mainland!
Zhu Zhanji was very excited and wanted to set foot on it earlier.
But Zhu Di didn't allow it. The fleet had to go north along the coastline, and the process couldn't be too fast.
Dozens of lookouts were placed on each ship to take turns to look out. Even Zhu Neng, Luo Guanying and others also picked up telescopes to observe from time to time.
The Wuyi ship must have successfully landed, so that someone could cross the ocean and reach Dingyuan Province.
Judging from the sailing direction and ocean currents of the Wuyi fleet, it did not land in South America. It is likely that it misjudged its direction or encountered an accident, entered North America, and landed somewhere.
If you have landed there, there will definitely be traces of the landing, such as treasure ships, fortune ships, camps, traces of fireworks, artifacts belonging to the Ming Dynasty, and traces of human activities.
However, day after day passed, and there was still no trace of the Wuyi fleet.
The people who had been drifting on the sea for eight months were eager to go ashore to rest, but the navy's strong will and Zhu Di's majesty made all complaints hide in the dark.
June 3rd.
Zhu Di ordered the anchor to be dropped and summoned the captain for discussion.
Zhu Neng, Luo Guanying, Wang Jinghong, Zhao Shiyu and others landed on Zhu Di's flagship by boat.
After some etiquette, Zhu Di said to everyone on the deck: "From the sea areas we have sailed through these days, and combined with the detailed maps given by the emperor, we can roughly judge that we should be near Norfolk at this time. If we continue to move towards To the north, we can see a long and narrow natural harbor, which means we have found Dongping City."
"You also know that in addition to the sergeants, I am also bringing with me their families and a group of common people. They are eager to land as soon as possible, and this desire is getting stronger and stronger. Even if I ask someone to explain the situation, I can't It’s hard to stop the crowd. The people’s support must not be lost. My fleet can no longer continue heading north.”
Zhu Neng and Luo Guanying looked at each other.
Wang Jinghong stood up and spoke for Zhu Di: "King Yan also wanted to continue sailing with the navy to help find the Wuyi fleet. However, many people on the ship had been nesting for too long, and the navigation was uncomfortable, which made it difficult to control. And once It’s impossible to get them ashore and let them return to the cabin in a short time..."
Zhu Neng waved his hand and said seriously: "It is the navy's duty to search for the Wuyi fleet. Once King Yan arrives at Riyue Port, the navy will continue sailing after rectification. King Yan can bring people ashore and search for it early. The most important thing is to find a suitable resettlement place and a place to live.”
Zhu Di nodded heavily: "That's all we can do now."
After making up their mind, the fleet continued north. There were obviously many more river mouths here, and small islands began to appear. Zhu Di and Zhu Neng arranged for people to conduct surveys, combined with the map, and found the waterway heading north between the two banks.
"Anchor and prepare to go ashore!"
Zhu Di stood on the deck, looking at the shore not far away, frowning.
Undoubtedly, this is a natural port, with a peninsula blocking it to the east, which can provide natural protection. Once the outlet is blocked, the safety of Riyue Port can be guaranteed. If Dongping City encounters a crisis, it can be easily evacuated from the port to the sea. .
The location is great!
But, how did Zhu Yunwen know about this place?
Zhu Di couldn't figure it out. Zhu Yunwen seemed to know the topography here very well and knew this wild area very well. He could even point out places suitable for human habitation on the map.
It's as if this place was no longer a wild place, but a prosperous place.
It was as if Zhu Yunwen knew the history here and had been here before.
Each unsolved mystery is more frightening than the unknown of this wild world. Zhu Yunwen, my fourth uncle always feels that you can see everything. That kind of transcendent insight and foresight is disturbing.
"Grandpa, hurry up."
Zhu Zhanji couldn't wait.
The treasure ship cannot dock directly on the shore. It needs to use a small boat to detect the water depth and ensure safety before approaching to avoid stranding. Fortunately, there is a shore where the water is deep enough to dock. Although it is still three or four feet away from the shore, it is very convenient. In the future, we only need to build yards near here
head, the ship can berth smoothly.
Taking the boat ashore, Zhu Di felt a little dazed when he stepped on the solid ground.
The long voyage is finally over.
And this end means the beginning of the construction of Yan State.
Together, Zhu Zhanji and Tang Saier planted the flagpole of the Sun and Moon Flag on the shore. They smiled at each other and walked to the dock to greet the people on the boat to come down.
The sergeants first went ashore to gather, and then in groups of a hundred people, they conducted a carpet-like exploration within five miles of the surrounding area. The remaining sergeants began to call the craftsmen, picked up axes to chop down trees, and prepared to build a camp.
In order to facilitate the transportation of supplies from the treasure ships, Zhu Di ordered all the boats to be connected together and paved with roads. Because this is not a battlefield, there is no need to worry about who will light a fire and burn everything down...
Zhu Neng and Luo Guanying also sent sergeants ashore to help Zhu Di search the surrounding areas. After completing the construction of the outer camps, they led the sergeants to continue heading north.
Zhu Di brought thirty treasure ships, but among these treasure ships, the emperor only promised to keep four for Zhu Di, and the navy had to take away the other treasure ships.
According to the agreement, Zhu Neng, Luo Guanying, Zheng He, and Shen Wei's fleet first launched a coastal and ashore search for a period of six to ten months after arriving in the Americas.
