The next morning, Zhang Yanling led Chen Shiyi and dozens of personal guards to the Longjiang Shipyard.
Longjiang Shipyard is located on the outskirts of Xicheng, Nanjing. It borders the Yangtze River to the west and the Qinhuai River to the east. It was originally a wilderness and tidal flat with twigs and reeds. During the Hongwu period, it was turned into a shipbuilding factory because it was adjacent to the Yangtze River waterway. But its
It was during the Yongle period that it truly became famous and prosperous.
As we all know, most of the ships used by Zheng He in his voyages to the Western Ocean were built by the Longjiang Shipyard. It is said that Zheng He's fleet of voyages to the Western Ocean consisted of more than a hundred ships of various types, and he was accompanied by nearly 20,000 people.
It can be seen that this is such a huge fleet and such huge ships. It took three years just to build so many ships.
I think back then, the Longjiang Bao Shipyard was crowded with thousands of shipbuilders working here. The scene was so spectacular.
It's a pity that after Yongle, as the sea ban policy became more and more strict, and as the Ming Dynasty's national power gradually declined, the Bao Shipyard gradually declined. In addition to building some inland water transport vessels, some small fishing boats, and even some dragon boat boats
Apart from colorful ships, they never built any large sea-going ships.
Generation after generation, until now, when Zhang Yanling arrived at the Bao Shipyard, he saw a scene full of weeds, dilapidated buildings, overgrown with wild trees, and empty houses.
At first glance, you can see that there is no place where treasure ships were built. There are some houses standing in a wilderness. Some boatmen who stick to this place occasionally build and repair some ships for fishermen on the Yangtze River and brothels on the Qinhuai River, barely making a living.
That's all.
Under a tall but dark archway eroded by wind and rain, Xu Gao and dozens of old shipbuilding craftsmen stood under the archway to greet them.
"I'm waiting for you to bow to the Lord Protector!" Everyone knelt down and saluted, talking in a variety of voices. The words were mixed with some accents from other places. Because many of these people were hired with huge sums of money from the shipyards in Guangdong and Fujian.
.All these people are leaders in local shipbuilding skills.
The reason why these people are willing to come from Guangdong and Fujian is not only because of the irresistible reward, but also because someone is willing to ask them to build a big ship. Just like a glutton seeing delicious food and an alcoholic seeing clear and good wine, these people
A person with shipbuilding skills
After learning about the imperial court's grand plan to build a treasure ship and go to sea, they were all excited. In fact, in many of their hearts, it was their dream and passion to build a big ship, regardless of the reward. This time, even if the reward was not high, they would
Will come here.
Zhang Yanling hurriedly dismounted from his horse and helped me, and said with a smile: "You guys are so disrespectful, you're going to offend me."
Everyone walked along the overgrown road to a large yard in the factory area. This was the previous house, which was dilapidated. Although it had been repaired, it was still in very bad condition. The rows of houses were all dilapidated, I'm afraid
It is also difficult to withstand the wind and cold.
"You guys live in a place like this? Father-in-law, you should entertain these distinguished guests from afar. At least you should have a good place to live." Zhang Yanling said while looking at the surrounding environment.
Xu Gao smiled and said: "It's not that I don't want to, it's just that it will cost a lot of money to clean up this place. When I think about the hundreds of thousands of taels of silver you mentioned to build a big ship, I don't dare to make arbitrary decisions."
Zhang Yanling smiled bitterly and said: "People come first. If these old craftsmen live in a place like this, if they get cold and sick, it will be a big loss. Make sure you arrange the people in advance before thinking about other things. How about money? Don't ask for it."
Worrying, that’s my business.”
Xu Gao was used to being thrifty. The Xishan Arsenal was spending money like water, but there was no profit. This time he heard that the court could not give out a tael of silver, and Zhang Yanling had to use his own money to build ships. Xu Gao was worried that Zhang Yanling did not have enough financial resources, so many things were not done.
Dare to be good at what you do and don't dare to spend your money carelessly.
"The Duke of Guo does not need to take such care of us old guys. We are all very tough. It is only proper to keep money to build ships. We people have no ambitions and are not afraid of hardship. As long as we can build big ships, we will be satisfied.
"All the craftsmen said one after another.
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Don't worry, everyone, the ship must be built. Once the construction starts, we will never stop. The business of building sea-going ships will be very busy. It is not just a matter of a few ships, but dozens of them.
We cannot make do with hundreds or even thousands of ships. We must sharpen our swords before chopping firewood, and the preliminary preparations must be in place.”
Everyone was very excited. After the Lord Protector said this, everyone felt calm.
Xu Gao said: "Would you like to take a look at the ship models that you and I have discussed over the past few months? We have built models, and there are six types of ship models, which are placed in the shed at the back. Let's go and have a look?
Discuss and discuss?”
Zhang Yanling waved his hand and said: "Let's not read it today. The environment here is so bad and the facilities are so old. How can we build ships? If this treasure shipyard wants to operate again, it must first prepare the facilities. There are many roads and a large number of factories and houses.
To build it, the ground must be leveled and repaired to facilitate the transportation of materials in and out. It must be repaired before construction can begin.”
Everyone looked at each other, they were all waiting for Mr. Hou to decide on the model of the ship. I heard that Mr. Hou himself was very anxious, but he didn't even look at the model they had worked so hard to build. It was the result of months of discussion and quarreling.
