The Yongan Princess has a displacement of 38,000 tons, which is already very large by the standards of a warship, but as a cruise ship, it can only be regarded as medium-sized.
At this time, cruise ships had entered the 80,000-ton era. The French "Normandy", the British "Queen Mary", and the "Queen Elizabeth" with more than 80,000 tons were either already in operation or under construction. But the Ming Dynasty's cruise ships were generally
They are all relatively small. It’s not that they don’t have the ability to build super cruise ships like Europe, but because European cruise ships mainly run European and American routes, and their voyages are all on the vast Atlantic Ocean, with no upper limit on tonnage. However, Ming’s cruise ships mainly run Asia-Europe routes, and they have to pass
The Suez Canal determines that the tonnage of cruise ships cannot be too large.
The Yong'an Princess started construction at the Quanzhou Shipyard in Fujian Province in May 1934 and was launched in April 1935. In February 1936, after a series of sea trials, inspections, and luxurious decoration, it was officially delivered to Zheng Shipbuilding twelve days ago.
Shipping company. Today is her maiden voyage in Guangzhou Port.
At eight o'clock in the morning, in the wide Pearl River Estuary, tens of thousands of people gathered in Guangzhou Port. Tens of thousands of people came from all directions to watch the Yongan Princess's maiden voyage, or mainly to watch Zhu Yourong. Zhu Yourong would set sail from Guangzhou Port every time he visited Europe.
, so the citizens of Guangzhou have seen Zhu Yourong’s grace several times. But the previous times she was a princess, and this time she is a queen.
On the pier, closest to the cruise ship, an observation platform was set up.
At the passenger train station in the port, a long train puffed out white gas and entered the station. The 15 additional carriages on this train were all luxury boxes, and the passengers on them were all passengers who were about to board the Yongan Princess. The parking lot at the port
The bus was also crowded with all kinds of cars. Rich gentlemen, young masters, ladies, wives, and many foreigners were standing beside the cars, admiring the Wing On Princess in the harbor and waiting.
With the servants behind them, porters unloaded their luggage for them. Many ladies also brought pets, leading dogs, holding cats, and some even carried parrots and monkeys. These all belong to the owner.
Baby, I have to take it with me on the boat.
Zhu Yourong had already been greeted by the mayor of Guangzhou and was getting ready. Xiang Xiaoqiang, wearing sunglasses, mingled with Qiu Qiu in the crowd and stood by the car watching all this. He lowered his head and smiled at Qiu Qiu:
"Haha, the ship has turned into a zoo. Are you allowed to bring all of these on board?"
Xiuxiu smiled and said:
"Why not? These are the guests' own property. You can bring whatever you like. Haha, as long as you don't bring elephants... My father's friend often takes cruises, and there is an animal boarding department on cruises. I want pets.
It's fine in your own cabin. If you find it annoying, you can ask them to foster it... Haha, by the way, my dad has a friend who brought a horse with him last time he went to England..."
"Real horse?"
"Of course it's a real horse."
Xiang Xiaoqiang sighed, the service awareness at this time is really not good. What does it mean to be customer-oriented?... Compared with future generations, it is simply 100 years ahead.
Think about the subways, trains, and airports of later generations. In the name of "confiscating dangerous goods", a lot of things that are not dangerous but are very valuable are confiscated every day. High-end perfumes, cosmetics, Zippo lighters, and once these things are confiscated
If the staff "temporarily detains" it, it will no longer be yours... One time, a colleague's experience was even more outrageous. He brought back a set of "Zwilling" kitchen knives from a business trip and was photographed by a baggage detector at the train station entrance.
After they came out, they were "confiscated". Because this set of knives was worth more than 2,000 yuan, my colleague asked: Please return the things to me. I won't take the train anymore, and I don't want the ticket money. But they pointed to the security inspection regulations.
Said: The above only stipulates that dangerous goods must be confiscated if found, but does not stipulate that they can be returned to you if you don’t enter the station. It’s okay if you don’t enter the station, but the items still have to be kept...
