"The first batch of 1,000 imitation Dresser breech-loading rifles are here. Please accept it from Lord Song."
After landing at Songkhla Port, greeted by Wu Jin and others, Mei Dongxing, Liang Xing, and Chen Xinggui led more than 1,200 Nanyang Legion soldiers to the city lord's palace.
"About two-thirds of the Natuna Islands garrison will withdraw to the country to receive new weapons. The batch of imitation Dresser breech-loading rifles they are equipped with are already somewhat backward. The abolished batch of weapons will be given to the Songkhla army for free. Wu
The city lord will just treat it like waste and don't laugh at our Nanyang Legion for being stingy."
"Mr. Mei is joking. General Li knows very well what the weapons and equipment of the Songkhla army are. You can send a thousand breech-loading guns for free. Mr. Wu is very grateful."
Looking at the uniform breech-loading rifles on the Zizhong truck, Song Jin's face was filled with a smile.
Southeast Asia is the hunting ground for colonial competition among Western powers. The United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands have very strict control over foreign weapons. At the same time, because European industrial countries are far away from Southeast Asia and transportation is inconvenient, a second-hand muzzle-loading rifle can be transported in Southeast Asia.
The price is as high as 6 taels of silver. As for the various breech-loading rifles, they start at 15 taels of silver at least.
Although the Dresser rifle was invented in 1841, its weapon performance is quite different from the Remington rifle and Mauser 1871 rifle that have been installed in Western troops in recent years. However, after all, the Dresser rifle imitated by Han China has
It is also a breech-loading gun, and it absorbs and draws on the production skills of other types of breech-loading guns. After being improved and perfected on the basis of the original version, the army equipped with imitation Dresser rifles is also capable of fighting against Western colonial armies.
Songkhla's family had a small business, so Mei Dongxing sent a thousand imitation Dresser rifles that had been eliminated by the Nanyang Army. He was too happy and didn't mind at all.
"The problem of internal armed separatism in Songkhla needs to be solved urgently. The Nanyang Army has not installed Hanhua 1875 rifles for the time being. In order to assist the Lord of Songkhla to unify the military and political affairs of Songkhla as soon as possible, we can only make do with imitation Dresser rifles. Wait for another two
In the next month, the transport fleet departing from South America will arrive in Nanyang, and the Nanyang Army will take out a batch of 500 Hanhua 1875 rifles and deliver them to the Songkhla New Army for use."
Mei Dongxing had a gentle attitude and handed over a thin list while talking.
"The next batch of weapons, equipment and mechanical supplies to aid Songkhla are all on it. Lord Wu, please take a look."
"Hand-cranked machine guns, 75mm field guns, 105mm howitzers, rifle production lines..."
Looking carefully at the names of weapons and equipment on the list, Wu Jin couldn't believe it and said, "Sir Mei, are all the weapons and equipment on the list real? Can Songkhla get so many weapons and supplies at one time?"
"It's absolutely true, there will be no shortage of every weapon on the list."
"But Songkhla City's annual fiscal revenue is only 100,000 silver dollars. With so many weapons and equipment, especially the three imitation Dresser production lines and the two rifle and ammunition production lines, Songkhla cannot afford to spend so much money to buy them."
Rifles, hand-cranked machine guns, and cannons all make Wu Jin excited, and the rifle production line and the associated ammunition production line can no longer be described as exciting. With the rifle and ammunition production lines, Songkhla can independently produce the weapons and equipment needed by the army, mainly
Weapons and equipment are self-sufficient. When faced with danger again in the future, even if the Nanyang Army cannot be relieved in time, relying on self-produced weapons and ammunition, the reorganized Songkhla New Army can alone resist the invading army for a period of time and support the Nanyang Army and the Han Dynasty.
China intervened in the situation to gain valuable time.
"Haha, City Master Wu doesn't have to worry about the price. His Highness the King of Han said that the weapons and equipment on the list don't cost a penny. This batch of weapons and equipment should be used to make up for the betrothal gift he got from his engagement with Miss Wu a year ago, and will be given to Wu for free.
City Lord."
"How can this mean that it is a blessing for my daughter to marry His Highness the King of Han? Wu will never dare to accept such a precious betrothal gift from His Highness the King of Han."
