1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 508 High-level talks
For Gao Qiaonan, his personal honor and disgrace have long been integrated with his boss Qian Tiandun. The height that Qian Tiandun can achieve in the Haihan system also determines the upper limit of Gao Qiaonan's future career.Therefore, Gao Qiaonan is also very concerned about whether Annan's garrison will have the opportunity to participate in Haihan's military operation to occupy the northern part of Hainan Island.

Gao Qiaonan didn't know the content of the telegram instruction sent by the base camp, but he could understand the words "main force". care.Fighting is all about fighting with your life. Is there anything more difficult than fighting with your life on the battlefield?

"Send my order!" Qian Tiandun put down the message, and began to dictate instructions: "The combat troops stationed in Heitu Port, Tushan Port, and Yong'an Port must report to the Annan Field Training Center immediately after receiving the order! Defense is temporarily handed over to the police, militia, and army logistics departments, all military personnel on vacation will return to the army immediately, and all naval combat ships will start pre-war maintenance work!"

Qian Tiandun paused, and then said: "In addition, please contact Major Feng Annan of Tushan Port with the Annan military to arrange a high-level meeting within this month. I will attend the meeting in person."

With Qian Tiandun's order, the entire northern coast of Annan was moved.The troops of the Haihan militia stationed in Annan were not concentrated together, but were stationed separately in several ports under the control of Haihan called concessions.The colonial area on the Annan side is one of the earliest pilot areas for the military to build a militia system. After nearly three years of operation, the militia establishment is also quite impressive. The total population of these concession ports belonging to Haihan is only 3 Thousands of people took the lead, but the militia has three battalions with a total strength of about 1800 people. In terms of numbers alone, it is almost equal to the regular army stationed in the Annan area.

As for combat effectiveness, the militia reserve force cannot be compared with the regular army that eats military rations, but the basic combat skills and tactics have undergone special training, and the commanders of the militia are all former militia soldiers who have retired from the regular army. They also have some practical experience.The equipment of the militia is basically the old-fashioned matchlock guns eliminated by the front-line troops plus some cold weapons, and the level is basically the same as that of Annan's new army.Although these militia units are not enough to carry out combat missions on the frontal battlefield, they are enough to maintain and protect local law and order in peacetime.

Even though Qian Tiandun's order was sent to various strongholds along the coast of Annan by telegram, it still took several days to complete the assembly and mobilization of troops, as well as the handover and change of defense with the militia troops.It was not until mid-June that the garrisons in various places completed their defense changes one after another and rushed to the training base on Cat Ba Island by boat.During this period, Qian Tiandun commanded the garrison troops on the island, and expanded the local garrison again, because the number of garrison troops to be accommodated here in the next two to three months will be the current capacity twice as much.

Qian Tiandun concentrated all the main combat troops of the Haihan Militia stationed in Annan on Catba Island, and then began targeted combat rehearsal training.This time, the military also spent a lot of money. According to Qian Tiandun's request, a large amount of ammunition was specially produced and sent to Cat Ba Island for the combat troops to conduct live ammunition drills.There was even an artillery company with a complete combat organization sent along with it-of course, it was temporarily transferred to Qian Tiandun's command, and the capital of the base camp was not strong enough to just send the scarce artillery organization to the Annan Military Region.

In late June, Qian Tiandun handed over the training affairs to Feng Annan and Mu Xiabo who had rushed back to Catba Island, and took a few entourages by boat to Tushan Port, where he would discuss with Annan's Dingbei. Inverse General Zheng Bo conducts an official meeting.

Zheng Bai had already been the commander in chief of the defense line of Zhengjiang and Hengshan during the Annan Civil War a few years ago. Later, when he went south to attack Hue, he commanded the North Vietnamese army to surround Hue City. The title of "Dingbei to seek rebellion" was added in front of the military rank as a reward.However, as far as his status in the army is concerned, he has basically risen and there is no room for promotion. If he goes up, he will be crowned king. Now the actual power of the Annan court, Zheng Yan, has not proclaimed himself emperor, and he is only holding a Qing capital. King's name.Zheng Bo wants to go further, unless Zheng Bing proclaims himself emperor, so as to make room for him to rise.

