Chapter 883 Ship

Chapter 883: Ship Chapter 883: Ship Editor: Atlas Studios Even though Qi Haoran was dizzy from the fever, he could not help but widen his eyes at this moment.

There were actually only so few people in the entire Guangdong Naval Division?

Before he came, he had gotten someone from the Ministry of War to transfer the files of the Guangdong Naval Division.

Although he had only skimmed through the files, he had a rough idea of the situation.

He did not expect them to falsify the numbers so severely.

Even though there were more than 30,000 men on paper, in reality there were only about 6,000 of them.

Qi Haoran’s face, which was already a little red from the fever, turned even redder—this time due to fury.

Zhou Zhou also knew that this matter could not be hidden.

He lowered his head, and Mu Yangling’s heart sank.

She asked in a low voice, “Can those eight ships sail far?” “No.” Zhou Zhou answered in a defeated tone.

“The ships are old, not heavy enough and can’t go far.

The ship that Magistrate Fan took is the best.

It was built with a huge sum of money by the Zhou family, and construction was completed at the beginning of this year.

But because of the Imperial Court’s decree, it hasn’t been able to go to the sea…” “If we can’t sail far, how are we going to find them?” Zhou Zhou gritted his teeth and said, “The soldiers have brought enough rations and freshwater.

They have the ability to reach the Nanyang area.” Although it was dangerous, they had already sent two ships of soldiers back and forth, but they still could not find them.

This was what made them feel the most despair.

However, Qi Haoran and Mu Yangling were not satisfied with this answer.

Without a large ship, it meant that they could not sail far.

From time to time, they would have to come back to replenish their supplies.

If they encountered a big storm, they might not even be able to go out to sea.

At this moment, Mu Yangling also wished she could kill these people who had grifted the government’s money and reported false numbers.

“Since the Zhou family can build a new ship, do they have bigger ships?” Zhou Zhou, who was from the Zhou family’s side branch, shook his head.

“The sea merchants in Guangdong haven’t gone to the sea for many years.

Back then, the ships were either left there in disrepair or sold to the Naval Division as warships.

It only occurred to the Zhou family to go to the sea again in recent years.

For this ship test, the head of the Zhou family and a few young masters born from the first wife are all on the ship…” Therefore, the Zhou family had also suffered huge losses in addition to being suspected of murdering an important official of the Imperial Court.

The atmosphere in the entire Zhou Residence was bleak.

Qi Haoran said angrily, “Then tell me, where else in Guangdong is there a big ship?” “Only the Westerners have them.” Zhou Zhou said, “Recently, there have been two Westerners’ ships docked.

They eat a lot and there are also cannons on their ships.

But, those belong to the Westerners…” Qi Haoran stood up and sneered.

“As long as there are ships, it’s fine.

Get the garrison in Guangdong to gather and surround those two ships for me.

Get your Naval Division to prepare.

We’ll go out to sea to search for them tomorrow.

Zhou Zhou, I’ll be clear upfront.

It’s fine if we do find them.

But if not, you’ll all have to die with the Duke of Peaceful State.

Think about who you should get to board the ship with us.” “Your Highness, you can’t do that.” Yu Cheng shouted, “That’s a Westerner’s ship.

If we seize their ship, I’m afraid it will cause a conflict between the two countries.” “Conflict between the two countries?

Is it Spain or Portugal?

Or is it France or Italy?

Do you know even where their territory is?

If they want to start a conflict between the two countries, they’ll first come to Great Qi.

It’s just two ships.

If just that alone scares you so much it makes you piss your pants, it’s no wonder you gave up five miles of our coast!” Mu Yangling scolded.

“Let’s do as His Highness says.

Zhou Zhou, bring your men personally.

If the Westerners resist, just arrest them.

If they dare to kill anyone, kill them all.

That just means we’ll have two more ships.” Everyone was shocked and looked at the Princess Consort in shock.

Prince Rong was a bandit, and Princess Consort Rong was a bandit’s wife?

Erm, this was really too embarrassing for Great Qi.

