Steel Dynasty - Chapter 223

[Chapter 223 Everything is for resources]

“Sail?”

Zhang Liang asked this question to Xiao Ming.

Now that the ship has been built, there is no way to sew tension beams on the sails. Moreover, the Galen ship has a tall mast, so it also needs sails of the same area.

“How did you sew canvas when you were building ships in the past?” Xiao Ming said with a frown.

Zhang Liang smiled bitterly, “Your Highness, when the Wei family was here before, he had a handmade textile workshop, and all the canvases were purchased from him. Now the Wei family and the Qin family have been destroyed by Your Highness. When I was about to finish building the hull, I found out that the workshop was taken over by His Highness. It is still under preparation and has not yet been produced.”

“This is a mistake by me. Now the Wei family’s property has been taken over by the government. I had been arranging the textile workshop some time ago, but I was delayed by the Battle of Cangzhou, and then I went to Chang’an, so I have been lazy about this matter. So, you build the remaining hull first, and you will do the sails. Bring the size and style to me, and I will tell them to produce it.”

“Yes, Your Highness, I have prepared the size.” Zhang Liang took out a drawing from his pocket and handed it to Xiao Ming.

After accepting the drawings, Xiao Ming and Pang Yukun looked at the other three Galen ships. According to this progress, they should be completed before the end of the year.

Now that the ship is available, all that remains is to recruit crew members. According to the standards of a Galen ship, a Galen ship must be equipped with about 150 crew members.

This matter should also be put on the agenda, so he asked Zhang Liang: “By the way, this Galen ship will be launched soon. You should be familiar with this crew than I am. Where can I find crew members who are more proficient in water skills?”

Zhang Liang looked confident when he mentioned this. Over the years he had been building ships, he naturally knew where people were better in this field.

He said: “Your Highness, when you asked me to be responsible for the construction of the Dengzhou Shipyard, I have been in that place for a while, and I still know something about Dengzhou. Dengzhou is close to the sea, and most of the fishermen living here are engaged in fishing. To make a living, fishermen from Dengzhou often came here to buy boats in the past. However, in recent years, Japanese pirates have been rampant on the sea. Many Dengzhou fishermen who went to sea were killed by pirates and their boats were robbed. Many fishermen were afraid of pirates and few dared to go to sea. , I think it is most appropriate to take advantage of the current opportunity to recruit fishermen. They are very suitable as crew members of Galen’s ship.”

“Your Highness, what Zhang Liang said is true. Since ancient times, we have relied on the mountains to rely on the mountains and the sea to rely on the sea. Most of the people in Dengzhou make a living by fishing on the sea. Now that their livelihood is cut off, they must hate pirates and Japanese pirates in their hearts. If they are recruited, they will definitely respond.”

After a pause, Pang Yukun continued: “Furthermore, this is Dengzhou. There are many people who are desperate to sell illegal salt, all because of this fish catch incident. Yang Chengye, the governor of Dengzhou, has asked his officials more than once for instructions on how to deal with this illegal salt dealer. “

” Well, in that case, in two days. , you come with me to Dengzhou to see the situation there. What I am worried about is that these people are accustomed to living on the sea and do not care about farming. This farming law does not have much benefit to them. In addition, smuggling and smuggling are strictly prohibited. “Salt, these people will probably complain a lot to the government. If they are confused with the Koreans and the Japanese pirates are thieves, it will not be good.”

Zhang Liang was convinced, and he said: “Your Highness is very thoughtful. There are no fishermen on the sea.” The only way to survive is to go ashore as pirates, burn, kill and loot. After all, this desperado can do anything.”

After discussing the matter, he ordered Zhang Liang to speed up the process, and Xiao Ming and Pang Yukun returned to Qingzhou together.

Nowadays, barbarians are still threatening the hinterland of Qingzhou north of Cangzhou, and now the sea and land are cut off by pirates and pirates. As a result, it is difficult for his Qingzhou goods to go south and north along the sea and sell the goods to other countries.

The domestic market of Dayu is very important, but the overseas market is equally important.

Another problem is that some of the resources currently needed by industry are not available or scarce in Chongqing.

For example, rubber trees, such as ironwood, needless to say the former. In the future, objects such as anal plugs and belts of steam engines will need rubber as a material.

Ironwood is a tree that is only abundant in Annan. Ironwood is hard and very corrosion-resistant. It is the first choice for shipbuilding timber.

Nowadays, the Galen ships built by Zhang Liang only use local materials and choose the better quality wood, which is only pine and fir. The sailing life of the ships made of these woods is still not as good as that of the sail warships made of iron wood. .

In the Age of Discovery, many ships were corroded by sea water during navigation due to material problems, and were dismembered and sank to the seabed due to factors such as strong winds and waves.

Therefore, it is extremely important to obtain resources like ironwood, not to mention that ironwood is also an excellent wood needed for military industry, special mechanical parts, and construction.

Moreover, from the knowledge discussion in the science and technology database, one of the reasons why the West was able to develop rapidly during the colonial era was that Western countries were able to absorb resources from all over the world, and these resources further promoted the development of industry.

Furthermore, materials are the basis for the evolution of civilization, such as coal, oil, and nuclear energy. Some scientists predict that if no new fuel is discovered, humans will forever stop in the solar system. This is why major powers want to land on the moon and even Mars. , it’s all about discovering new resources.

It is precisely because of this that Xiao Ming attaches great importance to sailing battleships. He does not lack scientific and technological knowledge, but only lacks resources, and some resources have not been discovered or even not available in Dayu.

Returning to Qingzhou, Xiao Ming summoned the important officials of Qingzhou to attend a meeting in the main hall of the palace the next day.

After returning from Chang’an, he needed to understand the recent situation in the fiefdom and at the same time discuss the matter of the Blood Wolf Tribe outside Cangzhou City.

“Your Highness, the armies of the six states have basically completed the reform of division, brigade, battalion, regiment and company formation.” Niu Ben said first.

“Well, yes, the slogans of the soldiers at the city gate indicate that the reform is very fast.” Xiao Ming said with a smile: “Is there anything uncomfortable with this reform?”

Niu Ben looked strange and said: “The governor became a division commander , This title is a bit weird.”

“It’s not your highness. I feel uncomfortable calling me brigade commander this time,” Lu Fei complained.

Xiao Ming nodded. He had indeed changed the military system a little too hastily, and these generals were not able to adapt to it for a while.

He said: “In this case, military salutes, slogans, and military systems will be retained. For the time being, let’s use the previous title. It should be used to popularize knowledge and use it when necessary in the future.” “

Yes, Your Highness.” Niu Ben and others The generals said.

(End of chapter)