"Your Majesty, the Maya have similar huge paddle-sail ships. Although not as complex as the one in this blueprint, the basic principles are indeed similar. We, the people of Prepetcha, have experience in hull splicing. As long as we have sufficient bronze and timber, give us about a year to explore, and making a qualified prototype ship should not be a big problem!"
Pucuta’s eyes were bright, and although his words were cautious, they were still full of confidence.
Xiulote nodded in approval, not hiding his delight.
Shipbuilding is a profound and challenging task, requiring extensive technical exploration and practice. It is not sothing that can be hastened by just one or two individuals. Even though he was a transmigrator and knew the ship’s shape and general structure, if the craftsn lacked sufficient technical accumulation, it would still be extrely difficult to produce. Pucuta’s promise to test a paddle-sail ship within a year was enough to thrill him.
Imdiately, the king unfolded the second scroll of the blueprint, once again looking expectantly at the master craftsn present.
The second scroll depicted the sand ship commonly seen in the Celestial Empire, which was also used in large rivers or near seas and was generally developed during the Tang and Song periods. Its shape had a square stern and bow, a spacious deck, and slightly low freeboard. The most notable feature was its multiple masts and sails, which were large and shallow, making it fast due to its multi-sail design. At the stern, there was also a lift-operated rudder. Most importantly, the sand ship utilized a flat keel pioneered by the Celestial Empire, which was both wide and thick, capable of withstanding storms, making it unimpeded in the seas!
Xiulote could not rember the complete structure of a sand ship. He simply drew the "three in front, two behind" five mast positions from his mories of Jiangnan’s riverside scenes, sketched out the rudder at the stern of the sand ship, and finally emphasized the ship’s flat keel.
The dinsions of the sand ship were noted as 20 ters long, 4 ters wide, and 1.5 ters high, making the total volu about 120 cubic ters, with an effective capacity of about 50-60 cubic ters, which is approximately 500-600 stones in the period of the Ming Dynasty. This type of sand ship usually only required seven or eight people to operate freely and was the most classic sailboat style of the Celestial Empire. Its various sails could utilize wind from all directions, making it very cost-effective in transportation, and its carrying capacity had already far exceeded the needs of the Alliance and Kingdom.
Pucuta stared with wide eyes, examining the "Divine Revelation" ship drawing in detail. He scanned every corner of the drawing, noticing many unclear annotations and large connected parts that were blank, which made him frown in concern.
"Your Majesty, this ship drawing... is there a more detailed internal diagram available?"
Xiulote felt slightly embarrassed, calmly shaking his head.
"Divine revelations are always fleeting glimpses, just as the intentions of the gods are unpredictable... This type of sand ship is mainly used for transportation and can sail on the Great Lake, resisting strong storms. What’s most noteworthy are the ship’s stern rudder for steering and the keel that shapes the hull."
"The stern rudder? The keel?"
Pucuta chewed on these unfamiliar terms, his eyes full of inquiry.
"Please elucidate further, Your Majesty."
Xiulote thought carefully, recalling the principles he had learned from physics textbooks, before he began to explain.
"The function of the stern rudder is actually similar to the paddle at the stern of a canoe that controls direction. It includes a rudder blade in the water, which is the controlling tail paddle, followed by the rudder shaft that transmits force, and the horizontal rudder operated by a person at the stern. If the ship needs to turn left, you turn the rudder left, which drives the tail paddle to deviate right, and then the water flow pushes the hull left..."
Pucuta pondered for a mont, his years of shipbuilding experience confirming what he had just learned. He soon realized and exclaid loudly.
"Your Majesty, your divine revelation is brilliant! However, this rotation requires great effort; the rudder shaft should be made of high-quality hardwood like birch, red oak, or fragrant rosewood... And this keel, what kind of bone is that?"
Xiulote shook his head with a smile. He said, laughing.
"The keel is rely a taphor, aning the sturdy bones of a giant beast. It is actually a longitudinal structure that runs from the bow to the stern along the centerline of the ship’s bottom. If made from a robust material, like aged timber, spanning the entire length of the ship, it can make the vessel very sturdy, allowing it to remain stable amidst the storms on Eastern Lake. As for the flat keel..."
