First, it was explained that Xue Zhiqian began printing newspapers in large quantities. The name of the newspaper was set as "Da Tang Shi Bao" (The Great Tang Daily), and they started with five thousand copies as a trial run.
Then, he continued with the work he had not finished before.
Fang Er already had a preliminary plan for the sand-pumping ship.
It would utilize three ships for different tasks.
The first ship would be used for agitating the sand, using the power of the steam engine to stir up the silt deposited at the river bottom.
Then, the second ship's water pump would extract the agitated silt along with the river water and discharge it onto the third ship.
This silt was also a valuable commodity. After drying and pulverizing it, and mixing it with farm manure, it would become excellent fertilizer.
It had high organic matter content and was rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
With the concept in place, drawing the diagrams was easy.
The equipment was large, but compared to the construction of the engine, it was as simple as an elementary school assignment.
After the blueprints were completed, Fang Er was about to call Zhao Gang to arrange production when he heard a knock on the studio door.
He had to sit down at the workbench again and call out to the person outside.
"Come in."
The door opened, and a shipwright walked in. Fang Er had met him before; he was one of the people Li Shun had found elsewhere.
Upon entering, the shipwright bowed to Fang Er.
"This humble one, Yan Shuangying, greets Your Lordship. The design for the Wuyadajian has been completed. Please review it."
After speaking, Yan Shuangying walked to Fang Er and respectfully placed the model he was holding onto the workbench.
Fang Er was not surprised at all; it had been several days, and it was about time.
He picked up the ship model and carefully examined it back and forth.
The Wuyadajian, meaning "five-toothed great ship," actually referred to its five levels.
From bottom to top, they were the watertight compartment, cargo hold, crew quarters (oar room), and two levels of troop cabins. It could carry up to eight hundred soldiers.
There were six huge battering rams on the left, right, front, and back, each fifty feet high.
At the top of each wooden mast were giant stones, with capstans below. During combat, when enemy ships approached, the capstans could be quickly used to lower the stones to smash enemy ships.
If one strike missed, it could be quickly retracted and dropped again. If enemy ships surrounded them from all sides, they could use all six "teeth" simultaneously. Its combat effectiveness was evident.
After examining the model, Fang Er stood up and walked to a box on the side, taking out a stack of blueprints. These were the areas that needed modification.
Fang Er pointed at the Wuyadajian model and then, referring to the blueprints, explained his modification plan to Yan Shuangying layer by layer.
"Let's start with the bottom. The watertight compartment remains unchanged. The entire keel will be cast from fine steel. When you return, inform them to first construct a keel using timber.
Then, use this timber keel as a template to create a mold and send it to the blast furnace for casting.
In the crew quarters level, all oar ports will be sealed. We will no longer need oars in the future."
Yan Shuangying was a bit bewildered.
"Your Lordship, if we don't rely on oars for rowing, what do we use?"
If we only use sails, wouldn't the ship be stranded in headwinds or no wind?"
Fang Er waved his hand.
"You've been here for so many days. Do you know about the train?"
Yan Shuangying nodded.
Fang Er continued, "Now, regarding the decks above, the Wuyadajian will use the same steam engine power as the train.
We will add a pair of paddle wheels on both sides of the ship. You should know how to do that, right?"
With Fang Er's prompt, a scene naturally appeared in Yan Shuangying's mind.
The Wuyadajian, without oars, would have a large paddle wheel on each side, driven by the steam engine and rotating rapidly.
He slapped his forehead: "Your Lordship is indeed remarkable. I know what to do."
Fang Er pointed at the deck area and continued, "Don't be too hasty. Besides the paddle wheels, the entire deck needs modification.
On both sides of the deck, excluding the areas covered by the paddle wheels, every two meters, carve out a two-meter square hole.
We will use fine steel to construct gun platforms, connected to the keel below. This is also why we will no longer use battering rams."
Yan Shuangying nodded.
During his days at the workshop, after finishing work each day, he would always gather with the other craftsmen to chat.
Therefore, he had heard about steam engines and cannons.
With cannons that could fire two to three hundred paces, battering rams were naturally redundant.
After discussing the deck, Fang Er pointed at the two superstructures rising above the deck and said, "The parts above do not need to be changed.
We will add a ram at the bow. One purpose is to enhance close combat and sailing capabilities, allowing us to ram enemy ships and smaller reefs.
Another purpose is to balance the weight between the bow and stern, preventing the ship from pitching.
Additionally, the sails will be retained for emergency use.
These are my modification requirements for the Wuyadajian. Can you achieve them?"
Yan Shuangying carefully reviewed Fang Er's requirements in his mind and then said, "Your Lordship, please rest assured, these are not problems. However, we may not have enough manpower."
Fang Er shook his head. "Manpower is not an issue. I have already spoken to the King of Hejian, and with the Emperor's decree, he is already in the process of gathering shipwrights. A large number of them are expected to arrive in the next couple of days."
Yan Shuangying was overjoyed. "Your Lordship, then there will be no problem. As long as the old fellows can all come, and the keel is replaced with cast fine steel, I dare guarantee that we can build the ships within two months at the latest."
The shipyard had three berths, allowing for the simultaneous construction of three ships. This speed was acceptable to Fang Er.
"For that small, insignificant country, three Wuyadajian ships will be more than enough!"
Fang Er tidied up the blueprints again and handed them to Yan Shuangying.
"Since there are no problems, then hurry up and get it done. It's estimated that the shipyard will be completed in a few days.
During this period, focus on preparing the necessary materials, tools, and so on.
Once the shipyard is completed, we will begin construction immediately."
Yan Shuangying took the blueprints. He also hugged the Wuyadajian model back into his arms, as it was better to refer to the actual object for modifications.
"I understand. I will notify them now."
After speaking, he bowed to Fang Er and returned to the carpentry workshop to arrange the work.
After Yan Shuangying left, Fang Er re-examined the equipment blueprints for the sand-pumping ship. He then picked up the walkie-talkie.
"Dong Si, Dong Si, this is Dong Yi. If you receive this, come to my studio. Over!"
After a moment.
"Dong Yi, Dong Yi, this is Dong Si. Received. I am on my way now. Over!"
"Heh heh, I have to say, this thing is really convenient."
Zhao Gang pushed open the door and walked in shortly after.
"Your Lordship."
Fang Er beckoned him over.
"Come here. I will explain some of these blueprints to you, and then you can arrange for people to make them as soon as possible."