"Lieutenant Colonel Mao, please come here." On November 10, 1684, Lieutenant Colonel Mao Jun, who had been returning from Yicheng area to the local area for a while, finally stepped down from the transitional position of the Army Department's senior officer and came to Zhenhai County, where he took office as the captain of an Army task force.

The organization of this task force is not large, it is only larger than the ordinary mixed battalion, with a total force of about 1,770 people. In fact, the unit was indeed built with a mixed battalion (the Seventh Mixed Battalion, the current battalion commander is Lieutenant Colonel Mao Jun) as the main body, plus two cavalry companies, and a field artillery company as a technical branch is directly under the detachment headquarters. It can be said to be a small and powerful team, and not everyone can insult.

"Lieutenant Colonel Mao, this is the latest appointment letter of the military department. Please keep it." The first-class staff member from the Army Department politely said to Mao Jun: "In addition, the Ministry means that you can also recruit mercenaries from no more than four reorganized infantry companies in the name of the garrison in Portugal to enrich the strength of the troops."

Mao Jun nodded with a smile and expressed his understanding. He already knew that the military headquarters had established the Portuguese garrison army a few months ago, with the approval of the Executive Committee, and appointed Lieutenant Colonel Mao Jun as the first commander of the garrison army. According to the agreement with the Portuguese, the size of this unit should not exceed 3,000 people. Therefore, after repeated research, the principle of forming a task force with the Seventh Mixed Battalion of the Army was established, supplemented by a certain number of technical troops.

The detachment has about 1,770 people. After arriving in Portugal, the commander of the garrison army also has the right to recruit four companies of infantry (960 people) as another part of the Portuguese garrison army (the expenditure is subject to the full envoy of the East Coast Republic of China to Europe).

The garrison army will initially have a fee of about 100,000 yuan, which will be allocated by the Ministry of Finance. However, only half of the cash is offset by the goods, and the Portuguese garrison army needs to find a way to cash it out. This part of the money is mainly used to purchase land in the local area, build military camps and training grounds, and in addition to paying the settlement fee for the recruited mercenaries. After all, the stolen envoy to Europe is only responsible for maintaining the fees, and the recruitment fee is not given.

Lieutenant Colonel Mao Jun had been working hard in Yicheng area before, and his foundation was basically there. He had never served as the battalion commander of the 7th Mixed Battalion before, and had no connection with him. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that he was alone, although he did bring three or five close confidants to the garrison army to serve.

However, Lieutenant Colonel Mao never regretted coming here to serve. This is not only the reason why the rank can be promoted to a higher level, but also related to the relatively bright future. You should know that the current East Coast military system attaches first to military achievements and actual combat experience, followed by the overseas garrison experience. Mao Jun served in South Africa for many years, and his actual combat experience is not lacking at all, and his military achievements cannot be said to be lacking. What he lacks now is some outstanding experience, and the experience of the Portuguese garrison can make up for this to a large extent, and this is also the origin of his efforts to win this position.

"Thank you, I know what the military headquarters meant. But I still have another question, that is, how much autonomy our headquarters has, it seems that this is not explicit in the order." Lieutenant Colonel Mao Jun suddenly asked. At this time, they had already walked to the center of the training ground, and the officers and soldiers of the 7th Mixed Battalion were receiving equipment, supplies, and the technical troops of several companies that were strengthening were also packing their luggage. They were about to board the ship and set off, and the destination was Huaiyuan Island in the Caribbean Sea.

"Lieutenant Colonel Mao, you have asked me this. In fact, I cannot give you a positive answer, because my superiors have not discussed this matter with me. My personal opinion is still in accordance with the order, and we will discuss everything with our plenipotentiary envoy to Europe Mr. Gao Wengang. His current office is located in Port Cadiz, Spain, not far from Viana Castle, and you can contact us easily. If Envoy Gao insists on his opinion and disagrees with your military action, you'd better keep your restraint and not act without authorization.

.” Speaking of this, General Xie lowered his voice and said, “This is the best condition that the Army Department has tried hard to win. You must know that some people originally planned to allow Envoy Gao to directly command your troops, but the Ministry firmly opposed it, which dispelled some of the delusions of white shirts, but also made some compromises, that is, we do not have complete autonomy and self-determination, and we must discuss it with them. Lt. Col. Mao, these are all the rumors I found in the Ministry, and it may not be accurate. I can only say that I can give you a reference.”

In fact, the words of Staff Xie were said more thoroughly. Mao Jun was not a fool, so he could understand it naturally. Therefore, he clasped his fists and thanked the captain Staff, and then discussed other matters with his subordinates. In fact, although the military command was written in a vague manner, the meaning was almost the same. Mao Jun just wanted to confirm it again just now. To be honest, their troops of two or three thousand people may play an unexpected role in small-scale local battles, but in large-scale field battles of tens of thousands, it was a bit too much. Therefore, Lieutenant Colonel Mao Jun did not intend to put their troops into a meat grinder-like battlefield. The establishment of the Portuguese garrison army was actually far more symbolic than practical significance, and it was more about declaring his own strength and existence to the Europeans to increase the influence of the East Coast Republic of China.

Of course, in particular, their troops can also be deployed. For example, if the Crimean Khanate, which is related to the overall situation of the Black Sea trade, is attacked by an irresistible enemy, the Portuguese garrison may be deployed, and the 3,000 volunteer soldiers promised by the Kingdom of Portugal will be all involved in the Black Sea battlefield. In addition, if the maritime trade line on the east coast is attacked by some unsightly pirates or privateers of small countries, the army may also decide not to attack depending on the situation.

