1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 917 Military Exercise Deployment
Whether fighting such a thing is a waste of people and money or a windfall, after all, it still depends on the strength.For example, since Haihan established a foothold on HN Island, the foreign wars have continued for years. This should have been a great consumption, but Haihan has continued to expand its population and control area by means of war, which has become a shortcut to rapidly increase its strength.In the early days, the executive committee still had voices of opposition to this kind of foreign war, but after a long time, everyone realized the huge benefits brought by the war, and turned a blind eye to various actions of the military.

In the past, Haihan Militia’s own routine military exercises were basically only held on HN Island every year, and the joint military exercises with Annan were held at the Catba Island training base in the Beibu Gulf every year, and the scale was controlled at about [-] people.However, the military has benefited a lot from the war in the past two years, and the scale of the military exercise has also increased accordingly. This year's planned South China Sea cruise military exercise will last for more than a month, and the fleet's round-trip voyage exceeds [-] nautical miles.Annan's navy does not have the financial resources of Xu Xinsu, and it is impossible to send the entire fleet to complete the military exercise with Haihan. They can only cooperate in the waters of the Indochina Peninsula. As for the journey from the Indochina Peninsula to the Ambuna Islands, On Annan's side, only the observation team led by Zheng Zuo accompanied him.

Most of the Annan Navy’s military expenditure is spent on purchasing ship equipment and maintaining daily operations. It is not even enough to participate in exercises, let alone fighting. It's a bit rude, but it's not a lie.Considering Annan's current national strength, if he wants to launch another war of destroying the country, he will indeed face great risks and pressures. Annan's rulers do not have the confidence to win, so they come to Haihan for help.

Although Zheng Zuo was a little unhappy, as Annan's future successor, he still had a city and self-cultivation, and he would not show it superficially on his face.Since Yan Chujie didn't want to discuss this matter in depth, Zheng Zuo took the initiative to shift the topic to other matters: "The Ministry of War plans to add an order for four more exploration-class warships within this year. What does General Yan think?"

"Four ships?" Yan Chujie thought about it, nodded and said, "Da Nang Shipyard should be able to free up at least two berths, and Sanya Shipyard will order two more ships, which should be able to meet the requirements of your Ministry of War. As for the price And the construction period, it will still be done according to the old rules.”

"Then can you open the order for steamships this year?" Zheng Zuo then asked the question he really cared about: "As long as General Yan lets go, the price can be negotiated."

"I'm afraid this is difficult." Yan Chujie said with a look of embarrassment: "It's not a question of whether to sell or not, but the output of this marine steam engine is extremely low, and we can only manufacture a few sets here every year. The little prince probably also You see, not all of our own warships can be equipped with steam engines, and we really can’t get any extra steam engines for export.”

The number of active warships equipped with steam engines in the Haihan Navy is only a dozen or so. This is because the production capacity of marine steam engines is indeed not high, and on the other hand, it is also because the existing sailing warships need to be equipped with steam power. system, the required process is relatively complicated, and the construction period is also very long, and there are not many senior technicians who can complete this modification task, and the required equipment is not available in other places, so it can only be completed in Sanya Shipyard.

In view of the high cost and difficulty of transforming existing ships, the Haihan military focused on building new ships after transforming several ships.Installing a steam propulsion system on a newly built warship is much easier than rebuilding an old ship, and the cost and construction time are also more controllable.

Of course, even if Haihan has enough production capacity, it will not meet Annan's request.The steam engine is one of Haihan's capitals in this era, and it is also one of the most valuable black technologies in Haihan's hands. Its production technology is strictly kept secret.In particular, the steam propulsion system used on sea-going ships is one of the core military technologies that Haihan insists on. Before the large-scale promotion of civilian use, it is impossible to sell it as an export product to other countries, even for Annan. Allies are no exception.As for the price, it is simply not within Haihan's consideration right now.

Now Zheng Zuo is really a little unhappy: "Our country has been allied with you for many years, and we have always pursued the concept of sharing blessings and sufferings together, but you have good things, but you are unwilling to share them with your allies. It's a little too petty."

