The Black Sails of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 125 Arrival in Liaodong
Centipede boats were already waiting on the side of the sea. The ropes connecting the wooden stakes to the gantry were untied and tied to the centipede boats. A dozen people rowed together to bring the wooden stakes to the shore.

Such large timber capable of withstanding the pressure of seawater is extremely rare, and it must be recycled and reused.

On the embankment, the craftsmen used the same method to pull out the remaining wooden stakes one by one.

Then, Bai Langzai piloted the large Fu boat, with its stern aligned with the entrance to the dry dock, and the boat was pulled into the dock by animal power.

The dry dock uses a floating dock gate, is made entirely of wood, and floats on the sea surface when not filled with water, resembling a strange ship.

After the large ship enters the dock, the dock gate is towed to the designated position at the dock entrance by ropes and centipede boats. Then, the sea valve is opened to allow water to be injected and the ship to sink.

The process of lowering the dock gate by filling it with water utilizes the principle of communicating vessels, eliminating the need for external force to fill the water, and the dock gate descends very quickly.

There are scales on both sides of the dock gate. Craftsmen keep a close eye on the scale readings at the dock entrance. Once the dock is close to sinking, they will inform the craftsman operating the sea valve to turn the knob to narrow the valve opening, so as to slow down the descent of the dock gate and prevent it from being damaged by bumping into the bottom.

At the bottom of the dock entrance, there is a groove with the same length and width as the dock gate. The groove is filled with hemp rope, straw and other materials soaked in tung oil to ensure watertightness.

After the dock gate was completely submerged, the ten animal-powered pumps at the rear of the dry dock began to operate.

The selected pumps consist of eight screw pumps and two chain pumps, all connected to drainage channels at the top. The water is then discharged back into the sea by gravity.

Screw pumps are suitable for pumping turbid seawater containing silt, while chain pumps are suitable for precise operation in low-lying areas. The two types of pumps complement each other perfectly.

The onshore portion of the screw pump also features a specially designed chain speed-changing structure, which allows for rapid rotation of the screw pump with greater force and a smaller turning radius, thereby increasing drainage capacity and maximizing the use of animal power.

The design of this entire dry dock system was partly based on existing technology in the Ming Dynasty and partly on Lin Qian's "inventions".

Looking down from the East Mound Corner, one can see more than a dozen winches turning incessantly around the dry dock, with colorful ropes crisscrossing in a dazzling display. Countless boats, people, and animals are working around the dry dock, and seawater flows down like white waterfalls from the four drainage channels, creating a truly awe-inspiring scene.

Seeing such a scene, I felt a sense of pride that man can conquer nature.

With such a large workforce consumed by just one dry dock, it's no wonder that after the early Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty stopped building treasure ships for voyages.

All the brothers watched intently.

Even Lei Sanxiang exclaimed, "This scene is somewhat similar to a military formation. This trip was definitely worthwhile."

Scholar Zhou recited a poem and exclaimed, "Lu You of the Southern Song Dynasty wrote, 'A red-clothed figure cuts through the roots of the sea and mountains, a pillar stands tall to guard the sea gate.' Today, I have witnessed the scene described in the poem."

Chen Jiao murmured, "I'm afraid even the shipyard of the treasure ships back then is no better than this."

Zheng Zhilong remained silent, thinking to himself, "I thought Macau's dry docks were the best in the world, but compared to the dry docks on the island, they are nothing."

Then he stole a glance at Lin Qian, thinking to himself, "The captain is proficient in everything from navigation to warfare, how can he also know how to build a dry dock? Is it really possible for someone in this world to know so much? I used to be so proud of myself for teaching myself Portuguese, but compared to the captain, I'm utterly ashamed..."

The pumping had been going on for half an hour, and it was nearly dusk when someone in the dry dock shouted, "Stop!"

All the pumps stopped at once, and the water flow in the dry dock drainage channel gradually thinned out.

Then, craftsmen used sounding ropes to measure the water level inside the dry dock.

The stonemason was a little nervous: "Managers, this is to check the water tightness of the gate. We'll have to wait an hour."

An hour later, it was completely dark. Torches were lit on the dry dock, and the craftsmen remeasured the water level: "The water is 23 feet deep."

As soon as he finished speaking, cheers erupted all around the dry dock.

Upon receiving the news, the stonemason beamed with joy, his voice trembling with excitement: "Gentlemen, the water level has barely changed in an hour... We've succeeded! We've succeeded!"

"Good!" Lei Sanxiang clenched his fist heavily.

The other brothers looked at each other and burst into laughter.

