1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 265 Group Effects
However, compared to the infantry and artillery formations in front, the lack of training of the cavalry formations is obviously not so orderly. The horse formations are advancing in a fragmented formation. Harukon really wants to order everyone to dismount and lead the horses forward. That would at least make things a little more orderly.But this does not prevent the crowd from applauding. After all, this unit is really a rarity on Qiongzhou Island, which is far away from the mainland. Even the garrison in Yazhou has few horses—raising cavalry is comparable to raising infantry It costs a lot of money, and it is almost useless in Yazhou. The soldiers who wish to have more spare pay will definitely not spend money on such a good-looking place that is not useful.

This is indeed the case. The actual military expenditure of this small cavalry platoon is even comparable to that of an infantry company.If it weren't for the consideration of future military expansion needs, the Military and Police Department would not be willing to allocate a sum of money in the limited military budget to maintain this temporarily unusable arm.However, Harukon also mentioned in his work report to the Military and Police Department before the end of the year that he hopes to complete the expansion of the first cavalry company in 1628, which means that the cost of this cavalry unit will increase to three times the current cost. .As for how the bigwigs of the military and police department will get the budget from the executive committee, that is not something Harukon needs to worry about.

Following behind the cavalry was a small sailor phalanx.Although no real navy has been established at present, considering the future development trend, the military and police department cooperated with the shipping department to organize such a phalanx, and the members are all composed of some capable naturalized sailors and crew members.Due to the hasty preparation, their uniforms are not as uniform as the infantry phalanx in front, but the military and police department still considerately distributed a three-foot-long saber to each member participating in the military parade. , and played a dark blue flag to indicate the sailor attribute of this phalanx.

If it weren't for the fact that the current number of soldiers is too small, the Military and Police Department has long been determined to pull up the navy.At present, tasks such as maritime patrols and armed escorts are still completed by the army under the banner of the Haihan Militia. If this part of the people must be defined as a branch, it will probably only be the "Army and Marine Corps".The establishment of the navy in the true sense may have to wait until the end of this overseas military operation at the soonest—the Military and Police Department intends to wait for the opportunity to use the wind of victory in the war to persuade the Executive Committee to pass the plan to establish the navy.

Compared with the army, the operating cost of the navy is much higher. Infantry can travel on two legs, but the navy must rely on warships as transportation vehicles to function.The basic cost of the current "exploration-class" sailboat is around 4000 yuan, which is much higher than that of a Chinese-style sailboat with a material of [-] yuan.Due to the reinforcement of the hull structure and the weapon configuration on board, the construction cost of the battleship type is double that of the basic type.Although the Shengli Port Shipyard is a financial unit and does not care about the profit of shipbuilding, the base price quoted by the Military and Police Department has already exceeded [-] yuan.As for the larger tonnage of the [-]-ton warship that is still in the design stage, its cost budget directly exceeds [-] yuan-this has basically reached or exceeded the annual maintenance cost of an entire army company.A single ship is not enough to form an army. If you want to have a reliable maritime armed force, you need to build a few more ships, and the cost is obviously not a small amount.

And this is only the cost of shipbuilding. To make the built warship move, it must be equipped with a sufficient number of sailors, crews and combatants. Military expenditures are being consumed all the time.With the current budget available to the Military and Police Department, it is extremely difficult to expand the army and navy on a large scale at the same time—unless something can be gained from this military operation, it may be a different matter up.

The ranks at the back were the militiamen of the three companies. This was the militia in the true sense. The weapons they were equipped with were only iron-tipped spears one foot five feet long.However, this does not prevent these naturalized people who have only undergone a few queue trainings from marching forward proudly. In their view, if they can be selected to receive such training, they may have a great chance to join the militia in the future , so as to enjoy better treatment.

And the plan of the Military and Police Department is exactly the same. In the next expansion, these reserve soldiers who have received a certain level of military training will become the main source of troops. By then, their recruit career in the training camp is expected to be further shortened.

Among the onlookers were businessmen from other places who had just arrived in Shengli Port. While watching the armed parade, they questioned the "rampant" behavior of the Haihan people: "These Haihan people are so aggressive and openly preaching, aren't they afraid? Someone reported them for rioting, and they were held accountable by the Yazhou government?"

Yu Dashan squinted at the man who spoke, and said proudly: "Report? The militia group in Shengli Port has registered in Yazhou for a long time. They are not private soldiers! Didn't you see it when you came to Hong Kong? This is Yulin Patrol. Under the supervision of the prosecutor, every move is under the watchful eyes of the official, so there is no suspicion of stirring up trouble."

What Yu Dashan said was right, but the official here can only be the executive committee, and the person who is placed under the watchful eyes of the executive committee is Wei Ping from the inspection department.At this time, Wei Ping was standing on the tower of the No. [-] base, watching the military parade with Li Nai and others as "special guests".

