Chapter 368: The Fuchuan Ship Launches, the Reward Arrives (4k)

The Yellow-headed Venerable jumped and bounced, its scales flowing with a soft, golden luster.

Otter-Otter-Open patted the fish head unconscious with one claw, grabbed the fish tail, threw it over its back, and rushed to the courtyard, raising it in a large vat together with the Seven-Colored Rainbow Flow given by the old toad.

The dragon-men sending a precious fish was truly an unexpected joy.

The resentment over the two baskets of crabs vanished; how could the value of two baskets of crabs compare to a Yellow-headed Venerable worth hundreds of taels of silver?

"They wouldn't listen to my explanation, so I can't be blamed."

Liang Qu had repeatedly explained to Long Pingjiang and Long Pinghe that he was not the reincarnation of the Jianghuai Dragon Lord, denying it very decisively, without any vague hints.

All the dragon-men's current actions were voluntary gifts and had nothing to do with him!

Not proactive, not rejecting, not responsible.

If they insisted on giving precious fish, there was nothing he could do.

Seeing the Heavenly God accept the precious fish, the fat catfish let its long whiskers droop, looking slightly disappointed.

The hope of becoming a servant in the Catfish Duke's mansion was gone.

Getting revenge on the dragon-men would be difficult.

For the next half month.

Long Pingjiang and Long Pinghe successively sent two more precious fish to the Liang residence. They did not show their faces, waiting at the underground river mouth every day for the water beasts entering and exiting to carry them.

On average, one every four or five days. Although the quantity was not as much as what the fat catfish and the others caught every day, they won on the extremely high quality, all being the best grade of precious fish in the "Fish Appearance Record."

Every single one sold would be worth at least a hundred taels of silver!

Money was truly easy to earn.

Liang Qu hadn't done anything, yet dragon-men were inexplicably coming to send precious fish.

Flood dragon, you've done well!

Early November.

Start of Winter.

The tree pond was filled with fallen leaves.

The Seven-Colored Rainbow Flow swayed its long tail, layers of water ripples reflecting fluorescent light.

Beside the pond vat, the river otters moved giant logs, the beavers worked overtime, and they collaborated to manufacture a new ship model, inserting ribs into the small keel—a scene of prosperity and flourishing.

Only Otter-Otter-Open did not help, did not practice fist techniques, and did not seek progress.

It hugged the wooden carving of the Scar-faced River Otter, which the big beaver had replicated one-to-one, baring its teeth and biting, leaving dense holes.

It had fought yesterday and had been miserably ravaged by the Scar-faced family again, so it could only vent its anger on the wooden carving.

Scar-face was truly the enemy of Otter-Otter-Open's life!

Compared to the bitterness and deep hatred in the Liang residence, the courtyard of Liu Quanfu's home was full of joy.

Liang Qu, Unlike Cha Qing, and Fan Fan Zixuan gathered together.

Surrounding shipwrights and apprentices gathered around, watching how the three of them would move it.

From the end of August in the summer until today at the start of winter, the large Fuchuan ship was finally completed and ready for delivery!

The bitter, plain smell of tung oil permeated the air.

Liu Quanfu, wrapped in a cotton coat, directed Unlike Cha Qing to dismantle the layered wooden frame supporting the Fuchuan ship.

As the support loosened, a giant log on one side rolled off. Fan Fan Zixuan, on the side of the ship, stepped forward, letting out a low shout as he used his shoulder to prop up the large ship that was tilting over.

Unlike Cha Qing took the opportunity to loosen the connecting structures in other places, and the entire giant wooden frame seemed to have its spine removed, falling apart one after another.

The Fuchuan ship swayed.

The watching shipwrights exclaimed.

Unlike Cha Qing immediately jumped off the bow and, together with Fan Fan Zixuan, propped up the bottom of the ship, finally stabilizing the Fuchuan ship that was about to tilt.

Liang Qu came to the bow and touched the keel at the bottom of the ship with both hands.

"One, two, three, lift!"

Hearing the command, the three of them exerted force together, and the entire six-zhang-long large Fuchuan ship swayed and floated up horizontally.

Liu Quanfu and a group of apprentices and helpers were dumbfounded.

They all needed to work together to move thick wooden planks, yet just three martial artists were actually able to lift the entire Fuchuan ship!

"Master Liang is mighty!"

"I heard martial artists can pull dozens of galloping big horses to a stop! Now I've seen it for real."

"What do you mean 'now'? This summer, the water beast Master Liang caught, he carried it from the west to the east. Have you forgotten?"

