This does not mean that Wang Xuexin can trust these veterans of the Northeast Fleet.
After all, no one can guess the difference between people's hearts, not to mention that these veterans of the Northeast Fleet were trained by Shen Honglie, including Xu Huandong.
With this relationship, if one day Shen Honglie stands up and gives a shout-out, someone might defect to the stubborn army and run away with the warship.
This is not to say that Wang Xuexin is aboveboard.
The Eighth Route Army must indeed be aboveboard, but it must guard against fundamental interests, otherwise it will be the unrealistic hypocrisy of Song Xianggong.
The reason why Wang Xuexin had no worries and asked Xu Huandong to call together the veterans of the Northeast Fleet to form the Dalian Coast Defense Regiment was because the war was imminent and Wang Xuexin had to do this because he needed to quickly form combat effectiveness. The second reason was because he believed that these veterans of the Northeast Fleet were not fools and could see the future situation clearly. .
If it were history, the conditions of the Eighth Route Army and the Recalcitrant Army were as follows: The Eighth Route Army had millet and rifles and was so poor that they had to tighten their belts to get by, while the Recalcitrant Army had dozens of divisions equipped with aircraft, cannons, and full falconry equipment. The contrast was too great. Well, from this perspective, most people would bet on the stubborn army to win, so the veterans of the Northeast Fleet may still be influenced by Xu Honglie and choose the stubborn army.
But today is different from the past.
Although the stubborn army still has Yingjiang assistance, and still has dozens of divisions and aircraft and artillery fully equipped with Yingjiang, is there no Eighth Route Army?
Not only did the Eighth Route Army have it, but they also earned it through their own skills and in exchange for their skills.
One side passively accepts Yingjiang's assistance and is constrained by Yingjiang. It has no core skills and is choked by others. There is no dignity and status at all.
The other side is doing business on an equal footing with Yingjiang. It has its own core technology and industry and is more advanced than Yingjiang in some aspects. It can independently talk to Yingjiang's furry bear until the sun sets.
It is clear at a glance who is strong and who is weak, not to mention that the Eighth Route Army is the party with the most popular support.
All naval talents have studied and even studied abroad. They understand the principles and know what the general trend is.
If under this situation, they will be lured over by Shen Honglie with just a few words or by offering some positions...then let them pass. If their IQ is over, they are more likely to become the enemy's pig teammates instead of pig teammates. What role does it play.
Xu Huandong saw that Wang Xuexin had made up his mind, so it was hard to say anything else.
In fact, Xu Huandong was a little relieved at this time, because he was one of them and even an old subordinate of Shen Honglie: he had been with Shen Honglie for thirteen years since he entered the HLD Naval School. He could become the first ship of the Northeast Navy. The deputy captain of the "Zhenhai" was also highly regarded by Shen Honglie.
So, is it possible that Xu Huandong himself was influenced by Shen Honglie and would be suspected by the Eighth Route Army?
Therefore, Xu Huandong just mentioned clearly that he was the "former Northeastern Fleet", but in fact he was also talking about himself.
Seeing Wang Xuexin appointing these veterans without hesitation, Xu Huandong felt relieved and secretly thought: The Eighth Route Army's capabilities are indeed different. If this was applied to other armies, there would definitely be various restrictions and surveillance. However, the Eighth Route Army was able to truly "employ its personnel without suspicion."
No wonder Xu Huandong thinks so. When he was in the Northeast Fleet and later incorporated into the Third Fleet, he did not see such intrigues in the officialdom.
Wang Xuexin didn't want to discuss this further. He raised his head towards the drawings on his desk and asked, "Commander Xu, it seems that you are already preparing for the construction of the fleet?"
Xu Huandong hurriedly replied: "We don't know much about Mao Xiong's warships and the Japanese warships. Of course we have to prepare in advance, otherwise once a fight breaks out... we will be in trouble!"
Wang Xuexin nodded and asked, "Do you have any ideas?"
"I don't dare to think so!" Xu Huandong still had a habit of serving in the Northeast Fleet. He responded respectfully: "It's just that I think our unit should avoid the enemy's edge before it can form combat effectiveness!"
"Captain Xu!" Zhao Gang smiled, poured a glass of water for Xu Huandong, and said, "Let's talk more casually, there's no need to be so formal, just say whatever you want!"
As he spoke, Zhao Gang raised his head towards Wang Xuexin and said, "You don't know, when Commander Wang was serving as a soldier under Li Yunlong, he dared to yell at the commander, and it was common for the two of them to call each other brothers at the wine table.
!”
"Isn't that because our regiment leader is a rough guy?" Wang Xuexin said jokingly: "Our regiment leader Xu is a cultural person, so how can it be the same!"
Several people "coaxed" him and started laughing.
Perhaps affected by this atmosphere, Xu Huandong also relaxed. He pulled up the route map and pointed at the Dalian coastline and said: "Commander Wang, political commissar, you see, the Dalian coastline is very long, stretching for more than two thousand kilometers, and it is also
It is divided into two parts: east and west, and our army only has five warships. It is difficult for this power to be used. If we accidentally encounter the Japanese fleet, it is very likely that the entire army will be annihilated!"
Wang Xuexin said nothing, Zhao Gang nodded and asked: "So, are you planning to take a defensive stance?"
"No, it's not about being on the defensive!" Xu Huandong said: "But we should protect these warships and wait until we have more warships and are more fully trained before fighting against the Japanese!"
Xu Huandong's words coincide with those of Major Mayakovsky.
Although Major Mayakovsky did not say so specifically, he also meant that he could not fight.
However……
Wang Xuexin said: "Maybe you are right, Commander Xu! But the strategy requires that we must defend Dalian with all our strength. If our warships conserve their strength and do not go to war, it is very likely that Dalian will be re-captured by the Japanese. Then
Will our warships be scuttled again?"
Hearing this, Xu Huandong couldn't help but be stunned. He said: "Commander Wang, don't we have the kind of missile that can sink enemy warships? Can't we guarantee the safety of Dalian with this kind of missile?"
"Maybe, maybe not!" Wang Xuexin replied: "No one can tell what happens on the battlefield. Missiles can indeed sink enemy warships, but they are not without weaknesses. If the enemy seizes the weakness of the missile or the missiles are overwhelmed,
, and at this time, the missiles have to protect these five warships of our army...won't these warships become a burden to our army?"
Xu Huandong nodded, gritted his teeth and said: "If that time comes, I, Xu Huandong, will not hesitate to lead all the soldiers to fight to the death with the Japanese!"
"No, Captain Xu!" Wang Xuexin shook his head and said, "What I want is not a fight to the death between you and the Japanese!"
At this point, Xu Huandong was confused: since he had to fight but couldn't fight to the death, was there any other option?