Xiang Yingzhen didn't expect that he would pass the test so smoothly. After this naval battle, he thought of many of his master's punishment methods, including suspension, imprisonment and even a military court trial.
After all, he was the first to disobey military orders, and military orders are like mountains. Although victory can offset part of the punishment, this punishment is absolutely unavoidable.
For Chinese politicians, the navy is definitely a very sensitive service because it is very difficult to control.
China has been a mainland policy-oriented country since ancient times. There are many reasons for this, because China is large enough and its own resources can feed a large population, or the restrictive nature of Confucianism...
There are many reasons, but one thing is worth considering, that is, the regime's control over the ocean is too weak. Once the navy escapes from the vast ocean, how will your administrative control keep up?
Why did Zheng He use eunuchs to take charge of his voyages to the West? Isn't it because eunuchs themselves do not have the ability to expand territory or rebel.
Moreover, the families of Zheng He's fleet and the officers and soldiers on his voyages to the West were always under the control of the emperor. They were all hostages!
It can be imagined how strong the Ming regime was on guarding against these fleets exploring the ocean!
The world is too big, as the ancient Chinese have known for a long time, and China at that time was too advanced. If a ship of people went to some backward and barbaric land, they might be able to establish a country.
The rulers of the Central Plains Dynasty were not stupid. They were not willing to make wedding clothes for others, so they were resistant to the advent of the Age of Discovery.
This emotion has lasted for thousands of years, and it will form a kind of cultural inertia. After all, the Chinese are also an anomaly nurtured in the Chinese cultural circle. No matter how Xiao Letian implants new ideas, the genes of the traditional soil will still seep in. of.
Xiao Letian may not be worried, but what do other senior Chinese officials, especially civilian officials, think of the Zhiyuan's disobedience incident?
Such a powerful Zhiyuan leaves its home port and sails on the vast sea. The captain has almost completely unrestricted rights. How can the loyalty of such a person be guaranteed?
In the eyes of those high-level officials or civilian officials, if the Army disobeys orders, it may be interpreted as a violation of the orders of the foreign emperor. As long as the battle is won, the merits and demerits will naturally be offset.
But if the navy disobeys orders, it may trigger the dark side of its political DNA!
What does Xiang Ying want to do? What does the Navy want to do? Do you want to form your own faction? Out of the control of Chinese leaders?
Some people must think so, because the army and navy are so different!
If it really comes down to it, Xiang Ying won't be able to argue!
But I never expected that the head of state's mind is as broad as the Pacific Ocean. From the beginning, the head of state's anger was only focused on the battle loss ratio. He really felt sorry for those heroic souls who died in the battle!
Xiang Ying could tell that 90% of the head of state's anger was due to his sympathy for the victims, rather than various complex political considerations or concerns about the navy's loyalty.
This made Xiang Ying breathe a sigh of relief. It was precisely because this tone was set that he had the courage to say that directly, saying that naval officers and soldiers were willing to sacrifice their lives for their ideals!
Their ideal is not the ideal of the head of state!
The master and apprentice were silent for ten minutes before Xiao Letian said, "How long will it take for the Zhiyuan to be overhauled?"
"Prussian engineers have arrived in Wilhelmshaven one after another. The current judgment is that it will take a year and a half for repairs... The cost will be about 1.8 million silver dollars..."
"Don't talk to me about money. In the end, the money was paid by the French... It's been a year and a half. Don't you want me to take the Zhiyuan back to China?"
"I'm sorry..." Xiang Ying lowered his head and said.
"Forget it, forget it... Anyway, this naval battle will be remembered in history after all. You have demonstrated the majesty of our Chinese navy!"
"How did your summary meeting go after the war? Do you have any requirements for new models of warships?"
When he mentioned this, Xiang Ying suddenly became excited, "Of course, of course there will be a meeting... This is the tradition you left us! Chinese officers and soldiers have regular meetings every day, and the post-war summary meeting is even more important. Top priority!”
"By analyzing the entire battle, we found out the advantages and disadvantages of the battleship, and also determined the development direction of future battleships..."
"The idea of heavy artillery and giant ships is absolutely correct... Ironclad ships are the core force in naval battles, and protection and firepower are the most important indicators..."
"We can even give up speed and focus on protection and firepower... Speed is the indicator that cruisers should consider!"
"With the ironclad battleship as the core, we will build a naval combat corps with a heavy core... At the same time, we will also develop a cruiser corps with speed and endurance as the core..."
"When it comes to naval battles, heavily equipped battleships are the core of deterring the enemy. They can contain most of the enemy's large battleships..."
"Then the cruisers cooperate with the battleships like a pack of wolves to carry out harassment operations, sneak attacks on the enemy's ports, cut off the enemy's supply lines, and expand fear...accumulate small victories into big victories, thereby increasing the chance of victory in the decisive battle of the heavily armored battleship corps!"
"Master! We need thicker armor and larger-caliber artillery! Of course, we also need more supply ships and more supply ports!"
…
Xiao Letian looked at Xiang Ying whose face was filled with excitement. He knew that this was a talent born for the navy. When he mentioned the future development of the navy, Xiang Ying's whole person lit up!
He was obviously well prepared. There were detailed analysis data recorded in his notebook. It seemed that these were the results of discussions among all the navy officers and soldiers.
Xiao Letian, who has lived in two generations, knows that generally speaking, Xiang Ying's suggestions are in line with historical development and in line with the future trend of the navy!
"Want more military ports? Hahaha... I have already thought of it. I have already snatched Jinlan Bay in Annan Kingdom for you!"
"Great! Borneo is already under our control. Now that we have Cam Ranh Bay, only Luzon is left... As long as we capture Luzon, the entire South China Sea will become our inner lake!"
"Money, the navy needs money! Master, we must increase our power to build new warships! The Chinese need money..."
Xiao Letian smiled slightly, "Money is not a problem...the money is in Paris...it depends on my methods, I have to blackmail a fleet from the French!"
At this moment, Wang Junlan suddenly shouted outside the stable, "Head of State... the ferry has returned. Please take the lead in crossing the river!"
Xiao Letian patted Xiang Ying on the shoulder, "My child... now that you're here, don't leave. Come to Paris with me!"
"I know you are a fanatical nationalist, and you believe in absolute violence. You think military means can solve everything... Then come and see with me, and see what the city of Paris will become in violence!"
"I hope you can realize something!"