"Oh, oh, I remember now."

"With such divine strength, no wonder martial artists don't need a shipyard."

Normal people building large ships need to dig a large pit on the shore first.

After the ship is built, they dig an opening, lead water into the pit, the ship floats up, and it sails into the river.

The large pit is called a "shipyard." The more scaled a shipyard is, the better the shipyard, which is convenient for quickly building ships in batches; this is the most convenient way.

But martial artists are not normal people. With the physical strength of a Galloping Horse martial artist who can pull dozens of tall horses to a stop, let alone three, even two people would be more than enough to lift a six-zhang Fuchuan ship.

Liang Qu, as a freak among Galloping Horses, was enough on his own; there was no need to worry about shipyards at all.

It was just that Liang Qu was worried that lifting it alone would make the force-bearing surface too small, making it easy to sway.

There was a stretch of road before entering the Great Marsh, and it was hard to guarantee it wouldn't bump into anything.

A large ship that took two and a half months of hard work to build, if it bumped and broke before even launching, would be too unlucky, so he called his two subordinates, the River Earls, to come and help.

Seeing the Fuchuan ship lifted, Liang Qu shouted: "Uncle Fu, open the door in front!"

Liu Quanfu recovered from his shock and hurriedly led his apprentices and helpers to pull open the large gate.

Liang Qu compared the width of the doorway and turned his head to look at Fan Fan Zixuan in the middle: "The doorway is narrow, we can't get through. You two lift higher, be careful not to bump the bottom of the ship against the wall!"

"We two will watch carefully, there won't be any mistakes."

"Don't worry, Master Liang, just keep moving forward! Let alone one Fuchuan ship, even if the two tower ships from the River Po Office came today, we two would have to prop them up!"

Unlike Cha Qing and Fan Fan Zixuan responded one after another, their voices full of energy.

Seeing that the two had no problems, Liang Qu moved his legs and moved forward.

During this time, the three of them always kept in a straight line, holding the Fuchuan ship high as they walked out of the courtyard, turned a large corner, turned onto the bluestone street from the small path, and walked slowly to Shangrao Port amidst the surprised gazes of passersby.

The Fuchuan ship was eighteen meters long, nearly six zhang, and with its width and height, it was an incredibly exaggerated large ship, attracting a large crowd of onlookers.

"My mother, what a big ship!"

"Is this a Fuchuan ship? There are similar styles in the River Po Office, used as warships."

"Master Liang is rising in the world! A year ago he sat in a small sampan! I don't dare to imagine what ship he will change to this time next year. Perhaps even the tower ship that came to the River Po Office will belong to Master Liang!"

"Sampan? Did Master Liang use a sampan before?"

"Are you from out of town?"

"My home is in Nanxun Township next door, thirteen or fourteen miles away. I know little, and today I came to Pingyang Town to buy some things."

Several local villagers saw that there were outsiders and couldn't help but show pride on their faces.

Shangrao Port.

The deep-water port for large ships to stay had been built long ago. A long pier extended a hundred meters from the shore toward the depths of the Great Marsh, not far from where the fishing boats originally docked. On both sides, there were large merchant ships docked, unloading cargo.

After entering winter, the fields were not busy, and the fish catch was gradually decreasing; the villagers were basically in a state of eating stored grain.

Farmers and fishermen often came to the port to exert some effort and earn money, and the competition was very fierce; the wages had been pressed to the level of three copper coins a day.

Liang Qu always suspected that the copper coins they earned were not enough to pay for the extra oil and rice they had to eat after a day of hard labor.

Approaching the pier, Liang Qu saw Lin Lin Songbao waiting on the road. He was accompanied by two clerks from the fishing stall, each holding red cloth and an incense burner in their arms, as well as a food box with chicken, duck, fish, and meat.

"My lord, no need to go into the water, I'll do it!"

Fan Fan Zixuan shouted loudly, took a step, and tacitly turned direction with Unlike Cha Qing. Ignoring Liang Qu's obstruction, he pushed him to the back and took the first step into the water. The river water spread up along their trouser legs, forming a dark color.

Unlike Cha Qing in front turned his head and shouted: "Master Liang, let go, rest assured and leave it to us, there won't be any mistakes."

Fan Fan Zixuan responded: "Right, Master Liang, don't worry, if we can't even handle this little thing, we won't have the face to continue being River Earls!"

Liang Qu found it hard to refuse such kindness, so he had to let go: "Fine, thank you for your hard work."