With Wei Ping's hard work, he finally persuaded his brother-in-law in Yazhou to accept Luo Shengdong's father-in-law, Zhang Tongsan, as an object of political support.Of course, this kind of persuasion did not only rely on Wei Ping's letters, but also the executive committee quietly sent 500 taels of silver to Wei Ping's brother-in-law's home through the Yazhou Office, and the land deed of more than 100 acres of fertile land outside Yazhou City.Wei Ping didn't know exactly what kind of benefits the other senior Yazhou officials had received, but they did draft a joint recommendation letter to recommend Zhang Tongdan to take over the post of Yazhou magistrate. As for the effect, I'm afraid it will take a few days It will only be known when the current Zhizhou resigns for a month.

After making this contribution, Wei Ping finally got rid of the life of house arrest in the previous few months and gained the right to move freely in Victory Port.In addition, Wei Ping even got the opportunity to return to Yazhou to visit relatives once a month, but after staying in Shengli Port for such a long time, he has long understood that the consequences of provoking the Haihan people are far less profitable than cooperating with them. At this time, there was no longer any thought of making trouble.Wei Ping only lived in Yazhou for three to five days, and then took the initiative to take a boat back to Shengli Port. After all, compared with Yazhou, there is a better prospect for development here as a patrol inspector.

In fact, Wei Ping regrets that he didn't listen to Luo Shengdong's advice when he came here. If he had taken the initiative to cooperate with the Haihan people from the beginning, he wouldn't have wasted nearly half a year.Look at Luo Shengdong, during this period of time, not only did he make a lot of money from the private salt business, but he also rose from the general manager to the thousand general manager. He has great influence, and the Haihan people even contributed money and efforts for him to push his father-in-law to the throne of Yazhou Zhizhou - if he hadn't been so impulsive at the beginning and was a little smarter, he should have reaped a lot of benefits Bar?
"Inspector Wei, what do you think of the Haihan militia?"

Li Nai's soft question brought Wei Ping's thoughts back to the scene in front of him. Teams of militia soldiers had arrived at the small square outside the gate of the base, gathering in companies.Although there were hundreds of people, apart from the officers' orders, no one in the team chatted casually or made any noise.

"The army is well-organized, and it is beyond the reach of the Yazhou garrison!" Wei Ping consciously slipped his words as soon as he spoke, and quickly added: "However, the Haihan militia has always abided by the law and discipline, and will definitely not have any conflicts with the Yazhou garrison. Waiting for the guards of the militia, I believe that the future safety of Shengli Port will be safe."

Li Nai smiled and said: "Inspector Wei has a good idea! I also think that it is a good thing that the Haihan militia is strong and strong. Just imagine that after the prosperity of business and trade here, there will be criminals who will follow here. With such a militia guard, like you I can make a fortune here with peace of mind!"

Wei Ping nodded his head again and again, but he thought in his heart that your words were probably just for the Haihan people nearby!Luo Shengdong didn't come to Shengli Port today, but the position of flattering was filled by the young master of the Li family.

Sure enough, Schneider next to him heard the words and answered: "Mr. Li is very reasonable. The purpose of our organization of the militia is to escort the economic development. The merchants who come to Victory Port to do business are of course also our protection objects." , no matter who wants to interfere with the affairs of Victory Port, we will deal with these threats in the most direct and effective way, so that everyone can be happy here and do business in peace."

Schneider can be called a professional in saying such beautiful words, but there is still a hint of warning in his words.However, it was not the first time that Li Nai and Wei Ping had heard similar "threat" remarks, and their faces looked very natural - anyway, they had nothing to do with the Haihan people, so it was better to let nature take its course.

As for whether some of the spectators who witnessed this armed parade would actually go to the government to report the misbehavior of the Haihan people, they were not worried at all.If you go to Yazhou to file a complaint, you will be kidnapped with a sack over your head as soon as you leave the Yamen. whereabouts.

As for reporting to other places, there is no need to worry.Regardless of whether it is Qiongzhou Fucheng or Guangzhou, the final investigation task still has to be apportioned to Yazhou, and the only action Yazhou officials will take is to send the navy to see if everything is normal in Shengli Port.Asking Luo Shengdong to lead a team to check the accounts with his boss, it would be hell if he could find out any problems.If Luo Shengdong's father-in-law really succeeds in assuming the position, the situation in Yazhou will probably be greatly tilted towards Haihan in the future, forming a small country within a country.

Each company marched along the landscape avenue to the gate of the base, and began to line up to wait for orders.The Military and Police Department originally wanted to arrange a live ammunition shooting demonstration outside Base No. [-], but it was rejected in the end. After all, there will be a large number of onlookers, and the flight trajectory of musket bullets is too weird. It's not good.So the process of the military parade was changed to the leader's speech. Naturally, this job should be handed over to Tao Donglai, the number one task of the executive committee. For this reason, tweeters were specially installed on both sides of the viewing platform of the tower.

