Chapter 508 High-Level Meeting
For Gao Qiaonan, his personal honor and disgrace have long been integrated with his boss Qian Tiandun. The height that Qian Tiandun can reach within the Haihan system also determines the upper limit of Gao Qiaonan's future career. Therefore, Gao Qiaonan is also very concerned about whether the Annan garrison has the opportunity to participate in Haihan's military operation to occupy the northern part of Hainan Island.
Gao Qiaonan didn't know the contents of the telegram instructions sent from the base camp, but he understood the words "main force" very clearly. As for Qian Tiandun's addition that "the task will be a bit difficult," he was not very care. War is a matter of life and death. Is there anything more difficult than fighting on the battlefield?
"Pass my order!" Qian Tiandun put down the message and began to dictate the instructions: "Combat troops stationed in Heitu Port, Tushan Port, and Yong'an Port will gather at the Annan Field Training Center to report on the day they receive the order! The local Defense is temporarily handed over to the police, militia and army logistics departments. All military personnel on leave will return to the team immediately, and all combat ships of the Navy will begin pre-war maintenance work! ”
Qian Tiandun paused and then said: "In addition, please ask Major Feng Annan from Tushan Port to contact the Annan military and arrange a high-level meeting within this month. I will attend the meeting in person."
Qian Tiandun's order caused the entire northern coast of Annan to move. The Haihan militia troops stationed in Annan were not concentrated together, but were stationed in several ports under Haihan control called concessions. The colonial area in Annan was one of the earliest pilot areas for the military to build a militia system. After nearly three years of operation, the number of militiamen was also considerable. The total population of Haihan in these concession ports was only three. Thousands of people came forward, but the militia had three battalions with a total of about 1,800 troops. In terms of numbers, it was almost the same as the regular army stationed in Annan.
As for combat effectiveness, the reserve force of the militia is certainly not comparable to the regular army that eats military rations. However, basic combat skills and tactics have been specially trained, and the commanders of the militia force are all former militia soldiers who have retired from the regular army. They all also have some practical experience. The equipment of the militia troops is basically old-fashioned matchlocks that have been eliminated by the front-line troops and some cold weapons. The level is basically the same as that of Annan's new army. Although these militia forces are not enough to carry out combat missions on the frontal battlefield, they are enough to maintain and protect local security in peacetime.
Although Qian Tiandun's order was sent to the strongholds along the Annan coast in the form of telegrams, it still took several days to complete the assembly and mobilization of troops, as well as the handover and exchange of defenses with the militia troops. It was not until mid-June that the garrison troops from various places gradually completed their defense changes and rushed to the training base on Cat Ba Island by boat. During this period, Qian Tiandun commanded the training troops stationed on the island and expanded the local station again, because the number of training troops stationed here in the next two to three months will be the current capacity. doubled.
Qian Tiandun concentrated all the main combat troops of the Haihan Militia in Annan on Cat Ba Island, and then began to conduct targeted combat rehearsal training. This time the military also spent a lot of money. According to Qian Tiandun's request, a large number of ammunition was specially produced and sent to Cat Ba Island for the combat troops to conduct live-fire exercises. There was even an artillery company with complete combat organization sent along - of course, this was temporarily transferred to the command of Qian Tiandun. The capital of the base camp was not strong enough to send the urgent artillery organization to the Annan Military Region.
In late June, Qian Tiandun handed over the training affairs to Feng Annan and Mu Xiabai, who had rushed back to Cat Ba Island. He took a few entourage by boat to Tushan Port, where he would discuss with Annan's Dingbei. The inverse general Zheng Bai held an official meeting.
Zheng Bai was already the commander-in-chief of the Zhengjiang Hengshan defense line during the Annam Civil War a few years ago. Later, he went south to attack Hue. He commanded the North Vietnamese army to encircle Hue City and cooperated with the Haihan militia in the battle. The title "Dingbei to fight against rebellion" was added in front of the military rank to show the commendation. However, as far as his status in the army is concerned, he has basically been unable to rise. If he goes up any higher, he will have to be crowned king. And now the actual leader of the Annan court, Zheng Jie, has not proclaimed himself emperor, but only supports the Qing capital. The name of the king. Zheng Bai wanted to move up, unless Zheng Zhi proclaimed himself emperor, which would free up room for him to rise.