"What hard work, not tired at all!"

"Master Liang is a Water-Director, changing ships is official business! We two should do our best!"

Fan Fan Zixuan and Unlike Cha Qing lifted the Fuchuan ship into the Great Marsh, their clothes soaked by the muddy water that surged up.

The water level gradually deepened, submerging their chests.

Fan Fan Zixuan and Unlike Cha Qing took a deep breath, kicked the ground together, and the entire Fuchuan ship slid forward along the water flow.

Boom!

The entire Fuchuan ship entered the water completely.

The ship's ribs collided with the Great Marsh, splashing layers of water foam, which spread into the distance and were canceled out by the river waves.

Waiting for a moment.

The Fuchuan ship did not tilt, did not fall, and did not sink, floating steadily on the water surface.

"Good!"

"Good ship!"

Cheers erupted from the shore!

Liang Qu couldn't help but applaud, feeling three parts lighter.

Liu Quanfu's tense heart relaxed slightly.

On both sides of the ship, Fan Fan Zixuan and Unlike Cha Qing wiped the water stains off their faces, stepped on the mud and sand back to the shore, and took off their clothes to wring them out.

Liu Quanfu hurriedly said it was hard work and turned to shout to the apprentices behind him: "Quick, go into the ship and see if there are any places leaking water."

Even with Master Lou's help, Liu Quanfu, who was building a ship for the first time, still had no bottom in his heart.

However, he was also excited.

On one hand, Liang Qu gave a lot; every time he worked, the wage was basically much higher than others.

On the other hand, really building a ship was a qualification for him, Liu Quanfu.

Shipbuilding requires carpentry, but those who know carpentry don't necessarily know how to build ships.

Liu Quanfu learned a lot from Master Lou. With such shipbuilding skills, no matter where he went in the future, he would no longer be an ordinary carpenter.

Even if Liang Qu didn't need some strange things in the future, Liu Quanfu's life would inevitably be better than before.

While giving instructions, a short apprentice took a sampan to the side of the ship, grabbed the rope on the side of the ship to get on the deck, and then threw out a floating bridge made of floating wood and ropes from above, picking up Liang Qu and the others.

Fan Fan Zixuan and Unlike Cha Qing returned to the shore and waved their hands repeatedly at Liang Qu's invitation to go on board and look around together.

"We two are soaked, it would be dirty to go on board, so we won't go up."

Fan Fan Zixuan and Unlike Cha Qing had finally found an opportunity, so naturally, they had to perform well, being extremely humble in every move.

Liang Qu understood their thoughts and felt a bit of emotion.

When he was a River Earl, he never felt the need to curry favor with anyone.

Time and fate.

Liang Qu did not force them and followed Liu Quanfu to check the ship cabins one by one.

Ensuring that there were no cabin seams that were not in place, causing water leakage.

Taking advantage of Liang Qu's inspection, the two clerks from the fishing stall, under Lin Lin Songbao's command, stepped onto the deck, set up wooden tables, set up incense burners, piled up chicken, duck, fish, and meat, and hung flags and banners on the masts and ship sides.

Whenever a large ship launches, it is necessary to sacrifice to the River God.

Praying for smooth sailing and peace in the future.

It was just that this kind of sacrifice was not complicated compared to the River God sacrifice of an entire region, and the scale was small, without so many rules, mostly just to fool around and comfort oneself.

After checking the cabins, Liang Qu walked out of the ship satisfied.

Lin Lin Songbao lit the long incense and stepped forward three steps to hand it over.

People were moving on the shore, and waves were rising on the marsh.

White smoke curled up.

Liang Qu took the long incense, faced the vast and boundless Jianghuai Great Marsh, said a few words of future expectations, hoping for the River God's favor, bowed three times to the Jianghuai Great Marsh, and inserted the incense into the incense burner.

With this, the ship was completely handed over.

Everyone present felt a huge stone fall from their hearts.

Liang Qu was extremely happy. He circled the deck, overlooking the Great Marsh and the port, feeling refreshed.

Comfortable, truly comfortable.

The feeling of a large ship was completely different from a sampan; the space and field of vision were open, and it was quite free!

Sampan, covered boat, pleasure boat, and now the large Fuchuan ship eighteen meters long.

Big is good, big is beautiful!

Covered boats and pleasure boats certainly had a taste of the misty Jiangnan rain, but in terms of applicability, one still had to look at large ships!

In the future, when leading a team into the depths of the Great Marsh to catch precious fish, having his own large ship would make everything much more convenient.

