"Vague? I think you are so happy that you have not noticed the meaning of His Highness King Qin's words, right? Although the defense of the southeast is important, anyone with a discerning eye should know that there are not many wars to fight in the southeast now. Situ Tai can protect the East China Sea and not defect. We are so lucky. How can we think about other things? But why would His Highness the King of Qin let us come to the southeast? Yuhang, Quanzhou and Huludao, these three places are the focus of our inspection of defense this time. Don’t you have any? Sensitivity?" Ling Tian didn't even bother to raise his head and asked calmly.
"Lord Ling, of course we know that this inspection of the southeastern defense is mainly focused on the navy system..." Before the words could be settled, Ling Tianfang coldly interrupted the other party: "I need to remind you that this is the navy, not the navy! Don’t you know the difference between the navy and the naval force? Well, I don’t want to talk to you anymore today. You should think carefully about the reminder I just gave you. What is our center this time? When we arrive in Yuhang , I will give you a good test to formulate your own plans and ideas this time."
I don’t know why Ling Tianfang, who was chatting and laughing just now, suddenly changed his attitude. All the staff members retreated into their cabins in despair and guessed the meaning of the words of the Director of Military Affairs, navy and navy? Yuhang, Quanzhou and Huludao, these three places were the former residences of the imperial navy fleet. Could it be said that His Highness the King of Qin planned to fully restore the naval power of the imperial period
Think about the three things mentioned. At present, the Imperial Navy, especially the overseas Navy, has been wiped out in the civil war and after being ambushed by the Japanese. If we want to rebuild the Imperial Navy in the Atlantic Ocean, we must turn it into a real navy. Such planning is no small matter. Not only the manufacturing of ships, but also the recruitment and training of sailors. The reconstruction of port terminals, the formation of fleets, and actual combat drills of tactics all make people feel that it is too huge. It took hundreds of years for the Imperial Navy to accumulate, but now after several wars, the Empire In this regard, there is almost nothing left for Xijiang. If you want to restore the glory of the Imperial Navy in the past, it will take five or six years without even thinking about it.
Ling Tianfang and his party took a boat from Jiujiang to Huzhou. After inspecting the Taihu Navy fleet in Huzhou where Tian Jinbao served as the commander-in-chief, Ling Tianfang quickly took a boat eastward and arrived at Yuhang, the first stop of the real mission, via the canal.
Ling Tianfang stood in front of the Yuhang Military Port Pier and couldn't believe that this was once the location of the Tanghe Empire's navy fleet headquarters. There were only a few dilapidated boats on the pier. Weeds grew knee-deep in the stone crevices on the pier. The flagpole in the center of the wide square close to the shore looked so lonely. The Imperial Double Dragon Playing with Pearls flag has long since disappeared, but the Golden Roc Flag of Western Xinjiang has not yet. Rising here, the wild grass half-deep in the entire square looks like it has been uninhabited for many years, swaying in the autumn wind, and it is indescribably desolate.
The large house not far from the dock is probably where the headquarters of the Imperial Navy is located. Judging from the deserted appearance, there is not even a trace of anyone. It seems that even the left-behind personnel have been saved. It seems that the Imperial Navy has truly been wiped out. Ling Tianfang didn't have much thought to go and inspect it again. The situation had already been seen with his eyes, and it was almost the same. This was where the headquarters of the Imperial Navy and the direct fleet were stationed. It looked like a wilderness. Compared with the prosperity of the Yuhang Port wharf that Ling Tianfang visited just now, it was a world of difference.
Perhaps it was the first time that they felt the desolation here. Wang Zongxi, the new governor of Jiangnan who accompanied Ling Tianfang to inspect this place, and Bai Yuanzhong, the governor of Yuhang City, were also a little surprised. Although the suburbs of Yuhang Prefecture are not as crowded with merchants as in the city, they are also a little surprised. However, an area like this that only relies on a city can be regarded as a geomantic treasure. It has good dock facilities and even some docks. If it is well developed and connected to the city, it will soon become a busy place. Main circulation channel.
Ling Tian's heart kept sinking. It seemed that His Highness King Qin planned his trip to the southeast with the danger of the southeast coast defense in mind. The situation was completely blank. With just these broken ships, let alone building a navy, it was just a matter of time. Even protecting this port is empty talk. Remembering what Wang Zongxi and Bai Yuanzhong said just now, the Japanese pirates, mainly Japanese rogues, colluded with some local pirates and began to harass the coastal areas of Jiangnan again. The armed forces organized spontaneously by the people were simply unable to compete with these. The bandits disappeared without a trace, and the newly formed 10th Army Corps was still gathering and reorganizing in Huzhou and Jiujiang. Judging from Ling Tianfang, even if the 10th Army Corps was formed, it would be difficult for them to take on this responsibility. possible.
