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Volume Three: Spreading Wings Chapter 225: Patrolling the West

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    Chapter 225: Western Tour

    The next day, after learning that Wen Shen had returned to Kaifeng, the Dynasty came to the capital hall to pay their respects.  After some etiquette, Wen Shen asked someone to serve Wang Chaoyang a cup of tea, and then asked: "Looking at your cheerful face, is there anything good you can do?"

    "It is the greatest good thing to see the committee members today"

    Wen Shen suddenly smiled and said loudly: "I haven't seen you for a while, how come you learned to speak."

    Chao Chao chuckled, and then said seriously: "Commissioner, Zhao Hu sent a telegram some time ago, saying that they have occupied the entire Jinzhou Island, and Srivijaya has moved to a Java Island east of Jinzhou Island."

    Wen Shen nodded and smiled: "It seems that Zhao Hu is doing well in Xingzhou. I wonder how the construction of the Zhanglong Canal in Zhongzhou is going?"

    "Zhang Long called and said that more than 60% of the canal has been built and it will be completed in a little more than a year." Wang Chao replied after hearing this.

    "It's good that the progress is relatively fast." Wen Shen glanced at Dynasty and asked, "Is there anything special happening in the capital during my absence?"

    Wang Chao smiled and said: "If you want to talk about big things, then you have to talk about the Yellow River Bridge. After more than a year of construction, the bridge has begun to take shape, especially the dozens of piers. It is truly spectacular. It will definitely be even more spectacular if it is completed. Now every day  A large number of people came to watch, and many of them also helped transport construction materials. I hope it can be completed as soon as possible and solve the problem of the north-south passage of the Yellow River."

    "After all, it is the first real bridge on the Yellow River. It is normal for the people to be excited." Wen Shen laughed and said disapprovingly.

    "Commissioner, there are more than 300,000 new soldiers near the capital. Can we bring them out for actual combat operations? I don't think we can train real warriors in the country. Only through blood and fire can we become a qualified warrior."

    Wen Shen glanced at the righteous Lingran dynasty and said, "Your idea is good and just right. I plan to go to Zhongzhou during this period and lead a group out to experience it."

    After thinking deeply for a moment, he then said: "Ten thousand people are too many. It will be more troublesome to transport the baggage."

    ¡­¡­

    With the increasing maturity of steam engine technology, wooden steamboats have been widely manufactured.  Yizhou Shipyard now manufactures more than 30 wooden steamships with displacements ranging from 500 tons to 1,000 tons every year.  In addition, several other large shipyards also purchased steam engines from Yizhou Machinery Factory to manufacture steam ships.

    Now hundreds of wooden steamboats are launched across the country every year.

    Using the power in his hands, Wen Shen quickly mobilized twenty wooden steamships and two newly launched steel-hulled ships, carrying 10,000 soldiers, thousands of sailors and supporting equipment, and headed south in a mighty manner.

    It took half a month to arrive in Xingzhou.  After the fleet docked, it began to replenish supplies and burn coal.  Wen Shen and Chao Chao were brought down by Zhao Hu to visit Xingzhou.

    The streets in Xingzhou City are all paved with bluestones. There are various shops on both sides of the streets. There are a lot of people in the shops. It seems that the business is good.

    A few people were walking and chatting.

    "I heard from Chao Chao that you occupy the entire Jinzhou Island?" Wen Shen asked casually.

    Zhao Hu chuckled and said, "When we attacked Zhu Nian Kingdom, didn't their main force sneak attack on Srivijaya's rear?"

    "Yes, I remember it"

    "Later, the main force of the Zhunian Kingdom occupied the capital of Srivijaya and carried out a brutal massacre. Seeing this situation, Le Xiang, who came back, was so angry that he vowed to take crazy revenge on the Zhunian Kingdom."

