Chapter 2427

Shi Diwen has been operating in Zhoushan for several years. He has his cronies guarding all the big islands and has countless eyes and ears. The local security department and military intelligence bureau are also strong and well-funded. There are many powerful people in these two yamen.

No matter who wants to make small moves on Shi Diwen's territory, it is impossible to hide it. If not, there are countless wealthy businessmen and powerful people in Ningbo, Shaoxing, Jiaxing, Hangzhou, Songjiang and other state capitals that are close to Zhoushan.

The military power of various Ming military posts along the coast has long penetrated Zhoushan like a sieve.

Shi Diwen heard Tao Donglai's rhetorical question and immediately understood what he meant. He nodded and said, "So Xu Xinsu made this request to test our attitude and see if he can win our approval."

"That's right." Tao Donglai affirmed Shi Diwen's view: "If we acquiesce to Xu Xinsu's stationing troops in the Zhoushan area, then he may understand this as a statement."

Shi Diwen said: "How did Tao always reply to him?"

"I did not agree to lease Zhujiajian Island to him." Tao Donglai responded: "Unless Xu Xinsu can guarantee to our country, no more than two hundred armed forces will be stationed there."

Shi Diwen sneered and said: "Mr. Tao, what a trick! If he agrees, then he will not be able to achieve the purpose of garrisoning troops, and leasing the island will be meaningless. If he doesn't agree, it will be equivalent to exposing the true intention of garrisoning troops there.

Thoughts! This old fox probably didn’t expect to receive such a reply, right?”

The standard proposed by Tao Donglai actually refers to the previous agreement between the two parties, which stipulates that the size of the garrison in the area controlled by the other party shall not exceed 200 people. The offices currently established by both parties in various places are also implemented in compliance with this standard.

Of course, the offices set up by Haihan in Fujian are mainly focused on trade, culture, education, finance and other functions, so they are generally equipped with only one platoon of security personnel, and the armed personnel of several offices combined are not enough.

to 200 people. The various offices set up by Xu Jiajun in Haihan are much more. Almost every major trading port has a business hall under the name of Xu, and naturally there are armed guards stationed there. Like Jinzhou

In war zones, or when Haihan had large-scale military operations overseas, Xu Xinsu also sent senior officers to the area as military observers, or to act with Haihan's army.

Tao Donglai's reply to Xu Xinsu was to make full use of this agreement, which would not offend anyone but also allow Xu Xinsu to retreat in spite of the difficulties. It was a method that had the best of both worlds.

"Xu Xinsu heard my answer and said that he wanted to think about it again. If he really became ambitious, he would definitely not give up." Tao Donglai responded: "When you are dealing with the Xu family, there are many

Pay attention to their movements."

When Haihan stationed in Zhoushan, Xu Xinsu had deployed internal forces in Ningbo in advance to provide help, which saved Haihan a lot of trouble in occupying this place. But now that Haihan controls Zhoushan, he does not want Xu Jiajun to station here in large numbers, so the Xu family

Even if he didn't say it, he would still feel uncomfortable in his heart. Shi Diwen and the Xu family met many times because of various matters, and there were many opportunities to resolve the conflicts.

Shi Diwen's view on this issue is very simple and direct: "Mr. Tao, the Xu family has been obeying our arrangements for many years because they know very well how strong our military strength is. As long as we can maintain this strong image

, so we don’t have to worry about them going against our wishes. Every time someone from the Xu family comes over, I arrange for them to visit the base of the East China Sea Fleet, or take them out to sea for a spin, engage in live-fire exercises, and let them see it up close.

Looking at our country's maritime armed forces, this will help them keep their heads clear. From the actual effect, I think this display of force is quite effective."

"You mean we just need to continue to maintain our military advantage?" Tao Donglai asked.

"Not only must we maintain our advantage, but the key point is to make the Xu family realize that the gap with us is an insurmountable gap." Shi Diwen analyzed: "As long as we find opportunities to show force every once in a while, I believe that the Xu family will always maintain

A deferential attitude towards our country.”

"What are your plans?" Tao Donglai heard that what he said made sense and continued to ask.

