Chapter 426: Warship Launch

The weather was gradually turning cold, and the chilling wind sent shivers down one’s spine.

Shrugging his neck, Qin Chengming cupped his hands and said, “Thank you for Your Highness’s kindness. However, before departing, His Majesty ordered me to return promptly to report. I dare not delay, so I won’t stay longer in Qingzhou.”

“Is that so? What a pity,” Xiao Ming said.

He actually hoped Qin Chengming could bring some of Qingzhou’s unique traits back to Chang’an to attract wealthy and carefree people to spend money here. But it seemed there would be no chance this time.

Qin Rui also felt reluctant; after all, he was traveling alone far from home.

The court fleet arrived in the morning and planned to return by afternoon. Xiao Ming took Qin Chengming to Wei Family Restaurant for lunch. By afternoon, he returned to the dock, leaving Qin Rui and Xiao Ming staring at each other.

“Qin Rui, since you will serve as an official in Qingzhou, from now on we are lord and subject. Never again should you be frivolous like before. You must assist me in developing this fief.”

After a moment’s thought, Xiao Ming said this to Qin Rui.

He knew Qin Rui well — smart, but previously careless. That was fine when they were just having fun, but to achieve greatness, he had to warn him a little.

“Your Highness worries too much. I now have a family and am no longer reckless like in my youth,” Qin Rui said calmly.

He had to admit his father’s timing was right. Bringing him to Qingzhou was a strategic choice. Many wise officials at court were making similar decisions, only more decisively.

Since Xiao Wenxuan demoted the Second Prince to Bazhou for Xiao Ming’s sake, many instantly understood Xiao Ming’s current standing in court.

Those close to Xiao Ming all wanted to send their children to Qingzhou, both to show loyalty and because once in Qingzhou, they were effectively hostages.

Second, it warned political opponents that even if they died, others would avenge them — a silent threat.

“That’s wonderful. Then, you’ll first study at Bowen Academy for a while and learn the duties of the Lesser Treasury Supervisor. If you pass, I will arrange for you to work there in Qingzhou,” Xiao Ming said.

Qin Rui nodded. As Xiao Ming said, their relationship was now lord and subject, not just friends drinking and eating. Since it was Xiao Ming’s arrangement, he was willing to accept.

But just as Xiao Ming was about to arrange his accommodation, Qin Rui said, “Your Highness, the food and wine at Wei Family Restaurant are excellent. I’d like to stay there for a few days.”

Xiao Ming was about to say something but stopped himself. “Are you sure? Even the cheapest room there costs a hundred taels a night.”

“A hundred taels!” Qin Rui was shocked. After a brief hesitation, he said, “Your Highness, I have some savings. Since I’m here in Qingzhou, it would be a pity not to enjoy myself a little.”

Xiao Ming shook his head and said, “It’s up to you. If you pay me, I won’t refuse.”

“Is Wei Family Restaurant yours, Your Highness?” Qin Rui was stunned.

Unable to resist its attraction, Qin Rui went there like a moth to a flame. Xiao Ming could only laugh and cry at the same time, returning alone to the manor. He had intended to let him stay at the manor a few days, but now it was saved.

This also showed just how attractive Wei Family Restaurant was to the wealthy who were used to luxury.

At the manor gate, Xiao Ming saw someone waiting outside. Upon closer look, it was Zhang Liang’s son, Zhang Kun.

Zhang Kun saw Xiao Ming and bowed, “Your Highness, my father asked me to rush to Qingzhou overnight to report that the Dengzhou shipyard’s warships have been launched.”

“All launched?” Xiao Ming exclaimed.

“Yes, Your Highness. All have launched. This year, we finished your assigned task one month ahead of last year,” Zhang Kun said happily.

“Truly a double blessing! The court’s shipyard craftsmen just arrived, and now the galleons have launched. You can use the freed-up month to build new shipyards,” Xiao Ming said excitedly.

Zhang Kun’s expression changed. He asked, “Your Highness, did the court bring craftsmen?”

Zhang Liang and his son had been in Dengzhou, so they lacked information on Qingzhou. Zhang Kun was told about the arrival of thirty thousand craftsmen.

“Thirty thousand?” Zhang Kun was a little stunned, then asked, “Your Highness, may I serve as supervisor of one of the shipyards?”

“You?” Xiao Ming suddenly realized something was wrong. Usually, messengers brought news, but this time it came from Zhang Kun himself.

Zhang Kun scratched his head awkwardly and said, “Yes, Your Highness. My father and I can no longer work in the same shipyard.”

“Why?” Xiao Ming asked.

Zhang Kun sighed, “Your Highness, I proposed adding watertight compartments to the galleons, but my father scolded me harshly, saying I was ignorant and liked to make reckless changes.”

“Watertight compartments?” Xiao Ming laughed.

Watertight compartments were basically bulkheads dividing the ship into separate sealed compartments — usually 13 or 8 in number.

Such compartments greatly enhanced a ship’s resistance to sinking. Ships equipped with watertight compartments were very hard to sink.

Zhang Kun smiled awkwardly, “Your Highness, perhaps I was just dreaming too wildly.”

“Your idea isn’t bad, but the keel structure of galleons differs from ordinary merchant ships. Watertight compartments are not suitable for galleons,” Xiao Ming smiled.

Zhang Kun looked disappointed. “Looks like my father was right. I really am ignorant.”

Patting Zhang Kun’s shoulder, Xiao Ming said, “Not knowing is nothing shameful. You’re still young, this is the time to learn. Would you like to study shipbuilding at Bowen Academy? They have real shipbuilding knowledge there.”

Now that galleon building technology was mature, Xiao Ming was preparing talent for the next generation of ships. By then, a single blueprint would not be enough for craftsmen like Zhang Liang to simply copy ships.

“Shipbuilding knowledge?” Zhang Kun wanted to prove himself but realized he was wrong. Hope rose in his heart again. “Your Highness, if I learn it well, can I surpass my father?”

“Of course. If you master the knowledge in the academy, you will definitely be better than your father,” Xiao Ming said confidently.

Zhang Kun nodded firmly. “I am willing to learn.”

Xiao Ming said, “Then after I return from Dengzhou, you can report to the academy. With the warships launched, I will go to Dengzhou with Yue Yun and the naval academy students.”