Chapter 168 Arrival at Corner Bay
Corner Bay, a place full of opportunities and wealth.
This is the most developed shipping water area in the known world. On some busy routes, hundreds of huge cargo ships come and go every day.
The cargo ships are all galleys, and the cabins are filled with all kinds of goods. Hundreds of oarsmen sit on the seats on both sides of the cabin, sweating like rain, pulling long ropes to the beat of trumpets or drums. The oar handle provides the power for the ship to sail. Only when the wind picked up and the small square sail on the mast could provide a little power were they allowed to rest for a while.
Most of the oarsmen were slaves purchased by the ship owners. They were shackled to their seats and could not go anywhere. The reasons for becoming slaves were varied, some were because debts could not be repaid, and some were because they were born slaves. , some were captured because of the war.
Once locked on the oar seat, it almost determines the tragic fate of his life. A large number of slave rowers continue to be locked here even when they are gray-haired, living a life of darkness under the threat of the overseer's whip. .
There are no decent large plains on the land near Horn Bay. It is covered with hills. The land is too fragmented and a large country has never been born. Instead, city-states of various sizes are dotted along the coast.
Due to geographical reasons, this area is not suitable for the development of agriculture, so the residents chose business to support themselves.
Every city-state adopts a mercantile approach and encourages trade. Merchants play an important role in national politics, and the powerful nobles are often also big merchants.
Some city-states with close relations even formed an alliance. They canceled tariffs on each other and levied the same tax amount on countries outside the alliance. Some alliances even share the same views on foreign policy, speaking with one voice and breathing through one nostril. The Horn League is one of the most influential.
Due to its proximity to the sea, conducting commercial trade via shipping was almost a natural choice. Relying on this, generations of Cape Bay merchants slowly expanded their trade scope to the outside world. They sold furs from the north to the south, food from the south to the north, and spices from the east. In the West, in short, whatever makes money is resold.
Developed commerce has brought a lot of wealth, and the living standards of residents here should be the highest in the world. Even the poor here are not comparable to the poor in other countries.
The prosperity of the economy and the comfortable life have made people pay more attention to spiritual pursuit and enjoyment. A large number of writers, artists and thinkers who have left their names in history have emerged in this land. This is also the reason why Paul Greenman entrusted Queller Foster to bring him more popular works at that time. Maybe which writer will leave his name in history in the future.
After more than half a month of sailing, the Nanfang finally arrived in the waters of Cape Bay.
The trip south went smoothly, and they did not encounter any troubles such as pirates. However, when they sailed to the southernmost point of the kingdom's coastline, some sailors on the ship fell ill, and Captain Quirk had to order the Hope Ashore, let the sick sailor go ashore to recuperate, and leave a sum of money for him to recover and then return to the northwest bay by land.
If the sick people on the ship are not dealt with in time, it will be a big problem if they are contagious.
“Ah, Captain Quick, I finally understand why the ships here are all rowed with oars.”
Alan said with emotion, after entering the waters of the Horn Bay, the Southern It was like entering a windless zone, and the sailing speed was like a turtle crawling on land.
"I guess the people on the other ships look at us like fools."
Another midshipman shrugged helplessly.
Captain Quirk cheered them up: "Humph! This is where we are. If it were in other sea areas, our Hope could beat them by several blocks in terms of speed and range. By the way, you guys need to learn how to use the compass and six "Have you mastered the instrument?"
The candidates raised their chests and said proudly: "I have learned it a long time ago!"
"Oh? Let me give you a good test!”
Whether it is these new-born candidates or he, a veteran who has been at sea for many years, this is the first time for him to embark on such a voyage! , facing an unfamiliar sea and an unfamiliar environment.
The officers on the ship did not dare to be careless and carefully recorded information on ocean currents, weather, temperature and other aspects along the way. These are valuable hydrological data. The ships behind will use their information to seek advantage and avoidance. damage and determine the best route.
Quick's captain's log has been written into a thick book, which records what he saw and gained in detail.
This voyage was also a good exercise for the midshipmen on the Southern Ship. Midshipmen on other warships did not have such a good opportunity.
