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After all this work, it was already past ten o'clock in the evening. Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info

Li Yuanqing was about to go back to the cabin to rest, looking for Ren Ying'er to 'go to the fire', but Joseph came over to Tong Bing in a hurry: "General, general, Ed has woken up." He also wants to help you inspect the ship tonight! ”

For fear that Li Yuanqing wouldn't hear it, Joseph shouted below before he got on the boat.

Li Yuanqing was stunned for a moment, and then couldn't help but be overjoyed, and said with a smile: "You guys come up and talk first!" ”

"Yes!"

Joseph was also overjoyed, and hurriedly pulled Ed Stafft and quickly got on the boat.

Just like buying a second-hand car, when buying a second-hand ship, you must first go through some appraisal to see if the boat can still be used and whether there are any potential safety hazards.

On this trip, Li Yuanqing's fleet was accompanied by more than 100 old shipwrights such as Zhou Chuanhai, but after all, they were not familiar with the structure of the Spanish warships, and they were also old, so even if there was lighting, the sight would definitely not be as good as in the daytime.

Li Yuanqing's original plan was that as long as there were no problems with the overall frame of the ship, then he would buy the ship and then hire Spanish shipwrights from Manila to repair it.

Even if it costs a little more silver, then Li Yuanqing will admit it.

But at this time, hearing Joseph mention it, Li Yuanqing remembered Ed Staffft.

Isn't this guy aiming to build battleships?

Then~~, it shouldn't be a problem to identify these Spaniards' second-hand ships, right? Coupled with Zhou Chuanhai and other old shipwrights, it is equivalent to double insurance.

Not long after, Joseph had already led Ed Stafft to Li Yuanqing's side.

Joseph hurriedly pulled Ed Staffft to salute Li Yuanqing respectfully, and said with a smile: "General, Ed woke up in the afternoon, and I talked to him a lot. He heard that you are very interested in battleships, and after careful consideration, he is more than willing to serve you! ”

Joseph spoke Chinese, which Ed couldn't understand, but looked at Li Yuanqing respectfully, looking very literate.

Li Yuanqing suddenly smiled: "Mr. Ed Staffft, welcome, welcome to join the big family of the Immortal Camp!" I think in 10 years, or even decades, you will feel very wise when you look back on this decision! Because we're going to make history! ”

As soon as Li Yuanqing said this, not only Ed Staffft, but also Joseph was completely blindfolded.

Because, Li Yuanqing speaks English.

"Oh! My God! Really, really can't believe it, noble general, you, you are so proficient in the language of my British Empire! Your servant, Ed Stafft, is willing to serve you sincerely! ”

Li Yuanqing laughed: "Mr. Ed, my sons and daughters on behalf of me, welcome you to join. However, Mr. Ed, you must know that my sons and I speak Chinese, so for some time to come, the language problem may be the biggest obstacle for you to integrate into us! ”

Joseph hurriedly smiled and said, "General, you don't have to worry about this matter. Ed is not only proficient in Spanish, Portuguese, but also Dutch, he is a genius in language, and in Chinese, it should not be difficult for him! ”

After greeting a few people for a while, Li Yuanqing expressed his unswerving position on building battleships, and gently encouraged the two of them, and then asked the two of them to go to the military port in the north to keep an eye on them, and together with Zhou Chuanhai and them, they will inspect the second-hand ships that will be traded tomorrow.

After sending them away, Li Yuanqing wanted to breathe on the deck and organize his thoughts well, but as soon as he stopped his mind, he couldn't help but think of Megane's snow-white breasts......

"Fuck it, this little girl......"

Li Yuanqing couldn't help but smack hard, his face was a little hideous!

But for a moment, an indescribable smile suddenly appeared at the corner of his mouth......

…………

Early the next morning, Li Yuanqing got up from Ren Ying'er's bed, washed up briefly, and went directly to Beigang to check and inspect the reception of these Spanish second-hand warships.

It's just that I pity Ren Ying'er, Li Yuanqing's combat power last night was so violent, she couldn't get out of bed at all, even if Li Yuanqing got up, she didn't even notice it, and she was still sleeping sweetly.

Although it is a second-hand ship, this matter is related to the key start of Li Yuanqing's great navigation, and Li Yuanqing does not dare to slack off in the slightest.

When I came to the North Harbor, there were already firemen in small boats, preparing meals on small boats.

Li Yuanqing took a piece of baked meatloaf casually, and asked Zhou Chuanhai about the situation while chewing.

Zhou Chuanhai hurriedly said: "General, the big ships are basically normal, there are a few slightly flawed, but the problem is basically not big. In terms of medium ships and small boats, there are a few places that need to be repaired. Some time may be wasted. ”

At this time, Joseph also rushed over with Ed Staffft.

Ed Stavft was also busy reporting the situation to Li Yuanqing, and his judgment was no different from Zhou Chuanhai, these ships have no major problems, but there are many small problems, and it takes some time to repair.

Li Yuanqing nodded slowly, looked at the two of them and said, "Both, according to your estimates, how long will it take to completely repair these ships?" How much silver do you need? ”

Zhou Chuanhai already knew it in his heart, but he didn't have an accurate grasp of these Spanish warships, so he hurriedly asked Joseph to translate and communicated carefully with Ed Stafft for a while, and then reported to Li Yuanqing: "General, according to the joint calculation between me and this Ed brother, it will take about ten days to repair the ship, and it will probably not take five thousand taels of silver." ”

Li Yuanqing nodded, "Very good." For this matter, Yuan Qing will ask the two of you! ”

The group of people simply ate some baked meatloaf as breakfast, and before they had time to drink hot water, at this time, Valen da Gama also personally brought the members of the Spanish official over and officially started trading!

