The Prodigal Son

After settling things down, Qin Yu, taking advantage of the remaining time, gathered everyone and, led by Zheng Tingchao, headed towards the naval port.

Qin Yu was still quite interested in the navy.

Now that we're here, we definitely have to see what the Da Ning navy looks like.

It would be even better if some improvements could be made to the naval warships so that future warships could be matched with cannons!

On the way, Zheng Tingchao told Qin Yu about the situation of the Raojin Navy.

The Raojin Navy had a full complement of 36,000 men.

But the actual number of soldiers was only 12,000.

"Only this many people?"

Qin Yu and Lü Si exclaimed in surprise at the same time, and Nan Que'er and the others looked over in astonishment.

Of the 36,000-strong naval force, only one-third were combat soldiers?

This is truly unbelievable.

"My reaction when I first arrived at the Navy was the same as yours."

Zheng Tingchao chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Back in the military, combat soldiers made up at least half of the troops, and in the Imperial Guards like the Golden Armor Guard, they made up over 80%! In recent years, the proportion of naval combat soldiers has increased slightly; when I arrived, they made up less than 30%..."

As he spoke, Zheng Tingchao began to explain the reason to them.

The navy is different from other military forces.

Many of the navy's men, once on the warships, were there to serve the warships.

Even during combat, half the crew of a capital warship would not participate in the fighting.

A main warship must be equipped with a helmsman, oarsman, sailor, anchorman, lookout, flag bearer, and other miscellaneous personnel.

These personnel alone would occupy half or even more of the available positions.

Moreover, even if all the warships of Raojin, large and small, were mobilized, it would be impossible for all twelve thousand soldiers to board them and fight.

It can't hold it all!

In the case of naval battles, the number of soldiers deployed at one time would generally not exceed eight thousand.

Of course, if it's a landing operation, that's a different story.

After all, the various soldiers on the warship also needed to undergo combat training.

After landing, these people could also pick up knives and go into battle to kill the enemy.

But their combat strength is certainly no match for those soldiers.

Qin Yu was surprised and asked again, "How many warships does the Raojin navy have now?"

Zheng Tingchao replied, "There are more than 280 warships of all sizes, including 48 main warships..."

In addition to warships, the navy also had grain ships, horse ships, scout ships, and patrol ships, among others.

Warships are further divided into main warships and coastal patrol vessels.

The main warships were large warships, while the coastal patrol vessels were mainly small and medium-sized warships.

A medium-sized warship carries between thirty and eighty soldiers, while a main warship typically carries around two hundred soldiers.

The two flagships of the Raojin Navy could carry about 350 soldiers.

During the reign of the late emperor, the imperial treasury was well-off, and the navy conducted several overseas explorations. At that time, the imperial court allocated a considerable amount of silver to the navy.

However, starting from the late emperor's later years, the navy's military expenditure was drastically reduced.

After Zhao Luan ascended the throne, facing internal and external troubles, the navy's military expenditure was once again reduced.

Currently, the navy has not acquired any new warships for four years; it is simply repairing and reusing old warships.

Even so, the navy's available warships were decreasing year by year.

If this is the case on their side, then I believe the Yijin Navy is in the same situation.

Zheng Tingchao was still talking.

As Qin Yu listened, he sensed something was amiss. "General Zheng, you're not trying to play the poor card with me, are you?"

Is his next step to get more funding for the navy by having his position as the Grand Admiral?

Or perhaps, he could privately sponsor a portion of the navy's military expenses?

"Why are you complaining about being poor?"

Zheng Tingchao said nonchalantly, "I used to complain about being poor to the Ministry of War, but now I'm too lazy to even do that! I'd rather write a couple more memorials requesting a transfer from the navy!"

He had pleaded poverty to the Ministry of War more than once or twice.

But the Ministry of War's reply was always the same.

"The imperial court is facing pressure from Northern Qi and Yan, and doesn't have enough silver to invest in the navy. It's good enough if they can just keep the navy running normally..."

He also knew that what the Ministry of War said was true.

So, after complaining about being poor a few times, he got tired of it.

To be honest, his tolerance of his naval soldiers profiting from warships was somewhat of a sign of his inaction.

If the navy doesn't cause trouble for the court or cross its bottom line, the court shouldn't expect much from the navy!

Qin Yu thought for a moment, then said seriously, "Regardless of whether I am the Grand Admiral of the Navy or not, I believe the navy must be taken seriously! With warships constantly docked in port and naval officers and soldiers mostly staying in camps, what kind of combat strength can we talk about!"

Zheng Tingchao shook his head and said casually, "I used to think the same way as you, but I've come to a realization later."

"Oh? What have you figured out?"

Qin Yu asked curiously.

Zheng Tingchao said solemnly, "Anyway, the navy has no battles to fight. It just patrols the coastal waters or escorts merchant caravans, so it doesn't need too much combat power! If the court pours a lot of money into the navy, causing the northern defense line to collapse, what's the use of a strong navy? If that happens, the navy will be the one to blame!"

Hearing Zheng Tingchao's words, Qin Yu couldn't help but chuckle.

Did he convince himself?

However, what he said does make some sense.

Given the current situation in Daning, the focus of defense should definitely be on the northern and northwestern defense lines.

Qin Yu pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "The navy may not be of great use now, but it will definitely play a crucial role in the future!"

"What a load of crap!"

Zheng Tingchao scoffed, then said with renewed interest, "How about this: you find one of your trusted confidants to take charge and transfer me away from the navy?"

"I……"

Qin Yu's face immediately darkened. "You really don't want to stay in the navy?"

"Let me put it this way, I don't like the navy at all, I even despise it!"

Zheng Tingchao bluntly stated, "I'd rather be a vanguard in the border army than be the naval commander!"

Qin Yu was surprised.

He truly hadn't expected that a naval commander would actually despise the navy.

He already loathed the navy, so there was no need to expect it to be any strong in combat.

Meeting Qin Yu's astonished gaze, Zheng Tingchao knew perfectly well what he was thinking.

"Ugh!"

Zheng Tingchao sighed softly, "You are still young and highly valued by His Majesty. There are some things you simply cannot understand!"

"But I'm already fifty-three. How many more years do you think I can spend in the navy?"

"Think about it, you watch as those people who were far inferior to you back then achieve great success and become high-ranking officials, while you're still stuck in this wretched place, with no notable achievements to show for yourself even in your old age. How does it feel to sit and drink with these old buddies?"

What he truly loathed was not the navy, but his own position as naval commander.

If the court were to transfer him away from the navy now, he would only feel a sense of familiarity when he sees the navy.

When he gets old, he can come back to the navy and feel like he's returning to his mother's home.

As they walked together, Qin Yu gradually came to understand Zheng Tingchao.

Zheng Tingchao was the only college student in the village, and everyone in the village thought that this kid would definitely be successful in the future.

As a result, when he returned in middle age, all those former underachievers and those who had copied his homework were doing better than him.

The key point is that it's not that he's not good enough; he's just been forced into a position he doesn't like.

The psychological impact on him is unimaginable...