After all, the army is an army. Most of these bandits come from the sea, and they travel by ship. Except for landing on the shore for robbery, other operations are rarely carried out on the shore, especially now in the Atlantic Ocean from the Cook Islands to the Treasure Island. The islands are all controlled by the Japanese. They no longer even need to provide logistical supplies from the mainland, which further increases their stealth and mobility. Now that the imperial naval power has completely disappeared, it is difficult to find a place in the country in a short period of time. It can be imagined how difficult it is to rebuild this force in the Atlantic Ocean. Thinking of this, Ling Tianfang felt a splitting headache.
"Everyone, what do you think after seeing these situations?" Ling Tianfang really has no interest in reading any more. There is a dilapidated and desolate scene everywhere. No wonder some Jiangnan businessmen still hope that the local government can take over these places and sell them into It became a private property, and such an excellent harbor with both sea and river connections was reduced to this state in just one year. Ling Tianfang really had no other words to describe the frustration and loss in his heart. At the same time, he also felt how heavy the pressure on his shoulders was. .
Wang Zongxi and Bai Yuanzhong exchanged glances in surprise and looked at each other. The director of military affairs suddenly asked such a sentence, which surprised them. This military affairs matter is under the jurisdiction of the military. Can what he just proposed be transferred or sold? It's just an idea to develop the economy from a local perspective. Now I suddenly asked if you have any ideas, what ideas you can have. If you have any ideas, it should be a matter for the military. Our local government is just cooperating.
Seeing the two people looking confused, Ling Tianfang said coldly: "Mr. Bai, just now you were talking about Japanese pirates invading the sea and hoped that the army could help eliminate the bandits, but now even the naval base has become like this. As a The local officials were indifferent, so how can you expect the army to deal with those Japanese pirates who come and go freely on the sea?"
Bai Yuanzhong blushed and protested: "Master Ling, what you said seems a bit unreasonable, right? It seems that there is no place to intervene in military matters. Even though this place is deserted, how can you blame the subordinates? What? Besides, I haven’t come to Yuhang Mansion for a few days before my lord. Isn’t your request a bit too harsh?"
"Humph, Mr. Bai, you are known for your economic development and local security in Hejian Prefecture. Now the Japanese pirates' harassment of local security has endangered the next development plan of the entire Yuhang. You don't know this, right? Your Highness King Qin Putting you in the position of the first government in the south of the Yangtze River has high hopes and is based on your vision and knowledge. However, just now you mentioned to this director that you want to sell off this military port to develop the economy. Is it possible? Is your vision so short-sighted?" Ling Tianfang's words became more and more serious.
Only then did Bai Yuanzhong and Wang Zongxi realize that the Director of Military Affairs' unknown anger was directed at what they had just said, and Wang Zongxi's face was also a little burning and uncomfortable. It seemed that the Director of Military Affairs was angry. The director seemed to be carrying a secret mission for His Highness the King of Qin. The note sent to him by the Government Affairs Office only said that Ling Tianfang and his entourage had an important business trip to Jiangnan, and the local government must cooperate fully and unconditionally. I don't know where this director of military affairs came from. The big evil fire seemed to look even more ugly after seeing the headquarters of the Imperial Navy.
Bai Yuanzhong was at a loss for words for a moment, but he didn't expect that the words he just talked to the Governor would be used by the other party to counterattack him, and he would also use his political achievements in Hejian as an excuse. Isn't this deliberately making things difficult for him? He said angrily: "Sir Ling, I think this official is too talkative. This Imperial Navy Headquarters and this military port should belong to the military. The local government has no right to interfere. I will just stop interfering with you from now on."
"My lords, this time I have been entrusted by His Highness King Qin to come to the southeast. I am actually serving as a frontline for His Highness King Qin. Although I cannot tell when His Highness King Qin will come to this Jiangnan group, I believe that His Highness King Qin will definitely come at the right time. We will inspect Jiangnan, and it will definitely be within a year, so I hope you two adults can cheer up. His Highness the King of Qin has always placed high hopes on this sacred land in the south of the Yangtze River and must not disappoint His Highness the King of Qin. And I am going to the southeast this time. The purpose of the trip will also be the focus of His Highness the King of Qin's inspection." Looking at the other people around him who were hiding away because there seemed to be some disputes between the three people, Ling Tianfang lowered his voice and said: "His Highness the King of Qin requested that we The Dadongyang Navy will be rebuilt within one to two years, and its scale will even exceed that of the Tanghe Empire Navy in the past. This is also the focus of the next visit to Jiangnan County by His Majesty the King of Qin. Therefore, I will rely on these two places for the reconstruction operation this time. Parents, this action must start from Yuhang first. Lei Cangpu will come to Jiangnan from Nanhai soon. They will have to negotiate with you two for specific matters, and I am just here to make a big start. This Yuhang Not only must our naval facilities not be abandoned, they must also be further expanded.”