Ouyang Shuo chose to open up the Cape of Good Hope route at this time because of his confidence and interests.
Firstly, the nautical characteristics that Mazu gave the dynasty meant that the storm at the Cape of Good Hope would have a much weaker impact on the ships of the Great Xia Dynasty. Moreover, it was summer now, so the threat of the waves was even smaller.
Secondly, Ouyang Shuo also wanted to open up a new sea route for the dynasty through the Atlantic Fleet to ensure that when the Mediterranean Sea changed, the dynasty would have other options. It could be considered as finding a way out.
Thirdly, the African continent nurtured great wealth, and it was really worth the risk.
Historically, since the Spanish occupied Ceuta in 1415, the European powers began to colonize Africa. It reached its peak at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. About 95% of the African territory was divided by the powers, and resources were plundered for a long time.
The Great Powers colonized Africa not because they had nothing to do, and naturally, there were benefits.
Firstly, the vast land of the African continent could be reclaimed as countless cash crop planting areas, becoming an excellent raw material base. Secondly, the African continent was extremely rich in rare minerals, and it was an invisible treasure trove.
The gold mines in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and other countries, the diamonds in the Congo, the magical Madagascar Islands, and so on were all worth exploring.
Of course, Ouyang Shuo did not agree with the European countries colonizing the African continent. He preferred to cooperate with the African countries through a more gentle method to achieve mutual benefits.
As mentioned earlier, apart from a few Mediterranean countries like Egypt, most of Africa did not have the historical heritage of China, nor did they have the advanced technology of the West. However, they had a large population, and it was difficult for them to move forward in the game.
Their only pleasure was to fight against each other among the large tribes.
Precisely because of this, the Great Xia Dynasty could export advanced agricultural technology to the African continent, and use Africa's labor and natural resources to achieve mutual benefits.
Of course, if it were to be implemented, it would be a very large systematic project, and it would not be done overnight. During this period, they would probably have to compete with the European and American lords.
How could the European and American lords in the game care about the countless African continent?
If the establishment of the Friendship City in Somalia was the first step for the dynasty to set foot on the African continent, and the occupation of Morocco was an important step to exert influence on the African continent, then opening up the Cape of Good Hope route was a key step for the dynasty to explore cooperation with the African continent.
Thinking of this, Ouyang Shuo immediately ordered the Atlantic Fleet Admiral Alvaro to personally lead the Fourth and Fifth Fleets on the journey to open up the Cape of Good Hope route.
This trip will be difficult and dangerous. Only an experienced Marine like Alvaro can make Ouyang Shuo feel at ease.
Ouyang Shuo really wanted to know how the feudal lords of the Mediterranean Sea would feel when they found out that the sea route at the Cape of Good Hope had been opened up by the Great Xia Dynasty.
By that time, the only bargaining chip in their hands would no longer be reliable.
…
June 5th, Friendship City.
That day, Du Ruhui, the Minister of Military Affairs and Minister of Military Affairs, rushed from Rabat to Friendship City to report to the King the opinion of the Privy Council on the reorganization of the 290,000 surrendered soldiers in Morocco.
Two hundred and ninety thousand soldiers surrendered, including one hundred and twenty thousand surrendered soldiers from the territory and one hundred and seventy thousand imperial guards.
After being appraised by the Bureau of Military Affairs, ten thousand disabled soldiers were no longer suitable to continue serving in the army. They were arranged to retire and return to their original homes. As a result, the actual number of soldiers that could be reorganized was two hundred and eighty thousand, enough for four whole corps.
The first to be formed were the four garrison divisions of the Moroca Province, using up a total of 540,000 soldiers, mainly drawn from the territory's surrendered troops.
Then there was the field army stationed in Morocco.
The reorganization plan given by the Bureau of Military Affairs was different from the other corps, which made Ouyang Shuo's eyes light up.
In the study of the City Lord's residence, Du Ruhui reported, "The Bureau of Military Affairs has suggested that we establish a separate Moroca Corps outside of the current army system to be responsible for the defense of the Moroca Province."
The designation of the dynasty's army was fixed, and Ouyang Shuo had long since come up with an overall plan.
In addition to the existing five corps: the Imperial Guard, the City Guard, the Dragon Stallion Army, the Stalwart Tiger Army, and the Hidden Leopard Army, there would also be three corps designations: the Imperial Guard, the Flying Bear Army, and the Soaring Eagle Army.
According to the standards set by Ouyang Shuo, if the dynasty did not have a new Divine General joining, then these three corps designations would not be used. As a result, the Bureau of Military Affairs wanted to establish a separate corps outside of the army system.
Du Ruhui continued, "The Moroca Corps consists of four infantry divisions, one cavalry division, one direct brigade, one direct musketeer brigade, one aerial squadron, one marine unit, and one naval formation. It is a combination of land, sea, and air forces, with a total of one hundred thousand soldiers."
Du Ruhui had spent a lot of thought on this organization.
If the Moroca Province were to base a corps like the Yunnan Province, then the army would be too large and would drag the Moroca Province down. And if they were to station an ordinary field corps, then the military strength would be slightly thin.
Considering the strategic position of the Moroca Province, as well as the rapid development of the dynasty's military industry, Du Ruhui had broken the rules and come up with this mixed organization plan.
Equipping a musketeer brigade was firstly to fight against the Western musketeers, and secondly, the dynasty's industrialization had already achieved some results, so they had the ability to produce enough muskets.
