the company’s benefit, he shared the mainstream European disdain for people of color.

In his view, these people of color were only fit to be their slaves and servants.

Xiao Ming noticed the fleeting arrogance in Claire’s eyes. He also understood Claire’s unwillingness. But compared to Claire’s restraint, the emotions of Dutch soldiers were more direct and clear.

Still, Xiao Ming enjoyed this feeling, because he wanted to prove they lost because of technology, not skin color. In the future, he would make more Europeans understand this and put away their arrogance.

In the silence, Claire and Rhodes led the Dutch soldiers away from Michira Castle.

Watching the Dutch leave, a faint smile appeared on Xiao Ming’s lips. He had to admit that in the modern age of ocean navigation, Europe held the stage. But here, he would not miss this feast.

“Your Highness, these red-haired devils don’t look very happy,” Lu Fei scratched his head and said.

Luo Xin sneered, “Of course not. Now Fort Zeelandia and Ryukyu Island are under our control. They can only be our vassals.”

Xiao Ming nodded at Luo Xin’s words. “Luo Xin is right. We and the Dutch only use each other and can never fully trust one another. After all, they are Europeans, and they are wary of everyone outside Europe.”

Lu Fei and Luo Xin both nodded.

After a pause, Xiao Ming continued, “Are the wounded soldiers properly taken care of?”

“Yes, they are receiving treatment inside the castle by Dutch medical officers,” Lu Fei said.

Compared to the heavy losses of the Wokou, the Qingzhou army performed excellently. The flintlock rifle’s range advantage showed in this battle, and Qingzhou’s losses were relatively small.

“Your Highness, what about the captured Wokou prisoners?” Lu Fei asked.

Xiao Ming walked to a table with a map showing the details of Ryukyu main island. He said, “Keep them on the island as slaves for labor. There is plenty of sugarcane here but not enough people to load ships.”

“Sugarcane?” Luo Xin’s mouth watered. “Do they grow sugarcane on Ryukyu Island? That’s really sweet stuff.”

Lu Fei had never eaten sugarcane and looked puzzled.

The Dutch had mainly planted sugarcane and rice on Ryukyu during their occupation. It was now the season for a bumper sugarcane harvest. Most importantly, the Dutch had built white sugar workshops on the island.