Chapter 408 The maiden voyage

The Thirty Years of Religious War has just ended, and the Protestant countries representing the interests of the emerging bourgeoisie have risen. Their exploration of the world - the Age of Discovery - has entered a more fanatical stage.

The huge benefits contained in the land in the east made them yearn for more while being wary and fearful.

When the long and narrow warships of the European envoys cut through the waves, starting from Gibraltar, the Baltic Sea, London, and Rotterdam, heading south along the west coast of Africa, around the Cape of Good Hope, Madagascar, and crossing the Indian Ocean toward the east, in the Bactrian Empire Guangdong Haojing, in the newly built huge port, two giant ships with a length of 100 feet, a width of 30 feet, and seven decks are about to set off.

Guangzhou - also known as Panyu or Nanhai at this time, as one of the four major ports in the sea, Guangzhou's port does not have the conditions to dock Aoshukan C-type giant ships.

Therefore, a new harbor was built in Haojing for the docking of large ships.

The New Year has just passed, not yet February. After several months of preparation, Yuanqi ships officially entered the shipping system for the first time in Haojing.

Since the emperor issued an edict to open the sea last year, coastal areas have gradually lifted the sea ban. Maritime merchants could not wait to drive their old-style ships and once again run on many routes in Yingzhou and Nanyang.

For merchants on the coast, the empire's no-sea policy was a torture. They were better at maritime trade than inland merchants. Fortunately, the empire's domestic demand was huge in the previous stage, so there was no loss at all. Now that the sea is open, we are naturally even more excited.

Yingzhou is newly established and the demand is huge. Yizhou is also under development and also has huge demand. Especially in Nanyang, the countries in Europe and the West were unable to trade with Daxia due to the forbidden sea, and they had long been eager to get rid of the commodities of the Daxia Empire. At this time, as long as a ship of silk and porcelain could be transported to Southeast Asia, whether it was Manila, Batavia, or Malacca, as soon as the ship arrived, it would be immediately robbed by local leaders and Thai and Western merchants.

A shipload of silk was shipped out, and a shipload of gold and silver was shipped back. Examples of explosive fortunes have been common in the past few months.

Of course, there are lucky ones and there are unlucky ones. Traveling by sea is not an easy journey. Although the empire has stationed troops in Southeast Asia, there are naval bases on the large islands. Colonists from various countries in Europe and the West, the East India Company, or small countries with established institutions naturally did not dare to offend Han merchants. But some indigenous pirates who are not afraid of death don't care about this. What's more, the weather on the sea is unpredictable and the waves are rough. If you accidentally encounter a storm, the ship will be destroyed and everyone will die.

But no matter what kind of hardships and dangers, they can't resist the enthusiasm for wealth.

Are old boats not sturdy? Is the storm at sea fierce? Are there pirates? Don't be afraid, the empire's giant ship is about to go to sea!

The mountain-like giant ship shines with silver-gray metal light in the sun, giving people a sense of security that is as stable as Mount Tai, as if it cannot be shaken even if the heavens and the earth turn upside down.

When the Yuanqi Bell hanging on the main deck resounded like a big bell through the port, the bustling crowd surged out of the waiting hall, and with huge cheers, boarded the island-like ship like a tide. .

On the topmost deck, Zheng Sen stood with his head held high under the gold-yuan alloy pillar that hung the national flag of Great Xia on a black background with gold rims, stars and clouds.

There seems to be no concept of a national flag in the past dynasties, and it is probably considered unnecessary. Does heaven come to the country? However, times have changed. Nowadays, when traveling by sea, there is no identity without the national flag, and the national flag is also a must.

The national flag of Daxia is made of black rattan cloth as the base, inlaid with gold and jade lines, and patterned with sun, moon, stars and cloud patterns. A huge rune among them, at first glance, looks like the character 'Xia' or 'Yi'. It gives people a sense of mystery, remoteness and broadness.

Under the national flag, hangs a giant coat of arms, which is the coat of arms of a giant beast with a dragon head and a turtle body, Ao. Refers to this element ship as an Ao civilian transport ship.

Zheng Sen is the captain of this Guangzi No. 1 Aoshukan C-type transport ship.

Belongs to Guangzhou City Bosi.

Zheng Sen was captured when Daxia unified the world, and was released after the reorganization of the Zheng family navy. Due to the cooperation of Zheng Zhilong and his son during the reorganization process, and because of Zheng Zhilong and his son's understanding of the situation on the southeastern coast and Nanyang, Zheng Zhilong was assigned to Jiangnan. The Songjiang Theater Command of the Navy was included in the praise painting.

Zheng Sen soon entered Jiangning Prefecture School. The emperor issued an edict to open the sea, so Zheng Sen gave up his upcoming qualification to enter Taixue, got a place through the Jinhua Zheng family, passed the examination and entered the city's Bosi system, and was assigned to Guangzhou City's Bosi.

Zheng Sen actually knew the importance of further study in Taixue. In this era of great changes, further study at Taixue University is the only shortcut to keep up with the changes of the times.

But he did not have much talent in the vital subjects of "Yuan Qi Law", "Zhouyi" and "Basics of Yuan Fu".

So he chose the ocean.

His background and everything he was exposed to while growing up gave him a deep understanding of the ocean. He also knew the emperor's ambitions. The ocean is a crucial part. He felt that he had no talent in Yuan Fu Yuan Qi, so he would start with what he was best at.

Entering the City Posi System was the path arranged by Zheng Zhilong for him. I hope he can become familiar with the operation of civilian vessels and get in touch with a wider world. When the time comes, you have merit and connections, you can enter the naval system. This is also a road to heaven.

If you enter the naval system directly, promotion will not be easy. Zheng Wu is the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. In order to avoid suspicion, he will never look at him differently - he is not the only hero in the Navy!

Standing on the top deck, Zheng Sen felt as if he was standing on the top of a mountain. The bustling crowd is like ants, so small. The giant ship under your feet is so powerful. And he is the captain of this giant ship.

"captain."

There was a shout from behind.

Zheng Sen came back to his senses, grabbed a piece of Yuan Qi clock hanging on his belt, and looked at the time: "There is still a quarter of an hour left. Let everyone be prepared to lift anchor at any time."

"Here."

The first voyage of the Ao transport ship, its final destination is Malacca. At this time, Daxia and the European countries had not yet completed the exchange of letters of credence, and the launch of new ships into the sea required a process of adaptation. Therefore, it will not enter the Indian Ocean, let alone go to Europa.

This time can be regarded as the trial voyage of Guangzi No. 1 and No. 2 transport ships. It is to train the boat driver to become familiar with the performance of the boat. Therefore, although merchants are accepted to rent warehouses, there are not many places. Currently, on Zheng Sen's Guangzi No. 1, less than one-tenth of the thousands of warehouses are full, and there are less than 2,000 passengers.

Along with the Yuanqi ships, there were hundreds of old ships sailing to the Southeast Asia. These ships include merchants' private ships and municipal boats.

When the bell rang again, the two C-shaped octagonal towers in the energy warehouse of the giant ship emitted sparkling light, and the huge iron anchor rose from the sea - the giant ship set sail.