Chapter 1046, A Great Ship!

Translator: Silavin

 

Su Bai finished his breakfast that morning and set off to take a look at the shipyard.

 

The mission had been assigned before the rainy season even began, and now the time had come to review the results.

 

*Step step step…*

 

Su Bai arrived at the shipyard with Yu Ying, and Long set down his work immediately and came to meet them.

 

“Shaman, every task you assigned has been completed and awaits your inspection.”

 

Long did not wait for Su Bai to say a word before reporting his results at once.

 

Given that the Shaman had come in person, the only conceivable reason was to inspect the work. What other reason would bring him here?

 

“Take me to see it,” Su Bai said evenly.

 

“Yes.” Long nodded and turned to lead the way.

 

The shipyard was divided into three sections. The central main body was where ships were constructed, while the two flanking sections housed a lounge room on the left and a testing area for ships on the right.

 

Every ship produced had to undergo testing, to ensure it would not take on water, capsize, or present any other problems before it could be considered complete.

 

*Step step step…*

 

The doors of the smaller dock to the right of the shipyard were opened, and the assistants immediately began lighting torches.

 

As the torches were kindled one by one, the interior of the dock gradually came into view.

 

In truth, there was nothing remarkable about the space itself. It was simply a large enclosed structure built along the boundary where land met water.

 

As ships needed to be moored in the water for testing, it was necessary for this dock to hold water within it.

 

There was nothing inside save for a single great ship resting at the very centre.

 

The ship still rested upon its wooden cradle and had not yet been launched for trials, but even so it exuded an air of formidable grandeur.

 

“What an enormous ship. I have never seen a ship this big.” Yu Ying exclaimed.

 

The ships built previously had all been twenty-metre ships, and while those were certainly not small, they paled considerably beside this fifty-metre ship.

 

Exactly, this was the fifty-metre ship that Su Bai had previously commissioned the shipyard to build.

 

Su Bai’s intention was for the Flame Dragon Tribe to possess a fleet of ships all its own.

 

Moreover, it would be the first fleet in this Primitive Era, for the people of the Primitive Era had no conception of what a ship even was.

 

If the Flame Dragon Tribe did not disseminate this means of transportation, then trade with other Tribes would remain a very simple and limited affair.

 

Travelling by water was also extremely swift at times, saving no less time than a hot air balloon. Furthermore, the safety of water travel surpassed that of travel via hot air balloon.

 

Not to mention, anyone could learn to pilot a ship with a bit of practice, and it could carry far more people.

 

Unlike a hot air balloon, which demanded a particular level of skill to operate and could only carry a small number of people.

 

“Shaman, this is the fifty-metre ship built according to the blueprints you provided. I wonder what you make of it.” Long was intensely nervous at that moment, his heart hammering and beads of sweat visible on his brow.

 

From the moment he had received the blueprints, he had devoted himself entirely to studying and building this ship. It had taken him two to three months.

 

Bear in mind that he had already successfully built ships before, and even with that experience behind him, this had still taken so long, which spoke volumes about just how meticulous he had been.

 

Throughout the process, he had made repeated visits to the Yong’an Building to enquire about shipbuilding and matters to be mindful of. One could never be too careful.

 

Beyond asking about the shipbuilding itself, he had made no reports whatsoever on the progress. So, to suddenly present the finished product, Long could not possibly be anything other than nervous.

 

“The appearance of the ship is consistent with what I had envisioned. You have done very well in that regard.” Su Bai was genuinely pleased inwardly, and a trace of excitement stirred within him, though on the surface he maintained an air of composure.

 

He could not allow those under him to think him frivolous. Given that he was already younger than the typical Shaman, he needed all the more to avoid appearing too naive.

 

“The ship has not been launched before. I felt that the launch should wait for the Shaman’s presence, so that it would have the proper sense of ceremony.” A smile spread across Long’s face.

 

Though ships had been built before and had received praise, those were only small vessels in the end. This great ship was something else entirely.

 

If it were to sail along the river, other Tribes who caught sight of it might well mistake it for a Ferocious Beast.

 

Even though it was Long who had built this ship, looking at it still filled him with awe every single time.

 

“Very well. Make the arrangements for the launch,” Su Bai nodded.

 

Under Ye Jiu’s escort, he began walking towards the great ship, wishing to examine its exterior from close range.

 

For the details determined the outcome of all things. Plainly speaking, he wanted to see how the finer points of the ship’s exterior had been executed.

 

The joints between planks, the construction of the keel, the structure of the hull as a whole, and so forth.

 

“Yes.” Long gave a quick nod, turned, and instructed the assistants to begin releasing the ship from its cradle.

 

The ship rested upon a wooden frame, half of which had been built in the water and the other half on land. Furthermore, the frame was set at a gentle incline. Once the wooden supports beneath were removed to increase the angle of the slope, the ship would naturally slide into the river of its own accord.

 

The assistants moved with great care, one group attending to the supports, another stationed outside the dock, while all bystanders in the surrounding area were cleared away entirely.

 

For the time being, the shipbuilding project could not be made known to the rest of the Tribe, at least not until it was ready to be formally revealed.

 

*Creak creak…*

*Whoosh…*

*Splash!*

 

As the wooden supports were removed one by one, the hull began to glide slowly into the water, sending a burst of spray surging upwards in an instant.

 

As this was all taking place inside the dock, however, none of the commotion was visible from outside.

 

The assistants swiftly opened the large doors of the dock, ready for the ship to drift gently out.

 

“Shaman, please board first.” Long said, gesturing with a respectful bow.

 

The exterior of the great ship had been inspected, but the interior had not yet been seen. One would need to board to take a proper look.

 

“Sure.” Su Bai took Yu Ying’s hand and began walking towards the great ship.

 

The moment his hand touched hers, Yu Ying’s heart quickened all at once, and a faint flush of scarlet rose across her face.

 

The group began boarding one after another, everyone standing on the deck and gazing out into the distance.

 

Su Bai stamped firmly on the deck planks, testing their solidity. He had no wish for them to creak and groan underfoot.

 

The response he received was better than expected. The planks were extremely sturdy, producing no untoward sounds whatsoever.

 

“Shaman, it feels so spacious up here. We could eat out here.” Yu Ying said, wandering back and forth across the deck.

 

“This is where the sailors work. The dining area is inside,” Su Bai said, stepping towards the interior.

 

“All right.” Yu Ying followed along cheerfully.