Chapter 427: The Qi King’s Flag

Dengzhou.

After learning that all the galleons built this year had been launched, Xiao Ming informed Yue Yun to head to Dengzhou.

Throughout the year, Yue Yun and the navy soldiers had undergone various training exercises. One month ago, they practiced operating warships in Dengzhou. Afterwards, they returned to Bowen Academy for naval theory training, selecting the best among them to become captains of the upcoming galleons.

After departing Qingzhou and sailing continuously for three days, they arrived at Dengzhou city.

Along the way, Yue Yun was busy conducting simulated naval battles with the fourteen captains he had selected.

They placed small models of galleons on the deck—fifteen representing Qingzhou’s warships, twelve representing the Dutch’s—constantly changing tactics and formations to counter each other.

These formations were all from the textbook “Sail Warship Naval Tactics”, which Xiao Ming wrote to prevent the navy from suffering heavy losses due to tactical ignorance in its early days.

For the past year, Yue Yun had been diligently studying this textbook. It gave him a clear understanding of sail warship encounters at sea. After experiencing setbacks against the British fleet, he became cautious rather than arrogant.

“Your Highness, we have arrived,”

Zhang Kun said as the naval port of Dengzhou came into view.

Xiao Ming nodded and looked at the newly completed naval port. In the bay, fifteen warships were moored, including three smaller ones—clearly the first batch of galleons. Now repaired, these three had regained their former appearance.

Then Xiao Ming’s gaze moved to the outermost part of the bay, where a massive four-deck warship was docked. When a merchant ship passed its side, this warship resembled a giant beast, forcing everyone to look up in awe.

“Your Highness, this is a first-class sail warship. It is seventy-five meters long, twenty meters wide, with a nine-meter draft and a displacement of six thousand tons. It can carry 1,200 soldiers and mount 120 cannons,”

Zhang Kun introduced proudly. This proved the level of shipbuilding skill in the Zhang family. If not for building this giant beast, they could have produced even more third-class sail warships this year.

After all, the shipyard’s plan was to build mainly third-class sail warships.

The merchant ship continued toward the dock. Next were three second-class warships—three-deckers, slightly smaller than the first-class ship.

Behind them were four third-class and four fourth-class sail warships, all moored in the bay, forming a grand and magnificent scene.

Xiao Ming was deeply moved.

“Your Highness, these are second-class warships, carrying nine hundred and sixty crew…” Zhang Kun babbled on.

Yue Yun excitedly said, “Your Highness, even in terms of scale, these warships surpass the Dutch. Also, the Dutch have many scattered colonies and divided forces. If we defeat them, they simply won’t be able to support each other.”

“Exactly. Once we defeat the Dutch, this East Asian sea will be ours. Yue Yun, you must fight a brilliant battle for me. Whether Qingzhou’s trade routes open depends on you,” Xiao Ming said.

Yue Yun gritted his teeth. “I won’t let Your Highness down. The Dutch and the Wokou have always been close. I’m also waiting to take revenge on the Wokou for my mother.”

“As you wish,” Xiao Ming smiled faintly.

When the merchant ship bearing the Qi King’s flag entered the bay, it immediately caught Zhang Liang’s attention. The shipbuilders led by Zhang Liang were all waiting at the shore for the ship to dock.

Watching the ship approach, Xiao Ming felt a sense of accomplishment. This bay was a deepwater port even by modern standards. That was why he chose the shipyard here—to make this the naval port of Qingzhou.

When the merchant ship docked, Xiao Ming disembarked. Zhang Liang and his group immediately bowed.

“No need for formalities. The warship launchers are all heroes. I have instructed Chief Historian Pang to restore your Qingzhou household registrations. From now on, your status as slaves is lifted. This should fulfill my promise,”

Xiao Ming said.

“Your Highness…” Zhang Liang suddenly looked up, and Zhang Kun’s face showed surprise.

Although over the past two years they had eaten and lived well like ordinary people, the label of slave had always shackled them, reminding them they were inferior.

After two years, they finally awaited this day.

“Thank you, Your Highness!” Zhang Liang wept with gratitude. The Zhang family had undergone many hardships. Now they were slowly reclaiming their former glory.

“Your words carry great weight, Your Highness. I deeply respect you,” Zhang Kun said calmly with a sly smile.

Xiao Ming shook his head. “Today is a day to celebrate, not to weep. Let’s admire these warships.”

Zhang Liang wiped his tears. “This way, Your Highness.”

The dock stretched three hundred meters from shore into the sea, with warships moored on both sides.

Accompanied by Xiao Ming, Zhang Liang first went to the first-class sail warship, excitedly saying, “Your Highness, this warship is ready to sail anytime, but the naming requires Your Highness’s decree.”

In the age of sail warships, first-class sails were typically reserved for decisive battles. These ships were too clumsy to accompany fleets on long cruises, unlike the agile third-class sail warships.

However, in terms of firepower, the first-class sail warship was truly formidable.

After a moment’s thought, Xiao Ming said, “Then this warship shall be named the Qi King.”

“Qi King!” Yue Yun laughed. “What a good name! Under Your Highness’s name, this warship will be invincible!”

Yue Yun’s words were exactly what Xiao Ming hoped to hear, and he smiled softly.

Fourteen warships remained unnamed. Suddenly inspired, Xiao Ming said, “Name the rest after the cities of the fief. The six prefectures, plus the sixteen Yan and Yun prefectures.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Zhang Liang recorded the names.

Then, everyone climbed the giant warship via the rope ladder hanging down.

Boarding the warship, Yue Yun and the students immediately excitedly rushed to various parts of the ship, eager to set sail.

“Your Highness, this warship is only missing its cannons. When will they arrive?” Yue Yun asked.

Xiao Ming pondered, “I have already notified the military workshop. The cannons and ammunition are now being loaded at Qingzhou dock. They will arrive soon.”

As they spoke, a group arrived at the dock — it was Yang Chengye, governor of Dengzhou, and commander Ye Qingyun.

TN: Wokou which translates to “Japanese pirates”, were pirates who raided the coastlines of China and Korea from the 13th century to the 17th century