Chapter 829 Shi Diwen visits old times

Of course, the situation in Nanyang is still very different from that in Fujian. There is no giant country like the Ming Dynasty there, and the indigenous regimes are far less civilized than the foreign colonists. Therefore, they do not have much home ground when dealing with foreign invasions.

Advantages and buffer zones, once one or two major battles fail, the country is likely to be annihilated.

For these countries, forces like Haihan who are willing to sell relatively advanced weapons are really difficult to find even with a torch, because almost all outsiders who come to their lands come with the purpose of invasion, and naturally they will not ask for help.

They provide weapons such as muskets and artillery. Even if occasionally external forces sell small quantities of weapons to these indigenous regimes in order to exclude each other, it will be difficult to truly change the balance of power between the two sides.

In such a general environment, Haihan's role is undoubtedly a spoiler, and it is the kind that causes Western colonists quite a headache. The Dutch have suffered several losses at the hands of Haihan, and in addition

Batavia's post-war reconstruction involved most of their energy. Even if they knew that the Haihan people were intervening in Nanyang as arms dealers, there was no effective way to deal with it. After losing the Ambrosia Islands for a period of time,

The smarter Dutch have gradually seen Haihan's ambitions in the South China Sea. Ambuna, an archipelago that was once only used as a shipping supply station by the Dutch, is very likely to become a springboard for Haihan in the South China Sea.

This allowed them to extend their tentacles to Sumatra and Java. But even though the Dutch were aware of this crisis, they could not find a suitable way to resolve it. They could only watch Haihan and his accomplices, the Portuguese, bit by bit.

infiltration in the South China Sea area.

However, for Haihan, these indigenous regimes in the South China Sea are really too poor. Not to mention compared with the Xu family in Fujian, they are even slightly inferior to Annan and Champa. The arms orders placed with Haihan are not large.

, the profits that can be brought to Haihan Military Industry are also relatively limited. If it were not for the political role and long-term effects of this measure, the Executive Committee might not be interested in spending time and energy to maintain these relationships. So if it is

In order to seek profit growth points, the effect of opening up new markets southward is actually relatively limited.

Compared with the impoverished natives of the South China Sea, the situation north of the Fujian Strait is much better. Jiangsu and Zhejiang are one of the richest regions in the entire Ming Dynasty. In terms of purchasing power, Jiangsu and Zhejiang must be higher than Fujian and Guangdong. If Jiangsu and Zhejiang can be opened up

The arms market in the area will play a great role in promoting Haihan's military industry. Of course, after the arms trade is opened, other Haihan industrial products and financial systems will follow, and a large number of

Jump into this emerging market.

Prior to this, Haihan industrial products, including weapons, had actually flowed into Jiangsu and Zhejiang sporadically, and because of their scarcity, the market price remained high. A set of limited-edition glass stationery produced in Haihan, in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, costs almost

There are two to three times as many on the market in Guangzhou, and most other industrial products also show similar price trends. The market price difference does not flow into Haihan's pocket, but is earned by middlemen. Naturally, the Ministry of Commerce hopes to pass

Commercial means take control of the local market into their own hands.

"Arms trading must be done, but it needs to be done with caution. The situation along the coast of Jiangsu and Zhejiang is more complicated than that in Fujian. We need to spend more time identifying buyers." Qian Tiandun was very cautious in his statement and did not agree immediately.

The opinions of the Executive Committee conveyed by Shi Diwen.

"You mean if weapons are exported to Jiangsu and Zhejiang, there will be problems with their flow?" Shi Diwen immediately asked with understanding.

Qian Tiandun nodded and said: "It has been more than two hundred years since the Hongwu period. The pirates and Japanese pirates have been able to occupy the Zhoushan Islands for such a long time. It seems unjustifiable simply to say that the government is incompetent. According to the information we have,

There may indeed be some unclean relations between the local government and pirates. If we export weapons to the local area, it is very likely that they will be lost to pirates, just like the stupid things you Americans did in the Middle East before crossing over."

In the time and space before time travel, the United States had been engaged in military exports to the Middle East for decades. However, every time it did so, it shot itself in the foot, and the objects of support eventually became its enemies. However,

Americans are still happy to continue playing the role of regional troublemakers, constantly spending large sums of money to train their opponents, and in this way, they perfectly explain to the world what it means to have a worrying IQ.

