Chapter 380: Initial Exploration of the Sea Frontier

The coastal area of Jiaoxi County (now Qingdao) has always been a place of profit from fishing and salt.

But today, this bay located on the eastern edge of Great Chen's territory has welcomed an unprecedented grand event.

Inside the bay, the wind is calm and the waves are still; the sky is high and the clouds are light.

Unlike the clamor of the Bian River and the austerity of the Northern Frontier, the air here is filled with the salty, damp scent of sea breeze; the sound of waves gently lapping against the shore reefs echoes in the ears, along with the clear cries of seabirds.

A newly expanded pier extends into the sea, built of sturdy timber and stone slabs, its scale far surpassing that of an ordinary fishing harbor.

On the pier, banners flutter and heads crowd together.

Minister of Works Zhao Lao Nian, rarely seen, has changed into a relatively clean official robe, although his cuffs are inevitably stained with some oil.

He stands at the front end of the pier, his grayish hair somewhat disheveled by the sea breeze, but his weather-beaten face is filled with uncontainable excitement and pride, his gaze fixed on the giant ship moored in the deep-water area.

That ship is the first ocean-going exploration vessel painstakingly crafted by the Ministry of Works—the 'Explorer'.

Its design is completely different from that of inland river vessels and even near-sea fishing boats.

The hull is longer and more slender, with smooth lines, obviously designed to cut through waves.

The hull employs a multi-layered composite structure of solid timber, making it exceptionally sturdy.

Most striking are the noticeably thickened and reinforced hull sides, and the peculiar device extending from the hull that connects to a massive axle.

On that axle are not oars, but two huge paddlewheels with curved blades!

This is the first bold application of the 'Vortex Machine' in the maritime field—the 'Vortex Paddlewheel'.

At this moment, on the deck of the Explorer, sailors and Ministry of Works artisans are conducting final checks on the rigging, sails, and the crucial paddlewheel transmission mechanism.

On the viewing platform ashore, Chen Wen did not appear in person.

He holds court in Bian Liang, burdened with state affairs, and his body still needs recuperation.

But Crown Prince Chen Hong, as the empire's heir apparent, attended the launching ceremony on behalf of the emperor.

He stood at the center of the viewing platform, wearing an apricot-yellow robe, the sea breeze brushing his face, bringing a sensation utterly different from that of Bian Liang and the Northern Frontier.

He gazed at the huge, powerfully feeling Explorer, his heart filled with novelty and shock.

This was his first time seeing the sea, and also his first time seeing such a huge ship.

"Master Zhao, this ship... can it really sail using those two large wheels on its sides when there is no wind?" Chen Hong couldn't help but ask Zhao Lao Nian beside him.

Zhao Lao Nian withdrew his gaze from his beloved ship, turned to the crown prince, his face glowing with confidence.

"Your Highness, absolutely certain!"

"That is the Vortex Paddlewheel!"

"Inside the ship there is a specially made cabin housing a large 'Vortex' core, modified to be driven by animal or human power."

"Through a transmission rod connecting the two paddlewheels."

"Moving the core drives the paddlewheels to rotate, propelling the ship forward!"

"Although not as fast as sailing with the wind, it comes in handy when there is no wind, a headwind, or when precise control of the hull is needed!"

"With it, our ship is no longer entirely at the mercy of the weather!"

His words brimmed with the excitement of an engineering professional, as if he were introducing his proudest creation.

Chen Hong listened, his mind racing.

"Could it really be so... does that not mean that even on the vast ocean, as long as human and animal power are sufficient, we can keep sailing forward to explore farther places?"

"In theory, that is exactly the case!"

Zhao Lao Nian nodded heavily.

"However, the perils of long voyages are not limited to power."

"Sea winds and waves, navigation, freshwater supply, crew safety... all are obstacles."

"This 'Explorer' is the first step our Ministry of Works has taken!"

"First explore the near sea, familiarize ourselves with the water, accumulate experience, then aim for the open ocean!"

At this moment, a Ministry of Works clerk came forward to report:

"Minister, Your Highness the Crown Prince, the auspicious time has arrived; the Explorer is fully ready—may we set sail for trials?"

Zhao Lao Nian looked toward Chen Hong.

"Your Highness, you give the order."

Chen Hong took a deep breath, suppressed his excitement, and strove to keep his voice calm and solemn.

"Approved! May the Explorer's maiden voyage be smooth, and may we raise the prestige of Great Chen!"

The order was passed down.

The pier and the ship bustled with activity.

The mooring lines were cast off.

The huge sail rose slowly amid the chant, catching the wind.

At the same time, a dull creaking of turning gears came from inside the hull, along with the neighing of oxen and horses.