As for the formation of aerial squadrons, they had also benefited from the dynasty's industrialization.
The Pseudo Aircraft Manufacturing Technology obtained from Atlantis City had already been thoroughly understood by the Seventh Research Institute. A month ago, the pseudo aircraft manufacturing base had already been planned to land in Steel City.
Thus, the time for the various corps to equip themselves with aerial squadrons was gradually approaching. The Moroca Corps was very lucky, becoming the first field corps to be equipped with such a squadron.
With such a mixed army, sea, and air force holding the fort, the Moroca Province would be safe.
Ouyang Shuo nodded approvingly, then said, "This Prince generally agrees with the Bureau of Military Affairs' reorganization plan for the Moroca Corps. However, since the Moroca Corps is different from the regular army corps, for the sake of distinction, the Moroca Corps can be officially named the Moroca Corps. In the army's order of battle, a Corps will be a combat unit between a corps and a corps, mainly used for overseas garrisons. "
"Your Majesty is wise!" Du Ruhui was truly impressed.
Ouyang Shuo waved his hand and said, "There's no need to be impatient for the Moroca Corps' Marine Corps and Navy Formation. Currently, the Atlantic Fleet is holding the fort in the surrounding waters, so the Moroca Corps' Navy Formation can be allocated according to Z1 warships to avoid wasting resources. The Bureau of Military Affairs will have to discuss this with the Navy Command. "
"Rest assured, Your Majesty!"
Du Ruhui's position in the Bureau of Military Affairs and the Grand Council was equivalent to building a bridge between the two organizations. It was helpful for cross-military communication and coordination, so Ouyang Shuo didn't have to attend to everything personally.
After the briefing, Ouyang Shuo asked, "Does the Bureau of Military Affairs have anyone to recommend for the Corps Commander candidate?"
Du Ruhui was startled, then bowed and said, "The Corps Commander candidate still needs Your Majesty's approval."
Ouyang Shuo thought for a moment, then said, "Then appoint Shi Dakai!"
As the number one general of the Taiping army, Shi Dakai wasn't just skilled in cold weapons, he was also familiar with firearms. Whether it was on land or on water, Shi Dakai had abundant combat experience.
Assigning such a general to command the Moroca Corps was truly appropriate.
The status of a corps was higher than that of a corps, and Shi Dakai had been promoted not long after taking the position of corps commander. It was clear how much Ouyang Shuo liked this general. Coupled with the special nature of overseas armies, it was extremely easy for a general to become independent. Thus, a general that Ouyang Shuo didn't fully trust could not assume this position.
"Shi Dakai's vacated position of Fifth Dragon Stallion Army Commander will be given to Xiao Chaogui of the Stalwart Tiger Army Second Division. In addition, arrange for Fubo General Ma Yuan to assume the position of Moroca Corps Commander. "
"Yes!"
Du Ruhui solemnly nodded, sighing in admiration at His Majesty's ability to judge the right people.
Other than the four garrison divisions and the Moroca Corps, there were 1.26 million surrendered soldiers that needed to be reorganized. According to the Bureau of Military Affairs' previous reorganization plan, an Imperial Guard Corps would be formed, and the remaining soldiers would be assigned elsewhere.
Of the Imperial Guard's three corps, the First Corps was stationed in the capital all year round, while the Second and Third Corps were cavalry corps. However, they lacked an infantry corps to rotate with the First Corps.
But the incident at Friendship City had caused Ouyang Shuo to change his mind.
Ouyang Shuo looked at Du Ruhui and said, "Follow the standards of the Moroca Corps and form the Somali Corps. Station them in Friendship City and ensure that Friendship City is safe."
Du Ruhui's heart trembled. He had a vague feeling that His Majesty wasn't just forming the Somali Corps to defend Friendship City. It was likely that His Majesty had other ideas after Somalia's repeated 'disobedience'.
But this kind of conjecture was not something he could say.
Ouyang Shuo continued, "Di Qing, the commander of the Stalwart Tiger Army's Second Division, is to be the commander of the Somali Corps. Fan Lihua, the commander of the Stalwart Tiger Army's Third Division, will replace Di Qing as the commander of the Second Division. Hong Ying, the commander of the Third Division of the Third Division, will follow Fan Lihua and be transferred to the Second Division's First Division. "
At present, the only ones qualified to be the commander of the Second Division were Shi Wansui, Di Qing, and Zhang Han. Du Ruhui was rather surprised that His Majesty had chosen Di Qing instead of the most trusted Shi Wansui.
Little did he know that Ouyang Shuo had other plans for this loyal general, Shi Wansui, in the future.
With Di Qing's departure from the Stalwart Tiger Army, Fan Lihua would be the Stalwart Tiger Army's number one general, second only to Sun Bin. It was only natural for her to take over as the commander of the Second Division.
At the same time, Ouyang Shuo also made use of this opportunity to raise Hong Ying's rank by half.
Ouyang Shuo continued to make adjustments to the commanders. "Zhao She, the commander of the Stalwart Tiger Army's Second Division's First Division, will be promoted to the commander of the Third Division."
Speaking of which, it was time for Zhao She, the veteran, to show off his abilities.
Du Ruhui nodded and noted down the series of adjustments made by His Majesty.
The new round of military reorganization triggered by the battle of Morocco, although there were no changes to the organization of the three armies, it truly affected the fate of the generals in the armies.
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