A few days later.
Large ships are docked at Linzi Port.
There are six main types of Dafeng warships: tower ships, battleships, fighting ships, walking ships, yachts, and sea gulls. Each type of warship has its own role and is the result of the wisdom of the shipbuilders and naval officers.
These warships were all sent from Jiaodong.
There are a total of two hundred warships!
This is the King of Qi’s apparent wealth.
At present, it is far from enough.
A warship, including supplies and crew, could hold at most a hundred soldiers. Ning Que calculated that at least five hundred warships would be needed. Adding in spares, seven hundred would be more than enough.
It certainly cannot be built by Linzi alone.
The emperor issued a special announcement to Liaodong and Liaoxi counties.
They also have to build warships on a large scale!
In addition, there are Langya and Jiaodong counties.
One year is basically enough.
Ouyang Zheng brought people to inspect the warship.
Every warship had to be registered.
Tian Zhongxun sipped his tea and said calmly, "There are a full 200 warships and 40,000 sailors here, which is also the wealth of our Qi State. The subsequent management will be handed over to General Gu. I hope Lord Ouyang will pass on the message to King Ning."
"That's as it should be."
Ouyang Zheng raised his hand in return.
In fact, Tian Zhongxun had more than just this amount of wealth.
Jiaodong and Langya are both wealthy counties.
It has been sucking the blood of the surrounding counties.
Tian Zhongxun is also well-known in coastal counties.
After all, the persona he had cultivated over the years was one of compassion for the people, one that benefited them. Every year, he staged several political stunts to showcase his benevolence. This image attracted many insightful individuals to Qi to serve him.
He secretly has eight thousand death warriors.
Many pirates are actually his men.
There are also more than 30,000 elite troops.
That adds up to almost 100,000 people.
Ning Que hadn't transferred all of his men to avoid friction, as Linzi couldn't currently support so many people. They hadn't fallen out yet, but if 70,000 or 80,000 people arrived in Linzi, what would they do?
Are you here to train troops or to deal with Ning Que?
Besides, the war hasn't officially started yet.
Let Tian Zhongxun practice the rest on his own.
Ouyang Zheng continued to work with the book in his hand.
Gu Yuan stood beside him like a pug.
Take the initiative to serve tea and water.
"Gu Yuan, I leave them to you." Tian Zhongxun nodded with satisfaction and said calmly, "Although the fleet is not elite, they have all followed me for many years and are loyal. You must train well and don't embarrass yourself."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty!"
Gu Yuan is very confident.
Although he may appear to be a treacherous and cunning villain, he certainly possesses some abilities. What Tian Zhongxun said in his bid for him the position of deputy general was true. Gu Yuan had indeed led the navy in his earlier years, overseeing logistics and supplies. He also possessed some experience in naval warfare.
But this time it's mainly a naval battle...
Not in rivers, lakes and ponds!
Gu Yuan has been doing a lot of research during this period.
He even condescended to ask the old fisherman for advice.
So, he now has some experience.
"There's another thing."
"This king has received accurate information."
"The master craftsman Gongshu Chou is about to visit Linzi!"
"Gong...Gong Shuchou?!" Gu Yuan's breathing became rapid. He looked at Tian Zhongxun in surprise. "Your Highness is talking about the number one master craftsman, Gong Shuchou?"
"Who else besides him?"
Gongshu Chou, recognized as the number one master craftsman!
The surname Gongshu represents the highest level of craftsmanship!
Every successive head of the Gongshu family would forge a divine sword, often becoming a renowned sword in China. For example, the Tai'a sword, passed down through generations in Dafeng, actually came from the Gongshu family. Other swords, such as the Zhanlu, Chunjun, Yuchang, and Juque, were also forged by them.
Gongshu Chou is the current patriarch.
In fact, he was originally just a branch of Gongshu.
Not welcomed by the family.
Fortunately, he was determined enough, and after years of training, he finally lifted the iron hammer that symbolized the Gongshu clan. He later stayed in Liaodong and developed the Gongshu clan to great success. Even the Liaodong prefect had to show some respect to him, and he even occupied an iron mine, becoming world-renowned for his iron smelting.
Gu Yuan frowned.
"Could it be that he also knows Ning Que?"
"Or maybe it's from the Shenji Pavilion?"
You really can't blame him for being stressed.
Ning Que really stimulated me.
When Ning Que got married, almost all the people from the Shenji Pavilion were present.
Each of them is a genius famous throughout China.
No one knew that Shenji Pavilion had such a profound foundation.
"Impossible." Tian Zhongxun waved his hand. "Indeed, there are rumors that Gongshu Chou was also a member of the Shenji Pavilion, and that he built the Qiong Tower on Mount Kunlun. But he returned to Liaodong fifteen years ago and doesn't know Ning Que. And there are rumors that Gongshu Chou and the Shenji Pavilion didn't get along, and was expelled by the Pavilion Master."
After all, Tian Zhongxun was a king of a different surname.
His intelligence network is far stronger than Gu Yuan's.
Besides, Liaodong is not too far from Qi.
They also have business dealings with each other.
What he said is basically true.
"Then what does the prince want me to do?"
"It's simple. Keep him at all costs." Tian Zhongxun raised his head. "It would be best if we could invite him to Jiaodong County to build warships and armor for the king. Even if we can't keep him, we must not help Ning Que."
"Okay, I'll do my best."
Tian Zhongxun looked at him and said earnestly, "You must remember that this matter concerns future plans. The Gongshu family is a large and powerful family, and is the richest in Liaodong. Not counting the official craftsmen, there are thousands of craftsmen serving Gongshu in various counties. Ningque already has the brothers Haizai and Haigui helping with shipbuilding. If we can get help from Gongshu Chou as well, I dare not even think about it..."
Although he hated Ning Que, he never looked down on him.
Ning Que was young but possessed remarkable abilities, possessing an unfathomable network of connections and influence. Given another three to five years of development, Ning Que's position would become even more formidable, and by then, no one would be able to challenge him.
Gu Yuan nodded carefully.
He now understands everything.
Ning Que is now in their territory.
So his strength must be weakened!
"What is Ning Que doing now?"
"Nothing."
Although Gu Yuan was a deputy general, he held no official position. Ning Que was always wary of him, and even though they had only met a few times, he had only heard of his news.
"He completely dispersed the Guards."
"Distributed in various counties of Linzi to suppress bandits."
"I heard that some people have already fought and achieved great results."
"Oh, he's dreaming." Tian Zhongxun sneered disdainfully, saying, "He only has so few men. Even if they are strong, it's hard for them to have much effect in the mountains. Besides, I gave them a lot of armor and soldiers in advance. Don't even think about it for two or three years!"
"I think so too."
Gu Yuan nodded in agreement and whispered, "I also plan to send spies to inform the Ma family army in Gaotang about this. The one going to Gaotang is Bai Yu. He is ruthless and proficient in arranging troops and formations. He is not an ordinary person!"
"Well, whatever you want."
Tian Zhongxun didn't care.
He just used these bandits as pawns.
As long as we can slow down Ning Que's progress, it will be fine.
As for the life or death of the chess piece?
Tian Zhongxun doesn't care at all!
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