Chapter 3210
In the past few years, Haihan and Ming had fought on and off several times on the battlefield, but the result was that Haihan pushed evenly all the way, and Ming had no victory. Their performance on all fronts in the north and south was a complete defeat, and in the end they had to surrender and surrender. to end the war.
Of course, Thomas has also studied relevant battle reports. There is no doubt that the strength of the Ming army is much worse than that of the Haihan army. Even if it has the superior strength and is fighting at home, it still cannot stop the Haihan army's offensive on the frontal battlefield.
Fortunately, the Ming Dynasty has thick blood and has a vast territory as strategic depth. Even if Haihan wins, he will not be able to devour the Ming Dynasty in one go. The war between the two sides will end with an armistice agreement.
In the past few years since the armistice, Haihan has continued to expand his military and prepare for war. He could occasionally take out his hands to deal with opponents in the South China Sea. The Ming Dynasty has always been troubled by the peasant army causing internal rebellion, and has had little chance to recuperate.
As one goes and the other goes, the strength gap between the two countries will undoubtedly be further widened. Thomas believes that if the two countries go to war again, Ming's situation may be more difficult than in the previous confrontation.
When Simon used the Thirty Years' War in Europe as an example, he obviously wanted to follow some historical examples and use the Ming Dynasty to slow down Haihan's expansion.
But based on the current situation of the Ming Dynasty, it may be difficult for Haihan to fall into the quagmire of war. Ximang's idea was obviously to secretly give some support to Ming Dynasty. Otherwise, he would probably be defeated as soon as the war started, and he would not be able to hold back Haihan at all.
But this approach is too dangerous. Once exposed, it will inevitably be self-defeating. Wouldn't it be proactively providing Haihan with a reason to fall out?
Simang also expected that Thomas would object to this matter, and said calmly: "I am just providing an idea to achieve the goal, but I am not trying to stand with Ming... We can slowly figure out how to do it specifically. ”
After Yan Chujie's speech, the exhibition officially opened.
I don’t know whether it was Yan Chujie who noticed their arrival, or whether this exhibition did not restrict foreigners at all. In short, they were not blocked when entering, which also made Ximang, who had always been uneasy about Haihan’s attitude, a little relieved. .
Ximang's goal is very clear, which is to see the newly commissioned Zhoushan of the East China Sea Fleet. This huge battleship is very conspicuous among the ships on the river bank. The hull is almost half the size of another adjacent Majesty-class battleship.
Ximang was eager to know what new technological breakthroughs Haihan had made on the Zhoushan.
But when they came to the side of the Zhoushan ship, they discovered that there was no boarding ladder at all, and everyone could only stand on the dock and watch closely.
Simang immediately found a naval officer present and expressed his desire to visit the ship in his passable Hai-Han Mandarin.
The young officer responded with a smile: "The Zhoushan has no open visits. If you want to board the ship, please continue along the sign. We have arranged several other warships to be open to the public."
Simang was still dissatisfied, but the other party no longer paid attention to him, which made him feel a little frustrated. I traveled more than ten miles across the city of Hangzhou early in the morning to queue up here, but in the end I was told that I couldn't get on the ship. Isn't this all in vain?
Ximang has been dealing with the Haihan military for many years and is no stranger to navy ships. He has experienced riding on everything from majestic-class battleships to small reconnaissance boats.
But the main purpose of coming to see the exhibition today is actually for the Zhoushan. But standing on the pier, I can only look up at the high side of the ship. Even if Ximang is an expert, how can he see anything like this? Come!
Simon spread his hands to Thomas, shrugged, and said nothing, but his helpless and disappointed mood was already written all over his face.
However, for ordinary people who can visit a naval ship up close for the first time, there is no complaint even if they cannot board this largest warship.
On weekdays, when Navy ships dock at the docks along the Qiantang River, military restricted areas are designated in advance to keep civilian ships far away. Unrelated persons are not even allowed to enter the docks. How could there be such an opportunity to get closer and take a closer look? Next to the berth of each ship participating in the exhibition, there is a large display board, which introduces the origin and service status of the ship. The year and month where it was built, when it was put into service, where it has been, the combat operations it has participated in, and the results it has achieved are all listed one by one.
There were also several sailors beside the display board, who made introductions to the illiterate people.
Many people brought their families with them, the elderly and the young, and the whole family went out together. From the octogenarians to the young children who were learning to speak, they all marveled at the mighty and majestic fleet in front of them.
“It seems that we are not the only foreigners who are interested in this exhibition.”
Thomas suddenly caught a glimpse of something and raised his finger to show Simon.
Ximang turned around and saw a few Japanese people not far away. Their faces were vague and somewhat impressive. They should also be the diplomatic envoys he had met the day before.
These people were gathered together, and Tsukiyo's half-bald head was so conspicuous that he could be noticed at a glance among the crowd.
Simang whispered: "Several groups of people came from Japan this time. I don't know which side they belong to."
Thomas said: "They are from the Tokugawa shogunate. I have an impression. The leader is Masato Masuyama, and it is said that he is the uncle of the current shogun."
In terms of remembering people and events, Thomas, as an old diplomat, is obviously better than Simang. Although he only met these Japanese briefly at the reception banquet and military parade, he could still quickly identify them.
Ximang raised his eyebrows slightly: "I have heard of this man. He also made a special trip to Haihan two years ago. That time he came to Haihan to buy arms. But there is no more precise information about what he bought. .”
"However, it seems that they were not invited to the arms sales meeting that Haihan held quietly yesterday."
Thomas said: "After all, they are not Haihan's allies. They will definitely not have the first choice for good things."
While talking, the Japanese pointed at a certain display board, spoke louder and louder, and almost quarreled with the Haihan soldiers next to them. In the end, Masuyama Masato spoke up to stop his men and took the group to visit another place.
Simon felt a little curious, so he took Thomas to the place where the dispute had just occurred.
They thought that the anger of the Japanese must be related to the content on the display board, but there were too many Chinese characters on the display board, and they could only recognize half of them together. In the end, they had to ask the soldiers next to them for help.
It turns out that the warship parked next to it had participated in the battle against the Hirado Domain in 1638 and was an old ship that had been in service for nearly 20 years. The display board detailed the battleship's achievements in the Battle of Hirado, which obviously made the Japanese people just feel embarrassed.
(End of chapter)