Chapter 418 - Study Class (Part 1)
With a fifty percent ratio of "mixing in sand," it would already be possible to completely strip them of control. Combined with disrupting the original units and distributing personnel evenly to achieve "you in me, me in you," the internal factions would be thoroughly fragmented.
"The sailors will have to undergo a sixty-day quarantine period regardless," Wei Aiwen explained. "Our Political Department will seize this time to conduct educational work and do everything possible to win them over."
"How is the education progressing for the people Ren Fu brought?"
"Considerable progress has been made." Wei Aiwen spoke with evident enthusiasm. "They belonged to Zhu Cailao's central army system and were relatively trusted, so things were difficult at first. But we've seized upon the contradictions between officers and ordinary sailors—"
Wei Aiwen explained that the entire ideological education effort focused on the "Speaking Bitterness" movement. Whose bitterness would be spoken? First came the bureaucrats and evil gentry who had oppressed the common people until life became unbearable, forcing everyone onto this path. Second came the sea lords themselves. The emphasis was on exposing and criticizing the various acts of oppression within the pirate gangs, making the sailors fully understand that their bosses and leaders were not benefactors but parasites who exploited and enslaved them...
"Stop, stop..." Wen Desi hurriedly called a halt. "I understand this approach—estranging the relationship between the two sides. But these leaders will still be employed in the future; they're not to be dragged out and shot. If we create too much antagonism, how can work be carried out later? Won't the sailors start hauling them out for struggle sessions the moment they board the ships?"
"We'll exercise discretion, of course." Wei Aiwen smiled. "Things won't escalate. We simply want them to see the true face of their former masters. Besides, we have study courses for these pirate leaders as well."
"You're holding study classes?"
"Precisely. Study classes."
Shi Shisi and the others remained in the Commercial Hall, treated to fine food and drink. Beginning the second day, however, came a constant rotation of tours.
"Tours—we organize them continuously, letting them fully appreciate our group's strength and the superiority of our system!" Wei Aiwen had instructed. "Facts speak louder than words."
First came the tour of the Fengcheng. Upon personally boarding this massive iron ship, these men of the sea became as curious as children. They had barely taken a few steps onto the deck before rushing to the bulwark to peer down.
"So high!"
Some refused to believe it was truly made of iron. They touched it with their hands, knocked and scraped with the copper coins they carried. A few even went so far as to lick it. When they spotted the newly installed cast iron cannons on deck, their eyes went wide. These were the same 150mm muzzle-loading rifled guns mounted on the Bopu Beacon Tower. The ammunition rails beside the gun positions, the shells, the cranes used for loading—all aroused endless fascination.
What captivated them most were the sliding rails beneath the gun positions. With minimal effort, two or three men could rotate the cannon freely. They all had experience in naval combat and understood the immense tactical advantage of being able to adjust firing direction at will. Exclamations of wonder rippled through the group.
"Damn! With this thing, Zheng Zhilong amounts to nothing." Shi Shisi could barely contain his excitement. "Even the big galleons the Red Hairs keep in Macau wouldn't stand a chance."
Next came tours of the Bopu Commune and the shipyard. The first iron-hulled vessel, Project 854—which had been in semi-shutdown due to material supply problems—became the perfect showcase for the completed sections.
Shi Shisi and the others walked directly into the dock, running their hands along rows of iron ribs as thick as small tree trunks and plate after plate of iron riveted onto the frame with giant rivets. Their expressions betrayed utter disbelief.
Fearing the impact wasn't sufficient, Wei Aiwen also showed them propaganda films for several consecutive days. Out of caution, Japanese films were excluded; instead, they viewed material edited from various resources.
On the animated screen, molten steel splashed in an iron and steel complex; enormous jets of water roared through a hydroelectric power station; steel giants slid slowly from slipways into the sea; looms churned out endless bolts of cloth and silk; cities gleamed with sparkling lights and rivers of automobiles; rosy-cheeked modern farmers drove Dongfanghong tractors across verdant fields...
Then came rows of white-helmeted Imperial Stormtroopers marching in formation, followed by armored troops at the National Day parade...
The leaders, one by one, lost all capacity for critical judgment in the darkness. These images far exceeded their ability to comprehend the world. When the lights came on, Lin Baiguang was satisfied to see every face frozen in stupefied amazement.
"Gentlemen, this is the place we come from!" Lin Baiguang announced, full of energy.
A few managed to squeeze forced smiles onto their faces while others displayed expressions of wild joy mixed with their stupor. The former seemed more attuned to the current situation, while the latter showed potential for opportunism. The intelligence personnel tasked with observing their expressions recorded intuitive assessments beneath each person's photograph.
