Chapter 1096: Dispatch troops and generals
Due to the current extreme shortage of labor at the construction sites on Zhifu Island, the so-called quarantine observation period was not arranged for the first batch of immigrants who arrived here. Sun Changmi immediately began to arrange for these people to be assigned to various construction sites. Men over the age of fourteen were All were requisitioned as laborers, while women and the elderly were assigned to logistics units and were responsible for relatively easy tasks such as washing and cooking. The food, clothing, and other living conditions these people will enjoy on Zhifu Island all come from Haihan's pocket, so naturally they cannot be raised in vain.
The immigrants were relatively relieved about this arrangement, because they had already learned about the arrangements after arriving on Zhifu Island from the propaganda personnel, and it was reasonable to use labor in exchange for a relatively safe and stable living environment. things in. Haihan did not ask them to sell themselves into slaves, but was still willing to provide food, shelter, and protection. This was already considered a great kindness. After all, even the local government, which they once most trusted and relied on, could not provide the same living conditions. .
Of course, another very important reason is that this group of immigrants has witnessed with their own eyes how the Haihan people easily defeated the Wanjia Army who was dominating in Fushan County with fewer enemies and more enemies. Under the current situation where the local government and garrison are obviously weak, the strength shown by this foreign armed force can obviously bring them more security. Moreover, the Haihan Army was decisive in killing, and almost all bandits who caused trouble among the immigrants were executed decisively without any delay. This measure also caused a great psychological shock to some uncertain people.
As for those who were escorted back to Zhifu Island as prisoners of war, their treatment was much worse. The dock construction site they will be assigned to will spend at least half a day soaking in the sea water. Haihan himself arranges operations in shifts, but after replacing this batch of prisoners of war, they will probably be allowed to stand in the sea water. It’s over. They will feel the bitter taste of the sun peeling on their upper body and peeling skin on their lower body after soaking in the sun.
There may be some of these prisoners of war who are innocent and forced to become bandits. However, in this situation, no one will have the leisure to distinguish who is rich and who is full of evil, and they will all be treated as gangsters. Whether they can leave the hard labor camp and start a new life in the future can only be determined by hoping that their lives are hard enough and they can survive this period of heavy physical labor.
Compared with resettling these immigrants and prisoners of war, the current focus of several military bosses is the resistance Haihan encountered in Fushan County. Before they came to Shandong, they expected that the main opponent would be the Ming army stationed in Dengzhou, but they did not expect that the first person to jump out to oppose them would be the local bandit armed forces. And based on the information currently available, this armed force is quite influential in Fushan County. At least, the county and local garrison troops are helpless against them. They even deliberately avoid its edge and attack many people in the fish and meat village. Acting deaf and dumb.
Why did this bandit armed force jump out to act as a stumbling block? The answer is actually very obvious. After all, Fushan County only has such a small population. If they were recruited in large numbers by Haihan and transported away, then naturally the Wanjia Army would not be able to Turn a blind eye, otherwise these bandits may be forced to put down their swords and guns, pick up hoes, and open up wasteland to feed themselves in the future.
"This group of people has a fundamental conflict of interest with us!" Wang Tom sighed: "If the population of Fushan County continues to emigrate in large numbers, these bandits will eventually either switch to farming and become farmers, or they will have to move to other places to fight. They went to various places and looted everywhere like the peasant army in the Central Plains.”
"Why don't the local government get involved?" Chen Yixin asked curiously. He rushed from the construction site only after receiving the news of the meeting, and he didn't know much about what happened before.
Qian Tiandun explained: "According to our understanding, there are not many troops stationed in Fushan County. Even self-protection is a problem. There is nothing we can do against these thousands of troops. They probably have nothing better to do than sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight. There’s a way.”
Hao Wanqing said: "But it stands to reason that when the Fushan County government encounters such pressure, it should ask for help from the nearest Qishan Qianhu Office. This Qianhu surnamed Feng should not cause any trouble with us."
"Probably not." Qian Tiandun shook his head and said: "He has been shown how powerful he should be, and he has been given the benefits he should be given. The few soldiers from Qishan Qianhu Station are probably not enough for him to muster up the courage to follow We fight hard.”
