Chapter 610 Joint Military Exercise

When Ning Qi led the main members of the mission to Zhangzhou, Shi Diwen was not idle at Zhongzuo. These days, he asked Xu Yuzhuo to take him to almost all the islands in the offshore area of ​​​​Zhangzhou, attacking the Ming army in the area.

We already have a general understanding of Zhangzhou's military deployment.

As one of the most important seaports in Fujian, Zhangzhou has always been an area of ​​focus for Shibazhi. In recent years, it has been attacked by Shibazhi from the sea almost every year, so the defense pressure here is also considerable. The main force of the garrison is

Troops are deployed inside and outside Zhangzhou City. There are about 3,400 city defense troops. The seaport island defense system with Zhongzuosuo City as the core has more than 2,200 troops stationed there. In addition, there are eight naval troops stationed here.

With an establishment of more than a hundred people, the total strength exceeds 6,000, which can be considered a heavy defense.

Of course, according to the consistent style of the Ming army, this troop strength statistics is just paper data. Although a considerable part of the Ming army deployed in Zhangzhou is actually Xu Xin's private army, the vacancy situation in the army is much better

Compared with the general guard army, it still cannot completely prevent the phenomenon of empty pay in the army. According to Xu Yuzhuo, being able to keep the proportion of vacant positions in the guard army's establishment to less than 20% is considered to be a pretty good job.

Therefore, although the Zhangzhou garrison has 6,000 people on paper, the actual number of soldiers is only about 5,000. Excluding logistics, command and other departments, the actual combat force establishment is less than 4,000. It depends on this number of troops to defend a city.

The city is probably enough, but with the long coastline, many island strongholds and offshore waters, it is indeed a bit stretched. If Xu Xinsu had not been following Haihan's suggestion to follow the route of elite soldiers and purchasing large quantities of artillery

After strengthening various strongholds and establishing a strategic depth of multi-layered defense, this pattern of dispersed deployment of troops is really easy to be defeated by opponents from the sea.

Although the Fujian Ming Army has been imitating Haihan's military system and purchased a large number of standard weapons produced by Haihan to arm its soldiers, there is still a big gap between the actual combat effectiveness and the Haihan militia. This is because of the Haihan militia.

The weapons exported to Fujian are originally export versions with reduced performance, or old weapons that have been replaced. There is a certain gap in performance with the weapons installed by the Haihan militia. The second is that Haihan has something that the Ming army cannot imitate.

The high-efficiency command system and the wireless communication system based on black technology cannot be copied at all. This difference in the command system will also significantly affect the tactical arrangements and combat effectiveness, and the effects on the battlefield will be geometric.

The progression was enlarged, and some of the tactics that the Haihan militia could accomplish were like fantasy to the Ming army.

There is another invisible and intangible factor, which is the morale of the troops. Since the establishment of the Haihan Militia, it has never been defeated in any war, no matter how big or small. This image of a victorious army has a great morale-boosting effect on the troop members during wartime.

Very large. Therefore, although most of the wars that the Haihan Militia has experienced were fought with less and more, there has never been an accident such as the troops retreating in fear of battle. And the members of such an army, for

The loyalty of Haihan will also increase invisibly. However, the Fujian Ming Army has no official title, but has been passive in the confrontation with the pirates for a long time. Over time, the self-confidence of these troops will also be negatively affected, which will directly affect the

their performance on the battlefield.

Although the Fujian Ming Army's performance has improved after Xu Xinsu came to power, the overall situation is still in a passive state. In terms of morale, it is difficult to compare with the self-confidence of the Haihan Militia. Shi Diwen's conclusion after many days of inspection near the Zhongzuo Institute

, believes that although the fighting will of the Ming army in Fujian is stronger than that of the Ming army on Hainan Island, this so-called strength is relative. It is difficult to predict whether they will be like the original history if they suffer several defeats in a row.

In this way, the local defenders became a group of sheep soldiers who were defenseless in front of the pirates.

However, this is not bad news for Haihan. Shi Diwen believes that this shows from the side that Haihan's restrictive policy on arms exports has played an obvious role. The combat effectiveness of the Fujian Ming Army is not high, and it is due to its training.

It is directly linked to the frequency of combat, and one of the fundamental reasons is that Haihan restricted the export of original ammunition to it, making it difficult for the Fujian Ming Army to ensure daily live-fire training and large-scale sustained operations, which often lasted ten days and a half.

