From noon until the setting sun.
Finally, Huang Sheng inadvertently said something that gave Fang Er a direction.
The pickup truck drove east along the Wei River, reaching the Ba River.
The Ba River is a branch of the Wei River.
Yet, its river surface was a good one to two hundred meters wide.
One had to admit, the water flow of the Wei River was quite substantial in this era.
Although there was a drought, it simply meant no rain. The Wei River, converging with the Yellow River, had tributaries in the east, west, north, and south of Chang'an City.
The Ba River, running north-south, was the largest of them.
Chang'an City lay southwest of the confluence of the Wei River and the Ba River.
Following the Ba River again around Chang'an City, they headed south.
Along both banks of the river, Fang Er actually spotted several small shipyards.
To call them shipyards might be an exaggeration; they were more like workshops, with a few small boats seven to eight meters long docked nearby.
This delighted Fang Er immensely.
He chose a workshop and drove the pickup truck directly to its entrance.
Hearing the commotion outside, an old man emerged from within.
Seeing Fang Er alight from the vehicle, the old man bowed respectfully.
"This humble one, Lu Fei, may I ask if Your Excellency is the Marquis of Liaodong?"
Fang Er was bewildered.
Was he really that famous?
No, he hadn't published any newspapers, so how could this man recognize him?
"Elder Lu, how did you recognize this marquis?"
Lu Fei pointed to the pickup truck parked to the side.
"The Marquis of Liaodong's divine chariot has long been famous throughout the capital, so it is not difficult to guess."
Fang Er smiled wryly.
"Well! So I'm lucky to be recognized because of the pickup truck."
"I see. This marquis has some matters to consult with you on, Elder Lu. Is it convenient?"
Lu Fei turned and gestured towards the inside of the workshop.
"Marquis of Liaodong, please come inside."
Saying so, he led Fang Er into the workshop.
The workshop occupied less than an acre.
Inside, several shipwrights were constructing a small boat, similar to those docked in the Ba River outside.
Lu Fei walked over and said to them.
"This is the Marquis of Liaodong. Quickly pay your respects."
The shipwrights immediately put down their tools.
They walked over and bowed to Fang Er.
"Greetings, Marquis of Liaodong."
Fang Er nodded.
"No need for formalities. Please continue your work."
The shipwrights then returned to their tasks.
Lu Fei then led Fang Er into a room, yielding the seat of honor to him while he sat in the lower seat.
Fang Er looked at Lu Fei and asked.
"Elder Lu, how familiar are you with the water conditions of this Ba River?"
Hearing Fang Er's question, Lu Fei replied with pride.
"To tell the Marquis of Liaodong, this old man has lived by the Ba River since childhood."
"Having fished and sailed for decades, I know every pit in this river like the back of my hand."
"May I ask why His Lordship is asking about this?"
Fang Er's heart settled. It seemed he had found the right person.
He then said.
"This marquis, by imperial decree, needs to recruit a large number of shipwrights to build Wuya Dajian (Five-Tooth Great Ships)."
"Do you know how many workshops like yours there are along the Ba River, and how many shipwrights are engaged in shipbuilding?"
"Also, Elder Lu, do you know where would be suitable to build a large shipyard?"
Lu Fei pondered for a moment, then replied.
"Replying to Your Lordship, there are seven boatyards along the Ba River, with nearly a hundred shipwrights working between them."
"If a large shipyard is to be built, this old man believes Baxiang Town would be suitable."
"The Ba River splits into the Ba and Chan rivers there, the river surface is wider, and the water level is also deeper."
"Your Lordship can go and see for yourself."
Fang Er nodded, stood up, and looked at Lu Fei.
"Please, Elder Lu, accompany me and show me the way."
They went out, got into the car, and Lu Fei sat in it rather stiffly, afraid of soiling the divine chariot in his eyes.
He didn't dare to speak the whole way.
Until the pickup truck reached Baxiang Town, as he had mentioned.
From afar, they saw the wide Ba River, splitting into two here, the river surface indeed becoming wider as Lu Fei had said.
Huang Sheng suddenly spoke.
"Your Lordship, I have been to this place before. It is only about ten li from the manor."
Fang Er was overjoyed.
"In that case, this location is perfect."
"Now, as long as the water depth is confirmed, we can proceed with the construction of the shipyard immediately."
Thinking this, he looked at Lu Fei and said.
"This marquis urgently needs skilled craftsmen like you, Elder Lu."
"Are you willing to lead your shipwrights to contribute to the country?"
"Rest assured, Elder Lu, this marquis has always been generous to his craftsmen."
Hearing Fang Er's sudden recruitment, Lu Fei was somewhat conflicted.
This was a marquis, and one tasked with shipbuilding by imperial decree.
If he refused, would he be in trouble?
The workshops of the Fang Family Manor were something almost all manual laborers had heard of.
Rumor had it that the Marquis of Liaodong paid his craftsmen a minimum monthly wage of five hundred cash.
Those who were masters of their craft could earn over one string of cash per month, plus bonuses.
He thought about his own struggling boatyard.
Lu Fei bowed deeply to Fang Er.
"I am willing to follow Your Lordship's command."
Fang Er was ecstatic and helped Lu Fei up.
"Good! Then, starting today, Elder Lu will be part of the Fang Family Workshop."
"My first task for you is to act as a persuader to the other boatyards."
"Recruit as many shipwrights for this marquis as possible, the more the better!"
"Then, for all the boats and materials in your yard, give me a price list. Consider them as acquired by this marquis."
"Furthermore, all workshop owners like yourself will receive one string of cash per month from now on."
"Each shipwright will receive five hundred cash per month, with additional rewards for completed ships!"
Fang Er's terms were undeniably generous.
Take the shipwrights, for example. Five hundred cash, if it was plain food, was enough to support a family.
Not to mention the bonuses for launched ships.
Lu Fei repeatedly expressed his thanks.
Fang Er waved his hand and looked at Huang Sheng, saying.
"You drive, take Elder Lu back, and then come back to pick me up."
Huang Sheng clasped his fist: "As you command."
He then drove Lu Fei back.
When he returned, he picked up Fang Er and drove towards the Fang Family Manor.
The next day.
Fang Er mobilized the Yan Yun cavalry.
They went to Lu Fei's boatyard and launched all the small boats.
They began measuring the water level of the Ba River and investigating the underwater conditions.
Working in the water on such a hot day was incredibly comfortable for these men.
During the measurements, owners of other boatyards accepted Fang Er's recruitment one after another.
The offered price was one reason.
Another was that he carried official authority and had an imperial decree in hand.
After careful consideration, these boatyard owners ultimately accepted.
As the measurements progressed, more boats and personnel were added.
From the Wei River to the divergence of the Ba River, the distance was only a little over ten li.
With over a hundred shipwrights and the Yan Yun cavalry, it took only three days to thoroughly map the underwater conditions.
The deepest part of the entire river channel was at the divergence point, reaching four to five meters deep.
Other areas varied in depth.
Shallower parts were only about a meter deep.
Deeper parts were around two to three meters.
PS: Chapter 300! Hehe... Any gifts to celebrate?
Anyone who has sent a gift,
Please report your presence in this section ✧(≖◡≖✿)