The treasure ship is very large, with masts towering into the sky, which is enough to show the power of the Ming Dynasty. Not only is it magnificent and majestic, but its firepower is also top-notch. There are twenty-three gun emplacements on each side of the ship's side on the fourth floor, and they are equipped with flying stars.
That is to say, mines are not ahead of their time.
There are also more old-fashioned firearms such as fire dragons, fire agates, iron beaks, and fire harriers. Of course, there are more cold weapons, such as crossbows, hooks and sickles, hooks, and ship-crossing nail guns.
Knowing that the prince was knowledgeable about military matters, Hou Jiangyin carefully talked about the naval battle training in the past two years. They had even tested the tactical coordination of hot and cold weapons on Japanese pirates.
Wu Zhen, Marquis of Jinghai, understood this very well. Nowadays, the Ming Dynasty's conventional navy is gradually improving its weapons and equipment. However, the accuracy of firearms is really a big problem. In the end, it still has to be close to the battle.
Zhu Biao got off the treasure ship in high spirits. The shipyard officials were afraid that His Royal Highness would be tired, so they hurriedly took the opportunity to say that they had arranged food and drinks and wanted His Highness to take a rest and watch. They were all a little tired after climbing up and down like this, not to mention
Noble person.
Zhu Biao naturally didn't feel tired at this time, so he called to look at other ships, but there were no such donkey-like censors from the Censorship Station here. No one dared to confront them directly and gave them advice, so he could only continue to lead them and watch.
"What is the organization of the fleet after it goes overseas?"
The Marquis of Jiangyin replied: "It consists of three divisions. The largest one is the boat division, which is divided into five battalions at the front, rear, left and right. The second one is the amphibious force of His Highness Xinzhongsuo, which is used for landing operations, including both infantry and cavalry. The last one is Hanlin, an official of the Ministry of Rites.
The ceremonial group of academicians is responsible for establishing diplomatic relations with overseas countries and promoting trade."
As he spoke, dozens of ships of different styles appeared in front of him. Regardless of whether they were too small or too small, they could be roughly divided into five types: treasure ships, horse ships, transport ships, seat ships, and warships. Among them, treasure ships were handsome ships and were part of the fleet.
The core needs no further mention.
The horse clipper ship is smaller than the treasure ship, but it is still eight masts, 37 feet long and 15 feet wide. In addition to being equipped with artillery and muskets, the main function of this ship is to raise war horses and carry the fleet's weapons and equipment and military supplies.
Materials.
The battleship has six masts, is twenty-four feet long, nine feet and four feet wide, and is equipped with firearms. It is mainly a sea-going ship (eight-oared ship) used by some generals and ceremonial groups, and is used for fleet escort and landing operations.
There are two types of transport ships: grain ships and water ships. They have seven masts, are 24 feet long, and are 12 feet wide. They can carry about 16,000 stones of grain or water.
Zhu Biao warned: "It's just food. Just prepare more. But water is not easy to store. You must be careful during this trip."
"With the method of distilling seawater taught by His Highness, and in the past two years, a lot of wine has been stored. In addition, there are supply charts left by the Yuan Dynasty, so there should be no problem."
There are many types of warships, most of which are five-masted, eighteen feet long and six feet eight feet wide. They are small in tonnage and maneuverable. They are used in surface mobile operations and are the main force in naval warfare to ensure the safety of navigation.
There are also other ships, such as guard ships, messenger ships, and scout ships. They serve as the hub of communication for the entire fleet, making the commander's orders transparent, allowing them to advance, attack, retreat, and defend, making them impregnable.
After looking at all kinds of ships in one breath, Zhu Biao stood on the shore facing the waves and exhaled: "In a few days, the Imperial Palace will bring the Crown Princess to worship Zhaoxiao, the pure Fuji Influence Holy Concubine, and confer her a title.
God’s position.”
"No, I will make arrangements soon."
This god is Mazu, who is the most popular god among coastal incense believers. The ocean is approaching. No matter what the purpose is, it is appropriate to confer the title of Poseidon. As for who this god is, it doesn’t matter at all. Even if he doesn’t have one, he will make one up.
.
In fact, it is not that there are no other suitable gods, such as the earliest Poseidon of the East China Sea, Yu Guo, the Poseidon of the South China Sea, Buting Huyu, the Poseidon of the North Sea, Yujing, the Poseidon of the West Sea, Yazi, or the Dragon King of the Four Seas who was popular in the Sui and Tang Dynasties.
[To be honest, I have been using Yeguo to read and catch up on books recently. I can switch sources and read aloud with many sounds. www. Android and Apple are available.]
