Yan Chenwu's first impression of Zhou Changfeng was very good, quite in line with his imagination. At the same time, he was also very curious about how this guy got favor and how much real talent and learning he had.
It's not that he is contemptuous or jealous, but Yan Chenwu is also confident in himself. As a descendant of nobles, he is theoretically suitable to join a noble branch such as the navy, right? But he doesn't like it. He feels that only close contact with the enemy is the most test of people's hearts and will, and he just likes that kind of atmosphere.
Although many people expressed disdain and incomprehension for his choice - wouldn't it be good to be a captain and command a 10,000-ton giant ship? Being an infantry commander is asking for trouble. However, he still adhered to his original intention. The Sixth Battalion under his command, stationed in Zhoushan, has long represented the highest level of discipline and quality of the Ming Dynasty Marine Corps.
Therefore, Yan Chenwu believed that it was natural for him to be promoted to the head of the newly-established Marine Regiment. As for the candidate of another person, he naturally had to compare it with himself.
He crossed his hands and saluted, and said seriously: "My name is Yan Chenwu, courtesy name Yuying. I have heard of your name a lot these days. It is really unusual to see you today. I am honored to meet you."
Zhou Changfeng returned the favor and greeted him politely, and then started chatting with each other.
In just a dozen sentences, Zhou Changfeng and Xie Wancheng already had an initial impression of him - he has a long face, thick eyebrows, and bright eyes. He gives people a masculine feeling from the inside out, but his words and gestures are also somewhat masculine. A hint of arrogance?
No, it's not so much arrogance as it is special confidence?
This self-confidence is probably due to his good background and his ability and achievements.
In short, it can't be said that getting along with this guy is terrible, it can only be said that he is a little uncomfortable and a little awkward.
After registration was completed, everyone was taken to the main hall on the first floor of the main building.
The name of the admiral's official in charge of the training class was Yang Zhen. He walked steadily over in dark green uniform.
He glanced at the officers present and said: "The army is the foundation of the country and will be the most important weapon of the country. I won't go into a long speech. Most of you are talented people, but you must not ignore it this time. Landing operations are not easy. How can we effectively command the Marine Corps without systematic study?"
Everyone said it loudly, how could a group of young officers be so bad?
Later, the specific course schedule was also issued, with a total of forty classes lasting two months.
The training class is not a formal military academy, so it does not require closed management. You only need to come to class on time every day. Of course, this is a voluntary choice and you can stay overnight if you want.
Even though it is only a medium-sized office, it is owned by the Navy after all, so the protection in all aspects is quite complete.
Clear soup noodles, soybean noodles, white porridge, egg custard, cold beef, steamed cakes, wine, cigarettes, etc., this is just breakfast. Although the dishes are all ordinary, they are very well made, at least much better than the army.
In the Hunsan Brigade station, even the officers' canteen only has a small number of dishes that can be cooked separately. Most of the dishes are fried in large iron pots, so it is naturally difficult to control the heat and taste.
In addition, there is also a library with many kinds of books in this office.
The combination of these conditions made Zhou Changfeng no longer want to come in every morning and leave in the afternoon.
It is not unreasonable for the navy to be called an aristocratic service. Not to mention the West, even in the poor days of history, the navy's food was much better than that of the army. The navy's breakfast consisted of rice, pickles, and miso soup. ; Lunch is pork chop, curry beef, fish, sushi, etc.
During the time of Westernization, the navy also learned all about this from the British. Every day during meals, the navy's military band would play classical music or European and American pop music. Even in the later stages of the war, when supplies were scarce on the blockaded islands and many people were starved of food, the navy's food standards remained high.
The Ming Navy naturally disdains this aspect. It is enough to learn tactical methods, organizational models, and science and technology. If the rest are also brought over, how can it be done?
Since they have not experienced repeated defeats or even the desperate period of being partitioned, Akito's pride and self-esteem are still there, Japan has been resisted, and with the rise of nationalism, naturally no one cares about this now.
In fact, what is more interesting is that the Ming Navy is not a typical aristocratic service, it is more like a combination of aristocrats and civilians.
Since ancient times, they have not paid much attention to sea power and have been afraid of the dangers of going to sea. There are very few nobles who are willing to practice naval warfare and serve in the navy. Naturally, their favorites are cavalry, followed by artillery.
In the past six decades, with the rapid development of navigation technology and the gradual increase in the importance of sea power in people's minds, more and more descendants of nobles have joined the navy, but they naturally tend to serve on large ships. .
There is no other reason, just because it is more comfortable.
Over time, the Ming Navy has developed an obvious stratification phenomenon, and it is still the same today - among the battleships, battlecruisers, aircraft carriers, and heavy cruiser units, the proportion of honorable nobles and their descendants is very high; while in the light cruisers, destroyers, and minesweepers, Among the boats and submarine units, officers and soldiers of civilian origin account for almost all.
This is very similar to the Italian Navy.
When the sun was setting, Zhou Changfeng was sitting at a table by the window in the library, thinking. There were four or five books on the table, as well as a few pieces of draft paper full of writing results.
Suddenly, a switch clicked and the light came on.
"The sun is going down, why don't you go back?" Yan Chenwu said as he walked over.
"It's so troublesome to come early and come back late. It's more convenient to stay overnight." Zhou Changfeng raised his head and glanced at him.
Seeing the outline drawings of two similar ship shapes drawn on the draft paper on the table, Yan Chenwu, who was curious, asked: "Is this your idea? Is it used for landing?"
"That's right." Zhou Changfeng nodded and stretched nonchalantly, "The troops who rush to land on the beach are inherently at a disadvantage. Even if our own fleet can suppress the enemy's depth, there are still many bunkers and solid support points that will seriously hinder the landing. A smooth attack by the troops.”
Fire support in this era was not always on call. Most of the time, it relied on pre-made fire plans. At the same time, cruisers and battleships could not get too close to the coastline because of their deep drafts.
If the landing force suddenly encountered a hidden bunker and it was difficult to solve it on their own, it would take at least twenty to thirty minutes to contact the cruiser and wait for their help. This is quite fast. If something goes wrong during the process, it is not uncommon for it to take more than half an hour.
"So a special shallow-draft ship is needed to provide fast and direct fire support to the landing force? This is a good idea."
After saying that, Yan Chenwu looked down at Zhou Changfeng's hand-drawn sketch and asked thoughtfully: "You drew two types, but the firepower configuration is the same? Are they both three-and-a-half-inch naval guns with some rocket nests?"
(End of chapter)
