"The navy is an offensive arm, which requires that the navy must be able to not only conduct ocean operations, but also be able to project combat power to land. This is why I am preparing to form the Marine Corps."
Regarding what the navy is, Zuo Mengeng can guarantee that no one in the world understands it better than him.
Including those Europeans who conducted great voyages for hundreds of years.
The European navies of this era also had a messy division of responsibilities, and had no specific concept of landing operations at all.
After understanding his intention, everyone in the navy was of course extremely happy.
Among the new armies, the Navy is the rising star. Coupled with the fact that the Chinese people inherently value land over sea, they instinctively cannot hold their heads high in front of their big brother, the army.
Many people still feel that the navy is there to help the army.
After Zuo Menggeng elaborated on the navy's combat philosophy, these people understood that the navy had great potential.
Thinking about it, in the future, hundreds or even thousands of navy ships will be dispatched collectively to the coast of a country. After the fire attack, the marines will directly land, attack cities and territories, and destroy the country to show their power. Everyone can't help but get excited.
E Hong thought for a while and suggested: "According to the commander-in-chief's plan, the current Marine Corps has two brigades. Together they are one division. It is better to name it the First Marine Division, or the First Marine Division for short. alright."
Zuo Mengeng trembled on the spot.
This name...
If you think about it carefully, it is indeed okay to call the First Marine Division the First Marine Division.
Ami Er quickly reminded: "Commander, if the Marine Corps becomes an army, then the original militia generals will not be enough."
In the military order of the New Army, the difference between the regular army and the militia is very big.
The militia is both a people and a soldier, and the training content is far inferior to that of the regular army.
Although it is much faster than ordinary people to transform into regular soldiers because they have completed basic military training, the same cannot be said for generals.
The commander of a militia brigade is only as good as a company commander in the regular army.
A division's regular army must require professional senior generals to be competent.
Naturally, Zuo Mengeng had already thought of this.
Three days later, Tang Wenhuan and Gu No. 2 Middle School came hand in hand, covered in dust.
"I plan to transfer you two to the Navy and serve as the division commander and political commissar of the newly established 1st Marine Division. How about it? Are you qualified?"
Tang Wenhuan and Gu Erzhong were a little dumbfounded.
Is this about to go into the water?
But a division-level general!
What did they do before going to military school?
They were merely company-level officers.
Although they continuously skipped grades in the military academy because of their excellent studies, according to general rules, they can only serve as regiment-level generals after graduation.
Now he has been promoted to a division-level general. Although he needs to go into the water, how can he not be tempted?
"No problem. If you don't do well, you will engage in military law."
Tang Wenhuan was ambitious and did his part.
Although he was born into a famous family in Dongchang, his family had already declined. Seeing others being rich and extravagant, but he could only eat chaffy vegetables, he naturally felt dissatisfied.
He believed that he was no worse than anyone else, and he had repeatedly made military exploits after joining the New Army.
Now the opportunity is in front of you. If you don't seize it, you will be punished by God.
Gu Erzhong also had no objection.
Although as a former bandit, now going to the sea, this span is a bit big. But for him to become a senior general at the colonel level all of a sudden, this shows that Zuo Mengeng has unreserved trust in him.
Neither Tang Wenhuan nor Gu No. 2 Middle School knew that the reason why Zuo Mengeng gave them exaggerated cross-level promotions had other hidden meanings.
These two people are not deeply involved with the Army. Once they transition to the Navy, they are completely isolated from the Army.
Even within the New Army, it is better to avoid suspicion.
Wu Zhenxi came from Linqing with them and submitted the information.
"How to deal with this, the Administrative Committee hopes to get your instructions."
Zuo Mengeng didn't care.
"If the Jinyiwei want to come and see us, let them see it. Is there anything we can't let others see?"
Wu Zhenxi was not relieved.
"I'm afraid that if our purpose cannot be hidden, the court will immediately launch an attack."
Zuo Mengeng shook his head, having his own judgment on the matter.
"It is precisely because Jin Yiwei has seen through it that the imperial court will not completely fall out of favor for a while. The emperor is currently in trouble both internally and externally, and is unable to do anything at all. Knowing our strength, he will definitely not dare to take risks. According to my estimation, this matter... ...I’m afraid it will take a year and a half to go back and forth. Go back and tell Lord Ruogu and the others to stay calm and act normally.”
His calmness and composure made Wu Zhenxi completely full of confidence.
Came the same day and returned the same day.
Seeing that everyone here was curious, Zuo Mengeng made a report.
"The imperial court realized belatedly that something was wrong here. The emperor sent a royal guard to sneak in to investigate."
Everyone laughed when they heard this.
He was clearly the nominal ruler of the world, but now he was reduced to acting like a thief in his own territory.
The weakness of the Ming Dynasty is evident.
As soon as Wu Zhenxi left, the First Division sent a battle report from the back.
"Report. Three days ago, the Dongjiang rebels broke into Qingzhou City, burned and killed them wantonly, and Hecheng was killed. Prince Heng's Mansion was destroyed. Prince Heng's son, concubines, and eunuchs were all killed. Prince Heng's Mansion was also looted. Burnt to the ground."
Everyone was shocked and their hearts were beating fast.
Sun Yuanhua was stunned for a long time, and couldn't help but sigh: "If this matter comes out, I'm afraid the world will be shocked."
Everyone understands what the death of the feudal king means.
Since the fall of Liaodong and the peasant uprising in northern Shaanxi, the Ming Dynasty has been in chaos for many years.
However, no feudal king has ever been captured or killed.
Although Heng Fan did not have a prince and only had a prince, it was also the first of its kind.
The impact of this incident must be extremely huge.
The Zhu Ming Dynasty ruled the world, but even the royal family could not protect it. Everyone knew what it meant.
"Commander, will the emperor take risks?"
Fu Yusun thought a little more.
"He doesn't have the capital."
Zuo Mengeng's judgment remained the same.
The fall of Heng Fan will definitely make Chongzhen furious.
But what could he do?
Are you going to anger Zuo Mengeng and launch a formal crusade?
Where did the soldiers come from, and where did the money come from?
Now the Jinyiwei are roaming the land of Qilu, and I believe they will report back the actual situation of the new army.
Once Chongzhen understood the true strength of the new army, would he dare to attack it?
Even if he dares, the ministers in the court are not stupid.
In the current situation, if a large-scale crusade against Shandong was launched, it would be tantamount to forcing Shandong to actually rebel.
Dongjiang Town alone has already severely damaged the Ming Dynasty. If the new army, which is more than ten times stronger than Dongjiang Town, attacks the imperial court...
No one dares to bear this consequence.
It was precisely because of this self-confidence that Zuo Mengeng took his time and promoted the plan step by step.
"Instruct the First Division to move westward and launch an oppressive attack on the rebels. Tell the Third Division to block the rebels' southward route no matter what. Anyone who loses their position and lets the rebels run away will be subject to military law."
