A large wooden vessel, from raw materials to completion, required at least three or four years.
Yet from the start of construction until now, Suo Lun’s three warships had at most taken less than a year, because the materials needed for these warships were purchased by Suo Lun from other shipyards at any cost, without regard for expense.
Moreover, two of the ships had already been partially built, then converted into two-deck warships.
“How much longer until these three vessels can be launched?” Suo Lun asked.
“Seven days!” said the shipyard’s defending army leader, who was also one of the Suo clan’s trusted warriors.
These three vessels, not counting the cannons, had already cost Suo Lun nearly one hundred thousand gold coins. Adding the cannons and the cost of training artillerymen, the total was completely incalculable.
Of course, there was also the construction of this secret shipyard, plus the salaries of several thousand workers, and so forth. It was all astronomical sums.
Suo Lun’s Rocky Salt Fields had been in production for nearly two years now. The even more wildly profitable Magic Mirror had been on the market for less than a year.
Within this one or two year period, the gold coins Suo Lun had earned were completely astronomical, almost exceeding the Raging Waves Kingdom’s annual tax revenue.
But even now, he did not have many gold coins on hand. He spent almost as much as he earned.
Now, with maritime trade blockaded, half of his financial lifeline was severed. Times would be hard.
…
Yan Chuo Er was seeing these incomparably massive artillery warships for the first time. She was completely shocked!
Two of them had two gun decks. The flagship in the middle had a full three gun decks.
Standing at the bottom and looking up, these warships were like a high mountain.
“These two smaller ones are Sky Water class warships, with a displacement of two thousand tons, fifty-five cannons, and requiring a crew of seven hundred.” Suo Lun pointed to the three warships as he introduced them. “The large one in the middle is the Southeast warship, with a displacement of three thousand tons, seventy-five cannons, and requiring a crew of nine hundred fifty.”
Suo Lun had not researched the sailing artillery warships of seventeenth and eighteenth century Earth very much.
So these warships were completed entirely based on the impressions and concepts in his mind, and even more so upon this world’s shipbuilding craftsmanship.
Fortunately, this world’s shipbuilding level was not weak. Let alone two thousand ton class warships, they had even built large ships of three to four thousand tons.
However, compared to the shipbuilding arts of eighteenth century Spain or Britain on Earth, they were certainly inferior by who knew how much.
For the same displacement, the number of cannons was at most around half that of others.
But warships of this tonnage were already frightening enough. Most warships in this world were still only a few hundred tons, with only one or two hundred crew members.
And the Rock Pirate warships were even smaller. A single Rock Pirate warship carried only about one hundred pirates.
It was precisely because these warships were too small that aerial strikes by griffin beasts were even more difficult to aim.
Yan Chuo Er was born among the Rock Pirates. She possessed an extraordinary passion for the sea and warships.
And facing Suo Lun’s three artillery warships, she only felt her blood boil throughout her body, her breathing becoming rapid.
“Although I do not know how powerful these three warships are, I know they will certainly change naval warfare history.” Yan Chuo Er said in a trembling voice.
Then, she turned her head and asked, “Suo Lun, relying upon these three artillery vessels, can we defeat Yan Mo’s one hundred thousand naval troops?”
Suo Lun shook his head, “I do not know. It should be very difficult!”
He truly did not know. The navy was a branch of the military that most required time, that most required deep foundations.
These three artillery warships were completely the work of Suo Lun and several dozen shipbuilding masters engaging in armchair strategy.
The over one thousand artillerymen trained for a year had fired cannons, and had fired cannons at sea, but they had not truly trained upon these three large warships.
These three artillery warships had not only never seen actual combat, they had not even gone out to sea.
So what would be the outcome if they truly fought? No one knew!
Even if a true battle commenced, whether certain parts of the warships would fall apart after the cannons fired, Suo Lun dared not completely guarantee.