Considering Zheng Zuo's identity, Yan Chujie couldn't say bluntly that I don't sell this thing, so he could only explain to him patiently: "When the little prince is free in the future, go to Sanya to visit the place where the steam engine is made, and you will know How troublesome it is to make this thing. This thing is not something that can be sold, but it can be sold if it is sold. Let's put this matter aside for now, let's discuss the details of the next action!"

The two sides agreed to conduct a joint military exercise in the South China Sea this time. Annan will send a fleet composed of eight warships, four troop carriers, and four supply ships to meet with the Haihan fleet in Da Nang and go south. And the three ports belonging to Haihan in Vung Tau stop for rest.On the other hand, Haihan sent a fleet of 22 ships led by a Majestic-class warship, and planned to join the South China Sea Fleet stationed there at Cam Ranh Port. The total number of ships participating in the operation will exceed 2000. , The troops invested will also reach more than [-] people.In terms of scale, it is no less than the force that Haihan assembled in the previous ZJ operation in the north.

In order for the United Fleet to complete such an exercise with such a large round-trip distance and such a long time span of action, it must have a detailed action plan.Especially if you want to play with the Annan fleet, timely communication between the two parties is particularly important.

A few years ago during the Annan Civil War, Zheng Zuo had experience in joint operations with the Haihan militia, and he also knew that the Haihan people had very strict plans in terms of marching and fighting. At the moment, we can only put aside the unhappiness of being rejected by Yan Chujie, and take care of the current situation. Let's talk about it after the business is done.

The action plan for the entire military exercise was formulated by the General Staff of the Haihan Militia. The requirements for Annan's participating troops were relatively simple, and they only needed to act according to Haihan's arrangements.At this time, the benefits of Haihan helping Annan to train officers for many years became apparent. There is no need to explain more about the marching routes, drills, maritime contact methods, etc. formulated by Haihan, and basically everything can be done. Seamlessly.This Annan Navy, which was built from scratch and aided by Hai Han after the end of the civil war, has even far surpassed the naval forces under FJ Xu Xinsu, except for the level of equipment and training. In addition to the differences of the genuine Haihan Navy, other aspects are almost a [-]:[-] replica.

The fleet rested in Da Nang for three days, and Yan Chujie took a special day to visit and inspect the local construction situation.Haihan has been developing Da Nang for nearly three years, with the aim of building it into a new trading port that will replace Hue and Hoi An.Although it also has certain military functions, it is not the main development direction of Da Nang.The straight-line distance between here and Sanya Port is only 150 nautical miles, and the freight cost of transporting goods from Sanya to GD is much lower than that of Sanya to GD. Therefore, Da Nang has become the main channel for Haihan to export trade to Annan.

At present, Da Nang has built a ten-mile-long civilian port area, including four military-civilian docks.The amount of goods imported and exported from Da Nang every month is currently second to none among Haihan's overseas ports, and the cargo throughput is even about [-]% higher than that of Hong Kong Island at the mouth of the Pearl River.

The vigorous development of maritime trade has also injected vitality into this place. When it was first established, the population here was only 2000 people including locals. Now the permanent population in Da Nang has reached [-], of which more than [-]% are registered Naturalized citizens who have been naturalized.Although many of these people are of Annan descent, when they join Haihan and enjoy the benefits brought by this new social system, most of them will be proud of their new identities.

There are two largest local industries in Da Nang. In addition to maritime trade, the other is shipbuilding.In addition to the Da Nang shipyard jointly established by Haihan and Annan, there are also many small private shipyards here.What Li Maozai and others did in Jilonggang, Taiwan, has already been implemented here.

During Yan Chujie's inspection itinerary, he arranged to visit a local private shipyard. The owner of this shipyard is named Zhan Qin, and he is not an outsider. He is the nephew of the great merchant Zhan Gui, and the backstage boss is actually Zhan Gui.Zhan Gui has cooperated with Haihan for many years, and even moved his family to Sanya to settle down. He is also one of Haihan's hardcore supporters.Because of this, Zhan’s family’s industries in Haihan’s colony received some support and care. For example, the fishing boats and cargo ships built in this shipyard in Da Nang were designed by Haihan’s shipping department.

