The Book of Manunggaling Universe

CHAPTER 57, PREPARATIONS AGAINST THE FORCES OF PRINCE MANGKUBUMI

The VOC had apparently sniffed out the plan to attack Pangeran Mangkubumi's forces to conquer the northern coastal areas of Java, ranging from Pati, Jepara, Demak, Semarang, to Brebes.

Governor-General Baron Van Imhoff sent thousands of relief troops from Batavia and Ternate.

From Batavia the VOC forces were led by Major Clerck, and the troops from Ternate were led by Captain Tack, a native son of Ternate who was skilled in the military and served the VOC.

Upon their arrival in Java, they held meetings and cooperation with regents and dukes in several regions, including the duke Rogodiningrat in Banyumas, Tumenggung Joyodiningrat in Pekalongan, Tumenggung Cokrojoyo in Batang, Jayengngrono's presence in Brebes, and Wirodijoyo's presence in Grobogan, as well as a rallying force with the Deedric Van Osch's majors in Jepara.

In the Duchy of Banyumas itself, the duke of Rogodiningrat had trained four thousand troops, namely the Geni bregada with rifle weapons, Tirta's bregada with spear weapons, Bayu's bregada with arrow weapons, and the, bregada Bhumi with sword weaponry and five VOC-given cannons to hold the forces of Prince Mangkubumi in his territory.

Unbeknownst to him, part of Prince Mangkubumi's army, the, mahesa Geni had formed seventy tens of warriors hidden in Alas Krabut and conducted telik kandi activities in the territory of the Duchy of Banyumas and routinely sent news about the development of the situation in the Banyumas region at Danang Hadikusumo, which was then passed on to Prince Mangkubumi.

The new Duke of Banyumas seemed satisfied with the readiness of the formation of soldiers, coupled with his confidence that he had mastered Rawerontek and Batara Karang studies and Komara Geni studies, which has made it as a swordsman choose a match that is very difficult to find a match.

He was then busy enjoying worldly pleasures by caring for dozens of mistresses he raised without marriage, as one of the conditions for Rawerontek and Batara Karang studies which he inherited from Eyang Arka Abhimana, a black sect adherent of Alas Roban the powerful mandraguna.

Several times also duke Rogodiningrat held a competition of kanuragan to try his magic and do it to attract the warriors who if he could be invited to join forces against the forces of Prince Mangkubumi.

All warriors were defeated and even killed in the competition, but two warriors who he considered quite powerful invited joined the lure of high pay, namely Singo Menggolo, and Nogo Puspito, two great warriors from Madura and Cilacap.

He also appointed the Kusumo Jati warrior as the senopati of the Duchy of Banyumas because he was considered loyal and reliable to control the troops, plus forty special forces of his own who have high ability to guard it.

High taxes began to be carried out in the Banyumas region after the departure of the duke of Yudonegoro who had previously withdrawn to serve in the palace because it was considered not in line with the VOC.

The arbitrariness of the duke Rogodiningrat increasingly becomes so by several times taking property or the wives of others who are considered beautiful and will be able to please his lust.

The people of Banyumas were very distressed and oppressed by the policies and arbitrariness of the duke of Rogodiningrat who was considered very far and contrary to the previous duke of Judonegoro who was wise and wise and just, until loved by all the people of Banyumas, but as ordinary people they do not have the power to fight let alone to carry out a rebellion, until they wait for the intervention of Gusti the Almighty who is expected to come through the troops of Prince Mangkubumi.

While in his recovery period, Danang sent a message to Mahesa Geni and dozens of other patang soldiers, including Mappatoba to bring all his troops to join him in the village of Sekarjati in preparation to attack Jepara and Grobogan.

After a week of lying down and resting, the healer who examined the state of his body was amazed and amazed by the ability of the young man's body to recover.

“At this time the state of raden has been much better, it seems that next week raden has been able to do activities as usual. But should not raden force themselves to recover fully as usual.”ujar healer Husodo who examined the condition of the handsome young man.

“Previously according to my estimates raden should lie until at least one full moon, then can only do kanuragan activities two weeks later. But it seems my guess is wrong, even now the blood vessels raden has expanded as if to understand the state and desire raden.”, he said with a laugh.

“Thank God be the healer, praise be to Gusti the Great Who has given me such a quick recovery.”push the young man with a smile.

He planned to recover quickly and meet Susuhunan Kabanaran who reportedly arrived in the Duchy of Pati, to prepare the next steps.

“How about warrior training here kakang?”the young man asked Sasongko and Sumitro.

“It's been better Gusti Prince. In terms of spirit, they are in high combat spirit due to our victory the other day. But in terms of ability, it seems that there is still much to be addressed, especially for former village soldiers who have surrendered and joined us.” replied Sasongko sparingly.

“But why kakang, it takes a short time to prepare the ability of the troops."said the young leader of the unit of soldiers patang tens.

"Help the leg and the others keep doing the training for them. They will be used to guard this region later.”ujar the young man.

“What about Gusti Pangeran's plan of conquest of Jepara and Grobogan? Are they not included?”sumitro asked his lord.

“I have other plans kakang. We will see later, may Gusti Yang Almighty give us luck.”ujar the young man with a smile...