1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 3669

Takahashi Nan explained the siege tactics that the special operations division could adopt in just a few words, but to Dong Shangyi, it still seemed like a myth.

Although the equipment of the Fujian Fleet was not bad, it did not have the heavy naval guns equipped on the special warfare division's warships. If it wanted to attack the city, it could only use traditional combat methods, transporting large-caliber artillery to land, deploying them to suitable positions, and then starting to bombard targets on the city walls.

The preliminary preparations alone might take a day or two. If the offensive goes against the flow and a suitable location for artillery installation is not captured near the city, or if the offensive is suppressed by enemy artillery on the city walls, then the time required to launch the bombardment might be even longer.

The special warfare division used naval ships as mobile artillery positions to directly attack near-shore targets, which is indeed a tactic that the Fujian Army cannot imitate.

As for geotechnical blasting, there were also officers in the Fujian Army who had studied related skills at the Hai Han Army Academy, but the high explosives used were strictly controlled and Fujian was unable to produce them on its own, so there was almost no practical experience.

Although Dong Shangyi had long known that the combat effectiveness of the Fujian Army and the Special Warfare Division was incomparable, it was only after hearing what Takahashi Nan said that he truly felt that the gap was far beyond his imagination. Fortunately, both sides were working for Hai Han, so he did not have to worry about the possibility of fighting the Special Warfare Division.

Dong Shangyi could not help but ask again: "May I ask General Takahashi, do the Portuguese know that the special warfare division is so powerful?"

Gao Qiaonan smiled and said, "Maybe they know something, but even if they do, they can only pretend not to know, otherwise it will be difficult to get along with them in the future!"

Dong Shangyi was stunned at first, then nodded in agreement: "General, what you said is absolutely right, otherwise how could the Portuguese governor pretend to be calm and put forward conditions to us!"

The military exchanges between Hai Han and Portugal are very close, and Portugal often participates in military operations led by Hai Han. Therefore, Fernandez, as the Governor of Goa, should be familiar with Hai Han’s military strength.

But Fernandez could only pretend not to know the gap, otherwise he would not be able to make those demands to Qian Tiandun on behalf of Portugal on an equal footing.

Of course, even if the Portuguese wanted to maintain their position through some disguised means, it would not always be effective. Qian Tiandun took the initiative to invite Fernandez to visit the special warfare division's fleet, which was not without the intention of taking the initiative to tear off this fig leaf.

But even if Fernandez understood Qian Tiandun's intention, it would be difficult for him to refuse such a rare opportunity. He really wanted to see with his own eyes what kind of powerful weapons the so-called invincible special warfare division had.

Fernandez was not disappointed. Qian Tiandun not only did not hide anything during the visit, but also took out all the best things in his box and showed them to the Portuguese almost without reservation.

So Fernandez had the opportunity to see sniper rifles that could accurately kill the enemy from a thousand steps away, heavy machine guns that could fire a large string of bullets like pouring water, mortars that could strike hidden targets across obstacles in an extremely high arc, and explosive and fragmentation grenades that could be carried and used by a single soldier. He was dazzled by the sight.

What shocked Fernandez the most was that these things were not just showpieces, but advanced weapons that had already been equipped in the special operations division. The effect of the live-fire demonstration was terrifying. It was also the first time that Fernandez realized how amazingly efficient the killing would be if the Hai Han army used these weapons in battle.

The artillery used on the warships of the Special Warfare Division was almost all replaced with more advanced breech-loading guns. Although the number was reduced, the firing rate, accuracy and lethality were much better than the traditional muzzle-loading guns used by the Portuguese army. Even the number of artillerymen required to operate these guns was much less than that of traditional breech-loading guns.

Fernandez's fingers gently stroked the surface of the copper-shelled shells. He really wanted to ask Qian Tiandun about the usage and performance parameters of these artillery pieces, and even the manufacturing process, but when the words came to his lips, he swallowed them back.

As the Governor of Goa, Portugal's most powerful official overseas, if he raised these questions to Hai Han, it would undoubtedly be a sign of weakness in disguise.

Moreover, these questions all involve Hai Han’s military secrets. If the other party directly refuses to answer, he will be bringing shame upon himself.

Even if Qian Tiandun did not evade the question and answered truthfully, the answer he got would certainly not make him feel good. It would only make him more clearly aware of the insurmountable huge gap in military strength between the two countries.

Answering or not answering would make Fernandez feel uncomfortable, so the best way to deal with it is to simply not ask, so as to avoid making things difficult for himself.

However, he also understood why the military attaché Simon, who was stationed in Hai Han, always stressed Hai Han's strong military strength and invincibility in his reports to Goa, and why his former governor repeatedly reminded him not to go to war with Hai Han under any circumstances before leaving office and returning home.

At this moment, Fernandez couldn't help but have a strange idea. Perhaps when he leaves office, he will give the same advice to the next governor.

At some point in his mind, he had the idea of ​​driving Hai Han out of the Indian Ocean, but now that idea has disappeared.

Fortunately, Portugal and Hai Han have been allies for many years, and the two sides have maintained relatively harmonious and friendly diplomatic relations. Fernandez does not have to worry about his own safety for the time being.

Qian Tiandun also took advantage of the opportunity to propose that Portugal, which operates many ports on the Indian Peninsula, should fully open up the rights for Hai Han to dock and resupply, and no longer limit it to civilian ships. It would be best if Hai Han’s navy’s combat ships could also enjoy the same treatment.

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"As an ally, if our navy can be familiar with the hydrological conditions and geographical environment of these ports, it will definitely help your country maintain maritime security. Your Excellency the Governor should understand what I mean, right?"

Qian Tiandun's tone was somewhat arrogant and carried a tone that did not allow rejection.

Fernandez knew that Qian Tiandun's purpose was not so simple. It was not difficult to verbally reject him, but this would not prevent Hai Han from entering the coastal areas of the Indian Peninsula. His primary task was no longer to shield the other party from this area, but to protect Portugal's interests here from being infringed.

Thinking of this, Fernandez could only make a difficult concession, but he also put forward a request, that is, Hai Han must not establish large colonial settlements or build port-like facilities on the west coast of the Indian Peninsula.

In other words, it requires Hai Han not to settle in the area near Goa to ensure Portugal's absolute control over this area.