Chapter 411 The Grand Banquet
It has already fallen into the night, but the city hall in Port Fulan is still brightly lit. Tonight, the lord of Alda, Count Paul Grayman, is hosting a banquet for guests.
The hall was crowded with people, and the clear sound of the collision of wine glasses could be heard from time to time.
Attend at the banquet were lords of various large and small territories in the northwest bay, prestigious squires, as well as major businessmen and factory owners whose social status has increased dramatically in recent years.
This banquet is of great significance, because tomorrow, three expedition teams will set off from Fulan Port, sailing in three directions: north, west and south, so this is a grand banquet.
The fleet sailing to the north will go all the way north along the west coast of the continent and reach the area outside the human world, because after passing the Rocky Mountains that straddle the north of the Aldo Kingdom, there is the vast prairie, which is the territory of the orcs. The trade exchanges between Aldo and the orc civilization are almost all through the Nerodan Corridor on the northeast side of the kingdom. Few people go to the coastline north of the northwest bay. Legend has it that the ancient Bela Empire once sent a fleet to expedition against the orcs by sea. , but it is just a legend. Even if it is true, no detailed information has been left.
The fleet heading south will turn east after arriving at Horn Bay to replenish supplies, and explore the distant east along the southern coastline of the mainland. Even after Paul vigorously advocated maritime trade, the trade tentacles of the northwest bay merchants only touched the Cape Bay area, and then the Cape Bay merchants served as second-tier traders to sell goods to the East. However, the recent unstable situation in Jiaowan has made everyone worried. Once war breaks out, the role of Jiaowan as a transfer station will be greatly reduced, so it is necessary to plan in advance.
As for the fleet heading to the west, that is even more serious. They will try to cross the ocean to see if they can reach the other end of the continent. That's right, I just want to verify whether the ground under my feet is round.
The theory of a round earth has appeared in this world. It was guessed by people through observation: for example, the tip of the mast of a ship approaching from a distance appears first, and the farther north you go, the higher the horizon of Polaris becomes.
But most people just heard it as a novelty and have big doubts about its authenticity.
Are we living on a ball? Just thinking about it makes me realize something is wrong.
Those who believe in the theory of a round earth have come up with a situation: the sphere is so big that a certain small piece of it looks flat, but only the top small piece has life. To live, once a creature crosses the ocean and reaches a place with a steep enough slope, it will slide down and eventually fall vertically into the void.
"Come on, everyone, let me introduce the three heroic captains who are about to sail away."
Paul introduced to the guests Stanford, the commander of the Northern Exploration Team, and the Commander of the Western Exploration Team. There are three captains: Commander Grant and Commander Nigel of the South-Eastern Exploration Team. They are all privately selected people with rich sailing experience. They lead teams between the Northwest Bay and the Horn Bay all year round.
“Here’s to you, warriors. You are our eyes, looking into the unknown world for us.”
Myron Garnard took the lead in toasting the three captains, and the others followed suit and gathered around them.
After finishing a drink, Lord Winifred Heller, Lord of Portree, touched his gray beard and said mysteriously: "Captain Stamford, there is a man in the far north of the continent. The so-called 'Gate of Hell', and the evil demons are sealed behind the gate. If you encounter it unfortunately, you must be careful not to break the seal."
"This... Lord Heller. , I will be extremely careful." Captain Stanford suddenly became nervous.
Count Martz Kent, Count of Larnaca, said: "You old man, you told these strange stories at the Zhuang Banquet. No one believed this kind of legend when we were young. Look at the young man. People are scared.”
Haileb glared at him: “Really, I just want to liven up the atmosphere.”
Everyone laughed after hearing this, Captain Stanford's face turned slightly red, it turned out that Earl Heller was teasing him.
Viscount Eugene Helsen from Emden asked with some concern: "Lord Graiman, are you really willing to let the fleet of three captains run like this?"
"What?"
