The cost of a steam ship from the Tang dynasty was indeed much higher than that of an ordinary sailboat, but it was not too expensive. The simpler ones were at most two or three times the price of a sailboat. If it was more advanced, it would be more than ten times the price.
Since this technology was only mastered by the Tang dynasty, even the most simple and ordinary steam ship could be sold at a sky-high price. As long as the Tang dynasty was willing to sell it, there would be people willing to pay a lot of money to buy it. However, the production had not increased yet. The Tang dynasty had opened up America and Australia, so the demand was huge. There were no extra steam ships to sell to other countries. In addition, the overseas supporting facilities had not been formed yet, so maintenance and management would be troublesome. Just like how it was difficult to popularize cars, it would take some time for steam ships to be popularized. At least, it would not be popularized until the Maritime Silk Road was completed.
Good things were always liked by people. After seeing the steam ships of the Tang dynasty and learning about their powerful functions, the emperor and ministers of South Tianzhu were a little tempted. However, when they heard that the price was very high, they were a little disappointed. The economic conditions of South Tianzhu were not good. If the steam ships were really expensive, they really could not afford them. Besides, they did not use them often.
In addition to the steam power system, many of the settings on the steam ships of the Tang dynasty were very exquisite. They looked much more advanced than ordinary sailboats. As soon as they entered the cabin, they felt very comfortable.
"Your Majesty, many black smoke columns have been found on the sea."
A soldier walked into the cabin and reported.
When the official of the Tang dynasty heard this, he said happily, "It must be our Assistant Minister Li who has arrived with the main fleet. Let's go to the command platform and have a look!"
After that, he led everyone to the higher command platform. On the platform, there were many fixed telescopes and many mobile ones, which could be used to observe the surrounding situation better.
"There are indeed many smoke columns! These are the smoke columns from the steam ships, but why can't we see the steam ships? "
King Héraud asked curiously.
The official of the Tang dynasty replied, "Because they are too far away, naturally, we can't see them. There are telescopes here, so he can see them with them."
After that, he demonstrated in person and observed the smoke columns in the distance.
The binoculars were easy to use. King Héraud and the others quickly learned how to use them and used them to see the huge fleet in the distance.
However, because the Earth was round, they could only see part of the ship. Moreover, they could only see the upper part of the ship. They couldn't see the lower part of the ship.
"Aiya! Is this ship going to sink? Why can't we see the top half of the ship? The entire ship is buried in the water. Isn't this sinking? "
"Yes! These steamships are really amazing. They can actually operate at the bottom of the sea. Will they be able to float up later? "
"This boat is really good. It's fast and can even be driven underwater."
The ministers of South Tianzhu were all dumbfounded. They thought that the steam ship in the distance was moving in the water.
The official of the Tang dynasty laughed. He was laughing at these ignorant guys. After a pause, he said, "Don't worry, everyone. You'll see the whole hull in a while."
Sure enough, not long after, the steam-powered ships that seemed to be buried in the water all emerged. They looked majestic and spectacular, especially the towering pillars of smoke that gave people a very domineering feeling.
"That's not right! Why are there only fifty? More than half of them are missing! "
The official of the Tang dynasty looked carefully for a long time and felt that the number of steamships was not right. He clearly remembered that Ang Lee's main fleet had at least hundreds of various ships. How could there be only fifty left? Where did the rest of the steamships go?
"What? There are more steamships?"
King Héraud said in surprise. The large number of steamships in front of them was already spectacular. If the Tang dynasty had more steamships, how rich would they be? Was the Great Tang truly so powerful that they didn't even dare to imagine it?
"Yes, this is only a small part. There are more steamships, but I don't know why they didn't come together."
The official of the Tang dynasty said.
Héraud, King of South Tianzhu, said, "Let's get off the ship! Let's go to the dock and prepare to welcome the senior officials of the Tang dynasty. "
After that, he led the crowd off the ship and walked to the dock.
Because the Tang Dynasty fleet were all steamships, they moved very fast. Soon, the entire hull could be seen with the naked eye. This visual feeling was very spectacular.
Everyone in the port of Garigal in South Tianzhu looked at the sea in the distance. They had never seen such a spectacular scene. Many commoners propped their feet up so that they could see more clearly.
