I, the prince in distress, send money

Chapter 515 The Fleet Returns (Transitional Plot)

Omdur, now a very important port city in the Kingdom of Bagnia, is used for both military and civilian purposes. In addition to maritime logistics and trade, it also has three large shipyards located here.

It can be said that Omdur is the military and economic backbone of the Kingdom of Bagnia, so after inspecting Tavitsky, Chris's second destination was here.

Chris spent ten days inspecting the city, visiting local military camps, including those of the defense force and the navy, shaking hands and talking with soldiers and officers, and offering his condolences.

Then came the shipyard… well, Chris didn’t look at this place closely. He just walked around quickly, shook hands and chatted with the shipyard worker representatives for a while, and then left.

The reason is simple: the working environment in the shipyard is really quite dangerous.

As the ruler of the Kingdom of Bagnia and the first monarch who had no descendants, Chris was really not suited to wandering around the shipyard aimlessly.

Even if Chris didn't care, his men wouldn't dare let the king take the risk.

Therefore, the inspection of the shipyard became a superficial visit.

Then there were others... In short, Chris's inspection of Omdour was largely symbolic; the actual investigation had to be carried out by his subordinates.

Therefore, Chris's brief look around and his pretentious walk around the site will not affect the outcome of the review.

After concluding his symbolic tour of the Sea Lion Royal Shipyard and having a brief but cordial conversation with several selected worker representatives, Chris, accompanied by the shipyard director and a group of officials, went to a meeting room in the relatively quiet, less dusty administrative office area to take a short break.

After the waiter served the tea, Chris picked up the teacup, gently blew on the steam, and casually asked the Sea Lion Shipyard director, an elderly engineer named Fabian with gray hair but a sprightly spirit, who was accompanying him.

“Director Fabian, I am not an expert in shipbuilding, but I do know that timber is the backbone of a warship.”

"At our current pace, can the timber supply keep up with the subsequent construction of battleships like the Sea Lion?"

Upon hearing this, Director Fabian's respectful expression was tinged with a barely perceptible hint of seriousness.

He bowed slightly and answered cautiously.

"Your Majesty, thanks to Your Majesty's concern, the supply of timber is indeed one of my most pressing concerns at present."

He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts, knowing he couldn't shirk responsibility but also needed to let the king know the truth.

"Your Majesty, the requirements for timber for building a giant ship like the Sea Lion are extremely demanding. The keel must be made of tough oak that is over a hundred years old. It must not only be huge and straight, but also have a fine grain and be able to withstand the weight of the giant ship and the impact of the waves."

The ribs and hull plating require specific tree species, such as fully dried elm or certain types of pine or fir, which must possess excellent bending resistance, corrosion resistance, and a certain degree of toughness.

As he spoke, he gestured with his hands, trying to make the non-professional monarch understand the key points.

"Previously, in order to build the First Fleet as soon as possible, we mobilized almost all the standard-compliant reserve timber that could be found within the kingdom and from various parts of the former Miniscia, especially those aged timber that had been naturally dried for several years or even more than ten years."

As you know, freshly felled timber contains a large amount of moisture. If it is used directly in shipbuilding without undergoing a long natural drying process, it is extremely prone to warping and cracking, severely affecting the lifespan and structural strength of the warship.

Fabian's voice carried a hint of helplessness.

"It can be said that in order to launch the First Fleet on schedule, we have already exhausted the kingdom's high-quality resources accumulated over many years."

Today, although new timber has begun to be felled and transported from various forest farms, especially in the newly incorporated mountainous region of Minicia, but…

He raised his eyes and looked honestly at Chris.

"Your Majesty, high-quality giant timber is rare and difficult to transport, and the most crucial natural drying process cannot be forcibly shortened by human effort."

We are currently facing a period of transition, with some timber still in the warehouse, but very little of the high-quality timber suitable for use as keel and key structures remains.

The construction progress of subsequent warships will likely depend to a large extent on the drying progress of the new timber and our ability to maintain a stable supply of new, high-quality wood.

These words, though tactful, clearly pointed out the resource bottleneck hidden behind the Kingdom's naval expansion.

Shipbuilding is not something that can be done overnight; it requires not only the skills of craftsmen but also the gift of time from nature.

Chris listened quietly, and after he finished, a question came to mind.

What would be the consequences if fresh timber were used to build boats?

Chris's question, though seemingly simple, directly addresses one of the most critical pain points in the shipbuilding industry.