But at this moment, no one dared to disobey orders.

Mu Yangling and Qi Haoran returned to the inner estate.

“Get someone to call the doctor over.” Mu Yangling took out some pills and thought for a moment before doubling the amount.

“Take more and see if it’s more effective.” Qi Haoran rolled his eyes.

“Aren’t you afraid that I’ll die from overdosing?” However, he still took a handful and stuffed it into his mouth before drinking some water to wash it down.

Touching his forehead, he said, “I don’t feel like I’m having a fever.

I just feel dizzy and find it hard to think.

Damn it, when I have the time, I’ll definitely remove Qin Fang’s people.

It’s their fault I’m so sick at the moment.” Seeing that his eyes were almost closed, Mu Yangling pushed him onto the bed.

She held his hand and promised, “Sleep first.

When the ship is ready, we’ll go out to sea.

I can arrange these for you, no problem.

But you’ll definitely have to command the army yourself.

Before that, you have to recuperate.” Upon hearing this, Qi Haoran fell asleep in a daze.

He told himself in his heart that Ah Ling was right.

He had to get better.

Zijin might be floating pitifully at sea waiting for him to save him.

He must not fall sick again.

Absolutely not!

As Qi Haoran thought about this, his internal energy started to circulate uncontrollably.

Seeing sweat slowly form on his forehead, Mu Yangling took a towel and wiped it for him.

Fei Bai quickly walked in.

“Your Highness, Butler Xia is here.” Mu Yangling placed the towel aside and said in a low voice, “Call a manservant in to take care of His Highness.” Butler Xia was kneeling at the foot of the stairs when Mu Yangling asked him to get up and called him into the room.

She asked, “Tell us what happened.

Defu didn’t explain it clearly.

We still don’t understand why your master went to test the ship.” Tears streamed down Butler Xia’s face.

He knelt down again and kowtowed.

“Your Highness, our master was deceived by Yu Cheng and the others!” Butler Xia cried as he said, “Our master is interested in sea trade, so he asked the chief steward to contact the sea merchants in Guangdong, wanting to get involved in the business.

However, those Westerners kept raising the price knowing that their goods are rare.

Not to mention the sea merchants in Guangdong, even our master doesn’t get much profit from them.

Our master attempted to negotiate with them, but those Westerners kept raising the price.

Our master couldn’t help but be angry.

When has he ever been manipulated like this in business?

Therefore, he joined forces with the sea merchants in Guangdong to boycott the Westerners’ goods.

Now, no one was buying them.” “However, we can’t just let this matter remain in a deadlock, and have to resolve it.

Our master wanted to reopen the coast to attract more Westerners and give the people living along the coast another means to make money.

However, Yu Cheng claimed that pirates were rampant and the Naval Division didn’t have the ability to fend them off.

Reopening the coast would only let the pirates harass the commoners.

Those Westerners also clamored about not coming to Guangdong’s ports anymore.

After hearing this, the sea merchants who were originally on our master’s side started to hesitate.

Someone started to contact those Westerners in private.” Butler Xia wiped his tears and said, “At this moment, the Zhou family came looking for us.

They said that they had secretly built a large ship a few years ago.

Because of the Imperial Court’s maritime ban, they haven’t been able to test the ship.

They suggested that if the Duke was willing, the Zhou family would be willing to offer the ship to jointly do maritime business with the Duke.

Our master was just fretting that he hadn’t had a chance to win the hearts of the people so far, so he agreed without thinking.

He said that he would convince the Emperor while all the Zhou family had to do was to organize the manpower.

In order to force those Westerners to submit, the Duke decided to personally test the ship.

But though he said that he’d be back that very day and no later than the next afternoon, we’ve received no news from the Duke ever since.

As for Yu Cheng, he only started searching for the Duke three days later.

I felt that the Duke going missing at sea was a severe matter.

If it was on land, he’d be fine with the protection of his guards and secret guards.

Besides, he can ride a horse and also knows martial arts.

However, on the sea…”

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