Tao Donglai did not shirk this time as he did in the last launching ceremony. After adjusting his mood, he picked up the microphone and ordered loudly, "Stand at attention!"

In the military formation below, like a conditioned reflex, there was a "swish", and all the personnel subconsciously adopted a military posture to stand.And among the onlookers, many people followed suit, standing up in a military posture with their chests raised.

"Relax!" Tao Donglai issued the second order, and then said: "Perhaps many people present do not understand why the militia military parade is held today, so I will simply say a few words."

Tao Donglai looked down at the army formation below, and said slowly: "My Haihan family does not build a country by force, nor do we advocate the use of force to solve problems, but we know very well what is the best weapon to protect our own interests, isn't it? The pen, not to mention the words, but the knives and guns in our hands and the shells that can be fired at the enemy at any time! Your comrades-in-arms, your family members, and the environment you live in are the objects you need to protect with the weapons in your hands! If someone wants to hurt someone close to you, and take everything from you, all we have to do is bring them down with arms! Tell me, are you afraid of war?"

"Not afraid!" The militia soldiers replied very neatly and loudly.Of course, they have been asked hundreds of times such questions in the military camp. This kind of repeated simple brainwashing has made them form a conditioned reflex, and they will subconsciously blurt out without even thinking about it.

"Who is the final winner?"

"Hai Han militia!"

"Who is the invincible brave?"

"Hai Han militia!"

The simple but powerful slogan not only excited the militia soldiers undergoing the review, but also aroused the emotions of the onlookers.From the first person unconsciously calling the exit, others soon followed suit.Every time Tao Donglai asked a question on the tower, the volume of the response below would increase a lot.Later, the roar of thousands of people was so loud that the entire Shengli Port area could be heard clearly. Many people have lost their ability to think in such group behavior, and just subconsciously shouted along with the people around them, " Haihan Vigilante", it seems that not doing so would not be enough to vent the surging emotions in his chest.

"Who is your protector?"

"Hai Han militia!"

"Who is the person you can rely on in times of crisis?"

"Hai Han militia!"

Yu Dashan and Wang Cai, who were standing on the chairs, also shouted hoarsely. They probably didn't understand why they lost control of their emotions.But there is no doubt about one thing - after doing this, there will be a really refreshing feeling in the heart, and the feeling of venting emotions to the fullest is so wonderful that it is indescribable.

Li Nai and Wei Ping, who were watching the ceremony on the tower, had already been shocked from ear to ear by the scene in front of them.If the military formation of the Haihan militia formed a visual impact on them, then the frenzied scene in front of them really directly impacted the depths of their hearts.They have always believed that the biggest reason for these people to attach themselves to the Haihan people is poverty, and the purpose of doing things for the Haihan people is just to get food and clothing. It's just generous treatment.But the facts they saw before them have already told them that this kind of thinking is simply ridiculously naive.

Both Li Nai and Wei Ping have lived in Shengli Port for a while. Although they can feel the local people's admiration and respect for the Haihan people, they never thought that the Haihan people's public support would be so high!Seeing the faces below with distorted expressions due to excitement, both of them felt an unprecedented sense of fear, and even their legs began to tremble a little—these people who shouted slogans hysterically, did they still feel Do you really treat yourself as a Ming citizen?

And this kind of group reaction was beyond the expectation of the Executive Committee who was watching the ceremony on the city tower. Even Tao Donglai himself did not expect such a violent reaction.This one-question-one-answer method is a political method commonly used in the army, and it is the simplest way to form a firm belief in the minds of soldiers.Almost all of these current militia soldiers come from poor families, and their thinking is relatively simple.The Military and Police Department believes that instead of instilling great principles in these low-educated soldiers, it is better to use short slogans as a means of political work.

Based on what we have seen so far, this kind of political work propaganda not only has a brainwashing effect on the soldiers of the militia, but also on the local naturalized people.Many onlookers fell into a state of frenzy due to the group effect in a very short period of time. If Tao Donglai hadn't taken the initiative to stop at the back, I am afraid that these people would continue to shout slogans with the militia soldiers.

Tao Donglai even thought that if the news of the militia's upcoming expedition was announced now, the people below would applaud overwhelmingly, and no one would express any objection to it.Of course, the matter of sending troops is still in the preparatory stage, and when it will be implemented depends on the reaction of North Vietnam.

If North Vietnam broke out suddenly and fought a turnaround at this time alone, then naturally there would be no need to send troops by force, and everyone could wash up and sleep.However, based on various intelligence information, the Military and Police Department believes that the possibility of the North Vietnamese army continuing to be passive in the next defensive battle is more than [-]%, and there is at least a nearly [-]% possibility that it will happen because it cannot withstand the attack of the South Vietnamese firearms troops. rout.As for turning defeat into victory, the Military and Police Department believes that the possibility of this is very small and can be ignored directly.

(End of this chapter)