The wind blows from the South Sea

Chapter 100 Many plans are ahead of schedule
The military and political meeting continued. At the meeting, everyone unanimously approved the third military expansion plan advocated by Feng Guohui, which planned to increase the number of military personnel by 4500 to 5000 people.

This matter will be handled by Zheng Xiucai, and the recruited recruits will be sent to Landoshan Square and Yanwang City one after another, and will be handed over to the Wu Siwen First Regiment and the Mai Laowei Third Regiment stationed there respectively for training.

There are many veterans in these two regiments. They are already very experienced in training the first and second batch of newcomers. They just need to follow the steps and do it again.

The military camps in the above two places have complete facilities and can meet the requirements of large-scale training.

Feng Guohui also specifically requested that some Chinese soldiers with knowledge and ability to perform well be selected into the teaching team for grassroots officer training to make up for the shortcomings of grassroots officers.

Another uncle, Feng Zhaoliang, was responsible for organizing no less than 180 carpenters overnight to carry out emergency repairs on the two damaged warships. All repair work must be completed within 4 days.

In addition, no less than 12 cargo ships, as well as related weapons and equipment, food and medicines, were organized to prepare for carrying soldiers to capture Semarang.

After the meeting, everyone left and went their separate ways. This was going to be another sleepless night.

Hu Huadong, the young patriarch of the Hu family who was left alone by Feng Guohui, waited until everyone left, then extended his hand in an inviting gesture, watched the maids serve tea and tea, and then said;

"East China, this is our great luck. We have captured two real sail warships. It can be said that we are lucky to be able to use this to form a maritime force belonging to our Nanyang Army.

They all have some experience in gunnery and can get started much faster than ordinary people.

For a middle-aged man who has been sailing for more than ten years, the big cannon ship that symbolizes sea power is extremely enthusiastic from the heart.

The only thing I was unsure about was the artillery training. I went to the ship to see it. These were big guys that fired 36-pound shells. None of the brothers had ever used them.

From the perspective of personnel arrangement

"No problem, I'll leave the artillery instructor, Captain Tony Cross, to you. After the second artillery battalion is decomposed, some new recruits will be added to the ship to supplement the artillery strength of the two warships.

The Hu family has been firmly tied to the Nanyang Army's chariot. In this case, being reused is the goal that they are determined to pursue.

This time I will try my best to match you with some elite sailors, as well as captured Dutch white bosuns, so that you can familiarize yourself with the sailing battleship as soon as possible and become a powerful maritime force of our Nanyang Army.

As the saying goes, if God doesn't take what he wants, he will suffer the consequences.

The task is arduous and the future is full of difficulties. Do you have the confidence to complete it? "

It is simply the ultimate dream in life to be able to command such a large cannon ship across the ocean one day.

The commander-in-chief did not completely rely on the Hu family to control the maritime power. He mixed a lot of water on the sailing battleship, including breaking up the officers and soldiers of the second artillery battalion assigned to the two ships.

East China has also been practicing at sea for more than ten years. Only by putting the sailing warship in your hands can you make the best use of your talents and resources.

It is a fire enveloped in great happiness, which is difficult for outsiders to understand;

Correspondingly, the white people in East China also know a little bit about the rules of ship maneuvering. Bring me some old sea wolves. Normal ship maneuvering is no problem.

Hu Huadong stood up suddenly, raised his hands and performed a standard military salute, and replied firmly;

Among the Nanyang Army, the Hu family has been in the shipping industry for generations and has the most experience in shipbuilding.

"Since the commander-in-chief has made all the arrangements, Huadong will never hesitate to follow the commander-in-chief until the end of his life. Even if he goes up the mountain of swords and into the sea of ​​fire, he will never frown." Hu Huadong said without hesitation.

Feng Chao, the deputy battalion commander of the Second Artillery Battalion, will also be on board. He will be responsible for commanding another sailing warship. He will ask the Feng family's old sea wolf to lead the area. After two or three years, he will be out of service. "

"Commander, if you can entrust me with this heavy responsibility, East China will be frightened and will do your best.

If I miss the commander-in-chief, a hundred deaths in East China will not be enough to atone for his sin. "

At this time, his eyes were shining with unusual excitement.

There is also Feng Chao, deputy commander of the Second Artillery Battalion, who will serve as the captain of the slightly smaller sail warship. This person is a die-hard loyalist of the commander-in-chief.

As for the French artillery instructor Captain Tony Cross, you don't need to pay too much attention to him. He is just an old mercenary. He is not loyal or disloyal. He is only responsible for getting money to do things.

During the bombardment of the Dutch warships, Captain Tony Cross commanded the 800nd Artillery Battalion for his outstanding performance. As a result, he received a reward of silver coins, a mansion, two beauties, and three shops along the street that could be rented.

I dare not say that it is too much per month. The rental fee of 200 or yuan for three shops cannot be covered. In a year, I can make up for the income of about yuan.

That old guy only cares about money. As long as the money is enough, he will do his best.

After continuing to explain a few more words, Feng Guohui served the guests tea and watched Hu Huadong leave with a respectful expression.