But Zheng Bing wants to proclaim himself emperor, and it is estimated that he will not implement it for a while.In addition to traditional moral and reputation considerations, Annan's country has not yet completely calmed down. In the vast mountainous area north of Thang Long Mansion, some rebels from the Le Dynasty are still stubbornly resisting.In the words of military adviser Haihan, these resistance forces are some extreme terrorists.Before completing the thorough cleanup of the northern mountainous area, Zheng Bing could not be said to have "consummated merits and virtues" for the time being, and forcibly proclaiming himself emperor is very likely to affect his own reputation.

As a high-level military officer, Zheng Bo also knew the stakes, so he didn't pin his hopes on Zheng Bing's early proclaiming the emperor in exchange for his promotion space, but pinned his hopes on the next generation.

Zheng Bo's second son, Zheng Ting, was sent to Tushan Training Camp by Zheng Bo to receive training from Haihan's military advisors when Annan had just entered into military cooperation with Haihan. The troops fought together, and even went to Sanya to participate in the advanced training class for senior officers of the army held by the Haihan militia. They even went to Guangdong with the militia army in 1628, and watched the militia army's battles in Lijiazhuang and Dangan Island up close.Zheng Ting can be said to be the first batch of young officers in the Annan Army to receive systematic Haihan military training, and he was quickly reused in the Annan Army. The first firearms unit was commanded by Zheng Ting.

This army made a lot of military exploits in the Annan Civil War, and Zheng Ting also rose to become a representative of young senior officers in the Annan Army.If all goes well, Zheng Ting will definitely be able to enter the high-level positions of the Annan military before the age of 40, and may even surpass his father Zheng Bai's current achievements - Zheng Ting's backing is not only the support of the Zheng family itself In addition, there is Haihan, a force that cannot be ignored.

In the early stage of cooperation, the Zheng family and his son actually had a lot of defensiveness towards Haihan. They knew very well that the various military support measures provided by Haihan to Annan were not free of charge. Annan paid land, population, and sky-high prices for this. The wealth, as well as the various local laws and regulations that are clearly biased towards Haihan's side.But later they discovered that the Haihan people were not satisfied with obtaining these benefits, but tried to gradually infiltrate Annan's society in a variety of unobvious ways.

Haihan's products, Haihan's culture, and Haihan's various ideas have poured into Annan in recent years, and businessmen who have established trade relations with Haihan have made a fortune. They can speak Chinese and write Annan people with Chinese characters can find a job with a stable income under the hands of Haihan people at any time as long as they want to. Even young officers like Zheng Ting who have received military training from Haihan have better opportunities for promotion than traditional ways. Much faster.

Qian Tiandun once had a private meeting with Zheng Bai on this matter, and expressed Haihan's attitude: Haihan can try to push Zheng Ting to the top of the military as soon as possible, on condition that the Zheng family and his son try their best to influence the Annan military, so that Its pace is highly consistent with that of Haihan, and the military cooperation relationship between the two parties will continue-in short, it is to ensure the continued existence of arms orders and military training.

The method adopted by Haihan is simple and effective. Every year, the military personnel of the two sides exchange, and the Haihan military will appoint Zheng Ting to attend.In the joint military exercise once a year, the commander of Annan's side designated by Haihan also named Zheng Ting.In short, as long as it is dealing with the high-level militia military, Annan can basically only let Zheng Ting come forward. This kind of resources guarantees Zheng Ting's status in the Annan military-although it may be jealous, as long as Zheng Ting Still in the army, no one else can take this resource away.

Although the Zheng family's father and son did not agree with Haihan's infiltration of Annan, they could not refuse the olive branch offered by the Haihan people.After all, the Annan court has to rely on the Haihan people from top to bottom. If they really make them unhappy, maybe they won't be in danger of their lives, but if they want to replace Zheng Ting's position in the Annan army, that's nothing more than It's just a matter of time.You must know that there are not too many young officers in the Annan Army who admire Haihan, and you can pick out a large number of people who are willing to cooperate with the Haihan militia. When climbing, it never stops.

