Chapter 1226 National Interest
Although it is difficult for soldiers from the south to imagine the natural environment in the far north, this does not prevent them from understanding the progress of the country's foreign wars through news in newspapers. In fact, since Mushabi led his army to defeat the Dutch armed fleet on Amborna Island in 1631, the Haihan Army has not carried out any foreign military operations in the South China Sea for nearly four years, and the South China Sea special operations camp was established in Roger It was only formed after taking over Mu Xiabai's position in Ambon Island, so this force has actually not carried out any foreign combat missions since its establishment, and the war they are participating in against the Haihan Kingdom can only be reported through newspapers. and other media to understand.
These soldiers have no real idea of how big the territory of Haihan Kingdom is. Many of them are from Southeast Asia and have never even been to Hainan Island. However, according to what the newspaper said, nearly four months had passed since the war in the north. It would have taken such a long time for the war on the other side of the country to spread to Star Island. From this, they could infer that the war on the other side of the country had The area under Han's control was astonishingly large.
Han Zhengshan knew that the actual territory of Haihan was actually far less large than it sounded. Except for the large Taiwan Island, the control area north of Hainan Island was also filled with small colonies like the South China Sea. That’s all. But Haihan's strength at sea is really powerful. These colonies are all maintained by maritime connections, and the battlefields far north are also supported by this. Only people like Han Zhengshan, who have traveled from north to south, will have a certain understanding of these conditions. However, these soldiers who have been in the South China Sea all year round have a very vague understanding of this.
Of course, the lack of geographical knowledge will not prevent the soldiers from rejoicing for Haihan's victory. Although they may not even know who Haihan is fighting in the north, the propaganda officer read aloud Haihan's army When they annihilated a certain number of enemies and captured a certain number of data, they all applauded.
Han Zhengshan couldn't help but be moved by this simple patriotic sentiment. He had only joined Haihan Kingdom not long ago, and he came here in an unconventional way. His feelings for this country could not be said to be deep. Now this step is more about planning for my own personal future. But seeing the enthusiasm of these soldiers, he suddenly realized that the power of Haihan State was not only due to the good governance of a small group of high-level elites, but also to the many ordinary people who were full of expectations for the development of this new country. , and gave full support, and would even fight on the battlefield to defend this country.
"I... am now also a citizen of Haihan Kingdom!" This thought flashed through Han Zhengshan's mind, and his hands naturally clapped. And he also heard this news before setting off from Sanya, but he had no such awareness at that time.
The rise of Haihan is so rapid and unstoppable. Han Zhengshan recalled that it was only two or three years ago when he first heard the name "Haihan". Now he has also changed his identity from a Mingren to a Haihan person. , and has already become an official in Haihan Kingdom. Thinking about it is like being in a dream.
But Han Zhengshan didn't need to pinch himself to confirm whether he was dreaming. He had stayed in a hard labor camp for a period of time. If it was a dream, he would have woken up by then. He couldn't help but turn his head and look at the foreign soldiers around him who were obviously different from Akito in appearance. The flames from the surrounding fires kept swaying on their faces, but the excitement of these people could still be seen. Han Zhengshan believed in his own eyes and was convinced that the emotions of these soldiers were not disguised. If Marcus gave the order immediately, these soldiers would definitely pick up their rifles and rush to the battlefield without hesitation.
Recalling that in Hangzhou City, the defenders learned that the Haihan Fleet had blocked the Qiantang River, but many people were trembling. Although there are many defenders in Hangzhou, how many of them dare to go out of the city to fight with the Haihan army? Even Han Zhengshan himself could not help but have the weak idea in his mind at that time, "If the Haihan army breaks through Hangzhou City, they will try to escape through the north gate." With this kind of morale to resist the fanatical warriors like the Haihan Army who were eager to fight, it is no wonder that the Zhejiang Ming Army could only retreat on the battlefield.
The next piece of news is closely related to Han Zhengshan. Haihan sent troops to Hangzhou Bay in January this year, and used military means to coerce the Zhejiang government to bow and sign a trade agreement between the two countries. What happened after Han Zhengshan was kidnapped by Haihan Security Department personnel and taken to Zhoushan Island because of his troubles. Of course, the news in the newspapers beautified the military actions taken by Haihan to a certain extent, saying that Haihan's army entered the Ming Dynasty to assist the local government in solving an arson case that harmed Haihan's interests.