Because these three warships were works with a strong experimental nature. According to Suo Lun’s plans, his artillery warships would not see their first battle until at least five years later.
Like the Chinese Navy of Earth’s dimension, from the start of refitting the first aircraft carrier to its true commissioning, a full seven years had been required.
But many times, plans could not keep up with changes.
Like America during the Second World War, when aircraft carriers were insufficient, merchant ships were converted into aircraft carriers, commissioned within a few months.
Suo Lun’s three experimental warships were just like this. They had almost no training, yet might be pulled out to sea for actual combat!
“Three are certainly not enough.” Yan Chuo Er said, “No matter how powerful the warship, three cannot defeat one thousand.”
Suo Lun said, “It is not only these three. Other warships are also being refitted, with cannons being directly installed upon their decks. Of course, a single warship can at most install a dozen or so cannons. And the number of cannons is still far from sufficient.”
Yan Chuo Er sighed, “Yan Mo’s provocation truly comes at a bad time.”
“Who said it is not?” Suo Lun said, “If he dared to provoke two years later, I guarantee I would beat him until his teeth were scattered all over the ground. But right now, our new navy has not yet formed combat capability. At best, it has only just begun to sprout.”
Yan Chuo Er was silent for a moment, then said, “Go to the Hidden Continent Island. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Seek an alliance with the Hai clan.”
Suo Lun nodded, then glanced once more at the three spectacular, massive artillery warships!
Undoubtedly, these represented the future of naval warfare.
But these three warships were truly too new. Whether the warships themselves, or the artillerymen and sailors about to board them, all were too green.
This was a new navy still in its sprouting period. Its true combat capability was completely unknown.
Suo Lun rode a griffin, circling around the three artillery warships, then said in a loud voice, “From now on, carry out the finishing work on the three warships at the fastest possible speed. They must undergo sea trials within five days. Then seize every moment to conduct actual combat drills. Because in one month, these three warships will encounter a true great naval battle.”
“Yes!” The sailors, crew members, and ship workers below shouted in unison!
Suo Lun rode his griffin beast, flying out of the mountain cave. He said to Yan Chuo Er and Zhi Yan, “Take two paths. First, abandon all illusions, prepare to fight alone. Second, go to the Hidden Continent Island, do everything possible to ally with the Hai clan!”
Then Suo Lun hesitated for a moment and said, “Additionally, contact the Underworld Society. Assassinate Yan Mo!”
At these words, Yan Chuo Er’s delicate body trembled slightly, but she did not speak.
Suo Lun had also spent tremendous courage to make this decision. He himself did not much care about Yan Mo’s status as a half brother of the same father, but Yan Mo was after all Yan Chuo Er’s biological son.
But fortunately, when Yan Chuo Er fell from the ten thousand zhang abyss of the Rock King’s palace, she had suffered a powerful mental energy impact. Many of her memories had already been lost.
…
After leaving the secret shipyard, Suo Lun travelled by fast boat towards the Hidden Continent Island in the northeast, to ally with the Hai clan!
The enemy of my enemy is my friend!
The Hai clan of the Hidden Continent Island had once been Suo Lun’s enemy, twice dispatching armies to attack Sky Water City.
But so what? There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests!
The entire Eastern Sea of the continent could only accommodate one hegemon. Between the Hai clan and Yan Mo, either annex or be annexed!
The Hai clan, in order to extend their tentacles to the continent, had first formed a marriage alliance with the Ashi clan, with thirty thousand naval troops as dowry.
As a result, these thirty thousand naval troops had been burned clean in the first war to destroy Suo.
The second time, Hai Gang had again given Zhi Li face by dispatching ten thousand naval troops to participate in the second war to destroy Suo.
However, the second time had likewise ended in total annihilation.
But after experiencing two rounds of wars to destroy Suo, the Hai clan now had only sixty thousand naval troops remaining. But even so, once they allied with Suo Lun, their combined forces would have nearly one hundred thousand naval troops, not inferior to Yan Mo.
