Different from the Western sailing ships that came from the east, a huge cargo ship slowly sailed into the river mouth port from east to west, and headed for the anchorage under the command of the guide ship.
Of course, apart from its direction, what is more conspicuous about this ship is its huge hull, cruising past like a great beast. Even the local indigenous people knew that this was a treasure ship from the Han Empire.
The design with very oriental characteristics, the grand layout, the three-story pavilion, the spacious deck, the horizontal and vertical sails have been stowed, but several masts are still erected high into the sky, and the large oars are protruding from the hull. , stirring slowly, driving the boat forward.
In the process of the Han people's expansion into the sea, the Han's ship civilization also spread to every corner where the Han people set foot, completely refreshing the foreign barbarians' understanding of the Han.
The Han treasure ship is the most prominent symbol. The Han Dynasty's ship was really too big, and it often gave off a majestic aura that looked down on the world. Dahan's boat is not just a boat, it is more like a work of art.
Decades of development, as well as the craze for going to sea from the government to the private sector, have made great progress in Dahan's shipbuilding technology. More and more ships are being built, and they are getting bigger and bigger, especially seagoing ships.
The treasure ship entering Hekou Port at this time was named Haifeng. It was thirty-seven feet long and fifteen feet wide. It was built by the Runzhou Shipyard in Jiangnan. During the more than 20 years of unification, the shipbuilding industry of Han Dynasty developed vigorously, and several large factories with advanced technology and complete equipment appeared. Runzhou Shipyard was one of the best, especially good at building large ships.
In the past, it has been responsible for providing ships to the navy. Later, it gradually opened up and began to build civilian ships, focusing on sea-going ships. The Haifeng was specially designed and is also the largest sea-going ship sold to the outside world, with a price of 20,000 guan a piece.
This is not the pinnacle work of Runzhou Shipyard. It is said that two years ago, the shipyard had built a larger treasure ship, a super treasure ship that was 45 feet long and 18 feet wide, with a load of more than 70,000 stone. . Of course, this kind of important weapon of a big country is currently only in service in the military or for official use.
However, to be able to own such a second-class treasure ship like this, in addition to strong financial resources, there are also status requirements, and ordinary people are not qualified to buy it.
The docks on the river bank were filled with various sailboats, and the Haifeng was obviously the most eye-catching. Whether it was the coolies loading and unloading the cargo or the sailors resting on the boat, they couldn't help but stare at it with shock on their faces. .
They have seen many big ships of the Han Dynasty, but this is the first time for them to be so big. In terms of size, they are bigger than those warships of the Nanyang Fleet. After crossing several river bends, the Haifeng entered a relatively empty pier. The pier was newly built and there was enough room. Otherwise, with the size of the Haifeng, it would have been a problem to berth on the shore.
I have already experienced this while traveling south. Most of the ports along the way are too narrow to accommodate and cannot be docked at all. Whether it is loading and unloading goods, transferring materials, or loading and unloading people, all of them need to be carried out by barges.
Fortunately, the conditions on Liangping Island are slightly better, but they are still limited and can barely meet the requirements for docking. This is just one ship. If there are several more ships, I'm afraid it won't be able to carry it.
As the Haifeng slowly docked, its figure became clearer. The hull was very new, and the traces of wind and waves were more like medals of polishing. After dropping the anchor and getting off the board, there were already coolies waiting, with their eyes widened and their necks straightened, just waiting to work.
Perhaps because it was too shocking, they didn’t even need to be whipped by the supervisor. Everyone was very enthusiastic and wanted to board the ship to experience such a majestic treasure ship in person.
The owner of the Haifeng is named Zhang Yinian, who is the nephew of Hailing Marquis Zhang Yanqing. He once served in the South China Sea Fleet and participated in the operation to recapture Liuqiu, but later retired due to injury.
Under the influence of his family, after he recovered from his injuries, he also devoted himself to sea trade and started running ships in Southeast Asia. With his family's power and connections, he made a lot of wealth relatively easily.
Three years ago, after the news of the sale of treasure ships from Runzhou Shipyard came out, he happily returned to Jiangnan and paid a visit. He knew very well about the treasure ships produced by Runzhou and was also very coveted.