So, wherever there is a monopoly, there is oppression. Only a society that allows people to choose can be fair. No matter what field it is in.
Every time Xiang Xiaoqiang thinks about these things, he has to express similar emotions. Now in the economic field of the Ming Dynasty, the people have already had full choices. But in the political field, there is still one step left. Xiang Xiaoqiang thinks that if God gives a chance, he can really unify
As for China, we must further promote the constitutional process of the Ming Dynasty and achieve universal suffrage. We must strive to allow the people to choose not only with banknotes, but also with votes.
Now Xiang Xiaoqiang seemed to be no longer a careerist, but a romantic reformer. Suddenly, he thought that he could only have five years in this time and space, and he felt uncomfortable for a while, and was suddenly brought back to reality.
There was a sudden noise all around, and soon the entire port was filled with cheers. Xiang Xiaoqiang's ears were almost deafened.
On the viewing platform, Zhu Yourong walked up with a smile.
Zhu Yourong is particularly beautiful and noble today, wearing an elegant light blue cashmere fashion, a white wool beret, and waving gracefully with her slender hands wearing white gloves.
On the stage, Zhu Yourong nodded and smiled gracefully. Under the stage, tens of thousands of citizens, passengers, especially hundreds of dock workers, and homeless people were shouting desperately, and many people were whistling. Everyone was saying something like
In my own way, I fully express my admiration for Her Majesty the Queen.
Qiu Qiu leaned gently into Xiang Xiaoqiang's arms and said intoxication:
"She is so beautiful...she is totally the same person as the one on the plane!"
Xiang Xiaoqiang hugged her and smiled quietly:
"Do you know what's the difference between you and others? Temperament! Temperament!... When you go back, read more books for me. Memorize "Four Books and Five Classics" and "Three Hundred Tang Poems" for me, and you can do it too.
Just like other people..."
Qiu Qiu smiled and wanted to make trouble with him, but then he heard the surrounding gradually quieten down. On the stage, Zhu Yourong smiled and raised his index finger, indicating that everyone should be quiet. Soon, the huge port was almost silent.
Zhu Yourong moved the microphone slightly and said with a smile:
"Today's protagonist is not me, but our Yong'an Princess. The Yong'an Princess will set sail at nine o'clock. Time is tight. I will just say a few words. Then everyone can board the ship and follow her to capture the 'Red
Ribbon Award'."
Everyone laughed. Xiang Xiaoqiang asked Qiu Qiu a little strangely:
"Red ribbon award? I only know there is a blue ribbon award!"
The "Blue Ribbon Award" is a record in this era of cruise ships. Whenever a new cruise ship sets a new record for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic, a blue ribbon will be raised on the mainmast when it enters the port. The average speed will be determined by the number of knots.
How many feet will it rise?
Qiu Qiu explained to him that the "Blue Ribbon Award" is specially awarded to Atlantic shipping companies, mainly to some European and American shipping companies. With the "Blue Ribbon Award", there is a corresponding "Red Ribbon Award", specifically for
Daming and Japanese shipping companies operating Indian Ocean routes. The reason why they use "red ribbons" is mainly because the flags of Daming and Japan both have large areas of red.
Zhu Yourong smiled on the stage and said:
"Everyone knows that the Yong'an Princess is named after my title during the princess era. When the design and construction of this ship started, I was still Princess Yong'an. Later, I inherited the throne, and Zheng's Shipping Company petitioned to change the ship.
It's called 'Queen Yee Fook', I say you should name it 'Princess Wing On'. Why? Because I was promoted from Princess to Queen so quickly, and my Princess has never been named by a ship before.
I think it’s a pity…”
More than 10,000 people below laughed loudly, and Xiang Xiaoqiang couldn't stop smiling. He had never heard Zhu Yourong speak in public, and he didn't know that Zhu Yourong was so good at teasing.
Zhu Yourong also laughed with everyone for a while, then waved her hands, the port became quiet again, and she continued:
"Queens and princesses give people different feelings. When the word 'princess' is mentioned, people will think of the image of a beautiful, pure, kind, and carefree little girl... But what about the word 'queen'?
