nucmednet Chapter 314 Manila
Chapter 314 Manila
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"Going to Manila?" Putmans asked warily. "Weren't you supposed to be visiting the council members of the Dutch East India Company? Why are you going to see these arrogant Iberians? Are you all plotting something?"
Gao Jie chuckled: "You're overthinking it, Mr. Putmans. We wouldn't stoop to joining forces with the Spanish against you Dutchmen. To be precise, you're all targets we're going to expel. The General wants complete control of Taiwan, and besides you, the Spanish also have a stronghold on Taiwan that must be eliminated. To make the foolish Spanish realize the reality of the Far East and solve the problem once and for all, we must show Manila our strength."
The most dreadful time of day in Manila is midday. In the morning, knocking on the window and stepping inside brings a refreshing coolness. However, this bliss is short-lived. Just as the morning breeze washes away sleepiness, the scorching heat quickly assaults you from outside. Even gazing out at the sea is futile, as the shimmering waves resemble raging coals. The Spanish-style whitewashed walls of the houses radiate a dazzling white light, while the sky appears as a sea of fire, blinding you.
Before noon, going out had become a torturous ordeal, while staying indoors brought on a lethargy, with sleepiness returning and forcing people into the stifling cage of gauze curtains and mats. Only at dusk could people awaken from their slumber and feel a little better. The Spanish conquered the Philippines, but were conquered by the weather, forced to change their customs and schedule their beloved bullfights for dusk.
The rainy season in the Philippines is usually daunting, but today was an exception. The damp mist that usually hangs in the sky gradually dissipated, leaving Manila Cathedral, the Governor's Palace, and the distant city walls standing like ghosts in the intermittent fog.
The mayor's residence in Manila was bustling with activity. Despite the rainy afternoon, candlelight shone through the gaps in the shutters, and a band played alternating solemn sarabandes and lively tarantellas. There was no doubt that Mayor Isabella was hosting a grand banquet, arguably the most extravagant in Manila ever, with even the garden adorned with colorful lanterns made of Japanese paper. Those with worldly experience would recognize this lavish display as a fashionable imitation of Italian customs.
Aside from the governor and the archbishop, almost all of Manila's prominent figures were gathered here. The affectedly elegant conversations and laughter of gentlemen and ladies mingled with the music, interspersed with the shouts of servants, sometimes loud and sometimes soft. The short, white-uniformed servant Tagalog, carrying cups and trays, sweating profusely, occasionally bumped into the tall, muscular black slaves, sometimes weaving through the crowd.
From time to time, servants would loudly announce from the entrance of the hall the arrival of a certain colonel, an official, or a wealthy man who had bought a noble title. Sometimes, a slight commotion would arise in the crowd upon hearing a certain name or title, but most names would only receive a dismissive glance or a contemptuous smile.
Manila was far too remote. The few prominent figures in the colonial upper class were already well-known in social circles and no longer aroused any excitement. As for the unknown merchants who, apart from their legendary wealth, were simply trying to appear cultured by imitating the manners of peninsula literati, they were even less of an interest.
Such gatherings are frequent, and this is one of the few ways that the increasingly declining Manila can console itself: compared to the money-grubbing Dutch, Iberian social gatherings are more elegant and sophisticated.
The Spanish—or rather, the Habsburgs—were the world’s first global empire, unfortunately born in an era without radio or motorized ships. In the Mediterranean, they faced the Turks; on the European continent, the Protestant German princes and the treacherous French; then the Dutch and British, who relentlessly attacked Spanish ships and colonies in Asia and the Americas.
It seemed that adding more burdens to the empire was necessary, as the Spanish king had now also become the king of Portugal. The already strained Spanish navy was now tasked with protecting Portuguese territories. Therefore, in the 17th century, compared to the Dutch, the maritime carriers, and the rising British, the decline of Spain was not accidental, but inevitable. Manila's almost self-deceptive and decadent lifestyle was a microcosm of this environment.
Such gatherings were held almost every weekend. If it weren't for some bad news, the socialites and dignitaries would end the gathering under the influence of alcohol, while the ladies exchanging glances and the young fortress officers would secretly meet and cuckold their husbands.
A messenger entered the hall in a panic and whispered a few words to Mayor Isabella.
The mayor's face turned extremely grim. He gestured for the band to stop playing, then announced to the astonished crowd, "I regret to inform you that I must end this gathering prematurely. An unidentified fleet has blockaded the port. Governor Salamanca has ordered all entertainment to cease, officers to return to their posts, and the entire city to be on alert."
The blushing ladies were stunned, then began to curse these unknown men for ruining their pleasant rendezvous.
The young officers, their faces grim, knew what a blockade of the port by a hostile fleet meant. One officer shouted, "It must be those damned Dutchmen! They've been planning this insane move for ages!" The Dutch were vying for control of their colonies with Spain, the long-established maritime power, especially in the Far East. Manila and Batavia had long coveted each other's dominance.
At this moment, inside the Governor's Mansion in Manila, Salamanca was frowning as he looked out the window. From the sea-facing window, he could see the sails towering above the harbor over the castle's fortifications—clearly, this was a sizable fleet, and one whose tonnage exceeded that of ordinary galleons.
Every governor of a Spanish or Portuguese colony was well aware that, in the event of an enemy attack, they would receive no support unless a local fleet happened to be stationed in the harbor. The colony's defense depended solely on itself, and it had to prepare for battle in peacetime.
After observing for a moment, he summoned a messenger: "Order all army soldiers to go into defensive position to prevent the enemy from attacking the castle. Then send someone to negotiate with them and find out their intentions."