    Zhao Hu chuckled and continued: "At this time, there was a kingdom in Java that thought it had an opportunity, so it led its army to attack Srivijaya. As you can imagine, this kingdom defeated Leather Stockings. Soon.  The Leather Stockings occupied the entire Java Island, but their ammunition consumption was also relatively large."

    Chao Chao interjected: "Did you take the opportunity to rob?"

    Zhao Hu laughed and said: "Those who know me, when Brother Wang proposed to us to purchase a batch of arms again, I asked for the entire eastern part of Jinzhou Island."

    Wen Shen said with a smile on his face: "It's interesting. Later, did Le Sock find the main force of Zunian Country?"

    "Without them and without our steamships, how could we possibly catch up with the Zunian fleet. However, later, Leatherstocking sent a group of people to the Zunian country to plunder a large number of people and transport them to Java Island to serve as laborers and regain a little strength.  The fleet of the Zunian Kingdom that has lost its territory is no different from pirates, but they do not dare to appear in the waters near Xingzhou, and their lives will probably not be easy."

    "If this group of fleets dare to harass passing merchant ships, they will be destroyed."

    ¡­¡­

    After resting for a few days, the fleet continued westward.  After replenishing coal in Ceylon, they sailed for another half month to reach Shimonoseki City.  Before Wen Shen set off from China, he sent a telegram to notifyZhang Long.

    At this time, Zhang Long led his troops to hold a grand welcome ceremony at the Xiaguan City Pier.

    "General Zhang Long welcomes the commission to inspect Zhongzhou," Zhang Long shouted in a loud voice while saluting.

    Wen Shen waved his hand gently, then smiled lightly and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

    ¡°It¡¯s not hard, it¡¯s hot outside, please come to the city to invite me to take a seat.¡±

    It¡¯s August now, and the scorching sun is hanging in the middle.  Wen Shen looked up at the sun, then turned to look at the people behind him who were sweating profusely. He felt ashamed all the time and thought to himself: "I have been strengthened and am no longer afraid of severe cold and heat, but these subordinates are still mortals."

    Wen Shen didn't say much, and entered Xiaguan City as quickly as possible under Zhang Long's guidance.

    Xiaguan City is located at the southernmost end of the canal. It is the first city where the Red Sea enters the canal. Its geographical location is extremely important.  After more than a year of reconstruction, Xiaguan City has a Chinese style.  The government offices, academies, ancestral halls, etc. are all Chinese-style buildings.

    Everyone entered the yamen hall, and the yamen servants quickly brought herbal tea to relieve the scorching heat.

    "Well, this herbal tea is good"

    Wen Shen took a sip of herbal tea and felt that it tasted like Wang Lao Kat in later generations, which was very good.

    Hearing this, Zhang Long said anxiously to the Yamen servant waiting on the side: "Quickly, make another cup for the Grand Master."

    After the yamen servant made tea, Wen Shen waved his hand, supported them all, and then asked: "Tell me about the construction of the canal.

    Zhang Long is also considered a flexible person. When he saw this, he smiled and said: "Commissioner, it has been nearly two years since the construction of the canal. The canal from Xiaguan City to Zhongzhou has been completed, and the part from Zhongzhou to Shangguan City is being stepped up.  .¡±

    "It's very fast"

    Zhang Long's face turned slightly red and he said: "This cost is also very huge. It has cost nearly 200 million yuan now. It may cost more than 100 million yuan next." He looked at Wen Shen, who was expressionless, and continued,  "There are now nearly a million workers on the construction site digging the canal, and each person earns about ten yuan per month."

    Wen Shen nodded and said: "Ten yuan of wages is considered high in China. First of all, this place, which is short of gold and silver, can support a family. I think the reason why so many people come to work must be related to the high wages.  "

    Zhang Long said with some gratitude: "As expected, the committee is aware that there are still a large number of civilians coming here every day to find a living. In addition, many white people have plundered a large number of black slaves from the south to work. Some people have thousands of black slaves working under them.  , you can receive tens of thousands of yuan every month. Of course, as long as they can complete the tasks on time and in quantity, I usually turn a blind eye."

