Chapter 227 Set sail!

There are six sailboats in this batch, which are improved versions of the first batch.

Many of the problems that occurred in the first batch of sailboats were solved in the second batch of sailboats.

For example, the problem of anchors sometimes getting stuck.

The anchors of the first batch of sailboats had a hook on each side. After dropping the anchor, one only had to move the boat forward a short distance and the hooks would catch on rocks or other objects on the bottom of the water.

However, the situation underwater is complicated and no one knows what the anchor will hook.

Sometimes, the anchor gets hooked on something that is difficult to untie and cannot be retrieved.

The anchor could not be retrieved and the ship could not move forward.

If the underwater environment is dangerous or the situation is harsh, the only option is to abandon the anchor and the bronze chain connected to the anchor, which will result in great losses.

When casting the second generation of anchors, the craftsmen put their brains to good use and finally decided to add a chain in the middle of the bottom of the anchor.

Many times, the reason why the anchor cannot be pulled out is because the hook is stuck, and it is difficult to pull it up when the angle is wrong.

After adding a chain to the bottom of the anchor, if it gets stuck, you only need to pull the chain to quickly change the angle of the hook and get it out of the stuck place.

The second change to the sailboat is the sail.

The first batch of sailboats had only one sail and had high requirements for wind direction. Once the wind direction was wrong, the boat could only rely on the power of the water flow or paddling to keep moving forward.

In order to change this problem, the shipyard absorbed Jiang Xuan's suggestion and installed three sails on the second-generation sailing ship.

One of them is the mainsail, and there is a jib on each side.

With three sails, the requirements for wind direction are greatly reduced.

No matter which direction the wind blows from, the purpose of using wind power to propel the ship forward can be achieved through the cooperation of two or more sails.

There were also many problems found on the first batch of sailboats, which were also well solved.

After listening to the introduction of the shipyard soldiers, Jiang Xuan praised: "Very good, whether it is shipbuilding or doing other things, we need to think more and make more improvements. Only in this way can we make better things."

"Now that the second batch of boats has been built, let's give them to the fishing team. Many of them also have bamboo rafts and canoes. With these boats, it will be more convenient for them to travel on the river in the future."

After experiencing the benefits of sailing boats, the fishing team of the Teng tribe has become disgusted with bamboo rafts and canoes.

Especially Jingjie, he had heard Jiang Xuan tell stories about the great rivers, lakes and seas, and he was very much yearning for those vast bodies of water.

It is obviously unrealistic to travel long distances by bamboo raft or canoe, unless you are a natural stone monkey.

If you want to go farther along the river, you must have a large ship that is strong enough to withstand the wind and waves.

"Yes, we will deliver it to the fishing team as soon as possible after the trial run!"

All ships manufactured by a shipyard must undergo rigorous inspection and a period of sea trials.

This is also one of the rules set by Jiang Xuan.

The waters are dangerous, especially in this primitive and wild world, where there are countless terrifying giant fish and water beasts.

Although most of the soldiers in the fishing team have learned to swim under Jiang Xuan's instruction, when the boat is in distress in the wide waters, those who can swim only have a slighter chance of escape.

Therefore, the quality of the ship itself is very important and it must undergo rigorous inspection and sea trials before it can be used.

Over the next five days, the second batch of sailboats from the Teng tribe shuttled back and forth on the river, using various methods to test the performance of the sailboats and some existing problems.

On the sixth day, the six sailboats that passed the inspection and performed well in the sea trials were finally delivered to the fishing team.

When Jingjie boarded the first sailboat with three sails, he was extremely excited.

These six sailing ships are larger than the previously built ships. Each one is more than ten meters long and can accommodate more warriors.

Jiang Xuan also boarded the bow and asked Jing Jie: "From today on, these six sailboats will be the first fleet of the Teng Tribe."

Jing Jie looked at Jiang Xuan and said with a fiery gaze: "Leader, give the fleet a name!"

Jiang Xuan thought for a moment and said, "I can't think of any particularly good name, so why not call it the Teng Tribe Fleet."

"The Vine Tribe Fleet, what a great name!"

Jingjie became very excited. When a fleet was given the name of a tribe, it represented the glory of the Teng tribe.

After naming the fleet, Jingjie selected one hundred warriors who were the best swimmers and most adept at operating sailboats from the fishing team as crew members of the fleet.

September 23rd.

The crew members of the Teng tribe fleet all boarded the new ships, and six new ships were anchored in the river bay with their bows close together.

