Chapter 106.

Chapter 106 – Trial Sailing
The weather was very clear, the blue sky and the ocean were connected in the distance, a single white cloud dotted the clear sky, and the sea breeze with a faint salty flavor blew gently, making one’s heart happy.

It was a good day to take a walk or have a picnic by the sea, and a lot of people did gather on the shore of Furlong Harbor, mostly residents of the town, fishermen, merchants, and women with children in their arms.

But they were not gathered here for a walk or a picnic, only to see most of them gazing at the sea to the west, from time to time letting out exclamations of admiration or discussing in twos and threes.

In the distance, a ship, which to the eyes of the locals could be described as oddly shaped, was sailing fast.

This strange ship has no oars, and its length is only more than 20 meters, with a long bowsprit sticking out from the front, as if it were a sharp sword stabbing straight ahead, and only one backward-mounted mast on the deck, which holds up four triangular sails together with the bowsprit in front of the mast and two horizontal sails at the top of the mast, and a huge set of longitudinal sails at the back of the mast, which looks like the dorsal fins of sharks when they are swimming on the water surface from afar.

This is the shipyard has just completed the construction of the Slup ship, the unique shape produced a different kind of beauty, the people on the shore are attracted by her heroic appearance.

“Hahaha! Old man loves this beauty!”

Above the deck of the Slup ship, the former pirate leader Quake shouted excitedly, he was entrusted with the heavy responsibility of operating the helm in this test, Paul designed the Pollard rudder system consisting of pulleys and cables according to his memory, the shipwrights installed this steering device on the Slup ship according to the schematic diagrams, and now as long as one person turned the helm on the deck he could adjust the rudder with relative ease.

Under Quirk’s maneuvering, the Slurp boat constantly changed its direction, sometimes sailing in a straight line, sometimes circling the vast expanse of the sea.

Of course, because it was a sailboat, the hard cooperation of the sail handlers was essential, and they had to adjust the sails to the wind direction in time so that the boat’s power would not be lost.

There were about a dozen other men on the deck of the Slupe, including Rubin, the shipyard superintendent, Benjamin, the old shipwright, and Austin, the “Admiral”.

Rubin was excited that Lord Gleeman’s model had finally been built.

While Benjamin was in tears, the long-cherished wish of many years was finally realized today, although this ship is still small, but this is just the beginning, Count Gleiman promised him to build a bigger sailing ship.

Because it is a new boat test sail, so they also followed a paddle sailboat, just in case when they can also fish people up.

Today’s wind is very sufficient, at this time the sloop can reach more than ten knots of speed, paddle sailing boat at first can be easily accompanied by it, but after half a day of trial, with the oarsmen’s strength used up, as well as Quirk that the operation of the sky, gradually can not keep up with the sloop.

The deck was abuzz with activity as some of the sailors made all sorts of faces or uttered strange grunts toward the oarsmen’s boat, which was far behind.

Among this group of over-excited people, the only one who remained calm was Austin, with his hands clasped in front of his chest as if he was thinking about something.

At that moment a sailor holding a telescope shouted at him, “There is a signal from the shore for us to go back at once.”

Austin immediately shouted the order, “Return to the ship!”

Quirk muttered glumly, “I haven’t had enough of this ……”

But these months of military life had made him afraid to disobey orders, and with a turn of the helm, the Slurp ship made a turn and headed for the shipyard harbor.

……

After a gap of more than two months, Paul was once again in Port Fullan.

He was accompanied by several of the Council of State directors, including Hansel, Chief of Staff Schroeder, Chief of Equipment Kelly, Chief of Logistics Ron, and two female advisors, ‘Betty’ and Laddie, many of whom were looking forward to seeing the new ships that the Earl’s adults had been talking about.

After exchanging pleasantries with the mayor and others who came to greet him at the city gates, he led his men straight to the shipyard.

When he arrived, the Slurp ship was already out for a trial run.

He couldn’t blame them for not waiting for him, it was his own order: just give him a message after the ship was built, and then everything would be done according to the predetermined plan, so he didn’t have to wait for him to go over there before he started the trial voyage.

Time was very tight, and any delay in progress was intolerable.

It so happened that the Kent family had canceled their plans to start a war for the time being, so he rushed over as soon as he received the news, and brought with him 20 guns for the navy.

He was inwardly thrilled when he saw the figure of the schooner on the distant sea, and could not wait to go up and see it for himself. He had those who had remained on shore give the signal to return, and soon the sloop was coming toward the harbor of the shipyard.

……

“Lord Graiman!”

Austin gave Paul a standard military salute.

Paul smiled and returned the salute, “Hard work, Lord Commander.”

Austin humbly said, “Where, the ones who worked the hardest were Supervisor Rubin and Master Benjamin.”

“Haha, I won’t forget these two creditors.”

Paul said as he shook hands tightly with these two beside Austin and thanked them.

“I also want to thank you, my lord na!” Old Benjamin held Paul’s hand for a long time.

Paul teased him, “Master Benjamin, from now on I’ll let you build as many boats as you want here, as long as you don’t get tired.”

Benjamin said repeatedly: “not too tired, not too tired, how would it be too tired!”

Then Paul patted Rubin’s shoulder, “Let’s go, Mr. Supervisor, lead me to the ship for a tour.”

Rubin said triumphantly, “Lord Graiman, I can’t wait to show you the ship, you’re going to love her.”

After boarding the Slurpee, Paul carefully toured every part of the ship, and he felt very satisfied.

He asked, “Gentlemen, does this beauty have a name?”

Rubin said, “My lord, this ship is of great significance, and only you are qualified to name her!”

This ass-kissing was so cool, Paul smiled and said, “Then I’ll make myself at home.”

Paul thought hard about what name would make the ship a little more compelling.

In the end he had to think darkly, “Ugh! One really has no talent in coming up with names. Never mind, mediocrity is the real thing.”

“I’ve decided!” Paul stretched out his finger and pointed hard at the sea, shouting, “Name this ship ‘Hope’, she represents our hope to conquer the sea!”

“Snap! Snap! Pah!” The surrounding people applauded.

Austin shook his head and said, “As expected of Lord Graiman, ‘Hope’ is aptly named.”

Supervisor Rubin also nodded his head and said, “Indeed indeed, Lord Earl has given a name that is so symbolic and profound.”

Hearing the words of his subordinates, the Earl-sama immediately felt ten thousand feelings of grandeur welling up within him.

He waved his hand, “You will continue to build new dry docks and expand the shipyard’s capacity, we will build big! Big build!”

Austin, Rubin, Benjamin and the others were overjoyed to hear this!

(End of chapter)