As long as the two houses could ally, then this battle would not be lost. Adding Suo Lun’s griffin aerial strikes and artillery, the odds of victory were very high.
“Suo Lun, I will go with you to the Hidden Continent Island.” Yan Chuo Er said.
Suo Lun shook his head, “Aunt, the maritime situation is now critical. The Suo clan navy cannot do without you. Moreover, if you go with me, I worry that the Hai clan’s leader Hai Gang might harbour inappropriate thoughts!”
Moreover, Yan Chuo Er had once lost her memory. She completely did not understand Hai Gang anymore. Her going would not be of much use to the negotiations.
In the end, accompanied and protected by Zhi Yan and Zhuang Zhi Xuan, Suo Lun set out for the Hidden Continent Island!
…
The distance from Sky Water City to the Hidden Continent Island waters was a full five to six thousand li, requiring four days and four nights of sailing.
Maritime travel was so dull. Apart from making children, what else could one do?
Thus, Suo Lun’s waist was about to break again. The otherworldly celestial Zhi Yan once more transformed into a semen-devouring queen.
Suo Lun’s waist was truly about to break!
After a cry, Zhi Yan’s snow jade-like delicate body crashed heavily upon Suo Lun, then gasped for breath.
“Finally full, stuffed to bursting.” Zhi Yan gasped.
And Suo Lun was like a fish out of water, mouth gaping wide, desperately breathing.
“Suo Lun, do you think Hai Gang will accept our request for an alliance?” Zhi Yan asked.
Suo Lun said, “If he is sufficiently intelligent, he will agree!”
Speaking of which, Hai Gang and Suo Lun could truly be called mortal enemies.
A small half of the Hai clan’s naval troops had been destroyed by Suo Lun. Not to mention, the Hai clan had closely followed Zhi Li.
Zhi Yan said, “Then do you think this negotiation with Hai Gang will go smoothly?”
Suo Lun shook his head, “I do not know. I understand far too little about this man.”
Indeed, Hai Gang was an enigma to Suo Lun. But what could be certain was that this was yet another powerful, heroic ruler.
Otherwise, the Hai clan would not have grown so powerful under his hand.
Suo Lun was truly very curious. The master of the Hidden Continent Island, Hai Gang, with what kind of face, what kind of posture, would he greet Suo Lun’s arrival!
…
When still several dozen li from the Hidden Continent Island pier, Suo Lun’s boat was already surrounded by Hidden Continent Island warships!
Suo Lun shouted towards a naval leader on one warship, “Please go and report to the master of the Hidden Continent Island, Lord Hai Gang, that Suo Lun, Marquis of Sky Water of the Raging Waves Kingdom, Acting Governor of the Southeast Province, has come to visit!”
After Suo Lun announced his identity, he immediately sensed killing intent all around him.
The Hai clan naval troops on the decks of the surrounding warships almost simultaneously drew their swords and blades. Their gazes towards Suo Lun seemed about to spew flames, filled with absolute hostility.
“Creak…” At the same time, the giant crossbows on every warship were fully drawn, terrifying long arrows placed upon them, aimed at Suo Lun.
Suo Lun even suspected that at this moment, if just one person took the lead, the several hundred sailors on the surrounding Hai clan warships would desperately rush forth, attempting to tear him into ten thousand pieces.
Nearly forty thousand of the Hai clan’s naval troops had died by Suo Lun’s hand. It seemed he had still underestimated the other side’s hostility.
Facing the swords and blades of several hundred Hai clan naval troops, plus over a dozen terrifying giant ballistae, Suo Lun’s expression remained unchanged. He still said indifferently, “Please go and report to Lord Hai Gang. Suo Lun has come to visit!”
The Hai clan naval leader stared fixedly at Suo Lun for a long while, then shouted in a low voice, “Wait here. If you dare move even slightly, you will immediately be shot into a hornet’s nest!”