......
Ladi looked at the candidates who were being inspected by Quick, and her heart was filled with emotion.
When they were just rescued from the pirate den by the navy, the eyes of these little guys were still full of confusion and fear for the future.
But now, they can be called little men at sea. They can climb every mast with ease, know the whole process of sail operation, can also use compass and sextant, and know how to observe stars. Such navigator skills.
"Mr. Dirac!"
Suddenly someone behind her called her "name".
La Di looked back and saw that it was a business representative. Speaking of the business representatives on the ship, they really suffered a great deal. Not long after leaving Fulan Port, they began to get seasick, suffered from vomiting and diarrhea, and could not eat. Captain Quaker proposed to send them back before the Hope sailed too far, but these guys gritted their teeth and persisted.
This kind of persistence is quite admirable, although their persistence is due to the pursuit of commercial interests-money.
As for Ladi herself, after all, she has experienced a long career as an adventurer and has been in all kinds of environments. There was nothing particularly uncomfortable during this trip.
If you have to find something that makes her uncomfortable, it is that she cannot take a bath as she likes. Long-term life at sea is really inconvenient for women.
The business representative asked: "I heard that Mr. Dirac was born in Jiaowan?"
La Di nodded slightly: "Yes."
Leaving Jiaowan more and more The closer she got, the stronger her feelings for the country became. One thing she often did in the past few days was to stand on the deck and look into the distance, hoping that the land would suddenly appear in sight.
"Can I disturb you for a moment?"
In this era of lack of knowledge, ordinary people have always respected scholars, but Ladi has never spoken easily because she disguises herself as a man. She is very interested in imitating men's speech. I'm not used to it, and I'm afraid that if I accidentally reveal my fault, I'll give everyone on the ship a cold and aloof impression.
"Why bother, do you have anything to do?"
La Di smiled slightly, which actually made the business representative feel dazed for a while.
The business representative was overjoyed. He didn’t expect this scholar to be so easy to talk to, but the feeling just now was really strange. He was actually talking to a grown man...
"So, do you think our products are... suitable for sale in the south? Will anyone buy them?"
The business representative asked slightly uneasily. What he and several other representatives were most worried about was running away in vain. One trip.
For them who were born in the northwest bay, Jiaowan is undoubtedly rich and prosperous. After arriving at Jiaowan, will they be regarded by the locals as country bumpkin from the north? What they want to sell Will the goods be regarded as worthless things and ridiculed for traveling thousands of miles to sell junk?
Ladi saw his worry, she smiled and said with relief:
"Mr. Representative, please rest assured, the things that Count Graiman authorized you to produce should be produced in Jiaowan It will be very popular.”
"As far as I know, the Earl has established a cooperative relationship with the Foster family of the Horn Bay Alliance. They arrange caravans to pick up goods in Lake Town every month. Even the war in the south of the kingdom has not hindered them in the slightest. If not It can bring huge benefits, so I guess the Foster family will not be so persistent."
The business representative was a little surprised: "The Foster family?" He knew that it was in the south after doing enough homework before departure. A top-notch family.
"It turns out that the lord has quietly established a relationship with the Foster family, and he didn't even take us to play..."
The words of the business representative were a bit tasteful, There was a hint of resentment in his tone.
"Uh..."
A look of embarrassment appeared on La Di's face. She suddenly thought that Paul and the merchants in her territory were all suppliers, which constituted a competitive relationship to some extent. It’s just that supply currently exceeds demand, and competition is not yet obvious.
She seemed to have revealed his business secrets unintentionally, and she hoped that the count would not blame her if he found out.
The business representative realized that what he said was a bit abrupt, and the scholar in front of him seemed to have a close relationship with Earl Grayman, so he immediately changed the subject.
“Speaking of which, Lord Quirk really keeps his word on this ship.”
Ladi couldn't agree more: "Yes, before boarding the ship, Commander Austin warned me that the captain is the lord of the ship, and no one can challenge his authority."
"We have also received the same message. "After all, no matter how big or strong the ship is, it is as small as a leaf of duckweed in the ocean. The crew needs a brave man." The backbone of decisiveness and psychological support. In critical moments when encountering strong winds and waves, even a wrong decision is much better than an unresolved argument."