Shi Diwen was a Chinese-American before crossing over, and he also performed military missions in the Middle East during his military service. However, he did not intend to defend the United States' Middle East policy. He just shook his head and said: "Those are stupid politicians who go there."

The tricks you are playing are different from the situation we are facing now. But if what you said is true, it does need to be handled with caution."

Although there is a performance gap between the exported weapons and the weapons equipped by the Haihan Militia itself, if these weapons and equipment flow into the hands of Haihan's opponents in large quantities, it will be a big trouble. Since the military is already aware of this hidden danger

, then we definitely cannot sit idly by and ignore it.

"I have talked with Xu Xinsu and hope that he can introduce us to some reliable Zhejiang officials. However, it is not appropriate for our military to intervene in this matter. It may be that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce send someone to take charge." Qian Tian

Although Tun has made preparations, it is clear that these tasks are beyond the scope of the military's authority, and the Executive Committee will probably not be happy to see the military taking over all diplomatic, commercial and trade affairs.

"But if you leave it to those white shirts, I'm afraid it won't be able to produce results for three to five months!" Shi Diwen is obviously not optimistic about the efficiency of civil servants. Three to five months may not be too long in other systems.

It takes a long time, but this is not the case for the military. The Penghu garrison began to set foot in Taiwan in October last year, and it took less than half a year to fully control the main coastal areas of the island in March this year. It takes such a long time.

For a long time, it is indeed a kind of suffering for the military that relies on outward expansion to accumulate military exploits.

"Official procedures still have to be followed. Civil servants do their jobs, and we do ours." Qian Tiandun has been based overseas all year round and has his own understanding of how to balance rules and freedom: "For those in non-controlled areas,

We have autonomy in military investigation operations. If we encounter threats of force during investigation operations, we can also counterattack. We will take action when it is time to do so, as long as we control the intensity."

Shi Diwen also made it clear: "Isn't this the same as when I came here last year, whenever I get an opportunity, I will take action directly."

Qian Tiandun nodded and said: "That's the truth. The Executive Committee may not approve large-scale military operations for the time being, but small-scale military operations that do not require approval can still be awarded military merit."

"You still have a way!" Shi Diwen couldn't help but give a thumbs up.

When Shi Diwen came to Penghu, what he was most worried about was not the problem of getting along with his partners and subordinate fleets, but that there would be no battles to fight in the short term, and that this position of front-line commander would be wasted. But what Qian Tiandun said just now,

It undoubtedly provides another way to solve the problem. Although this kind of skirting around may not be supported by the Executive Committee, it should not explicitly prohibit the military from taking advantage of this loophole, as long as it does not cause problems that are difficult to deal with.

The situation is fine.

With the current strength of the Haihan Navy, it is difficult for anyone in the Far East to engage in a one-on-one close confrontation with the Haihan warship. Even if the opponent's force is superior, it is unlikely that the Haihan warship with excellent navigation performance can be retained.

Ship. As long as the Fujian Fleet organizes a small-scale armed fleet in the name of reconnaissance, it can go northward and enter the Zhoushan area at the right time. It would be reasonable for the navy to have a conflict with the local pirate gang.

In addition to basic reconnaissance tasks, you can easily gain a record.

Of course, this is indeed easy to say, but there are still many details that need to be paid attention to when implementing it. From Wenzhou to the Zhoushan Islands off the coast of Ningbo, there are many islands near the coast, many of which are in various

Under the control of this kind of pirate gang, it will take a certain amount of time to slowly clear it up. In addition, the Haihan military does not know whether these pirates will take the initiative to form a group. If they feel the threat of Haihan, they will choose to form a group for defense.

It would probably be difficult to completely defeat them just by relying on a small fleet.

"It's only after the anniversary that we move. You can rest assured these days. If you want to go to Zhangzhou, this time is a good time." Qian Tiandun said with a smile: "I went to sea with you to fight against Japan.

Those Fujian Navy officers on the island will be very happy to know that you are here again."

Speaking of this, Shi Diwen also showed a knowing smile on his face: "These guys may not be good at fighting, but they are good at eating, drinking and having fun. When I went to Zhangzhou last time, they did greet me very well. Please

It was not that the Military Commission transferred me back to command the fleet, I really wanted to stay here in Fujian and enjoy peace and happiness."