The stonemason was so excited that he kept wiping his eyes with his dirty sleeve. Seeing this, Lin Qian tore off a piece of cloth from her clothes and gave it to him.

“Master…” The stonemason dared not accept it, tears washing away the dust from his face, revealing deep furrows.

Lin Qiankuan said in a broad voice, "I came out in a hurry and didn't bring a handkerchief. Luckily, my clothes are still relatively clean. Don't mind, use this to wipe yourself."

"No, no, no..." The stonemason hurriedly waved his hand, whether he wanted to say he dared not accept it or that he didn't mind.

Lin Qian stuffed the piece of clothing into his hand and said, "You are a hero in building the dry dock. It won't do if you ruin your eyesight. Use this for now. When I return to the city, I will send you handkerchiefs, made of Chaozhou silk, three for each person, and a reward. All the craftsmen who participated in the construction of the dry dock will receive twenty taels each, and the apprentices will receive ten taels each!"

The stonemason, sobbing uncontrollably, cupped his hands and said, "On behalf of everyone, thank you, Captain!"

In the Ming Dynasty, artisans were legally considered good citizens, but in reality, they were practically considered lowly and were subject to considerable discrimination. They had never received such attention and treatment from those in power.

Chu Shijiang was also abducted to the island by Lin Qian. When he first arrived, he was filled with fear and resentment, just like everyone else. He spent every day thinking about how to escape.

But as time went on, they discovered that the islanders were simple and honest, there was no oppression from the government, no discrimination from the gentry, and they were actually paid for working for the boatman.

The wages are significantly higher than those on land. Although prices are also high on the island, the high wages allow for a decent life, which is much more comfortable than living on land.

As time went on, the thought of escaping faded, and he even found himself quite content with it.

Lin Qian's high salary satisfied his basic needs for survival, while the stable political environment on the island satisfied his security needs.

His family had all been taken to the island, leaving him with no ties to the mainland. In addition, the island did not discriminate against artisans, thus fulfilling his need for love and belonging.

Later, Lin Qian taught him how to make cement mortar and put him in charge of building dry docks. He felt a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. Since receiving the order, he had been worried day and night, working hard and not daring to make any mistakes, for fear of failing to live up to the trust placed in him.

Now that the dry dock is complete, he has received Lin Qian's approval, and his needs for respect and self-actualization have all been met at once.

The stonemason Chu naturally didn't understand Maslow's hierarchy of needs. He was content and had no other desires. He felt that throughout history, a stonemason who had reached his level was the best he could do.

Even if someone were to tie him up and bring him back to the mainland, he would still try to find a way to return to the island.

He wasn't the only one who thought this way; when he and his buddies drank and chatted privately, everyone thought the same thing.

While drinking, everyone said that the captain wanted to build a large house with a courtyard and skylight on the island, and even a grand mansion.

Whenever Chu Shijiang was tired from work, he would think of the Four-Point Gold and the Big House, and he would feel that there was hope for the future and he would feel more energetic.

In fact, artisans and ordinary people don't ask for much; all they want is fairness and to be able to distribute according to their work.

Unfortunately, neither did the gentry on the shore nor the rulers of the Ming Dynasty.

Their minds are filled with political maneuvering and religious doctrines; they have no idea who created the world's wealth.

It's getting late.

After measuring the water level, the craftsmen returned to their barracks to rest, while ten water pumps beside the dry dock ran continuously on their own.

Thanks to the cattle and mules that Hu Zhaoyuan brought to the island, the water pumps can run day and night, with the cattle and mules working in two shifts, so that the machines don't stop even when the animals stop.

Even at this intensity of work, it would take three to four days to pump out all the water from the dry dock before people could go down into the dry dock to work.

Lin Qian found Huang, the mute, explained a few things to him about the repairs of the large ship, and then took his brothers back to Houjiangwan Port by boat.

Having lived on Nan'ao Island for a long time, the crew members are familiar with the sea conditions around the island, and can ensure safety even when sailing in the dark.

……

At midnight, Chen Jiao arrived at the captain's cabin of the St. Anna as instructed by Lin Qian. After knocking on the door and entering, he found Bai Langzai there as well.

Chen Jiao clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Captain, Seventh Brother."

Lin Qian said, "Please sit down, elder brother, pour yourself some tea."

"No need, I won't be able to sleep if I drink so late at night," Chen Jiao waved his hand.

Lin Qian: "Alright, it's late, let's not waste any more time. Bai Langzai, give the things to Big Brother."

"Yes." Bai Langzai responded, took out a booklet from his pocket and handed it to Chen Jiao, then brought over a wooden box that was more than half a person tall, with a lock on the opening.