Zhan Qin took Yan Chujie around the berth for a tour, and at the same time introduced to him the operating conditions of his own shipyard: "...Nowadays, most Annan businessmen are aware of the benefits of maritime trade, and they are also very willing to spend money to build new ships. The order has been scheduled until the second half of next year, and we are planning to build two more berths and start construction together in the few months before the end of the year."

After resting and replenishing in Da Nang, on September [-], the combined fleet set off from Da Nang.It is worth mentioning that on the day of the fleet's departure, Da Nang even organized a pier farewell ceremony. Thousands of people came to the pier to see off the huge fleet. The lively scene made Yan Chujie mistakenly think that he had returned to Victory Port .

After leaving Da Nang, the fleet traveled south along the coastline and arrived in the waters near Hoi An that afternoon.This city used to be the most lush seaport city in the south-central area of ​​Annan, but it was almost completely destroyed in the Battle of Hoi An in August 1628, and it was also the first city conquered by the Haihan Militia in overseas operations.In addition to the fleeing of a large number of Chinese businessmen who originally settled here, the Portuguese also canceled their commercial offices in Hoi An after suffering.Jiasha started to build Da Nang in the north, replacing the function of Hoi An as a trading port. Since then, Hoi An has been in a slump, and now it has been reduced to an ordinary seaside town.The city wall of Hoi An, which was bombarded by Haihan artillery, has never been repaired again, and the traces left by the war a few years ago are still clearly visible in the local area.

The United Fleet practiced landing tactics on Champa Island off the coast of Hoi An. Since it happened to be in the rainy season from September to March of the following year, continuous rainfall and sea waves caused considerable difficulties for the exercise.However, Yan Chujie believed that the harsh weather environment would be more conducive to military training. After all, when it comes to real wars, there is no way to specify whether to operate in good weather or bad weather.When Qian Tiandun used to train the Special Operations Battalion, he even specially found time for field training when the weather was not good.

Zheng Zuo also observed the entire exercise on the deck of the Haihan flagship. Watching the infantry paddle boats land on the beach under the cover of rumbling gunfire, and then quickly establish a beachhead, Zheng Zuo had to admire Haihan. The amphibious operations of the Han people in offshore areas are indeed of extraordinary level.Although there is only a virtual imaginary enemy on the island, and there is no form of resistance, Zheng Zuo can be sure that such an attack method is enough to suppress the resistance of the defenders, but it also made him think of an interesting question.

"General Yan, if your army encounters such an attack, how will it defend?" Zheng Zuo asked with interest.This is a question similar to spear and shield. Zheng Zuo really wants to know how the Haihan army defends against this kind of landing operation.

Yan Chujie said: "We usually set up coastal defense guns in the port area of ​​Haihan. Their power and range can suppress the naval guns at sea. It’s really hard to do that in time.”

Zheng Zuo did not give up and asked: "Then what if there is no coastal defense artillery deployed on a beach similar to this place?"

Yan Chujie said: "We can send the navy to solve the problem directly at sea."

Zheng Zuo continued to ask: "What if there is no naval fleet nearby that can arrive in time?"

Yan Chujie smiled and said: "That's easy, just put the enemy army on the shore. As long as the enemy army is out of the cover of sea firepower, our army can launch a counterattack. In terms of land combat, there should be no army that can fight back." Can beat the Haihan militia army."

Zheng Zuo thought about it for the same reason. When the Haihan militia first intervened in the Annan civil war, they fought more with less in almost every combat mission.Unless it has more than ten times its strength, it will be difficult to suppress the Haihan militia army on the frontal battlefield.Regardless of whether you play as the attacker or the defender on the battlefield, if you want to be an enemy of the Haihan militia, it is indeed an uncomfortable thing.Fortunately, Annan and Haihan are allies, so there is no need to worry about this happening. Although Haihan's ally is sometimes too strong, from the actual effect, Annan's own military strength is indeed enhanced by Haihan's support and assistance. has been significantly enhanced.

(End of this chapter)