After a period of greetings, the two officially entered the topic, Shi Mingzhi took out a thin document from his arms, handed it over, and said softly: "Your Majesty, this is the sea passage we have opened up, as the water area for foreign merchant ships to pass." www.biquge.info There are two sea routes into the coastal land, one directly to the east and to the Americas, and the other to the south, which is the sea area frequented by the west, which happens to connect the four major treaty ports. ”

Yang Lin was flipping through the documents, ten lines at a glance, and his reaction was extremely agile, after Shi Mingzhi paused, he didn't raise his head and said: "There are only two channels, no, it's too little." If it is in these two years, the two passages may still barely support enough for those merchant ships to pass. However, as the days went by, as the trade became more and more frequent, it did not work. ”

Shi Mingzhi also understood what Yang Lin said, as if he had guessed it a long time ago, and replied like a stream: "Your Majesty, since there are only four ports for trade, according to historical experience and statistics, these two sea lanes are enough to support two years. The reason why there are only two sea lanes is because, since ancient times, the southeast has been a place where pirates and foreigners have frequently committed crimes. ”

"Moreover, it coincides with the beginning of the founding of the imperial court, and all kinds of waste are waiting to be rebuilt, if those countries in the West get this news, there will inevitably be some tiger and wolf countries coveting the southeast and want to occupy some areas along the southeast coast."

As the content gradually deepened, listening to Shi Mingzhi's explanation, Yang Lin suddenly became stunned, and then said: "Well~ yes, if there are only two sea areas that can be navigated by merchant ships, it is equivalent to concentrating all merchant ships for easy management." Moreover, once an inexplicable ship appears in the forbidden sea, the navy's warships can directly sink it. ”

At this moment, Shi Mingzhi was excited, what he wanted during his trip to Beiping was Yang Lin's last sentence, which could sink the inexplicable ships that broke into the waters of the Great Guangchao, especially those equipped with weapons on them!

Yang Lin flipped through a piece of paper, saw the content behind it, his eyes lit up, and he said with a smile: "Hehe, this rule is good, all merchant ships that come and go must hand over the ammunition on it, keep their cannons and birds, and when they leave, they will be returned to them~!" ”

Yang Lin paused, nodded again and again, and said in appreciation: "Yes, yes, in this way, it not only considers that merchant ships must have weapons and ammunition at sea, so as to ensure that they are not plundered during the voyage, but also prevents them from making trouble in the trade area." With such a rule, those foreign businessmen have nothing to say. ”

At this moment, Shi Mingzhi had already put down his heart, knowing that the purpose of his trip had been achieved for the most part, looking at Yang Linpin reading the document, he seemed to think of something, and said: "Your Majesty, Thunder is a regular navy, and it is not good to inspect the passing merchant ships for a long time?" After all, Thunder is responsible for fighting against the enemy, and there should be special personnel to patrol and inspect such a passing inspection, right? ”

Speaking of this, Yang Lin paused his reading, looked up at Shi Mingzhi, smiled slightly, and said loudly: "Don't worry, this matter, Thunder won't do it for too long, it's just a temporary replacement, the coast guard is being formed, and when the scale is formed and the training is completed, you can replace your people." ”

After a pause, Shi Mingzhi didn't have time to be happy, Yang Lin turned to say: "Don't be happy too early, although the customs inspection is not yours, but you still have to cooperate with the coast guard's actions." If there is a merchant ship that does not follow the rules, forcibly breaks in, or forcibly leaves, it is still up to you Thunder Navy. ”

Shi Mingzhi nodded and responded: "Your Majesty, I understand this, no matter what, the Thunder is top-notch in terms of warship equipment and weaponry, with fast speed and powerful weapons, which is very suitable for chasing and encircling those foreigners' merchant ships." ”

As if thinking of something, Yang Lin suddenly asked: "Hey, by the way, how are the steam engine steamers of France, Joffrey of France, Xue Mington of the United Kingdom, and Fulton of the United States?" Can you prepare it into your thunder as a warship? ”

Shi Mingzhi's expression suddenly stagnated, and became a little unnatural, the emperor's investment in steam engine ships can be said to be very large, silver two is almost a quarter of the thunder military expenditure, more than a year has passed, and there has been no major progress.

