Sparks flew everywhere, and the rivets were firmly embedded in the hull. The craftsmen stroked the still hot rivet tails with their calloused hands, showing a happy smile. ""
Two meters long and seven kilograms in weight, this is a rivet, just like a spear, and such huge rivets are used everywhere on this ship. This is a nine-mast treasure ship, a terrifying giant.
Ba, huge as a city.
On the shore, there was a sound of "rising", and dozens of buffaloes were mooing on each side of the giant ship. Driven by whips, they walked forward with slow and powerful steps, and the thick ropes tied to them creaked.
With a creaking sound, the huge winch placed on the deck turned. On the frame made of tall giant trees, the oiled zipline moved inch by inch to lift a huge boulder.
The boulder weighed ten tons. With the concerted efforts of countless sailors on the ship, the boulder was placed smoothly on the flat bilge. Two identical boulders were already lying quietly on the bilge, and the hatch cover closed with a bang.
.
This is just a sealed cabin. There are 18 sealed cabins in the entire giant ship. Each sealed cabin is placed with three huge ballast stones weighing ten tons each. The entire giant ship only weighs 540 ballast stones.
ton.
At this time, the fleet in the world second only to the Ming Dynasty in naval strength was the Tunisian fleet. Their largest ship had a carrying capacity of only fifty tons, and its carrying capacity was only equivalent to one-tenth of the ballast weight of the Ming Dynasty treasure ship.
At the stern of the ship, a huge monster similar to the blades of a wind turbine quietly probed into the water. Its length was as high as eleven meters. The rudder alone was the entire length of Columbus's flagship Nina.
In the port, countless large and small ships are moored quietly. In the gaps between the ships, there is a black mass of small boats returning to the ships and the shore. They are like hard-working worker ants, transporting various supplies to the supply ship one after another.
Plant necessary items for ocean going.
A large number of vegetables are mostly made into pickles, dried vegetables, and vegetables suitable for long-term storage. In the potted plants filled with soil, fresh and watery vegetables grow...
The granary on the supply ship has been filled with soybeans, flour, sugar, salt, various seasonings, millet and rice. Soybeans are the most important food. They can not only be eaten directly, but can also be used to sprout bean sprouts to ensure that the crew
We will not suffer from sepsis during the voyage.
Of course, it is not just bean sprouts that are used to prevent septicemia. There are also a large number of fruits such as limes, lemons, oranges, grapefruits, etc. that have been specially processed and can be stored for a long time. Some fruits are not suitable for keeping fresh and are dried in the sun or
Candied fruit was made.
The food also includes unhulled rice, because the nutrients contained in the hulled rice can prevent athlete's foot. The Ming Dynasty has not yet invented medical skills that can understand the principle of these foods to prevent various diseases, but in the long and long practice
In the process, they have discovered the special uses of these foods. The latest chapter of the Temple
The huge fresh water storage tanks have been filled with clean water and sealed. The sailors of the Ming Dynasty fleet have mastered the technology of desalting water to obtain fresh water. However, in order to satisfy the drinking needs of so many people, the main purpose is to store clean water.
Meat dogs, broiler chickens, fat pigs, cats used to catch mice, and homing pigeons to deliver messages... were also carried on the ship in large numbers, and it was a lively place.
Baskets of fish were also carried on board, mainly salted and dried fish. Of course, the crew brought hooks and nets so they could catch fresh fish during the voyage.
In addition, large boxes of tea and jars of rice wine were transported on board. These were not for trading, but for drinking by the crew.
When the supply ships are filled with these supplies, the fleet can sail continuously for three months at sea, a journey of up to 15,000 miles, without having to dock to replenish food or water.
They can start from here and sail non-stop, reaching Malacca in five weeks and the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf in twelve weeks. They have the ability to sail the largest ocean in the world, and each voyage lasts
several years.
Preparations for logistical supplies lasted for three full days, followed by preparations for weapons and equipment.
A large amount of forage and bean dregs cakes are stored on the horse-loading ships. Thousands of war horses will be raised here for the cavalry to land and conduct land operations...
Compared with the huge city-like treasure ships, the small warships, which are fast and maneuverable, are being equipped with various ship-borne weapons. At this time, the Tunisian fleet, ranked second in the world, is mainly defended by archers, while the Ming Dynasty's warships are
The ship has been equipped with muskets, rockets, cannons, cannons, and fire dragon throats that spray flames at enemy ships.
This is an unrivaled fleet that can effortlessly destroy any fleet that attempts to attack it.