"You are right."
< br>At this time, a shout suddenly came from the mast: "Land is seen!"
The people on the deck immediately looked at the lookout hand on the mast, and saw him pointing straight to the east with his arm, shouting excitedly.
They crowded to one side of the deck and looked in the direction pointed by the lookout finger. After a while, some people with telescopes also shouted excitedly.
"Land, it is indeed land!"
"Oh! That's a building! That's a port! We were so lucky, we met the port directly!"
The news of the discovery of land soon spread throughout the ship. Everyone crowded onto the deck and looked into the distance, and cheers continued to sound on the ship.
After everyone was excited for a while, Quick yelled: "Go back and take your places! Do you think you don't have to work when we are about to dock? I've turned against you!"
The sailors then dispersed. , continued their work just now, but everyone's face was filled with excitement, and they discussed enthusiastically among themselves, what kind of exotic customs would there be in this country thousands of miles away from home?
Are things expensive there? Is the food delicious there?
The most important thing is, what do the girls there look like?
Quick then ordered the helmsman to adjust the direction and sail straight towards the discovered port.
...
The coastal city of Horn Bay - Asta, her port welcomed a strange ship today.
This ship does not have a single oar, but a thick and tall mast stands on the deck, which supports a particularly large canvas.
It seems that this canvas provides power for the ship, allowing it to sail slowly into the port.
But in an environment like Cape Bay, driving such a ship that relies entirely on wind power, what on earth did the people who built this ship think?
The officials in charge of the port immediately led their soldiers to row close to the strange ship and sent out a common signal at sea - they wanted to board the ship for inspection.
The Nanfang sent a reply indicating that it agreed to the other party boarding the ship.
Asta officials and soldiers climbed up the Southern Ship through a rope ladder. He showed a metal plate and introduced himself:
"I am the affairs officer of the entry and exit office. Where are you from? "Come here? This ship has never appeared in the port entry and exit records?"
However, he spoke the local language of Jiaowan, and most of the people on the ship were confused.
Fortunately, there was La Di, who was born in Jiaowan. Seeing that everyone was at a loss, she immediately saluted the port officials.
"Hello, this should be Asta's port."
"Yes, sir." The green-haired young man in front of him has a graceful demeanor, which endears him to the port officials. Times.
“The name of this ship is the South, which comes from the northwest bay of the Kingdom of Aldo. The purpose is to open up a trade route from the northwest of the kingdom to the Horn Bay. The people on the ship are all Aldo people. They... …I don’t understand your language.”
“I see, are you their translator? The accent sounds like someone from the Jiaowan area, right?”
"Yes, sir."
The port officials had a smile on their faces. They especially welcomed people who came here to do business. However, they only brought an interpreter with them when they came to do business. These people are really smart. Datiao, I hope they won't be tricked too badly.
"Thank you for your hard work coming from afar, please come to the dock to register."
La Di immediately said to Quick in Aldo language: "This is the person responsible for managing the port. The steward said that you need to register at the dock."
Then he asked with great confusion: "Captain Quaker, representatives, don't you have anyone who can speak Cape Bay? ”
Quick seemed not to understand why: "Hornese? What is Corner? Do people in the world still speak words that each other cannot understand?"
Several business representatives also looked confused.
No one from the Northwest Gulf has ever left the Aldo Kingdom, and most of them have never even left the Northwest Gulf. In their cognition, there is no concept of foreign languages at all, and there is no such thing as a foreign language. I think that people all over the world speak the same language, but at best they have different accents.
"This..."
Ladi covered her face with her hands and looked defeated. Count Grayman just let them run out. If he hadn't been on this ship, On the ship, it would probably take half a day to get into the port.
In fact, this is not Paul's fault. He subconsciously believed that this world was just like in ordinary fantasy settings. The whole world spoke the same language, and the foreigners he had come into contact with - the Leachman Adventure Group and the Foster Family, They all spoke fluent Aldo, which further strengthened his view, so... he never considered the language barrier.
(End of this chapter)