Mythical Three Kingdoms

Lub Su instructed Taishi Ci and his group to head east once the navy was assembled, not to conquer anything, as the Japanese Island during the Late Eastern Han Dynasty wasn’t worth conquering. Accurately speaking, they weren’t even considered enemies. Naturally, shallow and even surface gold and silver mines were truly valuable, because given the technology level of this period, the difficulty of extraction was more critical than the reserves.

The primary reason for sending Taishi Ci eastward was to experiment with another model: when our naval combat capabilities are far inferior to the opponent, we switch to a different model, the so-called long-distance detour landing strategy.

This method places considerable demands on the materials that can be carried. If transporting troops, the demand for supplies will significantly increase. More importantly, if as Li Youu imagines, cavalry is to be transported, the demand for materials is no joke.

When Li Youu and Lub Su discussed this matter, Cai Mao was en route to Donglai with all his forces, alongside Taishi Ci. Currently, this was one of the few times Cai Mao felt content and satisfied since leaving Jing-Xiang.

Huang Chengyan had hinted that upon arrival, he could immediately assume the role of deputy commander, and now, Cai Mao was truly astonished to see the massive ships the Lul Family had docked at Donglai Harbor.

"To think there are ships of such immense size, the Lul Family’s shipbuilding technology is truly unparalleled in the world." Cai Mao observed the gigantic ship at the harbor, making other significantly large Sixth Generation Ships look like children in comparison.

"This is our Seventh Generation Ship, originally prepared as the flagship for General Gan, but now we are temporarily taking it over." Taishi Ci looked at this great ship, and couldn’t help but sigh. Back then, if there had been such a large ship, even facing the Kushan Navy, the situation wouldn’t have been so dire; if nothing else, it would have allowed for an escape.

[Xingba, I will certainly avenge you.] Taishi Ci took a deep breath as he stared at this flagship, once again firming his resolve.

"Achoo!" Gan Ning rubbed his nose and began directing his subordinates in the Kushan Navy to practice rapid turns. After such an extended period of training, Gan Ning had finally reached the level of real-world operation; of course, he was quite adept at these technical maneuvers.

Perhaps naturally gifted in this area, Gan Ning’s mastery of water flow had surpassed Mengg Kambu’s expectations. He had proficiently learned almost all the tactical skills requiring water flow control, even reaching the point of surpassing his teachers.

[Ah ah ah, after another month of learning, I’ll be able to master all these skills. The more I learn, the easier it feels. I truly am a genius.] Gan Ning continued his Silent Meditation practice, but internally he was screaming incessantly, deeply impressed by his own talent.

However, a month later, after Gan Ning had learned all the techniques related to water flow, Mengg Kambu began teaching other categories, and that was when Gan Ning realized that what he had learned was merely one category. The Kushan Navy’s combat techniques were actually divided into many major categories.

"Yes, this is indeed our Lul Family’s Seventh Generation Ship. Of course, this is a simplified version; many areas had to be modified due to conditions beyond control." Lul Jun spoke with a conflicted expression; this ship had been a significant financial burden.

"This is actually a simplified version?" Cai Mao exclaimed in disbelief.

"Yes, this is indeed a simplified version. But don’t underestimate it; even as a simplified version, it was the strongest warship of its time. As long as the skill levels are similar, it’s definitely enough to fight ten ships simultaneously." Lul Jun spoke proudly and then provided Cai Mao with all the specifications.

"Length of twenty-five zhang, width of ten zhang, three and a half layered structure, six masts, nine sails, capable of carrying three thousand men, fully sealed and waterproof structure. This is still a simplified version? If you haven’t fabricated these data points, this ship facing ten opponents at once is entirely viable." Cai Mao remarked incredulously, as he had never encountered a more formidable ship in his naval career.

"It’s a pity it’s a new ship; otherwise, it would have an even greater advantage." Cai Mao initially expressed his astonishment but then made a casual remark to downplay Lul Jun’s accomplishment, a habitual action as a naval command, implying that no matter how well a ship was built, a bit of critique was always necessary.

"This ship has been under construction for nearly two years, and before it was built, all the materials underwent powerful nurturing. A year ago, once the entire warship was completed, it underwent uniform nurturing; moreover, the entire structure was nurtured." Lul Jun stated proudly, as this was a labor of love, though having strained his finances severely, causing frequent admonishments from his father.

"Furthermore, we’ve already ordered a large quantity of well-nurtured timber from Jizhou and Youzhou, ample for the strategic reserve needed to construct a thousand warships, ready for deployment whenever necessary. Thus, nurturing concerns are entirely unnecessary." Lul Jun spoke with a hint of arrogance.

After all, the Lul Family’s shipyard was essentially an official shipyard, though managed by the Lul Family. In reality, when the Lul Family relocated to Donglai to build the shipyard, Chen Xi’s Money Exchange had already heavily invested. At that time, the Lul Family had just fled from Lujiang with limited funds, and their ability to establish the facility so quickly was due to official support from behind the scenes.