The person in charge of receiving Shi Diwen at that time was Xu Yuzhuo of the Fujian Navy. His other identity was the fourth son of Xu Xinsu and one of the many generals from the Xu family in the Fujian Ming Army. At that time, Xu Yuzhuo led a group of officers.

Shi Diwen greeted Shi Diwen very thoughtfully every day. If it hadn't been for the assassination case later, Shi Diwen would have been trapped in Zhangzhou City and didn't want to move. Of course, Shi Diwen didn't know the other party's true purpose.

Although they are close friends at the dinner table, this kind of friendship is ultimately for the benefit of their own camp. He can also understand the implication of what Qian Tiandun said - since you have a good relationship with the senior officials of the Fujian Navy,

Then you might as well use this time to go to Zhangzhou to inquire about official news and see if you can get some useful information from the naval officers.

"Then I will go to Zhangzhou tomorrow to meet with Xu Yuzhuo and his gang to see if they have made any progress!" Shi Diwen readily agreed to the task.

Early the next morning, Shi Diwen took a group of personal guards and took a boat to Zhangzhou. Xu Jiaqi, the representative of the Ming army stationed in Penghu, also sent someone to accompany him so that he could organize the reception as soon as Shi Diwen arrived in Zhangzhou.

.

The straight-line voyage from Magong Port in Penghu to Zhongzuo Station off the coast of Zhangzhou is about one hundred nautical miles. Shi Diwen's ship set out early in the morning and did not arrive at its destination until the light of day. Since Zhongzuo Station is a military restricted area, there were small boats before entering the port.

Get closer and check the identity of Shi Diwen's ship. At this time, the people sent by Xu Jiaqi to follow the ship came into play. They lay on the side of the ship and loudly identified themselves to the Ming army on the boat: "I am a colonel under General Xu Jiaqi.

Lieutenant Liu Biao, on board is General Shi Diwenshi from Haihan, please inform the adults in the city immediately."

Xu Jiaqi was only a lieutenant, but the general from Haihan was no small figure. The Ming army on the boat did not dare to ask further questions. At that moment, one man climbed from the side of the ship to the deck along the rope net to serve as the helmsman of the ship.

Navigation. The rest of the people drove small boats quickly back to the port to report the news back.

Zhangzhou is the most important trading port in southern Fujian and is also the base camp of Xu Xinsu. As the sea barrier of Zhangzhou, a large number of navy and land forces are stationed in Zhongzuo Station all year round. The main force of the Fujian Navy is currently stationed here, Shi Di

Xu Yuzhuo, the main person we want to visit on this trip, is also in the city.

Before Shi Diwen's ship docked, the city gate of Zhongzuo Station opened, and a group of people came out to greet him. The leader was Xu Yuzhuo. Although he didn't know why Shi Diwen suddenly appeared at Zhongzuo Station at this time.

, but Shi Diwen's status in the Haihan Army is no less than that of Qian Tiandun, and he is not stationed in Fujian, so it is probably not a coincidence that he appears here.

"General Shi, long time no see!" Seeing Shi Diwen coming down from the springboard, Xu Yuzhuo also dismounted and came up to greet him.

"General Xu, too, looks good!" Shi Diwen looked at Xu Yuzhuo, who was a little fatter, and greeted with a smile: "I feel relieved when I see that you are much fatter than two years ago."

Xu Yuzhuo smiled and said: "Your army defeated Shibazhi last year. Without Zheng Zhilong, the troublemaker, the coast of Fujian is calm. I have nothing to do all day long, so I can only indulge in eating and drinking." He said with great satisfaction.

He patted his slightly bulging belly: "It's inevitable to gain some weight. Who doesn't like these peaceful days, right General Shi?"

"Anyway, you are the most reasonable person to eat, drink and have fun. I don't think anyone can argue with you." Shi Diwen responded with a smile: "I came here specifically to eat, drink and have fun with you this time. You won't dislike me as an uninvited guest, right?"

"General Shi has a distinguished status. I can't invite you even if I want to. How can I dislike it!" Xu Yuzhuo waved his hands repeatedly and denied: "I'm afraid that I won't take good care of General Shi and let General Shi not have enough fun. That would be a sin! This Xu Jiaqi is really

Yes, I knew that General Shi had arrived in Fujian, but I didn’t say hello in advance, so I could have more time to prepare!"
Chapter completed!