Chapter 2673
The choice given by Wang Anguo is certainly not ideal for North Korea. Li Zhi hoped to have the opportunity to train troops in actual combat, but it was definitely not to send the troops across the ocean to fight in unfamiliar areas thousands of miles away for long-term operations. Not only would this take the army completely out of the court's control, but the military expenditures required would also skyrocket.
Of course, the most important thing is that once the domestic situation changes, Li Xie will have one less elite armed force available. Although he had been sitting on the throne for more than ten years, he ruled a country where palace coups were commonplace. Li Zhi never felt that the throne under his butt was stable. One of the purposes of investing a lot of resources in forming a new army was of course also for The purpose is to prevent domestic changes. If an elite naval force is removed from it, it will inevitably leave room for domestic careerists to operate. This is not a situation Li Zhi wants to see.
However, it is rare to have such an opportunity for dialogue. Li Zhi did not want to be too harsh with his words. He could only express his intentions tactfully: "Two generals, our country's military strength is limited. If we send our elite troops overseas, it will inevitably affect our country's military strength." It’s safe, maybe find a place closer to you, which is more in line with your country’s national conditions.”
Li Xie's answer was also within the expectations of King Shi and Wang Anguo. Wang Anguo smiled and said: "Your Majesty's concerns are reasonable. Then it is better to follow the previous arrangements and complete the follow-up tasks of this joint military exercise first. If If you have the opportunity, let your army go overseas.”
Li Zhen sighed: "It seems that this is the only way."
Although Li Zhi's heart is as high as the sky, he can only accept the reality and follow Haihan's arrangement.
According to the joint military exercise plan agreed upon by the two countries, in addition to conducting exercises at the mouth of the Han River, the fleets of both sides actually have follow-up arrangements. After the Haihan mission ends its visit to North Korea, it will head to Japan. In addition to the troops that will stay to complete the defense change, the accompanying East China Sea Fleet will also accompany the mission.
Of course, North Korea will not miss such an opportunity to show off its power in front of its old rivals. It will also dispatch some of the naval forces participating in the joint military exercises to follow the Haihan mission to Japan in the name of training.
Of course, since this approach has a strong political connotation, the Tokugawa shogunate will definitely not turn a blind eye to it, so North Korea does not plan to arrange diplomatic activities with Japan during this operation to avoid taking the initiative to bump into it. Awkward situation.
Li Yan turned around and said to Andao Shi: "The next task is General Lao An."
Andao Shi bowed and responded: "I obey your order."
Although this trip was not a combat mission in the traditional sense, Li Xie decided to send his capable generals to take command to ensure that there would be no mistakes in this trip.
Ahn Do-seok has commanded various military operations overseas many times over the years. He can be said to be the most experienced general in the North Korean army at this time. In addition, he has always maintained a good personal relationship with the senior military leaders of Haihan, so he led the team. It can also avoid many problems caused by poor communication.
Andao Shi's understanding of this mission was also different from Li Xie's. Li Xie valued the political significance of the trip more, but Andao Shi knew the military value of following the Haihan fleet to Japan.
If a North Korean warship patrols major ports in southeastern Japan alone, it will definitely be regarded as an act of war. If the two countries start a war, North Korea has no confidence that it can beat Japan in an away game. But this time, with Haihan helping to provide cover, the North Korean military could go to those key areas with arrogance and collect local environmental intelligence. The value of this first-hand military information is even difficult to measure in terms of money.
After the day's landing operation ended, the joint military exercise between the two countries held at the mouth of the Han River was considered to have come to an end. Li Zhi was not in a hurry to return to Seoul, but held a banquet at his palace on Ganghwa Island to entertain the civil and military officials of Haihan. The negotiation tasks of the Haihan Mission's visit to North Korea have basically been completed, and there are still some details that need to be implemented. The official agencies in Seoul will coordinate and follow up, but the mission does not need to be responsible. According to the itinerary, the mission will leave Seoul next, so this night's banquet is actually equivalent to a practice for the mission.
When Tao Hongfang made a toast on behalf of the Haihan Mission, he did not hesitate to use a lot of complimentary words to describe the friendly relations between the two countries, and called this joint military exercise a perfect reflection of the "unbreakable military alliance between the two countries." The trade agreements that were just signed during the Seoul negotiations and have not yet been implemented were described by him as "another major achievement of the economic cooperation between the two countries."
These rhetorics were intended to elevate North Korea to an equal position with Haihan, which was very useful to Li Zhijun and his ministers. Although in these cooperations, it seems that Haihan's side has gained more benefits, but since the suzerain country has given enough face, North Korea has nothing to complain about.
Since Haihan showed a positive attitude, Li Xie could not lag behind and immediately stated that he would start implementing the various agreements agreed upon by both parties as soon as possible. Both sides were respectful brothers and sisters, and the scene was harmonious.
As an official in the mission, Zhu Zian was also invited to the dinner. However, he was not a prominent figure in the mission, so he sat in the back row, next to Ning Zijing and Bai Letong, who were not interested in socializing.
Zhu Zian's mentality at this time was different from earlier. Even if the monarchs and ministers of North Korea regarded him as transparent, he no longer felt there was any problem. Moreover, now that I have become familiar with the children of high-ranking officials from Haihan who are similar in age, I am no longer as reserved as before, and I can chat casually about anything.
Zhu Zian asked in a low voice: "What happened here, are we going to Japan next?"
Bai Letong shook his head and said: "It's not that fast. I should go to Busan Port first."
Regarding the mission's itinerary, only a few people knew the details. It was only at this time that Zhu Zian learned about the next destination from Bai Letong.
After studying the geography of North Korea these days, Zhu Zian also learned something about Busan Port. This port located at the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula can be regarded as one of North Korea's most important trading ports. Across a strait less than a hundred miles wide to the south is Japan's Tsushima Island. More than half of the trade between North Korea and Japan is completed at Busan Port.
This traditional trading port has developed at a rapid pace in the past ten years. The reason is also very simple. Capital from Haihan has begun to operate here.
In terms of attainments in maritime trade and port operations, Haihan said that he was second, and I am afraid no one would dare to admit that he was first. After the wealthy Haihan business organization entered this area, it quickly set an example for businessmen in North Korea and Japan, letting them realize what professionalism means.
(End of chapter)