Chapter 53 The conflict between Yin and Yang
He Xi was stunned and said, "Are they waiting outside? What if there is a storm?"
Zhang He said indifferently, "Don't worry, Brother He, the reason why we are transporting this batch of grain now is because there are relatively few storms. Besides, there are sandbanks outside that are sheltered from the wind. There will be no problem."
He Xi said; "How many ships are there in the shipping fleet?"
Zhang He said, "I don't know much about this. I have about a hundred ships on hand, and I transport them twice a year. In fact, there are also some ships in Huai'an, which are responsible for transporting grain from Huai'an to the north. The specific number is not clear. .”
He Xi knew that the so-called Huai'an side was the famous Qingjiangpu Shipyard in later generations. It is the largest official shipyard in the Ming Dynasty after Longjiang Shipyard. They are still responsible for shipping. The ships they built go out to sea from the mouth of the Yellow River.
However, now the Yellow River takes over the Huaihe River. The outlet of the Yellow River is also the outlet of the Huaihe River.
Later, the canal was built and the entire shipyard was converted into a water transport shipyard. Responsible for the construction of water transport vessels.
He Xi doesn't care about that. Asked: “How long will this loading and unloading take?”
Zhang He said: "It depends on the situation. Usually ten days and a half."
He Xi frowned slightly inwardly. I thought to myself: "Many basic measures related to the ocean need to be built, not just lighthouses. Look at the piers, the tower cranes on the piers, etc. all need to be studied."
As far as He Xi knew, from the Yangtze River estuary to the north, the shortest time possible is just over ten days, if the winds and rivers are favorable.
It takes ten days and a half to load and unload once, not to mention occupying the dock during loading and unloading. Although Liujiagang is the largest port near the Yangtze River outlet. But his berths are also limited. Being able to stop dozens of ships is pretty good.
Not to mention some smaller piers.
Ningbo is the first shipping city of the Ming Dynasty. In fact, there is a reason. There are a large number of harbors near Ningbo that can provide shelter from storms, as well as many large and small ports. Can be used for berthing of boats. On the contrary, the situation here in Liujiagang is not good.
The problem is the sediment in the Yangtze River.
Even the Shanghai Port in later generations encountered the same problem, that is, the Yangtze River sediment gradually clogged the port. Outside Liujiagang, there are no large ports that can share the ships for Liujiagang. We can only let the loaded boats float outside.
As for the tower crane.
The tower crane of later generations that looks like a giant's arm cannot be built even if He Xi is killed. But some simple mechanical devices may not be able to do so. At least it saves manpower and avoids being parked at the dock for so long, occupying berths and wasting time.
When He Xi was trading with Nanyang before, he transported silk, porcelain, and other light goods. So I didn't pay attention to this aspect. Now that food is being transported, many problems have been exposed.
He Xi understood one thing more and more.
That's why it was later converted into a canal. Because the Chinese have been involved in river transportation for thousands of years and have already formed a complete system. But for shipping, after all, the time is relatively short, and preparations are not perfect in all aspects. At least it's much worse than the canal system.
It can even be said that it is not just a problem with the ship.
From ports, lighthouses that guide roads, astronomical knowledge and instruments for positioning in the ocean, water levels and channels in various places, etc.
This is a systematic project.
A lot of things are like this and look simple to a layman. But the more I study, the more I realize there are many problems. When this person truly becomes an expert, he feels that this thing is extremely complicated. If you continue to study and understand it, the support program will become simpler.
This is what is called, seeing mountains is still mountains, seeing water is water, seeing mountains is not mountains, seeing water is not water, seeing mountains is still mountains, seeing water is still water.
He Xicong felt that sea transportation instead of canals was a ready-made technology. Now I slowly feel that it is very complicated. This is the second level.
It's just that He Xi doesn't want to study it any more.
The reason is simple. He Xi is responsible for too many things. It was impossible for him to study everything thoroughly. At this moment, he wished he could travel back six hundred years and go to Dalian Maritime University to hold a job fair. Come to think of it, anyone who joins a job is given a pair of girlfriends. There must be someone willing to come.
