Chapter 355 Test Sail

Author: There are dragons in Nanshan

Chapter 355 Test Sail

In the simple worldview of the ancients, iron could not float in the water.

Therefore, from ancient times to the present, both large and small boats have been made of wood.

Although people from the Academy of Sciences have long popularized relevant knowledge, they have also proved through experiments that containers such as iron pots and iron pots can float on water.

However, when this 10,000-ton giant ship really stood in front of everyone, everyone could not help but have such questions in their hearts.

This ship is piled up with countless steel. Just imagine, can it float up by throwing rails, trains, and large boilers into the water?

Although Jin Ying, the governor of the shipyard, has devoted all his energy to the first iron armored ship of the Ming Dynasty in the past two years, he did not know how to know professionalism after all. For the first time, he faced such a huge steel monster. If he really started to move, would it be depressed? He really felt unsure.

Maybe...it won't sink, right?

To him, this warship was like a child raised by himself, but after all, it was cast in steel. Although it was floating in the water now, who knows what will happen after the big boiler starts?

All we can do now is praying for everything going well, countless silver, countless people, countless days and nights...

Can't sink!

At this moment, he made a secret decision in his heart that if the ship sinks, he doesn’t have to apologize, just follow the ship to the bottom of the sea!

Although Zhu Qizhen understood the principles of steam engines, he had no experience in shipbuilding.

He knew very well that he was at most a guide. Whether this giant ship could be activated depends on the efforts of thousands of technicians and craftsmen.

Looking at the huge chimney standing on the boat, it feels like a boiler room in the backyard of the school...

At this time, a large number of carefully selected sailors and crew members had already lined up on the deck and waited for instructions for the next step.

Zhu Qizhen looked up and saw that these people were straight and dark in their bodies, but they looked very energetic.

"Dear soldiers, thank you all for your hard work!"

Everyone immediately replied in unison: "Long live the emperor!"

Zhu Qizhen was very satisfied. Those who went out to the sea were different, and this momentum was very strong.

"Now, listen to my will, everyone will return to their posts and prepare for a trial voyage!"

"yes!"

There were again uniform shouts from the deck, and then everyone immediately dispersed and rushed to their posts.

Belin, who was following Zhu Qizhen, was engaged in scientific research and was very interested in the steam engine on board. She couldn't wait to see what the ship looked like when it started.

Tang Xinggu's face was a little strange. He had no interest in science and other things at all. He just supported him strongly and was done with whatever the emperor liked and praised!

But, won’t this ironclad ship really sink?

"Your Majesty, no!"

Just when Tang Xinggu was hesitating, someone was talking beside him.

He turned to see that it was Cao Yi, the governor of Zhejiang.

Zhu Qizhen said dissatisfiedly: "What's wrong?"

Cao Yi bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this iron-clad ship is parked in the port. If there is any problem, it can be remedied in time. But once it leaves the port, what if something goes wrong, what should I do?"

Immediately afterwards, Ningbo Prefect Zhang Chun also advised: "Please think twice!"

Both of them were Jinshi in the Yongle period and were considered veterans of the four dynasties.

They are old scholars, not only do not understand science, but they resist from the bottom of their hearts.

In the capital, there were also a large number of scholars, including high-ranking officials and powerful people, who had publicly opposed natural science and regarded these people as aliens, which was a shame for scholars.

However, as the railway was spread out, many people consciously shut their mouths.

On the contrary, in the local area, especially in the wealthy places like Jiangnan, where there are many big families, the more they oppose science.

In fact, this is easy to understand. Most of the reasons why these families have emerged through reading.

They will naturally regard Confucianism as a sacred and inviolable truth.

With the implementation of the new policy, various natural disciplines have emerged in large numbers, which has shaken the dominance of Confucianism, which is unacceptable to them.

Therefore, neither Zhejiang governor Cao Yi nor Ningbo prefect Zhang Chun had really supported the construction of ironclad ships.

With these 30 million taels of silver, wouldn’t it be good to build more treasure ships?

You can make money when you go out to sea. What can this big iron lump do?