After Zheng Bai received the news from the messenger from Tushan Port, he set off from Shenglong Mansion, and spent two days rushing to Tushan Port, waiting for Qian Tiandun's arrival.He had dealt with Qian Tiandun many times, and he also knew that this young Haihan officer was very pragmatic. He offered to ask for a meeting. There must be some practical matters that need to be negotiated.Moreover, Zheng Ting was not named to participate in the talks this time, most likely because the matter is kept relatively high confidentiality, which shows its importance.

Qian Tiandun arrived at Tushan Port only three hours later than Zheng Bai. After landing, he did not go to the Tushan training camp, but sent someone to invite Zheng Bo to come to the Haihan Office on the Tushan Peninsula. to discuss.

"General Qian specially invited me here for a while this time. I wonder if I can teach you anything?" Zheng Bai didn't put on airs after receiving the news, and rode straight over on horseback. Quickly cut to the point.

"The main purpose is to discuss with General Zheng the arrangements for this year's joint military exercises." Qian Tiandun replied: "The joint military exercises in previous years were all scheduled at the end of the year, but this year because of some changes on our side, we hope that the time for the military exercises can be reduced." Go forward about two months."

"Then about three months later?" Zheng Bai estimated the time and continued to ask.

"That's right." Qian Tiandun nodded and said: "In addition, the time, place, and method of the military exercise will have relatively large changes compared with previous years."

"Oh? I would like to hear more about it!" Zheng Bai had a faint feeling in his heart that this matter might not only be a matter of changing the military exercise arrangement, but the reason for the change was probably the key point of this matter.

"This year's joint military exercise will be held on Qiongzhou Island. The content will be siege operations and field clearance. Live ammunition will be used during the process. However, the cost of transporting personnel, materials and ammunition during the military exercise will be borne by us." Qian Qian Tian Dun calmly explained to Zheng Bai.

Zheng Bai's heart beat immediately after hearing this.Although Qian Tiandun said it lightly, Zheng Bai had already heard something unusual from it.

In the past years, the joint military exercises were almost all carried out on Cat Ba Island. The two sides each sent about a thousand soldiers to carry out coordinated operations or group confrontations. The content was also mainly amphibious landings, mountain warfare, and jungle warfare.In order to avoid unnecessary casualties during the exercise, live ammunition is rarely used. As for directly pulling it to overseas military exercises, it is unprecedented.

Zheng Bai noticed several key points mentioned by Qian Tiandun - Qiongzhou Island, siege warfare, live ammunition, and Haihan's side should bear the expenses.In previous years, the military exercises were all borne by themselves. Haihan never offered to help Annan's participating troops pay for the expenses.Even if the materials consumed in the process were all provided by Haihan, Annan's military settled and paid every penny.

Qian Tiandun's words reminded Zheng Bai of a long-rumored thing—the Haihan people would occupy the entire Qiongzhou Island sooner or later and become independent from Ming Dynasty.Although Zheng Bai himself had never been to Qiongzhou Island, he had heard Zheng Ting describe in detail the scale of the Haihan people's operations on Qiongzhou Island, and it was really just a matter of timing if he wanted to take over the entire island.But why the Haihan people didn't do this, the Zheng family and his son can probably guess a little bit, it's just that they don't want to offend the behemoth Daming.

But Qian Tiandun's arrangement undoubtedly means that Haihan intends to attack Daming.But whether this matter is good or bad for Annan, and whether it is worth getting involved, Zheng Bai couldn't judge for a while.Therefore, after Qian Tiandun finished speaking, Zheng Bai frowned tightly and did not reply immediately.

Qian Tiandun waited for a while, and seeing that Zheng Bo didn't respond, he asked again: "General Zheng, if there is anything you don't understand, you may as well ask me directly, and I will try my best to answer your questions."

Only then did Zheng Bai come back to his senses, and hesitantly asked: "Dare to ask General Qian, your side...is this an ordinary military exercise, or is it planning to start a war?"

"Training troops in actual combat will have the best effect." Qian Tiandun did not immediately answer Zheng Bai's question directly, but went around in circles: "Our joint military exercise this year, or joint military operations can also be called. Live ammunition is attacking a real city, General Zheng understands that it is right to start a war."

(End of this chapter)