Chapter 2039
The situation of the Qing army on the east coast of the Liaodong Peninsula was not ideal. They were very passive for a long time and were completely unable to withstand military attacks from the sea. Although the Qing army also tried to set up outposts or small strongholds on the coast, they often called in fixed-point attacks by the navy and Han army soon after they were established, which also resulted in the loss of many troops.
There were no large cities near the east coast that could supply sufficient military supplies, making it difficult for the Qing army to station a large number of troops in this area for a long time. By last year, even the settlements at the village and town level had been wiped out by the Haihan army. If the Qing army wanted to deploy defenses on the coastline, it had to solve the supply problem through long-distance land transportation, and there was not much in this area worth investing in troops. resources protected. So in the end, the Qing army simply gave up the defense on the east coast, concentrated its forces on the Daheishan defense line, and ignored the Haihan army's amphibious assault - anyway, there were no resources on the east coast for Haihan to plunder.
The situation on the west coast is different. The two acropolises of Fuzhou Guard and Gaizhou Guard are two large fortresses inherited from the Ming Dynasty. In the past two years, because Haihan occupied a corner of Jinzhou, the east coast was repeatedly raided. The Qing Dynasty The army's supplies can only be guaranteed by the transportation lines on the west coast. Otherwise, various materials shipped from Shenyang would have to pass through hundreds of miles of mountains and forests to reach the front line. Therefore, the Qing army repaired and consolidated these two acropolises and used them as transfer stations for personnel and goods.
Regarding the situation in these two places, the Haihan Army has certainly noticed it for a long time. However, these two acropolises are very solidly built, and there are a large number of Qing troops stationed there. The Haihan Army has to invest in them if they want to attack these two places. More troops.
However, if troops are deployed from the sea to the local area, a large number of warships will be allowed to enter the Bohai Sea, which will inevitably cause tension and dissatisfaction in the Ming Dynasty, so the relevant combat plans have been on hold.
Wang Tom is a restless person. Although he is the second-in-command of the Ministry of National Defense, he has rarely enjoyed the blessings in Sanya in recent years. He has been fighting overseas, constantly setting new records. Now that North Korea has been peaceful for the time being, there seems to be nothing to do. Subsequent military cooperation is a step-by-step matter. He and Qian Tiandun are sitting in North Korea mainly to show that Haihan attaches great importance to the military cooperation between the two countries. , so that the North Koreans can safely provide the resources and markets Haihan needs.
However, the emergence of the Qing Army's musketeers gave Wang Tom another reason to start a war. After all, this situation had posed an actual threat to the safety of the Haihan Army, and it was reasonable to take some necessary countermeasures. Of course, Wang Tom also considered that the Ming Dynasty might be wary of the movements of the Haihan Army, so he planned to bring the Ming Army in in the name of joint military operations, so that when the Executive Committee reviews the military's application for action, The likelihood of passing is also higher.
Qian Tiandun was also a little tempted after hearing Wang Tom's plan. After the Korean War, he had been recuperating at the Datong River base for half a year. If he didn't move any more, the members of the special operations group would probably get used to the Datong River. The comfortable environment of the base is not conducive to them maintaining a state of being ready to fight at any time.
But wars are not fought just because they want to. They must first obtain the approval of the Executive Committee. However, it may be difficult to get the Executive Committee to agree with the military simply by using the excuse of "attacking the channels through which the Qing army obtains military assistance from outside." It is necessary to dispatch a large number of troops from both the navy and the army. Because such a combat plan will involve large-scale troop mobilization, massive material consumption, and huge military expenditures, even if it wins, it will be difficult for Haihan to gain much direct benefit from the war, and it will be difficult to capture the enemy. It is really not a good deal to occupy the area for a long time.
Qian Tiandun responded seriously: "To convince me, you have to take more measures. As far as I know, the Navy should not be able to handle this matter alone. Why don't you think about how to get the Army's support?" Support?”
Although Qian Tiandun's words were also joking, they also explained the current situation of the two armies relatively objectively. While competing for military resources, the two militaries will still divide labor and cooperate in the execution of tasks. Previously, this task was "monopolized" by the navy, but if the combat plan mentioned by Wang Tom is to be implemented, then the navy alone must But there is no way to complete the task.