, even if the situation is advantageous, they have to stop because they have to wait for the next batch of arms to arrive before they can restart the war.

Of course, this embarrassing situation has become a thing of the past. In the future, Haihan, who has lost patience with Shibazhi, will gradually relax some restrictions on arms sales in order to support the Fujian Ming Army in launching a large-scale attack on Shibazhi.

Offensive. Once the weapon supply problem is solved, the combat effectiveness of the Fujian Ming Army can immediately rise to a higher level. Qian Tiandun, who will be sent to Fujian to guide the war situation, can also make full use of these "assistant troops" to gradually eliminate them at the lowest possible cost.

The power of Shibazhi in Fujian and Taiwan.

After Ning Qi and Xu Xinsu returned to Zhongzuo Suo City, Shi Diwen first introduced them to the general plan of the joint military exercise: "...the joint fleet will start from Zhongzuo Suo, go east around Kinmen, and then turn to the north.

Conduct a one-day maritime combat exercise off the coast of Quanzhou. Then continue north, targeting Nanri Island, to conduct an amphibious landing exercise. The entire exercise will take about three days. In addition, we are preparing for the shooting session in this exercise.

All live-fire exercises are arranged to be as close to actual combat conditions as possible. I will let General Xu explain the specific preparations."

Xu Yuzhuo then introduced: "In this joint military exercise, the two sides have invested a total of 1,500 troops and 30 ships. The relevant personnel and materials have been deployed. A few days ago, Mr. Shi had convened a meeting with officers from the participating troops.

We have had a preparation meeting, and now we only need to wait for an order to set off at any time."

Xu Xinsu frowned and said, "This Nanri Island...does it need to be reconsidered?"

Ning Qi wondered: "What's wrong with Nanri Island?"

Xu Xinsu explained: "Mr. Ning does not know that Nanri Island is an important part of the waterway. Shibazhi has always regarded it as his destiny. He built a rock camp on the island and usually stationed thousands of soldiers and dozens of battle lines.

The ship is very difficult to deal with. Although our army launched several offensives, they were unable to capture this island. It can be regarded as a thorn between Zhangquan and Fuzhou."

Shi Diwen said: "I have seriously discussed the situations Mr. Xu mentioned with General Xu a few days ago, and General Xu also showed me the general defense map of the island. With all due respect, I think this island

It may not be as difficult to conquer as your army imagined, we can completely capture this place within a day or two, and then realize the safe navigation of several major trading ports along the coast of Fujian."

"Within a day or two?" Xu Xinsu repeated Shi Diwen's words with some disbelief. She thought that when he led his troops to attack the pirate camp on Nanri Island, he fought for seven or eight days and suffered nearly a thousand casualties. In the end, he was exhausted.

They ran out of ammunition and morale, and had to choose to evacuate. The location of Nanri Island happened to be stuck between Zhangquan and Fuzhou, causing trouble to the route from Zhangquan to the north day after day, and ten times

Using it as a foothold, Bazhi could launch sneak attacks from Nanri Island to the port cities in the north and south at any time. If it were not possible to capture Nanri Island, Fujian's coastal defense would not be as passive as it is now.

"I know Mr. Xu may have some doubts about our arrangement. It doesn't matter. Mr. Xu can board our flagship 'Prestige Signal' and witness this little battle with us." Shi Diwen said this.

He was very confident and immediately invited Xu Xinsu to come and observe in person.

Of course, when talking about this joint military exercise, Hai Hanfang had already made it clear that he wanted to invite Xu Xinsu to participate. However, according to Shi Diwen's arrangements, this joint military exercise is not just an exercise.

, but really intends to use his hands to show off his force.

Xu Xinsu hesitated slightly and said: "If we really want to attack Nanri Island, aren't the number of more than a thousand people a little too small? Why not give me a few more days to gather elite troops from Zhangzhou and Quanzhou counties, and then try to attack

island."

"It's not necessary." Shi Diwen shook his head and said: "Sir Xu, we are not planning to use your troops as cannon fodder to consume the pirates' combat effectiveness. In this battle to land on Nanri Island, our Haihan Militia will be the main force, and Ming Ming

The army just needs to cooperate with the action."

