The Prodigal Son

Soon, they arrived at the port where the navy's warships were docked.

Zheng Tingchao pointed to a large warship and said to Qin Yu expressionlessly, "This is the navy's main warship."

This was also the first time Qin Yu had seen the main warships of Da Ning.

This is a warship similar to a three-masted warship, but with paddle wheels installed on both sides. It is clear that the paddle wheels are driven by a transmission system inside the cabin to output power, which makes it easier for the warship to turn more quickly or to provide power when there is no wind.

Besides large warships, there are also many medium and small warships here.

Most small and medium-sized warships used open oars and sails.

Zheng Tingchao knew that Qin Yu's position as Grand Admiral of the Navy was only temporary, so he did not give him a detailed introduction to the warships and their functions.

After giving them a brief look at the warships, Zheng Tingchao pointed into the distance and said, "There's a shipyard of the Maritime Safety Administration about five or six miles ahead. Some of the warships are being repaired there. Would you like to go take a look?"

"No."

Qin Yu waved his hand, "Let them look around as they please! How about we go for a walk over there?"

"OK!"

Zheng Tingchao did not refuse, "However, if you want to persuade or comfort me, don't waste your breath..."

"Let's go for a walk!"

Qin Yu smiled and raised his hand in invitation.

Zheng Tingchao smiled bitterly to himself and followed Qin Yu to one side of the port.

Qin Yu stopped, feeling the sea breeze blowing in his face, and asked with a smile, "Do you think the imperial court will attack Chu?"

"Maybe!"

Zheng Tingchao gave an ambiguous answer: "However, the prerequisite for the imperial court to attack Chu is definitely to first defeat Bei Qi and Yan! By the time we attack Chu, I don't know if I'll still be able to defeat them..."

He knew what Qin Yu wanted to say.

To attack Chu, the navy would definitely have to go into battle.

This was probably the only opportunity for the navy to achieve success.

But he knew in his heart that with the Northern Qi and Yan states eyeing him covetously, the imperial court would certainly not attack Chu.

As for the imperial court's desire to defeat Beiqi and Yan, it's unclear when that will be.

Who knows, before we can defeat Beiqi and Yan, Da Ning might be defeated first.

Once Da Ning is defeated, his hopes of achieving anything by focusing on the navy will be even slimmer!

Hearing Zheng Tingchao's words, Qin Yu was forced to swallow back the words that were about to come out.

He did indeed want to talk to Zheng Tingchao about the campaign against Chu.

But Zheng Tingchao had obviously thought about these things long ago, so his saying them now would be superfluous.

He suddenly realized that the navy's biggest problem was not that it was corrupted by silver, but that it was in poor condition.

The two commanders of the Raojin Navy only wanted to be transferred away from the navy to make contributions in the border army.

Those mid- to lower-ranking officers either coveted the comfort of the navy or were thinking about making money in the navy.

The entire Raojin Navy had absolutely no fighting spirit.

If they were individuals, this wouldn't be a problem at all; everyone has the right to choose their own lifestyle.

But they are an army!

It is also the largest naval force in Da Ning at present!

This situation is a big problem.

After a moment of silence, Qin Yu spoke again, "Let's change the subject. The imperial court has a Heavenly Crafts Workshop, which I'm directly in charge of! The Heavenly Crafts Workshop is currently developing a weapon that, once it's fully developed, might even be able to destroy enemy ships from a mile away..."

"One mile?"

Zheng Tingchao clearly didn't believe him. "Do you even know how far a li is?"

"Of course I know!"

Qin Yu nodded and smiled, "I can tell you with certainty that this is absolutely achievable! After returning to the court, I will suggest that His Majesty build new warships for the navy, which will likely be mounted above the paddle wheels of your main warships..."

"That's called a waterwheel..."

Zheng Tingchao immediately corrected Qin Yu's way of addressing him.

"It's just that kind of thing, it doesn't matter what you call it."

Qin Yu smiled and glanced at Zheng Tingchao. "What I'm thinking is to make the waterwheel smaller, or even sacrifice the waterwheel altogether and replace it all with open paddles, and make window-like openings on the upper layer of the open paddles..."

