~~~~~~

The British shipwright Joseph found was called Ed Stafford. His hometown was in Liverpool. He was about fifty years old. He had a big beard and was indescribably rough.

It's a pity that he and Joseph didn't know how much they drank last night. At this time, Ed Stafford was already like mud, lying on the dock under the boat, sleeping soundly, with several relatives

Bing is looking at him.

When he saw Ed Stafford, who was still standing just now, turned into a drunkard in an instant, Joseph was also a little embarrassed.

He hurriedly explained to Li Yuanqing: "General, don't think Ed is a drunkard now, but he is really a famous shipping engineer in the British Empire. I have known him since I was a child. At that time,

He has already started serving as the deputy chief engineer of the Royal Fleet! In terms of technology, he should have no problem at all!"

Li Yuanqing smiled and nodded, "Brother Joseph, you don't need to explain too much. I always have enough trust in you!"

"Well?"

Joseph was stunned for a moment, then he couldn't help but feel overjoyed, and hurriedly explained: "General, Ed is actually quite difficult. He originally had a very happy family and a very good life. But~

, but his wife is a, a slut... Not only did she spend all of Ed's family property, but she also kept a pretty boy, and even gave birth to a mulatto bastard! This bitch

, You really shouldn’t live in this world!”

Even a swinger like Joseph couldn't help but grit his teeth when talking about Ed's experience.

In this era, although the West has begun to pay attention to the so-called "monogamy" system, in the end, this is still a patriarchal society. If a woman is too bold, she will never be tolerated by this world, even in future generations.

Li Yuanqing nodded slowly.

Things are a bit bloody, but~, as a man, he also sympathizes with Ed Stafford's experience.

As the saying goes, 'It's harder to paint a tiger's skin than to paint its bones. You know a person's face but not his heart!'

If a woman hides this kind of thing well, it is difficult to predict it. If a man encounters this kind of thing, he can only admit that he is unlucky.

Especially in the profession that Ed Stafford is engaged in, it is basically difficult to live at sea all year round without a little greenery at home.

"Ed is indeed sympathetic! By the way, Joseph, why did you meet him here? Aren't the British Empire and the Spanish mortal enemies?"

Joseph hurriedly explained: "General, although this is the case, there are exceptions. The main reason is that Ed can no longer survive in the British Empire, so he can only come outside to beg for food. Since the incident with his slut wife,

, this guy is addicted to alcohol and gambling every day, and the Royal Fleet has also terminated his employment. Especially Ed, I don’t know what kind of madness he has, but he insists on developing it.

A giant-sized warship called, what is it called a battleship?"

"Battleship?"

Li Yuanqing initially heard it inadvertently. He thought that Ed was just an ordinary shipwright with some skills, but nothing more.

But when he suddenly heard the word 'battleship', Li Yuanqing couldn't help but feel nervous, but on his face, he didn't show much, and said with a smile: "Joseph, wouldn't it be good to build a big ship? I

I think the name Battleship is quite majestic!"

"Well?"

Joseph couldn't help but smile bitterly: "General, if I tell you, don't be angry! This Ed, I'm afraid, is a lunatic."

Li Yuanqing smiled hurriedly and said: "Joseph, you are my brother. There is no need to be so cautious between us! We must be rigorous enough about unknown and new things!"

Seeing that Li Yuanqing's expression was unchanged, Joseph breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly said: "General, the battleship Ed wants to build is beyond people's knowledge. The length of the battleship he wants to build is

It is above 60 meters, has three gun decks, has a crew of more than 800 people, more than 100 main 1-pound guns, and a displacement of about 500 to 500 tons! General, how is this possible! This is completely beyond this era.

! If he were to build such a ship, it would cost millions of taels of silver! Who would buy it?"

"So, the Royal Fleet doesn't want him, the Dutch don't want him, and the Portuguese don't want him. Fortunately, he also knows how to repair ships and barely works as an errand in the Spanish fleet. Otherwise, he, he really has to live.

I can’t go down anymore!”

After hearing what Joseph said, Li Yuanqing couldn't help but feel ecstatic!

Although he is not well versed in the history of ships, he does know a little bit about it!

In this era, the size of battleships is completely beyond people's understanding and acceptance. Even the military believes that this is an impossible task, especially because the cost is too high. It is simply

Waste people and money!

But~~, it should be in the middle of the 17th century that the Sail-class battleship first appeared in the British Empire!