Apart from anything else, if Qian Tiandun didn't nod, this plan would easily be shot when it was submitted to the Executive Committee for review - the army generals in charge of the army in the north thought it was not feasible, and this reason was enough. Of course, it is extremely unlikely that Qian Tiandun deliberately interfered. Although the army and navy have always been in competition, the personal relationships between the generals are very good. Qian Tiandun and Wang Tom have commanded together in these years. There are countless wars in the country, and naturally they will not affect the main business just for the sake of emotional disputes.
Wang Tom said: "If this thing comes to pass, this year you go back to Sanya to visit relatives, and I will guard you in the north. I will give you my leave. Is that okay?"
As two generals in the military, except for special circumstances such as the attack on Manila last year, both of them were transferred to the south to fight. Otherwise, at least one of them would be left to guard the north in case the situation changes. Qian Tiandun's wife and son are now settled in Sanya. When his son reaches school age, he cannot be allowed to keep running around with the army. He must go back to Sanya to go to school. And it was impossible for Qian Tiandun to give up his military power and return to Sanya to become a Taiping general, so he could only let his wife Luo Wudan take on the important task of educating the next generation.
Of course, senior generals like Qian Tiandun have a special vacation to visit relatives, which can last for forty days, but the Datong River base where they are currently stationed is too far away from Sanya. The round-trip voyage is three to four thousand nautical miles, and it takes almost a month on the road. It’s time. Even if we go all the way back, we won’t be able to stay in Sanya for more than a few days. Therefore, to him, this family leave was somewhat worthless, tasteless and a pity to throw away.
Wang Tom's holiday standards are the same as Qian Tiandun's. If he takes the initiative to give his family leave to Qian Tiandun, it means that Qian Tiandun can stay for dozens of days longer when he returns to Sanya. It's a real vacation. When Qian Tiandun heard this, it was hard not to be moved by such a condition.
Of course, for military and national affairs, dozens of days of vacation cannot be used as a transaction condition. Qian Tiandun's conditions and Wang Tom's benefits are all just jokes among colleagues. Wang Tom gave enough favors, Qian Tiandun understood it, and everyone just worked together to deal with the foreign enemies.
After setting the general direction, it is time to formulate a specific action plan. Since North Korea is caught between the Ming Dynasty and Haihan, it is difficult to behave. If this action is to force the Ming Dynasty to send troops, then North Korea can only be excluded, or some other errands can be arranged for North Korea to prevent it from meeting the Ming army.
Having said that, with the current combat effectiveness of the North Korean army, Haihan really dare not entrust it with important responsibilities, otherwise if it collapses on the battlefield, Haihan's army may be implicated. The new army formed by North Korea is still far away from forming combat effectiveness. The group of officers sent to study in Sanya will have to study for one year at the earliest, and then decide whether to stay in Haihan to continue their studies based on their learning progress. Therefore, if there is currently a joint military operation that requires North Korea to send troops, the most they can do is let them be responsible for the logistical tasks. As for going into battle to fight with the Qing army, they are still exempted. However, before negotiating terms with Daming about this matter, Wang Tom did not intend to let the North Koreans get the news, lest they would become arrogant and think that Haihan's operation would not work without North Korea. This kind of view has gradually emerged in the country since the end of the Korean War last year. It is believed that Haihan's ability to defeat the Qing army was entirely dependent on North Korea's outstanding performance in logistics and providing them with sufficient materials and manpower. .
Tom Wang also doesn’t understand why a weak country that needs military protection from other countries has such arrogant ideas, but as long as North Korea is still obediently paying for protection, they can just dream of becoming a great power. After the Joseon Crown Prince and the overseas students return to their countries after completing their studies, maybe they will let the people in their country wake up a little bit.
As for how to contact Daming, Wang Tom has already made a preliminary plan. The official sent by the Ming Dynasty to Liaodong to participate in the peace talks between the three countries was Mei Shengchuan, the Minister of War. Later, this man also participated in the negotiations to establish diplomatic relations between Haihan and the Ming Dynasty, and privately took advantage of Haihan.
Although the Jinzhou area that originally belonged to the Ming Dynasty was occupied by Haihan, and the soldiers and civilians of Dongjiang Town who were originally stationed here were also recruited by Haihan, Haihan restrained tens of thousands of Qing troops in the Liaodong Peninsula, greatly reducing the Ming Dynasty's power in Shanhaiguan and Datong. Due to the military pressure from the , Xuanfu and other directions, the life of the Ministry of War has become much easier as a result, and more troops and resources can be freed up to pacify the peasant army in the Central Plains. Mei Shengchuan, who has the support of Haihan, has also been prosperous in the past two years. If nothing happens, he should succeed the current Minister of War, Zhang Fengyi, after he steps down.
