Downstream and commentary

  Although the roads in the shipyard have been repaired and smoothed with cement, after a heavy rain, the roads are still slippery, and there are even small puddles in some low-lying areas. However, this wet environment did not disturb the good mood of the children at Tongzi Camp, where more than 200 half-grown kids were eagerly preparing for the upcoming ceremony.

  Firecrackers crackled to life, a dozen or so children banging away at gongs and drums with little sense of rhythm. Amidst the chaotic din, Zheng Kecang walked up to the altar and presented offerings of a chicken, a duck, and a fish before the Dragon King statue.

  Immediately, Zheng Kezang loudly recited the prayer: "The vast and boundless ocean, the small boat drifting aimlessly, may the Dragon King protect us, and the waves be calm?"

  After burning the prayer, Zheng Kezang led the crowd to burn incense and worship. After bowing three times towards the Dragon King, he stood up and loudly announced to everyone in the shipyard: "Today is a good day for sailing, with clear skies and vast seas. It's just the right time to launch the boat! I hereby grant the newly built boat the name Dongshenghai No. 1!"

  As Zheng Kezang gave the order, the Dongshenghai slowly slid across the beach covered with thin mud under the traction of the laborers. Zheng Kezang stood in a safe position and watched this narrow warship, although he was not very satisfied with its tonnage and speed, but it did not prevent him from admiring this No. 1 warship belonging to Tongziying.

  "She's launched!" When the red-painted bow of the boat suddenly lifted under the buoyancy, cheers erupted. In the past few months, these half-grown children had almost come to help with the work on the shipyard every three days, and Dongshenghai had left their hardworking sweat on it, so they naturally had the qualifications to cheer for this beautiful little boat.

  "This is a beautiful ship, with birds painted on both sides, very nice. Of course, the religious ceremony just now was also very solemn." The English craftsmen who participated in the launching ceremony chattered and said, "But we still hope that Your Highness will adopt the English launching ceremony when presiding over the launch of the single-masted sailing ship in a few days."

  "I suppose there's no champagne available for sale in your establishment?" Zheng Kechang naturally knew what a British-style launch ceremony was. "If rum can be used as a substitute, I'd be willing to give it a try." This was of course not a problem, the pretentious British were just going through the motions, and whether they used rum or champagne made little difference. "By the way, in your esteemed opinions, what do you think of this Chinese junk that's just been launched?"

  Zheng Kezang intentionally asked this question to let the young man standing behind him, Ma Yuan, Tang Tong, Wu Hu and Li Ping, who had finally agreed to give up their warrior status to study shipbuilding, but Yinggui, a shipbuilder, honestly evaluated: "The hull is too narrow, although it may increase the speed of the ship, but the stability must be poor. Moreover, the design of the hull is for increasing the speed, but judging from the setting of the mast, there will not be many sails, which will inevitably reduce the speed of the ship. This is a contradictory strategy and an outdated design that does not fit the times."

  "The hull is too narrow and not conducive to the arrangement of artillery, if adopting a staggered distribution scheme on both sides, it will inevitably waste the length of the ship." The British continued, "Of course, this is an unarmed small boat with a load of only 15 tons, originally can't be equipped with too many artillery, but what if the tonnage of the ship is expanded?" The British shook their heads. "I can only think that it is a type of close combat ship designed for boarding battles similar to the Spanish Invincible Armada, perhaps suitable for the waters of East Asia, but will definitely be at a disadvantage when encountering British warships."

  Zheng Kezang listened intently, completely disregarding Su Daizhang's reddened face beside him. After the several Yinggui people finished speaking, Zheng Kezang thought for a moment before asking: "The Dongshenghai can be operated with just six people; how many people are needed to operate the single-masted sailboat you've built?"

  "A 15-ton single-masted schooner only needs 7-8 people." The British guy seemed to have realized something and explained, "However, considering your highness's requirements, we designed two gun emplacements on the first-class deck, so the number of crew members increased to 12. Moreover, the speed of the newly built single-masted schooner will be twice that of the Toshun Maru."

  "That's right, speed is the advantage of a monohull sailing boat," Zheng Kezang did not directly refute the British boast, but instead patiently asked. "But it seems that monohull sailing boats can only sail in coastal areas, compared to which the slow-speed ship like Dongshenghai is more capable of crossing the ocean?"

  "Your Highness is very wise." The British seemed to know that they had exaggerated, so they hastily corrected themselves. "Of course, a single-masted sailing ship cannot traverse the vast ocean, but a double-masted sailing ship is different."

  "The British man spoke at length about the advantages of a brigantine, but then suddenly changed his tone. "However, as Your Highness has said, if we are to sail across the vast ocean and compete in the midst of the boundless sea, we must build large warships like military galleons. But," the British man said with a regretful tone, "to build a military galleon requires tens of thousands of gold coins and several thousand skilled craftsmen, but Your Highness lacks a suitable dockyard, sufficient craftsmen, and qualified materials, making it impossible to build a three-decked military galleon."

