At Longyamen Port, ship repair work is in full swing.
Due to the lack of dedicated docks and large wooden cranes and other equipment, the maintenance work was very difficult.
Zhang Yanling adopted the suggestions of the craftsmen who came with him and took advantage of the high tide difference here to build dozens of tire frames. Under the combined force of the two warships, the materials and artillery in the ship were also moved
After all the heavy objects were emptied, a large ship was reluctantly dragged onto the tire frame. The low tide was used to carry out repairs.
And, even so, only one ship can be repaired at a time. To prevent enemy attacks at any time, other ships need to be patrolling the sea on alert.
Zhang Yanling calculated that if this progress was followed, it would take three months to repair the three seriously damaged armored warships.
Fortunately, the Kunpeng's three large ships have a large capacity, and the supplies they carry are enough for the fleet to consume for several months. There is no need to worry about supplies for the time being. However, it is not an option to continue to consume like this.
Zhang Yanling has not thought of any good countermeasures for the time being. At present, he can only try his best to repair the damaged ships. For the rest, he can only take one step at a time. If this fails, he can only send the Yansui, which has lost most of its combat capabilities.
Returned to Nanjing Longjiang Bao Shipyard for repairs, and asked Xu Gao to quickly start building two armored warships to supplement combat capabilities.
But such a torment will take at least half a year. Just thinking about these things makes people really anxious.
On the beach after the tide receded, the muddy water was up to her waist. Zhang Yanling, covered in muddy water, was standing in the waist-deep water with dozens of craftsmen and soldiers, holding up a huge keel.
After more than 20 days of repairs, the Star is nearing completion. The broken cabin section of the bow has been rebuilt. After the keels are installed one by one, the warehouse can be sealed and covered with a fine iron skin. Of course, it cannot be compared with what it was before the damage.
Yes, but that’s all it can do for now.
In another three or four days, the Star will be able to take off its tire frame. Once the artillery supplies are loaded onto the ship again, it will once again be a complete warship capable of fighting.
"Everyone, please work harder, this keel is the last one. After it is installed, let's go have a drink. I have ordered people to set up a banquet to celebrate." Zhang Yanling loudly encouraged everyone.
In fact, during this period of time, the Duke of Guo personally participated in the repair work. He was not afraid of being dirty or tired, which was very inspiring to everyone. When they heard that there was wine to drink, everyone became happy. After so many days at sea, I have never tasted wine.
taste.
"Your Majesty, why are you so merciful and let us drink? Isn't alcohol prohibited in the army?" The old craftsman who was banging on the bow with a hammer asked with a half-joking smile.
"You won't forget, today is the New Year's Eve. It's the New Year. How can we celebrate without drinking?" Zhang Yanling said loudly.
"Ah?" Many people were shocked. During this time, they were sailing and fighting, and in this southern land, there was no ice or snow and it was not cold, so we didn't know the day at all. Unexpectedly, it was already the New Year.
Counting the days, it was indeed the case. Everyone was quite moved.
"It's been more than three months since we went to sea. It's already the Chinese New Year. Tsk, tsk, tsk, it's such a chaotic life. I'm afraid every house in the Ming Dynasty will be decorated with lights and firecrackers."
"Yes, my little daughter must be running around in new clothes and tied with colorful ropes. In previous years, I would carry her on my back to attend temple fairs and buy her candy figures to eat, but I can't do that this year."
Several soldiers and craftsmen sighed. Their words quickly aroused everyone's homesickness, and everyone's hearts flew back to their homes, to their parents, wives and children.
Chen Shiyi frowned and said: "What are you doing? What are you doing? Are you all homesick? You have wives, children and parents, don't you, the Duke of Guo? The Duke of Guo could have stayed at home and enjoyed happiness, but instead he came to Nanyang, thousands of miles away.
, for what? Standing in this muddy water working with everyone, for what? Nothing
Come out, what we are doing now is just so that everyone in Ming Dynasty can spend the New Year peacefully and happily. In the future, we can eat more candy snacks and wear better clothes. Look at each of you. Who are you?
If he wants to go home, I will immediately give him a boat and let him go home."
Everyone rolled their eyes and was speechless.
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Brother Chen, we miss our loved ones even more during the festive season. It is human nature to feel homesick. We are all flesh and blood, how can we not have this feeling? But you said it well, we are just for our loved ones.
They have traveled thousands of miles across the ocean to come here just so that they can live more peacefully and happily.