Jiang Xuan and Chi Shao, as well as all the important figures of the Teng tribe, stood on the bow of the largest ship to attend the fleet's founding ceremony.

Chishao first prayed to the God of Vine and prayed for the fleet.

Afterwards, Jiang Xuan spoke to the crew members.

"Today, the Teng Tribe fleet was established. This is the first fleet of the Teng Tribe and also the most important fleet!"

"I have only one request for you, that is, no matter where you sail to, you must not bring shame to the Teng Tribe!"

"Also, no matter how far you sail, don't forget to go home. All the people in the tribe are waiting for your safe return!"

"I'm done."

Jiang Xuan did not give a long speech. In just a few words, he expressed his expectations and requirements for the fleet.

Next, there is a very important thing, that is the flag! The Teng tribe did not have a totem flag before, but now that the fleet has been established, it must have a symbolic thing.

Jiang Xuan believed that nothing was more suitable than the totem flag.

“Huff, huff, huff…”

Blown by the river breeze, Jiang Xuan stood in front of Jing Jie with a serious face, holding the totem flag in both hands.

"This flag is the first totem flag of our Teng tribe. It represents the entire Teng tribe and also represents the Teng God!"

"Now, this totem flag is handed over to your fleet. The tribe has only one request for you - let more people know about this flag and don't let it be humiliated!"

After Jiang Xuan finished speaking, he handed the totem flag in his hand to Jing Jie.

"Don't worry, Chief. We will definitely let more people know about the totem flag of the Teng tribe and will never let the totem flag be humiliated!"

After Jing Jie finished speaking loudly, he took the totem flag from Jiang Xuan with trembling hands.

Then, two crew members came over and, with awe and excitement, unfolded the totem flag together with Jingjie.

This is a large triangular flag with a circle of intertwined green vines painted on the edge, and the totem pattern of the vine tribe painted in the middle! Although the pattern of the totem flag is simple, it is very beautifully painted, and it can leave a deep impression on people at a glance.

On one side of the totem flag, there is a flagpole made of purple blood tree, which blends perfectly with the flag.

Jingjie took the two crew members and carried the totem flag to the mast of the new ship, then tied the flagpole with a rope and raised it up little by little.

When it reached a certain height, Jingjie tied the rope to the mast.

“Clatter…”

Above the mast of the new ship, the totem flag was fluttering in the wind and could be clearly seen from a long distance.

After the totem flag was raised, the ceremony ended.

Jiang Xuan, Chi Shao and others got off the boat and returned to the riverbank.

"Weigh anchor!"

With Jingjie's order, all the anchors were pulled up little by little by the help of the capstan, and finally collected at the bow and stern.

"Set sail!"

Jingjie shouted again, and the crew members began to pull up the sails. When the sails were pulled up, the boat was slowly pushed forward by the wind.

"set sail!"

When all the sails were pulled high, Jingjie shouted again, and the entire fleet sailed out of the river bay, then went downstream and officially set sail.

"Gah!"

When the six sailboats set sail, a strange sound came from the sacred vine in the fog.

Immediately afterwards, a small vine separated from the divine vine, carrying a soft green divine light, and flew towards the totem flag on the mast of the sailboat.

When this piece of vine flew onto the totem flag, it actually merged with the totem flag.

All the totem patterns on the totem flag lit up, emitting a soft green light.

The divine vine had used this method on Jiang Xuan once. Under the protection of the divine vine, Jiang Xuan brought many warriors and led the Frog Tribe from a remote area to the Vine Tribe.

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

Now, Shen Teng used this method again to protect the smooth sailing of the Teng tribe's fleet.

In the entire tribe, only Chishao and Jiang Xuan saw the scene where a piece of the sacred vine was integrated into the totem flag; no one else noticed.

Only the old witch who was watching the fun looked at the totem flag as if he had sensed something, and felt that the totem flag was a little different, but he couldn't tell exactly what was different.

Chishao whispered, "With the protection of the Vine God, the fleet will return safely."

Jiang Xuan said: "I specifically told Jing Jie that since this is the first voyage, everything should be done in a safe way. Don't go too far, don't drive too fast, and come back after a few days."

Chishao nodded, watched the fleet go away, and prayed silently in her heart.

There are two vine walls across the surface of Feiyu River. When the fleet sailed near the vine walls, all the vines quickly shrank, making way for the river.

After the fleet passed, the vines intertwined again, blocking the river, waiting to open next time.

…

In the Feiyu River, Jingjie stood on the bow of the boat holding a bronze harpoon in his hand, feeling the wind on the river, watching the surging river water, and occasionally looking up at the totem flag. He felt as if he was dreaming.

