The two ships, the "League" and "Fubo", have roughly the same shape as the previous two paddle steamers, but their size is slightly enlarged, reaching a full load of 1,150 tons. The two ships still use the "Popeye-1 modified" marine steam engine, with an output power of 48.3 horsepower, and their speed reaches about 5.5-6 knots without using sails, and their performance is quite satisfactory.

It is said that the Second Machinery Factory has improved the cylinder sealing design based on the original Popeye-1 modified marine steam engine and used a higher precision boring machine to process the inner wall of the cylinder, which has increased the output power of the latest Popeye-2 basic marine steam engine by about 30%, reaching 62.8 horsepower. However, this steam engine is still undergoing the final intense commissioning, and the two ships did not catch up when they were built, so they continued to use the 48.3 horsepower old steam engine it had previously produced.

"At present, the new round of eastward movement is mainly driven by the Navy." Sang Kai picked up a porcelain cup from the coffee table next to him, took a sip of tea and continued to show off the rumors he had inquired about: "If Member Wang wants to strengthen the influence of the navy, then going eastward to the coast of Ming Dynasty is naturally the best shortcut. Once the Executive Committee really makes up its mind to organize a large-scale fleet to directly travel to the coast of Ming Dynasty, then several domestic shipyards will start to build special ships including transport ships, warships, steamships, etc., and the influence of the navy will naturally increase."

"It's good, but no one is going to do anything wrong? The black charcoal head of the army is so easy to talk about?" Li Yi reached out and took an orange handed to his daughter Zexin, and kissed her fiercely on the face. Then he said: "The army is not the same as us. The first thing they think about all day is how to expand the influence of the continental army. The second thing is how to weaken the influence of the navy. These guys advocate more introduction of Europeans to reduce the government's huge fiscal expenditure on immigration. Hum, but it's a pity that they have not had a unified opinion within their own people for so many years. It's really ridiculous."

"Of course Peng Zhicheng disagrees!" Sang Kai smiled and took an orange handed over by Li Zexin, then said, "This guy advocated the expansion of the army in China, introduced a large number of European and Indian immigrants, and actively prepared the strategy of going westward to the inland areas. At the beginning, he really attracted a lot of supporters. However, after the Ministry of Transportation, Member Xiao of the Ministry of Transportation also joined our camp, the call for eastward to gradually gained the upper hand. After all, large-scale shipbuilding is also very good for their Ministry of Transportation, and he has no reason not to support it. In the end, some of the members of the Emperor Han faction under Peng Zhicheng also started to make trouble and wrote a petition to demand eastward. The Executive Committee set the tone. Haha, the Black Charcoal Head was very embarrassed this time. Minister Wang was a good method, not only attracted foreign aids from the Ministry of Transportation, but also instigated some army officers."

"How could Minister Wang have such strong energy? The main reason is that the eastward advance is the general trend and people's will. The army officers sent by the Emperor and Han Dynasty also support us for their own ideals or interests. This does not mean that they are the same as our navy." Li Yi said disapprovingly, "After all, everyone and the Ming people are somewhat incest, and many people still want to introduce more Ming people. At least when our generation is still on the stage, this policy will not change much."

"That's right." Sang Kai nodded, and then said: "Although the details of the eastward movement are still being discussed, what can be confirmed is that the scale will not be small. The South China Sea Transportation Company just launched two flute-type transport ships a few days ago, and now they have a total of ten such ships. Moreover, recently, except for one of the seven ship platforms in the two shipyards, the other six are starting to build flute-type transport ships. This kind of ship uses wood from the new China region, and only a few sailors can start the cargo, and the Ministry of Transportation likes it from top to bottom. The wood is ready-made and does not need to be imported. We only need to pay some wages and equipment maintenance fees, and there is basically no cost. The only thing we need to worry about is the number of sailors, which is the biggest reason that restricts our number of transport ships and warships."

Of course, all ten transport ships would not be allocated to the eastward plan. The local economy is increasingly booming, so it is already their conscience to squeeze out two transport ships to participate in this plan. The two transport ships plus four sailing ships are already the size of six ships; maybe the Navy will send one or two warships to participate in the escort, which will be even larger.

