After a while, the commotion finally died down.

Simeno raised the document in his hand and said loudly: "Gentlemen, so far, the total number of instructors and mercenaries from European countries gathered here and scattered in Tamsui Port, Qingdao Port, and Weihai Port is 429, the number of people who have applied to join the army of the Ming Empire is 72, the number of mercenary instructors is 61, and the number of mercenaries is 296. ”

"According to the latest relevant decrees, the military ranks of all mercenary instructors and mercenaries are temporary military ranks, and official military uniforms and military rank collar badges are issued according to their original military ranks, but armbands symbolizing the Ming Imperial Navy are not issued......"

"If anyone wants to join the army of the Ming Empire, they can apply before 12 o'clock in the evening today, and the official approval will be held before the ceremony tomorrow morning, otherwise they will have to wait a year before the second approval."

"If someone wants to end their employment contract early, they should also do so before 12 o'clock in the evening today, today is the last day of the year, and tomorrow is the new year."

"Captain Simeno, can you tell us about the official position and rank you have received?" A loud voice rang out from the crowd.

Simeno raised his head slightly, and said proudly: "General Zhu Daolin, the commander of the Ming Empire Navy, officially signed a document appointing me as the head of the military order department of the Ming Empire Navy Command, and according to the relevant provisions of the Ming Empire Navy Regulations, my military rank is promoted to rear admiral!" ”

The crowd exclaimed.

Simeno smiled proudly: "The rank system of the Ming Imperial Navy is basically the same as that of the navies of European countries, and the position is the main condition for determining the level of military rank. ”

"According to the latest military order, the navy of the Ming Empire will be divided into the East China Sea Fleet, the South China Sea Fleet and the North Sea Fleet, the North Sea Fleet is being formed in the Weihai Port in the north, and within the next year, the East China Sea Fleet will be divided into half to form the South China Sea Fleet......"

"The commanders of the three fleets have the same rank as the four headquarters. The minimum rank of Fleet Commander is Major General, and the minimum rank of Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff is Colonel! ”

"Our Mr. Bargas has been officially appointed as the first commander of the East China Sea Fleet of the Ming Imperial Navy, with the rank of Rear Admiral, stationed in Normancia in charge of the construction of military ports and fortresses in the port of Qingdao. Morality. Mr. Calis was also given the post of Deputy Minister of War. Promoted to colonel in military rank. ”

More than 100 generals exclaimed again.

Many people made up their minds in exclamations, and Bagas, who had not spoken, slowly raised his right hand and glanced at everyone expressionlessly, and the noisy instructors soon fell silent.

Bagas slowly lowered his hand: "According to General Zhu's order, in mid-March next year, the East China Sea Fleet will dispatch 6 warships and 8 ocean-going transport ships to form a diplomatic and trade fleet, carrying diplomatic letters from the Emperor of the Ming Empire and the commander of the Navy, General Zhu Daolin, to transport silk, ceramics, tea and various handicrafts of the Tiangong Trading Company of the Ming Empire to Spain, Portugal, France and Britain for diplomatic visits and trade. ”

"If there is anyone who wishes to end their employment contract and return to Europe. Or if you want to return to Europe to bring your family and beloved girl to settle in the Ming Empire, please apply within one month. ”

"Boom", exclaims.

The instructors who had already applied to join the Ming army were so excited that they danced and spoke incoherently.

Vargas and Simeno took advantage of this moment to pick up their suitcases and strode through the crowd, returning to their respective apartments to take a shower and shave their beards, and then change into their new military uniforms that they loved so much. He rushed to the naval headquarters in the Baoshan Acropolis and accompanied Zhu Daolin and the civil and military officials to inspect the three major naval barracks. Get ready for the grand ceremony tomorrow morning.

######

In the sixth year of Chongzhen, New Year's Day, February 8, 1633 in the Western calendar.

At nine o'clock in the morning, a circle of colorful battle flags fluttered in the wind suddenly appeared on the four walls of the newly renovated Baoshan Acropolis, and more than 27,600 officers and men, including 6,200 officers and men of Baoshan Wei and 2,000 new marines, all changed into majestic new military uniforms. Wearing a large red-trimmed black cap inlaid with silver military insignia, they lined up in a neat queue and marched vigorously into the Acropolis from the west and south gates.

The hall on the first floor of the Navy General Headquarters, directly north of the central square of the Acropolis, is quiet and solemn.

More than 200 enterprise managers, senior staff members and family representatives from Jinling and Baoshan ports. Standing solemnly on the left side of the rostrum, more than 100 admirals wearing black military uniforms and swords at their waists lined up on the right side of the rostrum.

Zhu Daolin, the commander of the navy of the Ming Empire, who had not been appointed by the emperor of the Ming Empire and the central court, made a grand appearance, wearing a black military uniform decorated with golden tassels, a black military hat inlaid with golden military insignia and a simple and slender Qin Wang sword on his waist, and strode onto the rostrum decorated with eight battle flags and green pines in countless pairs of eager eyes.

Li Changlong, director of the Military Command Department of the Navy Command, gave a loud "salute," and the 165 instructors from various countries lined up in the audience looked at Zhu Daolin and saluted in order, and Zhu Daolin calmly looked at the officers headed by Simeno, Bagas, and Condi, raised his right hand and solemnly returned the salute.

Rear Admiral Li Changlong, the newly promoted Minister of Military Affairs of the Navy, walked to the front of the rostrum, held high the red and black battle flag embroidered with a golden coiled dragon in his left hand, clenched his fist tightly on his chest with his right hand, and led the 165 instructors from various countries in the audience to swear an oath of victory: "I swear—"

"I swear that I voluntarily renounce my original nationality and join the glorious army of the Ming Empire, be loyal to the Ming Empire all my life, be loyal to the commander of the army of the Ming Empire, abide by military orders and military laws, fulfill military obligations, carry out army orders, keep army secrets, fulfill my duties, and never betray! Oath-taker ......"

Although the accents of more than 100 Europeans are not pure, their voices are loud and sonorous, and they echo in the wide and bright hall for a long time.

Zhu Daolin nodded slightly, strode off the rostrum, came to the front of the oath-taking procession, and addressed the 165 oath-takers:

"From now on, you have officially become a member of my Ming Empire's army, and you have become my comrades-in-arms and brothers and all the soldiers of the Ming Empire! Now please return to your respective posts and hold a ceremony with all the officers and men of the army! ”

"Yes—"

######

At ten o'clock in the morning, 12 trumpeters sounded the assembly call in unison, and the majestic orders of the officers of various departments came and went, and more than 20,000 naval officers and men of the Ming Empire all over the square and the four city walls raised their heads and raised their chests, facing the red and black battle flags rising in the center of the square, and saluted in unison.

There was no solemn music, no festive cannons, but every soldier was in a surging mood and enthusiastic spirit.

Just as the speech of Zhu Daolin, the commander-in-chief who was extremely respected by all the soldiers: "Soldiers, we are not only the pioneers of the Ming Empire's navy, but also the history and witnesses, and the great motherland with a history of 5,000 years of civilization will surely go to glory because of our appearance!" (To be continued.) )