, people will feel that when this little girl grows up, she takes on more responsibilities and must consider more issues, such as politics, economy, diplomacy, national interests, etc., things that only exist in the world of adults.
That innocent, carefree feeling is gone forever... So, I may leave the title of 'Queen' to another ship, one with heavier and more serious responsibilities, one
A ship that protects the safety of the people of Ming Dynasty, such as a battleship.
"However, the word 'princess' must be peaceful and friendly...Although I am a monarch and you are subjects, we are all the same. Although we don't think much of it when we are children and teenagers, once we grow up,
After that, I will miss those innocent and carefree years very much... The Yong'an Princess is not a warship, but a civilian cruise ship. I left the name of 'Princess' to her, and she will be like a kind-hearted,
Like a simple and carefree little princess, she shuttles between Eurasia and Asia, bringing convenience and friendship to people at both ends of the earth.
"I also want to make up for a regret in my heart with the Wing Princess. The final port of arrival of the Wing Princess this time is Bremen, Germany. Although I have visited Europe several times, coincidentally, I have never been to Germany.
If I have a chance to go, I can only do it as a queen. The age of princesses is gone forever..."
At this point, the audience laughed again. Zhu Yourong made a funny expression of regret and then said:
"Therefore, this Yong'an Princess represents me in my princess era. When I go to Germany, it will carry greetings from me and the people of Ming Dynasty to the German people... and also to commemorate my princess era and commemorate my princess era."
That prosperous, wonderful golden decade."
After Zhu Yourong finished speaking, he gently looked up to the sky. Everyone in the harbor clapped and cheered like a tide, cheering for the Queen and her short and wonderful speech.
Xiang Xiaoqiang knew that the "prosperous and beautiful golden decade" mentioned by Zhu Yourong refers to the ten years of international prosperity after the end of World War I and the Great Depression in 1929. During those ten years, the international atmosphere was basically
It is friendly and understanding, and countries trust each other. The whole world is full of hope, thinking that we can usher in long-term peace and prosper for a whole century like the 19th century. However, the world economic depression in 1929 changed everything.
The sweet dreams were shattered. From then on, international crises emerged one after another and became more and more intense, eventually leading to the Second World War and opening up the bloody history of the twentieth century.
However, Xiang Xiaoqiang, like many reporters present, captured a sentence in Zhu Yourong's speech: I will go to Germany after the appointment and bring with me and the Ming people's greetings to the German people...
This route will call at two ports, first at Southampton in the United Kingdom, and then at Bremen in Germany. However, Zhu Yourong did not mention the United Kingdom at all in his speech, but mentioned Germany twice, and it has been raised to the level of "passing by."
to the extent of "greetings to the German people".
Politically minded people are speculating on the underlying meaning.
Many reporters were busy taking down His Majesty's speech, and they all gave this speech a name: "My Princess Era".
The port was filled with joy again. The white-haired captain came up with a bottle of champagne and presented it to Zhu Yourong with both hands. Zhu Yourong raised it high and showed it to everyone before handing it to the captain. At this time, the "Yong'an Princess"
A steel cable hung from the bow of the ship. The captain took it and tied the champagne bottle to the head of the steel cable, and then held it to Zhu Yourong with both hands.
Zhu Yourong took it with a smile, turned around and faced the cruise ship, raised the bottle of champagne high amidst the cheers, and threw it towards the bow of the ship with all his strength. The champagne bottle was carried by the steel cable, drew an arc, and smashed into the bow of the ship, which was pitch black.
A small white flower bloomed on the bow of the boat.
The band played solemn music, thousands of small balloons carrying colorful ribbons soared into the sky, and the cheers in the port suddenly reached a climax.
This is the "bottle throwing ceremony", which was passed down from Europe. At the launch or maiden voyage ceremony of a new ship, a bottle of champagne is smashed on the bow of the ship to wish the new ship can withstand the wind and waves on the sea and sail smoothly.
