Sailors, you look at me and I look at you, both of them are a bit incomprehensible.
Finally, the brave sailor asked again: "Master, we are all rough people, can you explain it more clearly?"
"Yes," Jin Feng nodded and continued: "An expert once told me that there are two wild lands thousands of miles away, each of which is several times larger than our Central Plains and Jiangnan combined!
The most important thing is that these two continents are extremely rich in products, especially several food crops called potatoes, corns and sweet potatoes. They not only have extremely high yields, but are also very drought-resistant, making them extremely suitable for cultivation in our country!
Everyone who listens to Jinchuan Daily every day should know that the current situation in Jiangnan is very serious. Next year, the year after, or even the end of this year, there will be large areas of hungry people!
Your mission is to find the two new continents that the master mentioned, and then bring back high-yielding grain seeds to relieve the famine in Jiangnan!"
After Jin Feng finished speaking, the sailors were all stunned!
Then it was like pouring a ladle of cold water into the oil pan, and it immediately fried the pan.
"Hey, dear, I thought the New World that the Imperial Master mentioned was at most about the same size as Ryukyu. Who knew it would be several times larger than the Central Plains and Jiangnan combined!"
"Since the Imperial Preceptor said it is a new continent, how could it be that it is only as big as Ryukyu? You underestimate the Imperial Preceptor too much!"
"Then tell me, how big did you think the New World was just now?"
"I...I think it should be about the same age as Japan!"
"Then you still say that I am different and you don't dare to think about it?"
"It's not that I don't dare to think about it, but it's such a huge land, how could it not be discovered by anyone?"
"Didn't you hear what the Imperial Master said? This continent is thousands of miles away. Whose ship can sail that far?"
"That's true! Then how do you think the Imperial Master knew?"
"Didn't you listen to what the Imperial Master said? The master told him!"
"It is said that the Imperial Master once worshiped an immortal as his teacher, and now it seems to be true!"
"If what the Imperial Preceptor said is true, won't our Dakang need another piece of territory?"
"No wonder the Imperial Master said that we can go down in history! If we can find a new continent, we can indeed go down in history!"
The sailors were so shocked that they didn't even care about the rules and started talking about it.
Although none of them had read much, they had been at sea all year round, and they knew what the New World meant.
If they find this place and bring back the high-yielding grain crops Jin Feng mentioned and solve the famine problem in Jiangnan, it will be a super meritorious deed that will benefit the country and the people and will last for a long time. Jin Feng can definitely say
Just like him, his name will go down in history!
They never thought that they would have the opportunity to participate in such a mission.
Of course, the sailors all doubted in their hearts whether the information Jin Feng received was accurate. If the so-called expert deceived Jin Feng, then they would gain nothing!
Even if the master did not deceive Jin Feng, it would still be very difficult to find a new continent in the vast sea!
It is very likely that they will not be able to find a new continent and end up dying in the boundless sea.
But none of the sailors wanted to back down.
First, because Zheng Chiyuan had already mentioned the danger of this mission before gathering the men, and they were all prepared to die.
Second, they all know that whether this mission succeeds or fails, it is a great attempt and is destined to be recorded in history.
For sailors, this is enough!
"Sir, don't worry, even if we leave our lives in the sea, we will still complete the mission assigned by you!"
The leader of the sailor must be a scholar. When he realized that the atmosphere was about to get better, he took the lead and set an example: "For the sake of prosperity, I will not hesitate to die!"
"For the sake of prosperity, I will not hesitate to die!"
All the sailors shouted along.
"On behalf of the people of Dakang, I would like to thank you for your great righteousness!"
Jin Feng solemnly performed a military salute to the sailors.
Iron Hammer and others also quickly followed suit and saluted.
Jin Feng was not just showing off, but really admired these sailors.
He just issued an order to build another ship, but these sailors really had to risk their lives, and it was not certain whether they could come back.
"Don't think that my husband and I are asking you to die. For this voyage, my husband will build an iron-clad ship specially for you. No matter how strong the wind and waves are, he will not be able to capsize it. He will also equip the iron-clad ship with a steam engine!"
Zheng Chiyuan said loudly: "Besides, sir once asked an expert for a nautical chart to the New World. As long as you follow the chart, nothing will happen!"
"An ironclad ship with a steam engine?"
"There is actually a sea chart?"
When the sailors heard this, they were extremely surprised.
Their attention just now was mainly on the New World and food crops, and they did not pay attention to the ironclad ships.
From the perspective of the navy, the so-called iron-clad ship is just a layer of iron armor nailed on the outside of the navy's wooden ship.
Now that Zheng Chiyuan mentioned it again, they realized that the armored ship might be different from what they imagined.
Putting aside everything else, just being equipped with a steam engine is enough to make them excited.
The navy's ships are all sailed, so when the wind is favorable, it is okay. If there is a headwind, although they can travel in a zigzag shape, the sails need to be adjusted frequently and the speed is very slow.
Not to mention stormy weather.
Three years ago, when a naval fleet was chasing pirates, it encountered a storm. Seven ships went out, but only one came back.
The ship that came back was almost scrapped.
If equipped with a steam engine, they might be able to escape in a storm.
Coupled with the sea map, the success rate of their voyage can be increased by at least several percent!
Survival is the instinct of all living things.
Although the sailors are ready to sacrifice, who is willing to die if they can live and enjoy hero treatment when they return?
At this moment, all sailors felt that the future was bright.
"General Zheng, where is the chart? Can you show it to us?" asked the leading sailor.
"Why are you so anxious? The armored ship hasn't been built yet. You need to train for a long time. There is plenty of time to see!"
Zheng Chiyuan glanced at the captain of the sailor team: "The chart is of great importance and is not suitable for disclosure for the time being. I will look for you one by one later."
The captain of the sailor team heard this and said nothing more. The other sailors had no objection to this.
Because they also know the importance of nautical charts.
"Master Imperial Master, is there anyone in the New World you mentioned?" The captain of the sailor team looked at Jin Feng again and asked.
"There should be," Jin Feng replied.
According to historical records of previous lives, there should have been Indians living in the Americas at this time, and they created a unique Mayan culture.