Volume 2: Soaring! The Overlord of the Region Chapter 325: Carpenter of Binhai Factory
“Knock, knock, knock~”
"DuangDuangDuang~"
On a tidal flat along the coast of Tianjin, a huge shipyard has been built. Thousands of workers are at their posts, and inside and outside the shipyard, there are the sounds of saws sawing wood, hammers hitting, and workers using levers and pulleys to lift heavy objects in unison... There is rhythm in the noise and order in the busyness.
The entire shipyard is located in a bay, with ten huge artillery batteries guarding the outer side of the bay. Inside the bay, five slipways have already laid their keels, and another five slipways are under construction.
On the first slipway, a young man in his teens stood out among the workers who were at least in their twenties.
However, although he is young, he is very skilled in his work. The craftsman next to him, who is in his forties, is his master, but when he is working, he becomes his assistant.
"Your Highness, Your Highness~"
"Hmm?" Hearing the address of His Highness, the young man took off his iron helmet and said unhappily, "Wei Chao, didn't I tell you? This is a shipyard, not the palace. There is no , only Zhu Youxiao, an apprentice at Binhai Shipyard!"
"Yes, I was in a hurry and forgot. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
"Hey, you... tell me, what's the matter? Didn't mother send you to ask me to go back again?"
"No, that's not the case. Your internship at the shipyard has been agreed by His Royal Highness the Regent, and Ciqing Palace has no objection to it."
"What was that?"
"Your Highness, after the news that the Binhai Shipyard laid the keel of a warship was published in the Yanjing Daily yesterday, the people in Beijing were all excited. It is said that starting from this morning, more than 100,000 people in Beijing left the city to go to the Binhai Shipyard to see the new warships of our Ming Dynasty. There were so many people and cars on the road that it was extremely crowded, and the wheels were entangled with each other... Alas, I am not well-educated and don't know how to describe it."
"Stupid, that's called the wheels hitting the shoulders and the horses converging..."
"Ah? With so many people coming, won't our shipyard be flooded?"
Of course, the person who said this would not be Zhu Youxiao.
"Well, Master Huang, it's a good thing that the people are paying attention to our shipyard. This shows that the people are loyal to our Ming Dynasty and have placed great hopes on our shipyard."
"Haha, Xiao, this is certainly a good thing, but our shipyard is really not prepared. They have come from far away, and it is unreasonable not to let them in to take a look. If we let them in, what if 100,000 people rush in at once, delaying the construction period? What if there is a stampede and many casualties?"
"Yes." Zhu Youxiao nodded calmly and said, "Master Huang is right."
After saying this, Zhu Youxiao lowered his head to finish processing the wooden mortise and tenon structure in his hand, and measured it with the vernier caliper made in Fangshan Laboratory. Then he stood up and saluted to the craftsman next to him: "Master Huang, I will go to General Manager Bi's office to discuss how to receive the visiting people. Next, Master Huang will have to work alone for a while."
"Haha, no problem. Go ahead, brother."
As he and Wei Chao walked down from the dock, Wei Chao couldn't help but mutter, "Your Highness, who is this old man? How dare he accept your gift so openly?"
"That's Master Huang. He has been following you since the day you got Honghe Manor. It's been almost thirteen years now." After saying this, Zhu Youxiao turned around and said to Wei Chao, "In fact, even if they are not old people who have followed you for thirteen years, they are just ordinary craftsmen in this shipyard. As long as they really have a skill, or in other words, as long as they are working hard for our Ming Dynasty, we, the descendants of the royal family, must have enough respect and gratitude for these people. This is the truth that you have been emphasizing to us brothers and sisters over the years."
After saying this, Zhu Youxiao did not stop and went directly to the office of Bi Maokang, the general manager of Binhai Shipyard.
"I have seen your Highness."
"Please excuse me, Mr. Bi."
"Your Highness, are you here to see me because of the people of Beijing coming to my shipyard?"
"Exactly. Does General Manager Bi have any solution to this problem?"
"We have made a rough arrangement, and we are preparing to invite His Highness to come over for review."
"Hahaha, Mr. Bi, I'm only twelve years old this year, and my talent is far inferior to that of my older brother. So, the word 'review' is not appropriate . I came here just to see if there is anything I can do to help."
Alas, it is said that when Prince Huiren was alive, this second grandson of the emperor was a devil in Ciqing Palace. But when Huiren passed away and the grandson returned to Beijing, the children in Ciqing Palace grew up so fast in recent years. Well... Huiren's death doesn't seem to be a bad thing for the royal family. Tsk! How could I have such an idea?
He shook his head and put aside the rebellious thoughts in his heart. Then Bi Maokang respectfully handed the relevant countermeasures to Zhu Youxiao.
"Your Highness, it is now four o'clock in the afternoon. Although the Beijing-Tianjin highway is congested, according to the report from the Jinyiwei's express horse, the garrison in Beijing has been dispatched to clear the traffic. It is estimated that at seven or eight o'clock in the evening, a large number of people will pour into Tianjin. Therefore, I think the first thing to do is to contact the garrison in Tianjin and ask them to demarcate the area and set up an accounting office. Otherwise, the inns in Tianjin will not be enough."
"Well, although it's already June and sleeping outdoors is not a big problem, it's still good to be able to live in a tent. This is a good idea of General Manager Bi."
"Thank you, Your Highness. Next, I will allow the people from Beijing to visit the shipyard for free starting tomorrow. I have planned the route in advance to ensure that areas such as artillery production and explosives storage will not be mistakenly entered by ordinary people."
"Hmm... I think we need to make some adjustments."
"Your Highness, please explain clearly."
"I don't deserve it, I just want to offer some suggestions. General Manager, starting tomorrow, we will allow no more than 10,000 people to visit the shipyard every day. In addition to guiding and explaining along the way, we will also mobilize the Tianjin Garrison to enter the shipyard to maintain order. As for the larger number of people waiting, we have to send people to inform them in advance and confirm the date for their visit. After all, ordinary people dare not stay here for ten consecutive days."
"Your Highness is right."
"Also, regarding the location of the tour, I suggest that they go directly to see the slipways of our 1,200-ton first-class battleships and 600-ton battleships. Then, let them visit the living quarters of our shipyard workers, as well as the school for the children of ship workers that my sister is currently running!"
"Hmm... That makes sense. I understand. But Your Highness, the garrison in Tianjin..."
"Hahaha, don't worry, General Manager. Although I am the second grandson of the emperor, Brother Regent has absolute confidence in me. You see, I have a decree from Brother Regent: in case of emergency, the Tianjin garrison of no more than one thousand people can be mobilized."
"I am really pleased that the Crown Prince trusts Your Highness. But Your Highness, these 1,000 troops are not enough."
"It's definitely not enough. We need to work harder at the shipyard. We can draw workers from the shipyard to guide, explain, and maintain order. General Manager, I have to say that the construction period will be delayed. However, it is rare for the people to be so enthusiastic. I think it is totally worth delaying the construction period in order to actively respond to this enthusiasm!"
