Chapter 44 of 100

Chapter 44

15 min read3,816 words

The news of the war's commencement spread like wildfire throughout the entire Executive Committee building. Offices buzzed with excitement, and almost no one had the heart to work, all crowding in the corridors to chat.

Ma Qianzu gently closed the door of the meeting room, shutting out the noise. Inside, everyone looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

"What are you afraid of? They've declared war, so we'll just fight back!" Ma Jia, unable to tolerate the somber atmosphere in the room, shouted loudly.

"I agree, let's follow the contingency plan," Peng Zhicheng said nonchalantly. "We'll fully staff the units that need to be, and expand those that need to. When the Spanish come, we'll fight them!"

Wang Qinan glanced at Peng Zhicheng. Although he didn't think much of this black-faced army chief, it was a time to maintain a united front, so he pinched his nose and agreed, "As long as the Navy has enough personnel, we can ensure the security of the sea defenses."

"There's no choice but to fight," Shao Shude said with a grim face. "From now on, we can't use resources without restraint. We don't know how long this war will last. But are the Spanish really ready? I don't think so. It's probably just that the orders from Lima have just reached La Plata, but the troops scattered in various places haven't gathered yet, and supplies haven't been stockpiled. The Peruvian fleet probably hasn't arrived either. I really don't know how to evaluate their hasty declaration of war—confidence or stupidity?"

With a few people starting, the others also began to voice their opinions. In summary, the core message was one: there's no choice, so we'll fight. This meeting was extremely efficient, and in less than half an hour, everyone dispersed and returned to their offices to implement the contingency plan.

Peng Zhicheng plopped down in his chair, then pulled out a stack of documents from his drawer, glanced through them, and smiled at the people gathered in front of him. "You guys, now you're getting nervous. Come on, Xiao Wang, bring me the new Army organization chart from 1633. I plan to suggest to the Executive Committee to implement the new organization and expand the troops."

"Minister, if you push this chart, the Navy will rebel. Although a major war is imminent, the Executive Committee is unlikely to approve it," "Xiao Wang" pushed his black-rimmed glasses and reminded him.

The 1633 new Army organization chart was grand in scale: below the platoon level, there was a squad, with each platoon consisting of three squads, and each squad having 15 people. A deputy platoon leader was added to each platoon, bringing the total number of people in each platoon to 47. If each company had five platoons, then each company would have 237 people, and three companies would have over 700 people. Such a large organization would be a real shock to the Navy.

"Haha, no worries," Peng Zhicheng said with a smile. "It's just a bargaining chip." In fact, Peng Zhicheng's true goal was to fully staff the existing three infantry companies and ideally form a new one. He also wanted to significantly expand the cavalry and artillery, aiming to push the Army's total to 500 people.

Peng Zhicheng was well aware of Wang Qinan's recent series of moves. Wang Qinan had been urging the construction of Fort No. 4 and the trial voyage of the first warship, the "East Shore Eagle." His strategy was to create a fait accompli, forcing the Executive Committee to expand the Navy. After all, you can't just leave the cannons and the warship sitting there, right? Peng Zhicheng found this approach a bit "too simplistic and naive," but it often worked in the Executive Committee, which was truly infuriating. Since that was the case, he decided to take a strong measure this time and see what the Executive Committee would say. After all, defending the country relies on the Army, and the Army is the one who will ultimately resolve the conflict.

Peng Zhicheng's somewhat exaggerated plan indeed caused a huge controversy in the Executive Committee, with Wang Qinan, the Navy commissioner, angrily calling him "shameless." At this stage, the Executive Committee had about 2000 able-bodied men (excluding prisoners), which seemed like a lot, but at least 400 of them were various craftsmen or apprentices, not expendable cannon fodder. After removing some central and local administrative personnel (mainly the time-travelers), the number of people who could be drafted into the military would not exceed 1300.

Moreover, these 1300 people were the total number after a full mobilization. Since the Spanish were not yet in sight, a full mobilization was not possible. Only some large units (such as the construction teams) could be partially drafted into the military. These people had been working together for a long time, had organizational discipline, and regularly received various military training, making them relatively high-quality recruits.

On February 20th, the first units began mobilization, with 120 people initially mobilized. These people regularly received artillery training, with 75 assigned to the coastal artillery forts and the remaining 45 forming the newly established Independent Field Artillery Company of the Army.

At the same time, 600 people from 15 production teams in the Dingyuan Fort reclamation area were called up for concentrated military training. A large number of 32-乙 type flintlock muskets and sabers were taken out of storage. Currently, the armory was working overtime, having paused all exports to focus on producing various combat supplies.

In addition, the most noticeable development in both the Army and Navy was the return of the "East Shore Eagle" from its sea trials. This 250-ton galleon was born at an inopportune time. As the first warship to join the Navy, it should have been a matter of great honor, but now, in the eyes of most people, it could only stay in the port and serve as a symbolic fleet along with the "Yunsheng No. 1."