Now that I heard that the emperor was going to test the voyage himself, the two hurriedly tried to dissuade him.

Let’s not talk about the performance of this iron lump, but we don’t understand it either. But it’s better to have a crew member in the trial sailing. You are the emperor, the emperor, do you have to take risks on your own?

Even if you can’t figure it out, don’t have any trouble in Ningbo!

If the ship sinks and people are gone, what will happen to us brothers?

Seeing this, Zhu Qizhen smiled faintly and said, "I had doubts before I came, but when I saw it today, all my doubts have been dispelled. If the two Qing families are worried, they can go to the shore and wait."

Cao Yi and Zhang Chun looked at each other, Oh, the emperor personally directed the trial voyage, our brothers were waiting on the shore?

If something happens, our heads will still not be able to be kept!

Let’s take a step back, even if everything goes well, how can we be human in the future?

"Your Majesty, I think I have a specialized career. Since it is a trial sailing, I should find someone who knows sailing. The emperor is busy with everything and does not have to do everything himself."

"You said I don't know how to sail?"

"No, no..."

Cao Yi waved his hands repeatedly and said, "My... What I mean is, yes..."

Seeing this, Zhang Chun hurriedly said, "Master Cao means that the weather on the sea is strange and unpredictable. What should I do if I encounter wind and waves?"

Except for Belin and Tang Xinggu, most of the officials accompanying him did not want the emperor to board the ship.

Because...if the emperor boarded the ship, they would definitely follow!

Seeing Cao and Zhang stand up, the others also began to follow and advise.

Zhu Qizhen turned his head and asked, "Jin Ying, let me tell you, how safe is this ship? Can you prepare corresponding rescue measures?"

Jin Ying nodded quickly and said, "Please rest assured that the port has prepared a search and rescue ship. I have learned swimming a few days ago and am now proficient."

After hearing this, Cao Yi was so angry that he rolled his eyes.

Why didn’t you say that you learned to swim earlier? Let’s learn together!

Now you say what's the use of these? When the water really falls into the water, what can you still save a boat of people?

Seeing that the situation was not good, he turned his eyes and said, "As the saying goes, a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. If the emperor insists on boarding the ship, he will be found out by the Ministry of Rites and the Censorate, he may have to..."

He knew that he could not persuade him, so he simply pulled out the Ministry of Rites and the Censorate.

At this time, Tang Xinggu stood up and said, "The emperor wants to test the voyage himself. He has his own reasons. The Censorate has no objection!"

Cao Yi suddenly felt a little cold. Why didn't this guy play according to the routine?

You are the dignified Zuodu Censor!

Shouldn’t the censor be against the emperor everywhere? Is it necessary to find some problems if there is something wrong?

What's going on?

"Censor Tang, you must be responsible for your words!"

“Naturally responsible!”

Tang Xinggu said expressionlessly: "No matter what the emperor does, the Censorate will support it!"

Cao Yi was so angry that he was trembling. What are you doing?

Zhu Qizhen was too lazy to talk nonsense to him, so he said with a gloomy face: "Who else does the Qing family want to dissuade him? Let's persuade him again after getting on the ship! This ship is the first iron-clad ship of the Ming Dynasty, and the hard work of countless people has been poured into it. If I don't board the ship today, how can I know the suffering of the military and civilians? I am a real dragon, and the dragon cannot be drowned in the sea water!"

Although he himself knew that feudal superstition was not acceptable, in this era, the identity of the True Dragon Emperor was still very useful.

Even people who do not believe in ghosts and gods prefer various beautiful meanings.

Everyone had to shut up, and Jin Ying immediately ordered to go out of the port!

Zhu Qizhen was still on the deck, looking at the sea from here. The scenery was completely different from the sight, and his mood became wider.

The waves hit the hull, but there was no shaking at all under the feet, which showed that the waterline of the ship was already quite high.

There were call calls everywhere inside and outside the cabin, and everyone was making final preparations.

"The power system is normal!"

"The gun cabin is ready!"

"All staff in the palm sail cabin have been assembled!"

"The main sail is normal!"
To be continued...