Chen Jiao recognized it at a glance as the box containing the sextant. This thing had always been carried by Bai Langzai, the fire chief, and no one else was allowed to touch it. Why would he take it out for him today?
Bai Langzai unlocked the box, took out the sextant, and said, "This is something made by the captain, called a sextant. It's used for measuring latitude. You should know it, brother. Today, the captain ordered me to give it to you."

That little booklet contains my records of the solar altitude angle and the North Star altitude angle. From now on, my older brother should also measure and record them daily at noon and midnight, trying to avoid interruptions.

Chen Jiao was quite surprised and asked, "Seventh Brother, where are you going?"

“It’s because Big Brother is going out to sea,” Bai Langzai said, shaking his head.

Lin Qian continued, "I have decided to appoint my elder brother as governor to develop Dongfan Island. The journey will be dangerous, and a sextant can help us avoid veering off course."

Chen Jiao wanted to speak, but Lin Qian stopped him by raising her hand: "Don't worry, brother, I won't be gone for too long. As long as the situation on Dongfan Island is stable, I can come back at any time."

For Lin Qian, Dongfan Island is a treasure island.

However, to the people of the Ming Dynasty, Dongfan Island was a wild and uncivilized place, and the name itself reveals their attitude towards it.

Although Nan'ao Island also suffers from a shortage of productive forces and is far from being a glamorous world, it still represents a standard of living befitting a feudal society. Going to Dongfan Island would be like returning to a primitive society.

It's perfectly normal for Chen Jiao to have concerns.

After hearing Lin Qian's explanation, Chen Jiao's expression improved. After a moment's thought, he said, "I'll leave it to the captain's arrangements! When do we depart?"

"The first day of the fourth lunar month."

"So fast?" Chen Jiao was slightly surprised.

If history remains unchanged, the Dutch will land in Penghu in the second year of the Tianqi era, which is next year, and then officially colonize Dongfan Island.

He doesn't have much time left to establish himself.

Lin Qian: "On this trip, you will take the Sea Wolf IV, Sea Wolf V, and Changfeng with you."

"Changfeng?"

“It’s the No. 2 Jia Fu ship.” Lin Qian said, taking out a cigar, lighting it in front of the candle, and exhaling a long plume of smoke. “In a month, it will be fully repaired, equipped with twelve Siren cannons, and have one less sterncastle, making it more suitable for naval warfare and ocean voyages.”

This ship belongs to the new Sea Lion-class frigates, and I've tentatively named it the Changfeng. From now on, my brother will be the owner of the Changfeng. If he doesn't like the name, he can change it.

Chen Jiao said, "That's a good name, let's call it Changfeng!"

Lin Qian took a booklet from the table and asked Bai Langzai to give it to Chen Jiao.

Chen Jiao took it; the first dozen or so pages were all about precautions and coping strategies.

Starting from page 20, there was a densely packed list. He had been occasionally attending literacy classes lately and had basically learned to read and write. The list detailed the various personnel and supplies he was bringing on this trip.

The fleet consisted of 150 crew members, 50 artisans of various kinds, 200 prisoners, 1,800 shi of rice and flour as staple food, and 15 transport ships.

There were also all kinds of non-staple foods, farm tools, building materials, weapons, ammunition, medicines, silver, etc., which were simply all-encompassing.

Each item is followed by a specific quantity, and even the craftsman's name is noted.

Lin Qian exhaled a puff of smoke: "This list is just a first draft. I wrote it in my spare time, and there are still many omissions. I need to discuss it with my second brother and the craftsmen on the island before finalizing it. Since my eldest brother has become the Governor-General of Dongfan, let him handle this matter."

"Yes." Chen Jiao clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Then Lin Qian gave a general overview of Dongfan Island and discussed its future development direction.

When Chen Jiao heard that Lin Qian wanted to plant sugarcane on the island, he frowned and said, "Captain, farming requires a lot of labor. The four hundred people who came to the island are all from the sea, or they are craftsmen. They don't know how to farm. It's already difficult enough that they can cultivate farmland and grow food for export."

Lin Qian smiled mysteriously: "Don't worry about the labor for farming, I plan to leave it to Bai Qing."

"Oh." Chen Jiao was skeptical.

"It's getting late, let's go back to the cabin and rest. Exploring the eastern frontier is a major event, and we have a month to discuss it in detail."

……

The next morning, Lin Qian was having breakfast when she suddenly heard a knock on the door.

Bai Qing's voice came from outside the door: "Master, are you up?"