After three days of touring and study, according to Wu Fo's eavesdropping on their private conversations, the leaders had practically prostrated themselves before the Crossing Group. Pirates worshipped strength. Nearly everyone remarked in private that defecting to Lingao had been the right choice. Some were even ambitious, speculating that perhaps the Australians would conquer the Central Plains and replace the Zhu Emperor—and they could all become founding heroes.
In this atmosphere, the necessary disposition of the fleet became much easier. After allowing them several days of rest and relaxation, a special meeting was convened with Wu De presiding to announce policy to the defecting leaders.
All defecting leaders, regardless of how many ships they had brought, would each receive an independent residence. This housing type had been designed by the Lingao Construction Company for the gradually expanding ranks of native administrative cadres. It also served as an experiment for personal residences after the Crossing Group eventually abolished its collective dormitory system.
The cadre housing adopted a row-house design to conserve land and building materials. Each unit was a two-and-a-half-story structure with a practical area of 240 square meters. All featured running water, drainage, and simple flush toilets, though not electricity. Each house also included small front and back yards.
All private property they had brought would be protected and remain freely disposable.
The family members and children of the leaders would all reside on shore. Minor children would attend school. Adult children would pursue education or employment according to family preferences and personal wishes.
Private servants were not recognized locally. Therefore, all servants the leaders had brought would have their status abolished. Those willing to continue serving might do so under formal employment arrangements. Those unwilling would be processed as immigrants.
As for the sailors they had brought, those wishing to return home or travel elsewhere would receive disbandment funds. Those willing to stay would be concentrated for ninety days of quarantine.
"After the quarantine ends, those wishing to return as sailors will be reorganized and assigned to ships; those unwilling will be arranged other work," Wei Aiwen explained.
The men below grew restless. Servants were a minor concern—there weren't many. But sailors were another matter entirely. Many had been commoners forcibly captured. If they were free to come and go, wouldn't a good number flee? The leaders had already lost many people through this catastrophe. If this policy proceeded, they might command no one at all.
Wei Aiwen continued his announcement: "Currently, some of your ships have many crew, others few. There's barely enough for sailing, but if battle comes, it probably won't suffice. Therefore, the Navy will establish staffing quotas for each ship and fill all vacancies. From now on, pay will be issued according to the roster once each ship is fully staffed."
"In the future, all your food and pay will be issued by the Navy. You won't have to worry anymore. No more concerns about rice and firewood." Wei Aiwen laughed.
Shi Shisi and the others, however, found nothing amusing. They understood the implications perfectly. After personnel reorganization, a substantial amount of "sand" would inevitably be mixed in. The tight-knit small groups originally formed through regional and kinship ties would be completely diluted. Even if familiar faces remained aboard their ships, those men would no longer be the trusted followers who obeyed their every command.
As for unified logistics—it sounded beneficial, but in reality, whoever controlled the pay controlled the soldiers. If the Australians managed food and wages, the crews would no longer listen to them. Once pay and provisions were controlled, they could only follow Australian commands obediently.
How could anyone miss these implications? Yet the conditions were open and fair—generous, even. They now had no men, no provisions, and if they objected, it would merely prove they harbored "disloyal hearts." What consequences awaited someone who had just switched allegiance, everyone understood perfectly.
After several days of touring and study, they had gained a direct understanding of Australian strength. Not only had they developed sufficient awe, but their ambitions and expectations had also grown. Judging by the Crossing Group's power, they might not dare say they could march on Beijing and become emperors, but occupying a corner of the southeast and establishing a feudal domain seemed entirely achievable. When that day came, they would be founding heroes with ranks and titles, honored alongside their wives and children!
Better to demonstrate loyalty now. After all, crushing their meager power would be effortless for the Crossing Group. Since they were selling themselves to seek refuge, they might as well do so completely. With this thought, Shi Shisi was the first to rise:
"Since I have come to defect to Lingao, I willingly offer all my subordinates and ships! I ask only to serve as a vanguard general, charging into battle for the Chiefs!"
Everyone was dumbfounded. Li Guangfa promptly rose as well: "I am also willing to offer my ships and people. From now on, I am of one mind with the Chiefs. Sharing the same boat through thick and thin."
"I'm willing too. I've had enough of drifting on the sea!" Fatty Hu shouted.
With this, the remaining leaders who might have been less willing had no choice but to chorus their agreement.
Wei Aiwen assumed the manner of a leader, pressing his hands downward in a calming gesture. "Since everyone has come to Lingao, we are one family. And within a family, there's no need to be particular about whose is whose."
He continued: "Your ships will still be under your command. For those who no longer wish to drift on the sea, the Executive Committee has policies as well."
According to the Executive Committee's policy: for those willing to hand over their ships, the Committee would purchase them at fair value. After surrendering their vessels, those wishing to continue in maritime business would be assigned to the Naval Department. Those unwilling to continue going to sea would be assigned positions elsewhere.
(End of Chapter)