Of course, later the Lul Family liquidated their properties in Lujiang, selling what should be sold and dealing at discounted prices, with other Jiangdong families taking over, allowing the Lul Family to accumulate nearly a billion cash to work with, though now Lul Jun had nearly exhausted this enormous fund.

The strategic reserves required for a thousand warships’ nurturing were actually orchestrated by Chen Xi. After pacifying Jizhou, it was Chen Xi, who when providing jobs for the refugees in Jizhou, came up with this unplanned strategy on a whim.

Anyway, once prepared, it will be useful sooner or later when we make our move on the Central Plains. Cutting trees and leveling the ground are ways of working hard, allowing refugees to have work and prevent social issues. Chen Xi is quite adept at this.

Although it might take the Lul family more than a decade to build a thousand warships, if the technology is spread out, with shipyards large and small in Eastern Wu each getting a share of the work, these materials freely supplied, Kushan could produce a thousand warships in half a year, and the Han Dynasty could do the same.

When the warships are mass-produced, we can throw Zhou Yu and Eastern Wu soldiers into them for training. The Great Han Empire could create a navy that looks as formidable as the Kushan’s. Does anyone really think Chen Xi would be intimidated by mere tens of thousands of Kushan naval forces? Nonsense.

Even before the Kushan’s warship fleet emerged, Chen Xi had already taken strategic reserves. The issue was merely not broadcasting it publicly or making it official. The materials needed for a thousand warships were absolutely not a problem.

"A thousand ships?" Cai Mao’s voice rose sharply. "Can your Lul family use so many? Just maintaining that vast amount of timber is a huge issue."

"Don’t worry, don’t worry, these are not issues. We are professional shipbuilders," Lul Jun said with a hint of pride. Ever since he produced the Seventh Generation Ship, standing beside this warship claiming professionalism, nobody really had much to say.

Even though Patriarch Lul Kang was quite dissatisfied with spending most of the Lul family fortune, considering the honor this warship brought, he merely expressed dissatisfaction rather than escalating it to wrecking the family. Instead, he believed Lul Jun might possibly make a name for himself in history.

"True enough, you must have your own plans," Cai Mao pondered, saying, "But is this warship truly a reduced version?"

"Indeed so. We slashed a lot on the armor and the propulsion system, naturally reducing the size significantly from the original thirty-six zhang. It’s a pity," Lul Jun replied somewhat helplessly.

There was a technical issue, too. Although technology seems to be there now, funding fell short, and Lul Jun was quite frustrated. Of course, Patriarch Lul has already strictly prohibited this bottomless investing in research.

Were it not for the Lul family having only three or four cats left, and apart from the aging Lul Kang, Lul Jun is the only adult left; otherwise, with the family-neglecting deeds of Lul Jun, he would have been beaten ages ago.

"Originally, we planned an all-steel structure. However, even the next generation may not achieve this, so clad steel or partly steel is relatively reliable," Lul Jun explained with a smile upon noticing their gaze.

"As for the size, since it’s in the sea, the ship naturally needs to be larger. Regarding propulsion, well, Marquis Chen initially said he’d handle it, but reportedly, that’s been botched," Lul Jun shrugged.

"That’s about it. The ship is handed over to you. I’ve received the payment. Henceforth, she’s your warship. I’ve had the name painted: Xingba Vessel," Lul Jun concluded, then departed.

Taishi Ci looked at the warship’s huge three characters, feeling sad but soon firmed his resolve. Everything lost then should someday be reclaimed from Kushan, as a tribute to Gan Ning’s spirit in heaven.

"Let’s go aboard." Taishi Ci turned to Cai Mao, adding, "As per Administrator Lub’s request, we’ll proceed east for training."

Shortly after Taishi Ci and Cai Mao boarded, Xu Sheng and the others led the merely remaining five Sixth Generation Ships to merge together. Not that Chen Xi was unwilling to equip Taishi Ci and the others with more warships, but the current navy only had so few personnel left.

"Wen Xiang, allow me to introduce you. This is Cai Degui, General Cai. How was the journey from Danyang?" Taishi Ci and the others moved Xu Sheng to the flagship, introducing while inquiring.

Xu Sheng and Cai Mao exchanged salutations, and other ship captains also respectfully made their own greetings.

"Recruited about three thousand, though in the future it might be hard. Eastern Wu keeps a tight watch, especially with Zhou Yu, Sun Bofu not in Eastern Wu. Otherwise, the recruitment would have complications," Xu Sheng sighed.

"Still alright, if not for him not being here, I wouldn’t dare as much. At least Jiangnan soldiers, once recruited, won’t get seasick, and Danyang naturally produces brave soldiers, needing little training to be operational, reducing our troubles." Taishi Ci also expressed helplessness.