Among them, there were naturally many spies of the Lion Kingdom. They were ordered to pay close attention to the movements of the Tang Dynasty fleet in the port of Garigal, especially the movements of the Tang Dynasty fleet. As soon as the Tang Dynasty fleet arrived, they had to report the situation to King Kulam so that he could be informed immediately.
So many people were looking at the Tang Dynasty fleet, which made the soldiers of the Tang dynasty very proud. They could also see the crowd at the port. Ang Lee could even see the facial expressions of everyone with binoculars.
Peeping at others was something that Ang Lee liked to do because it was really interesting, especially when the other party was completely unaware.
"Assistant Minister Li, the King of South Tianzhu has come to welcome us in person."
His subordinate said happily.
Along the way, the King had always come to welcome them in person. However, most of the time, the King of South Tianzhu had come to the port. This etiquette was very appropriate and could completely show his respect to the Tang dynasty.
"This port is very big, but the location is not very good. The port in the south can control the strait. That's our goal."
Ang Lee said casually and did not continue his subordinate's words.
He was more concerned about how to take down the port in South Tianzhu and the port in the north of the Lion Kingdom. As for the etiquette in front of him, it was not very important.
Ang Lee did not ask his subordinate to ask the King of South Tianzhu to come to the port in person to welcome them. His subordinate also did not say that the King must go to the port in person. However, the King wanted to curry favor with the Tang dynasty. Since he was willing to come in person, there was no other way.
"How many spies of the Lion Kingdom do you think there are among the curious crowd?"
Ang Lee asked.
"Assistant Minister Li, there are not many spies. I think there are about ten of them."
His subordinate replied.
Ang Lee observed carefully for a long time and said, "There are far more than that. I saw more than twenty at a glance. There should be many more that I have not seen."
By observing the expressions of the people in the crowd, Ang Lee could tell who were the spies of the Lion Kingdom.
"Assistant Minister Li, the spies of the Lion Kingdom did not have any engravings on their faces. How did you find out?"
His subordinate asked.
Ang Lee replied, "This is very simple! You just have to see their expressions clearly. If ordinary people saw it, they would have a normal expression. If they were friendly to the Tang dynasty, they would have a happy expression. Only those who are afraid of the Tang dynasty would have a fearful expression. Those who are fearful should be the spies of the Lion Kingdom. However, it may not be accurate. I am just saying. "
"Assistant Minister Li is wise. I took a closer look and really found a few people with abnormal expressions. This is a good trick."
His subordinate said.
The port of Garigal was very big. As many trading ships would pass by, there were many berths. It was not a problem to dock fifty steamships.
"Woo woo woo …"
After the steamships entered the port, in order to prevent collisions, they made a loud warning sound to let the small boats around them move away quickly.
"Dock immediately."
Following the order, Ang Lee's steamship took the lead to enter the port. The following steamships followed suit and occupied a large berth in the port of Garigal.
"Assistant Minister Li, Xiao Wang has been waiting for a long time. Welcome to our little South Tianzhu. We welcome you very much."
King Héraud's attitude was extremely respectful. He almost knelt down in front of Ang Lee.
"Haha! Greetings, Your Highness. We are just passing by. Sorry to disturb you. "
Ang Lee replied with a smile.
"Assistant Minister Li, we have long heard of the reputation of the Tang dynasty. South Tianzhu is willing to be friends with the Tang dynasty forever."
Héraud said with a smile.
"Haha! That's good. Our Tang dynasty will also treat every friendly small country as a friend. "
Ang Lee said with a smile.
"That's good. Assistant Minister Li, the conditions of the port are simple and crude, but Royal City is still dozens of miles away. It's already dark now. Assistant Minister Li must have had a hard time traveling. Can you temporarily stay in the small town next to the port?"
King Héraud of South Tianzhu asked in a low voice.
Ang Lee smiled and replied, "Of course. It doesn't matter where you stay. Please!"
"Assistant Minister Li, please."
King Héraud led a large group of people to the small town not far away.
This small town was part of the port. There were only three sides of the city wall. The easternmost side was the port, thus forming a complete defense.
There were patrolling soldiers on the city wall, and there were many small warships in the port. These defenses were enough to withstand a general attack. If they encountered a large number of strong enemies, they would be helpless.
Ang Lee brought 50 ships with him this time, with a total of 3,000 soldiers and horses. These 3,000 soldiers and horses all boarded the dock and set up tents in the city. As for the warships, a small number of soldiers stayed behind to ensure the safety of the ships and prevent people from deliberately destroying them. There were also a small number of soldiers staying behind to guard the ordinary transport vehicles and supply ships.