Under the combined action of the sail and the hidden 'Vortex' power within the hull, the Explorer's massive hull began to move slowly.

At first it was slow, like a giant beast awakening.

Gradually, the speed increased.

The prow cut through the azure water, leaving two white tracks.

Most remarkably, when the wind shifted slightly and the sail's efficiency dipped for a moment, the huge paddlewheels on either side of the hull suddenly sped up, powerfully churning the water and clearly providing extra thrust, so that the ship's speed hardly slowed.

The crowd watching onshore burst into cheers!

Especially the artisans and sailors who participated in the construction, they were so moved that tears welled in their eyes.

They witnessed a miracle!

A ship not wholly reliant on wind!

Chen Hong also looked dazzled and bewildered.

He saw with his own eyes the power of the study of investigating things, how it could conquer this seemingly boundless ocean.

Zhao Lao Nian's tightly clenched fists trembled slightly as he muttered to himself.

"Succeeded... the first step, finally succeeded..."

The "Explorer" conducted several turning and speed-change tests within the bay, even simulating sailing solely by the "vortex-flow paddlewheel" power in windless conditions.

Although the speed was not fast, its stability and controllability earned the approval of all the veteran sailors present.

This proves that the application of "vortex-flow" power in navigation is feasible!

The trial voyage lasted an entire morning, ultimately ending in complete success.

When the "Explorer" docked steadily, it was greeted with thunderous applause and cheers.

The subsequent agenda was, in the temporary headquarters beside the dock, for Zhao Lao Nian to present the detailed navigation plan to Prince Chen Hong.

A huge cowhide map, marking known coastlines and conjectured routes, was unfurled.

"Your Highness, please look,"

Zhao Lao Nian pointed at the map.

"The Explorer's initial goal is not to sail directly into the open ocean."

"But rather to sail along the coastline, north to visit Deng and Lai prefectures, south to reach Mingzhou (present-day Ningbo), Fuzhou, and other places."

"First, to become familiar with our dynasty's most important coastal sea lane and produce more accurate nautical charts;"

"Second, to establish closer ties with coastal prefectures, learning about local products and sea conditions;"

"Third, to accumulate experience and train sailors for future voyages truly reaching Goryeo, Japan, and even farther into the South Seas."

His finger tapped on the vague outlines representing Goryeo and Japan.

"According to records of the former dynasty and scattered hearsay from sea merchants, these two countries have long had intercourse with our Zhonghua, and their lands abound in products—such as Japanese gold and silver, Goryeo ginseng and furs, etc."

"If the sea route is smooth, it will not only increase the court's revenue but also project our prestige abroad, making all nations know our Great Chen!"

Chen Hong gazed at the vast expanse of blue on the map, and a feeling of unprecedented openness welled up in his heart.

"Master Zhao, if this sea route is opened, could it... become our dynasty's new lifeline, like the grain transport?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Lao Nian rose solemnly in respect.

"Your Highness has excellent insight!"

"Overland transshipment consumes enormous resources and is easily affected by terrain, weather, and even warfare."

"If maritime transport succeeds, it carries large cargoes at lower cost, especially significant for north-south material allocation!"

"For example, if Jiangnan grain could be shipped directly by sea to the northern frontiers or Bian Liang, countless grain-transport tolls and losses would be saved!"

"But... current seafaring techniques are still imperfect, risks remain, and establishing ports along the route and an escort navy is not something achieved overnight."

Chen Hong nodded, firmly keeping Zhao Lao Nian's words in mind.

He realized that this vast ocean might harbor opportunities broader than those on land.

A few days later, the detailed memorial concerning the Explorer's successful trial voyage and navigation plan was sent by express horse to the Huangcheng of Bian Liang.

In the Zijin Hall.

Chen Wen carefully read the memorial, especially the prince's performance in the ceremony and his exchange with Zhao Lao Nian.

When he saw the prince mention that the sea route could become a new lifeline, a barely perceptible flicker passed through his deep eyes.

He rose and walked slowly to the enormous map of the realm before him.

His gaze swept past the curtain representing the False Song, across the northern expanses of grassland, and finally rested on the vast azure expanse occupying half the map, symbolizing the unknown.

The strife on land seems endless.

False Song, Khitan, the Western Regions' states... powerful enemies surround us, undercurrents stir.

And this ocean...

Could it be another way to break the stalemate?

Could it open a new realm for Great Chen?

He remained silent for a long time.

The initial foray into the maritime frontier is merely the beginning.

But this first step taken may have, without anyone noticing, quietly opened a window onto the vast world for this dynasty's fate.

Future winds will come not only from the northern steppes, but also from this boundless deep sea.