If he hadn't joined the Vine Tribe, he would never have had such an opportunity in his life.

Tribal people are born with a desire to explore, which is inseparable from their living conditions.

In the primeval forest, if you want to survive by hunting and gathering, you must keep migrating and exploring.

If you stay in one place for a long time, you will starve to death.

Jingjie stood at the bow for a long time, until it was time for dinner, then he went into the cabin.

There is a specially made three-legged pottery tripod in the cabin.

There are two basins in the lower part of the tripod, one large and one small, one tall and one short, which are integrated with the three legs of the tripod.

The large basin is equivalent to the base of the pottery tripod. It is relatively deep and filled with water to prevent the high temperature emitted by the pottery tripod from damaging the ship's planks.

The small basin is about fifteen centimeters below the bottom of the pottery tripod.

The small basin is very deep and connected to the bottom of the pottery tripod. It has a fire inlet for adding firewood or charcoal, several smoke outlets for exhausting smoke, and an ash cleaning hole on the side for cleaning wood ash and inhaling air when burning.

There are two of these pottery tripods on each ship, embedded in the cabin for the crew to cook food. Even if the ship shakes violently, it is not easy to overturn.

In addition to the pottery tripod, there is also a low table fixed to the deck, as well as various daily necessities in the cabin.

The other part is where the crew members sleep. Due to limited space, they can only sleep on large bunk beds.

The back half of the cabin was loaded with a small amount of cargo, such as salt, animal skin clothes, animal skin backpacks, pottery, accessories, tools, etc.

Because they didn't plan to go too far, the amount of cargo on the ship was not large. If they encountered a tribe suitable for trading on the road, they would trade with them. If not, they would take the goods back to the tribe.

“Gurgle gurgle…”

In the brazier below the pottery tripod, the firewood was burning continuously. In the pottery tripod, the food had been stewed for some time and was fully cooked.

Jingjie took a pottery bowl, filled it with food, and started eating.

He was just halfway through his meal when the crew outside suddenly shouted.

"Chief, there seems to be a tribe ahead!"

Jingjie blew on the food in the bowl, then quickly finished eating. After putting the bowl down, he left the cabin and came to the deck.

A river bend appeared ahead, on which some wooden structures could be clearly seen, and some people were running around.

Jingjie stared at the wooden buildings and felt inexplicably familiar with them, but he was sure he had never seen them before.

"Lower the sails and slow down."

After Jingjie gave the order, the fleet lowered their sails one after another.

Without the propulsion of wind, the sailboat can only rely on the river water to move, and the speed is much slower than before.

When the fleet approached the river bend, they could finally see the buildings and people on the river bank clearly.

There was a totem pattern painted on a large rock on the river bank. After the fleet approached the river bend, Jingjie could see the totem pattern clearly.

When he finished looking at the totem pattern and saw a strange creature on the river bank not far away, his eyes widened.

"Otter Tribe?"

Jingjie had never been to the Otter Tribe, but had seen the totem patterns depicted by Jiang Xuan and had heard about the Otter Tribe.

The otter tribe in the Great Swamp is famous for its fishing skills and abundant production of ice lotus roots.

After the Raptor Tribe entered the Southern Wilds, they invaded the forests surrounding the Great Swamp, and the Otter Tribe was forced to migrate.

From then on, the Vine Tribe received no news from the Otter Tribe.

Unexpectedly, the first tribe that the Teng tribe fleet encountered on the Feiyu River was the Otter Tribe.

"It turns out that the Otter Tribe has migrated here."

Jingjie was very happy because he knew that the Teng Tribe and the Otter Tribe had had several transactions in the past and their relationship was neither too good nor too bad.

"Enter the river bay and dock at the shore!"

At Jingjie's command, six sailboats sailed towards the large river bay.

At this time, the Otter Tribe on the shore also saw the sailboat floating down the river, and noticed the totem flag of the Rattan Tribe hanging on the mast of the sailboat.

"The Vine Tribe, it's the Vine Tribe!"

"What are the people of the Vine Tribe riding on? It's amazing. It can float on the river."

The Otter Tribe had never seen a boat before, nor did they know what a boat was used for. They only knew that the pile of "wood" brought the people of the Vine Tribe here.

The leader of the Otter Tribe, Lu Zhu, also came out. If they had encountered another tribe, the Otter Tribe would have simply hidden themselves given their cautious nature.

But the people who came were from the Teng tribe, and both sides knew each other, so there was no need to hide.

(End of this chapter)