Marcus suddenly put his head next to Han Zhengshan and asked in a low voice: "I heard that Director Han was born in Hangzhou?"
Han Zhengshan was not sure whether Marcus was inadvertently asking out of curiosity, or whether he deliberately mentioned it despite knowing his origins. He was a little dumbfounded at the moment, and answered honestly: "When the army came to the city of Hangzhou, I was in the city. .”
Marcus was stunned for a moment, and suddenly said with a look of realization on his face: "It turns out that Director Han was in charge of the army in the city, so he must have been working in the Security Department before, disrespectful!"
Han Zhengshan felt extremely uncomfortable hearing this big black man talking nonsense, and these remarks made him not know how to answer the question. Marcus thought he was already working for the Haihan official at that time, but he was not actually working in the intelligence department as Marcus imagined. He was one of the head catchers in Hangzhou City at the time, trying to catch Haihan through the fire case. A member of the Ming Dynasty officialdom who was the leader of the Han Dynasty. In the past, he was very proud of this status. Even in several interviews after coming to Haihan, he regarded it as a symbol of strength to win the favor of Haihan senior officials. Facing Marcus's admiring eyes, he suddenly realized that he really couldn't tell the truth.
"I don't dare take it. At that time, I was just an unknown person and had nothing to do with this operation. Platoon leader Ma deserves the reward!" Han Zhengshan hesitated slightly and dismissed the topic half-heartedly. He couldn't clearly admit or deny the other party's speculation, so he could only use this method to get through.
Marcus rolled his eyes, nodded and said: "Since Director Han said there is no involvement, then just treat it as nothing!"
Obviously he didn't believe Han Zhengshan's evasion. He had already said that he was in the city at that time, so how could he have nothing to do with the Haihan army outside the city? It's just that Marcus would never have imagined that Director Han was in Haihan's hostile camp at that time and had never thought about working for Haihan. According to Marcus's understanding, since Han Zhengshan might have been working for a mysterious department such as the Ministry of Security at the time, it was naturally inconvenient to reveal too much to the outside world, and evasion was a natural reaction.
Of course, Han Zhengshan could also see what Marcus was thinking, but he knew that he couldn't go into details about this matter. He would be wrong if he said too much. His former identity as the Ming Dynasty's head catcher was of no use in this place. On the contrary, he might defeat him with great difficulty. With the little favor he had earned, he didn't make any excuses at the moment, thinking that he would clarify the matter to Marcus when there was a suitable opportunity in the future.
Han Zhengshan knew that the public opinion orientation of Haihan newspapers would not portray Ming Dynasty as a superior suzerain state, and Haihan was not a small foreign country that vassalized Ming Dynasty. Similar to the previous armed conflicts in Zhejiang and the military operations in Shandong, Haihan newspapers claimed that these operations were carried out at the request of the local government. Haihan only helped the Ming Dynasty for the sake of friendly countries. It's just to solve local problems. Although it is put more tactfully, the words "superiority" have already appeared on the paper. In such a public opinion environment, Han Zhengshan did not dare to make any rash remarks that were detrimental to Haihan's image. Even if he had long been sure that there was something fishy about the fire outside Hangzhou, Haihan and Chen Bing in Hangzhou Bay did not necessarily have any good intentions. , but these things have passed after all, and there is no practical significance in pursuing the truth.
"Just believe what the newspapers say!" Han Zhengshan can only comfort himself with this mentality. After all, his identity is no longer the head catcher in Hangzhou, but the peace officer of Haihan Colony. Let's think about those people who have No, it's just asking for trouble.
As for the trade rights that Haihan obtained from the Zhejiang government as a result of this operation, it was not so easy for these soldiers to understand its significance. At this time, the role of the propaganda officer will be fully exerted, and he will explain the practical benefits that trade rights will bring to Haihan.