  "I'm afraid, not to mention warships, even small frigates used for cruising, you few can't build them either." Zheng Kezang said with a sarcastic tone to the British. "Even if everything is ready, I think that with your abilities, large warships like Royal Sn and Royalsail are simply unthinkable."

  Several British men were stunned, they couldn't believe that Zheng Kezang actually knew the famous Phineas Pett, and compared to this master, they were indeed like elementary school apprentices. Their previous arrogance had vanished: "Your Highness is right, even if we have everything we need, we can at most only build a corvette (cruiser). We are very sorry for such results and your requirements when paying our salaries. If Your Highness is not satisfied, you can dismiss us at any time."

  Resign? Don't be ridiculous. In this era, in East Asia, where else can you find British craftsmen who can build light cruisers? Zheng Kezang certainly couldn't do that: "Don't apologize, just focus on building the ships I requested first. And if you really feel guilty about the salary I'm paying you, then take some time to teach the young men behind me when you're free."

  The British guy retreated with a nod, and Zheng Kezang looked at Su Dagong: "Su master, although Hongyi is a bit arrogant, he still has vision. Every inch has its own strengths and weaknesses. Although Hongyi's skills in watertight compartments and double rudders are far inferior to ours, they also have their good points, which cannot be ignored."

  Su Dagong was also a master craftsman who had made water friends' boats. Just now, he might have been angry because of the British man's arrogance, but now he has calmed down and heard Zheng Kechang say so. He nodded slightly: "Xiao Lao'er understands, Da Gongzi wants these children to gather the strengths of both families, Yu Ding will not make trouble in between?"

  Dongshenghai can hold about 250 people. If it's not used for cargo, there's no need to worry that it will be packed like sardines. It can easily fit over 200 boy scouts on board. However, Zheng Kecang wouldn't be so inhumane. He arranged three trips of the Taiwan Strait cruise, letting everyone indulge in their desires to their heart's content.

  Ma Yinghe stood there, dazed and staring at Zheng Kezang. He hadn't expected his fate to change once again: "Does the young master mean for me to take charge of the naval troops? From now on, all ships built in the shipyard will be handed over to the naval troops?"

  "It's roughly the same meaning." Zheng Kezang nodded. "But it's not about letting you lead the water soldiers, but after the water workers introduced by Yinggui Li Shangguan arrive, let you take the water soldiers to learn how to operate the boat, only when both you and the water soldiers pass, can this leader be truly entrusted to you."

  Zheng Kezang's intention was to have on-the-job training first, and then give a real job based on the training results. However, even if that's the case, Ma Ying still feels like she got a pie from the sky. You know, in the Tongziying Zhengjun, there isn't even one team leader now, but suddenly she became an acting team leader, which is just a step away from being promoted to heaven.

  Moreover, you're supposed to be the leader, but until now, there's only one person in the Water Troop - you. Zheng Kezang continued to pour cold water. The main selection of Water Troops is from the children who will enter the regular army next year, and this time, you can also choose a few assistants from the regular army, but no more than ten people. Zheng Kezang thought for a moment. Since the Red Barbarian ship has not been built yet, you can choose whether to follow the new water military instructor sent by the Ministry of War to practice on the Dongsheng Sea or stay in the camp to continue training with firearms.

  "I," Ma Ying hesitated for a moment, after all, he was the son of a fishing family and being able to get a boat on his own was quite attractive. "Lieutenant, let's follow the naval instructor to practice on the Dongshenghai first." Zheng Kezang naturally had no objections, just as he was about to signal Ma Ying to withdraw, Ma Ying suddenly made a request. "Lieutenant, there are many people in my family and relatives who are good at swimming, since the water troop is currently short of men, can I go back home and recruit them?"

  Zheng Kezang was taken aback, and he naturally understood that Ma Ying's suggestion came from a public-minded perspective. If they followed his suggestion, they could fill the so-called "water army" at the fastest speed, and Zheng Kezang had always intended to use the Boy Scouts as reserve naval officers, so it would not be long before they took on ordinary sailor duties. This suggestion was naturally a win-win situation. However, Zheng Kezang couldn't help but worry that if they recruited sailors from Ma Ying's relatives or neighbors, it would create a situation where one family dominated everything, and he was even more worried that the Ma family members who were the first to master Western navigation skills might not become like the Min-era naval officers of later generations, secretly undermining the officials at all levels.

  Zheng Kezang hesitated for a moment before making a decision: "Alright, but the number of people can't be too many, let's start with ten first. If it's still not enough, I'll talk to the Ministry of War and have some veteran soldiers transferred in. However, since you're all new recruits, you can't just order around the older soldiers as if you're superior officers."

  Ma Ying, 15 years old, did not know that Zheng Kezang's mind had turned a hundred times. As soon as he heard that Zheng Kezang agreed to his request, he excitedly expressed: "Don't worry, Captain, I know what to do."

  "Of course, military discipline is paramount; if veteran soldiers disobey orders, you can also kill one to warn a hundred!"

  "Promise!"