Song Gexing

Chapter 187 Six Fleets
Only then did Zhao Fang remember that he had been influenced by later generations. Indeed, Qingdao was very famous in later generations, and Jimo County also fell under the jurisdiction of Qingdao.

But before the Manchu Qing Dynasty, Jimo was the capital that governed this area, and Jimo was established very early. The famous Fire Ox Formation, where Tian Dan of Qi State defeated the Yan Army and recovered 72 cities of Qi State, started in Jimo.

Jimo, which has a glorious history, not only belongs to Qingdao in later generations, but also Laoshan Mountain. Now it is natural for them to name it Qingdao Prefecture. The scholar-bureaucrats of the Song Dynasty naturally felt very awkward.

Immediately, Zhao Fang, who knows his mistakes and can correct them, touched his nose in embarrassment and said with a smile: "I didn't think about it. How about calling it Jiaodong Mansion?"

Everyone said it was good when they heard it, because the name Jiaodong is also the ancient name of Jimo. In the Han Dynasty, the Jiaodong Kingdom had Jimo as its capital, and Liu Xiongqu, the grandson of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, was named the King of Jiaodong.

Now everyone has no opinion. As for Huating Mansion, it is normal to name it after Huating County. Guangzhou Mansion is an old name. The Guangzhou Governor's Mansion was established in Panyu in the Tang Dynasty.

"Your Majesty has established five navies from north to south. Why did you abandon Guangnan South Road?"

Di Qing asked carefully after everyone had finished speaking.

Zhao Fang smiled and said: "It's not that I'm giving up, it's that there are only five Jiayou-class battleships now. If we form a sixth fleet, we will only have three thousand large ships, and our momentum will be much worse."

Di Qing felt relieved when he saw the smile on his face, and his speech became smoother. He continued: "I think that Guangnan South Road does not need Jiayou-class warships, but it does need a fleet to protect the smooth sea route."

"Oh! Tell me."

Zhao Fang couldn't help but become interested. This veteran had always been cautious in his words and deeds. Even if he told him many times that he could speak freely, his character had not changed. It was extremely rare to take the initiative to give advice today.

Seeing his interest, Di Qing took a deep breath and said: "Although Jiaozhou is under the rule, it seems to be very stable now, but it is not the case. When I settled there, I got to know the local indigenous people. In fact, they still refused to accept the king's rule, and those people were extremely stubborn. I regret very much that I didn’t listen to your majesty back then, and I should have avoided any future troubles.”

Hearing this, Zhao Fang glared at him. The old man was really an asshole back then, and he wrote a guarantee letter with him, and he was responsible for it, but he still couldn't do it.

He would let them go as soon as they surrendered. Otherwise, according to his own idea, he would imitate the Mongols, kill all the men and steal all the women, and then fill in the population with immigrants to avoid future troubles.

Otherwise, I would not let him fail to become the Privy Councilor, and would definitely recommend him strongly. That is why Di Qing now only knows the affairs of the Privy Council and concurrently serves as the Palace Secretary.

The military power is greater than in history, but the official position is half a level smaller. As long as he can learn from the stupidity and boldness of Zhe Jizu, Zhonge and others, he will never be afraid of him.

Di Qing, who looked guilty at him, continued: "Jiaozhou is close to the sea and is closer to the island countries in the South China Sea. It is easier to protect merchant ships from various places. Therefore, I suggest setting up a fleet there to protect the waterway externally and internally. It can assist the Imperial Army in suppressing the local area."

As he spoke, he glanced at Zhao Fang and saw that he was nodding slightly, listening to him very seriously.

Then he felt relieved and continued: "I suggest not using Jiayou class warships. Another reason is to increase the number of small speedboats for patrolling inland rivers."

Before Zhao Fang could speak, Han Qi agreed: "Han Chen's proposal is very good! I suggest that the water patrol department on Guangnan South Road be brought under the jurisdiction of the sixth fleet. Unified command can be more effective."

Fan Zhongyan agreed: "Yes, this can not only unify the command, but also save the cost of building new warships, and also form combat effectiveness early."

Zhao Fang nodded and responded: "If this proposal is feasible, then we will order Guangnan South Road to prepare the Navy's Sixth Fleet."

Since Jiaozhou was an area that had just been pacified a few years ago, the inspection departments in various places had strong combat effectiveness and were all adapted from regular armies.Even though a large number of troops from the original Li Dynasty were used, they were reorganized from regular armies, and they were selected to be Han people within three generations.

Therefore, these inspection department personnel not only have good combat effectiveness, but also have strong centripetal force. Even if a small number of Jing people join, their loyalty has been tested.

After all, Jiaozhou did not become independent until the end of the Five Dynasties. Before that, it had been the territory of the Central Plains. A hundred years was not enough for all the Jing people to hate the Central Plains dynasty.

Besides, the Jing people claim to be descendants of the Shennong clan. They were originally a branch of China and have been ruled for thousands of years. It is not easy to change their minds.

Of course, it is normal for Di Qing to say that he is not convinced by Wang Hua. After all, it is the same in any region. The rebel careerists are all well-known in the local area, so there are naturally many people who obey them.

Even Sichuan and Xiangxi in the Northern Song Dynasty did not rebel every year, but local prominent families also deceived the people who obeyed them.

"In this way, if the navy establishes six fleets, it will have to appoint six generals as commanders, and it can no longer follow the original military system. After all, naval warfare is different from land warfare. It must be handed over to people who are good at it. All the ministers have discussed and found a suitable one. There is a way to do it.”

"Your Majesty wants to change the military system again?"

As soon as Zhao Fang finished speaking, several ministers screamed in surprise, their eyes full of helplessness and scrutiny.

Zhao Fang shook his head helplessly and said, "I want to change it, but it's not what you think."

Fan Zhongyan breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "What's that like? Your Majesty, please tell me."

Zhao Fang indeed has no intention of achieving equality between civil and military forces at this time, and the various means he has used over the years are indeed to prepare for this, but the current conditions are still immature.

Three feet of ice does not freeze in a day. The Song Dynasty has emphasized civility over military affairs since the founding of the country. It is not easy to balance. What he has to do now is to continue to knock on the corners and increase the rights of generals piecemeal. This cannot be achieved overnight. , you will choke to death.

"Now that the navy has been formed, the setting up of the three yamen is too simple. In name, the three yamen only have land troops. Even the original navy does not have a general administrative office in name. It is all under the jurisdiction of the imperial army. Don't you think that? Too hasty?"

Zhao Fang said and looked at everyone. The ministers were stunned. It was really like this. There were actually many naval forces in the Song Dynasty, but they were all under the jurisdiction of the Forbidden Army. However, the Forbidden Army was nominally the Mabu Army Yamen, and there was no separate naval Yamen.

Originally, it could be said that the navy is not as mainstream as the army after all, but as the navy takes shape, the number of naval armies will increase significantly, and it would be hasty to let the third yamen be the top management yamen.

Thinking of this, Han Qi hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, you mean to establish a Navy Commander's Mansion to specifically govern the navy and navy?"

"The Governor's Mansion! This is a good name."

Zhao Fang didn't expect Han Qi to say such appropriate words, and couldn't help but admire him.

Ouyang Xiu secretly rolled his eyes and said with a smile: "The Governor's Mansion is an institution of the Tang Dynasty. Even further back in the Three Kingdoms period, there was a Navy Commander in Soochow. Is Your Majesty planning to restore the position that Zhou Gongjin once held?"

(End of this chapter)