I didn't have the opportunity to own one in the past, but when the opportunity came, I just grabbed it and ordered two ships. At Runzhou Shipyard, facing a customer with a background like Zhang Yinian, there was no reason to refuse, and the cooperation went smoothly. After receiving the deposit, construction was arranged.
Two ships cost 40,000 guan, but most people in the world would be hard-pressed to earn it even if they didn't eat or drink for three lifetimes. Of course, for Zhang Yinian, it was not a small amount of money, but he was very decisive when he paid for it without blinking an eye.
Zhang Yinian himself has calculated the full load capacity of more than 40,000 stones. After taking into account various costs, he can basically make back his money by running on the Nanyang route for two years. Moreover, owning such a treasure ship is a kind of status, status and wealth in itself. As a symbol, you can earn both face and face.
As the Haifeng's first trip to Nanyang, Zhang Yinian also had the rare opportunity to follow the ship in person. After docking, we stepped on the cockpit to get off the boat and looked down at the scene in the estuary port.
The prosperous port was somewhat quiet due to the arrival of the Haifeng. Zhang Yinian couldn't help but enjoy the envy and awe in the eyes of all kinds of people.
Loading and unloading were done by his own men. Zhang Yinian was obviously a little tired after running the boat all the way. Liangping Island was the end of the trip, so he planned to go ashore to rest.
Similarly, he also has a mansion property on the island. Liangping Island is considered to be the territory of the Guo family, and within the navy, the Guo and Zhang families have quite a struggle, but they can still maintain pace in Nanyang affairs. Zhang Yinian was engaged in maritime trade, and there were many places where he needed to communicate with Guo.
In addition to the merchants, sailors, and coolies who were attracted by the Haifeng, even the officials at the dock couldn't help but look askance. The tax collector, who always likes to play tricks and wait for the merchants, also moves to the dock to join in the fun.
On Liangping Island, no matter which merchant ship it is, after berthing at the dock, the first thing to do is to report to the tax office at the dock and pay the management fee and commercial tax. There is no exception. Those who hold the purse strings have great power, and the tax collectors naturally have a high status.
However, he obviously knew Zhang Yinian, so he still had to give him some face, and greeted him with a smile: "I wonder who it is that makes such a big deal, it turns out to be Zhang Daguan! When this treasure ship comes, the entire Liangping County will be shaken. !”
"I don't dare!" Although he didn't like this little tax collector very much, Zhang Yinian still smiled and responded: "I don't know whether Liangping Island will be shaken or not, but in the future there will be more and more treasure ships going south. This If the river is not dredged and the wharf is not expanded, I’m afraid it will be unbearable!”
When the tax collector heard this, he said: "The official has hit the mark. The county government has already planned to build a new pier in the southern harbor, which will be able to accommodate even the largest ships!"
"Oh?" Zhang Yinian immediately became interested and said with emotion: "This Liangping County Yamen is quite foresighted!"
"This ship of goods is all shipped from China. I have already told my subordinates to cooperate fully with the tax matters!" Zhang Yinian said to the tax collector.
"Thank you, Mr. Zhang!" the tax collector thanked. Looking at the huge warehouse visible to the naked eye and the scene of preparations for unloading, he couldn't help but envy: "The water is so deep, I wonder what goods the official has brought this time? "
Zhang Yinian said calmly: "It's just some silk, ironware, ceramics, cotton cloth, and some artemisia annua powder."
Silk and porcelain were the main commodities of the Han Dynasty's foreign trade, with a large trading volume, but they were ordinary because they were common. But this Artemisia annua powder is different. In the Nanyang region, the most common disease is malaria. If you get it, your life is often in danger.
Artemisia annua powder is a newly developed medicine in China. It has miraculous effects in relieving heat and reducing heat stress. Since its research, it has been said to be a miracle medicine that can cure all diseases.
Because the output is not large, it is an aristocratic drug. The supply is still in short supply at home, let alone overseas. On Liangping Island, the price is absolutely gold, and Zhang Yinian was able to get a batch of Artemisia annua powder.
It is conceivable that he will make a lot of money again.
"As expected of Zhang Daguan," the tax collector also had some knowledge and couldn't help but sigh. At the same time, I was secretly happy that this cargo would be able to collect a lot of tax money.