Having said this, Xiulote suddenly paused. He only knew the basic concept and was not familiar with the specific details of the keel. After a while, the King spoke sowhat awkwardly.
"A flat keel is just a flat-assembled keel...As for the specific structure, you all should try and make a good effort to explore it!"
Pucuta looked at the King’s expression and imdiately understood. He bowed his head in respect, then discussed with the Master Craftsmans for a mont before carefully reporting back.
"Your Majesty, this type of Sand Ship is quite novel, a style never seen before, with tail rudders and whatnot. We need to carefully ponder it. If we are lucky, perhaps we can build one in four or five years. If we are not so lucky... it might take ten years or even longer."
Hearing this, Xiulote’s expression changed. His gaze sharpened, glaring at Pucuta like a majestic eagle. Pucuta bravely saluted and lowered his head deeply. The surrounding Master Craftsmans also bowed their heads in respect.
After a long ti, reflecting on the difficulties of exploring shipbuilding, the King sighed lightly and finally made a decision.
"Pucuta, since that’s the case, engage thoroughly in the exploration! From today, the Northern Shipyard is established, directly subordinate to the Divine Revelation Place in the Capital City, and you will serve as its director! The copper from the south will be supplied to you as a priority. Start with twin-hulled and multi-hulled canoes, familiarize yourselves with the technique of connecting ships, and upgrade the Kingdom’s Naval Forces. Then, hasten to explore the manufacturing process of sail-and-oar ships. Within one year, I want to hear good news from you!"
"As for the more complex Sand Ship..."
Xiulote pondered for a mont and then promised generously.
"I set no limits on the ti for exploration. As long as you can produce a qualified prototype, the leader will be granted a hereditary nobility title, and rewarded with 2400 acres of hereditary land in Rivermouth County! The other senior Craftsmans will be elevated to military nobility, rewarded with gold and silver, feathers, and land!"
Hearing such generous rewards, the Craftsmans’ breathing beca heavy, and their eyes sparkled with light. Pucuta took a deep breath twice, maintaining his composed deanor. His eyes sparkled as he looked at the last scroll in the King’s hand.
"Your Majesty, this last scroll, what type of ship is it? May I have a look?"
Hearing this, Xiulote lowered his eyes, his thoughts drifting away. He seed to hear the orderly sound of bugles, followed by the roar of gunfire. Tall warships with sails unfurled slowly crossing the hull, exposing rows of orderly cannon; Thunderbolt erupting in an instant, destroying all enemies onshore and at sea!
After contemplating for a long ti, the King shook his head. He put away the last ship drawing, smiling as he spoke.
"This is a gift from the Goddess of Truth and Justice, and it’s not yet ti to unveil it! I hope that in my lifeti, I will witness its arrival, bringing broad truth to the Alliance...Pucuta, do well! The vast future of the Kingdom lies in your hard-working hands!"
Hearing the King’s high expectations, Pucuta knelt down and bowed, repeatedly saying "I dare not." The many Shipwrights also knelt down, their expressions anxious.
Xiulote left the ship drawing and spent the night at the dockside. Then, he discussed with the senior Master Craftsmans for several days and personally oversaw the establishnt of the Shipyard. Only after the first twin-hulled canoe was improved did he lead his trusted aides away.
March was ending in a blink of an eye. The Lerma River’s shores were adorned with swaying green reeds and the chirping of birds. Envoy from Otapan City had been waiting at the rivermouth fortress, requesting the great Highness to head north as soon as possible.
Steady as mountains, Xiulote first summoned scouts returning from the north to clearly understand the situation around Otapan. Then, he lastly summoned the monkey Prepecha. Prepecha had preliminarily sorted out the governance of Rivermouth County and arranged the logistics of supplies and fodder.
The King expressed his approval with satisfaction and then led six thousand of the Imperial Guard Legion, crossing the tumultuous Lerma River by Naval Forces’ boats, heading north once more to Otapan City. A few days later, the grand Kingdom’s Imperial Guard Legion arrived under the vigilant yet respectful gazes of the Otomi people at the impregnable Mountain City.
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