But these have passed. Nowadays, the incense is thin. Mazu, which originated from the Song Dynasty and the Yuan Dynasty, is now very prosperous, and its scope of functions is also very suitable, including escort, pacification of bandits, rainfall, disaster relief, fertility, commercial protection, etc.
every aspect.
At half past noon, Zhu Biao finally felt hungry, so he responded to Jiangyin Marquis's request to prepare lunch, but he still had a special request to eat it on the treasure ship.
Everyone has their own reasons for not denying it. As long as His Highness can eat, everything else is easy to say. The treasure ship is not on the sea and is so close to the shore. Even if there is an emergency, they can protect His Highness and get ashore safely.
Eating out is inevitably cumbersome, and the food was a little cold after the accompanying young eunuch tested the poison, but Zhu Biao didn't care and enjoyed his meal, which also made the shipyard official responsible for the arrangements relieved.
During the banquet, I continued to talk with Marquis Jiangyin and learned that the personnel in the fleet are divided into official school flag soldiers, warriors, sailors, fire chiefs, civilians, helmsmen, shift workers, generals, clerks, scribes, and astrology officers according to the division of labor.
Healers, anchors, wooden blocks, building materials, etc.
In terms of command and dispatch of the fleet, a complete communication system was established based on the experience of the Song and Yuan Dynasties. The ships were equipped with transportation boats, carrier pigeons, audio signals (gongs, horns, conch horns, etc.), flags, lanterns and other equipment.
During the day, the fleet will hoist and wave various flags and sails in an agreed manner to form corresponding semaphores. At night, the number of lanterns hung on the mast and the hanging status of the lanterns at the bow and stern will be used to communicate. In case of sea fog or windy and rainy days, the horn will be used to communicate.
Gong or homing pigeon for communication.
In terms of logistics, they will load a large amount of non-perishable beans and grains, as well as vegetables and meats that can be preserved for a long time after being pickled, dried and smoked, as well as a full-time fishing fleet.
Moreover, the horse ships not only raised horses, but also planted vegetables and raised livestock and poultry, ensuring that the soldiers could stay healthy no matter how long they sailed.
……………
After the meal, Zhu Biao dismissed everyone except Jiangyin Hou, who asked him to take out the sea map. This was not left by Song and Yuan Dynasty, but was drawn by Zhu Biao himself. Zhu Biao reached out and pointed at the section marked as the Strait of Malacca.
"This place is very important and must be completely owned by me, the Ming Dynasty."
"Wei Chen is willing to take it for His Highness!"
"The fleet will pass by here on this trip, but I don't need you to take action. When the time is right, let Marquis Jinghai get it for me."
Since it was my first time to travel across the ocean, I decided to take the Maritime Silk Road, which ran through Indochina and the South China Sea countries, through the Indian Ocean, into the Red Sea, and finally to East Africa and Europe.
After that, we gradually progressed. Navigation is not a career that needs to be rushed for a year or two. Safety is more important than anything else. The Ming Dynasty could not lose such a fleet a few times.
If there were huge losses the first time, it would be difficult for even Zhu Biao to devote his national power to the sea. After all, most of the people in the Ming Dynasty, except for the coastal gentry merchants, disdained overseas affairs.
"You must always remember that this trip is not to conquer land, but to establish diplomatic relations and trade to exchange what you need. Do not start a war unless it is a last resort. The countries you pass will give them the sea map route from their country to the Ming Dynasty, telling them that all the treasures in the world can be saved.
In heaven.
"promise."
The first thing is to make the Ming Dynasty the center of world trade. No matter what you want, you can get it here. In this way, even places that the Ming Dynasty fleet has not reached will be attracted.
Economy is the foundation of everything. Only by achieving this goal, the rest will happen naturally. Economic development will stimulate the vigorous development of everything.
Because of this, the fleet actually does not carry much goods. Fortunately, there are merchant ships organized by major merchant gangs and aristocratic families to follow the fleet. They are the main force in the first trade.
The fleet's main mission is actually one, to show off its troops in foreign lands and show the country's prosperity!
Only a strong military and a prosperous country are the basis for friendly trade. Otherwise, it is better to rob than to bargain. If there is no capital, who would not want to do it as long as they have the opportunity and the strength.
Zhu Biao leaned on the back of his chair and talked to Wu Liang about all possible situations and countermeasures. Wu Liang bowed to respond from time to time, but he couldn't help but have doubts in his heart. According to him, His Highness has never sailed a boat.
How come you only know so much about these things when you go to sea?