"By the way, I forgot to tell you that this treasure shipyard used to belong to the Water Department of the Ministry of Industry, but the imperial court has allowed it to be placed under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Shipping Department, so we can make the decision on everything. I have several appointments here
Status. It’s me
Appointed in the name of the Municipal Shipping Department. Xu Gao was appointed as the promotion officer of the Bao Shipyard, and Wang Qinian was appointed as the supervisor of the Bao Shipyard. Ma Zhongshi was appointed as the head of the joinery workshop, Li Laoba was the head of the paint workshop, and Zhao Sihai was appointed as the twisting workshop.
The chief…”
Zhang Yanling took out the letter of appointment and read out their names one after another. The division of labor in this shipyard is extremely strict and meticulous. In addition to the shipyard's promotion and supervision, there are seven or eight various workshops. What about iron workshops, canopy workshops, etc.
There must be someone in charge of the rope workshop, cable workshop and material shop.
These appointments are actually official positions. Although they are only official positions in the shipyard, they belong to the officials of the imperial court. Except for Wang Qinian, who was the original left-behind supervisor of the Bao Shipyard, the rest were appointed by these old craftsmen. And obviously Zhang Yanling
We have gotten to know them well, and their appointments are related to their areas of expertise.
Everyone was pleasantly surprised and came forward to thank him one after another. The hands that received the letter of appointment were trembling slightly. They had already become an official before they had done anything.
"As the same saying goes, the sharpening of the sword will make it easier to chop the firewood. The structure of the shipyard personnel must be established, and the rights and responsibilities must be made clear. In the future, things will be done with twice the result with half the effort. By the way, let's go outside for a walk. The shipyard... well... let's take a look.
Is the pond suitable for use? Wang Duzao, you are familiar with this place, please take us to have a look." Zhang Yanling said.
Wang Qinian responded repeatedly, and everyone went out one after another, heading west along the grassy path. In the distance, you could see alum moving on the Yangtze River in the distance, and tall masts standing tall. The shipyard has a unique terrain, right on the edge of the Yangtze River.
The so-called ponds are shipyards. When the Bao Shipyard was most prosperous, there were seven ponds, and seven large ships were built at the same time. But now, these ponds have become wild ponds, surrounded by reeds and residual lotus plants gathered on the water.
The surrounding pond embankments have collapsed.
All seven ponds have been visited, and only two are still in use, and they are only for people to repair ships.
The large wooden crane near the pond and the stone gate leading to the river mouth in front have been damaged. They are completely unusable.
"Wang Duzao, everyone, look at what a good terrain this place is. Facing the Yangtze River, the water is deep enough to build large ships. Facing the river center island, the water flow is swirling, calm and deep, making it easy for ships to launch. It is such a good place, no wonder it was built in the first place
Such a big treasure ship is here." Zhang Yanling admired.
Wang Qinian nodded and said: "Yes, I can't tell you the location of the Bao Shipyard. It's a pity that it is abandoned. The pond can no longer be used. What should we do?"
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "What should we do? Repair it. If the infrastructure is not good, how can we build ships? From now on, your task for the year ahead is to dredge and repair all the ponds, repair the embankments, and install water-isolating iron.
Gate.
Build wooden dragon cranes and horizontal cranes next to all ponds. At the same time, build workshops, build house walls, and repair roads. Within a few months, this place will have a completely new look. Only when these are done can we talk about specific shipbuilding. This is the first step.
step."
Everyone nodded, and Wang Qinian smacked his lips and said, "Duke Protector, I'm not trying to pour cold water on you. How much money and manpower will it cost for such a big project?"
Zhang Yanling said: "Don't worry about the money, are you worried about the lack of people? There are so many people in Nanjing. Let's recruit a thousand or eight hundred coolies to work first. The treatment will be favorable. After that, these people can participate in shipbuilding. There are many idle people, as long as
You are paid, but are you worried that no one will work? Xu Tiju, I will ask Youtang to send you one hundred thousand taels of silver later. With one hundred thousand taels of silver, it should not be a problem to complete the repair of the pond and the construction of the entire road, building, and workshop.
"
Everyone was stunned with shock. This move was one hundred thousand taels of silver, which was extremely generous. Their original worries were swept away.
Wang Qinian hurriedly smiled and said: "It will be easier if you have money. A strong laborer in Nanjing works for one hundred and fifty cents a day. He can't find a job yet. If the pay is increased, I'm afraid it will break the bank."
Zhang Yanling said: "Then I will give you 300 yuan a day. But those who are strong and hard-working must not be cheating or cheating. First, hire 800 people to work, and those who build houses, dig ponds and dredge water will be given an additional five hundred yuan as a subsidy.
Ten coins a day."
Wang Qinian was overjoyed and said: "Okay, okay, I'll do as I please."
The remuneration of ninety taels of silver a month is a high salary. Most people work hard for a month and only earn three to five taels of silver. This is really going to break the bank.
"Let's walk around again and take a look at the terrain. I'll draw a plan and bring it to you tomorrow, and we'll work according to the plan." Zhang Yanling waved her hand.
Everyone agreed loudly, and everyone was full of energy. Originally, everyone was still suspicious, but as soon as the Protector arrived, his resolute and generous actions immediately dispelled their doubts. They also realized that this was really what they wanted to do.