Chapter 829 Shi Diwen visits the old days
Of course, the situation in Nanyang is still very different from that in Fujian. There is no giant country like the Ming Dynasty there, and the indigenous regimes are far less civilized than the foreign colonists. Therefore, they do not have much home ground when dealing with foreign invasions. Advantages and buffer zones, once one or two major battles fail, the country is likely to be annihilated.
For these countries, forces like Haihan who are willing to sell relatively advanced weapons are really difficult to find even with a torch, because almost all outsiders who come to their lands come with the purpose of invasion, and naturally they will not ask for help. They provide weapons like muskets and artillery. Even if occasionally external forces sell a small amount of weapons to these indigenous regimes in order to exclude each other, it will be difficult to truly change the balance of power between the two sides.
In such a general environment, Haihan undoubtedly played the role of a spoiler, and the kind that caused considerable headaches for Western colonists. The Dutch have suffered several losses at the hands of Heihan, and the post-war reconstruction of Batavia has taken up most of their energy. Even if they knew that Heihan was intervening in Nanyang as an arms dealer, they still couldn't do it. There is no effective way to deal with it. After losing the Ambrosia Islands for a period of time, some smarter Dutch people gradually saw Haihan's ambitions in the South China Sea. Ambuna, an archipelago that was once only used as a shipping supply station by the Dutch, is very likely to become a springboard for Haihan in the South China Sea, allowing them to extend their tentacles to Sumatra and Java. But even though the Dutch were aware of this crisis, they could not find a suitable way to resolve it. They could only watch as Haihan and his accomplices, the Portuguese, penetrated the South China Sea bit by bit.
However, for Haihan, these indigenous regimes in the South China Sea are really poor. Not to mention compared with the Xu family in Fujian, they are even slightly inferior to Annan and Champa. The arms orders placed with Haihan are not large. , the profits that can be brought to Haihan Military Industry are also relatively limited. If it were not for the political role and long-term effects of such measures, the Executive Committee might not be interested in spending time and energy to maintain these relationships. Therefore, if it is to seek profit growth points, the effect of opening up new markets southward is actually relatively limited.
Compared with the impoverished indigenous people of the South China Sea, the situation north of the Fujian Strait is much better. Jiangsu and Zhejiang are one of the most affluent regions in the entire Ming Dynasty. In terms of purchasing power, Jiangsu and Zhejiang must be higher than Fujian and Guangdong. If the arms market in Jiangsu and Zhejiang can be opened, it will play a great role in promoting Haihan's military industry. Of course, after the arms trade opens up, other Haihan industrial products and financial systems will follow and flood into this emerging market.
Prior to this, Haihan industrial products, including weapons, had actually flowed into Jiangsu and Zhejiang sporadically, and because of their scarcity, market prices remained high. The price of a set of limited-edition glass stationery produced in Haihan in Jiangsu and Zhejiang is almost two to three times that of the Guangzhou market. Most other industrial products also show a similar price trend. The market price difference did not flow into Haihan's pocket, but was earned by middlemen. Naturally, the Ministry of Commerce hopes to control the local market through commercial means.
"Arms trading must be done, but it needs to be done with caution. The situation along the coast of Jiangsu and Zhejiang is more complicated than that in Fujian. We need to spend more time identifying buyers." Qian Tiandun was very cautious in his statement and did not agree immediately. The opinions of the Executive Committee conveyed by Shi Diwen.
"You mean if weapons are exported to Jiangsu and Zhejiang, there will be problems with their flow?" Shi Diwen immediately asked with understanding.
Qian Tiandun nodded and said: "It has been more than two hundred years since the Hongwu period. The pirates and Japanese pirates have been able to occupy the Zhoushan Islands for such a long time. It seems unjustifiable just to say that the government is incompetent. According to the information we have, There may indeed be some unclean relations between the local government and pirates. If we export weapons to the local area, it is very likely that they will be lost to pirates, just like the stupid things you Americans did in the Middle East before crossing."
In the time and space before the time travel, the United States had been engaged in military output in the Middle East for decades. However, every time it did so, it shot itself in the foot. The objects of support eventually became its enemies. However, Americans are still happy to continue playing the role of regional troublemakers, constantly spending large sums of money to train their opponents, and in this way, they perfectly explain to the world what it means to have a worrying IQ.
