In China in 1919, the political situation was changing, and at this time a man also returned to China: Chen Shaokuan!
In 1916, Chen Shaokuan was sent to the United States to investigate the navy, where he also learned submarines and naval aircraft. At the end of that year, he was sent to Western European countries to observe the war: In May 1917, while inspecting, he joined the British Navy to participate in the war: 1918
, went to France and Italy to investigate the navy, and in the autumn of the same year he was appointed naval attache of the embassy in Britain: in 1919, he was appointed as the naval attache of the Beijing government in Britain and supervisor of naval students studying in Europe, and as the naval specialist of the Chinese delegation attending the Paris Peace Conference
Member of the International Maritime Conference, representative of the Chinese Navy.
In more than four years, Chen Shaokuan visited the United States, Japan, Britain, France, Italy and other countries, and wrote a large number of inspection reports: "British Naval Operation Plan", "Report on Visits to Various Places",
"Aviation Report", "British Aviation Readiness", "Submarine Report", "Report of the Naval Attaché in Britain"
Among them, "Report on the expansion of warships by Britain, the United States and Japan and the plan for my country's navy" is a report written by Chen Shaokuan to the new navy chief of the Beijing government, Sa Zhenbing. In addition to analyzing the expansion of the navy of Britain, the United States and Japan before the end of the war, he also pointed out with a deep heart that "China" The navy has lagged far behind. It is hoped that the new chief of the navy can vigorously build the Chinese navy. In May 1916, the British army broke out.
In the decisive battle of the main fleet of the German Navy, in his article "Battle of the North Sea", he made a detailed and unique analysis of the military power and the gains and losses of the two most powerful navies in the world from a strategic and tactical perspective, demonstrating the
His military ability in naval warfare.
In addition, when Chen Shaokuan was serving as the naval attache stationed in Britain, he also wrote a very long "Wartime News", which was reported to the country in the form of records of war events every half month.
In May 1917, he cooperated with the British Navy to participate in the famous Battle of Groling in World War I, and participated in the battle against the German Navy in the British battle fleet and submarine force. During the naval battle, he stayed at his post like a fleet officer,
His courageous spirit despite not being able to avoid bullets won him praise from his British colleagues. After the war, he was awarded the "Special Service Medal" by the British government.
In the past four years, Chen Shaokuan has traveled throughout Europe and the United States, and has a full understanding of the construction levels and development trends of various naval powers in the world. He is also well aware of China's situation of having no defense at sea.
After the war, he was transferred back to Gunai. Chen Shaokuan didn't know much about the domestic situation. As soon as he returned to China, he went directly to Beijing to report on the first battle.
At this time, the Beijing government appointed Sa Zhenbing as the chief of the navy. After Chen Shaokuan was called to leave office and return to China, the first thing he did was to pay homage to Gesa Zhenbing.
"Coming back this time, please let me know whether you want to stay in the ministry or leave the fleet." Chen Shaokuan asked for instructions.
Duo Zhenbing raised his eyes and looked at Chen Shaokuan, groaned a little, held a teacup in his hand, and said slowly: "This time I want you to return to China, of course because your term has expired, but also because I think it will not be beneficial for you to work abroad for a long time. Living away from sea and land all year round, eating
What's there to learn about Western food and foreign etiquette? It's better to go on a ship and do some difficult things, so that you can gain some experience."
After pondering for a moment, he continued: "With the length of China's coastline, it is indispensable to have a strong navy. If you want to do something for the country in the future, you must lead the ship."
Sa Zhenbing said categorically: "Let's go to Tongji. If you bring small ships now, you can bring big ships in the future. If you all work in the ministry, there will be no future."
Therefore, Chen Shaokuan took up the post of captain of the "Tongji" training ship after returning to China.
The military government with the Beiyang Army as its core did not even pay as much attention to the navy as the Qing government. Chen Shaokuan spent four years abroad and witnessed the rapid development of the world's navies. He felt even more that in the years of warlord melee, the Chinese navy and the world
The distance between the navy and the navy is getting bigger and bigger, and this service has been neglected for a long time. Since the main force of the Beiyang Navy arrived in the south, the Beiyang government has not even purchased a single warship: normal sea drills have also stopped: the navy is sometimes inactive, and the officers and soldiers only have to
Pay food expenses to maintain living expenses
But these did not affect Chen Shaokuan's enthusiasm for building a strong navy. The first thing he thought of when he took office was to restore normal maritime drills.
At that time, the "Tongji" ship was stationed under Nanjing City.
Over the past thousands of years, the gold powder towers, painted boats, flutes and drums in the ancient city of Jinling have washed away many ambitions and ruined many talented people.
It is impossible to lead troops in a place like this. Let the sea cleanse the troops!
Chen Shaokuan was diligent in practice and good at summarizing experience, so his navigation skills continued to improve.
When he was the captain of the "Tongji", he led the trainees to practice. During the journey, he encountered a fierce northeasterly wind. The ship sailed into the harbor to take shelter. The wind in the harbor slightly weakened in the middle of the night. Chen Shaokuan immediately ordered to set sail. As soon as he left the harbor, a strong wind hit, and the sea was romantic.
Passing the deck, the ship tilted and almost capsized.
Chen Shaokuan was a little panicked on the bridge and shouted to the sailors beside him: "Please come and learn from Professor Lin!"
