The pork butcher is smoother than a pig butcher!

Chapter 508 The Wealthy and Powerful Jiangnan Navy

The battle ended at midnight.

The battle report flew from Jiangnan to Shangdu, arriving just before the end of the grand court assembly.

"Your Majesty, urgent report from the Jiangnan navy! Japanese pirates invaded Jiangnan last night!"

The civil officials were in an uproar:
"Again? Only six months have passed since last time!"
"How utterly despicable! Do these Japanese pirates think Jiangnan is a fat sheep? They come to fleece us every six months!"

The military generals, represented by Minister Xiong, all glared angrily.

Everyone's eyes were glued to the report, their hearts pounding in their chests.

Emperor Qianwu calmly accepted the report, unfolded it, and quickly began to peruse it.

The high-ranking officials standing at the front saw this change in the emperor's face.

From murderous intent to wide-eyed glare, then to mixed feelings of surprise, it inexplicably ended with a toothache expression.

In just a few dozen breaths, it seemed as if surprise, anger, joy, and resentment had all been experienced.

His expression, especially at the end, was quite intriguing!

How has this battle actually turned out?
Xiong Zhen asked anxiously, "Your Majesty, what did the urgent report say?"

Emperor Qianwu immediately regained his excited state:
"Hahaha, what a great victory! The Jiangnan navy fought for two hours last night, annihilating 21,300 Japanese pirates and destroying 175 ships! There were zero casualties among the Jiangnan navy and civilians!"

The forty-something Minister Xiong, disregarding his image, jumped three feet high in the main hall, his mouth stretching to the back of his head in a wide grin:
"Zero casualties! Zero casualties!"

"Yes! Scouts from the Jiangnan navy discovered the enemy's presence and promptly relayed it back to command via flying eagles. They then set up an ambush at the Japanese pirates' landing port. The sharpshooters and artillerymen from the Kansai First Military Academy delivered a decisive blow to the Japanese pirates!"

They knew that messages could be delivered by flying eagles.

There are currently seven golden eagles serving on the border, all of which are the offspring of the Little Golden Eagles couple.

But what about those three thousand student soldiers?

The military commanders were eager to find out the truth:

"Your Majesty, those three thousand student soldiers from the First Military Academy in Kansai, haven't they graduated yet? How come they're already on the battlefield?"

"Your Majesty, aren't these student soldiers trained for our Shenji Battalion? We even provided over a hundred instructors for them!"

"Was this wave of the Jiangnan navy borrowed, Your Majesty? If it's borrowed, shouldn't it be returned?"

The Emperor Qianwu, who had just been extremely excited, froze in his smile:
"That's the logic, but Mao Yiyong is a scoundrel who doesn't know martial ethics. He insists that these three thousand students have been in Jiangnan for half a year and have already been involved in the coastal defense deployment in Jiangnan and have already adapted to naval warfare!"
Moreover, this group of Japanese pirates was not a scattered, disorganized foe but a well-organized and large-scale operation. Having suffered a complete annihilation, they would undoubtedly retaliate. This means that naval battles will become commonplace along the southern coast from now on!

Everyone knows the importance of sharpshooters and artillerymen in a state of combat readiness!
Who would dare deny this reason?

Xiong Zhen covered his cheek, pretending to have a toothache:

"The key issue is, how do we explain this to the General Who Guards the Nation? He painstakingly built up a highly skilled army over three years at great expense, and now it's just being borrowed and never returned? Is there really such a thing as a free lunch? Besides, given the Guansai Academy's cost-insensitive training methods, it will be very difficult for the academy to open another branch!"

Yes!

This was also a headache for Emperor Qianwu.

The teaching materials and all courses of the Kansai First Military Academy were submitted for approval.

The imperial court kept a close eye on the expenses incurred for the students every month.

Why hasn't Shangdu been able to replicate this teaching model to this day? To put it bluntly, even the emperor's pockets weren't full.

The Ministry of Revenue discussed the matter several times, but each time they said they couldn't afford the budget!

The transfer order issued six months ago was a secret decree.

Today's news marks the first official appearance of 3,000 student soldiers at the imperial court.

The military officers, who were also envious of these student soldiers, were so angry that their eyes turned red.

Based on their understanding of Mao Yiyong, this ruthless talent, if the student soldiers were not useful, that would be one thing, but if they were useful, there would be absolutely no reason for them to be sent back.

Out of consideration for the defense of the Jiangnan coast, the imperial court could only tell the First Military Academy in Guanzhong the truth, and these three thousand student soldiers were officially incorporated into the Jiangnan navy.

Of course.

The Ministry of War stated that the expenses for training these students could be allocated to the Jiangnan Navy, and presented the Jiangnan Navy's firearms procurement order.

After receiving the imperial decree, Gan Minglan, Vice Principal Xue Yangyan, and others looked at each other in bewilderment.

"I was mentally prepared when these student soldiers disappeared for half a year. We know very well what abilities our own trained student soldiers have. Whoever uses them knows, and everyone who has used them praises them!"

"The imperial court has ordered us to send the bill to the Jiangnan navy. This is no small sum. Are the Jiangnan navy really willing to pay for it?"

"Sigh! The expenses on these student soldiers go far beyond what's on the surface! How much effort our instructors and drill sergeants have put in! And how much thought the principal had to put into designing the training grounds for them!"

"Most importantly, there are dozens of student soldiers here who are very talented in firearms improvement and research and development. Our firearms in Kansai are being upgraded and replaced every year, thanks to the boldness, meticulousness, and willingness to think and act. Without our firearms research and development laboratory, their potential in Jiangnan would be limited."

"Principal, what do you think?"

Principal Gan believes that scientific research and practical application should be combined, but each person should still specialize in their own field.

In the official letter she sent to Mao Yiyong, she specifically mentioned this issue.

Mao Yiyong, being quite a bachelor, replied as follows:

The Jiangnan naval forces acknowledged the expenses incurred by the Kansai First Military Academy in training students over the past three years, and they were even willing to pay double the training fees!
However, dozens of student soldiers who are currently involved in the development of firearms are participating in the improvement of naval firearms, and the outcome is still uncertain!
He even wanted to ask the Kansai First Military Academy to help them build several laboratories.

He added that as long as they weren't asked to return the person, everything was negotiable!
This fellow even hired Gan Mingfu to act as his advocate.

In a private message to his sister, Gan Mingfu said that although this online army has only been established for a short time, they have plenty of opportunities to earn extra money.

Those maritime merchants who passed through the various garrison ports in Jiangnan had to pay a toll.

In addition, many large businesses will give a certain percentage of shares to online trolls in order to seek protection.

When they have free time, the naval forces will also use ships to help transport supplies.

In short, the Jiangnan navy was wealthy and powerful, with pockets overflowing with riches.

Gan Minglan: The customer is God, and double the price will naturally buy you first-class service.

Building a firearms laboratory? That's a good idea!
Let's try a different approach.

Not only did the 3,000 students achieve a 100% employment rate, but they also found jobs in large factories in Jiangnan, with each student starting at least as a centurion. As the principal, she felt proud of this.

With the achievement of annihilating 20,000 Japanese pirates as a precedent, the second cohort of student soldiers this year should be even more sought after.

If all the hiring conditions are based on those of the Jiangnan Navy, then this school will be truly remarkable in the future!