At this time, even if all the navies of the world were gathered together to start a war with this fleet, the result would be nothing more than a group of herrings meeting a group of sharks in despair.
The heavy weapons had been installed a long time ago, and now they were only equipped with various ammunition, so it only took one day to assemble the weapons and equipment. Early the next morning, the fleet crew began to board the ship.
The first to board the ship are the officers, flag soldiers, warriors, fire chiefs, helmsmen, watchhands, generals, clerks, scribes, yin and yang officers, doctors, anchors, wooden piles, building materials and other craftsmen, sailors
, Min Shao...
Then came musicians, cooks, storytellers, jugglers, and a large number of cheerful merchants.
Then there are professionals who are proficient in astrology, astronomy, agriculture, flora and fauna, engineering, architecture, smelting and casting, firearms production and repair, etc. They will be responsible for professional affairs in research, experiments, measurements, mapping, records, collections, etc. St.
The latest chapter of the church
Finally, there are officials at all levels.
The civil servant group became an important participant in the Great Navigation Fleet as they wished, and the powerful families, landowners, merchants and other power groups behind them also became a part of sharing the ocean trade as they wished. The resentment quickly disappeared, and the criticism and smearing of the Ming Dynasty Ocean Fleet
All kinds of comments have no market at all, and have been replaced by disgusting praises.
Overnight, the voyages to the West changed from a disaster that they criticized in words and deeds, to a supreme feat that benefited the country and people.
This fleet has not yet been completed. On the edge of the Yellow Sea, dozens of warships and thousands of soldiers from Shuangyu Guard are still waiting eagerly.
In addition, at the Guangzhou port, there is another countless merchant fleet gathering, waiting to join the army on the voyage to the West.
The Guangzhou port was also crowded with prostitutes preparing to join the ocean fleet.
The prostitutes who went to the West with the ocean fleet last time were not only engaged in men's business, but also in business. They all made a fortune when they came back. Except for a few who were indolent and extravagant and still returned to their old professions, the rest of them became good people.
, lived a stable and comfortable life, and out of jealousy, the number of Orioles willing to go to sea with the fleet this time far exceeded the required scale, and I am afraid there will be competition for jobs.
On the shore, countless people gathered here to see off their loved ones.
Xia Xun and his family were saying goodbye. Because he was performing a secret mission, the court did not disclose to the public that Duke Fu was also on the voyage, so he was only wearing casual clothes at the moment, just like an ordinary scribe. The family was saying goodbye.
The farewell location was also a little far away from the pier. Although the family had long known that Xia Xun was going to the West, Ming'er and others couldn't help but shed tears when things came to a close.
In the past, when Xia Xun visited Liaodong, he spent many years there, but it was on land after all. The people of Ming Dynasty in this era were still very unfamiliar with the ocean. They traveled across the ocean and traveled thousands of miles away.
That's what only the Eight Immortals should do. The strangeness and mystery of the sea filled their hearts with fear, so the sorrow of separation was particularly strong.
"Don't cry. Look, there are tens of thousands of people. There are soldiers, sailors, officials, and merchants. How many of them don't want to leave their homes? Am I the only one who is special?"
Xia Xun gently wiped away the tears on Ming'er's cheeks and comforted her softly.
Ming'er no longer cared about the etiquette that a duke's wife should have in front of others, and hugged him with all her strength, tears streaming down her face, soaking his clothes. She was just his little girl,
In order to be the wife of the duke, she has sacrificed so much that she has almost forgotten her true self. This is not her, she is not happy, she just wants to fall into the arms of her man.
Xia Xun hugged her for a long time and whispered in her ear: "I will leave all the family affairs to you. My plans can only be borne by you now. After you marry me, I will ask you to pay
Many, many things, I owe you, I owe you."
Xia Xun raised his head and looked at Zi Qi, who also had tears in his eyes. Thank you. Xiaodi and others glanced at each other and whispered: "I promise you that when I come back this time, I will never leave you again, and I will never call you my wife again."
Miss me and worry about me!"
Ming'er buried her head deeply in his arms. After a long time, she slowly let go of her arms and raised her head to look at Xia Xun. There were still tears on her face, but she tried her best to open a beautiful smile and said, "Mr.
, we are waiting for you to come back! You must... come back safely!"
Xia Xun nodded, then looked at his children eagerly, smiled at Siyang, the eldest, and said: "When dad comes back, my precious daughter will grow up to be a big girl. Then dad will give it to you personally.