Happy. We are not alone. Although our hearts are thousands of miles apart, we are together. Everyone, remember that we are separated today just to meet each other in the future. On the day when relatives, friends, husband, father and son meet again,
We will be even happier because we have experienced the pain of separation before we know the sweetness of reunion."
Everyone shouted one after another: "The Duke is still able to speak. What he said is very true and speaks to our hearts."
Zhang Yanling was also very touched. Naturally, he also missed his family and friends. At this moment, he became emotional, so he smiled and said: "I remembered a song, why don't I teach it to you and let's sing it together. Firstly, it will celebrate the New Year, and secondly, it will also relieve the pain."
Clear your mind."
"Okay!" Everyone applauded.
A soldier shouted: "What song did the Lord teach us to sing?"
Zhang Yanling said: "This song is called the Light of Friendship. But it's not just friendship, all emotions are in it. My voice is not good, so you can just listen to it. If you think it's good, then follow along and let's sing together."
Everyone nodded and listened attentively. Zhang Yanling coughed and sang: "How many confidants are there in this world, and how many friendships can last forever. Today I say goodbye and I shake hands with you, my friendship will always be in our hearts."
Even if we say goodbye today, we will definitely get together again. Even if we can't meet, we will always be friends. It is said that there are thousands of miles of mountains separating two places. We don't need to meet, and we know in our hearts that friendship cannot be changed."
This song was catchy, passionate and melodious, with open-minded and sincere lyrics. Everyone quickly learned it and started singing along loudly.
"There are only a few close friends in this world, and how much love can last forever. Today I say goodbye and I shake hands with you, but my love is always in our hearts. Today is a temporary farewell. We will definitely be able to get together again, even if we can't meet each other.
We have always been lovers. It is said that there are thousands of miles of mountains separating two places. We don’t need to meet, but we know it in our hearts. Our feelings cannot be changed."
Zhang Yanling changed friendship into love, which can still touch people's hearts and arouse resonance.
A group of people sang at the top of their lungs, injecting their longing for their relatives, friends, and lovers into the song, and letting it go as much as they wanted. The mood became more and more cheerful.
In the evening, dozens of banquet tables were set up in the temporary military camp on the dock and on various warships, and each table had a jar of good wine brought on board the ship from the Ming Dynasty. The women taken in by the supply ship began to have dinner in the early morning
Dishes were prepared, including not only the supplies on the ship, but also some local seasonal vegetables, seafood, fish and shrimp, etc. The banquet was also extremely sumptuous.
Zhang Yanling was not afraid of waste and ordered dozens of cannons to be fired as a New Year's salute. Afterwards, everyone sat down at the table, pushed cups and changed cups, and drank as much as they liked.
Zhang Yanling was very drunk and was helped by Changshun to rest in the tent. He fell on the bed and fell asleep.
In her sleep, Zhang Yanling returned to the Duke's Mansion in the capital, reunited with her wives and concubines, holding a son in one hand and smiling from ear to ear. While she was enjoying herself, she was suddenly woken up by someone in a hurry.
"Master, Master, wake up, wake up, something happened." Chen Shiyi's voice sounded from the bedside.
Zhang Yanling woke up with a start, sat up and asked confusedly: "What's the matter?"
"Brothers on the night watch have caught a spy, it's Fo Langji." Chen Shiyi said hurriedly.
Zhang Yanling frowned and said: "What's all the fuss about? It's just a little trick. After you interrogate him, that's it. Are you here to wake me up?"
Chen Shiyi smiled bitterly and said: "No, it's not an ordinary craftsman, it's that... that foreign girl."
"What foreign girl?" Zhang Yanling said confusedly, the happiness in the dream still remained in his mind, and he was very depressed after being disturbed.
"That's the foreign girl who the Duke used to burn down the French warship that day. The beautiful foreign girl who lives in the big castle on the hill at the port of Manlajia." Chen Shiyi said hurriedly.
"Ah?" Zhang Yanling stood up in a hurry and said in surprise: "She? That Helena? How did she become a craftsman? Hua Mulan joined the army in place of her father? Did she bring people to fight with us?"
"No, she was the only one, and she was injured. She came from nowhere on a horse. When she was found by our people outside the port, she was unconscious on the horse. Brothers, let me know. I will go
After taking a look, I recognized her, so I came to report to the Lord." Chen Shi said.
Zhang Yanling stood up and put on her shoes, and said in a deep voice: "Where is it? I'll go and take a look. Something must have happened. Helena is the daughter of the enemy leader, why did she come to us? Isn't this looking for death? There must be something.
Weird."
"It's just outside the tent. I ordered people to carry her in." Chen Shiyi said hurriedly.