Mr. Lin, who was in his seventies and a veteran helmsman, was a warrant officer. Hearing the call, he rushed to the bridge. Seeing that the wind was too strong, he shouted: "You can turn back quickly!"
Chen Jingkuan asked in a voice: "How to turn the rudder?" Professor Lin commanded and replied: "Turn against the wind!" So Chen Shaokuan followed Lin's advice to turn the rudder against the wind and returned to Hong Kong safely. While fighting against the rough waves,
The wardrobe on the port side of the ship was thrown to the starboard side, and the coal pile in the furnace room also fell to the right. Two people were injured and the situation was very dangerous. Chen Shaokuan was not afraid and comforted everyone with a smile: "Everyone has received a false alarm.
But it’s been an experience.”
After experiencing this dangerous situation, Chen Shaokuan seemed to have regained his energy. In order to train trainees, he sailed north under a northeasterly wind of level 8. When he arrived near Niushan Lighthouse, the wind strengthened to level 9. He fought there for 24 hours without any sign.
As they advanced, the wind became stronger and they were more than ten nautical miles away from the coast. At this dilemma, Chen Shaokuan discussed with Professor Lin and decided to use oil to break the waves to control the danger, and finally turned the danger into safety.
This voyage lasted three days and three nights. Chen Shaokuan did not leave the bridge for a moment. After arriving at the port, he fell down and fell asleep as soon as he returned to his room...
Chen Shaokuan led the officers and men of the ship to brave the strong wind and fight against the rough waves. He never left the bridge during the drill. He was so down-to-earth, starting from leading the small ship step by step, and worked tirelessly. While leading the officers and men to drill, he also taught by words and deeds.
, lost no opportunity to publicize the relationship between maritime sovereignty and the destiny of "China" to naval officers and soldiers, and loudly called for strengthening "China" naval power and regaining sea power.
He often talked to officers and soldiers about the importance of building a navy: "The strength of a country is all proportional to its territorial sea power. Whether the territorial sea is complete or not depends entirely on the navy. The so-called hegemonic policy makers in the 15th century were maritime competition. If sea power can be expanded,
, then industry and commerce can develop. Only by extending sea power can foreign trade have hope of development. Therefore, the navy is not only related to national defense, but also related to resisting the oppression of foreign economic power. A country cannot be rich and strong without relying on the navy as its backing."
He also talked about the old events of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895: "In the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, our fleet was unable to exert its own firepower and suffered from enemy artillery fire. As a result, the fleet was not concentrated, the gun penetration rate was low, and the range was too close. In short, the formation
Being out of line is a big reason why you can't win.
Regarding the current adversity that China's navy is facing, he said impulsively: "Our navy has a history of fifty or sixty years, but no one advocates the development of the navy, and the people also ignore our navy. Now
, Our navy is like a thatched hut built on a high mountain, and it is really dangerous in strong winds. We all must work together. [Japan] I am now in Manchuria, and [China] is in a similar situation as before the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1899.
That's the situation. If the Navy doesn't revive, it will make the same mistake again. Don't worry about others, we must do things to revitalize the Navy, and we must do things that enrich the country and benefit the people."
Regarding some people using warships to do opium business, he warned sternly: "You must see clearly which is the right path and which is the evil path. The navy is in a difficult situation, but we are on the right path, and everyone must go on firmly. Those
An ambitious person will have to look to Shu from a long distance, and his greed will never end, so he will naturally not end well."
"The navy must be loyal to the country, and naval personnel must be loyal to the navy." This has been Chen Shaokuan's consistent opinion since he devoted himself to the navy. He has never been influenced by the environment and has pursued this ambition with determination. Today, he has also guided his subordinates to follow this right path.
At this time, although Fujian was still in the hands of the Beiyang government, with the beginning of the Northern Expedition, the situation in Fujian had become precarious for the Beiyang government.
In such a bad situation, Chen Shaokuan led his ships and was ordered to "reinforce" Fujian.
Such reinforcements are meaningless. A small ship, surrounded by the southern government's protective fleet, will sink in less than one turn.
But Chen Shaokuan did not argue, but quietly set sail with his ship. In his opinion, maybe he would never come back once he left!
During the First World War, Chen Shaokuan was not only awarded the "Special Merit Medal" by the British government, but also received a large bonus. Shaokuan was a completely filial son. When he returned to China, he gave him the British government award.
He exchanged his winnings into silver dollars. When he returned to Fujian this time, Chen Shaokuan took a trip to his hometown and handed over all the winnings to his father Zhaoxiong.
Facing his ancestral home, which was infested with termites, had a leaky roof, and was severely damaged, Chen Shaokuan let out a long sigh.
I am really ashamed of my father, but I have no choice. Who made me a naval admiral? I will never do such things as taking advantage of free wages.
Just when Chen Shaokuan was filled with melancholy and was about to leave, two people suddenly appeared in front of him: "Is this Mr. Chen Shaokuan?" "It's me, are you?" Chen Shaokuan asked suspiciously.
The two people seemed very polite: "We are the special envoys sent by the President of the National Government. President Ya would like to ask Mr. Chen for a talk!" Chen Shaokuan was shocked that the President of the Guangzhou National Government actually found his way here!!