But Mei Shengchuan also knew very well that Haihan could add support to his career, but it could also hinder him. This depends on whether the two parties can maintain a stable cooperative relationship. Haihan helped him because he could give Haihan a lot of "conveniences", but if he could not play the role Haihan wanted in the Ming Dynasty's officialdom, or even became a stumbling block, then Haihan probably would not let him Have a good time. Therefore, Mei Shengchuan tried his best to satisfy various requests that Haihan made in secret, such as asking for information about local officials in coastal states and capitals, etc.
This kind of cooperation is mutually beneficial for both parties. Haihan's money to manage Mei Shengchuan's network is considered worthwhile. In the future, Mei Shengchuan will be promoted to Minister of War, and Haihan will conduct various military operations in the coastal areas of the Ming Dynasty. It's more convenient.
Wang Tom wanted to pull the Ming army to send troops to attack Gaizhou Guard and Fuzhou Guard. This matter could be done through Mei Shengchuan, who would make suggestions to the court on behalf of the Ministry of War. In fact, Wang Tom did not need the Ming Dynasty to send troops. He just wanted to allow the naval fleet to enter the Bohai Sea in the name of the coalition. Of course, he could do it without this cover, but Wang Tom felt that Mei Shengchuan would not miss such a great opportunity to gain credit.
"Mei Shengchuan will be very happy to hear your suggestion. Last year, when the news of our fighting in Korea reached the capital, Mr. Mei once complained that North Korea should also apply for assistance from Ming Dynasty, so that Ming Dynasty could take the opportunity to send troops. Act with us in the name of the coalition forces, and after the battle, you can cut off the heads of the Qing soldiers and ask for credit from the court." Qian Tiandun said sarcastically: "If the Ming Dynasty sends troops this time, I estimate that the Ming army will lead the troops. The generals are all the nephews and descendants of Mei Shengchuan.”
"It's a good thing to be selfish. If not, how can we bribe him?" Wang Tom responded with a smile: "Just give him what he wants. We have plenty of money. If he wants to train trusted generals, Then we can not only improve the results, but also provide opportunities to study abroad.”
Qian Tiandun smiled knowingly when he heard this. Haihan already had a relatively mature way of bribing Ming officials, and he always changed them with the words "just do what they want". Whether it is promotion or making a fortune, officials always have some personal goals, and Haihan has the ability to help them achieve their goals. At the same time, in the process, he slowly draws the other party into his own camp and combines his interests with Haihan's. Bundle them together and gradually assimilate them.
Even if there is nothing wrong with an official, his family members and relatives will inevitably have selfish thoughts, and Haihan will take advantage of them. It will only take more twists and turns to achieve his goal. It can be said that the personal interests of the Minister of War, Mei Shengchuan, have long been tied to Haihan. It is difficult for him to refuse Haihan's request, not to mention that the military cooperation between the two countries actually has many benefits for him.
Compared with confronting the Qing army on one's own, the risk of sending troops together with the Haihan army is undoubtedly much smaller. After all, Haihan's record in Liaodong has been very outstanding in recent years. Last year, he severely damaged the Qing army on the Korean battlefield. This time, The opportunity to play with the Ming army means a lot of military exploits waiting for them to be obtained. Of course, Mei Shengchuan has no reason to let such a good thing slip away.
Just do it, Wang Tom immediately went to write a secret letter and sent someone to the capital to deliver it to Mei Shengchuan. Qian Tiandun, on the other hand, wanted to draft a telegram to explain the current situation in Liaodong to the Executive Committee and seek the Executive Committee's opinions on the next action plan.
However, the secret message sent from the Datongjiang base would have to enter the Ming Dynasty via the sea, and then be transferred to Mei Shengchuan in the capital. It would take nearly ten days at the fastest. After they have weighed the pros and cons, figured out how to implement it, and given The corresponding reply will probably have to wait until a month later. Therefore, this matter cannot be rushed, and can only be implemented slowly step by step. But this actually gives the military more time to prepare for war, mobilize manpower and materials, and prepare relevant combat plans.
Before that, Wang Tom had to cross the sea and go to Jinzhou. Firstly, he wanted to visit his subordinates who fought bloody battles and reward them for their performance. Secondly, he had to confirm the results of this operation and ensure that the investigation work of the Military Intelligence Bureau was done properly. Omission.
(End of chapter)