But Zheng Zhi wants to proclaim himself emperor, but he probably won't be able to do it for a while. In addition to traditional moral and reputation considerations, the country of Annam has not yet completely calmed down. In the vast mountainous area north of Thang Long Province, there are still some rebels from the Le Dynasty who are still resisting. In the words of Haihan's military adviser, these resistance forces are extremist terrorists. Before completing the complete clearing of the northern mountainous area, Zheng Zhi cannot be said to have "complete merits and virtues" for the time being, and forcibly proclaiming himself emperor will most likely affect his own reputation.
As a senior military official, Zheng Bai also knew the stakes involved. Therefore, he did not place his hope on Zheng Zhi's early proclaimed emperor in exchange for his own promotion space, but instead placed his hope on the next generation.
Zheng Bai's second son Zheng Ting was sent to Tushan training camp by Zheng Bai to receive training as Haihan's military advisor when Annan first entered into military cooperation with Haihan. Later, he also fought with Haihan on the front line during the Annan Civil War. The troops cooperated in operations, and even went to Sanya to participate in the advanced training course for senior army officers held by the Haihan Militia. They even followed the militia to Guangdong in 1628 and observed the militia's operations at Lijiazhuang and Dangan Island at close range. Zheng Ting can be said to be the first batch of young officers in the Annan Army to receive systematic Haihan military training, and he was quickly reused in the Annan Army. The Annan Guard Corps was established in accordance with the Haihan military establishment. The first firearms unit was commanded by Zheng Ting.
This unit made many military exploits in the Annan Civil War, and Zheng Ting also rose to prominence and became a representative figure of young senior officers in the Annan Army. If all goes well, Zheng Ting will definitely be able to enter the senior ranks of Annan's military before he is forty years old, and may even surpass the achievements of his father Zheng Bai - behind Zheng Ting, in addition to the Zheng family's own In addition to support, there is also the presence of Haihan, a force that cannot be ignored.
In the early days of their cooperation, the Zheng family and his son were actually wary of Haihan. They knew very well that the various military support measures Haihan provided to Annan were not free. Annan paid a huge price in land, population, and wealth, as well as various local regulations that clearly favor Haihan. But later they discovered that the Haihan people were not satisfied with obtaining these benefits, but were trying to gradually infiltrate Annan society in a variety of not obvious ways.
Haihan's goods, Haihan's culture, and Haihan's various ideas have been pouring into Annan in recent years. Businessmen who have established trade relations with Haihan have made a lot of money. They can speak Chinese and write The Annan people with Chinese characters can find a job with a stable income under the Haihan people at any time as long as they are willing. Even young officers like Zheng Ting who have received Haihan military training have more promotion opportunities than the traditional way. Much faster.
Qian Tiandun had a private meeting with Zheng Bai on this matter, which expressed Haihan's attitude: Haihan could try to push Zheng Ting to the top of the military as soon as possible, on the condition that the Zheng family and his son try their best to influence the Annan military to make Its pace is highly consistent with Haihan, and the military cooperation relationship between the two parties will continue - simply put, it is to ensure the continued existence of arms orders and military training.
The method adopted by Haihan was simple and effective. Every year for the exchange of military personnel from both sides, the Haihan military would designate Zheng Ting to attend. During the annual joint military exercises, the commander of the Annan side designated by Haihan also named Zheng Ting. In short, as long as it is dealing with high-level affairs of the militia and military, Annan can basically only ask Zheng Ting to come forward. This kind of resources guarantees Zheng Ting’s status in Annan’s military. Although it may attract jealousy, as long as Zheng Ting is While he is still in the army, no one else can take away this resource.
Although the Zheng family and his son did not agree with Haihan's approach of infiltrating Annan, they could not refuse the olive branch offered by the Haihan people. After all, the Annan court now relies on the Haihan people from top to bottom. If they really make them unhappy, their lives may not be in danger, but if they want to replace Zheng Ting's position in the Annan army, it will be nothing more. It's just a matter of time. You must know that there are not too many young officers in the Annan army who admire Haihan. They can easily pick out a large number of people who are willing to cooperate with the Haihan militia. And these people probably will not have as many scruples as the Zheng family and his son, and can go there. When you go up, you never stop. After receiving the news from the messenger from Tushan Port, Zheng Bai set out from Thang Long Palace and spent two days rushing to Tushan Port to wait for Qian Tiandun's arrival. He had dealt with Qian Tiandun many times, and he also knew that this young Haihan officer was very pragmatic and took the initiative to request talks. There must be some practical matters that needed to be negotiated. Moreover, Zheng Ting was not named to participate in the talks this time, most likely because the confidentiality of this matter was relatively high, which clearly shows its importance.