"Well..." Viscount Herson stuttered: "What if the earth is round, no matter which direction they are, they run away...fall away What should we do if we go down? Captain Grant can’t reach the other side of the continent.”
Here he comes again, Paul is speechless. He has been talking about this concern of the people around him more than once. .
"Okay, let me explain my speculation. Everyone, look here!"
Paul spoke loudly to draw the attention of people in the hall to himself.
I saw him picking up an apple on the table next to him and gently throwing it into the air. The apple quickly fell to the ground with a snap. Paul asked: "Did you see it?"
"Huh? What?" Everyone murmured.
"The apple fell to the ground."
"Isn't this nonsense?"
Except for people like Mellon who had heard Paul talk about his "speculation", everyone else thought There was a burst of slander. If Paul hadn't been the leader of a territory, he would have been spitting out fragrance.
Paul talked eloquently: "Haven't you ever thought about why the apple fell to the ground instead of 'falling' to the sky? I suspect that the earth has a force that 'pulls' the objects above it. , even if the earth is a sphere, even if we are on the other side of the sphere, we will not fall into the void."
Duke Ferdinand was very confused: "How could it be like this? Isn't it because? The top is the top, the bottom is the bottom, isn’t it common sense in the world that objects fall down? This is the law set by our Heavenly Father, the Lord of Light, when he created the world.”
"Oh!" Paul slapped his head and rolled his eyes, "Okay, let Captain Grant bring us all the answers."
Duke Ferdinand whispered in a low voice: "Even if the earth is round Yes, there is a force holding us, and that is also the power of Heavenly Father."
Captain Grant vowed very excitedly: "Lord Graiman, please rest assured, I will definitely find out whether the earth is the earth. Round, and verify your speculation.”
The members of the Western Exploration Team all have a tragic realization - the heroic realization of accidentally falling after reaching the end of the world.
Paul patted him on the shoulder: "No matter whether you can reach the other side or not, as long as half of the supplies are used up, you have to return to me immediately. I don't want any of you to starve to death at sea or Death of thirst. For the vast ocean, we can explore slowly, not in a hurry.”
"Yes, Lord Grayman." Captain Grant was very moved by Paul's words.
"Captain Grant! I leave my little apprentice to you." Grant's hand was suddenly held tightly.
The visitor is Benjamin, an old shipwright from Fulan Port Shipyard. As the person in charge of the construction of special ships for the exploration team, Benjamin is also among the invited guests.
Benjamin and his apprentice, Vito, were the first batch of talents that Arda recruited from the Horn Bay. But Wei Tuo's dream was not to spend his whole life in the shipyard, but to long for an adventurous life. Therefore, after hearing about the lord's formation of an exploration team, he actively signed up and was finally honored to become the leader of the Western Exploration Team. One member is responsible for the repair work of the ship.
The old shipwright's eyes were filled with tears. He had always regarded Vito as his own child. Although this child had been clamoring for adventure when he was a child, what boy didn't have some outrageous wishes when he was a child? He didn't expect that he would really do it when he grew up. Fly.
Benjamin held Grant's hand and gave instructions carefully.
"Master, that's almost it."
Vito's face behind Grant turned red, he was so embarrassed, as if he hadn't grown up yet.
Paul came to a young man in navy uniform and said, "Alan, are you all ready."
Former midshipman, now Navy ensign Allen He immediately straightened up and saluted him, "Yes, Lord Lord, my comrades and I are ready."
Each exploration team's ship is accompanied by three to four military personnel, most of whom have surveying or reconnaissance skills. In addition to the tasks of recording sea conditions and landforms along the way and assessing the military strength of the countries or forces they pass through, there are also An important responsibility is the management of the ship's firearms.
In order to enhance the ability to respond to dangers such as pirates, Paul prepared a small number of firearms for each exploration team - grenades and matchlocks, but they can only be used as a last resort, and the decision-making power rests with In the hands of the military representatives accompanying the ship.
(End of this chapter)