However, He Xi could only think about it. Talent, available talent, is always scarce.
Zhang He didn't know that He Xi thought of so many things in a short time. He explained to He Xi at this moment: "Actually, shipping is not difficult. Generally speaking, on the sea, you can't use semaphore to command too many ships. They are all ten ships in one line. Anyone can be the grain officer. Although together, We set off, but we do so in separate steps. We just have to look after us before and after."
"You will be with me when we go north this time. Don't worry, nothing will happen."
He Xi said: "Is there anything worth noting at sea?"
Zhang He said, "Actually, it's not a taboo, but brother He, you are absolutely not allowed to bring women on board. Even if you are, you must not have sex, otherwise Mazu will be unhappy."
He Xi was stunned and said, "I have only heard that women are not allowed to be brought on board the ship. Women are yin objects. If they are put on the ship, they will be summoned by the same kind. When the yin energy gathers and the yin and yang interact, it will cause a storm. I have not heard that Yes, you can’t have sex?”
Zhang He clapped his hands and applauded, as if he was afraid that He Xi would not understand. He clapped his hands several times and said, "Yin and Yang are in conflict -------"
He Xi was stunned for a moment after hearing this. Then he burst into laughter.
Likes attract each other, which is an important concept in the Yin and Yang theory of ancient Chinese Feng Shui. It means that things with the same nature naturally tend to converge. If a place has heavy yin energy, then the surrounding yin energy will gather in this place. Similarly, if a place has strong Yang Qi, then Yang Qi will also converge to this place. In traditional Chinese medicine, generally there are internal symptoms before wind evil is introduced externally. The same is true.
As for things like storms, there are very fierce confrontations in nature. It is generally considered to be the product of Yin and Yang disorders, or mutual attacks.
Of course, general meteorological problems are caused by the intersection of hot and cold air. From this perspective, it may not be wrong.
But many things, beyond their own nature, tend to be superstitious. For example, women are yin, and the bottom of the sea is also yin. So Yin and Yin merged, and the ship sank. Now what Zhang He said, the yin and yang are in conflict with each other, almost causing the yin and yang in nature to be in conflict with each other. It brought the storm.
This made He Xi dumbfounded.
If it were a dirty joke, He Xi would also smile knowingly. Many interactions between adults begin with dirty jokes. As in ancient times and today, ancient people would only have more fun than modern people, especially the Ming Dynasty. Can you imagine that a large number of Ming Dynasty ministers were seriously discussing erotic pictures?
This is what happened.
But He Xi heard it as a joke, but Zhang He said it seriously, and even thought it was reasonable. But He Xi couldn't laugh anymore.
He Xi was not so anxious and insisted on doing something on the boat. But look at the Minister in charge of shipping, he looks like this. He Xi had only one sentence in his heart: "It is urgent to popularize scientific knowledge and combat feudal superstition."
But He Xi couldn't say anything to Zhang He. Because He Xi knew that it was impossible for him to convince Zhang He. Even if Zhang He approved it. It also recognizes He Xi's status, rather than what He Xi said. After all, he is fifty years old. It is almost impossible to change your mind.
He Xi could only smile awkwardly. Said: "I understand, don't worry. I didn't bring a woman with me when I came out this time. Naturally, I can't do such a thing."
Zhang He said: "Yes, you can bring a few male servants."
He Xi didn't react at first, but then he figured it out. Male favors in the Ming Dynasty, no, it should be said that male favors in ancient China were also very popular. Both men and women are yang. There is no such thing as yin and yang. But He Xi felt even more uncomfortable.
However, this was not the time to argue. He Xi coughed, ended the topic, and asked: "How many days will it take to unload the boat and head north?"
Zhang He also sensed that He Xi seemed a little dissatisfied, so he stopped talking and replied: "In about two or three days, either the day after tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, the things here will be finished. We can sail north. "