The two captured Royal Netherlands Navy sailing warships, the "Levinsaugus" will be renamed the "Zhenhai", and the other, the "Olinborg", will be renamed the "Zhenjiang" and become the Nanyang Navy gunboat of the army.

Feng Guohui's original plan for the development of maritime power should be 3 to 4 years later, when the shipyard under preparation is established, which will be capable of producing steam iron ships of more than tons.

Only then will maritime power be properly developed.

But the plan was not as fast as it changed. The originally planned third military expansion was brought forward several months in order to cope with the changes in the current situation.

Although the Battle of the Surabaya Strait was enjoyable, it also completely tore apart the thin fig leaf between the Nanyang Army and the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, and they became irreconcilable. Facing the situation of military confrontation

The governor-general, Count Charles Ferdinand Bahou, no longer had any room for maneuver. He was so angry that he was bound to launch a large-scale military operation soon.

And this will be the most severe test that the Nanyang Army has ever experienced, and Feng Guohui has no luck in his heart.

He was sitting in the lobby, still reviewing carefully in his mind the various response measures arranged at today's meeting. Are there any errors or omissions?

On the surface, he seems calm, but in fact, Feng Guohui is under great pressure now.

At this time, Feng Guohui was not unemployed at the beginning. When he became reckless, he just swept all the way, killing gods when gods blocked, and Buddha when Buddha blocked.

If the value of the large amount of land and plantations in his name are included, Feng Guohui's current wealth is worth tens of millions of silver. He is an out-and-out big landowner and a tycoon.

Even if converted into pounds, he is a proper millionaire and can occupy a place in London's upper class society.

If he could have seen this secret letter from Governor Charles earlier, he would not have completely broken up with the Dutch white people, and would have chosen to temporarily shrink his sharp claws and be humble.

Wouldn’t it be great if he had an extra half-year or even longer development period?

But it's too late to say anything now, it's hard to recover from the flood!

The current situation forced Feng Guohui to take dangerous measures. On the one hand, he once again massively expanded his army, and on the other hand, he took advantage of the precious opportunity of just ten days to risk a time lag.

Send troops to capture the important area of ​​Semarang and expand your defense range. To prevent the war from burning into the heart of Surabaya.

This is the foundation of the Nanyang Army. It was smashed and burned, and all that was lost was the strength of the Nanyang Army.

I don't know how long
The candles on the silver candlestick burned out one by one, and the light became increasingly dim. Only Feng Guohui's figure sitting at the top remained motionless.

The rules of the Feng family mansion were strict. Several concubines among the family members did not dare to enter the main hall, nor did they dare to interrupt Feng Guohui's thoughts. They could only stand in the corridor outside the main hall and secretly worry.

After a long sigh, Feng Guohui stood up and glanced at Zheng Xiang'er, Wen Jun and other girls who were waiting anxiously outside the dim lights, with a smile on his face.

He strode over and said warmly, "You must have been waiting for a long time. I was so busy thinking about things that I forgot the time. Let the maid prepare some hot water for a bath, just to refresh you."

"I only follow your master's instructions, please rest."

The girls gathered around Feng Guohui and walked to the back house. At this time, no one dared to make a loud noise or get jealous. They all felt like kittens.

They all knew that the master had something big on his mind.

If you don't have the vision to go up and make a fuss and make the master furious, then your life will be completely ruined.

Surabaya City at night

After midnight, everything was silent, except for the occasional passing patrol of soldiers walking on the dark and silent streets.

After dark in the city, a curfew is imposed after nine o'clock.

Unless police officers and soldiers who have important missions are ordered to go out, or other people who go out late at night to commit adultery or theft, they will be immediately caught by the patrol team.

After the implementation of the curfew, the public security in Surabaya city has greatly improved. Vicious cases such as theft and robbery, crowd fighting, and door-breaking and killing have plummeted. The effect is very significant.

For ordinary people in the market, there are almost no people hanging out after midnight.

I have a headache and fever here, and most of them will wait until dawn tomorrow, because every house is closed late at night, and shops and hospitals are not open.

Only some people with evil intentions wander around late at night.

Therefore, those who are caught after the curfew, as long as they cannot provide sufficient legitimate reasons, will have to spend money to ransom them.

What valid reasons do ordinary people have for defying the curfew?

It usually costs 20 to 30 silver coins per person. If you can't afford this amount, then I'm sorry. He was thrown directly into the Langtuo Mountain Mine to do hard labor, which lasted for 1 to 2 years.

But when it will come out, only God knows.

Ever since the Nanyang Army took control of the city of Surabaya, changes have been quietly taking place.

The upsurge of urban economic development has been aroused. There are more and more shops, and the number of commodities in circulation is increasing. The city is developing rapidly every day and its scale is expanding.

Many officers of the Nanyang Army and some Chinese businessmen invested in building houses. City streets were lengthening, blocks were expanding, and various characteristic handicraft industries also developed.

The huge city of Surabaya seems to have woken up from its sleep and embarked on a new path of rapid development.

After all, other colonial cities, Surabaya City are more vibrant and full of opportunities, attracting more Chinese immigrants to come here to develop.

(End of this chapter)