When his daughter marries Li Mingyuan, as long as the relationship between her daughter and Li Mingyuan does not change, Songkhla will always receive support and help from Li Mingyuan. Understanding this, Wu Jin, who was overly excited after seeing the list of weapons, gradually returned to his senses and quickly
He declined out loud to avoid leaving an impression on Li Mingyuan that he was greedy and insufficient because of his performance, which would in turn lead to Li Mingyuan's neglect of his daughter.
"Chengdu Wu Mo Yan repeatedly declined. It is very difficult to obtain this batch of weapons and materials in the Nanyang region. However, in South America, it only takes two more months to produce a batch of rifles and artillery. Moreover, the country can already manufacture Han Dynasty independently.
The production line of the Hua 1875 rifle, the three imitation Dresser rifle production lines and the two ammunition production lines are of little significance to the local area, so City Lord Song can just accept it with confidence. After all, this is what His Highness wants. If the City Lord keeps refusing, His Highness
It doesn’t look good even on top.”
"Thank you, Lord Mei, for the heads up. Due to Songkhla affairs, Wu cannot escape to South America to attend His Highness's coronation ceremony. I can only ask Lord Mei to convey my gratitude to His Highness on behalf of Songkhla."
"Don't worry, City Master Wu, I will convey it to you next time."
Mei Dongxing persuaded Song Jin to accept the weapons and materials presented by Li Mingyuan, and continued, "The English, French, and Dutch are increasingly competing for the colonization of Southeast Asia. In the next ten years, Han will focus on building industrial and agricultural facilities in South America.
With economic development, it may not be possible to send more armed forces to Nanyang. Therefore, after the elimination of the armed forces of the Central Malay Peninsula, Songkhla must strengthen internal military and economic construction and establish a reliable new army to prevent future wars.
crisis."
"The situation in Songkhla is extremely critical. If it had not been for the support of His Highness the King of Han and the help of all your lords, Songkhla would have fallen into the hands of the British due to the Argentine war incident alone."
Mei Dongxing's words aroused Wu Jin's sense of crisis, and he couldn't help but frown and said, "The Thai side is pressing harder and harder. The British have been inciting local indigenous chiefs to provoke provocations in the border areas. To be honest, since inheriting the position of Lord of Songkhla City,
Wu never had a peaceful night's sleep, fearing that when he woke up, the Thai army or the British colonial army would attack and lose the centuries-old inheritance passed down by his ancestors."
"The situation in Songkhla is indeed not optimistic."
Mei Dongxing nodded in agreement with the other party's concerns and said, "Songkhla is in a place of four wars. If we want to protect ourselves, we can only carry out reforms, strengthen our troops and enrich our country. There is no other way."
"Wu also had the idea of imitating local reforms, but he was unable to take action because of the small area and many internal complications."
"City Lord Wu does not need to worry about the internal armed separatism in Songkhla. He will start to solve it only three days after the troops are reorganized. As for economic and internal affairs, the constraints of the internal armed forces have been lifted and the Thai side's tentacles extending to Songkhla have been cut off.
, you can use the reason that the war consumes too much and the people are exhausted to reduce the fiscal taxes handed over to Thailand. At the same time, imitate the local military system, establish a complete reserve system in the four prefectures and one state of Songkhla, and recruit people of appropriate age.
The young and strong will join the army to increase Songkhla's reserve military potential."
"Mr. Mei is right. Military power is the foundation of reform and restoration. Only by first mastering a reliable new army can we ensure the effectiveness of reform and restoration measures."
Liang Xing stood up, cupped his hands towards Wu Jingong, and suggested, "The army, military system, military facilities, and military industry are important criteria for the comprehensive strength of the national army. The army and military construction can be completely imitated by the local army for reform."
, In terms of military industry, in two months, a group of military factory skills will arrive in Nanyang on a ship to assist Songkhla in the construction and installation of rifles and ammunition production lines. In terms of military facilities, Songkhla is surrounded by the sea on both sides and has mountainous inland areas.
We can take advantage of the advantages and characteristics of the geographical location and choose dangerous areas to build fortifications and fortresses to resist threats at sea and on land in the north and south."...
Under the persuasion and suggestions of Liang Xing and Mei Dongxing, and seeing the dazzling performance of Han in the Argentine War, Wu Jin quickly made up his mind to imitate the Han model and carry out reforms.