However, the river otters' shipwright training had to be put on the agenda as soon as possible.

I don't know what Otter-Otter-Open is doing in the pond; the comfortable days are about to end.

Liang Qu was in a happy mood and gave the fishing stall clerks another five taels of silver to treat the villagers on the shore to tea.

This naturally drew another round of cheers.

A burst of congratulations on Master Liang's generosity.

Lin Lin Songbao took the opportunity to suggest: "Master Water has gained a new ship, why not raise the sails and take the helm, and take a turn in the Great Marsh?"

Liang Qu's heart moved slightly; whether the ship was good or not, one really had to take a turn to know.

"Can the ship move now?"

The shipwright hurriedly said: "Master Liang, don't worry, if it can enter the water, it can naturally move. Although building a ship and sailing a ship are two different things, we know a little bit."

"Fine, then let's take a turn! I'll treat everyone to a meal later!"

"Alright." The replying shipwright straightened his back and looked at the crowd behind him, "Who will raise the sails!"

"I will!"

"I'll take the helm!"

The River Po Office helpers volunteered, returning to their busy state, each acting as a temporary waterman, raising all the sails of the large ship, casting a huge shadow over everyone.

The white sails bulged, and the entire Fuchuan ship was like a giant eagle spreading its wings, suddenly accelerating, crossing the heavy wave shadows along the waterway, flying like a boat under the sunlight.

Liang Qu stood at the bow, his sleeves fluttering in the wind.

Looking out, the water was sparkling.

The river wind carrying rich water vapor blew toward his face, deeply penetrating his lungs, and then exhaled with his breath.

All the exhaust gas was expelled!

On the shore, Fan Fan Zixuan looked at the Fuchuan ship from afar, feeling envious.

When would he be able to have such a large ship?

Unlike Cha Qing saw his colleague's expression and knew what the other was thinking.

Who wouldn't?

After the excitement until noon, the Fuchuan ship slowly docked.

Everyone got off the ship one after another.

Liang Qu provided the funds, found a hotel nearby, and treated Liu Quanfu, a group of shipwrights, as well as Fan Fan Zixuan and Lin Lin Songbao who came to help, to a meal.

By the way, he settled the bill for Liu Quanfu.

A good frame bed costs dozens of taels, let alone an eighteen-meter large ship.

It was outrageously expensive.

Including the recent expenses for treating guests, hiring people, purchasing furniture, digging ponds, and adding flower gardens, unknowingly, Liang Qu had spent another nearly two thousand taels.

However, Liang Qu didn't care much about his own extravagance.

There is income and expenditure.

Relying on the Great Marsh, the way to make money always existed, it was just that all the good things were eaten into his stomach.

The purpose of making money is to make oneself comfortable.

If not comfortable, money is no different from not earning it.

Afternoon.

Liang Qu handed a shipwright manual to the old giant clam, letting it teach the river otters well, practice and familiarize themselves with shipwright skills, and strive to get on the job as soon as possible, while he himself held Dragon Fubo and practiced in the courtyard.

After Dragon Fubo's spirituality was completed, Liang Qu liked practicing spear techniques more and more; if he didn't practice for a day, his whole body would feel uncomfortable.

Before dusk arrived.

Smoke rose from the kitchen.

Chen Chen Jiechang came to the door and told Liang Qu that the Bookkeeper Li from the River Po Office was looking for him, saying it was about the reward.

Hearing the reward, Liang Qu immediately understood what was going on.

"Double happiness!"

Today not only did he receive the Fuchuan ship, but the flood control reward had also come down!

Red Mountain came and went like a fierce wind.

Liang Qu couldn't care about tying the rope, turned over and got off the horse, left a sentence not to run around, and then quickly entered the document room.

Seeing Liang Qu crossing the threshold in a rush, Li Li Shoufu didn't say a word of nonsense, turned around and moved a large wooden box out of the small room in the document room, took the key from Bookkeeper Huang next to him, opened the lock, and stepped back half a step.

Liang Qu couldn't wait to lift the box lid, and what came into view were treasure boxes with the names of two heavenly materials and earthly treasures written on them.

Morning Dew Insect!

Withered Wind Water Fairy!

Further down was the "Green Dragon Killing Scripture" contained in a brocade bag, reflecting its name!

Three treasures, all arrived!

"Looking at the entire Huaiyin Prefecture River Po Office, Master Liang is the first one to be able to borrow a great merit in advance."

Li Li Shoufu was convinced. ===== CHAPTER 369 =====