With 3,000 soldiers and horses guarding Garigal, there would naturally be no safety issues. Ang Lee could be completely assured about this. With the equipment and combat strength of the Tang dynasty's soldiers and horses, no matter how many enemies came to sneak attack, they would not be able to win.
In this way, Ang Lee could naturally rest assured and spend the night in Garigal without worrying about any safety issues. As for the purpose of this trip, anyway, he was not in a hurry. He would think about it after getting enough sleep.
In the direction of the Lion Kingdom, King Kulam was not in the mood to sleep at all. Garigal had already sent the news of the arrival of the Tang Dynasty fleet and reported the situation of the Tang dynasty's ships, weapons, and military strength. It could be said that the investigation was extremely detailed.
"Your Majesty, those hateful merchants were indeed lying. Didn't they say that the Tang dynasty had hundreds of ships and tens of thousands of soldiers and horses? But according to our people, they only have 50 ships and 3,000 soldiers and horses. With such a small number of soldiers and horses, how dare they interfere in the affairs of the Lion Kingdom? They are really courting death."
A minister analyzed.
"Could it be that there are still soldiers and horses that have not arrived?"
Another minister hypothesized.
"I don't think so. The highest officials of the Tang dynasty have already arrived, and the main fleet should have all arrived. The Tang dynasty should only have so many ships. Maybe the merchants were bragging, or maybe the journey was too long. The rest of the ships were left in Malacca or returned to the mainland of the Tang dynasty."
Another minister said.
"Your Majesty, the Tang dynasty only has 3,000 soldiers and horses. We don't have to be afraid of them at all. If we can defeat the Tang dynasty's army in one fell swoop, the prestige of the Lion Kingdom will be greatly increased."
The young minister spoke with an extremely resolute attitude.
"Isn't it too risky to take the risk of attacking the Tang Dynasty army? If we anger the Tang dynasty, won't we get into big trouble?"
King Kulam suddenly could not make up his mind.
"Your Majesty, the Tang dynasty must have come here for the South Tianzhu. If we don't take the initiative to attack, we will definitely lose more soldiers when the Tang dynasty's army is ready. Only a sneak attack can reduce the losses."
The young ministers liked sneak attacks the most. Previously, they were able to quickly take down a large number of ports in the southern part of South Tianzhu because of this sneak attack. This time, they also wanted to take advantage of the Tang dynasty's unstable position to launch a sneak attack on the Tang Dynasty fleet.
King Kulam shook his head and said, "Don't worry. The Tang dynasty has not officially interfered in the affairs between us and the South Tianzhu, nor has it made any territorial claims on our northern ports. We have to be careful that the previous incident was a trick of the South Tianzhu."
"Your Majesty, the opportunity to launch a sneak attack is right in front of us. If we wait until the Tang dynasty is ready, we will lose the opportunity to launch a sneak attack."
The young officer said discontentedly.
King Kulam said disdainfully, "What are you afraid of? The Tang dynasty only has 3,000 soldiers. Why should we be afraid? When the Tang dynasty makes a move, we will have an excuse to attack. When dealing with a big country like the Tang dynasty, we must have a good reason to attack."
Obviously, King Kulam was still a little scared. He did not think that the 3,000 soldiers of the Tang dynasty were a threat. However, the Tang dynasty's soldiers were far more than 3,000. If they launched a sneak attack for no reason, it might completely anger the Tang dynasty. At that time, more soldiers would come to attack, and the Lion Kingdom would be in trouble.
"It's a pity to lose such a good opportunity …"
"Well, you can all leave! Continue to closely monitor the Tang Dynasty fleet. "
King Kulam stopped the ministers from persuading them and asked them to leave.
In fact, this was indeed a good opportunity to launch a sneak attack. The Tang Dynasty fleet was indeed not well prepared. As long as they launched a sneak attack, they would definitely have some success. However, it was absolutely impossible to annihilate the Tang dynasty's diplomatic corps in one fell swoop. They had underestimated the strength of the Tang Dynasty fleet.
And once they launched a sneak attack, it would be tantamount to giving Ang Lee enough excuse to attack. In this way, the Lion Kingdom's soldiers would soon be disintegrated, and the entire country might be occupied.
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