"... With the right to trade, all kinds of goods produced in our country can be sold unimpeded in Zhejiang, and our nationals can also enter Zhejiang in the name of doing business. Everyone, what does this mean? This means that we do not need to dispatch The army can transform the local area through economic and cultural means so that the local environment can adapt to Haihan's needs! ”
The publicity officer on the stage was so excited that he couldn't help but wave his arms a few times to fully express his emotions. Such a speech was extremely inflammatory, and Han Zhengshan could feel that the soldiers around him also reacted strongly to it. Even if they may not fully understand the meaning of trade rights, they can still confirm the power of the country from the interpretation of the propaganda officer. .
Ming Dynasty, the giant in the Far East, is being eaten away by Haihan bit by bit at a speed visible to the naked eye. However, Han Zhengshan believed that few people in the Ming Dynasty would pay attention to this trend, especially those high-ranking officials in non-coastal areas. Their minds were probably used to deal with the internal and external troubles in the north, and they were probably not aware of the development of Haihan. momentum. This is of course not surprising. After all, before Haihan came to the city, Han Zhengshan never believed that Haihan would really become a threat to the Ming Dynasty. In his eyes, they were just a group of particularly wealthy armed maritime merchants.
Of course, he will not still have such a superficial view now. The more he knows about Haihan, the more clearly he can feel the country's unconcealed ambition for external expansion. Whether doing business or garrisoning troops, they are actually serving the purpose of their external expansion. In the past, there were many incomprehensible actions of those on the opposite camp, but now they are all clear.
Haihan did not hesitate to risk war to invade Hangzhou. After a stalemate, he finally retreated. Among the many demands made before the war, only Zhejiang trade rights were honored by the government. This was seen by Han Zhengshan at the time. It was all a thunderous and small action. Since the Haihan people had opened their mouths, they could ask for more when the battle situation was dominant. But in the end, it ended in such a hasty way. It is no wonder that there are many people in Zhejiang officialdom. Senior officials even expressed their gratitude after the incident, thinking that the Haihan people valued profits over righteousness, so as long as they gave some benefits, it would be inappropriate.
But the information Han Zhengshan got from the Haihan camp was not like this. The real purpose of all the actions of the Haihan army stationed in Zhejiang at that time seemed to be to obtain this trade right, not to be the murderer of the fire, or to pay compensation for other land cessions. Such requirements. The Zhejiang government believed that they had found a big advantage in an unfavorable situation and signed a trade agreement with Haihan without much bargaining. Little did they know that this was Haihan's real purpose.
Han Zhengshan didn't understand and couldn't figure out how the Haihan people wanted to change Zhejiang through economic and cultural means. After all, he was just a police officer with limited vision and knowledge, and he couldn't imagine those high-end operating techniques. But traveling all the way south from Zhejiang, he has been able to fully confirm that Haihan's transformation methods are quite effective. Many places in Fuzhou and Guangzhou have come under Haihan's indirect control, and their influence is no worse than that of local governments. Not to mention Hainan Island. As far as his experience is concerned, there are not many people there who insist on the old name of "Qiongzhou Island", and it seems to be the hinterland of Haihan Kingdom.
After reading the newspaper, Marcus announced the dismissal, but Han Zhengshan was still sitting in his seat, deep in thought. After Marcus greeted him twice, he came back to his senses. As soon as he turned his head, they were the only two people left on the scene. The soldiers had already gone back to their dormitories to rest.
"Does Director Han have any thoughts on the lecture just now?" Marcus asked curiously.
"I feel I have benefited a lot." Han Zhengshan couldn't express his feelings directly, so he could only make a casual statement first.
Marcus sighed: "Yes, I heard that General Qian Tiandun's troops are constantly fighting in the north, but we are so idle here. I really want to ask the chief to be transferred to the north to participate in the battle!"
Han Zhengshan glanced at Marcus and thought that your thick and round body is indeed very suitable for fighting in battle, but then he thought about it. Almost all the equipment of the Haihan army was muskets and artillery, so there was no need to get close to each other face to face. Fighting in person, he couldn't help but ask: "You have never really stepped into the battlefield, aren't you afraid?"
Marcus said sternly: "The chief often teaches us that if you die for your country on the battlefield, you are a great hero of Haihan. You will be worshiped by incense and praised by thousands of people for generations. What's so scary about me fighting for my country?"
(End of chapter)