Ping An. Generally, the champagne throwing is done by the most distinguished woman present, usually the wife of the ship owner. Of course, Zhu Yourong is here today, so she will naturally throw the champagne.
After Zhu Yourong finished speaking and throwing out the champagne, the most attractive part of the ceremony was almost over. The mayor of Guangzhou and the captain of the Yongan Princess took the stage to say a few words respectively. Because Zhu Yourong's speech was very short, they could not speak.
Even longer. Even so, the effect of Zhu Yourong's speech could no longer be achieved. The audience was always noisy. Everyone was laughing and chatting loudly, waiting for them to finish speaking quickly and watch the cruise ship sail.
While they were talking, the passengers also began to board the ship. Xiang Xiaoqiang wanted to say goodbye to Zhu Yourong for the last time, but when he looked around, he saw that there were so many people in the dark, and he didn't know where she was, so he gave up the idea and took Qiu Yourong with him.
Qiu, his entourage, and Alfred Krupp walked toward the embarkation dock.
When we got to the gangway, we looked up at the 38,000-ton ship, which seemed even bigger. The dark hull stood in front of us, like a huge black wall. People under its feet were like little ants.
Just as they were about to queue up, an officer whispered from the side:
"My lord, please come here. Your Majesty has invited me."
When Xiang Xiaoqiang looked at the officer and recognized him as a Guardsman, he finally felt relieved. Zhu Yourong was still thinking about saying goodbye to him for the last time. Hehe, he was a "friend" after all. He asked Krupp to get on the boat first, and let Qiu Qiu and
The entourage was waiting for him where he was.
The Imperial Guard officer took Xiaoqiang to a place in the port. This was a small courtyard, very secluded, and compared to the noise of tens of thousands of people outside, it felt like a paradise.
A black luxury car parked in the courtyard. Zhu Yourong leaned on the car and stood quietly. He was still wearing a beret and a suit. His hands were hanging in front of his long skirt, playing with his gloves. Under the long skirt,
, the tips of the two high heels are together in a ladylike manner.
She completely lost the grace she had when she gave a speech in front of thousands of people. On the contrary, she actually looked a little pitiful, like a sentimental high school girl, standing there quietly and looking at him quietly.
Xiang Xiaoqiang looked at her like this, and his heart moved. Thinking that he would not be able to see the girl in front of him for two months, he felt a strong reluctance in his heart. He seemed to feel that the girl in front of him was not the queen, but a girl he had a crush on.
Alas, she was the Empress of the Ming Dynasty just now, and she belonged to millions of people. Now, at this moment, she is just the young girl Zhu Yourong, and she belongs to me alone...
All the guards and followers retreated outside, leaving only two people in the small courtyard.
Xiang Xiaoqiang slowly walked up to him and said softly:
"His Majesty."
Zhu Yourong looked at him, and suddenly a tear rolled down her face. She suddenly turned red and felt ashamed. She immediately turned her head and quickly took out her handkerchief to wipe it.
Xiang Xiaoqiang looked at Zhu Yourong's back, with all kinds of emotions intertwined in his heart. He didn't expect that Zhu Yourong was so reluctant to leave him. This girl usually concealed herself so carefully that Xiang Xiaoqiang didn't even know how she treated him.
Is it a little "meaning" or a lot of "meaning"? Now it seems that this "meaning" is indispensable.
Every time Xiang Xiaoqiang saw Zhu Yourong and was alone with her, he subconsciously kept her away. Although he found this girl very attractive, that was all. He consciously only used her and did not give her anything to himself.
There was no chance of falling in love with her. He knew that would only increase the pain.
Xiang Xiaoqiang sighed helplessly, feeling very sad in his heart. He still pretended not to see Zhu Yourong's tears and said with a smile:
"Your Majesty, you are about to leave. Does your Majesty have anything else to say?"
Zhu Yourong turned her back to him, leaning on the car with her elbows, and did not turn around to look at him, fearing that he would notice the tears on her face. She shook her head and said softly:
"No...nothing to explain...it's still the same...just stand up for it, you..."