Shi Diwen was a Chinese-American before crossing over, and he also performed military missions in the Middle East during his military service. However, he did not intend to defend the United States' Middle East policy. He just shook his head and said: "Those are stupid politicians who go there." The trick is different from the situation we are facing now. But if what you said is true, it does need to be handled with caution.”
Although there is a performance gap between the exported weapons and the weapons equipped by the Haihan militia itself, if these weapons and equipment flow into the hands of Haihan's opponents in large quantities, it will be a big trouble. Now that the military is aware of this hidden danger, it certainly cannot sit idly by and ignore it.
"I have talked with Xu Xinsu and hope that he can introduce us to some reliable Zhejiang officials. However, it is not appropriate for our military to intervene in this matter. It may be that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce have to send someone to take charge." Qian Tian Although Tun has been prepared, it is clear that these tasks are beyond the scope of the military's authority, and the Executive Committee will probably not be happy to see the military taking over all diplomatic and commercial affairs.
"But if you leave it to those white shirts, I'm afraid it won't be able to produce results for three to five months!" Shi Diwen is obviously not optimistic about the efficiency of civil servants. Three to five months may not be too long in other systems. long time, but not for the military. The Penghu garrison began to set foot in Taiwan in October last year, and it took less than half a year to fully control the main coastal areas of the island in March this year. To wait for such a long time, for someone who is determined to rely on outward expansion to accumulate military exploits It is indeed a torture for the military.
"Official procedures still have to be followed. Civil servants do their jobs, and we do ours." Qian Tiandun has been based overseas all year round and has his own understanding of how to balance rules and freedom: "For those in non-controlled areas, We have autonomy in military reconnaissance operations. If we encounter a threat of force during the reconnaissance operation, we can also take action when the time comes, as long as we control the intensity."
Shi Diwen also made it clear at one point: "Isn't this the same as when I came here last year? As long as I catch the opportunity, I will take action directly."
Qian Tiandun nodded and said: "That's the truth. The Executive Committee may not approve major military operations for the time being, but small military operations that do not require approval can still be awarded military merit."
"You still have a way!" Shi Diwen couldn't help but give a thumbs up.
When Shi Diwen came to Penghu, what he was most worried about was not the problem of getting along with his partners and subordinate fleets, but that there would be no battles to fight in the short term, and the position of front-line commander was wasted. But Qian Tiandun's words just now undoubtedly gave another way to solve the problem. Although this kind of sidestepping may not be supported by the Executive Committee, it should not explicitly prohibit the military from taking advantage of this loophole, as long as it does not create an unmanageable situation. With the current strength of the Haihan Navy, it is difficult for anyone in the Far East to engage in a one-on-one close confrontation with the Haihan warship. Even if the opponent's force is superior, it is unlikely that the Haihan warship with excellent navigation performance can be retained. Boat. As long as the Fujian fleet organizes a small-scale armed fleet in the name of reconnaissance, it can go northward and enter the Zhoushan area at the right time. It would be reasonable for the Navy to have a conflict with the local pirate gangs. In addition to completing its basic investigation tasks, the Navy would be able to gain a record easily.
Of course, this is indeed easy to say, but there are still many details that need to be paid attention to when implementing it. From Wenzhou to the Zhoushan Islands off the coast of Ningbo, there are many islands near the coast, many of which are under the control of various pirate gangs. It will take a certain amount of time to slowly clear them up along the way. In addition, the Haihan military does not know whether these pirates will take the initiative to form a group. If they feel the threat of Haihan and choose to form a group for defense, it will probably be difficult to completely defeat them just by relying on a small fleet.
"It's only after the anniversary that we move. You can rest assured these days. If you want to go to Zhangzhou, this time is a good time." Qian Tiandun said with a smile: "I went to sea with you to fight in the south. The Fujian Navy officers on the island will be very happy to know that you are here again.”
Speaking of this, Shi Diwen also showed a knowing smile on his face: "These guys may not be good at fighting, but they are good at eating, drinking and having fun. When I went to Zhangzhou last time, they did greet me very well. You need to It wasn’t that the Military Commission transferred me back to command the fleet. I really wanted to stay in Fujian and enjoy peace and happiness.”
