During the Yuan Dynasty, the normalization of sea transport of grain was achieved, and it never stopped in the Yuan Dynasty. The scale of sea transport of grain could reach 3.6 million stones a year, and even completely replaced the sea transport. It eloquently proved the feasibility of sea transport.

Moreover, the Mongolian Yuan "transported 10,000 stones of rice per ship, and gave the official and civilian ships a fee of 4,000 stones of rice, and allowed to carry private goods and return salt to repay their labor. That is to say, the imperial court only needed another 40% of the cost of transporting one stone of rice. The cost of transporting the Ming Dynasty now was as high as 200% to 300%, so it is clear which is better, sea transportation or canal transportation.

According to Zheng Ruozeng's verification, there are three routes for sea transportation of grain in the Mongolian Yuan.

"The first one was first developed. It entered the sea from Liujiagang, Taicang, and basically traveled along the coast. The advantage of this route is that it is close to land and convenient for supply. When it comes to bad weather or harassment of pirates, you can enter the port to hide in time." Elder Niu said in a deep voice:

"But the disadvantages are also obvious. First, the journey along the coast is tortuous and long. Second, there are many islands along the coast and dense reefs, so you must be very careful when sailing. Moreover, the sea water near the coast flows south all year round, so the speed is the slowest among the three routes - the whole journey takes more than a month."

Zhao Hao nodded. The coastal areas of East and North China are affected by the cold currents to the south all year round, so the ocean currents have always been southward and naturally countercurrents to the north.

"The second route was opened later. It also opened from Liujiagang and entered Laizhou Ocean from Chengshantou to Tanggu. The difference is that this route is not on the dock. Because the channel is relatively straight, it shortens the range and avoids the shallows near the sea. During the voyage, you can also get the help of wind and tides, and you can reach it in half a month."

"The third one is also the last one to be opened, similar to the second one, but the route is more overseas, so that it can use more wind and tides to help the north. Although the flight is a little longer, it can save time greatly. As long as the weather is suitable, it can usually be from Taicang to Tianjin Wei in about ten days." Elder Niu said in a deep voice: "In the late Mongolian Yuan Dynasty, it was mainly based on this route to transport sea."

Zhao Hao nodded. Although the ancients did not know what the black tide was or what the trade wind was, the eternal tide and wind were there. It is naturally no problem to master its rules and use this rules to navigate.

"We have already run these three routes." Elder Niu continued: "Just by sailing alone, it is naturally the third one that is the most labor-saving and fastest, but..."

"Just what?" asked Mr. Zhao.

"It's just that this route is far away from the mainland, and the farthest distance is more than 700 miles away from the local area, which is not very safe." Elder Niu whispered: "One is that if you encounter a storm, there is nowhere to hide, and the other is that such a far distance will easily attract the covetousness of pirates."

"Hmm." Zhao Hao nodded and asked back, "Will the first one be safer?"

"It's not safe either." Elder Niu smiled bitterly, "In addition to the ones reported to the young master just now, the coastal garrison is also a big trouble."

The Ming Dynasty did not have a special navy, but was undertaken by coastal garrisons. From Shanghai to Tianjin, it had to pass through more than a dozen coastal garrisons, and these garrisons had ships of all sizes. They intercepted civilian ships in the nearshore, threatened and extorted their power all day long, and showed off their power. They were all stunned when they went to the far sea to fight pirates.

"Those garrisons are more hateful than pirates." Elder Ma said angrily from the side: "Our Sand Boat Gang would rather deal with pirates than encounter the Guan Jun's ship."

Zhao Hao couldn't help but laugh. He knew that this was because the sand boat gang had a lot of people and was strong. Small pirates dared not provoke them, and the pirate gang was unwilling to make enemies with them. But the official army did not care about how many sailors and ships you had, as long as you were a good citizen, they would dare to quarrel you. That's why Elder Ma said this.

"What about the second route?" Mr. Zhao asked without comment.

"The second route is actually similar to the third route, and it also requires escort. However, when encountering pirates, you can escape quickly." Elder Niu replied.

"Yes." Zhao Hao hugged his arms and thought.

The needles fell in the conference room and everyone was waiting for his decision.

Not long after, Zhao Hao made up his mind. He glanced eagerly at everyone and decisively said: "This voyage is the first to win. We have to complete this voyage in the shortest time and start the first shot of our Jiangnan Group going to sea!"

"Yes!" Everyone responded with a loud bang, and said no more.

"Of course, the bolder you act, the more careful you plan." Zhao Hao's eyes turned to Jinke and said, "Have you made an assessment and plan for your security company?"

"Young Master, it's done." Jin Ke hurriedly stood up and replied frankly: "After the early intelligence collection and analysis, the security company has made a basic assessment of this departure. If you choose the third route, the risk may be 'medium'."

"Is it a medium risk?" Zhao Hao's brows stretched, quite delighted.

In the regulations he has formulated for the security group, ‘medium risk’ means ‘risk, but it can be overcome and treated with caution.’ There are also very risky ‘high risk’ and ‘very dangerous’ that cannot be tried.

Therefore, Mr. Zhao is already very satisfied with the assessment that is second only to the ‘lower risk’.

Then he heard Jin Ke explain in detail: "The reason for this assessment is that there are no pirates with climate in this sea area. Big pirates, such as Zeng Yiben, the Lin brothers and Zhu Liangbao, all of them are active in Fujian and Guangdong, and never go north. Therefore, during the first few voyages, the possibility of encountering pirate gangs that we cannot deal with is very low."

There are Maritime Mansions and Macau in Guangdong, and Fujian also opened the sea. Merchant ships on the sea are flying everywhere, which is very lively. The north is still under the ban on the sea. Although there are small boats traveling to and from the coast, they cannot sail far away. There is no oil and water, and the pirates are disdainful at all.

In addition, the current pirates are all from Chaozhang area. They are used to active in Fujian and Guangdong and rarely set foot in the north.

Of course, there are still many small pirates in the north. Especially the maritime merchants who were originally dependent on the Nine Masters, now forced to make a living, they either went south to join Zeng Yiben, Lin Daoqian and other gangs. They either transformed into pirates and robbed everywhere to survive.

But the flag of the Sand Boat Gang and the large fleet of fifty and four hundred sand patrol ships were enough to shock these little shrimps.

~~

"However, with the number of voyages, the level of danger will greatly increase. We will adjust the risk to 'higher' from the third voyage." Jinke added cautiously.

"This is natural." Zhao Hao nodded. The news about those big pirates is the most informative. The company's fleet will be targeted by them if they can't run a few times.

"It seems that there must be strong force to escort." Mr. Zhao sighed in a fake way and asked Wang Rulong: "Brother Wang, how is the training of the coastal security team? Are the equipment in place?"
Chapter completed!