Director Fabian's expression immediately became extremely serious. He even subconsciously sat up straight, as if stating a crucial fact.

"Your Majesty, this matter... is of great importance, and the consequences could be unimaginable."

His voice was deep and solemn, carrying the unquestionable professional authority of a seasoned craftsman.

"Fresh wood, saturated with sap and moisture, is extremely unstable. Forcing it to be used to build warships, especially giant vessels like the Sea Lion that need to sail across oceans and withstand the tests of wind, waves, and gunfire, would be tantamount to planting countless deadly hidden dangers..."

He held up his fingers and listed them one by one for a full half hour, hoping to dissuade King Chris from his idea.

Chris listened patiently to Fabian's words and then summarized them: "Warships made from untreated wood will likely only last two or three years before warping and becoming unusable."

That sounds like a serious problem.

"What about using processed and dried wood?"

Chris's question startled Director Fabian, who then gave a wry smile, as if a king had asked a seemingly simple but actually complex question.

"Your Majesty, when you say processing and drying, you mean artificial drying, right? We have tried this method before."

Fabian's tone carried a cautious, inquisitive tone.

“In the workshop, we build drying rooms with bricks and stones, and light fires underneath. We use heat and ventilation to drive out the moisture from the wood. This method can indeed greatly shorten the drying time of the wood, from several years to several months or even several weeks.”

He then shifted his focus and pointed out the key issue.

"However, Your Majesty, artificial drying has its insurmountable drawbacks."

First, it's difficult to achieve perfectly uniform heat. The outside of the wood may be completely dry or even charred, while the inside may still contain moisture. This uneven shrinkage makes it prone to cracking, damages the internal structure, and significantly reduces its strength.

He picked up a pen from the table and gestured with it.

"Secondly, and most importantly, the natural air-drying process is not just about the evaporation of moisture, but also about the slow solidification of the resins and gums inside the wood, which stabilizes its physical properties. We call this the process of nurturing the wood."

Rapid, intense drying processes disrupt the wood's natural drying process, leaving it dry but lacking resilience. Ships built from such wood may appear sturdy, but their structural fragility will be exposed under the harsh conditions of the ocean waves and the shocks of enemy fire. Their lifespan may even be shorter than that built from wet wood, and they will be far more dangerous.

Fabian concluded.

"Therefore, when building a capital warship of the Sea Lion class, we have always insisted on using aged timber that has been naturally air-dried for at least three years and whose properties are completely stable. This is an ironclad rule learned through the blood and tears of countless generations of shipbuilders. It concerns the lifespan of the warship, and even more so the lives of tens of thousands of sailors and the outcome of naval battles. We really... dare not easily violate it, Your Majesty."

His words were filled with the old craftsman's adherence to tradition and reverence for quality. Fabian is a Miniserian and a traditional shipbuilder; his father and grandfather both worked with ships.

Therefore, Fabian is truly the most professional shipbuilding expert of this era; even players might not be able to compare to him.

Chris listened and nodded thoughtfully.

He understood what Fabian meant. Under the current technological conditions, natural drying was indeed an irreplaceable link in ensuring the quality of large warships. This was not just a technical issue, but also a contradiction between time and quality, and between short-term needs and long-term benefits.

“I understand, Director Fabian. Quality is the lifeline of the Navy, and there is no room for compromise on that.”

Chris acknowledged the other party's insistence, but did not end the conversation there; he subtly changed the subject.

"However, perhaps we can think of ways to give the timber a little help while following the laws of nature, making the process more controllable and efficient? For example, could we improve the stacking method to facilitate ventilation? Or could we look for certain tree species whose natural drying cycle is inherently shorter?"

If not, could we use the good timber to build the main warships, and the dried or fresh timber to build the frigates?

Although their lifespan is only a few years, I think…

Chris didn't say what he was going to say next, but that didn't stop Fabian from understanding. Upon hearing this, he immediately frowned.

"Your Majesty, it's technically feasible, but... alas..."

"There's no other way, Fabian."

Chris patted the shipbuilding director on the shoulder.

"The kingdom needs the sea now, but our navy is very young. Not only is the fleet short of people and ships, but even the shipyard workers lack experience and materials."

To catch up with other countries, we need to pay a price.

Chris's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable determination. His gaze swept across the bustling shipyard outside the window, where the kingdom's future maritime power was being nurtured.

“Director Fabian, I understand your insistence and respect the tradition of craftsmen.”