Qin Yu briefly explained his ideas to Zheng Tingchao.

The shipbuilding technology in Da Ning is quite advanced, so building the kind of warship he wants shouldn't be too difficult.

Zheng Tingchao listened attentively, nodding occasionally.

After Qin Yu finished speaking, Zheng Tingchao's face broke into a rare smile. "I can see that you're very interested in the navy! You're more suited to command the navy than I am!"

"I……"

Qin Yu's face twitched slightly. "That's not what I meant! What I meant was that you need to build a few medium-sized warships as test vessels according to my specifications. Don't worry about the money; I'll figure that out!"

Who is this person?!

They want to hand over the navy to them whenever they get the chance?

They have absolutely no ambition!

Don't they want to see the stars and the sea?

Don't you want to colonize the world?

Why did you do that?

Zheng Tingchao looked at Qin Yu with suspicion, "You don't really want to stay in the navy, do you?"

Qin Yu seems to care a lot about the navy.

"The navy is far more important than you think!"

Qin Yu said solemnly, "The imperial court is only temporarily unable to attend to the navy, but once the threat from the north is resolved, the navy will undoubtedly become a powerful tool for expeditions!"

"Neither you nor I know what the world overseas is like, nor whether overseas countries possess powerful navies!"

"If one day, a powerful foreign nation were to invade Da Ning with a massive fleet, without a strong navy to defeat the invading enemy, Da Ning would never have peace!"

"Without a strong naval force, the imperial court can never talk about coastal defense..."

Qin Yu was indeed somewhat obsessed with the navy.

Perhaps he was just worrying unnecessarily, but this conviction was etched deep in his soul and would not change just because he was in an unknown world.

"Can!"

Zheng Tingchao didn't quite understand Qin Yu's obsession, but he still nodded gently: "You are now the Grand Admiral of the Navy and are ordered to oversee the military and political affairs of the Nine Provinces. As long as you allocate the funds, anything is fine! If someone is willing to provide warships for the Navy, I have absolutely no reason to refuse."

"Then it's settled!"

Qin Yu immediately made the decision and excitedly added, "I will also petition His Majesty later, requesting that His Majesty allow the navy to plunder in the distant oceans under the banner of the Chu navy! We'll take whatever is valuable and rare, whatever we can stand, and the navy and the court will split the spoils fifty-fifty..."

Listening to Qin Yu's animated and enthusiastic revelation, Zheng Tingchao was taken aback.

This gentleman...

Why are you acting like a bandit?

However, his idea seems quite good!

If Qin Yu's idea could come true, he would be quite excited!

I believe the naval officers and soldiers would be happy to do this.

While pondering, Zheng Tingchao asked with some worry, "Will His Majesty agree?"

"I'll handle things with His Majesty!"

Qin Yu chuckled and said seriously, "Can a navy that just loiters around docks or ports really be called a navy? They need to go out and fight more to develop their fighting power!"

Isn't it just empty promises?

This is exactly what the female demons are all for!

He painted her a big, round pie, and he didn't believe the female demon wouldn't be tempted!

"That makes sense!"

Zheng Tingchao nodded in agreement, but then added with some concern: "The navy still has too few warships, and too many of them are old and unsuitable for large-scale long-distance voyages..."

"That's easy!"

Qin Yuxing said excitedly, "If the imperial court doesn't have money for the navy, then the navy will first borrow from the private sector to build warships! We can repay them once we get the money from overseas!"

"Is this...okay?" Zheng Tingchao looked at him in astonishment.

Are young people these days all so unrealistic?

"Sure, why not?"

Qin Yu said confidently, "As long as you can guarantee that you will use this money wisely, and that you will not embezzle it after obtaining it, and will repay the loans on time, I will vouch for the navy and help you borrow at least two million taels of silver!"

Is this really true?

Zheng Tingchao instantly perked up.

"really!"

Qin Yu answered without hesitation.

"Okay! It's a deal then!"

Zheng Tingchao's eyes suddenly lit up...