As for the real situation of Qishan Qianhu Station, the Haihan military has obtained basic information through interrogation of Ming army prisoners at Yantai Mountain. This small stronghold with hundreds of people stationed in it is indeed difficult for Zhifu Island, whose defense line is gradually taking shape. The base creates trouble. Even if Feng Fei brought all his troops to charge into the battle, he probably wouldn't even be able to get past the sandbank defense line. If Feng Fei wanted to mobilize reinforcements from other guard cities to make a big move, it would not be something he could do in a short time, and it would be difficult to avoid Haihan's monitoring measures during the gathering process. In fact, Qian Tiandun believes that the possibility of Qishan Institute still insisting on confronting Haihan is very small, because doing so is too risky and has no benefit at all. As long as Feng Fei's brain is not broken, he will not make such a stupid decision. .
"Then what you mean is that we can focus on dealing with this Wanjiajun first?" Hao Wanqing asked.
"That's right." Qian Tiandun nodded and said: "Since the conflict of interests is irreconcilable, the only safe option is to eliminate them. I suggest that we continue to increase our troops appropriately towards Fushan County and maintain a high-pressure posture against the Wanjia Army. . If they are going to make a desperate move, then send them on their way."
"More than 500 laborers have been sent today, which will allow you to devote part of your troops to other places!" Wang Tom smiled and exposed Qian Tiandun's purpose.
Qian Tiandun did not deny this, and changed the subject and asked Harugong: "There are still two cavalry companies under your command, Lao Ha, west of Jiahe River. Can they be temporarily assigned to our command?"
Harugong was probably still unhappy because of the injury to the two cavalry, and said with a dark face: "I can give you the command, but I hope that I can try to avoid unnecessary casualties during the battle."
Qian Tiandun joked: "Okay, then let your cavalry troops raid the formation behind!"
Harugong's eyes widened and he said: "If the cavalry doesn't charge forward, how can we plunder the formation!" "Then what if your men and horses are injured? I can't afford to pay for it!" Qian Tiandun continued to joke.
Harugong snorted a few times and said: "How about I go to the front line of Fushan County to supervise the battle, and you hand over the temporary command of the special operations battalion to me."
"Do you really want to go to the front line?" Qian Tiandun asked.
Harugong said: "I know I don't have as much combat experience as you, but I am also a soldier, and I still have basic combat rules and military qualities. If you can't fight a bunch of bandits with two cavalry companies and two infantry companies, I don’t have to wear this military uniform anymore!”
Harugong was a retired cavalryman before he traveled through time. He has been serving in the army since time travelling, and has single-handedly built Haihan's only cavalry unit. There is nothing wrong with his qualifications and contribution. But Harugong also has a very obvious shortcoming, that is, he has been on Hainan Island all year round after traveling. So far, he has never commanded the operations of a company-level or above unit alone. In this regard, he is not even as good as Chen Yixin, a junior who has been serving overseas. . In terms of experience in commanding operations, it is indeed an area where Harugong's personal abilities are relatively weak.
However, Harugong said it so straightforwardly. If anyone continues to oppose his plan, it will indeed be a bit disrespectful. Qian Tiandun smiled and said: "Haha, don't get excited! Of course it's okay for you to take command, but I think it's better to ask Xiao Chen to accompany you. He is more familiar with the situation in the special operations camp, and it is easier to communicate when the infantry and cavalry cooperate. and give orders.”
Chen Yixin is currently Qian Tiandun's adjutant, and has participated in and commanded many battles. Naturally, those present had no objections to this proposal, and it was immediately decided that Harugong and Chen Yixin would lead the troops to Fushan County. Carry out reinforcements and wait for opportunities to solve the potential hidden danger of Wanjiajun.
