Li Dayin fulfilled his promise and completed the acquisition of the fleet in one month. Eight Fu ships with a cost of 500 yuan and two Guangzhou ships with a cost of 300 yuan. These ten large ships will form the main force of the Jimingguan inspection fleet.
In addition, there are twelve small and medium-sized ships with materials ranging from 200 to 100 materials, costing a total of 69,000 taels.
Zhao Ran couldn't help but marvel at Li Dayin's work efficiency. To be honest, if it were him, he would have to complete the acquisition of so many ships in a month, and he would feel unable to start. You know, this is the first month!
These ships are now berthed in the civilian shipyard of Longjiang Shipyard - Xinjiangkou Shipyard is building container ships, warships, and patrol ships in batches, and there is no slipway to modify them.
The shipyard's craftsmen and the equipped shipyard monks and sailors are busy busy repairing and replacing the damaged plates on the ship, cleaning the cabin, inspecting the cables, and applying paint.
After these tasks are completed, equipment needs to be installed, including the Soul Gathering Talisman Stand, the French Crossbow Heavy Cannon, etc. All of this equipment has been pulled from the warehouse of the Fifth Army Camp to the slipway.
Because the acquired ships are of different types, they need to be planned and arranged separately. A 500-material ship is equipped with two to three French crossbow heavy cannons, a water dance dragon, and a large deck area, plus a fire dragon cannon. Three
The two sea-going ships of Bailiu can each place a French crossbow heavy cannon one behind the other. Smaller ships can only place one on the bow.
A rigid sailboat is a square sail. While it has the advantages of being easy to maneuver, saving manpower, and easy to repair, it also has various disadvantages. For example, it is a square sail, and the layout of gun positions is much less than that of a longitudinal sail.
However, all sailing ships sailing on the East China Sea are hard sailing ships, so there is no big problem. Such armament is actually quite strong.
The situation at sea was more severe than last year, so Zhao Ran simply borrowed ships from the navy. With Lu Xixing's endorsement, Jimingguan borrowed all the ships and navy from Songjiang Town through the Ministry of War.
Songjiang Town has three warships with 500 rations, and 38 ships with less than 200 rations. These ships can be prepared on the spot in Songjiang, and they can wait for Yingtian's ships to complete their armament before sailing over to join them.
By then, the Crimson View Inspection Fleet will have eleven sea-going ships worth 500 tons, two sea-going ships with 300 tons, and fifty small and medium-sized ships with less than 200 tons. Although a fleet of this size is still far less than the Island Owners Alliance,
, but it can still be fought. At least it should be possible to protect the Yangtze River Estuary.
In mid-February, the ship was ready, and 150 monks and 2,600 sailors and sergeants were stationed at the Longjiang Shipyard, ready to board the ship at any time.
But until the night before departure, the lights in the cockcrow viewing hall were still bright, and the joint parties had still not decided who would be the commander-in-chief of the inspection fleet.
According to Zhao Ran, fundamentally speaking, the changes in the situation in the East China Sea were caused by him. If he did not want to fight for control of this sea for Daomen, he would not have triggered the establishment of the Island Owners Alliance. This matter should be
Let him finish it.
But others don't think so.
Zhao Zhixing first objected. His reason was: "Yingtian needs Abbot Zhao to preside over it." He listed the items currently being carried out, including the construction of the Yingtian Yangtze River Bridge, the reform of the clan's title and salary system, and the large-scale construction of the latest ships in the inspection fleet.
The issuance of small-denomination banknotes, the sermons of Wenchang Temple, and then loudly shouted: "Without Abbot Zhao, which one can still function normally?"
Zhao Ran was about to express his position and tell everyone that the world can function normally without anyone else, but he just said: "Can..."
Zhao Zhixing blocked him back fiercely, and Zhao Zhixing said categorically: "No!"
At the same time, Li Dayin and Lu Xixing both expressed serious agreement with Zhao Zhixing's speech and responded with warm applause, leaving Zhao Ran stunned for a moment.
It was Lu Yuanyuan who finally made the final cut. She found a very unserious reason for Zhao Ran in such a serious meeting, proving that Zhao Ran was indeed not a suitable candidate for the commander-in-chief of the fleet: "Abbot Zhao has been married for less than half a year, and he has no children.
, it’s not appropriate to lead the army on an expedition like this.”
Such a reason actually resonated with all parties present, which surprised Zhao Ran.
Next came the competition for the position of commander-in-chief, but such a "fight for power" scene moved Zhao Ran very much. Everyone knew that the Island Owners Alliance had a large number of ships and was fighting at sea all year round, so its advantage was extremely obvious.
Being willing to stand up at this moment is definitely not to fight for power and credit. This is really fighting with your head in your belt.
The most intense fight was between Lu Xixing and Li Dayin. The two had already started clapping the table, with their hands on the table and their noses almost touching, glaring at each other.
"I am the envoy of Chaotian Palace!"
"You've never been on a ship!"
"Our Chaotian Palace is the Beijing branch of Leixiao Pavilion!"
"You've never been on a ship!"
"This is a naval battle, a war! We at Leixiao Pavilion specialize in this!"
"You've never been on a ship!"
"I am a refiner, and my cultivation is deeper than yours, so I have a better chance of survival!"
"You've never been on a ship!"
"You should have a training ball game!"
"You've never been on a ship!"
…
Later, Li Dayin said a few words. He said: "Everyone, just two years ago, our Sanmao Pavilion was still in a prosperous situation. My ancestor was a great Celestial Master of the Taoist Sect, and my teacher was a sitting Celestial Master of the True Master Hall.
, I was very high-spirited at that time, and felt that nothing in the world was difficult for me, Li Dayin! But what about now? What my master has done, the common people don’t know, the ordinary monks don’t know, but you all know it.
My teacher is so depressed because of this, and I don’t know if there is still a chance to cheer up. All the people in San Mao Hall are stooping..."
At this point, Li Dayin almost choked up: "Just let me go. I know the situation is not good, I know there are many difficulties, but at least this is an opportunity to atone for Sanmaoguan, and this is also an opportunity to prove that I, Li Dayin,
It is also an opportunity for me, a disciple of Sanmaoguan, to straighten up. For this day, I, Li Dayin, have never missed a day of training. I remember the names of all the students. During the sea trial exercise, I never cried out in pain!
Here, I solemnly implore you all to give me this opportunity and give San Mao Guan a chance!"
Listening to his plea, Lu Xixing slowly sat down, and Tang Yaozu, Wei Chaozong and others stopped talking.
After a moment of silence, Zhao Ran said: "When it comes to taking a ship out to sea, no one here can claim to be better than Lao Li. Let's vote. If you agree with Lao Li as the commander-in-chief of the inspection fleet, please raise your hands!"
Everyone raised their hands, including Li Dayin himself.
The fleet set sail in the middle of the night. Zhao Ran and others watched the fleet sail into the night. Li Dayin waved to Zhao Ran and others from the last seagoing ship and finally got into the mist on the river.
After a long time, Zhao Ran turned around and said to Lu Xixing beside him: "We will go to Chaohu tomorrow."