Chapter 538 The reaction of the Annan Army
The nature of seizing the Natuna Islands from the Dutch is no longer a simple military operation. At this stage, if they want to break up with the Dutch, Haihan is not sure of victory. After all, the Dutch have also deployed a certain scale of armed forces in the Far East, including warships and a considerable number of armed merchant ships. Their maritime strength cannot be underestimated. Moreover, the Dutch were able to seize Portugal's colonies in the Far East one by one in the past few decades, which also shows that these Nordic barbarians are not a race that is afraid of trouble. They can win a place in the global ocean hegemony not just by relying on The element of luck. If you want to use force to make the Dutch retreat, I'm afraid it's not possible at this stage.
Considering that the current relationship with the Ming Dynasty is also at a delicate stage, the follow-up treatment of the Qiongbei occupied area will still require a lot of energy, and the Executive Committee may not be willing to add another strong opponent to itself at this time. If the military wants to put forward the idea of taking action on the Natuna Islands at this time, it is very likely to be rejected by the Executive Committee, unless there is a way to avoid a full-scale conflict between the Netherlands and Haihan - such as Hao Wanqing on behalf of the Security Council This plan proposed by the Ministry.
At present, almost all the main forces of the militia, navy and army are deployed in the newly occupied area in the north of Hainan Island, and it is unlikely to be transferred out of the area in a short time. The number of troops stationed in various states and counties in Qiongnan is already insufficient, and it is impossible to mobilize them in a centralized manner. Therefore, it is basically impossible to mobilize troops from Hainan Island to go south to seize the Natuna Islands. Of course, among the military's stretched troop deployment, there is an exceptional force that happens to be idle. That is the Annan Militia Army, which just completed its combat mission on Hainan Island a month ago and has withdrawn to the station for rest.
The "Prairie Fire Plan" aimed at occupying Qiongbei was basically a combat plan built around the Annan militia army. In the process of the Haihan militia occupying Qiongbei, the protagonist was actually the Annan militia disguised as a pirate army. It was precisely because the Annan militia successfully captured the main prefectures and counties in Qiongbei in the early operations, defeated the resistance of the Ming army, and destroyed local government agencies that the Haihan militia was able to successfully take over the prefectures, including Fucheng, in the later intervention. These areas originally belonged to the Ming Dynasty.
From the perspective of the masses who do not know the truth, the image of the Haihan Militia in this farce is undoubtedly that of a great and upright person with all the attributes, and they have also relatively obediently accepted the so-called "temporary management" of the Haihan Militia. So far, the results of this action plan have been considered very successful, and both the Executive Committee and the military have affirmed it.
If such a useful method is only used once, it would be a bit of a waste. The Ministry of Security obviously intends to squeeze out all the use value of this trick - since it works on Hainan Island, it might as well take it to the south. Use it again. Anyway, Nanyang is also a place where pirates hang out. It is not difficult to create a group of bold pirates.
Yan Chujie said solemnly: "Have you contacted Annan about this matter?"
"Of course not. I have to get Mr. Yan to nod first." Hao Wanqing immediately denied Yan Chujie's suspicion: "Besides, Qian Tiandun does not have the authority to mobilize the local militia troops to leave Annan. Even if he wants to carry out combat missions, then The order must be issued directly by the Military Commission.”
"In addition to the intelligence you have provided before, we also need to understand the specific defense deployment of the local port, the size of the garrison, the hydrological conditions of the port, and the situation of the local civilians. If necessary, we may also need to have personnel lurk in as a backup during our operations. Guidance." Yan Chujie made up his mind much faster than Hao Wanqing expected, but he also put forward a series of requirements: "How much information we can grasp before taking action is inversely proportional to the risk of the action. This principle I think you understand too.”
Hao Wanqing nodded in response: "Of course I understand, these military requirements are very reasonable, and we will try our best to meet them. Our people are already lurking in the Natuna Islands, but there is no better solution for the means of transmitting intelligence. This This matter also requires the assistance of your military. After all, your military has the right to dispatch maritime liaison ships.”
