After leaving the county office, Ouyang Shuo was led by Pei Donglai to Beihai Harbor for a tour.
Beihai Harbor was located in the southeast corner of Beihai County. It was a comprehensive harbor with half a fishing port and the other half a military port. The high-grade shipyard that had been moved here was built in this harbor.
After entering the station, Ouyang Shuo asked Pei Donglai to invite Elder Sun and Director Zheng Dahai to discuss the development of the Beihai Fleet.
In the meeting hall of the station.
Ouyang Shuo sat on the seat of honor and looked around. "A long time ago, this Marquis decided to develop the navy and dominate the sea. It has been more than half a year since then. During this time, the territory has built a high-grade shipyard and Beihai Harbor. The Beihai Fleet also has its main warship, the Mengchong fighting ship. But in reality? Why do we have so many misgivings just to attack a small island and capture a group of pirates? "
Ouyang Shuo's question was very sharp, and the atmosphere became somewhat stagnant.
"General Pei, you're the commander of the navy. Tell me." Ouyang Shuo began to call out names.
Pei Donglai knew that he had to say something. He slowly got up and bowed to Ouyang Shuo. "Reporting to the Marquis, if you want to analyze the reason, I can naturally come up with a lot of excuses. For example, the lack of soldiers, the lack of combat experience, and the lack of familiarity with the surrounding waters. However, these aren't the main reasons. All the officers and soldiers of the Beihai Fleet can overcome them. The most important problem is that the territory's warships are too few and can't organize a large-scale naval battle. "
Pei Donglai's point of view made Ouyang Shuo's eyes light up. "Continue."
As a former naval commander in the imperial army, Pei Donglai had rich experience in naval battles and was well aware of the Beihai Fleet's problems.
Pei Donglai sorted out his thoughts and continued, "To build a well-organized naval fleet, we need at least three types of warships. First, the command ship — the fortress ship. It's the main warship and also the main logistical warship to support the fleet's long-range voyages. Second, the mid-sized warship — the Mengchong fighting ship — is an attack-type warship. As a warship whose defensive capability is second only to the fortress ship, the Mengchong fighting ship's weakness is that it can't conduct long-range naval battles alone because it can only carry supplies such as fresh water, rations, and arrows. Finally, there is the small battleship used for scouting and patrolling — the Scarlet Horse Boat. It is small and light, and its speed is as fast as a horse, making it easy to hide. "
"Only with a reasonable combination of the three types of warships can we maximize our combat potential. The organization of the fleet was not based on the army, but on the fleet. Apart from soldiers, the fleet also needed to be equipped with sailors. Currently, the North Sea Fleet only has one type of warship, the Meng Chong battle ship. If we want to cross the sea and attack Moon Island, we will have to take a huge risk. "
Ouyang Shuo nodded. He understood the crux of the problem. He had thought too simply.
Among the three types of warships, small warships were the easiest to deal with. The key was the large warships — — the fortress ships.
In order to build a fortress ship, he had to overcome two obstacles. One was to obtain the Fortress Ship Building Technical Manual, and the other was to build a special shipyard. The current advanced shipyards could only build medium-sized warships.
Zheng Dahai had already broken through to the Master Shipbuilder rank, and had completely swept away the obstacles in building a Special Class Shipyard. Ouyang Shuo only needed to spend 5,000 gold coins to purchase a Special Class Shipyard blueprint.
The key was the Tower Ship Construction Technique Manual. This kind of special item could only be found by chance. Ouyang Shuo could only place his hopes on the annual auction. In the end, distant water could not quench present thirst.
Ouyang Shuo raised his head to look at Zheng Dahai and asked, "Is there anything to report about the shipyard?"
Zheng Dahai immediately stood up and bowed. "Reporting to the Marquis, the shipyard has stopped building Meng Chong battle ships except for fishing boats."
"Why?"
"Because the Meng Chong battle ships are completely full. Other than the North Sea Fleet and the West La Lake Navy Camp, there are still 20 Meng Chong battle ships idling. They are almost full."
Ouyang Shuo was startled. Since when did the shipyard become so efficient? It could not be underestimated. He asked, "How many shipbuilders are there in the shipyard?"
A trace of pride flashed across Zheng Dahai's face. He smiled and said, "Reporting to the Marquis, after half a year of nurturing, the shipyard currently has one Master Shipbuilder, 12 Advanced Shipbuilders, 54 Intermediate Shipbuilders, 228 Beginner Shipbuilders, and 575 apprentices. That's a total of 870 people." Such a large team was indeed not easy.
"Not bad." Ouyang Shuo nodded in praise.
Finally, Ouyang Shuo looked at Elder Sun and asked, "Elder Sun, is there any progress on the modification of the ancient battleships?"
Elder Sun spent the rest of his time in the shipyard apart from participating in the research and development of the 7th Research Institute. Sun Xiaoyue even complained to Ouyang Shuo that he was squeezing out her grandfather's remaining value.
Ouyang Shuo could only smile bitterly in response.
In fact, after entering the game, these old men's energy was no longer limited by their desires in reality. Each of them was full of energy and drive. Even if Ouyang Shuo wanted to stop them, he couldn't.