Regardless of whether there are any results and discoveries, we need to go south in March of the 14th year of Jianwen, to a place called Panama, and ignite the converging smoke pillars from there. The east-west sailing meeting should be completed by June of the 14th year at the latest to verify the round earth theory. At the same time, they took the sergeants through Panama and handed over each other's ships. Zheng He and Shen Wei took away Zhu Neng and Luo Guanying's ships, including Zhu Di's. That batch of treasure ships, Zhu Neng and Luo Guanying will enter the Pacific and return to the Ming Dynasty from the Pacific.
When Zhu Neng and Luo Guanying left, they saw black smoke pillars starting to rise from Riyue Harbor. This was Zhu Di's summons.
Western North America.
Zheng He watched the thick plume of smoke billowing into the sky, and ordered his people to leave the sun and moon flags behind, and set up a wooden sign that read, "The navy is here to pick you up, stay here, we will come back."
Wan Qinglin's eyes were full of sadness, and Mao Zhoutai and others couldn't help sighing.
No trace of them could be found.
There is no trace of human life on the shore.
"Keep heading north!"
Zheng He ordered.
Every hundred miles, someone would be sent to light a smoke column.
Zheng He, Mao Zhoutai and others believed that if the people of Wuyi really came here, they would definitely appear on the sea. With limited manpower, it is unlikely that they would go deep into the mountains and forests. The sea would allow them to Survive.
If so, it must be on the beach or somewhere not far from the sea.
As long as the smoke column is set off, they will definitely be able to see it.
Find it bit by bit.
The fleet headed north and moved forward slowly. In addition, it could not sail at night so as not to miss the observation of the shore, which made the search even longer.
As the days passed, the hope of finding became increasingly slim.
Zheng He changed from single clothes to autumn clothes and then to cotton-padded clothes.
Night, on shore.
Zheng He looked at the bonfire in front of him, and a trace of uncertainty appeared on his originally determined face.
We have searched along the coast of South America, we have also searched along the long coastline of Panama, and we should have searched about half of the coast of North America.
Along the way, there was no sign of the Wuyi fleet, not even a trace.
Zheng He warmed his hands and said to Mao Zhoutai: "Bring me the map."
Mao Zhoutai handed the chart to Zheng He and sighed: "According to the Guozijian's speculation, the Wuyi Fleet probably found a suitable place on the west coast of America, built a new Dafu ship and then went to sea. But we are going all the way. Come on, let alone see the dock, there are no traces of felling."
Zheng He stared at the map with a solemn expression: "In order to ensure that there were no omissions, we only traveled fifty miles per day at most, so we were careful. But we still found no traces, which means they did not appear in the coastal areas we passed. We need to continue To the north."
Mao Zhoutai added more firewood: "If we continue going north, I'm afraid we will have to reach the sea near Seattle.
Domain. If it is not there yet, it is no longer the boundary of the Yan Kingdom to the north, and the farther north it becomes, the more bitter and cold it becomes. "
Zheng He put away the map and said seriously: "There is no boundary here. We need to search all the way north and keep searching until the agreed time arrives!"
Mao Zhoutai understands that giving up is impossible.
It is impossible for the navy to abandon its brothers and ignore them, but the long search has not seen any hope, which is really painful.
"ah--"
A shout suddenly tore through the silence.
Countless birds soared into the sky.
Mao Zhoutai stood up suddenly, grabbed the steel knife on the side and guarded Zheng He. The surrounding soldiers were under martial law.
There were hurried footsteps on the treasure ship. The portholes were pulled up, and the barrel of the divine machine cannon was clearly visible. The Eight Ox Crossbow had begun to be cocked. On the deck, sergeants were on guard with blazing guns.
Shen Wei stood on the treasure ship and shouted sternly: "Highest alert!"
Zheng He stood up, lifted the bucket on the side, put out the fire, and said to Mao Zhoutai: "About three miles to the northeast, our outpost should be in danger. Chai Datian, Lu Zhanggong, you each bring two hundred people. After groping from the ground, Mao Zhoutai ordered the navy to raise the hot air balloon."
"yes!"
As a time-tested naval force, it has extremely strong discipline and execution, and knows how to prepare for unexpected situations.
Soon, Chai Datian and Lu Zhanggong counted the number of people, brought their equipment, lit torches and groped toward the northeast.
Zheng He raised his head and looked at the night sky. The originally bright moon began to be obscured by dark clouds at this moment.
The cry came again.
Mao Zhoutai stepped forward and said to Zheng He, "This is not a scream."
Zheng He nodded and stared in the northeast direction.
As a sentry arrow exploded in the air, Zheng He, Mao Zhoutai and others felt relieved. Not long after, Chai Datian and Lu Zhanggong led their people to withdraw, with a stammering voice, even saying that it was unfavorable. The navy sergeant asked for help.
"He is a subordinate of Wan Qinglin, a man of hundreds of families."
Mao Zhoutai recognized it.
Zheng He walked over, looked at You Yun majestically, and said sternly: "Steady your mind, tell me what you saw?"
"A long python skin..."
As soon as You Yun opened his mouth, Mao Zhoutai, Lu Zhanggong and others were immediately discouraged. Unexpectedly, You Yun then added half a sentence: "Yes, yes - tribute."
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