The so-called maritime liaison ship is actually a warship equipped with a radio. However, except for the two majesty-class flagships, there are no fixed radio configurations on other warships. The radio often follows wherever the naval commander goes. The navy currently operates at sea mainly through semaphores, signal lights and a small number of high-power walkie-talkies. These tools are sufficient to maintain information communication between ships during wartime. However, if the fleet wants to maintain communication with the base camp, it still has to rely on limited radios. Only the military has the authority to send liaison ships carrying radios overseas. The Ministry of Security's intelligence station in Nanyang cannot deploy radios. In addition to security considerations, part of the reason is also due to insufficient authority.
Now that Yan Chujie has moved his heart, Hao Wanqing's purpose of interviewing him has basically been achieved. As long as the general direction is agreed upon, there is no need for the two leaders to slowly negotiate on some of the subsequent details, and it can be left to the subordinates.
On December 10, just two days after the budget and final accounts meeting was completed, and all departments were still busy reviewing unit accounts, the executive committee held another emergency meeting. The emergency meeting was attended by a much smaller group than the previous one, with only nine members of the Standing Committee and special representatives from the military and security ministries. The content of the meeting was not communicated to various departments after the meeting like an ordinary executive meeting. All participants were asked to temporarily keep silent and not to leak the content of the meeting to the outside world.
December 12, 1630, camp on Tushan Peninsula, Annan.
Qian Tiandun held the secret message just sent from the Sanya base camp in his hand, with a serious expression on his face. He originally thought that after the Qiongbei "Prairie Fire Plan" was over, the militia troops stationed in Annan would not have any operational arrangements in the near future. However, he did not expect that just over a month after returning to the Annan station, the executive committee was preparing to activate it again. Annan is a special force.
"This is really using us as actors!" Qian Tiandun read the contents of the telegram repeatedly and couldn't help but sigh.
The message requested Qian Tiandun to gradually transfer the elite troops of the Annan garrison to the southern region in the near future and conduct targeted island seizing exercises. In addition, the base camp has sent a reconnaissance fleet south from Sanya to perform reconnaissance missions to the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea. The fleet will stop at Da Nang, which is under construction on the way, and will take the local commander Mu Xiabai with it south to participate in this reconnaissance mission.
"Takahashi, the executive committee wants us to prepare to go south to fight the Dutch. What do you think?" Qian Tiandun put down the message and asked Gaoqiaonan, who stood up straight. Currently, his two deputies, Mu Xiabai and Feng Annan, are not in the local area. One went to Thang Long Palace to discuss with the Annan military about the list of officers' training for the next year. The other is maintaining local security in Da Nang in the south and will soon be arrested. He was assigned to carry out reconnaissance missions, and the only person he could trust and discuss matters with was his confidant Minami Takahashi.
"Sir, this is a good opportunity for our department to make military exploits again!" Takahashi Minami responded solemnly: "Sir, please let me fight!"
"This is not a pre-war mobilization meeting, so there is no need for such passionate emotions." Qian Tiandun waved his hand to stop Gao Qiaonan from continuing to express his position: "Just like the usual tactical deductions, I just want you to tell me what you think about it. What do you think of this move by the Executive Committee?" Gao Qiaonan's face relaxed a little: "Our military base in Cam Ranh Bay has just begun to level the foundation, and the port and dock have not yet been landed. At this time, we are launching an attack on the Nanyang Sea. The attack seems to be a little early. I have seen the Nanyang chart before, and the location of the Natuna Islands is too far from Annan. If we want to fight there, supply may become a serious problem.”
"The Executive Committee is indeed taking risks." Qian Tiandun nodded and agreed with Gao Qiaonan's statement, and his evaluation was even more bold and explicit: "This is not very consistent with the conservative style of the Executive Committee. So after receiving the telegram, I called back to confirm. Judging from this decision, the Executive Committee must have been a little impatient. I think the Military Commission and the Ministry of Security must have played a significant role in this process. "
Takahashi Minami remained silent and did not respond. Let alone commenting on the executive committee's decision in front of his superiors, even if he just expressed his stance, that was not what an officer of his level should do. As a retainer samurai, Takahashi Minami has a very strong sense of hierarchy. Even though he has been joining the militia for nearly three years, he still has not changed this habit.