Qian Tiandun arrived at Tushan Port only three hours later than Zheng Bai. After landing, he did not go to the Tushan training camp. Instead, he sent someone there to ask Zheng Bai to come to the Haihan Office on the Tushan Peninsula. Have discussions.
"General Qian specially invited me to come here for a while. What do you want to learn from me?" Zheng Bai didn't show any airs after receiving the news. He rode straight over and rode over. The two of them didn't exchange too many greetings after meeting. Soon we got to the point.
"The main thing is to discuss with General Zheng the arrangements for this year's joint military exercises." Qian Tiandun responded: "In previous years, the joint military exercises were arranged at the end of the year, but this year because of some changes on our side, we hope that the time of the military exercises can be adjusted About two months ahead.”
"Then it will be about three months later?" Zheng Bai estimated the time and continued to ask.
"That's right." Qian Tiandun nodded and said: "In addition, the time, location, and method of the military exercises will change significantly compared with previous years."
"Oh? I'd like to hear the details!" Zheng Bai felt vaguely that this matter was probably not just a matter of changes in military exercise arrangements, but the reasons for the changes were probably the focus of this matter.
"This year's joint military exercise will be held on Qiongzhou Island. The content will include siege operations and field clearance. Live ammunition will be used in the process. However, the cost of transporting personnel, materials and ammunition during the military exercise will be borne by us." Tian Dun explained to Zheng Bai calmly.
Zheng Bai's heartbeat immediately accelerated after hearing this. Although Qian Tiandun said it in an understatement, Zheng Bai had already heard something unusual from it.
In previous years, joint military exercises were almost always held on Cat Ba Island. Each side sent about a thousand soldiers to conduct coordinated operations or group confrontations. The content was mainly amphibious landings, mountain warfare, and jungle warfare. In order to avoid unnecessary casualties during the exercise, live ammunition is rarely used. As for directly involving it in overseas military exercises, it is unprecedented.
Zheng Bai noticed several key points mentioned by Qian Tiandun - Qiongzhou Island, siege warfare, live ammunition, and Haihan's side bearing the expenses. In previous years, the military exercises were all borne by their own families. Haihan had never offered to help Annan's participating troops bear the expenses. Even the materials consumed in the process were provided by Haihan, and the Annan military paid every penny.
Qian Tiandun's words reminded Zheng Bai of something that had been rumored for a long time - sooner or later, the Haihan people would occupy the entire Qiongzhou Island and become independent from the Ming Dynasty. Although Zheng Bai himself has never been to Qiongzhou Island, he heard Zheng Ting describe in detail the scale of Haihan people's operations in Qiongzhou Island. It is really just a matter of timing to capture the entire island. But why the Haihan people didn't do this, the Zheng family and his son could probably guess to some extent. It was just because they didn't want to offend the giant Ming Dynasty.
But Qian Tiandun's arrangement was undoubtedly Haihan's plan to attack Daming. But whether this matter was good or bad for Annan, and whether it was worth getting involved, Zheng Bai couldn't decide for a while. Therefore, after Qian Tiandun finished speaking, Zheng Bai frowned tightly and did not answer immediately.
Qian Tiandun waited for a while, but when Zheng Bai didn't answer, he asked again: "If General Zheng doesn't understand anything, you might as well ask me directly and I will try my best to answer your questions."
Only then did Zheng Bai come back to his senses and asked hesitantly: "May I ask General Qian, are you... are you arranging an ordinary military exercise, or are you planning to start a war?"
"Training troops in actual combat will have the best effect." Qian Tiandun did not immediately answer Zheng Bai's question directly, but went in circles: "Our joint military exercise this year, or joint military operations, will use It’s live ammunition and it’s a real city being attacked. General Zheng is right to interpret it as starting a war.”
(End of chapter)