Chapter 3611
Chapter 3611
Chapter 3611
Judging from data related to war potential such as economic foundation and population size, the Tokugawa shogunate undoubtedly has an absolute advantage in the civil war. However, this is only a judgment based on theory. When it comes to the actual combat stage, there are too many uncontrollable and unpredictable variables, not to mention that there are external forces like Hai Han that are able to interfere with the development of the situation.
The Kyushu vassal states that rebelled also understood the key point very well. Whether they could persist in fighting did not depend on the temporary victory or defeat on the battlefield, but on Hai Han’s attitude towards this war.
As long as Hai Han believes that the Kyushu coalition still has the strength to fight, no matter how great the shogunate's advantage on the battlefield is, it will not be able to achieve an overwhelming victory.
However, if Hai Han believes that the Kyushu coalition has no chance of winning and is unwilling to support the various feudal domains in continuing to fight, then no matter how strong their desire for war is, it will be difficult for them to hold out for too long under the offensive of the shogunate army.
Fortunately, the intelligence information provided by Shi Chengxin fully demonstrated that Hai Han’s attitude has not been shaken by the stalemate during this period, and it is still inclined to support Jiuzhou, which made them greatly relieved.
Kuroda Mitsuyuki then proposed a new military aid plan to Shi Diwen on behalf of the Kyushu coalition.
The various fleets of the Kyushu Allied Forces had suffered severe losses in the battles over the past six months, and it had reached the point where they had to be replenished immediately, otherwise they would lose the ability to fight for control of the Kanmon Strait.
The Kyushu Coalition hopes that Hai Han can provide at least fifty Exploration-class and twenty Expedition-class warships as soon as possible. It would be even better if there could be two to four Majestic-class warships.
In addition, the defensive positions on the Kyushu side of the Kanmon Strait also need to be replenished with artillery, muskets and ammunition. The estimated number is 3,000 flintlock rifles, 20 two-inch, three-inch and four-inch caliber cannons each, and a number of guns, cannons and ammunition.
In addition, the Jiuzhou Coalition also hoped to obtain some unique weapons and equipment from the Hai Han Army, such as grenades, mines, mortars, sniper rifles, etc., and even proposed that the Hai Han Army provide manned hot air balloons for aerial reconnaissance of the enemy.
This military aid proposal is an exorbitant request. Regardless of whether Hai Han will give it or not, it will be asked for first.
As for the related expenses, Kuroda Mitsuyuki hopes to continue the previous method and use the land to apply for a special loan from Hai Han to obtain these arms in installments.
Of course, most of the lands with greater economic value in Kyushu have already been mortgaged before, so Kuroda Mitsuyuki hopes that the land on Honshu Island can also be included in the mortgage scope this time.
Anyway, as long as the Kyushu coalition forces can eventually defeat the shogunate army, the Japanese archipelago will become the spoils of the Kyushu coalition forces. At that time, there will be no need to worry about Hai Han being unable to recover its investment. This seems to be barely justifiable.
After hearing this request, Shi Diwen just sneered and did not express his opinion immediately.
He knew that the daimyos in Kyushu all had great ambitions, otherwise they would not have been able to resist being instigated to rebel. However, judging from the military aid plan they proposed, he had underestimated these guys in the past.
Shi Chengxin observed his father's expression and knew that his father must be very dissatisfied with this, so he spoke up for him: "Lord Kuroda, even our allies have never received this level of assistance, not to mention that many of the weapons and equipment are currently prohibited from export. I think there are too many unrealistic aspects in the plan you proposed, and I'm sorry that I can't agree with it." What Shi Chengxin meant was that your Kyushu Coalition's relationship with our country is not even that of an ally, so how can you be qualified to make so many unreasonable demands.
Especially those weapons that use advanced military technology are not only expensive to produce, but also require special training for users. Even within the Hai Han army, the conditions for their use are strictly limited, so they will not be easily handed over to foreign troops.
What's more, the identity of this "foreign army" is also the target that the Hai Han Executive Committee has been wanting to eradicate for many years.
The Executive Committee viewed Japan as a long-term threat and wanted to eliminate it as soon as possible, which was why they supported Shi Diwen in planning this civil war. How could they hand over their most advanced weapons to the Japanese and teach them how to use them?
If it weren't for the concern about the high cost of launching a war against Japan, the Executive Committee would have rolled up their sleeves and joined the battle themselves, and there would be no chance for these clowns from Kyushu to perform on stage.
The reaction of the Shi family father and son was within the expectations of the daimyo of Kyushu. They had come up with such a military aid plan, and they did not expect Hai Han to accept it in full.
Ordering arms from Hai Han through normal channels is not only expensive, but also takes a long time to deliver, making it difficult to meet wartime needs. The Kyushu vassal states wanted to get more equipment in the short term, but were unwilling to drain their savings, so they thought of asking Hai Han for a batch of equipment in this way.
Moreover, the Kyushu vassal states knew that Hai Han’s arms were actually sold to both sides. As long as the shogunate could afford a high price, it could also buy weapons and equipment from Hai Han. After all, the production capacity of arms was limited. If they could get more, then Hai Han would have less equipment to sell to the shogunate.
It has to be said that these people's calculations were quite good, but they were facing Shi Diwen, the real instigator of this war, and playing these low-level word games was meaningless. Influencing the situation of the Japanese civil war by controlling the supply of weapons was Shi Diwen's strategy, so how could he let these chess pieces on the board have the illusion that they could make the decision themselves?
Originally, Shi Diwen had promised the Kyushu feudal lords that after defeating the shogunate, they would divide up the territories under its jurisdiction. Now, the Kyushu feudal lords actually wanted to use this promise as collateral to exchange for military aid from Hai Han. This undoubtedly smacked of rebellion against Tian Gang.
Kuroda Mitsuyuki sensed the unhappiness in Shi Chengxin's words and quickly made concessions, agreeing to obey Hai Han's arrangements and take as much military aid as possible.
Seeing that he had taken the initiative to surrender, Shi Diwen spoke up and expressed his attitude: "First, make a statistics of the equipment losses of each company so far and submit a detailed number. We will consider making up for the losses first. As for advanced equipment including the Majestic-class battleships, they require long-term training to be proficient in use. The current situation of the Jiuzhou Alliance is not suitable for it, so don't be too ambitious."
"In addition, I want to remind you all, don't think that you still have a way out at this stage. Even if you want to stop the war, the shogunate will never let you go. If you lose the war, your territory, your family, your subordinates, and your property will all become the spoils of the shogunate. Defeating the shogunate and seizing the world is your only way out!"
Shi Diwen paused, then added in a more serious tone, "Remember, our country is giving you such tremendous support, not to see this war end with Kyushu's defeat!"
Everyone present was suddenly silent, and they all nodded in agreement, not daring to argue.