Two days later, Fang Er appeared at the Liangji Hall.
Your Majesty, the Wuya warships are ready. Please move to inspect them.
Li Shimin, who had been calmly lying on his imperial desk reviewing memorials, instantly became excited.
He had waited for who knew how many days and nights, eagerly awaiting Fang Er's departure to sea.
With the completion of the ships, the Great Tang was about to embark on a new journey.
Summon the dukes!
With four crisp words, Li Shimin's voice rang out exceptionally loud.
Lai Yifa, who was waiting nearby, bowed and then quickly ran out of the hall, calling for a group of young eunuchs to deliver the summons to their respective destinations. With so many people, he wouldn't be able to summon them all himself before nightfall.
Once everyone had arrived, Li Shimin waved his hand grandly: "The Wuya warships are about to launch. Accompany me to the Ba River for inspection!"
There were no ceremonial guards; Li Shimin disliked them. Cleanly and efficiently, they each took a horse and set off from the imperial palace straight for the Ba River.
Fang Family Village had been preparing for the expedition to Japan for several months, a fact known to the entire court.
Especially in front of the Liangji Hall, the place on the globe was clear: This is the Great Tang's treasury!
What conquering Japan meant did not need to be explained further.
In less than half an hour, the grand procession arrived at the Ba River shipyard.
Hearing the thunder of hooves, Li Shun had already been waiting outside the shipyard. Upon seeing that Fang Er had brought so many people, his heart tightened.
Especially Li Shimin's dragon robe, which directly indicated the identity of these visitors.
Li Shun, the foreman of the shipyard, pays his respects to His Majesty.
As everyone dismounted before the shipyard gate, Li Shun quickly bowed.
The artisans behind Li Shun followed suit, bowing together: "We pay our respects to His Majesty!"
Li Shimin extended his hand to support the artisans: "Rise!"
Fang Er approached Li Shun: "His Majesty has brought the dukes to witness the launch of the great ships. Lead the way."
Li Shun nodded: "Yes, Marquis."
With that, he turned and led the way.
The shipyard gate opened, and the Wuya warship was revealed to everyone.
The massive ramming bow and the characters "Zhenyuan" hung on the side of the hull filled Li Shimin with unspeakable excitement.
What are the names of the other two ships?
Pointing at the characters "Zhenyuan," Li Shimin asked Fang Er beside him.
Replying to His Majesty, the three ships are named Zhenyuan, Dingyuan, and Zhiyuan.
Li Shimin stroked his beard and nodded heavily: "Good! These are excellent names!"
Fang Xuanling and others also praised them.
Upon boarding the deck, Chai Shao and Cheng Yaojin's eyes lit up as they saw the cannons on the sides and bow.
Cheng Yaojin strode forward, touching the cannon and looking at Fang Er in disbelief, asking.
Brother, with so many cannons on one ship, you'll be hard to match once you're at sea!
Hahahaha, if not for this, how could it be called Zhenyuan? I like this ship!
Chai Shao was very satisfied.
On this voyage, he would lead the Mie Lu Army with Fang Er.
Such magnificent ships delighted him.
He could even imagine the scene of enemy ships being shattered by the volley of cannons.
The dukes dispersed around the ship, looking at the Wuya warships, which were completely different from their imaginations.
Fang Er bowed to Li Shimin: "Your Majesty, the auspicious time has arrived. Shall we launch?"
Li Shimin walked to the bow of the ship, looking down at the surging river water outside the shipyard, and nodded.
Fang Er gave a look to Li Shun beside him.
Li Shun stood on the side of the ship and shouted loudly to the artisans in the shipyard.
Listen, everyone! Launch the great ship, open the gates!
The artisans in the shipyard heard the command and returned to their posts.
Then, creaking sounds emanated from the shipyard's watergates.
The gates were slowly opened.
The surging river water, eager to enter, poured in through the partially opened gate.
As the gate was fully opened under the control of the winch, a powerful stream of water rushed into the dock, causing the ship to sway.
The water in the shipyard grew deeper, and soon, the Wuya warship began to rise at a visible speed.
Li Shun shouted to the artisans at the stern: "Light the fire!"
The artisans obeyed, throwing lit torches into the charcoal-filled boilers.
The charcoal ignited, and once the fire caught, large amounts of coal were added.
A column of black smoke rose from the smokestack like a black dragon ascending to the heavens.
The fire was strong. After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the boilers were boiling, and the needle on the pressure gauge began to move. When it reached the specified pressure, the artisans asked Li Shun for permission to set sail.
By now, the river water had completely filled the shipyard, allowing the ship to sail out.
Li Shun approached Fang Er and Li Shimin.
Your Majesty, Marquis, may we set sail?
Li Shimin nodded.
After Li Shun relayed the order to set sail, the craftsmen pulled the valves on the steam engine.
Toot~~~~~!
A long whistle sounded, startling Li Shimin.
He looked at Fang Er with dissatisfaction. Why hadn't this fellow warned him beforehand? He almost made him look foolish.
Looking at the other dukes, they all had similar expressions.
It was too sudden!
Fang Er quickly explained: "Your Majesty, this sound is how commands are issued on the ship."
In the future, as the ships grow larger, conveying commands will become difficult. Therefore, I had them design this method.
For example, one long whistle means to set sail, and everyone should prepare.
Additionally, there are signals with two short blasts, one long and one short, and various other commands.
With this explanation, Li Jing, who was standing nearby, quickly understood the advantage of the whistle and nodded slightly.
In this way, it is similar to the war drums in the army.
Li Shimin nodded and no longer pursued the matter.
At this moment, the ship swayed slightly and then began to move towards the Ba River.
These people had already seen the train before, in addition to the pickup trucks and armored vehicles.
For a Wuya warship that could move on its own without oarsmen, everyone expressed that it was not surprising!
Only Fang Xuanling thoughtfully approached Fang Er and pointed at the Zhenyuan号 beneath their feet, asking: "Marquis of Liaodong, what is the cost of this ship?"