The Fox of France

Chapter 524: The Good Governor

Besides the loss of personnel, the material losses were also immense. Since the Netherlands had sent fewer soldiers, their ship was loaded with the most goods. The sunken ship contained a large amount of coal, as well as gunpowder, medicines, and several large cannons.

Fortunately, the remaining two transport ships also carried these items. Originally, according to the "Europa Shipping Alliance," each ship was to carry only one type of cargo to facilitate loading and unloading. However, the French Navy stipulated that each transport ship must carry a balanced load of materials to ensure that if a ship is destroyed in a disaster, the entire army would not be paralyzed due to a lack of certain materials.

Moreover, the damaged transport ship also suffered significant losses of materials. However, since it was temporarily impossible to unload, an exact inventory could not be conducted. Nevertheless, considering that the cannons were relatively sturdy, they were likely not too severely damaged.

After this battle, the combined fleet redefined its safety strategy. First, lookout posts were established at the entrance of the bay to enhance early warning capabilities. It was also mandated that three colonial cruisers must have a fire lit and be on standby every night.

The loss of one transport ship had already tightened the coal supply. The extent of coal loss on another severely damaged transport ship was still unclear. Therefore, some suggested that this could eventually lead to a coal shortage for the fleet, preventing a return to Europe.

To this, Mr. Philippe Treveil responded, "Compared to the friendship between Cape Town, France, and the Netherlands, the value of these warships is negligible. As long as we win this battle, whether these ships can return to Europe is unimportant. Moreover, once Cape Town is liberated, France will still open a route to India for Europe. At that time, we might even build a port east of Cape Town to aid our Dutch allies there. Then these ships will not need to return. If necessary, we can always send another coal transport ship from home."

Thus, the matter was settled. However, British warships have not returned to this area since then.

Most of the French soldiers had also left the bay, and the docks were gradually being constructed. About twenty days later, the dock was finally completed, and various supplies, including the crucial cannons, began to be unloaded from the ships. The military situation in southern Africa was completely changed.

At this time, the French were not really focused on Cape Town anymore. A battalion of French troops arrived, but only two companies actually went with the Dutch militia near Cape Town—of course, they brought along all remaining four cannons. As for the remaining company, it went east with several geographers and port construction experts. According to them, France needed to find a suitable bay for building a port further to the east.

The Dutch militia did not lack infantry, so the French deploying a company for geographical surveying did not bother Baber. Not to mention, having a French colony on the eastern side of Cape Town could reduce some of the trouble brought by Zulu uncles.

What was even more frightening was their terrifying accuracy, allowing them to hit British cannon positions with armor-piercing shells from beyond the effective range of the British iron cannonballs.

Of course, hitting every shot was impossible, but striking one out of five or six shots was quite feasible. The British had enough cannons to keep up their bombardment for a while, but it was clear to everyone that Cape Town was hard to hold.

Still, the British clung to a glimmer of hope, hoping that the British Navy could gain an advantage in the battle and send reinforcements—they were still unaware of the results of the North Atlantic naval battle.

The French outside the city used propaganda shells to inform them of the decisive French victory in the North Atlantic naval battle, but the British inside did not quite believe it.

The British also knew that the French cannons, using special propellants and shells, could not be resupplied in South Africa, so they hoped that the French would face a shortage of ammunition.

To entice the French to waste their shells, the British even requisitioned wooden pillars from residents' homes in the city. They painted these pillars black to mimic cannons to draw French fire.

At first, this trick had some effect, but somehow the ruse was leaked. The French quickly stopped falling for it, always sending Dutch militia with demolition charges in feigned attacks, only bombarding the fort's cannon positions after seeing them fire.

The British suspected that the Dutch still in the city had leaked the information to the outside. Thus, someone suggested that all the Dutch in the city, regardless of age or gender, be killed. However, the Governor, after considering the current situation, vetoed this proposal, choosing instead to keep them under strict surveillance. He also spoke privately with a somewhat influential Dutch person.

Many British were spreading rumors that the Governor actually wanted to negotiate with the people outside the city to secure better surrender terms for everyone. This, of course, was a rumor, but when spreading it, everyone would add, "The Governor is truly a far-sighted and good person."