Chapter 105 Buy, buy, buy

"After bragging for a long time, the problem of the ship is still not solved." Gu Kai knocked on the table to remind Yan Chujie who was spitting: "What we need now is not a sailing battleship, but a sailing battleship that can load cargo and run fast.

merchant ship."

Yan Chujie coughed twice and quickly changed the subject: "Has the metallurgical workshop calculated how much coal and coke input is needed to ensure production?"

Baikes responded: “Considering the need to expand production scale on the basis of maintaining existing pig iron production, and at the same time launching open-hearth furnaces for steelmaking and steam engines that will be used in production later, we believe that the monthly coal input

It must be maintained at least above 300 tons, and I must emphasize that this bottom line number will continue to rise with the expansion of production capacity."

"Three hundred tons... then the total tonnage of the coal ship must be at least five hundred tons. Considering the supply consumption on the road and the ship's maintenance time, the total tonnage of the ship may be seven or eight hundred tons."

Yan Chujie quickly made an estimate in his mind and came up with an answer.

"Wait a minute, didn't I just say that according to the current speed of the sailing ship, we can make two trips a month between Sanya and Hongji Port? Then the total tonnage we need should be halved." Gu Kai discovered Yan Chujie

There seems to be a flaw in what he said.

"That's just literal data. It's actually very difficult to achieve." Yan Chujie shook his head and said: "First of all, it is impossible for a sailboat to follow a long straight line when sailing on the sea. Depending on the wind direction, changes in ocean currents will often deviate from the pre-booked route.

, sometimes we even have to move forward in a zigzag manner, so the actual time of sailing on the sea will be much longer than the calculation on paper. Although it looks like it is only more than two hundred nautical miles from Hong Kai Port to Victory Port on the map, it is really a journey.

, you will find that the voyage will definitely exceed this number. Our previous estimate of two trips a month is based on the assumption that the whole journey will be smooth and there will be no delays. Such a voyage can be completed under ideal circumstances."

"Secondly, the weather at sea is ever-changing. When the typhoon season comes, a sailing ship with a displacement of one or two hundred tons cannot go to sea at all, and it may be delayed for many days, so we must prepare excess shipping capacity so that we can

The base camp maintains a certain amount of coal reserves. When this transportation line has to be suspended due to weather or other objective reasons, we will not stop production because there is no coal available."

"Then the sailboats we currently have available are only less than two hundred tons. Based on this calculation, there is at least a difference of five to six hundred tons." Ning Qi shook his head regretfully: "The speed of the shipyard is limited after all. We

If our fleet is to collect this tonnage, it will probably take until the second quarter of next year, right?”

"I'm sure I won't be able to catch up. I think it's better to buy it!" Tao Donglai gritted his teeth and said: "The Cliff Office just did a transaction of nearly ten thousand taels of silver a few days ago. After deducting the fees and expenses during this period, plus

We still have more than 30,000 taels of silver available in our original silver reserves. I suggest that we use part of it as emergency project expenditure and first buy a batch of ships to use as cargo ships."

"I talked to a few local shipwrights at the shipyard a few days ago. They have built a ship made of 400 materials, and the price is about a thousand taels of silver. It depends on the wood material used in the shipbuilding. A second-hand old ship is definitely better than this one.

The price is cheaper, and buying a few ships won’t be a big deal for us,” Yan Chujie added.

"It's not enough to just have a boat. Do we have so many sailors available now?" Ning Qi continued to ask.

"After we crossed over, we trained more than 30 sailors. In the first two wars, there were more than 30 captured sailors and boatmen. Together, they were almost enough to configure four or five ships. If the number is not enough, we will have to add more

I thought of hiring someone." Regarding the manpower gap, Yan Chujie also seemed very helpless. After all, it was only a short time before the time traveled, and the foundation was not solid enough. Even sailors who wanted to gather a fleet of cargo ships still had difficulties. As for what kind of warships

, Navy, it is better not to dream for the time being.

"If you throw money at us and pay for the settlement, I believe we won't be able to recruit sailors! Otherwise, when we buy the boat, we can buy the sailors and boatmen together, and we won't be short of that money now!" Tao Donglai said angrily, showing his rich style.

Nothing left.

Schneider, who had been silent, also spoke at this time: "I think Mr. Tao is right. Problems that can be solved with money are not big problems. As long as we can afford the price, ships and people should be able to get it. Although development

The cost of Hong Kai Port will definitely be huge, but in the long run, we will have to invest there sooner or later, so we might as well start early so that we can reap benefits for a longer period of time."

