Knowing that the emergence of a large number of new weapons would stimulate Zhang Zuolin's ambition to conquer the Central Plains, some things are not subject to human will. Zhang Tinglan had been struggling for so long and moved a full set of machinery, equipment and technical personnel from Russia.
Everyone in Shangfengjun is holding back a sense of motivation, and now it's time to reap the rewards.
The same goes for Huludao's shipyard. After half a year of hard work, the first shallow-water gunboat of nearly a thousand tons they built was finally officially completed. Wu Yulin couldn't wait to inform Fengtian of the news, hoping that Fengjun could send important personnel to participate in the launch.
ceremony.
"I would like to say that the production of shallow-water gunboats is still the task you gave them. You should also go to the launching ceremony, and you can also give them pointers to see where they are not doing enough." Yang Yuting said with a smile.
"Chief of Staff, when this warship is launched, our navy will be officially established. I have a bunch of landlubbers under my command, not even one who has returned to the water. You have to arrange for me to have someone knowledgeable."
Yang Yuting showed a proud smile on his face: "I have to say, if it were in the past, I would not have any good candidates, but it is different now. Some time ago, a group of naval talents came back from the United States. When they arrived in Beijing, I asked someone to contact them.
I contacted them and invited them to visit Fengtian. Yesterday, seven people from the group arrived in Fengtian, and the best among them is Shen Honglie. This man is talented and knows the navy very well. I am about to recommend him to the commander-in-chief!"
When Zhang Tinglan heard the name Shen Honglie, he was not unfamiliar. He was the founder of the Northeast Navy in history and an important general in the Fengjun Army. After the September 18th Incident, the Northeast Navy lost its roots and became a lost dog.
, Shen Honglie defected to Nanjing again. He has been stationed in Qingdao. Shen Honglie also served as the mayor of Qingdao and did a lot of useful work.
Shen Honglie's surrender to Nanjing seemed to be a betrayal of Fengjun, but Zhang Tinglan also knew in his heart that there was nothing he could do about it. As a naval general, there must be a place to settle down. Who told Fengjun to be in despair at that time?
In general, Shen Honglie is quite capable.
"Linge, since you recommended Shen Honglie, you might as well let him go to Huludao to visit the newly launched warships, and let him see the strength of Fengjun."
"Okay. We will inform them now and let Shen Honglie go to Huludao with you."
After the discussion, Zhang Tinglan reported the situation to Lao Zhang. When Zhang Zuolin heard that a warship was launched, he was extremely happy. Fengjun could be said to have three armies: sea, land and air. Looking at the country, among all the warlords, including the Beiyang government.
They are all first class.
"I would like to express my condolences to the workers at the shipyard, and then seize the time to build up the navy and form combat effectiveness as soon as possible."
When Zhang Tinglan saw how urgent Lao Zhang was, his heart skipped a beat, and he said tentatively: "Commander, the navy is a technical branch that requires long-term accumulation and training. Once the ship is launched, there must be enough sailors to go there."
Manipulation, to truly form combat effectiveness, I’m afraid it will take a lot of time.”
Zhang Zuolin frowned slightly, turned around on the ground a few times, and then said to Zhang Tinglan: "Immodestly, do you think I'm pushing a little too hard?"
"Commander, the faster the development, the better. However, some things require a cycle and the process must be completed step by step. There is no way to achieve success in one step."
Lao Zhang nodded: "Immodestly, you have always told me that you have to work hard and accumulate strength. Only when you can compete with the Japanese can you consider moving to the Central Plains. I have always agreed with you. But recently someone asked me
I made a new suggestion. Japan is at war with Russia in the Far East. Both sides have invested a large amount of troops. The Japanese people's energy to pay attention to the three eastern provinces has been distracted. If they can take advantage of this opportunity to decisively occupy Beijing and control the Guannei area, even if
We cannot take the whole world into our hands. As long as we control North China, integrate the strengths of North China and Northeast China, and then deal with the Japanese, we will have greater certainty."
Listening to Lao Zhang's confession, Zhang Tinglan listened carefully and kept thinking and deducing in his heart. Lao Zhang's words did make sense. If the Japanese were deeply involved in the war with Russia and were unable to take care of Fengjun, then Fengjun would
Through this period of time, they quickly took control of the central power, and then concentrated all their efforts to fight against the Japanese.
This plan cannot be said to be wrong, but Zhang Tinglan always felt that the risk was still too great, so he said: "Commander, this idea sounds good, but the timing is too difficult to grasp, and how much effort will it take to defeat Beiyang and take control of Beijing?
Strength, if Sun Wen's party in the south also sends troops, how to deal with it needs to be carefully weighed!"
"What I said makes sense. Let me think about it carefully. You should go to Huludao first to support our navy. Even if we have no combat effectiveness for the time being, it is still good to use it to support our appearance."
Zhang Tinglan has been in contact with Zhang Zuolin for a long time, and she knows Lao Zhang's temper very well. The commander-in-chief can follow the good and he is a very good leader, but Lao Zhang is also very stubborn, and once he has made up his mind, he will not change his mind easily.
From Lao Zhang's words, Zhang Tinglan could already hear a trace of displeasure. Apparently Lao Zhang did not listen to Zhang Tinglan's opinion this time, but had other ideas!
Zhang Tinglan also knew that he couldn't say anything more at this time, otherwise it would only arouse Lao Zhang's rebellion, so he could only think of other ways to persuade Lao Zhang.
After leaving the Commander's Mansion, Zhang Tinglan took Shen Honglie and others directly to the Huludao Shipyard. Shen Honglie was in his early thirties, wearing a pair of glasses, and was polite and polite, looking more like a scholar than a soldier.