Lin Qian swallowed the rice porridge, wiped her mouth, and said, "Come in."

Bai Qing pushed open the door and entered. Seeing Lin Qian eating breakfast, he said apologetically, "It's my fault for being in such a hurry and arriving so early. Please eat first, Chief, I'll come back later."

Lin Qian stopped her, saying, "No need, finish eating right away."

He then slurped up a couple of mouthfuls of rice porridge, tossed the bowl and chopsticks aside, and wiped his mouth.

"How's your reading going?"

Bai Qing replied, "I've learned all the characters, but I still can't understand those classical Chinese phrases."

“It will be fine as long as it can be written in vernacular Chinese.” Lin Qian said, then pointed to the nautical table, “Open the box on the table and take a look.”

The box was about half a person's height and was unlocked. Bai Qing opened it and saw that it contained a complex instrument made of lenses and wood.

“This is a sextant, newly made by Uncle Huang from camphor wood. You are Bailangzai’s sister, so you should have heard of this thing,” Lin Qian said.

Bai Qing gently touched the wooden frame of the sextant: "I've only ever seen my brother use this thing from afar. He's never mentioned anything else about it, and this is the first time I've ever heard the name 'sexant'."

Lin Qian briefly explained the function of the sextant, and then said, "As for how to use it, let Bai Langzai teach you."

"us?"

"And my eldest brother, Chen Jiao." Lin Qian paused, "You two will each go out to sea once."

After saying that, Lin Qian got up and went to the filing cabinet, took out a map, which was a hand-drawn map of the Ming Dynasty's coastline, with the latitude of each place marked on it.

The method is very simple: use 23°N latitude of Nan'ao Island and 30°N latitude of the Yangtze River Estuary as the benchmark, and mark other latitudes at equal intervals with a ruler.

This map is certainly not accurate, but compared to the maps sold by Daming Bookstore, at least the proportions of the main peninsulas, islands, and mainland are roughly the same.

Lin Qian gestured for Bai Qing to put away the sextant, spread the map out on the nautical table, and pointed to the place where the seas of Fujian and Guangdong meet.

"This is Nan'ao Island, where we are. Heading north along the coastline, we pass through Fujian, Zhejiang, Southern Zhili, Shandong, and all the way to here... Liaodong."

Lin Qian's finger stopped on the peninsula in northeastern Da Ming.

"Your destination is Liaodong."

……

Ten days later, Bai Qing led three Hailang ships, six Haicang ships, and twenty Cangshan ships out of the port and headed north towards Liaodong.

The fleet also carried the Spanish caravel, a fast ship suitable for sending messages, which Lin Qian named the Carrier Pigeon.

As Lin Qian instructed, the fleet always sailed in the open sea. Every day at noon and at night, Bai Qing would measure the latitude and record it in the nautical log.

In March, the northwest monsoon weakens and often alternates with the southeast monsoon, making it unsuitable for navigation.

However, Bai Qing's fleet consisted entirely of experienced sailors. Changing sails seven or eight times in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn was routine for them. They were unfazed by the ever-changing winds and traveled in a straight line in the open sea, without having to zigzag along the coastline. Their speed was extremely fast.

Just twenty days later, they reached 39 degrees north latitude, which, according to the map Lin Qian gave her, was the latitude of Liaodong.

Bai Qing ordered the fleet to sail west. This was an unfamiliar sea area for the crew, and everyone sailed very carefully.

Around noon, the lookout exclaimed with delight, "Land! We've reached the shore!"

Bai Qing stepped out of the stern cabin, shaded his eyes with his hand, and looked towards the bow of the ship, where he saw a green line appearing on the horizon.

Bai Qing ordered, "Sail northeast, along the coast, and search for islands."

Before departing, Lin Qian instructed Bai Qing that the Jurchens of Liaodong were skilled in archery and horsemanship, and the crew would be no match for them in land combat. Fortunately, the Jurchens did not have sea ships, so after arriving in Liaodong, they should first find an island to settle down, and then deal with the rest of the tasks gradually.

Upon receiving the order, the fleet collectively turned around and headed northeast.

There are many islands in Liaodong; a lookout can spot a large island in just two hours.

Bai Qing ordered two sea-wave ships to scout around the island. After confirming that it was safe, the fleet landed on the island and set up camp.

The fleet carried a great deal of supplies on this voyage, and after docking, the crew members were constantly unloading them.

Bai Qing set up camp on a flat spot on an island.

Just as they were setting up camp, they saw a small boat sailing by on the sea. Fearing that the news would leak out, Bai Qing sent Zhong Aqi with two ships, Hailang, to capture the person.