Soon, with boxes of white flowers and silver, they were moved to the side of the Spaniards, and the Spanish soldiers on the opposite ship also began to leave, allowing the sailors of the Changsheng Camp who had been waiting here for a long time to get on board.

Not long after, the Spanish flags originally hoisted on these Spanish warships slowly fell, and in their place, the sun, moon and waves of the Ming Dynasty, and the blood-colored red eagle flag of the immortal camp!

Everything was delivered, and it was already past 11 o'clock.

Valen da Gama smiled and extended his hand to Li Yuanqing.

Li Yuanqing also smiled and extended his hand to Valen da Gama.

Although there were no words, it was just a smile, and everything was already silent between the two of them.

After a moment, Valen da Gama smiled and said, "General Li, let's go have a drink?" In the evening, there was also a wonderful dinner. ”

Although Li Yuanqing was quite 'concerned' about his baby daughter Megane, Li Yuanqing refused Valen da Gama's invitation with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Excellency, for having me. However, there are still a lot of things to do here, and I also have to get acquainted with these new Spanish men, as well as repair the ships, anyway, I will stay in Manila for a while, and in a few days, I will prepare some fresh ingredients, and invite the Governor, to taste our authentic dishes! ”

Valen da Gama laughed, and did not force Li Yuanqing: "General Li, happy cooperation!" ”

"Happy working together!"

…………

Seeing off the Spanish officials of Valen da Gama and his entourage, Li Yuanqing took Joseph, Ed, Zhou Chuanhai, Guan Canghai, and Xu Heizi on a large Spanish ship, sailed out of the northern military port, spared a circle on the shallow sea, and returned to the port where the Changsheng Battalion fleet was stationed.

But even in this simple circle, Li Yuanqing has a deeper understanding of these Spanish warships.

These Spanish warships, even if they were about to be decommissioned, were superior to the official warships of the Ming army in terms of design, sails, and especially combat equipment.

Especially the speed, at least one hour can be faster than the Ming warships four or five miles.

However, the shortcomings of these Spanish warships were also obvious, the combat equipment was outdated, and many of the usual facilities were damaged.

Only large ships are equipped with ordinary 8-pounder guns, and many small ships are only equipped with 6-pounder guns, or even 3-pounder guns.

With the combat effectiveness of these warships at this time, let alone fighting naval battles with the regular armies of the great powers, I am afraid that it is also the level of pirates.

Back at his dock, Li Yuanqing set up a simple banquet and invited a group of officers to sit down and discuss the solution of the matter.

Xu Heizi said: "General." Something is better than nothing! These warships, although not worth the money, can make the sons and daughters familiar with the operation of these Western warships earlier. Besides, these warships can also pull goods, we can practice while walking, and we will never lose money. ”

Guan Canghai smiled: "What Heizi said is right. Thin water flows. When these Spanish warships are repaired, we can first test the water around and sell some low-grade goods. When the sons and daughters are fully adapted, it is not too late to follow the main force to the sea. ”

Kong Youde said: "I just don't know the power of these artillery!" We're not sure what these guns are like right now. If it's all embroidered pillows, this thing will be troublesome! ”

“……”

Listening to the statements of the officers around him, Li Yuanqing nodded slowly, but looked at Joseph's side, "Brother Joseph, Brother Ed, what is the current level of artillery casting technology in Europe?" For example, the 24-pounder gun on the main Spanish warship, is it possible for us to introduce it? ”

Joseph couldn't help but smile and shook his head, "General, this matter, this matter is really not a choice. This 24-pounder cannon should be the top secret of the Spaniards. If we want to buy it now, I'm afraid it will be difficult to achieve it. ”

Ed said: "General, for a 24-pounder gun, the cost of purchase is undoubtedly too high. But we can make it ourselves. When you mentioned this, I suddenly remembered that when I was in Jakarta, I used to know a French gunsmith who was now working in the Dutch shipyard in Jakarta. This guy likes money very much, and I think that as long as the general is willing to pay, he probably won't refuse. ”

Li Yuanqing couldn't help but be overjoyed, but his mind remained fully calm.

He has been thinking about the cannon for a long time, but ~, the most critical core of the cannon is the quality of the steel.

And in this regard, the Changsheng Camp Ordnance Workshop, even including the official Ordnance Department of the Ming Dynasty, is completely substandard.

Chen Zhong's Guanglu Island still has some Ming craftsmen imitating the Portuguese's Franco machine artillery, so that Li Yuanqing can see it, it is almost like an iron lump.

Not to mention that the firing range is less than two or three hundred steps, the heat dissipation is also extremely bad, often two or three shots, and then it can no longer be fired, and it needs to be cooled by heat dissipation, otherwise, it is easy to blow up the chamber.

After pondering for a moment, Li Yuanqing smiled and said, "Brother Ed, I thank you very much for your proposal, but what you need to know is that our iron-smelting technology may not be up to standard!" What should I do about this? ”

Ed couldn't help but smile: "General, in this regard, you don't have to worry, this Frenchman is from a family of blacksmiths, and he has plenty of experience in this area!" ”

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