Hang Baiqiu said anxiously: "If you are still in the mood to talk about this, go out and have a look!"
Before he finished speaking, Hang Baiqiu ran out, and Chai Yan quickly followed.
It was very windy and rainy outside. As soon as Chai Yan walked along the side of the ship to the mast that was struck by lightning, his clothes got wet from the rain.
At this time, many people had gathered in front. Not only Du Shipguan and the Cangtou people had come over, but Ge Hong and Cheng Jiu also came after hearing the news.
Chai Yan looked up against the wind and rain and saw that one mast had been damaged by lightning, but it had not been completely disconnected. Instead, it had fallen backwards and pressed against the other mast.
Fortunately, the sailors had already furled the sails when the thunderstorm came, otherwise it would be bad if the mast suddenly collapsed while the sails were spread.
Hang Baiqiu, who came out one step before Chai Yan, had already found Du Shipguan, and immediately pointed to the mast and asked: "How is it?"
Du Shipguan's face was already full of rain. While he urged the Cangtou people to go up and deal with the broken mast, he loudly said to Hang Baiqiu: "Sir Hang, why are you out? It's too windy and rainy outside, it's too dangerous!"
Hang Baiqiu shook his head and said, "I'm fine. Please tell me what's going on."
When he said this, Chai Yan staggered up to the two of them and shouted: "Lao Du, is the boat important?"
Du Shipkeeper immediately said loudly: "Master Chai, Commander Hang, you don't have to worry too much. Our ship is big and has several masts in total. If one of the masts is broken, it will not affect the navigation, but we still have to think of a way to deal with it first."
Just take down the mast!"
Chai Yan glanced at the broken mast, and then shouted to Ge Hong standing in front: "Old Ge!"
Ge Hong looked back when he heard the voice, and then ran over in a hurry: "Sir, why are you out?"
Chai Yan didn't have time to answer this kind of question, so he immediately ordered: "Lao Ge, you guys should go over and help. Find a way to remove the broken mast so that it doesn't affect the navigation of the ship."
"Understood, sir!" Ge Hong agreed immediately, turned around and ran back to Cheng Jiu and others, beckoning them to come up and help.
Immediately afterwards, Guan Maochun and Wang Pu also came here. When Guan Maochun saw that his elder brother and the others were helping, he immediately ran over and joined them.
Wang Pu also wanted to go over and help, but unfortunately his body was too thin and weak. Just a few steps into the boat, he encountered a wave of wind and waves, which instantly knocked him off balance and hit him against the wooden planks of the cabin.
Chai Yan discovered Wang Pu in time, ran over to support him, and asked, "Are you okay?"
Wang Pu shook his head and said: "Thank you, sir. I'm fine. I'll go help you now..."
Chai Yan immediately stopped Wang Pu: "There's no need to go, there are enough people here, and more will only make the chaos worse."
"But sir, I can't do this and watch..."
Wang Pu didn't want to sit idly by and thought that since he was on the ship, he should step forward when something happened.
Chai Yan thought quickly and said to Wang Pu: "Let's go and prepare some dry handkerchiefs and hot water for everyone, so that they can be warm after everyone is done."
Wang Pu hesitated for a moment, nodded and said: "Okay, sir, I will go and prepare now."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Pu turned around and walked away.
Next, amidst the rolling thunder and torrential rain, the five Cangtou men and Ge Hong assisted each other and finally removed the broken and tilted mast.
At this moment, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and the five Ge Hong brothers also showed happy smiles.
Du Chuanguan raised his sleeves to wipe the rain from his face, then quickly returned to Chai Yan and said: "Master Chai, Commander Hang, everything is fine. You two should go in quickly and change your clothes. Don't catch a cold."
."
Chai Yan was not in a hurry to leave. He looked at the broken mast and asked: "Lao Du, can this broken mast be reconnected and continue to be used? In case of another heavy rain and thunderstorm, will it be unreliable?"
Du Ship Guan nodded and said: "Sir, for your safety, this broken mast can no longer be used and must be replaced! Kuiyang County is ahead of us. When we reach the shore, I will find someone immediately and find a way.
Replacing it with a new one will definitely not delay you for a long time."
"That's good." Chai Yan nodded.
---------------------------------------
After the heavy rain, the river surface returned to calm.
As soon as Chai Yan changed into dry clothes and walked out of the cabin, he saw Guan Maochun and Wang Pu walking over.
"Sir." "I have seen Master Chai."
The two immediately bowed with their hands in hand.
Chai Yan saw that they had something to say, so he asked, "What, is something wrong?"
Guan Maochun nodded immediately: "Sir, I just heard from the Cangtou people that the broken mast needs to be replaced with a new one in Kuiyang County. The uncle is from Kuiyang County and is very familiar with the situation in Kuiyang. Can he help us?
!”
"Really?" Chai Yan turned to look at Wang Pu.
Wang Pu immediately said: "Yes, Mr. Chai, I knew some people from the shipyard in the past and may be able to help a little."
Chai Yan said happily: "That's good, it saves Lao Du from running around like a headless fly."
Hearing Chai Yan say this, Guan Maochun's face was extremely happy.
Immediately afterwards, Chai Yan ordered: "Maochun, take Wang Pu to Lao Du later, explain the situation clearly, and contact the shipyard to change the mast, I will leave it to you!"
Guan Maochun grinned and said: "Sir, before we came here, we met Captain Du and told him about this. He asked us to report to you."
Chai Yan nodded, looked at Wang Pu again, and said solemnly: "Wang Pu, I know that helping you contact the shipyard will delay your time to go home. This is fine. When the matter is settled, I will find it for you.
A carriage to take you home."
Wang Pu was immediately flattered and hurriedly shook his head and waved his hands: "No need, sir. My house is not far from here. I can just walk back by myself. It will be quick..."
Chai Yan seemed not to have heard what Wang Pu said, and said to Guan Maochun: "This matter is left to you. Do you have any questions?"
"No, no, sir, don't worry, I'll take care of it!" Guan Maochun responded decisively.
Chai Yan smiled and patted Guan Maochun on the shoulder, then walked away.
Wang Pu hurriedly cupped his hands behind him and thanked him: "Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir."
After noon, the official ship finally docked at Kuiyang County Pier.
As soon as the boat stopped, Captain Du took two Cangtou, Guan Maochun, and Wang Pu off the boat together. The group of people hurriedly left the dock.
Chai Yan took the boat for several days in a row. After being away from the land for too long, he felt that his feet were almost rootless, so he also went ashore and walked aimlessly on the pier.
After a while, Hang Baiqiu also got off the boat. She strolled up to Chai Yan with her hands behind her back, pursed her lips towards a small tea stall not far away, and asked, "Would you like some tea?"
Chai Yan glanced at the tea stall and said seriously: "You treat me, and I'll go!"
"Hey, look at how stingy you are..." Hang Baiqiu pouted with his hands behind his back, then took a step forward and said loudly: "Let's go, I'm treating..."