Navigation is different from rivers. The danger level on the sea is much greater than that on the river. The most important thing is that the sea is endless. If you go in the wrong direction, you may die in the sea at any time. A ship on the sea must be large and stable, with a deep draft. Only in this way can it travel on rough seas.
The wood is going to be transported from Sichuan and Sichuan. Although the freight on the road is relatively high, trees from other places cannot meet such a huge demand.
The ship Zhang Xiu wants to build is the treasure ship used by Zheng He in the Ming Dynasty to sail to the West according to later records.
According to the records in "History of the Ming Dynasty: Biography of Zheng He", the main ship used by Zheng He on his voyages to the West was the treasure ship. The entire treasure ship was 18 feet wide and 44 feet long. It was also the largest wooden sailing ship in the world at that time. The ship has four floors, nine masts and twelve sails. The anchor weighs several thousand kilograms, and it takes two to three hundred people to set sail.
If such a huge ship had been built, it would have been invulnerable during the Han Dynasty, and would have been equivalent to an aircraft carrier in later generations. The sky-blasting cannon that Jingguo is currently developing with great care is to be installed on the ship.
On the way to the Bohai Sea, Zhang Xiu asked Wu Song: "Pingzhang (Wu Song's word), you have also seen the sketch I drew. How much wood and how many kinds of trees are needed to build the sea ship in the sketch?"
Wu Song was considered an expert in shipbuilding and was from Jingzhou. He was hired by Zhang Xiu at a large price. He built the large ships of the Dajing navy by himself, and the effect was far better than the warships of Chu. Zhang Xiu pinned his hopes on Wu Song to build such a sea-going ship.
Wu Song said: "Your Majesty, I have seen the emperor's sketch. I have never heard of such a huge ship. It is a huge challenge for me. However, I am willing to try my best."
Zhang Xiu said decisively: "Go ahead and try boldly. I will give you five years. If you fail once, try again. I am not afraid of you spending money. You just need to bring good results to me."
Wu Song was grateful: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration."
"Say it!" Zhang Xiu said, "Whatever you need, I will find a way to satisfy you."
Wu Song pondered his thoughts, went through the materials he had already thought of in his mind and said:
"The most needed fir is the unique southern fir. Fir is easy to process, resistant to moisture, and can be left in water for a long time. It is an excellent ship material and is estimated to account for 60% of the entire seagoing ships."
"Then there is grid wood. For such a big ship, the wood must be hard. The wood of grid wood is hard, relatively strong, and not afraid of insects. It is the best material for the keel, rudder stock, ribs and other parts of the hull. It occupies the entire sea Thirty percent of the ship.”
"Then there is teak. As for teak, teak is only found in the area south of Nanzhong. It is the best material for shipbuilding. It needs to occupy 10% of the entire seagoing ship. In this way, the required wood for the entire seagoing ship can be completed. Such a large ship The overall material cost for a sea-going ship is estimated to be five thousand."
Material is a capacity unit in ancient times. Five thousand materials is equivalent to more than 2,500 tons in later generations.
Such a large amount of materials made Zhang Xiu take a breath.
Originally, he had expected that Wu Song's lion would open his mouth wide, but when he actually opened his mouth, Ren surprised Zhang Xiu. With such a huge amount of materials, Dajing would be very strenuous.
Zhuge Liang said: "With such a large amount of materials, Your Majesty, I am afraid that the entire country will not dare to build it."
The construction of the capital is also an unknown bottomless pit. If sea ships are being built at the same time, it will almost empty out the entire treasury. It can be said that Dajing's tax revenue for one year was basically all spent on the construction of the capital and sea ships.
Tian Jing said: "Your Majesty, think twice. Now that the world is at peace, if we spend so much money, I'm afraid the world may be unstable."
Just hearing this made Ta Dun feel incredible. How big a ship Dajing wanted to build would actually cost five thousand materials. This was like building a city on the sea!
But Zhang Xiu was determined.
He said without any doubt: "Build! I must build the sea ship. This is related to the future battles. We have to prepare in advance. Since it costs so much, then stop building the capital first and put all the money in it." On the ship. Pingzhang!"
Wu Song: "Wei Chen is here!"
Zhang Xiu looked at him firmly: "I can suspend the capital of the Jing Dynasty and fully support you in building sea ships. I will meet all your needs, but you have to promise me that within five years, you can build incomparable ships." The ship is coming."
Wu Song hurriedly knelt down.
Being able to suspend the construction of the palace to support him shows how much the emperor trusts and values him. Such a huge favor made Wu Song's blood swell, and he was extremely excited. His whole body trembled slightly, and he said firmly with a calm voice. Guaranteed: "I am extremely frightened. If I can gain such trust from the emperor, I will not hesitate even to the death. I will definitely build a sea ship for Dajing and the emperor."
Zhang Xiu said: "Pingzhang, I will tell you the ugly words before you. In five years, if you cannot build a sea-going ship, I will have to behead you to appease the people of the world. Within five years, even if it is built on the last day, , you are also my hero for Dajing, I will grant you a hereditary title regardless of your replacement, if you cannot, I will never spare you!"
Wu Song said firmly: "You don't have to wait for the emperor to kill the ministers. If you can't create a minister within five years, take my whole family and commit suicide to apologize!"
"good!"
Zhang Xiu greatly appreciated Wu Song's firm attitude, "What I want is your attitude. As long as you are determined, steel can be ground into a needle. I am waiting for you to get good news. As long as you succeed, I will personally congratulate you."
In order to build such a huge century-old project, it is not enough to have a steady stream of financial support, but also to have firm determination and an undeterred spirit. If you don't have the mentality of committing suicide if you can't build it, this shipbuilding project will be impossible. Undoubtedly a failure.
Zhang Xiu used great kindness and severe consequences to inspire Wu Song's mentality.
Not only economically, but also requiring top talents of all kinds to complete shipbuilding.
In the late Han Dynasty, the most famous craftsman and inventor was Zhuge Liang. The wooden ox and flowing horse, Zhuge Liannu, etc. recorded in later generations were all developed by Zhuge Liang. This is why Zhang Xiu brought Zhuge Liang here.
At the same time, Huang Chengyan, the head of the state, will also be invited here soon.
There is also the mathematician Zhao Shuang who was noted by later generations.
Zhao Shuang, also known as Junqing, is a famous mathematician. Many data on shipbuilding are inseparable from him. Zhao Shuang was originally from the Wu Kingdom. Zhang Xiu lured him here with a lot of money, specifically for shipbuilding.
There is also a shipbuilding craftsman Huang Xin. Huang Xin was also from the state of Wu. He once built a large bridge for the state of Wu. He was an elite talent in shipbuilding and bridge building. He was also hired by Zhang Xiu at a high price.
In this way, the entire shipyard gathered top talents from all aspects in the late Han Dynasty to pool wisdom for Dajing's sea-going ships and promote the navigation and shipbuilding technology of the late Han Dynasty.
