Emperor Chongzhen agreed very much with Sun Chuanting's suggestion and immediately nodded and said: "In this case, let the warships that have completed the refitting go ahead. If they encounter Annan's navy, they will be destroyed directly."
What he said about changing equipment is that the imperial court has now developed rifled cannons, which have a longer range and higher shooting accuracy than previous smoothbore cannons. This is especially important for naval battles. Therefore, changing ships is not easy, but changing cannons is.
It's still easier.
For this reason, the War Bureau has opened subordinate local war bureaus in Xiamen and Fuzhou, Fujian, specifically for the production of rifled cannons for the navy. After more familiar craftsmen are available, it is planned to add new locations in Guangdong.
Military battle situation.
Of course, when it comes to military affairs, the original level of confidentiality is very high. Although it is said to be a local military affairs bureau, the local government has no right to interfere and is directly under the capital military affairs bureau.
Not to mention, after the case of stealing and selling steam engine blueprints, the level of confidentiality in this area became even more stringent. Moreover, because of the case of stealing and selling steam engine blueprints, Nanjing Xungui almost suffered consequences, which greatly shocked all insiders.
Another point is that steam engines are used for both military and civilian purposes. Especially for civilian purposes, more people can know about steam engines; however, rifled guns are a military thing, and their appearance is not much different from ordinary artillery, and in the military
There are still very few applications. It can even be said that many military generals are not aware of the existence of rifled artillery. They only know of the existence of such artillery until they receive a military order and go to replace the cannon.
The battle involving rifled guns had already appeared in the Battle of Liaoyang. Among the soldiers who conquered the Liaodong War, they knew about the existence of rifled guns, also known as Divine Rifles.
However, the Shenwei Artillery has not yet unleashed its power, and is still dormant, waiting for the chance to make a splash.
Sun Chuanting agreed with Emperor Chongzhen's request, but at the same time he reminded: "There may be Dutch warships in the Annan Navy. This must be reminded of the navy patrolling in the south."
Having said this, he paused and then continued: "When most of the navy's warships return from the Japanese side to rest, we can consider directly attacking the Dutch in Batavia from the Luzon front line, without waiting for Annan to be pacified.
"
"Yes!" Emperor Chongzhen nodded directly after hearing this, "Then I will send an imperial edict to King Zhou and ask him to provide the food and grass needed by the expeditionary army."
In other aspects, I won’t force it. However, as a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty and in Nanyang, the food requirements are not excessive. In this way, the cost of the Ming Dynasty’s expedition will be reduced a lot, but regardless of which
From a perspective, this also reflects the benefits of sending the feudal king overseas.
No one present had any objections to Emperor Chongzhen's idea, and then they began to discuss the logistical issues of the war on the western and southern fronts until very late.
As for the specific situation of the frontline battle, we had a strategy before. As of now, there are no surprises and there is no need to discuss anything further.
………………
While Emperor Chongzhen and others were discussing strategic matters, the navy returning from Japan had already arrived in Xiamen, Fujian.
The first to return were more than fifty warships, five of which were steam sailing warships, led by Yang Zhan, the original general of Central Sichuan.
Zeng Ying was the commander-in-chief of the navy in the conquest of Japan. He still needed to stay on the Japanese side and cooperate with the North Korean officials and troops in the war against Japan. He could not return for the time being.
Seeing so many imperial warships appearing at once, when they sailed into Fuzhou Port through the estuary, boats in the water or carriages on the road stopped one after another and cheered for these imperial warships.
"Wow, there are so many imperial warships. Where do these come from?"
"Look at the hull, it must have returned from a long voyage, right? Maybe it's the navy from Luzon?"
"Look at the flag, stupid! This is the expeditionary force to conquer Japan. The leader is Yang, and it should be Deputy General Yang!"
"I'm illiterate, how would I know?"
"Why don't you say you are only eight years old and go to the imperial public school to learn literacy, otherwise it will be difficult for you to move forward in the future!"
"I have a big beard. You want me to pretend to be a child and go to a free school? You can't imagine that?"
"..."
Regarding the appearance of this imperial navy, the people of the Ming Dynasty cheered and discussed for a while, and then went about their business. At least the world in Fujian has been peaceful for a long time. There are no pirates, no barbarians, and no Japanese pirates.
Only those whose families were soldiers in the Japanese Expeditionary Force and Navy went further to inquire about the news, and even rushed to Fuzhou Port to see the situation.
Yang Zhan, a tall man, stood on the deck of the flagship. Looking at the prosperity here in Fuzhou, he felt that it was even more prosperous than when he came to Fuzhou before, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
Even now, he still clearly remembers the panic when Zhang Xianzhong's group of thieves entered Sichuan, and the chaos when Zuo Liangyu fled into Sichuan. However, only a few years have passed, not only that Zhang Xianzhong
Zhong and Zuo Liangyu had already kept silent. The world was already so prosperous, and panic could no longer be seen on the faces of the people.
Even when they saw the imperial officers and soldiers, they would greet them warmly! This was something that was unimaginable before.
