Chapter 985： Fisherman (2/2)
This is how experience in naval battles is accumulated. Although it is not as effective as going on the battlefield in person, valuable experience can still be accumulated through observation.
Not far away, a bearded officer who was about 50 or 60 years old joked: ”Our Chief Governor, is it possible that his memory has deteriorated when he is old, and he has forgotten even the group rotation?”
”Enough, Ales. Don't forget that you are one day older than me. If your memory deteriorates in old age, you will come first.”
”It's not a day old, it's fifteen minutes! Even this can be mistaken, it really is that memory has deteriorated.
It's right to think about it, but I often run around the world, unlike you staying in a gentle country every day, surrounded by a bunch of flattering people, the memory decline is understandable. ”
”It's a day after the early morning, so don't quibble. Which eye of yours sees me staying in the tender country? Who doesn't know that I hate slackers, or who sent you over.”
”Stupid, of course it's me. Is it because the governor has been in office for a long time, and even the internal division of powers in the navy is not clear...”
...
The quarrel between the two people has long been taken off by everyone. Being a young man and comrade-in-arms, but also ascending to high positions at the same time, is a legend in the Holy Roman Empire.
It's just that the two protagonists in ”Legend” seem to be innately guilty. When they were in China, they should pay attention to no conflicts in aristocratic etiquette. When they went overseas, there were not so many scruples. The two of them were completely exposed and almost pinched when they met on.
The two quarreled but did not affect the relationship between each other. If anyone ran to persuade them to fight, they would surely be bothered by them.
”Don't talk about what is useless, have you found that the performance of the Japanese Navy is completely two extremes. Some warships are completely excellent, and some warships are completely fooling around.”
Governor Chandler smiled slightly: ”You just don't understand the situation. You know that six months ago, the total tonnage of the Japanese Navy was only more than 30,000 tons, but it has suddenly expanded to nearly 100,000 tons.
The modernization process of the Japanese Navy has not been twenty years since its inception. Where will they go to find so many qualified officers?
In order to operate this large-scale fleet, the Japanese government not only recruited retired naval officers and soldiers, but also recruited teachers and students from the naval academy. It is said that it also recruited some sailors from the private sector.
Do you think Ito Yuhiro is so stupid that you dare to bring such a fleet to a decisive battle? ”
Ares shook his head: ”On the contrary, I think Yuhiro Ito's choice is very smart. Naturally, the officers and soldiers can be trained in peaceful times, and then consider the issue of decisive battle with the enemy.
The current situation is very obvious, the Spaniards have already arrived, it is impossible to leave them time to train the army.
Not being able to avoid the battle at this time will not only make the army on the island passive, but even the morale of the army that has been accumulated in front of the Japanese navy will be lost.
Anyway, there are so many warships that the Spaniards can't eat them. Although the officers and soldiers who have just been recruited are not qualified, most of them are from the navy. The biggest problem now is that they are not familiar with warships and adapt after a battle. This is more effective than usual training for half a year.
Looking at the battlefield chosen by the Japanese, it is known that they are only 40 nautical miles away from Luzon, even if they lose, they can withdraw the main force.
The current situation is very good. Although the loss of the Japanese army was a bit larger, the loss of the Spaniard was not small. Despite the fact that the number of warships they sank was not many, they were injured a lot.
After a battle, most of the Spaniards' warships have to be repaired, and it will be difficult to restore combat effectiveness in the next two months.
If it were not for our help, even if it were to win a battle, the Spaniards would lose the war because of maintenance.
Now, the final outcome is undecided, mainly depending on what the country wants and how strong the British support the Japanese government. ”
”You are correct in your analysis. One is working on an expedition, and the other is fighting at home. Time is on the side of the Japanese.
The Philippine Islands are richer than many people think. Since the 16th century, this place has been a transit point for trade. Tens of thousands of tons of silver, thousands of tons of gold, as well as some spices, tea, silk, and porcelain have flowed into Europe from here.
In addition, the Philippine Islands themselves are also very rich in resources. There is no shortage of agricultural resources or gold and silver minerals. In terms of value, it will not be much lower than the entire Nanyang Governor-General.
Spain has been operating here for more than 300 years, and the bureaucracy will take root here for more than 300 years. Except for some of the ones that flowed back to Europe, the rest remained here.
The Japanese made a lot of money this time, otherwise they would have no money to buy warships from the British. The directly plundered property is skipped first, and the Japanese government can't figure it out.
Just look at the benefits that can be seen. After the occupation of the Philippine Islands, the food crisis in Japan has been solved, and the shortage of coal, copper and iron ore has also been solved.
With these things alone, Japan can save tens of millions of Aegis’ foreign exchange expenses every year. If it manages well, the income of the Philippine Islands can catch up to half of Japan's fiscal revenue.
In a sense, the Japanese are now fighting Spain with Spanish money.
Given the terrible financial situation of the Spanish government and the corrupt bureaucracy, if you continue to fight like this, the Spanish will probably be the first to be unable to hold it. ”
During the conversation, Governor Chandler couldn't help drooling. There is no way, the Philippine Islands are too rich. Except for the island of Java in the hands of the Dutch, there is no other place in Southeast Asia that can match it.
As a qualified colonist, it is impossible not to be tempted to encounter such a prosperous place. From the analysis, it can be heard that even the resources of the Philippine Islands are clear, and it is obvious that they are well prepared.
In the hands of the Spaniards, Governor Chandler was unable to start due to political influence, but now finally there is a ray of light.
As long as the Spaniards are defeated and give up their ownership of the Philippine Islands, the Nanyang Governor-General will have a chance to obtain the Philippine Islands. After all, there is no political pressure to rob the Japanese.
Not only Governor Chandler’s thoughts, but the colonists of the entire Nanyang Governorate are anxiously waiting for this to happen.
If it hadn't been ordered by the Vienna government, the Spaniards would have used the dock for repairs, and I am afraid that they would not even want to obtain logistical supplies.