Then, he dispatched a small boat towards the Hidden Continent Island pier to report to Hai Gang in Hidden Continent City.
…
The Hidden Continent Island stretched over a thousand li, equivalent to a province of the Raging Waves Kingdom. It had over five million subjects, all under the rule of the Hai clan.
Hidden Continent City was considered the capital of the Hidden Continent Island, with a population of over three hundred thousand. It was a typical coastal city, with very developed maritime trade!
The ruling core of the Hai clan was this Hidden Continent City!
Suo Lun waited for over two hours before finally receiving orders from within Hidden Continent City, permitting Suo Lun to land!
Then, escorted by four warships, Suo Lun’s boat landed at the Hidden Continent Island pier.
Suo Lun had thought Hai Gang would dispatch the young master Hai Wu Yan to the pier to greet him, but he did not. He merely sent a general of the ten thousand man leader rank.
This treatment was very unequal. It seemed Hai Gang was very cold towards Suo Lun.
Immediately, a shadow fell upon Suo Lun’s heart regarding the upcoming negotiations. He could not help but somewhat look down upon Hai Gang.
A man of great talent and bold vision like Hai Gang should not be such a narrow-minded person!
“Marquis Suo Lun, the master awaits you in the governor’s residence.” that ten thousand man leader said.
Hai Gang possessed the territory of a province, but had not yet pledged allegiance to any nation. His title was Governor of the Hidden Continent Island.
This governor was a title he had given himself. This man truly was modest indeed.
Under the protection of a hundred cavalry, Suo Lun’s party of three rode in a carriage into Hidden Continent City, heading towards the governor’s residence.
Within Hidden Continent City, people came and went. It was exceedingly prosperous.
The city walls were high and thick. Most of the buildings within the city were stone, their style somewhat approximating the human kingdoms, yet somewhat approximating the Rock People style as well.
These buildings did not appear ornate, but were very sturdy.
After about two quarters of an hour, the carriage stopped within the Hidden Continent Governor’s Residence.
This governor’s residence appeared very similar to the Southeast Province Governor’s Residence. Carved balustrades and jade steps, pavilions and terraces. Sturdy yet ornate.
The entire governor’s residence had completely departed from the Rock People atmosphere, somewhat at odds with Hidden Continent City as well.
Under the guidance of this ten thousand man leader, Suo Lun entered the great hall of the Hidden Continent Governor’s Residence!
“Please wait here, Lord Suo Lun. The master will arrive shortly!” This ten thousand man leader exited the governor’s residence hall and closed the door.
Instantly, within the vast hall, only Suo Lun, Zhi Yan, and Zhuang Zhi Xuan remained. Not even a pot of tea was served.
Suo Lun waited for over an hour. Hai Gang still had not appeared.
Moreover, not a single person came out to attend to them. Suo Lun’s throat was already parched with thirst, yet still not half a pot of tea was served.
Suo Lun’s brows knitted tightly. He was not a magnanimous person. Facing such cold treatment, he was exceedingly displeased.
In the Raging Waves Kingdom, he had beaten Zhi Li until he was utterly disgraced. Facing the kingdom’s prime minister Yan Wu Ji, he had slapped his face with crackling sounds. Yet now he had to suffer such slighting and cold treatment from Hai Gang. How could he not be furious?
After waiting another half hour, Suo Lun’s patience was exhausted. He directly rose and said coldly, “Since the host is unwelcoming, then let us depart.”
Having spoken, he was about to take Princess Zhi Yan and Zhuang Zhi Xuan and leave, directly ending the alliance that had not yet begun.
Just at this moment, a laugh came from behind the hall. Then a handsome, refined middle-aged man walked out. From afar, he bowed towards Suo Lun, saying, “Hai Gang, a man beyond the pale, pays his respects to Princess Zhi Yan of the Raging Waves Kingdom, pays his respects to Marquis Suo Lun!”