From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 788

The carriage sped forward. Although the official road in the south was flat, the carriage was still very bumpy due to the high speed.

Kolodiya looked at Zhou Yuan's calm face with anger, and she was confused.

Because she didn't know where Zhou Yuan's extreme anger came from. As a prince in a high position, the people and the trading ports should have been his bargaining chips and business. He should have asked McPherson for more benefits, such as exports, such as compensation... He actually thought of revenge at the first time.

Perhaps it was because of this that Kolodiya looked up to Zhou Yuan.

She whispered, "The big ship produced by Fuzhou Baochuan Factory is a three-layer broadside warship with a wooden structure, three sails, and an iron-wrapped outer hull. The displacement and cannons are all in accordance with Portuguese standards, and there is no difference from McPherson's battleships and cruisers."

"But due to the low combat level and backward naval technology of the Guangdong Navy, even if it is equipped with the same warships, it may not be McPherson's opponent."

Zhou Yuan nodded and said, "But McPherson came all the way to Dajin, not to fight me."

"The essence of colonization is economic plunder and political expansion. As a governor-general who commands thousands of people, he should be very clear about his purpose."

"He will not choose to fight us, otherwise Dajin will suffer a heavy blow and he will have to roll back to Portugal in disgrace."

"After all, his opponents in this sea area are not only Dajin."

These words made Kolodia fall into deep thought. She tried to understand Zhou Yuan's words and find a suitable position from them.

The carriage bumped along the way and finally arrived at the restricted area of ​​Xinghua Prefecture.

Jinyiwei Tiqi set up many checkpoints, and the secret sentries spread out ten miles to ensure that no unrelated personnel could enter the area where the treasure ship factory was located.

All this naturally did not include Zhou Yuan. When the gold medal was revealed, someone naturally led the way in.

All the way to the factory gate, officials of all sizes were already waiting there.

The leader was Zhou Yuan’s old friend, Zeng Cheng, the right censor of the Supervisory Office and the Grand Secretary of Wenhua Pavilion. Of course, he is still the supervisor of Fuzhou Treasure Ship Factory and the deputy supervisor of Dajin Firearms Bureau.

When Zhou Yuan saw him, he couldn't help but be stunned.

"Greetings to King Zhongwu."

Zeng Cheng led a group of officials to bow.

He lost weight, a lot less.

A year ago, he was pot-bellied and full of fat on his face. That was a sign of wealth and honor, and also full of the aura of a superior.

But now, he has become smaller, with no fat on his face, no belly, darker skin, and not in good spirits.

Zhou Yuan couldn't help but say, "Mr. Zeng, it seems that you have suffered a lot this year."

Zeng Cheng shook his head and said, "For the country and the people, what's the point of talking about suffering."

After several polite words, the two walked to the front, and Zeng Cheng lowered his voice and said, "Has the King of Zhongwu seen the situation at the trading port?"

Zhou Yuan said, "Not only did he see it, he also experienced it."

Zeng Cheng clenched his fists, his voice a little hoarse, "Foreigners, you are bullying too much. I have been an official for decades and have encountered all kinds of things, but this is the first time I have been bullied by foreign barbarians like this."

"Shame, shame, unknowingly, my Great Jin Dynasty has fallen behind So many, but they are being plundered, occupied, and oppressed by just a few thousand people. "

"But we dare not do anything, and we don't even have the ability to redress the grievances of innocent people."

Speaking of this, his voice choked up: "Reading? Saintly Dao? Haha! The so-called etiquette and the so-called discipline, in the end, can't even protect the dignity of the nation, and can't even protect the lives of the people, what's the point?"

"Zhongwu King, I have been here for the past six months, and I haven't gone out."

"I am afraid of seeing an unbearable scene, and I have to grit my teeth and build this ship."

Zhou Yuan patted his thin shoulders, and for a moment he was full of emotion.

"Master Zeng, you have worked hard."

He is also a man in his sixties, working day and night here, managing thousands of people, it is not easy.

Zeng Cheng looked at Zhou Yuan and choked up, "Lord Zhongwu, Zhou Yuan, we have built the boat, so can we stand up and speak?"

"The officials of Dajin are kneeling, the court of Dajin is kneeling, but the unlucky ones are the people along the coast. I feel... bad!"

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath and said, "Master Zeng, I will give you an answer, and I will also give an answer to the people along the coast."

"Okay!"

Zeng Cheng said in a deep voice, "I am waiting for your answer."

Kolodiya followed up at the right time and said softly, "Master Zhou Yuan, Master Zeng, I have communicated with Diego Burton, the boat can be launched at any time, everything is fine."

She added"Lord Zhou Yuan, Mr. Burton is the chief craftsman of the Fuzhou Treasure Shipyard. He is responsible for the production planning of the entire ship area and the design of the treasure ships. He has made great contributions to the six battleships and four cruisers."

Zhou Yuan nodded, looked at the short man with a beard, stretched out his hand, and said, "Mr. Burton, thank you for your hard work."

Diego Burton seemed a little autistic. He just stretched out his hand and shook Zhou Yuan, then smiled shyly and lowered his head.

Kolodia said, "He is not good at socializing, but he is very good at his own field."

The heavy iron door opened, and what came into view was a wide corridor full of lights. At the end of the corridor was bright sunshine.

"Lord Zhou Yuan, what you want is just ahead."

Zhou Yuan ignored him and just walked forward slowly.

The sunlight in front was too dazzling, making the corridor dark and the road particularly long.

But finally, he came to the end of the tunnel...

The sun shone on him.

The artificially excavated river connected the bay. Under the sun, ten large ships were neatly arranged...

They were magnificent, spectacular, and full of power!

Their bodies were so solid that they seemed to be able to destroy everything in the world.

Only by watching them from such a close distance can you truly appreciate their height. Countless workers climbed on them, as small as ants.

Kolodiya said: "Mr. Burton, please introduce the battleship to Lord Zhou Yuan."

Hearing this, Diego Burton, who was originally very autistic, seemed to have light in his eyes.

He immediately said: "Three decks! Side gun turrets! Streamlined hull design!"

"The blunt head and blunt tail greatly increase the cabin space. The draft level of the ship wall is three feet thick, and the defense is directly pulled to the maximum."

"The hammock design does not take up space, and the internal wall is removable, ready for cannons to be pushed."

"A small hole is designed next to the side porthole, which can be used for flintlock guns to shoot when boarding."

"The whole body is made of wood, and the iron sheet is fixed with the strongest rivets to ensure that it will not fall off during the battle."

"This ship has a deep draft, but a fast speed. It is not afraid of strong winds and waves, and it is not afraid of boarding collisions. In terms of performance and sturdiness, it is in no way inferior to the battleships of Haojing."

When it comes to ships, he is simply eloquent and eloquent, and he can't stop talking at all.

"The deck is painted with special paint, which is fireproof and heat-resistant. At the same time, in order to maintain the tonnage, a large amount of mud and sand is filled in the bottom of the ship, which can be transported out to extinguish the fire when necessary."

"We have made eight spare sails, and the storage compartment for fresh water and food is also very large. If it is fully stocked, it can sail on the sea for eight months!"

"The officer's cabin is at the rear of the top floor, with an excellent location and two windows. It is not only safe, but also has a good view."

Everyone was stunned when they heard this.

Zhou Yuan pointed at Diego Burton, then looked at Kolodia and said, "This is a talent."

"Keep him, Dajin needs him."