After the negotiation, in the afternoon, Liu Fan invited well-known figures from all walks of life in Jiaozhou to be present, and the two parties exchanged documents and formally signed the agreement under the witness of everyone. In the evening, Liu Fan set up a banquet in the garrison mansion and held a celebration banquet.

The next day, Liu Fan personally took Jia Xiuli and other Portuguese envoys to Qingdao to inspect the environment, at this time Qingdao was still a small fishing village with little reputation, because of its proximity to Jiaozhou Bay, most of the villagers in the village made a living from fishing, and the economy was not developed, and it could not be compared with later generations.

Standing on the seaside outside Lower Qingdao Village, looking at the beautiful scenery in the distance of Jiaozhou Bay, Liu Fan's Jia Xiuli and others asked, "Mr. Jia Xiuji, what do you think of this place?" Is there a prospect for discovery? ’

Jia Xiuli pondered for a while, and then said, "In terms of geographical environment, this place is a rare deep-water port, and it is backed by Shandong, with the market of the imperial army, and what is even more rare is that this seaport does not freeze all year round, which is very suitable for shipping. The place recommended by the Shogun is very good, and I can even foresee the prosperity of this harbor in the future! ‘

Liu Fan laughed when he heard this, "Yes, this is exactly what I thought." In the future, Qingdao, Shandong will become the largest commercial port in the north of Daming under the construction of our two sides. ‘’

Jia Xiuli nodded in agreement and said, "What the General said is true, and I also admire your desperation, I believe that with the support of the General, Qingdao will definitely become one of the most prosperous seaports in the Far East, and the prestige of the General will also be widely spread!" ‘’

Liu Fan turned around and said, "Then I'll borrow your auspicious words."

After inspecting Qingdao, he returned to the Shihe Garrison Mansion, and Liu Fan convened all the high-level officials in Jiaozhou, announced the order, and mobilized manpower and material resources to start large-scale construction. In the afternoon, Liu Fan came to the arsenal, found his senior brother Sun Yuanhua and asked, "Senior brother! The Portuguese handed over our technology to our arsenal

Is the plant useful? ‘’

Sun Yuanhua asked and said with a wry smile: "The production process of these Westerners is not the same as the production process of our Ming Dynasty. ‘’

Liu Fan's face was a little ugly, ''So what should I do?'' It's not true, they deviate from us, and we rub ~'

Sun Yuanhua pondered for a while, "Isn't it so deceitful!" Maybe they know these things! At this point, the method has changed! We can only pinch our noses and admit it! I'm trying my best to take the study rub! ‘

Liu Fan nodded helplessly, 'Okay! That's all there is to it! Senior brother, I want to expand the arsenal a little! Build a few more blast furnaces to expand production! If the raw materials are not enough, they will buy, and the people will not be enough to recruit! Try to double the size of the arsenal in these two months! In the future, if the shipyard is built! That required artillery would be a terrifying number! Alas! We are so far behind the West! We have to catch up! ‘

Sun Yuanhua also sighed: 'Yes! We're too far behind! A non-influential force like Portugal, which doesn't even have a state, is so strong! Not to mention those European hegemons! “

Liu Fan thought about it for a moment and said, "Senior brother! With the current strength of our arsenal, how long will it take to forge a ship's 32-pounder cannon? ”

Sun Yuanhua thought for a moment and replied, "At least half a year!" This 32-pounder cannon has not even been cast by me! Although there is technology, it is not possible to cast it successfully in a while! It's best to have a physical reference! ”

"Hmmm! I'm going to check which ships to hand over today, and I'll send someone to unload a few cannons and send them to you when the time comes!" The arsenal is related to our future, we must pay attention to it! Now it is different from the past, with the introduction of a large number of new technologies, the arsenal will become our key protection object in the future, and 500 people will be transferred from the army to strengthen the defense of the arsenal in a while. And those Western craftsmen, you must keep a close watch! No one can enter or leave the arsenal without your warrant! Even our craftsmen of the Ming Dynasty must abide by it. Recently, I will arrange for people to build some residential areas in the factory area near the arsenal, and I will move the families of those craftsmen here one after another! In addition, senior brother, you have to find a way to get it out of the hands of those Westerners, after all, we are still our own people who can be relied on! So be it! Those Western technicians each gave them four or five apprentices, trying to squeeze their value out as soon as possible! As the importance of the arsenal became more and more prominent, Liu Fan also made some adjustments to the arsenal.

After bidding farewell to Sun Yuanhua, in the afternoon, Liu Fan directly led people to the dock outside Shihe City to participate in the handover ceremony of the fleet. At the invitation of Jia Xiuli, Menezes and others, Liu Fan boarded the sister ship "St. Mary" of the "St. Martin" and personally presided over the handover ceremony. As the red and green national flag of Portugal fell, the dragon flag representing the Ming Dynasty was raised, officially announcing that this third-class battleline battleship belonged to Liu Fan. Coupled with the purchase of several merchant ships and small warships, Liu Fan can form a good ocean-going fleet. From now on, you can plug in the lucrative maritime trade and give wings to the development of Jiaozhou!

After the handover ceremony, Jia Xiuli shook hands with Liu Fan and said, "Congratulations to the general, on owning your own fleet!" The task of our trip is basically completed! It's time for us to return to Macao and report to the Governor!" Shogun! It's time to say goodbye! ”

Liu Fan was a little surprised: "Are you going to leave now?" I'm in a hurry! You've helped me so much, and I want to thank you a lot! Why don't you stay a few more days! May I do a little bit of the friendship of the landlords? And our tariffs and trade scope have not yet been discussed! It's too much of a rush to go! ”

Jia Xiuli smiled bitterly and said, "General! We have to go! It's been almost half a year since I started Macau! Now that the situation in Macao is tense, the Dutch are aggressive, and without our fleet, Macao's coastal defense strength has been greatly reduced, and the Governor General is afraid that he will be impatient for a long time! We have to go back! ”

After a pause, Jassili continued, "And we need to report the contents of the agreement to the Governor!" All kinds of personnel and materials needed by the Shogun must also be approved by the local king and the prime minister! It takes a long time! That's why I'm calling back! We take this agreement very seriously! I also want to implement the agreement earlier! ”

Liu Fan nodded and said, "Hmm! What you say also makes sense! In that case, I won't keep you! It's a long way to go! And it's not safe on the road! Be careful! “

Jia Xiuli said with a grateful face: "Thank you, General, for your concern!" Rest assured, I will urge the Governor and the country as soon as possible! I'm sure we'll see you again soon! (To be continued.) )