After meeting with Zhang Tinglan, Shen Honglie seemed very excited and said proactively: "Commander-in-Chief Zhang, I heard about your name when I was in England. Recovering the Middle East Road and defeating the Russians really increased the prestige of the Chinese people, even overseas.
All the newspapers in the world have reported this incident, and we wanderers are proud of it!"
Shen Honglie said this completely sincerely. At this time, the entire Western world was full of contempt for the Chinese. Even if you are a very outstanding talent, it is difficult to gain true respect from the other party. Behind you is a declining empire, no matter what
When do you go out of the country, can you truly understand the meaning of the motherland? The destiny of the country and the individual are closely linked together.
Shen Honglie had to face all kinds of ridicule and contempt in the UK. Suddenly, the army defeated the Russians. After it spread to the Western world, it immediately became news. Some British people also began to look at the Chinese with different eyes. Before and after
The contrast made Shen Honglie understand more and more the value of having a strong motherland, so after returning to China, he took his companions with him to Fengtian, hoping to serve the Fengjun army.
"Mr. Shen, Fengjun is in the process of development. The most lacking thing is talents of all types. If you can come to Fengtian, we will definitely provide enough stages for you to fully display your talents."
Zhang Tinglan showed his intention to recruit as soon as they met, and the two sides had a good conversation. Shen Honglie also told Zhang Tinglan all kinds of experiences in Europe. Zhang Tinglan also asked about the status of the European War from time to time. They took the train and soon arrived at Huludao, and got off After getting out of the car, we rushed directly to the shipyard without resting.
Wu Yulin had been waiting here for a long time. When he saw Zhang Tinglan arriving, Wu Yulin greeted him with a smile: "Commander-in-Chief, since receiving the instructions, no one in the shipyard dared to slack off. After several months of hard work, the first ship was finally built. The shallow water gunboat is waiting for your acceptance!"
"Director Wu, I have been looking forward to the launch of the warship for a long time. Let's all go over and have a look!"
Wu Yulin took Zhang Tinglan and quickly arrived at the dock. A huge warship appeared in front of them. On the warship, there were some workers doing finishing work.
Seeing this warship, Wu Yulin also showed a smile of full joy on his face: "This warship, from the inside out, all the equipment is produced by us, including power and weapons. In addition to using a lot of Except for the Russian technicians, everything else is our own!"
After Shen Honglie heard this, he was immediately shocked. China also has several shipyards that can produce ships, but most of the steam engines and weapons used must be imported, and some even steel plates are imported. Now I suddenly heard that Fengjun could actually produce ships. All of them were produced by themselves, which frightened Shen Honglie. He even thought Wu Yulin was bragging.
"Originally, the Dagu Shipyard has the ability to build warships of less than 1,000 tons. We have also integrated shipbuilding equipment technicians from Hailanpao and Vladivostok. There is no problem in building small ships, and the machinery manufacturing plant in Khabarovsk We have also obtained the production of ship power equipment, and it is not difficult to produce steam reciprocators. As for artillery, Jilin Arsenal can produce it!"
Listening to Wu Yulin's introduction, Shen Honglie had to accept this fact: "It's really unexpected that the strongest industrial strength in China is actually the three northeastern provinces that were developed last. Fengjun was able to rise quickly and defeat the great powers. Sure enough, It’s extraordinary strength!”
Wu Yulin was also very happy and introduced to them with a smile: "This shallow water gunboat has a displacement of 930 tons, a length of 72.4 meters, a width of 13.2 meters, and is equipped with two 152mm main guns. , one at each end, four 47mm secondary guns, powered by a 1,400-horsepower steam reciprocator, with a maximum speed of ten knots, and due to the low freeboard design, the maximum draft is 1.6 meters , can be used in coastal waters and inland rivers, and its powerful firepower can provide effective strike capabilities. It is definitely a great weapon for shallow water operations and supporting infantry!"
Zhang Tinglan was still a little confused about the navy, but Shen Honglie's eyes lit up. He hurriedly asked: "Director Wu, listening to what you said, I'm afraid that this warship exceeds Beiyang in terms of firepower and tonnage." It’s a Chu-shaped ship equipped by the government!”
"Yes!" Wu Yulin nodded happily and said: "There are six Chu-shaped ships in total. They were all ordered by Zhang Zhidong from the Kawasaki Shipyard in Kobe, Japan. They are old goods produced by the Japanese and are completely incomparable with our new ships. This ship The shallow-water gunboat has two outstanding designs, which greatly improve its combat capabilities."
Wu Yulin pointed to the ship to Zhang Tinglan and Shen Honglie, and then said: "This warship is equipped with two triple anti-aircraft machine guns, which can deal with ordinary low-altitude aircraft. When fighting in rivers, it can have strong air defense capabilities! "
In this era, aircraft had just appeared and had not yet really threatened ships. There were not many gunboats equipped with anti-aircraft firepower. Shen Honglie noticed it for the first time. He not only asked: "Will gunboats be attacked by aircraft?" "
"That's absolutely correct, but it was not our gunboats that were attacked, but our planes that attacked the opponent's gunboats!" Zhang Tinglan said with a smile: "After Fengjun took control of Hailanpao, some Russians were still unwilling to give in. Not long ago, two shallow-water gunboats tried to approach Hailanpao to harass us, but they were defeated by Fengjun's air power, received two bombs, and fled in a hurry!"
When Shen Honglie heard that there was such a battle, he couldn't help but nodded. Wu Yulin continued to introduce: "There is another key point in this warship, that is, inside the cabin, we have installed a large number of watertight compartments, so that the ship has Because of its strong survivability, even if it is hit in shallow water, it will not cause serious damage easily. It is completely different from the thin-skinned and big-filled Japanese!" (To be continued...)