An hour later, Zhong Aqi brought three strong young fishermen to Bai Qing.

The three knelt on the ground, their faces filled with terror, kowtowing repeatedly and muttering incomprehensible gibberish: "Babuna... Babuna..."

Bai Qing felt a slight headache and asked, "Are you Han Chinese? Can you speak Mandarin?"

Having been on the island for so long, I've gotten pretty good at speaking Mandarin, though my Cantonese accent is still heavy, but it doesn't affect communication.

Upon hearing this, the fishermen exchanged glances, their eyes revealing a mixture of joy and wariness.

One of them cautiously inquired, "May I ask... are you from the Ming Dynasty's navy?"

They were speaking Mandarin, with a very heavy Liaodong accent, which Bai Qing could barely understand.

She nodded, took out her waist badge, and said, "I am Zhao Qian, a battalion commander under the Liaodong Military Commissioner."

This identity was chosen by Lin Qian. It would be convenient for her to operate in Liaodong as a member of the Ming Dynasty's official army, but it would be too fake to say that she was from the Fujian and Guangdong naval forces. Instead, she would say that she was under the command of the Liaodong Military Commissioner and that she was operating in Liaodong, so that her authority and responsibilities would be justified.

The name tag on Bai Qing's waist tag did indeed bear the name Zhao Qian, but in smaller print it stated that he belonged to the Nan'ao Naval Camp.

This minor error is not a big deal, since in most cases, you can just take out the waist tag and wave it.

Even if someone were to investigate thoroughly, they could simply claim that the military situation in Liaodong was urgent and that the troops were being temporarily mobilized, and that the waist tokens had not yet been replaced.

Upon hearing Bai Qing's reply, the fishermen remained silent for a moment, then burst into tears. The three young men wept loudly, creating a rather astonishing scene.

This attracted the attention of the crew members who were camping nearby.

"What are you crying for? I'm not going to kill you!" Bai Qing shouted, somewhat bewildered.

She thought to herself, even the Tanka people of the Pearl River Estuary would not cry so bitterly when they saw the government troops. Could it be that the government troops in Liaodong are even worse than those in Fujian and Guangdong?

In her mind, the Fujian and Guangdong government troops were already extremely vicious, and she really didn't know how bad the Liaodong government troops could be to drive people to this point.

Unexpectedly, the fisherman's next words shocked Bai Qing.

"Sir! I've been waiting for you!"

The fisherman looked up at the sky and shouted as if he wanted to vent all the pent-up anger in his chest. After saying this, he cried and kowtowed repeatedly.

The force with which they kowtowed was even greater than when they had begged for mercy with strange words; all three fishermen did the same.

Bai Qing said sternly, "Stop crying and don't kowtow. Tell us exactly what happened. You're three grown men, stop being so wishy-washy!"

The fisherman wiped away his tears, suppressing his sobs, and said, "I suppose the general doesn't know yet, but more than half a month ago, Shenyang fell... and a few days later, Liaoyang fell too... those damned Tartars who deserve to be cut into a thousand pieces!"

Even with tears in their eyes, the fishermen would grit their teeth and their faces contort when they mentioned the word "Tartars".

"The Tartars killed...killed so many people in our village...The three of us brothers escaped because we lived near the sea. Alas, all our fellow villagers..."

Bai Qing's expression remained unchanged. In fact, Lin Qian had told her about the Jurchens' attack on Liaoshen before she set sail.

Her primary mission on this trip was to take in refugees from Liaodong.

What truly surprised Bai Qing was that, according to the fishermen, the Jurchens had breached Liaoshen half a month earlier, while Lin Qian had told her this news a month in advance.

Even the order in which the cities were captured, and the brutality of the Jurchens and the misery of the Han people after the cities were breached, were exactly as the boatman had described.

Even though Bai Qing knew that the captain possessed extraordinary strategic abilities, he couldn't help but be shocked at this moment.

In other words, Bai Qing was not well-educated and did not understand the importance of such military and national affairs. If it were Zheng Zhilong, he would not have been as calm as Bai Qing.

Bai Qing told the fishermen to get up, untied the ropes, and brought some dry biscuits for them to eat. He then asked, "What you were saying at the beginning, 'Ba' something, is that a Tartar word?"

The three men ate the dry biscuits in big bites, choking and unable to speak. With great difficulty, they pounded their chests and swallowed, saying, "Yes, it's the Tartars' language! They only know a few phrases, used to beg for mercy."

Bai Qing then asked, "Where is your village? Is it far from here?"

The three stopped and looked at Bai Qing.

(End of this chapter)