In short, the existence of the Portuguese garrison was a good start, increasing the intervention of the East Coast Republic of China in Europe. Although this intensity seems to be relatively small at present, it is not ruled out that if the situation further develops in the future, the number of its garrisons will increase significantly, which is difficult to say.

"The Navy will send three troop transport ships to ship us, and there are three water supply ships, two ammunition supply ships and a medical ship to follow us to fully ensure the safety of our department." The logistics officer in his thirties reported to Lieutenant Colonel Mao Jun: "These ships are almost enough to transport these two thousand people and all of our baggage. Even if the horses of the cavalry are more troublesome, they are not suitable for transportation, and the tonnage is not enough. Therefore, I am afraid that I have to wait until I arrive in Portugal and buy them on the spot."

In fact, as far as long-distance transportation is concerned, transporting horses is much more troublesome than transporting people. First of all, this horse is more delicate, not resistant to storms, and often dies of illness; secondly, the horse needs more space, and the same space can be shipped to several people; finally, this horse is not as disciplined as humans, and some military horses have a more irritable temper and are very troublesome to manage. Therefore, for cavalry, transporting horses across the ocean is always very troublesome, so the Army Department decided to purchase all the horses needed in total from three cavalry companies (one cavalry company of the Seventh Mixed Battalion plus two independent cavalry companies directly under the detachment headquarters) to Portugal for purchase. Anyway, the local Lusitano horses are also very famous and are excellent cavalry horses. I believe that the Portuguese will not be so stupid that they refuse to sell war horses to the East Coast army.

"Cabinets should be purchased from the Portuguese. If the quantity is insufficient, go to the Cadiz or Seville market. The supply of the Spanish should be very sufficient." Lieutenant Colonel Mao Jun responded: "The guns, artillery and auxiliary equipment must be counted clearly, and the quantity can only be more and not less. After arriving in Europe, the cost of replenishing is much greater, so it must be brought in at one time. Of course, each firearm must be strictly managed and numbered. If it is lost, someone will bear the responsibility. This cannot be sloppy."

"The repairmen, translators and other special talents who accompany the army are arranged to live in the officer dormitory. Make an extra backup of all maps, and the medicines should be more than 30% more than the base. If not enough, ask the local government to borrow them. I believe they will still give this face. Just like that, everyone cancels their leave and stays honestly in the training base, waiting for the arrival of the naval escort ships." Lieutenant Colonel Mao Jun ordered.

This time they were dispatched, the voyage was long, and there would be many unpredictable situations on the road. Therefore, in addition to the above-mentioned ships responsible for transporting them, the Navy also arranged a number of additional warships for escort. Among them, the famous "Executive Committee" third-deck battleship was also on the list, and there were two "Solar" class escort gunboats, four "Star" class light cruisers, and a total of seven combat ships.

These seven warships cannot be considered an insignificant force in the old continent. Especially the mighty and majestic "Executive Committee" class warship, even in Europe, which is now at the peak of shipbuilding, it is still a very powerful warship. If you take it out, one can shock those weak naval countries.

After the seven warships guarding nine auxiliary ships arrive in Portugal, they will make a "friendly visit" to the Mediterranean and then all will return. However, not all the return ships are local, only those troop transport ships, water supply ships, and ammunition supply ships will return to Zhenhaigang Naval Base, the medical ships and all seven combat fleets will go to the Eastern Cape Verde Islands to join the battle sequence of the Cape Verde squadron.

There is no doubt that this move will greatly strengthen the strength of the first fleet Cape Verde Squadron. If the critical geographical location of this fleet is taken into account - whether it is a ship returning to Europe from the Caribbean Sea or a merchant ship traveling between Europe and Asia, they are within the deterrence of this fleet - then the impact on the future situation will be extremely far-reaching. Perhaps nothing can be seen now, but if anyone starts a war with the East Coast in the future, the Cape Verde Squadron will give them a taste of unforgettable pain.

In addition to the Cape Verde squadron, the first fleet of the Caribbean Sea, located on the Waiyuan Island, will also be partially strengthened. Almost, at the end of this year or early next year, the Admiralty will also dispatch a three-deck battleship (the Liberator), two "Solar"-class guard gunboats and several "Star"-class light cruisers to head north to join the battle sequence of the squadron. In this way, the strength of the East Coast people in the rich Caribbean Sea will be greatly enhanced. If the Spanish windward fleet is supplemented by the Spanish, their influence and deterrence on the surrounding forces will be greatly enhanced.

In fact, we can see from the deployment of these naval and army that the foreign policy of the East Coast Republic of China has indeed undergone fundamental changes. Unlike the so-called "hiding one's strength and keeping one's low-key" focus, now because of the strengthening of national strength, they are beginning to have more willingness to intervene in the external world to fully protect their own interests.

In these external worlds, the first thing they care about is undoubtedly the Mediterranean, especially the Eastern Mediterranean. In this sea area, the Ottoman Empire and the Crimean Khanate are two major fulcrums, and Venice is half a fulcrum, supporting the interests of the East Coast people here for decades. In addition, the East Coast people are also very concerned about the situation in Western Europe and are extremely concerned about the broken things between Spain, France, United Provinces, England, Italy and Austria.

They did not want Spain to be annexed by the French, nor did they want the commercial capital of the United Provinces to merge with the industrial capital of England, nor did they want the balance on the Italian peninsula to be broken. All of this requires strength as a backing! Otherwise, there would probably be few people who listened to the envoys of the East Coast people's words, let alone use their outstanding influence to change the situation, which is simply impossible.

So, now you see that the army began to quietly enter northern Portugal, and the navy began to join two key nodes. If conditions permit in the future, the strength of these places may be further enhanced, and the influence will naturally be further enhanced.
Chapter completed!