It is a good thing that the people are not afraid of the officials and soldiers of the imperial court; it is an even better thing that the people support the officials and soldiers of the imperial court!
It’s been two years since I went to conquer Japan, and things have really changed a lot!
While Yang Zhan was thinking about these things, the fleet quickly arrived at Fuzhou Port. He found that there were more ships at the port, and the pier was full of people, which was very lively.
But even so, there is an empty pier, and there is a red banner hanging on the pier, welcoming the soldiers who conquered Japan to go home!
The moment the fleet appeared, a group of people emerged from nowhere on the pier and started to get excited with gongs and drums.
When other people saw this scene, they also put down their work and crowded over to watch and welcome the Japanese soldiers.
A group of people also came out from a restaurant on the pier. The person leading the group was actually wearing a scarlet robe and was Wu Zhiping, the governor of Fujian.
Seeing this, Yang Zhan did not dare to be negligent. He quickly waited for the boat to dock and was the first to get off to pay tribute to the governor.
Unexpectedly, the dignified governor of Fujian came to greet his navy, which made him feel a little flattered.
Naturally, he didn't know that Wu Zhiping knew the way of being an official best. Whether it was his previous dealings with Zheng Sen, the commander of the Jinyi Guards, or his dealings with the Japanese Expeditionary Force.
The attitude of the imperial court, to be precise, was the attitude of Emperor Chongzhen. He was the best at figuring things out, knowing that in the coming time, the current emperor would attach great importance to the army. Therefore, he also behaved like a polite corporal.
It's magnanimous, so there's no need to put any effort on his part anyway.
Yang Zhan felt a little flattered by his personal greeting.
"No gifts, no gifts, thank you for your hard work!" Wu Zhiping helped Yang Zhan up with his own hands and said with a smile.
After Yang Zhan stood still, he pointed to a green-robed official next to him and said, "This is Mr. Zhang Tongchang, the censor of Fujian Province in the Metropolitan Procuratorate. I have been waiting for you here for a long time."
Hearing this, Yang Zhan was shocked and quickly raised his fists to greet Zhang Tongchang.
Zhang Tongchang didn't ask for help, and immediately returned the courtesy, and then said to Yang Zhan: "The imperial court has formed a navy to conquer Annan. You will be the commander-in-chief, and I will be the supervisor. Please give me your advice in the future in the army!"
Yang Zhan couldn't help but be a little surprised after hearing this. There was a lot of news in these words!
First, the imperial court is going to attack Annan again. He is the commander-in-chief and is responsible for his own side. This is a good thing.
Second, in the past, the supervisory army was always from the Jinyiwei side, but this time, it was actually the censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate!
Of course, if it were any earlier, the military supervisors and supervisors would all be eunuchs or censors and other civil servants, but there would be no imperial guards.
Now that it has been changed back to censorship, has there been any change in the imperial court's policy of supervising the army within the army?
He was thinking, or maybe Zhang Tongchang saw it, so he heard Zhang Tongchang explain to him: "The supervisors at all levels in the army have not changed. The main reason why the imperial court sent me here is to see the new ones.
How is the military supervision system? Summarize the advantages and disadvantages and report to His Majesty!"
So that’s what happened! Yang Zhan thought to himself, and of course he didn’t dare to have any objections.
Wu Zhiping on the side saw him and introduced him with a smile: "Master Zhang is young and promising, and he is the grandson of Duke Zhang Wenzhong. The court attaches great importance to him. I hope General Yang will cooperate with you!"
Zhang Wenzhonggong, also known as Zhang Juzheng, was the most famous figure in the Wanli period. Yang Zhan looked at the young man in front of him and was immediately in awe.
As a general in the army, they actually have a favorable impression of Zhang Juzheng. If nothing else, it is only because Zhang Juzheng can support the generals in the army that the Qi family army is famous. Instead of suppressing military generals like other civilian officials.
After they chatted for a while, Wu Zhiping said with a smile: "Let's go to the Yamen to receive the order. There are many things to do later!"
Yang Zhan listened and of course obeyed.
As for his men, they all stayed on board until they received new military orders.
However, Yang Zhan's military order arrived without waiting too long. Except for the officers on duty, all other officers were given leave. Those from Fujian were given at most one month's leave, and other officers also had the opportunity to rest and recuperate.
During this period, the warship needed to be repaired. What surprised Yang Zhan was that even the cannons on the ship had to be replaced. He was a little confused about this.
Due to long-term sailing, the hull has been maintained in the Ryukyu Kingdom and Kyushu Island, but after returning to Fujian, it will naturally need to be well maintained. This is no problem.
However, the artillery on the ship has actually not been fired very many times. Many of the artillery are still as good as new under normal maintenance. So they need to be replaced? It seems a bit unnecessary, right?
As the supervisor of the army, Zhang Tongchang didn't hide it from him. He explained to him: "Let's go to the War Bureau and replace it with a new artillery. You will know. I can tell you that this new artillery has been named by Your Majesty.