However, it is really a headache to sail to the Far East. They would better choose to find a way to cross the equator in winter in the southern hemisphere, because there was still some southeastern winds to be used at that time. The voyage in the equatorless wind zone had to be carefully considered, that is, how to use ocean currents to cross there as quickly as possible, this requires careful consideration of the staff of the Admiralty's staff. Otherwise, these transport ships would have to sail to Gushan Port and transport some supplies there. As for transportation to Heishui Port, it is estimated that they can only be completed by sailing ships, because they can ignore the ocean currents and wind directions.

"No matter what, at least the section to Gushan Port is unobstructed." Li Yi concluded, "Actually, I don't expect these transport ships to transport all these materials to Heishui Port. This is unrealistic, because not only is it difficult to go, but it is also very troublesome when you come back. You have to cross the Strait of Malacca. So, as long as they can transport various goods to Gushan Port and set up a large cargo storage center in Gushan Port, I will be satisfied. The rest is to rely on the Executive Committee to build steamships. As long as the steam fleet forms a certain scale, there will be no problem."

Sang Kai nodded, and then he seemed to suddenly think of something and asked: "Have you ever thought about competing for the position of captain of the Blackwater Development Team? I heard that a position of Australian Development Team or Blackwater Development Team is set up. There are many competitors at present. If you compete, you will probably have a good chance of winning."

"This group of people are messing around!" Li Yi was a little unhappy, "Why are they setting up development teams everywhere? Do they want to develop Australia? What are they doing? Australia has what we need at present? No! In my opinion, there is no need to spend a lot of effort to develop it, either Gushan Port, Jinshan Port or Heishui Port. They just need to do their duty as a passerby base. Everything else is still based on the local government! If such a position is really set up, then the incumbent guy will definitely do something for his own consideration. This will inevitably involve our energy and divide our strength. Forget it, I am not interested in competing for this bird position!"

Sang Kai sighed disappointed, but said unwillingly: "If you don't fight, you will probably fall into the hands of the army. Recently, for the sake of the east, the Army Department seems to have begun to mobilize and form the 102nd Company of the Army, and in the future, it is likely that the local artillery company will be equipped with an artillery company. The throne of the two companies will most likely fall on the heads of the two companies. There will be no escape. An infantry company, an artillery company, and several squadrons of Eight Banners Warriors, and then recruit some personnel in the local area. It is estimated that the force can reach 2,000. With these two thousand people, with the weak national strength of the Ming Dynasty and North Korea, we will fight quickly and quickly, and it will not be too troublesome to plunder some people. This is a waste of credit."

Li Yi waved his hand and said, "If you say you don't fight, you won't fight anymore. I have become the captain of this pioneer team and I have to stay there for a long time in the future. What should I do at home? Should I take my wife and children? Even if I am willing to the Executive Committee? Use your brain. South Africa and New China are okay, but the Ming Dynasty is definitely a sensitive area. Any time traveler who goes to the nearby office will be strictly scrutinized, and family members will definitely not be with you. Look, the candidates for the leader of the pioneer team will definitely change frequently, and no one will do it long."

Sang Kai nodded as if he had some clarity. Just as he was about to say something, the two women over there were already calling them to have a picnic. Li Yi and Sang Kai immediately stopped the conversation consciously, got up and walked over.

The picnic was rich, including delicious East Coast Bighorn Goat meat, tender La Plata calf meat, South African yellow beef, New China Hump Beef, Duck Lake specialty wild duck, deep-sea cod, and prawns famous in Luoqia Lake, as well as verdant vegetables and delicious fruits. On the table cloth flat on the ground, there are also two bottles of Xiangshan Dried Red and two bottles of River Daqu, as well as some high-priced French wine imported.

This is a typical spring picnic in the upper east coast society. On weekdays, civilians can only eat some cheap local potatoes and South African sorghum, and buy some fish, shrimp, seafood and other fish. As for meat, except for the cheapest La Plata beef, everything else has to be considered to be determined to buy some home and try it out.
Chapter completed!