"If we buy a lot of ships in Hainan Island, will it attract the attention of the local government?" Ning Qi, who is cautious, does not miss any place that may pose a threat.

"It's true that you are worrying too much." Tao Donglai shook his head and said: "What image do we have in the minds of local officials now? We are a group of merchants from overseas. They have always abided by the law. They not only helped the government and the army fight against pirates, but also were very kind.

We actively help the local government solve problems and effectively solve the problem of food and employment for the local people. We are originally a maritime business, so buying a few boats is a normal thing."

"Besides, we can also ask others to come forward to buy ships and hire people, such as Luo Shengdong, or the two firms that do business with us. We think they will be happy to help us." Schneider added with a smile.

"It seems like nothing can stop you." Ning Qi finally gave up and asked, "Okay, let's think about how to implement this development plan."

Even if the transportation capacity problem is solved, it is only the first link in the entire development plan chain. There are still quite a lot of troubles that need to be dealt with in the future. For example, the next step of route planning has stumped everyone present.

——No one has traveled the sea route from Sanya to Hongji Port. The previous calculation of the voyage was just looking at the map and drawing a straight line distance. When it came time to formulate a route, these laymen who were just talking on paper were all confused.

Stumped.

"It seems we have to find experts." Tao Donglai stared at the map for a while and then said helplessly: "Who in the shipping department can come right now?"

"I'm afraid no one from the Shipping Department can come. During this period, all their people are at Victory Port. It is said that they are meeting every night to discuss the design of the ship. Those young people are very motivated." Yan Chujie said.

This is also very gratifying. After more than two months of hard work, many members’ initial ambitions and enthusiasm have begun to slowly fade away, but those in the shipping department have always maintained high morale and enthusiasm for work.

, this is indeed a very difficult thing.

"Where are the people from the North American Gang?" Tao Donglai then thought about the candidates. Several people from the North American Gang are experts with rich navigation experience. Perhaps they can get some valuable suggestions and opinions from them.

"Yeah, I forgot about them. I'm going to call someone right now." Yan Chujie just did it and immediately got up and left the conference room. Within a few minutes, Morgan, Roger, Shi Diwen and Qiao Zhiya were there.

He followed him and filed into the conference room. Except for Wang Tom and Johnson who were stationed in Victory Port, several other people happened to be at Base 2, so Yan Chujie simply called them all over.

Yan Chujie had already explained the situation when he called people, so the four of them immediately got to the point after sitting down.

Qiao Zhiya pointed on the map: "When we came to participate in the crossing, we stopped in Da Nang, Vietnam and went directly to Sanya. As for places further north, we have never been to it. But we now have more detailed satellite maps, so

It is not difficult to formulate a rough route. We can even plan the future Hong Kai Port now. However, out of caution, before establishing this long-term cargo route, we may have to make a trip first to get familiar with it.

Sea conditions on this route.”

Morgan added: "This route is at least more than two hundred nautical miles. Our existing Chinese-style sailing ships are relatively slow, so we must consider the supply points along the way. In particular, the straight-line distance between Hongji Port and the west coast of Hainan Island is

More than 130 nautical miles, more than a day's journey of a Chinese sailing ship, the location of this supply point must be carefully considered."

"The supply points are ready, no need to look for them." Yan Chujie gestured to Morgan to enlarge the satellite map on his laptop, then pointed to a point between the east coast of Vietnam and the west coast of Hainan Island and said: "Did you see it? This island is about 10 miles away from Hong Kai.

The port is about sixty nautical miles away, and it is about seventy nautical miles away from the east coast of Hainan Island. It is right in the middle, so it is perfect as a supply stop!"

The island pointed out by Yan Chujie is the Fushuizhou Island in later generations. This triangular island covers an area of ​​just over two square kilometers. The terrain in the south of the island is relatively gentle, and a small port can be set up. The most important thing is that this island has fresh water.

resources, and the location is so suitable, it would be a waste not to utilize it.

"In other words, we must set up a transfer terminal on this island?" Tao Donglai asked thoughtfully while looking at the satellite image.

"Such a supply point does not require too many manpower and facilities. It only needs a small port where ships can dock overnight. It only takes one day for ships from both sides to reach the island, and the supply of food and daily necessities to the island is also relatively small.

It's convenient. If conditions permit, it would be even better if we could build a lighthouse on the island." Morgan agreed with Yan Chujie's suggestion after looking at the location of the island, and at the same time put forward his own opinion: "If we need to travel from Vietnam in the future

If the population is introduced there, then this small island can really be used as a transfer station. Considering its size, it shouldn't be a big problem to accommodate one to two thousand people."
Chapter completed!