However, Wang Qinan had a different opinion. He believed that this war was a matter of life and death for the time-travelers. Being trapped in the port was equivalent to already being half-defeated. Therefore, he decided to request the Executive Committee to arm the "Yunsheng No. 1" and use the precious diesel to form a commerce raiding fleet with a few tugboats and barges. This fleet would attack Spanish ships to weaken their war potential in the region. This suggestion caused significant controversy within the Navy, with many time-travelers instinctively opposing the use of precious diesel in the war against the Spanish.

"But when do you plan to use this diesel? The equipment on the 'Yunsheng No. 1' is still in good condition, and the ship can still move, but what about in the future? In a few years, when the equipment breaks down and the ship can no longer operate, you'll only be able to use the diesel for heating. It's better to make a big move this time, to hit the Spanish hard and make them think twice about bothering us in the future. Even if we don't have the 'Yunsheng No. 1' then, no enemy will dare to come and trouble us," those who agreed with Wang Qinan argued passionately.

"No, the 'Yunsheng No. 1' can carry us to safety. If the war goes badly..."

"If the war goes badly, then what? Then we'll find another place to farm? I've farmed once, and I have no enthusiasm to do it again. Besides, if we're trapped in the port by a large fleet, we might not even be able to break out. They're not fools; they have many ways to restrict us."

After much discussion, the Navy still failed to reach a consensus. Wang Qinan, feeling disheartened, decided to bypass the Navy staff and submit the proposal directly to the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee did not dare to act rashly and summoned Wang Qinan from the Navy headquarters that night. When Wang Qinan entered the room and saw everyone staring at him, he chuckled, "I'll get straight to the point. Don't interrupt me, and you can criticize me after I finish."

"Tugboats and barges are not suitable for long voyages, so we'll skip them. I've already chosen a secret port for the commerce raiding fleet—the Falkland Islands, also known as the Malvinas. The Falkland Islands are uninhabited at this time, making them perfect for a supply port. The 'Yunsheng No. 1' will be armed with as many cannons as possible and will also carry a certain number of Army soldiers. I plan to cruise near the Strait of Magellan, a crucial maritime route in South America, where many Peruvian ships pass on their way to La Plata. If we're bold enough, we can even land a full contingent of Army soldiers on the Chilean coast and raid them," Wang Qinan explained his plan to the Executive Committee members.

However, most of the Executive Committee members had deep reservations about his bold plan.

"The 'Yunsheng No. 1' and the tugboats together have only about 500 tons of diesel, which won't last long if you're just wandering around the sea. If you're going to ambush in the Strait of Magellan, you'll need to stockpile supplies first. The Falkland Islands have nothing, so you'll need to prepare everything in advance. How much fuel will it take to transport all these goods back and forth?" Shao Shude, who was generally cautious, asked.

"That's easy to solve. First, let the 'East Shore Eagle' carry a group of people and building materials to the Falkland Islands to set up some simple warehouses for storing supplies. The rest of the supplies can be carried by the 'Yunsheng No. 1' when it sets out. The 'East Shore Eagle' can make a round trip to the Falkland Islands in about ten to twenty days, which is plenty of time," Wang Qinan said.

"No. I agree to send the 'East Shore Eagle' alone for guerrilla operations, but I reserve my opinion on including the 'Yunsheng No. 1'," Xiao Mingli said. He didn't understand much about naval matters but instinctively opposed any plan involving the 'Yunsheng No. 1'.

"The 'East Shore Eagle' alone won't do much," Wang Qinan said, getting a bit anxious. "It's not that big, not much faster than the others, and it doesn't have as many cannons. What can it do out there? Just deliver supplies?"

The meeting room fell silent for a moment.

"Then, let's vote on it," Ma Qianzu looked at everyone and said, "Those in favor, raise your hands." He then raised his hand.

Xiao Bailang followed suit. His old subordinate, Wang Tiechui, who had been working in the Navy and was almost moldy, had recently been sent by Wang Qinan to work on him. Xiao Bailang hadn't planned to oppose it, and now he could help his old subordinate, so he raised his hand in agreement.

Next was the industrial commissioner, Ma Jia, who straightforwardly supported Wang Qinan. The material commissioner, Shao Shude, hesitated for a moment but also raised his hand in agreement. Wang Qinan himself raised his hand and then looked dryly at the remaining few. He didn't expect Peng Zhicheng, the Army commissioner, to agree; civil affairs commissioner Xiao Mingli had already clearly opposed it; judicial commissioner Bai Siwen was said to be at odds with Ma Qianzu and Xiao Bailang, so he was unreliable. The hope for approval rested on the remaining education commissioner, Du Wen, finance commissioner, Tang Yuan, and foreign affairs commissioner, Gao Mo.

Du Wen gently shook her head, indicating opposition, and Wang Qinan's heart sank again.

Foreign affairs commissioner Gao Mo frowned and thought for a long time before finally sighing and slowly raising his hand. Finally, the majority was reached, and Wang Qinan breathed a long sigh of relief.

Tang Yuan, seeing Gao Mo's agreement, said with a bitter smile, "Even if I oppose it, it won't make a difference, right?"

6:5, the proposal was approved.

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