Qian Tiandun sighed and said: "It's a pity that we still can't fight openly in this battle. We still have to pretend to be pirates like last time."
Takahashi Nan couldn't keep calm now, and asked in surprise: "Why is this happening? Doesn't that area belong to the Dutch? There is no direct trade between us and the Dutch, why doesn't the Executive Committee dare Offend them?”
"Because the Dutch are also very strong at sea, the executive committee does not want to bring another strong opponent to themselves at this time." Qian Tiandun had to spend a few minutes to give Gao Qiaonan a brief introduction. Let’s take a look at the maritime status of the Netherlands in this era.
After listening to this, Takahashi Minami became obviously depressed: "So our army cannot go to war with the Dutch Navy for the time being?"
"It's not that we can't, but it's not necessary." Qian Tiandun shook his head and said: "We are now in full-scale war with the Dutch. No matter whether we win or lose, it will not be of much practical benefit to us. Even if we beat them out of Nanyang, There is not enough manpower to occupy the empty area left by them. The Executive Committee wants to attack the Natuna Islands, but it only hopes to take it as a sea supply station for going south to deal with the Dutch in the future. "
While explaining to Gao Qiaonan, Qian Tiandun also clarified the strategic intentions of the executive committee. As a senior military officer, he had no resistance to the combat orders issued by the Executive Committee, and was even a little excited. After all, he chose to come to this time and space to lead troops to fight and enjoy the process of conquering the world. But this time the Annan militia army was still unable to fight with its true colors, which made Qian Tiandun feel a little unhappy.
The training intensity of the Annan militia army is much higher than that of militia groups in other areas, and its field combat ability can be ranked first among the entire army. However, except for its appearance in the Battle of Hue, this unit has always remained anonymous. The method appears on the battlefield in its true form. The last time he transformed into a pirate to participate in the Qiongbei battle, although the Military Commission quickly awarded the Annan Militia Army a collective commendation order, it was ultimately unfair and the reason for the award could not be announced. This was a big deal for Qian Tiandun and It was a rather frustrating thing for his soldiers.
Fortunately, the Executive Committee and the Military Commission also provided certain compensation in other aspects. For example, the combat rewards for the combatants this time were doubled from the number promised before the war. Some personnel who achieved military distinction during the battle even had the intention of retiring and returning home after receiving generous rewards. If it weren't for the fact that militia groups have service requirements, this wave of veterans would have taken away at least hundreds of soldiers.
Qian Tiandun very much hopes to be able to fight openly and openly in the name of the Annan Military Region, but this plan obviously has no chance of being realized in the near future. The message sent by the Executive Committee made it very clear that the troops attacking the Natuna Islands must fight as pirates, and no one is allowed to reveal their true identity during the execution of their mission. This is a violation of the obedience and discipline of the Annan Militia. Sex is another test.
Qian Tiandun is not worried that his subordinates will disobey orders. During their more than two years of service, these soldiers have been repeatedly tempered. The four words "obey orders" have been deeply imprinted on them. deepest in my heart. However, as the top commander of the Annan Militia Army, Qian Tiandun still hopes that one day he can fly the banner of the army on the battlefield.
Qian Tiandun wrote a few lines on the paper with a pen, then folded it and handed it to Gao Qiaonan: "Send this to Da Nang by telegram."
"Yes!" Takahashi Nan saluted with a military salute, then took the paper and exited the office.
Qian Tiandun was on the Tu Son Peninsula and would definitely not have time to participate in this reconnaissance operation. Therefore, the Military Commission arranged for Mu Xiabai who was in Da Nang to join in. There is no doubt about Mu Xiabai's military quality, but Qian Tiandun was a little worried about his understanding of the strategic intentions of the Executive Committee, so he specially gave some key points in the telegram.
On December 15, the reconnaissance fleet departing from Sanya arrived at the Da Nang pier. This fleet consists of three traditional Chinese sailing ships, two "exploration-class" warships, and two catamaran sailing ships that have not been deployed for a long time. The lineup for this trip is also luxurious. In addition to Navy Commander Wang Tom personally leading the team, the army, navy, commerce, shipping and other departments have sent capable personnel to participate.
(End of chapter)