    "Well, you are not wrong." Wen Shen smiled, "Tomorrow we will go to Zhongzhou along the canal."

    ¡­¡­

    The next day, the fleet formed a long snake and went northward along the canal, passing through the Great Bitter Lake and arriving in Zhongzhou.  There are a large number of ships of all kinds docked at Zhongzhou Wharf. Whites and blacks are busy loading and unloading goods on the shore. A large number of businessmen are standing on the wharf, bargaining and buying and selling goods.

    More than 20 steamships slowly entered the pier, emitting black smoke.  Thick black smoke obscured the sky and the sun, causing the crowd on the shore to stop and watch.  Their faces were full of envy and admiration, and they secretly sighed that the Song Dynasty was too powerful.

    Wearing a gray military uniform, a steel helmet on their head, a belt on their waist, long strappy boots, and carrying rifles on their shoulders, the two people disembarked from the ship in a row and entered Zhongzhou City.

    "Hey, why are there so many soldiers from the Song Dynasty? Is there going to be another war?" A white man watching on the dock asked a companion beside him in a low voice.

    The companion said cautiously: "I don't know, but if there is a war, none of the surrounding kingdoms can be a match for these people. Your Highness, I think we should return home quickly, let His Majesty send people to pay tribute, and try to build a good relationship with the Song Dynasty."

    "Very true." The white man nodded, "Let's go, let's go back to China quickly!"

    After saying that, the two quietly left the crowd.  So at the same time, some people in the crowd left quietly.

    Zhongzhou City is the seat of the capital of Zhongzhou, with a population of more than 300,000.  Most are white, with a large proportion of blacks.  The inner city is all Chinese-style buildings and is the residence of Zhang Long and his tribe.  There are both Chinese and Western buildings in the outer city, with Western buildings accounting for the majority.

    A luxuriously decorated carriage was walking on Zhongzhou Avenue.  Wen Shen, Zhang Long and Chao Chao were sitting in the carriage.  Wen Shen lifted the curtains on the car window and saw the crowd of people watching eagerly on the roadside. He smiled and said, "Zhongzhou looks very prosperous."

    "In order to feed millions of workers, a large amount of food is transported to Zhongzhou from all over the country every day. This indirectly spawns a huge logistics team, all of whom make a living by earning money from the workers. Many of them stay in Zhongzhou, and slowly  The population of Mandi City is increasing and becoming prosperous." Zhang Long smiled, "In ZhongzhouYou can find specialties and merchandise from various places.  After the flights from Zhongzhou to Yizhou were opened, a large number of domestic businessmen came here to do business.  There are now more than 20,000 domestic merchants in Zhongzhou.  "

    "Very good," Wen Shen nodded, "However, when the canal is opened, there may not be a need for so many workers. By then, these workers will lose their source of income and will definitely become a factor of instability. Do you have any countermeasures for this?"

    Zhang Long was startled, thought for a long time, and laughed dryly: "After the canal is repaired, wouldn't it be nice to drive them back to their hometown?"

    "What if they don't leave? Kill them?" Wen Shen chuckled, "It's better to clear the road than to block it. You can let them reclaim land in the western delta area. On the one hand, it can solve the food problem, and on the other hand, it can also help us stay in Zhongzhou for a long time.  Rule and lay a certain foundation.¡±

    Zhang Long chuckled and said: "The committee has thought carefully. By the way, I think we have occupied all the deltas in the western region. That Baldwin II is now attacking the Seljuk country. A few days ago, they sent  People came to buy arms, but I didn¡¯t agree.¡±

    Wen Shen nodded and said with a smile: "You have a good idea. You can exchange arms from him for the Delta area. I guess he won't refuse."

    Chapter 225: Patrolling the West

    Chapter 225: Touring the Western Sea, go to the website
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