"Can you deploy a Warrior-class warship to the East China Sea Fleet?" Shi Diwen did not go around in circles, but directly expressed his thoughts: "If I can have a Warrior-class warship here, it can be a shock.

It's not just the Xu family... Mr. Tao, you should also know that many powerful and wealthy businessmen in Jiangsu and Zhejiang have sent their children to Zhoushan to receive our country's military training. If they can see our advanced warships up close, it will also help.

Promote the prestige of our country!"

Among the warships currently installed in the Haihan Navy, the Majesty class is the warship model with the largest displacement and the strongest combat capability. It can be said that there is no comparable opponent on the coastline of the Ming Dynasty. But if you do not consider that it has been delivered to the military

In terms of the number of ships installed, the most advanced warship model is probably the Warrior-class warship. But the problem is that only one "Black Shark" was built as a sample for technical verification of this steam-armored warship that was ahead of its time.

, the Ministry of National Defense seems to have no plans to field such warships on a large scale so far.

The main reason why this new type of warship has not been built on a large scale is of course its high cost. Although its displacement is much smaller than that of the Majesty-class warship, its cost is far higher than the latter. And because it uses steam engines

As the main propulsion power, its reliance on logistical supplies has also greatly increased, and its sea endurance is far inferior to those of the sailing warships currently installed.

In the few combat operations of the Black Shark, although its combat effectiveness was indeed powerful, its combat cost was too high for the military to ignore. Both the shipyard and the military believed that this kind of steam warship

There are still many areas that need to be improved according to actual deployment needs, and it is not suitable to carry out mass construction at this stage. Therefore, this kind of warship, which seems very advanced to the outside world, has never been reused by the Haihan Navy.

Of course, the lack of reuse does not mean that General Haihan does not like this new equipment. The problem is that such a test ship cannot be assigned to a specific fleet, so there is simply no deployment plan.

So far, it is still used as a test platform to verify various new weapons and new technologies, and most of the time it only operates near Hainan Island.

Tao Donglai smiled and said: "So that's your idea... But the problem is that if the Black Shark is handed over to the East China Sea Fleet, what should we do with the various new technologies that need this platform to be verified in the next few years?"

Shi Diwen said: "It's the same as usual! Just do whatever tests need to be done, as long as it can be pulled out a few times a year to show its power. The East China Sea Fleet can bear the related expenses by itself."

With a cornucopia like Zhoushan Dinghai Port, the East China Sea Fleet is naturally wealthy and will not care about additional expenses. Besides, the deterrent effect that a warship like the Black Shark can bring to the East China Sea Fleet is greater than the military expenditure to maintain its daily operations.

It's much more valuable, and Shi Diwen is happy to pay for it.

Tao Donglai said: "Things are not as simple as you said. You have to know that most of the technicians who developed this kind of warship have settled in Sanya. Their workplaces and families are all in Hainan Island. How is it possible?

Just move? And the military projects we are developing are not limited to Warrior-class warships. It is unlikely that these researchers will leave Sanya and move to settle here with you."

Shi Diwen was not so easily put off by Tao Donglai's words. He immediately proposed another solution: "Mr. Tao, do you think it can be done like this? The East China Sea Fleet and Dinghai Port will jointly invest in the local shipyard."

Build another Warrior-class warship. This way, there is no need to delay the various experiments that the Black Shark should have done, and there is an additional platform available. The East China Sea Fleet has also grown in strength, and can have a greater deterrent effect on all aspects of forces.

."

The idea proposed by Shi Diwen is undoubtedly very feasible, because he solved the most fundamental problem of shipbuilding funds right away. Although the Warrior-class warship is expensive to build, considering the financial situation of the Zhoushan area,

It is not a big problem to afford the construction cost of a ship. Sanya only needs to provide design drawings, construction plans, technical guidance and steam engine systems. The technical level of Zhoushan Shipyard is also sufficient to complete the construction and assembly locally.

project.

Situations like this are not without precedent. The East China Sea Fleet has been continuously expanding in recent years. Most of the new warships built locally every year are commissioned in the East China Sea Fleet. Indeed, part of the construction cost of these warships is borne by the local finance.

