HCB Chapter 509 Going to Sea
Chapter 509 Going to Sea
Through the telescope, the last rays of the setting sun slid across the top of the main ship's mast, leaving a warm golden streak on the dark wood. Ying Wuyou lowered the telescope and said to Zhou Xun, "Have the captains sail south along the Chu coastline. The further south they go, the hotter the climate becomes, and the more likely they are to find the crops I need. Even if they don't find them right away, they should note down the islands and ocean currents along the way—one day, I want to plant all these things in the fields of Guanzhong."
Zhou Xun bowed his head and replied, "I have noted it down."
Lan'er stepped forward and handed over a bamboo scroll wrapped in an oilcloth: "Princess, this is the list of supplies you requested. It was just delivered from the shipyard yesterday."
Ying Wuyou took it, unfolded it, and looked at it. It was marked in cinnabar: "Three thousand naval soldiers (selected from the Wei River naval force), twenty healers (skilled in treating knife wounds and miasma), two years' worth of dry rations (including beans, wheat, and pickled fish), one hundred bushels of bean seeds..."
“Hmm,” she nodded, her gaze lingering on the last line, “Did you bring a copy of the *Records of Strange Things from the Six Kingdoms*?”
“I brought them,” Cui’er replied. “They are the pages you specifically highlighted in red—‘Lingnan has kapok, whose fluff is like goose feathers and can keep you warm,’ and ‘Yue has rice, which can be harvested three times a season.’ They have all been distributed to the ships.”
Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar. A eunuch rode up the cliff at full speed, nearly tripping over loose stones as he dismounted, clutching a copper box tightly in his hand: "Princess! The Director of the Construction Bureau... says the 'compass spoon' is finished!"
Ying Wuyou's eyes lit up, and she quickly went to meet him. The eunuch presented her with a copper box, still bearing the sealing wax stamp of the Imperial Workshop. She lifted the lid; inside was a layer of soft leather, upon which lay a spoon made of lodestone, placed on a copper plate engraved with directions. She gently moved the spoon's handle, and the spoon spun a few times before finally pointing steadily south.
“This is a good thing.” She ran her fingertips along the cool handle of the spoon. “With this, I won’t have to worry about losing my way at sea.”
Three days later, at dawn, the fog at the dock had not yet lifted. Ying Wuyou, dressed in a short, easy-to-move outfit with a gray cloth cloak over it, stood on the pier. Cui'er followed closely behind, carrying a food box containing wheat cakes she had made herself—for a few young acquaintances.
Five giant ships had their sails fully raised, followed by hundreds of other vessels. The black "Qin" flag was faintly visible in the mist. On the deck of the main ship stood several familiar figures: General Wang Ben, clad in heavy armor, was giving instructions in a low voice; Meng Qi, Meng Tian's youngest son, though only sixteen, was already wearing a sword; Ying Nian, a member of the royal family, was holding the "Records of Strange Things from the Six Kingdoms" given to her, talking with Li Xu, the second son of Li Si's family—these were all people who had requested to go to sea themselves. Wang Ben was good at managing the situation, Meng Qi understood naval warfare, Ying Nian was meticulous, and Li Xu was knowledgeable, complementing each other perfectly.
Before setting off, Ying Wuyou specially gathered them together and led them to the small kitchen in the cabin to teach them how to sprout beans.
She stood in the center of the kitchen, holding a handful of soybeans, and smiled as she said to everyone, "These are soybeans. All we need to do is soak them in clean water, changing the water twice a day, and making sure they don't get any light. In about five or six days, the bean sprouts will grow."
Next, Ying Wuyou explained in detail the process and precautions for sprouting beans, making sure everyone understood. She told everyone that vegetables were scarce during sea voyages, and bean sprouts could not only provide nutrition but also reduce internal heat and prevent disease.
Watching everyone board the ship, Ying Wuyou stood on the shore, took a deep breath, and solemnly said, "General Wang, you must take care on your journey!" Her voice was clear and loud, piercing through the morning mist and carrying far away.
Upon hearing Ying Wuyou's call, Wang Ben, aboard the main ship, immediately went to the bow and loudly replied, "Please rest assured, Princess! This humble general will certainly live up to his mission, retrieve the rare artifact, explore the sea route, and expand the territory of Great Qin!" His voice was powerful and resolute, full of determination and confidence.
Ying Wuyou smiled and nodded, raising her hand to wave gently at them as a gesture of blessing and farewell. Several young people on the deck followed suit, waving back to her.
"Weigh anchor!" Wang Ben commanded, and the giant ship slowly sailed away from the dock, its oars stirring up the mist and leaving trails of water.
Ying Wuyou stood on the pier, watching five ships break through the morning mist and head east. Their sails billowed in the wind, like a flock of birds spreading their wings, gradually merging into the distant morning light. She stood there until the mist dissipated, the sun was high in the sky, and the ships' shadows became tiny black dots before turning back.
"Princess, would you like a piece of bread?" Cui'er opened the food box and took out a piece of wheat bread that was still warm.
Ying Wuyou took it, took a bite, and the aroma of wheat mixed with the flavor of sesame spread on her tongue. She looked at the remaining sails on the sea and said softly, "When they come back, maybe the people of Guanzhong will be able to wear warm cotton clothes in winter."
Cui'er didn't speak, but simply helped her adjust her cloak. She knew that what the princess cared about was never just a few pieces of bread or a few cotton clothes. Those five giant ships sailing into the unknown carried the princess's hopes for the world—that one day, this fragmented land would be united, free from war and hunger.
The sea breeze continued to blow, carrying a cool, damp air, as if echoing the promise hidden in the morning mist of Langya Terrace.
While Ying Wuyou was busy with preparations for the voyage, a different atmosphere permeated the streets and alleys of Xianyang. The successful candidates in this imperial examination, after three months of intensive training, were finally graduating.
These newly appointed county magistrates came from various backgrounds, some from prominent families and others from humble origins. Yet, at this moment, they were all dressed in blue official robes, appearing exceptionally solemn. Although their faces were still somewhat immature, their eyes burned with a fervent desire to achieve great things in the future.
As they parted, everyone busied themselves packing their bags and bowing to each other in farewell. Some offered words of advice, while others wished each other well. Their words conveyed not only reluctance to part with their classmates but also anticipation for each other's future.
"Brother Zhang, please take good care of yourself on your journey to Nanyang County." A young scholar with a thin face raised his cup and said. He was from Qi Yue in Qi Province and was about to take up his post in Chaisang County, which was under the jurisdiction of Jiujiang County.
Zhang Cang, who was addressed as Brother Zhang, replied with a smile: "Brother Qi should be the one to be careful. Chaisang is adjacent to Chu. I heard that the people there have been planting sugarcane like crazy lately, and even the farmland has been abandoned. I'm afraid it won't be easy for you to be the county magistrate."
Qi Yue frowned slightly upon hearing this. During the training, the doctors had specifically mentioned the situation in Chu, saying that the brown sugar there was exceptionally sweet, and even the nobles in the palace loved it, but they hadn't mentioned anything about the grain fields.
He downed the wine in one gulp: "As an official in charge of the people's livelihood, I should naturally consider the long-term interests of the people. If what Brother Wang says is true, I want to see whether this sugarcane is a blessing or a curse."
Before the words were finished, the sound of horses' hooves echoed outside the post station. The carriages and horses to take them to their new posts were ready, and the blue official flags fluttered in the wind. The scholars rose one after another, straightened their clothes, and stepped onto the carriages. The wheels rolled over the bluestone road, heading in all directions of the Great Qin, and in the ruts lay the threads of the Great Qin's future.