She suddenly choked up when she said this, and her back twitched imperceptibly twice. It took a long time before she took a deep breath and continued:
"Take care of yourself... Okay, I just asked you to come here to say goodbye, nothing else... you can go."
Xiang Xiaoqiang stared at Zhu Yourong's back, feeling like his heart was about to break, as if he could fully feel what she was feeling now.
He sighed and said softly:
"Your Majesty, take care and leave."
Speaking of which, he walked out without looking back.
…
Boarding the deck of the "Yong'an Princess" is like boarding a ten-story building. You can have a panoramic view of the facilities in the port, the dense crowds of people, and the vast expanse of blue sea in the distance.
After boarding the ship and holding Qiu Qiu in his arms, Xiang Xiaoqiang quickly got rid of the sadness of parting with Zhu Yourong. He truly experienced Jack's mood in "Titanic" when he first boarded the ship. Of course, he was in a much better mood than Jack.
After all, Jack has to go to the lower class cabin, while Xiang Xiaoqiang lives in the first class cabin.
"Come," Xiang Xiaoqiang urged Qiu Qiu, "let's go to the bow."
"What are you doing at the bow of the ship? Xiaoqiang, we have to go to the cabin to settle down first..."
Xiang Xiaoqiang pulled her excitedly:
"What are you settling in for? Let them help us settle in... Let's go to the bow of the ship and pose. It's very romantic."
Xiang Xiaoqiang gave the cabin attendant a tip and asked him to take the others to settle in. He couldn't help but drag Qiu Qiu to the bow of the ship and let her stand at the top of the bow, facing the sea.
"What are you doing?" Qiu Qiu said with a smile, "You want to push me down?"
Xiang Xiaoqiang was behind her, gently holding Qiu Qiu's arms into the classic Jack and Rose pose, and then gently kissed her neck from behind.
"Oops," Qiu Qiu couldn't stand it anymore and struggled away with a smile, "You're crazy, people are looking at us!"
A gust of sea breeze blows, and Qiu Qiu's short hair is fluttering. Not to mention, it really feels like the Titanic.
Suddenly, there was a deafening roar from the direction of the chimney, which almost frightened Xiang Xiaoqiang so much that he fell into the sea. He never expected that the whistle of a ship could be so thick and loud, compared with the whistle of a train, it was so loud.
Singing like a sweet little girl.
A gun salute sounded in the distance on the shore. The Yongan Princess untied the last cable and kept blowing the whistle. Amid the cheers of thousands of people on the shore, it moved slowly. The gap between the hull and the dock became wider and wider.
The wider, the farther.
The speed gradually increased, and waves arose at the waterline of the giant ship. On the deck, the passengers kept waving downwards. Regardless of whether there were relatives or friends on the shore, they all waved desperately and responded to the cheers on the shore.
Xiang Xiaoqiang was excited, hugged Qiu Qiu, and said softly:
"How are you? Are you excited?"
Qiu Qiu smiled and nodded vigorously. Although this little girl was in the navy, she had never been on such a big ship and experienced such an exciting sailing scene.
Xiang Xiaoqiang had a bad taste for a moment and smiled into her ear:
"That's natural. It's been a week anyway, and I think you should be excited."
"Gah?"
Qiu Qiu didn't understand what he meant for a moment. Xiang Xiaoqiang held her waist, gently teased her buttocks with his hands, and chuckled:
"Come on, let's go back to the cabin and let me check how excited you are."
Qiu Qiu's face suddenly turned red with embarrassment, and her legs suddenly became numb. An electric current spread from her buttocks throughout her body, and she almost immediately collapsed in Xiang Xiaoqiang's arms.
At nine o'clock in the morning on February 23, the luxury cruise ship "Yong'an Princess" began its maiden voyage, leaving Guangzhou Port, sailing out of the Pearl River Bay, entering the South China Sea, and sailing to Bremerhaven in Europe.