"That, Your Majesty, the steam engine steamship is still in the research stage, and the current steamship is still short and extremely coal-intensive. If you equip three or four ships into the Thunder, those military expenses can barely support it. However, once you use it, it can't last long. Otherwise, the military expenses of other warships would have been spent on these steam engine ships. ”

Yang Lin thought about it, it was true, the steam engine steamship was still in the most primitive stage, and it still used a wooden structure. If the range is increased, it is necessary to make the hull very large. Even so, when it comes to the goods in full bloom, or the people who sit down, there are not many at all, and the cost is far from being recovered.

At this moment, Yang Lin couldn't help but think of the steel structure used by those navy warships before the crossing, and for a while, there was an impulse to tell Joffrey about this method and change the material structure of the steam engine steamer.

However, regardless of the problem of capital and manpower, the steel used in the hull alone cannot be produced in this era. Unless the power plant is successfully put into operation, the eddy current high-temperature smelting technology is mature to produce the corresponding steel required for ships.

Thinking of this, Yang Lin couldn't help but think of another problem, that is, the huge Guang Dynasty did not have a formal shipyard.

So, Yang Lin was a little excited, and said loudly: "If you let Joffrey and them bury their heads in research, it is equivalent to sitting on a mountain and eating nothing, only consumption, not benefits." It's not a way to go on like this. ”

"In this way, Brother Shi, after you go back, plan with Qi Zhiyuan, you will integrate all the shipyards in the entire Jiangnan and Southeast regions and set up an official large-scale shipyard, with three main purposes."

"First, the scale of the Thunder will definitely expand, and a large number of warships will be needed, and these warships must be manufactured by ourselves, which not only saves costs, but also makes it much more convenient."

"Second, there are many water systems in the south, and various lakes and rivers crisscross it, and boats are an indispensable thing. As long as the operation is done properly, the quality and quantity of the ships built will be guaranteed, and the profits will be certain. ”

"Finally, and most crucially, since ancient times, all dynasties have had skilled craftsmen and extremely high attainments in shipbuilding, most concentrated in the south. So, after you set up shipbuilding, you will collect more classics on shipbuilding, and in the process of operation, you will refer to ancient shipbuilding techniques, and I think if Joffrey hears such a suggestion, they will be very excited and happy to be an engineer in the shipyard. ”

Shi Mingzhi woke up from the first stunned state and suddenly understood Yang Lin's true intentions. The reason for the establishment of the shipyard is to get out the steamship of the steam engine and equip it with the navy to improve the overall combat effectiveness of the Thunder!

This thought was fleeting, perhaps because of the idea of the official standard, Shi Mingzhi did not really want to be the person in charge of the shipyard. After all, in ancient times, although merchants were rich, they were not high-status professions and were disdained by people.

Therefore, Shi Mingzhi's interest was not high, but since the emperor had issued an edict, he could only accept it and responded calmly: "Yes, the emperor." However, Your Majesty, what should the shipyard be called? Where is the location? ”

As if he didn't see Shi Mingzhi's indifferent expression, or didn't care about other people's opinions at all, Yang Lin was very happy, smiled slightly, thought of an extremely loud name, and said loudly: "It's called Jiangnan Shipyard, and the site is in Shanghai!" ”

Although Shi Mingzhi didn't know why it was called Jiangnan Shipyard, he understood why the site was chosen in Shanghai? Because it is located in the center of the four major treaty ports, it is convenient to repair the merchant ships that come and go, and you can earn a lot of silver taels.

"Yes, Your Majesty, after returning to Guangzhou, Commander Qi and I began to prepare for this matter."

Shi Mingzhi agreed, and suddenly thought of Wu Bingjian, and was very happy to see Yang Lin, the atmosphere was good, and it was the best time to say Wu Bingjian's affairs. So, he straightened his posture and asked sincerely: "Your Majesty, Wu Bingjian, a merchant in Guangzhou, wants to see you, I wonder if you can meet him?" ”