Xu Kang stood on an arrow stack standing on the edge of the Yellow River and saw the entire battle of the Louchuan Army clearly. Unexpectedly, the Louchuan Army, which had been forgotten for so many years, actually had an outstanding naval general.

After commanding, Xu Kang's heart suddenly became curious.

Although Fang Ze's hair and beard were all white, his body was still strong. After getting off the ship, he heard that Captain Changshui from Luoyang City was visiting. He was slightly startled and then overjoyed. Is it possible that the imperial court is finally going to activate the Lou Chuan Army again? The Lou Chuan Army will see the light of day again.

Has the day finally arrived? Fang Ze felt excited in his heart.

But when Fang Ze saw Xu Kang's appearance, he couldn't hide his disappointment. Xu Kang's young age and civilian attire made him understand that things might not be as good as he imagined, but Fang Ze was after all so sophisticated that after confirming the other party's

After his identity was correct, he saluted and said, "I have met Mr. Colonel."

In fact, Xu Kang was not a little disappointed in his heart. When he saw the pirates fighting against the pirates, he had expected to find a good general who was buried in the sand, but he did not expect that the other party was so old. Such a veteran can still survive.

Can he go to the battlefield? Does he still have Huang Zhong? Can Yan Yanzhi do it?

But forget it, there are so many benefits in the world that I just encounter.

Xu Kang quickly adjusted his mentality and said with a smile: "I am here in a hurry. I hope I did not disturb Captain Fang."

"What are you talking about, sir? You are the commander of the Yellow River Camp, so it is your duty to come here at any time."

Xu Kang nodded, very satisfied with Fang Ze's answer, and complimented: "Captain Fang is getting stronger and stronger. The scene of killing the enemy and making meritorious service today really enhances the reputation of our ship army."

Fang Ze smiled awkwardly when he heard this and said: "Your Excellency, you have given me a reward. A few water thieves are nothing to worry about." Then he looked at Xu Kang expectantly and said: "Your Excellency, did you bring the decree of the imperial court when you came here?"

Looking at his appearance, Xu Kang didn't understand what he meant. He shook his head and said, "I'm really sorry. This trip is just my personal decision and has nothing to do with the imperial court."

Fang Ze's face instantly turned pale, and he smiled sadly: "Yes, who in the court still remembers our Lou Chuanjun."

This topic was a bit heavy, so the two of them cleverly avoided it.

Although Xu Kang has never interfered with the affairs of Lou Chuanjun, he is the nominal direct superior here, and Fang Ze does not dare to neglect him.

The vegetables are vegetables grown at home, the meat is carp fished from the Yellow River, and the wine is mixed wine bought from outside. The banquet prepared by Fang Ze is simple but sumptuous.

The two of them sat opposite each other, and after drinking heavily, the topic automatically shifted to the current situation of Lou Chuanjun.

Xu Kang poured a glass of wine for Fang Ze and said, "Captain Fang, I see there are quite a few boats on the water. Why don't I see anyone using them?"

Fang Ze sighed and said, "My lord, I don't know that those flat boats have been in disrepair for a long time and are no longer usable. Even the flat boat used by the official now is made up of several boats."

"This is such a pity." Xu Kang pondered for a moment and then said: "Captain Fang thinks that if we rearrange the remaining ships, how many more high-rise ships can we get?"

Fang Ze wondered: "Do you want to rebuild the Lou Chuan Army?"

Xu Kang smiled calmly and said: "I'm not afraid of Captain Fang's jokes. I do have this idea."

"Then how much money can your Excellency persuade the imperial court to allocate for the Lou Chuan Army?"

"Well... I'm afraid I won't even get a tael of silver."

Xu Kang said with embarrassment, and Fang Zeben's somewhat expectant face dimmed again, and said: "I'm afraid this will be difficult. Although the Lou Ship Army does not employ many people, it consumes a lot of money. Not counting the purchase of new ships, it only repairs the current ones.

I'm afraid we can't build these old ships without a hundred thousand taels of silver."

"One hundred thousand taels!" Xu Kang gasped. This was really an astronomical sum, enough for him to build an elite cavalry. "Why do you want so much?"

Fang Ze counted with his fingers: "Daily maintenance, personnel selection and training, and the acquisition of weapons are all indispensable. In terms of maintenance alone, the storage of canvas, the manufacture of waterproof coatings, the configuration of fire-proof drugs, and other

There are countless bits and pieces to grow. Water warfare is different from land warfare in that it depends on the quantity and quality of ships. So the wood used for ship boards is also key..."

Fang Ze rambled about various parts that needed to be used on the ship, but Xu Kang seemed to be listening to a book from heaven, his eyes were straight and his expression was dull.

Until the end, Fang Ze concluded: "In short, the construction and cost of a naval army are like running water. Without the support of the court, it is just a dream to rebuild the naval army."

Xu Kang's face was pale and he couldn't believe it, and said: "I have seen it written in history books that thousands of ships were often used in some water battles. If we go by this calculation, it would take a whole country to build it."

Fang Ze shook his head and said: "Those ships are temporary construction, the purpose is to transport troops, naturally they can be reduced as much as possible. And they are basically scrapped after one use, how can they be used as warships."

Xu Kang nodded and said secretly: "I see." However, he still did not give up. After sorting out his thoughts, he added: "If we only rely on the remaining ships in the camp, how many warships can be pieced together."

Fang Ze looked at Xu Kang in surprise and said, "Aren't you kidding me? Even if we just put it together, it will take a lot of manpower and materials. Without funding from the court, what can we do?"

"It all depends on people." Xu Kang stared at Fang Ze seriously and said: "This matter depends on how deep Captain Fang's desire is to rebuild the Lou Chuan Army."

Fang Ze's eyes turned red and he said: "I have been fighting on the water all my life, and I still miss this place. I hope that one day the imperial court will recognize the importance of the Louchuan Army again. Wouldn't it want to rebuild it?"

"In this case, instead of waiting for charity from the court, how about taking a bold plunge and rebuilding it ourselves?"

Fang Ze was stunned and said: "How is this possible?"

"The Lou Chuan Army sits on the Yellow River waterway and connects the north and the south. If we use the Lou Chuan Army to open up the east-west trade route, we will definitely get a lot of money. By then, we will not be short of money to build ships."

When Fang Ze heard this, he got up and said angrily: "I thought you were really well-intentioned and wanted to rebuild the Lou Chuan Army, but it turned out that you were just like everyone else and wanted to make profit. Although I, Fang Ze, am incompetent, I will never let others do it.

Using Lou Chuanjun to make money will not disgrace the reputation of Lou Chuanjun."

Xu Kang advised: "Now that the Lou Chuan Army has declined to this point, it is better to seek for yourself than to seek heaven. Unless this method is found, otherwise the Lou Chuan Army will be completely destroyed sooner or later."

"Don't be alarmist. Lou Chuanjun is also famous. As long as the war continues, the imperial court will realize the role of Lou Chuanjun sooner or later."

Xu Kang also became angry and said: "You are really stubborn. Instead of waiting, why can't we be self-reliant? And I can guarantee that all the money earned will be used for the construction of the Louchuan Army, and I will not take any of it."

"

After hearing this, Fang Ze calmed down and said, "Is this true?"

Xu Kang nodded and said: "I am also the captain of Changshui. If the Lou Chuan Army can be rebuilt, I will be able to speak easily in the court."

Fang Ze was completely relieved and said: "If you can really wholeheartedly rebuild the Louchuan Army, I, Fang Ze, will repay you with death."
Chapter completed!