The person in charge of receiving Shi Diwen at that time was Xu Yuzhuo of the Fujian Navy. His other identity was Xu Xinsu's fourth son and one of the many generals from the Xu family in the Fujian Ming Army. At that time, Xu Yuzhuo led a group of officers and greeted Shi Diwen very attentively every day. If it hadn't been for the assassination case later, Shi Diwen would have been trapped in Zhangzhou City and not wanted to move. Of course, Shi Diwen was not ignorant of the other party's true purpose. Although they were close friends at the wine table, this friendship was ultimately for the benefit of their own camp. He could also understand the implication of what Qian Tiandun said - since you have a good relationship with the senior officials of the Fujian Navy, you might as well use this time to go to Zhangzhou to inquire about official information and see if you can get some information from the Navy officers. I got some useful information along the way.
"Then I will go to Zhangzhou tomorrow to meet with Xu Yuzhuo and his gang to see if they have made any progress!" Shi Diwen readily accepted the task.
Early the next morning, Shi Diwen took a group of personal guards and took a boat to Zhangzhou. Xu Jiaqi, the representative of the Ming army stationed in Penghu, also sent a special person to accompany Shi Diwen in order to organize the reception as soon as Shi Diwen arrived in Zhangzhou.
The straight-line voyage from Magong Port in Penghu to Zhongzuo Suo off the coast of Zhangzhou is about one hundred nautical miles. Shi Diwen's ship set out early in the morning and did not arrive at its destination until the light of day. Since Zhongzuo is a military restricted area, a small boat approached before entering the port to check the identity of Shi Diwen's ship. At this time, the people sent by Xu Jiaqi to follow the boat came into play. They lay on the side of the boat and loudly identified themselves to the Ming army on the boat: "I am Colonel Liu Biao, a subordinate of General Xu Jiaqi. On board is Shi Di from Haihan." General Wenshi, please inform the adults in the city immediately.”
Xu Jiaqi was just a lieutenant, but the general from Haihan was no small figure. The Ming army on the small boat did not dare to ask further questions. At that moment, one person walked from the side of the ship to the deck along the rope net to guide the helmsman on the ship. The rest of the people quickly returned to the port in small boats and reported the news back.
Zhangzhou is the most important trading port in southern Fujian and is also Xu Xinsu's base camp. As the sea barrier of Zhangzhou, Zhongzuo has stationed a large number of naval and land forces all year round. The main force of the Fujian Navy is currently stationed here, and Xu Yuzhuo, the main person Shi Diwen wants to visit on this trip, is also in the city.
Before Shi Diwen's ship docked, the city gate on the left center opened, and a group of people came out of the city, led by Xu Yuzhuo. Although he didn't know why Shi Diwen suddenly appeared at the Zhongzuo Institute at this time, Shi Diwen's status in the Haihan Army was no less than that of Qian Tiandun, and his station was not in Fujian. Appearing here probably It can't be a coincidence.
"General Shi, long time no see!" Seeing Shi Diwen coming down from the springboard, Xu Yuzhuo also dismounted and came up to greet him.
"General Xu, too, looks good!" Shi Diwen looked at Xu Yuzhuo, who was a little fatter, and said with a smile: "I feel relieved when I see that you are much fatter than two years ago."
Xu Yuzhuo said with a smile: "Your army defeated Shibazhi last year. Without Zheng Zhilong, the troublemaker, the coast of Fujian is calm. I have nothing to do all day long, so I can only indulge in eating and drinking." He said with great satisfaction. He patted his slightly bulging belly: "It's inevitable to gain some weight. Who doesn't like these peaceful days, right General Shi?"
"Anyway, you are the most reasonable person to eat, drink and have fun. I don't think anyone can argue with you." Shi Diwen responded with a smile: "I came here specifically to eat, drink and have fun with you this time. You won't dislike me as an uninvited guest, right?"< br>
"General Shi has a distinguished status. I can't invite you even if I want to. How can I dislike it!" Xu Yuzhuo waved his hands repeatedly and denied: "I'm afraid that I won't take good care of General Shi and let General Shi not have enough fun. That would be a sin! This Xu Jiaqi is really Yes, I knew that General Shi had arrived in Fujian, but he didn’t say hello in advance, so I could have more time to prepare!”
(End of chapter)