 For the Portuguese, the Dutch fleet came at a time when most of Macau's citizens were in Canton to buy goods for the annual Japan trade; furthermore, the Ming emperor had enlisted the Portuguese to help defend against the Manchu conquest of China in October 1621, taking many able-bodied men and cannons out of Macau.So, in addition to inadequate fortifications, Macau suffered from a shortage of fighting men – Portuguese records estimate that there were only 50 musketeers and 100 residents capable of bearing arms.Lopo Sarmento de Carvalho fully understood that the Dutch would make their landing the next day, so he spent the night inspecting the fortifications and rallying his men to fight to the last.