It is no exaggeration to say that although the Sail-class battleships at this time are still immature in all aspects, they are completely comparable to the aircraft carrier-class existences of later generations!

It is precisely because the British Empire took the lead in mastering this technology that the powerful 'sun never sets' empire in the future can truly stand on top of the world for hundreds of years!

If Ed Stafford could really master battleship technology, let alone the cost of one million taels, even if it was ten million taels, what would it matter?

You know, in this era, whoever can control the hegemony on the sea can simply own the wealth of the world!

However, even though he was extremely excited in his heart, Li Yuanqing still remained calm enough on the outside!

You have to eat food one bite at a time, and if you want to build a battleship, it cannot be completed in one day and one night!

What's more, Ed Stafford at this time is just a bad drunkard. He has not yet shown his ability to really impress Li Yuanqing!

"Joseph, thank you for your hard work. You go down and have a good rest first! By the way, let Ed have a good rest too. Just put him on your boat! As expected, there should be news from the Governor's Palace in Manila today.

, we are still busy."

Joseph was overjoyed and said hurriedly: "Okay, General. I will go to rest right away. If you need it, I will be on call!"

Seeing Joseph leaving happily, Li Yuanqing could not help but reveal a meaningful smile!

This trip to sea is really worth it!

"The world outside is wonderful, but the world outside is helpless..."

When he saw Joseph and a few soldiers helping Ed get on his boat, Li Yuanqing withdrew his gaze, but he couldn't help humming a famous song by the singer of later generations.

The future is really exciting!

The news about the battleship is really exciting.

The blood in Li Yuanqing's chest and abdomen could not calm down for a while. He returned to the room, took Ren Ying'er and did another super intense 'morning exercise'. Only then did Li Yuanqing come out to have breakfast refreshed!

Today, the rain has stopped.

According to the agreement with the Governor's Palace in Manila, today is also the day when the Changsheng Camp's fleet officially conducts trade with Manila.

Li Yuanqing had just finished breakfast, and the dock below the fleet was already noisy.

When he came out and took a quick look at the situation, Li Yuanqing found that there were quite a lot of people here today. There were dozens of forces, large and small, and most of them were Chinese.

Niu Gensheng was sent to inquire about it. Niu Gensheng soon sent back the news and said hurriedly: "General, it was yesterday. Yesterday we beat up those naughty Spanish ghosts. Now, it has spread throughout the Chinese circles in Manila!

These local Chinese businessmen all want to meet you and treat you to a meal!"

Li Yuanqing couldn't help but feel refreshed, with a happy smile on his face.

Since ancient times, who doesn’t yearn for a strong motherland?

Only a strong motherland will give these overseas Chinese and Chinese businessmen the greatest confidence!

After thinking for a while, Li Yuanqing said: "Let's go there now! Let's meet these overseas compatriots!"

"yes!"

Niu Gensheng hurriedly led more than a hundred soldiers to follow Li Yuanqing closely.

The people on the dock soon saw what was going on here, and they all looked this way.

After all, Li Yuanqing's red official robe is really eye-catching!

In this world, apart from the Ming Dynasty, there is no other such luxurious red official robe!

"Folks, folks, let's be quiet for now! My general has come out. If anything happens, you can have a good talk with the general!"

Niu Gensheng was supported by several soldiers, stood on their shoulders, and shouted so loudly that his voice was almost hoarse.

The people who were busy at work all looked here, and soon they saw Li Yuanqing, who was already standing on a high place, wearing a bright red official robe!

I don’t know who took the lead first. All the Chinese businessmen and Chinese helpers near the dock fell to their knees: "General Li is victorious!"

"General Li, we here also heard the news about you killing the Tatars in Liao!"

"General Li, thank you for making the decision for us Chinese in Manila! We have had enough of being bullied by those foreign devils!"

"General Li..."

"..."

The crowd kowtowed as hard as they could, and many people had blood coming from their foreheads.

Li Yuanqing's eyes were a little moist for a moment!

This, these are our compatriots from China!

These are the descendants of Emperors Yan and Huang!

They all share the same blood as Li Yuanqing, speak the same words, and have the same black hair and yellow skin...

These are his compatriots in a foreign country!

"Folks, folks, be quiet, be quiet!"

The crowd was so excited that Li Yuanqing had no choice but to raise his voice and use a simple loudspeaker brought by his soldiers to shout loudly.
To be continued...