Choose a good husband that you will be happy with!"
Si Yang was originally in tears, but when he was told to say this, his pretty face turned red with embarrassment and he lowered his head coyly.
Yang Huaiyuan was not yet old enough to know the feeling of separation, so he couldn't help laughing after hearing his father's words, and winked at his sister.
Xia Xun glared at him and reprimanded: "Why are you laughing! Silly boy! When I come back, the first thing I will do is test your homework! If you don't study well, I'll beat your ass!"
When Yang Huaiyuan heard this, he immediately got into Ming'er's arms and acted coquettishly. The whole family was amused by his appearance.
Taking this opportunity to dilute the sorrow of separation with his son, Xia Xun took one last look at his relatives and said in a deep voice: "Take care!" Then he turned around and strode away. Su Ying, who was dressed in men's clothing, looked at her sisters and was reluctant to leave them.
He looked at his biological daughter who was already in her prime, whispered to Ming'er, "Madam, I'm leaving!" and then chased after Xia Xun.
Xia Xun didn't want to ask his family to accompany him on a long journey to endure hardships, but in the past two years, he was not Zheng He and would always be in need. Should he be asked to go to the flower boat for a trip? Even if he was willing, his wife and concubines at home would not
Yes, you have to ask someone to wait on you.
Su Ying was originally a pirate and had amazing water skills. As the third boss of the Shuangyu pirates, she had dealt with Southeast Asian businessmen and was familiar with the customs and customs of many countries. In addition, Xia Xun and Shuangyu Guards had been in contact through her these years.
, she became the perfect choice to accompany Xia Xun on his voyages to the West.
There are countless boats, some moored on the shore, waiting for passengers to board, and some far away in the middle of the water, requiring small boats to transport passengers one by one. There are also many family members on the shore to see off their loved ones. Although to be specific,
There was order in the chaos, but from the perspective of the entire port, it looked like chaos.
Zhang Xitong was promoted from a member of the household department to the right minister. His first mission after taking office was to sail to the West. When the new official Zhang took office, there was no shortage of pomp and circumstance. There were no less than dozens of subordinate women and servants, who boarded the ship in a grand manner.
There were also some other officials' families who boarded the ship at the same time. Everyone was crowded together, and no one noticed that a "young man" in green clothes and a small hat, dressed as a book boy, quietly slipped into their group.
After boarding the bow of the ship, "he" glanced furtively towards the shore, with a pair of delicate big eyes that revealed an eccentric spirit.
"Woo~~Woo~~~Woo~~~~~~~"
The trumpet sounded, and Emperor Yongle's invincible fleet set sail.
Sixty-two large ships, 218 small and medium-sized warships, and 116 merchant ships sailed away in a mighty and mighty manner.
Officials, scholars, and sailors all crowded beside the ship's rail, trying hard to take one last look at their hometown.
Next, they will be bumpy on the sea for many years, and it will take a long, long time before they can set foot on the land of their motherland again.
Ocean voyages are dangerous, and a group of people on the ship will never be able to return to their homeland. They may die in a foreign land due to disease, or be buried in the sea due to wind and waves, or they may stay in a foreign land forever due to a crash or other reasons, and thrive there. The Ming Dynasty
From now on, it will become a place that they always dream about.
This year, Europeans are waking up from their sleep and have just opened their eyes in a daze;
This year, America was still a paradise for primitive tribes;
In this year, the Timurid Empire, which had made the whole of Europe tremble, had completely fallen apart, with civil strife and wars continuing;
This year, the two most powerful tigers on the Mongolian Plateau, Tatar and Oara, one has been imprisoned in the backyard of Ming Dynasty, and the other is still dying and struggling;
This year, North Korea in the east is intoxicated in the dream of Little China;
This year, Japan was in the Warring States Period, a period of swordsmanship and sword shadow;
This year, the bells in temples in South Asian countries are still melodious, quiet, and slow as if they haven't woken up yet.
This year, the Ming Dynasty's ocean-going fleet began its second voyage.
Before the ninth century AD, almost all ships that could sail in the sea were foreign. However, starting from the ninth century, China built its own maritime fleet. During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, China's large ocean-going fleet dispatched envoys overseas and established fixed
The overseas trade network gradually wrested control of the spice trade from the Arabs.
This net was taken back in the late Yuan Dynasty and early Ming Dynasty, but now Zhu Di threw it out again with a wave of his hand!
p: Magnificent! The Ming Dynasty fleet! Please give me monthly votes and recommended votes to protect my lion!