Chapter 1556 Semi-Ironclad Ship

Next, Yun Zheng went to Xinjin.

Part of the navy that supported the State of Li last year also returned.

The main purpose is to help transport food and fodder and to modify some warships to facilitate the insertion of naval guns.

"Currently, fifteen warships have completed the modification, each with six naval guns."

"There are still eight warships that are undergoing final modifications, and they will all be completed within half a month."

"It's probably too late to carry out the side loading of the other seven warships, so we can only move the guns onto the deck..."

Zhao Liuliang took Yun Zheng to inspect the Xinjin Navy and explained the situation to Yun Zheng.

Zhao Liuliang was also helpless about this matter.

Modifying a warship is easier said than done.

Although many craftsmen were transferred from the interior to build warships after the Mid-Autumn Festival last year, they were still unable to complete their original goal within the specified time.

"It's okay. This is enough warships with artillery installed."

Yun Zheng didn't delve into it too deeply. Of course, he knew that this matter was indeed somewhat difficult.

If we wait until June or July before launching an attack on Yu State, we will definitely achieve our goal.

But right now, there is no time to delay any longer.

With so many cannons and so many big warships, if they can't even defeat the Yu Kingdom navy, then they will all be buried in the sea, and there is no need to complain.

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness!"

Zhao Liuliang breathed a sigh of relief.

"By the way, how are the fruits and vegetables prepared?"

Yunzheng asked again.

These things are easy to overlook, so he has to ask more.

It would be really annoying if most of the crew members fell ill before we even landed in Yu Country.

"We prepared some dried fruits and vegetables."

Zhao Liuliang replied: "Fresh food cannot be preserved at sea, so we can only prepare dried food..."

“It’s just the dry stuff!”

Yun Zheng nodded gently, "Also, prepare more soybeans in case of emergency!"

He remembered that there seemed to be a plot in a TV series he watched in his previous life where a lack of fresh vegetables at sea caused many crew members to fall ill. In the end, they relied on growing bean sprouts from soybeans to solve the urgent problem.

He hadn't tried this method and didn't know if it would work.

But it’s better to be prepared than not to have one!

"Yes!"

Zhao Liuliang accepted the order.

"By the way, how is Takeshi Sanada doing?"

Yun Zheng asked with a smile.

“Well done!”

Zhao Liuliang praised him without reservation: "Since arriving in Xinjin, Sanada Takeshi has been doing his job conscientiously! Under his training, the combat effectiveness of our navy has been visibly improved!"

Zhao Liuliang was still convinced by Takeshi Sanada's abilities.

If they were given the same equipment and manpower, and asked to fight against Takeshi Sanada, he would most likely not be able to do so.

He, the naval commander, is a half-baked man.

But Takeshi Sanada fought all the way through.

His experience in naval warfare is much more than his.

Including better ways to store fresh water, which they learned from Sanada Takeshi.

If Takeshi Sanada was not a native of Yu country, he would have wanted to advise Yun Zheng to let Takeshi Sanada be the admiral of the navy, and he would be Takeshi Sanada's deputy general.

"That's good!"

Yun Zheng smiled, "Send someone to inform Sanada Takeshi that I will treat him to a drink tonight! When the time comes, you, Yao Baoju and the other three, and He Asu, come as well!"

"Yes!"

Zhao Liuliang passed on Yun Zheng's instructions and asked, "This Sanada Takeshi is indeed capable. It would be a pity to kill him. Your Highness, would you consider..."

"Not consider!"

Yun Zheng rejected it directly, "He will die in battle after landing in Yu Country! After his death, this king will not hesitate to reward him!"

Zhao Liuliang understood Yun Zheng’s meaning and said no more. He continued to patrol with Yun Zheng.

Afterwards, the two came to the Shipping Department.

At present, the construction of warships has been completely stopped here, and they are rushing to modify the warships so that their naval guns can be installed on them.

"That warship is a handsome ship specially prepared for Your Highness."

Zhao Liuliang said, pointing to the treasure ship that was undergoing final modification.

"Oh?"

Yun Zheng looked in the direction of Zhao Liuliang's finger, his eyes suddenly gleaming with excitement, and he asked in surprise, "Is that an ironclad ship?"

"Correct!"

Zhao Liuliang nodded with a smile: "However, this is a little different from the ironclad ship that Your Highness mentioned before..."

This should be said to be moving an ironclad ship.

Only the area more than one foot above the waterline is covered with specially treated iron armor.

At present, their ironclad ship technology is still immature.

Covering the armor above the waterline can avoid erosion by sea water as much as possible.

But even so, these armors will certainly not escape the consequences of being eroded, they will just be a little slower.

The purpose of doing this is only to defend against rocket attacks.

In addition, both ends of the warship are reinforced with iron armor, which will make it more solid in the event of a head-on collision.

After all, this is Yun Zheng’s flagship, so it must be very safe.

Therefore, even though the technology of the ironclad ship was still far behind, Zhao Liuliang still used this compromise method to create a semi-ironclad ship.

However, this semi-ironclad ship was not equipped with standard artillery, only one naval gun on each of the port and port sides.

In this kind of naval battle, it is impossible for Yun Zheng’s fleet to fight against others.

Yun Zheng’s flagship must be mainly defensive.

"You hid it very well!"

Yun Zheng looked at Zhao Liuliang with a smile, "Is this the surprise you prepared for me?"

Zhao Liuliang chuckled and nodded slightly.

"You've learned how to flatter now!"

Qin Qihu looked at Zhao Liuliang with a smile and said jokingly, "You want to get promoted!"

"no no……"

Zhao Liuliang waved his hands repeatedly and said solemnly: "This is really not for promotion, it is just a small gift prepared by our navy officers and soldiers for Your Highness! If it weren't for Your Highness, our navy would be raised by a stepmother, and we wouldn't have so many warships and military funds in our next life..."

Yun Zheng and the imperial court knew very well how much money they had spent on the navy.

Even if you add up all the money spent on the navy since the founding of Daqian, it is not as much as what has been spent in recent years.

In the past, the navy had almost nothing except people.

But today's navy has strong ships and powerful guns.

These were things they had never dared to imagine before.

He was fine, but when Yao Baoju and the other three saw the navy’s naval guns, they all burst into tears.

"Now that the money has been spent, you have to carry the main beam!"

Yun Zheng smiled: "As long as the money is worth spending, no matter how much money, I will be willing to spend it!"

"Your Highness, don't worry!"

Zhao Liuliang said confidently: "If the navy cannot take the lead in this battle, all the officers and soldiers of the navy, including this general, will commit suicide to apologize!"

If one can't even shoulder the responsibility, who the hell has the nerve to live?

"very good!"

Yun Zheng nodded heavily: "There is something I wanted to say before I go to war, but I can tell you now!"

"This battle is a battle of revenge for Daqian and a battle for the navy to establish its prestige!"

"After this battle, Daqian's navy must fight back!"

"For me, the best defense is offense!"