Since half of the cavalry battalion's strength is already deployed in the area west of Jiahe, the composition of this support army will be dominated by the infantry troops of the special operations battalion. In order to ensure nothing goes wrong, Qian Tiandun also specially assigned them an artillery company to increase the intensity of their firepower output. When the support force arrives at the temporary stronghold in the upper reaches of Jiahe River, the local Haihan garrison strength will reach about 700 people, which is enough to attack any Qianhusuo city along the coast of the Jiaodong Peninsula.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, the reinforcements were assembled almost under the eyes of the newly arrived immigrants. The majestic Haihan soldiers with loaded guns and live ammunition brought them a great visual impact, which anyone who is not blind can see. It soon became clear that this force was significantly different from ordinary civilian armed forces. During this period, the foremen and civil affairs cadres who directed the work of these immigrants also cooperated to seize this publicity opportunity and instill in the new people the role that the Haihan Army, a powerful armed force, played in ensuring Haihan's stable life.
"Have you all seen it? This is the Haihan Army that protects your personal safety. It is much more reliable than the Ming Army that just talks but does not practice. As long as these people are here, you don't have to worry about falling into war again in the future! In the Haihan Army, Life in the areas under Han rule is far better than hiding in fear in the slums outside the county town! As long as you work honestly for the Executive Committee, you will no longer suffer from hunger and sleep in the open, and you will go to the south in the future. , you will also get the land, houses, and the opportunity to start your life again from the executive committee! If you think you need such an opportunity, then work hard now! As long as you behave well, the next batch of immigrants will go to the south! There will be a place for you on the ship!”
These slogans are very inflammatory. In addition, when the immigrants came to Zhifu Island and saw the bustling labor scene here, they naturally realized that the Haihan people's previous propaganda was not bragging, but really wanted to turn this place into a port. . The many large sailing ships anchored in Zhifu Bay made the people who were born and raised by the sea dumbfounded. They had never seen so many large ships in their lives, and the few sailing ships they had taken earlier were considered to be of relatively large size. One level smaller.
These people with limited knowledge did not have a clear idea of how much money it would cost to build such a huge fleet, but they knew that the descriptions that the Haihan people had mentioned earlier that sounded mysterious and far-fetched were most likely true. Really, it is a rebirth opportunity worth their efforts. And what they need to do now, and what they can do, is limited to the construction site in front of them. Whether it is digging earth or moving building materials, everyone is assigned the amount of labor that needs to be completed. The foreman repeatedly emphasized that only those who work the hardest here will have the opportunity to first settle in the south.
Due to the increase in the size of the forward combat troops, these troops heading to the upper reaches of the Jiahe River also carried a large amount of weapons and ammunition in case of emergency. Especially the artillery company that accompanied the team on the expedition. In order to ensure that it would not become a spectator on the battlefield due to too little ammunition, each gun was equipped with thirty rounds of shells and multiple times of gunpowder. This artillery company is equipped with four three-pound guns, four six-pound guns, and two 12-pound guns. Although there are fewer large-caliber artillery, considering that the combat target is bandit armed forces rather than fortified cities, we still have a strong force. The cavalry and the special operations battalion with extremely rich combat experience, such a firepower configuration is actually a bit like killing a chicken with a sledgehammer.
However, it took some time to reload the baggage and other supplies that needed to be replenished to the front line onto the ship. In the end, there was still no time to set off before dark, and the only option was to organize people to board the ship the next morning.
During the half-day of dispatching troops and generals on Zhifu Island, the Jiahe stronghold was not idle either. Although the Wanjia Army was still entrenched outside the city, many people still chose to sneak around from the south of the city along the banks of the Jiahe River and go to the Haihan camp after learning about the results of the morning's battle. That afternoon, another three to four hundred people were admitted one after another. The previous two-pronged propaganda and force attack methods were now slowly beginning to bear fruit.
That day, a messenger who claimed to be a messenger from the Fushan County government came to the Haihan camp and asked to see the person in charge of the camp. As garrison commanders, Liu Xian and Amakusa Shiro received this person and obtained a verbal statement from the local magistrate - as long as they did not attack the county seat, other matters could be discussed.
Although the messenger's words were very tactful, both Liu Xian and Amakusa Shiro could clearly feel that the local government was giving in, just like their attitude towards the Wanjia Army. For these local officials, preserving their governance is their top priority. As for the life and death of ordinary people outside the city, they have no ability and no intention to care too much.
(End of chapter)