Elder Sun's face was flushed and full of energy. He shook his head and said, "As General Pei said, there are too few types of battleships. Many of the modifications are useless. We can only modify some of the details. For the Meng Chong battle ships, apart from the compass, the sails have also been upgraded. At the same time, this old man plans to install iron plates on the cabin walls and an iron ram on the bow to increase the Meng Chong battle ships' impact and destructive power.
"The most important research is the watertight bulkhead technology to increase the battleship's draught. Otherwise, with so many iron parts installed, it'll be useless if the draught can't keep up. "
Ouyang Shuo was overjoyed. He didn't expect Elder Sun to make so many modifications in such a short time.
"Elder Sun is too modest. Such modifications are worth tens of thousands of gold coins," Ouyang Shuo said with a smile.
Elder Sun waved his hand. "Ouyang, don't flatter this old man."
Ouyang Shuo nodded and looked at everyone present, especially Pei Donglai. He said, "This Marquis will be in charge of the ship. There are too many variables in this matter. I don't think we can make it in time for the battle on Moon 'er Island, so we can only use the Meng Chong battle ships to resolve the battle. This Marquis will personally participate in this battle and try to solve the fleet's logistical problems. General Pei, you must also plan carefully and strive to fight a beautiful battle of annihilation at sea. "
"Understood!" Pei Donglai answered, feeling deeply responsible.
That afternoon, Ouyang Shuo returned to Shanhai County.
As soon as he returned, a servant reported, "Reporting to Marquis, an important guest has come to the mansion. Madam has ordered that if Marquis returns, please go to the back garden. "The Madam mentioned by the servant was naturally Song Jia.
Ouyang Shuo was startled. Since Song Jia came to receive them, they must be classmates who came because of its reputation.
Since the establishment of the Eastern Fence Sword Faction, many classmates had come because of its reputation. Especially after Song Jia's identity was exposed in the forum, people came to seek shelter in an endless stream.
Ouyang Shuo didn't show up for most of the people who came, and Song Jia was the one who received them. Since Song Jia asked him to meet them, they must be junior high school classmates, and they must have a good relationship.
Ouyang Shuo walked into the back garden and saw Zi Su, asking, "What guests have come to the mansion?"
Zi Su bowed and said, "Reporting to Marquis, I heard from Madam that they are Marquis's classmates, and they are two women."
Ouyang Shuo nodded and waved his hand. "This Marquis understands. You can go about your business!"
"Understood!" Zi Su said goodbye and left.
Ouyang Shuo passed through the back hall and came to the back garden. From afar, he heard the women talking and laughing.
"Wuyi, here!" Song Jia's eyes were sharp, and she was the first to notice Ouyang Shuo.
Three women were sitting in the garden pavilion. Besides Song Jia, there were two others dressed like swordsmen. Hearing Song Jia's shout, the two women next to her turned to look at Ouyang Shuo.
"Wow, it's really Ouyang Shuo, wuwu ~ ~ ~" One of the slightly chubby women was bold and unrestrained. The other woman was petite and exquisite. Although she didn't say anything, the surprise in her eyes couldn't be concealed.
Ouyang Shuo was originally a little uncertain, but now he completely recognized the identity of the two women. As he walked, he smiled and said, "I was wondering who it was. So it's you two beauties. Welcome!"
Yes, they were Tan Xiaoli and Meng Feifei, who were acquainted with Ouyang Shuo at the class reunion.
The two women obviously hadn't recovered from their shock, and they didn't dare to believe it.
Ouyang Shuo shook his head helplessly and sat down next to Song Jia.
Song Jia obediently poured a cup of tea for him and asked, "Wuyi, did your trip go smoothly?" Song Jia knew that Ouyang Shuo went to Beihai County in the morning for an inspection.
Ouyang Shuo nodded and didn't want to talk about it. He looked up at Tan Xiaoli and Meng Feifei, who were staring at him, and said self-mockingly, "What? Am I a monster? Why are you looking at me like that? "
"Aren't you a monster?" Song Jia teased.
Tan Xiaoli and Meng Feifei nodded in unison, expressing their agreement.
"Old classmate, I really didn't expect to meet you here." Ouyang Shuo also felt a little emotional.
Tan Xiaoli and Meng Feifei were the ones who were emotional. Before coming to Shanhai County, they didn't know Ouyang Shuo's identity, and they only came to Song Jia to seek shelter.
After they arrived, Song Jia pointed out Ouyang Shuo's identity, and they couldn't believe it for a moment.
"Hmph, not bad. You secretly abducted our class belle." Tan Xiaoli was more cheerful, and she was the first to come back to her senses. She said teasingly, "We were still wondering who this' Wuyi 'is to be able to capture our class belle's heart. I didn't expect this person to be hiding among us."
Ouyang Shuo shook his head. The friendship between classmates wasn't as simple as Tan Xiaoli made it out to be. How much of Tan Xiaoli's words were sincere, and how much of it was secretly flattering Song Jia? No one knew.
Ouyang Shuo was also a layman, so he put down his thoughts and chatted with everyone. (To be continued.)
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