Shi Diwen said this, and Xu Xinsu couldn't object anymore. He sent people out of the ship to help the Ming army seize the territory. His repeated shirks might make Haihan people doubtful——

You are not with Shibazhi, why are you trying to stop me from being beaten?

"The only thing left is to pick a good and auspicious day to set off. But my personal suggestion is that the sooner the better, because the longer we delay, the greater the possibility of leaks." Shi Diwen said rudely: "

If we want to take action before this news reaches Nanri Island, we'd better set off within two days."

Seeing his father's eyes looking towards him, Xu Yuzhuo quickly bowed and responded with understanding: "I also think that the plan formulated by Haihan can be boldly tried! Please allow me, sir!"

Xu Xinsu was silent for a while before she said: "I don't believe in such things as good times and auspicious days. Since Mr. Shi said to set off within two days, then we will send troops to Nanri Island early the day after tomorrow!"

Shi Diwen nodded and said: "Very good, then Xu Shenjiang understands what measures should be taken now, right?"

"Immediately block the entry and exit of the entire island, and all personnel will return to the team and prepare for combat from now on." Xu Yuzhuo answered solemnly according to the Haihan military theory he had learned.

"One more thing, inform the quartermaster and prepare fine wine and food. When our combined fleet returns triumphantly, we will have a good celebration in Zhongzuosuo City." Shi Diwen added confidently.

Xu Xinsu was probably infected by this emotion, and became excited: "If we can really capture Nanri Island in this battle, then I will definitely reward the three armies after the war... Well, the people of the Haihan Militia are also included!"

However, after the excitement passed, Xu Xinsu soon became a little scared again. During the banquet, she asked Ning Qi, who was sitting next to her: "Mr. Ning, are you sure about this battle?"

Ning Qi thought to himself that you were really sick and rushed to the doctor. I am a teacher and not a military commander. If you ask me if I am sure, you might as well go to the temple to ask for a fortune. Of course, after the slander is over, you still have to say something more beautiful.

: "Master Xu, don't be nervous. Since our Haihan Militia was established in the seventh year of Tianqi, we have fought twenty or thirty battles in various sizes. No matter who the opponent is, we have never lost or been unable to complete the battle."

The situation of the target occurred. I think when we sent troops to Annam, the opponent's strength was dozens of times ours. In the end, we were beaten to the point of being unable to fight back. Annam-Hue City is known as the most fortified city in the country, compared with

Qi Zhangzhou City might be a bit stronger, but wouldn't it be captured by our militia army as well?"

Ning Qi actually did not personally participate in the Annan Civil War, so this statement is mostly nonsense. When the Haihan Militia sent troops to Annam, although it played an important role in key positions in some key battles, in fact the main force attacking South Vietnam was still North Vietnam.

army, otherwise with the few men and horses of the militia army at that time, it would not be enough just to guard the captured city.

However, these rhetoric are very effective to fool Xu Xinsu. After all, the achievements of the Haihan Militia have long been famous in Fuguang, and among the Annan businessmen who came to Fujian to do business, they are even more majestic and majestic.

After hearing this, I felt my confidence greatly increased, and with a smile on my face, I said: "If this move can pacify Nanri Island, there will be one less nail on the route from Fujian to the north. By then, goods transported to the north will no longer need to be transported as they are now.

This relies on land transportation.”

Ning Qi responded with a smile: "What Mr. Xu said is that we are looking forward to buying large quantities of goods to wealthy places such as Hangzhou Prefecture, Songjiang Prefecture, and Nanjing Prefecture as soon as possible!"

Shi Diwen could hear clearly from the side, and even with the strength of his wine, he expressed a murderous attitude: "Our two coalition forces will destroy Shiba Zhi, starting from Nanri Island!"

June 4, 1631, the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in the fourth year of Chongzhen's reign in the Ming Dynasty, happened to be the Dragon Boat Festival. However, there was no festive atmosphere in Zhongzuo on this day, because the island's external contacts had been completely closed a few days ago.

Everyone knows that there will be a major military operation in the next few days, but the target has not been announced, and only a few senior officers know the inside story.

For reasons of safety, Shi Diwen did not allow Ning Qi to participate in this military operation, but asked him to stay on the island as a support for the rear. Xu Xinsu boarded the "

Take advantage of the short time before departure to visit this unforgettable giant battleship.
Chapter completed!