But the kingdom cannot afford to wait ten or twenty years to slowly accumulate enough resources; our enemies, or potential competitors, will not give us that time.

He turned around and looked at the old director again, his eyes sharp.

"Therefore, we need a transitional solution, one that can rapidly expand the fleet size while maximizing the preservation of core combat capabilities."

He held out two fingers.

"First, as I said, the best materials that fully meet traditional standards must be prioritized for the construction of the main battleships. This is the iron fist of the kingdom's seas, and there can be no compromise."

Secondly, for secondary warships such as frigates and corvettes, as well as auxiliary vessels, we can consider using timber in a tiered manner.

"This will increase maintenance costs and also means we will need to build more replacement ships."

Chris admitted.

"But this may be the only balance we can find between speed and quality at the moment. By using these consumable ships, we can buy time to train sailors, gain experience, and defend our shipping lanes, while also buying a valuable buffer period for the construction of our main fleet."

Director Fabian listened in silence, his gray eyebrows furrowed tightly.

He was engaged in a fierce internal struggle. The king's plan undoubtedly violated the shipbuilding principles he had adhered to throughout his life, like allowing flaws in a perfect work of art.

On the other hand, he was more aware than anyone of the kingdom's urgent needs and resource constraints. The king was not ignorant of these issues, but rather had no choice but to act accordingly.

After a long while, he let out a long sigh, his shoulders slumped slightly, as if he had unloaded a heavy burden, or as if he had accepted some kind of helpless fate.

"Your Majesty... I understand."

Director Fabian's voice was heavy with a sense of compromise.

"For the sake of the kingdom's needs, I will do my best to explore and establish a set of standards for graded materials, and strictly supervise their implementation. However... this is ultimately a temporary measure. I hope that Your Majesty will, in the future, when the kingdom's foundation is stable and materials are plentiful, be able to..."

Chris raised his hand, stopping him from saying anything more, and gave him an understanding and reassuring smile.

“Director Fabian, the Kingdom has witnessed your loyalty and perseverance. It is precisely because of experts like you who adhere to the principles that I dare to propose such a temporary measure, because I know that even in a last resort, you will uphold the bottom line of quality for the Kingdom.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the other officials in the meeting room, and raised his voice slightly to make sure everyone could hear him.

"Pass on my orders."

The clerk immediately stepped forward and opened the record book.

"Effective immediately, Fabian is promoted to Director of the Royal Sea Lion Shipyard, from the fifth rank in the Kingdom's civil service to the fourth rank, and will enjoy the corresponding salary, allowances and benefits."

Promotion in the civil service is extremely rigorous, and each promotion signifies a significant leap in status, authority, and benefits.

The fourth rank means that Fabian can wear white official robes, which is the level of a department head or deputy head in the kingdom. For a technical official, this is undoubtedly a very high honor and recognition.

He only hopes that if he can advance one more level, Fabian will be able to "run his way forward".

A moment of silence fell over the meeting room, followed by expressions of surprise and a hint of envy on the faces of the accompanying officials.

Fabian himself was stunned. He had clearly not expected the king to suddenly bestow such a generous reward. His white beard trembled slightly, and for a moment he did not know how to respond.

Chris continued, his tone gentle yet undeniably firm.

"This is not a reward for your agreement to use inferior timber, Fabian. It is an affirmation of your dedication to your duties and the foundation you have laid for the Kingdom's Navy. It is also an expectation of the greater responsibilities you will bear in the future."

The implementation of the tiered material selection plan, the formulation of technical standards, and the crucial task of quality control all require your leadership. The kingdom needs your experience and principles, even when there are compromises.

These words not only affirmed Fabian's past achievements and clarified his future responsibilities, but also, in front of everyone, characterized this compromise as a wise decision by the king and a courageous act by the supervisor, cleverly safeguarding the old craftsman's reputation and dignity.

Fabian took a deep breath, a glint seemingly flashing in his cloudy eyes. He stepped back, straightened his robes which were wrinkled from excitement, and then gave Chris a deep, perfect double-headed eagle salute.

"...Thank you, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost to live up to your trust!"

Chris nodded to Fabian, but suddenly a problem occurred to him: if Fabian really needed to be promoted, it seemed that none of the nine departments in the kingdom were suitable for him... Damn, I think I forgot to create a Ministry of Industry!
As for steel ships, let's wait and see. When other countries' railways actually start operating, the demand for steel will surge, and that will be the right time to get on board.

(End of this chapter)