The operation method is no different from the plan currently proposed by Shi Diwen, but there are only differences in the model of the warship and the proportion of local construction costs.

Tao Donglai said: "The Warrior-class warship still has many flaws. Are you sure you really want to build one locally?"

Shi Diwen nodded and said: "I think building one more ship is beneficial to the country and will help stabilize the situation in the East China Sea. And Mr. Tao, don't forget that I am a semi-professional in shipbuilding and navigation.

There are also knowledgeable local experts. This kind of warrior-level R&D and improvement work can be done in Sanya, and I can do it here as well."

Shi Diwen was not bragging. When he participated in the crossing operation, he and several other people from North America sailed a sailboat from the European Mediterranean all the way east, sailing almost half of the world's oceans before arriving at the destination of Sanya.

, in terms of navigation technology, it is definitely at the top level among time travellers. And the technical level of Zhoushan Shipyard is also one of the best among overseas colonies. Since even the Majesty-class warships with larger displacement can be built here, of course the Warrior-class

It's no longer a problem.

There are shipyards, naval forces, and ample funds here in Zhoushan. Coupled with him being a knowledgeable official in charge, he indeed has the objective conditions to develop and upgrade Warrior-class warships. Tao Dong came to listen to his analysis.

Afterwards, I also feel that this matter is extremely feasible. If it can be implemented smoothly, it will indeed play a significant positive role in both the international situation and the research and development of military technology.

But Tao Donglai still had a question in his mind. He hoped that Shi Diwen could give a reasonable explanation: "You have rarely gone out to lead troops to fight in recent years. Many people think that you are going to transform into a civilian government."

Well, why are you still spending so much time on new warships now?"

Shi Diwen said calmly: "Then there must be a misunderstanding. I am not running this place in Zhoushan just to live a stable life as a civil servant. Only when this place develops well can we have more income, and if we have money, we can continue to grow."

East China Sea Fleet. Although the East China Sea is relatively peaceful at the moment, it is always right to start preparations for war earlier. One more warship means more combat power... Mr. Tao, don't you think about it in a year or two?

Just take off the mill and kill the donkey, please transfer me out of here?"

Tao Donglai quickly waved his hand and said: "Stop thinking about it. If you want to transfer you, you have to find other candidates who are qualified for your position first! Nowadays, there are fewer and fewer people who are willing to leave Hainan Island to work. It's not that easy to find someone.

I'll replace you!"

Shi Diwen said: "Then my troops cannot be transferred casually... In short, these troops who were personally recruited and trained by me have invested a lot in front and back. They can only serve here. Don't use it as an excuse to change defenses."

My advantage. As for the troops transferred from other places, the Ministry of National Defense can transfer them at will and I will not interfere."

Shi Diwen's approach is actually very similar to that of a warlord, except that the administrative, judicial, taxation and other agencies and officials in the Zhoushan area still obey the orders of the executive committee. But this is the current situation of Haihan. Almost every leader overseas

The senior generals of the army all have private armies of a certain size, and it has even become a common rule. This also makes it difficult for Haihan's early practice of stipulating that overseas troops to regularly change their garrison locations to be implemented more thoroughly.

Although the Executive Committee has already noticed this situation, it can't come up with any good solutions. Of course, these generals are not willing to stay overseas all year round for fame and fortune. One of their original purposes for participating in the crossing operation was to lead troops to fight.

, if the Executive Committee wants to weaken or even deprive them of their privileges in this area, it may cause internal conflicts. Therefore, the current approach is to ensure that these generals stationed overseas and other generals stationed overseas are controlled by controlling the supply chain of weapons, equipment and materials.

The military power you master will not give rise to two minds.

Tao Donglai didn't want to argue with Shi Diwen about these issues that had been deliberately vague, so he brought the conversation back to his previous question: "So what are you preparing for war for?"

Seeing that this problem could not be solved, Shi Diwen took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Sooner or later we will replace the Ming Dynasty. The war can be delayed, but it is inevitable in the end. However, we can make full preparations and try our best to

The impact of the war has been reduced to the lowest point. Especially these prosperous coastal areas, if they can be successfully won without fighting a vicious battle, it will be a good thing for us and the people."
Chapter completed!