If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

Upon returning to Niujia Town, Zhou Wu's primary concern was naturally the newly established navy.

"Madam Lin, how is the navy doing now?"

The existing docks in Niujia Town are already operating beyond capacity just to accommodate passing trade ships. So, taking advantage of this opportunity to expand the docks, Zhou Wu selected a secluded spot on the coast and built a military dock specifically for the navy. The docks are still under construction, but the naval command post has already been completed on the shore.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the navy is at full strength with 3,000 men, all of whom are skilled in water navigation. We currently have five Azure Dragon-class ships and twenty Bull Demon King-class ships, for a total of 25 warships."

Although Lady Lin was the deputy commander, she personally handled almost everything, big and small, in the entire navy. Therefore, she was involved in every detail of the navy's affairs.

"Why are there so few warships?"

Zhou Wu remembered telling Lin Niangzi that the navy must have the highest configuration.

"Your Excellency, our shipyard is currently overwhelmed with orders. Apart from the Azure Dragon, the other Bull Demon Kings were squeezed out of the caravan by the shipyard and Mr. Deng."

Zhou Wu remembered that he had recently told Gong Sheng at the shipyard to expand the shipyard's production capacity. Could it be that the guy agreed verbally but didn't actually do anything? He'd go to the shipyard to check on things later.

"Lady Lin, you should focus on training here and get our navy into combat capability as soon as possible. You don't need to worry about the ships."

"Thank you, sir."

After discovering traces of the White Skull Pirates in Qingzhou last time, Zhou Wu had been somewhat worried. According to Lin Niangzi, the leader of the White Skull, Black Dragon, had suffered repeated losses at his hands and would certainly not let it go so easily. This was also the reason why Zhou Wu had always wanted to establish a navy.

After leaving the naval command, Zhou Wu went to the shipyard.

"Gong Sheng, Gong Sheng."

Once at the shipyard, Zhou Wu searched everywhere for Gong Sheng.

"My lord, my lord, I'm here."

Zhou Wu searched around but couldn't find Gong Sheng. Finally, Gong Sheng's voice came from inside the Azure Dragon, which was under construction.

"What are you doing here? Why are you dressed like that?"

At this moment, Gong Sheng was no longer the shopkeeper he once was. He was dressed in short clothes, covered in sawdust, and carrying a hammer and a pickaxe.

"Oh dear, my lord, what else can I do here? Do my old job, but we don't have enough manpower and there are too many orders, so I have to do it myself."

Zhou Wu had come to cause trouble for Gong Sheng out of anger, but seeing Gong Sheng's aggrieved appearance, his anger had subsided considerably.

"Didn't I tell you to find more people? Why did you have to do it yourself?"

"Sir, I've basically poached all the people around here with shipbuilding experience, but we have just too many orders."

"Let me see the ledger."

When Zhou Wu came last time, he estimated the production capacity based on the orders at that time, which is why he asked Gong Sheng to find people to expand the production capacity based on the order volume. It hasn't been that long.

Zhou Wu held the ledger, which recorded the shipyard's production and delivery records, as well as the order list. The more Zhou Wu looked at it, the more alarmed he became. The shipyard's orders had increased several times over, no wonder Gong Sheng was so busy.

"Is the Age of Exploration about to begin?"

The ledger was full of orders where it was clear the buyers had used decoys, but Zhou Wu couldn't do anything about it; they'd paid for it, and it was just a business transaction. As for where these ships would ultimately end up, that wasn't Zhou Wu's concern.

"No, Gong Sheng, we have too many orders. Keep hiring, even apprentices are fine."

"Yes, my lord."

Zhou Wu's call for help resonated with Gong Sheng. For the past few years, as a shipyard manager, he had been working alongside the shipyard every day. His body, which had been pampered for so many years, was finally giving out. If it weren't for repaying Zhou Wu's kindness in recognizing his talent in his early years, he would have resigned from his position as shipyard manager.

"After you recruit people, you will assign a group of people to build ships for the navy."

"It's an adult."

. . . . . . .

The following month, while Lady Lin was training the navy at sea, she was suddenly attacked by the White Skull Pirates. Fortunately, Lady Lin's side won the battle thanks to the advantages of crossbows and the strength of their ships. However, Lady Lin discovered some unfavorable news.

"What? They have heavy crossbows now?"

"Yes, although there are only a few, I can see them very clearly; they are indeed heavy crossbows."

As times progress, to be honest, heavy crossbows don't involve very complex technology, and anyone with the will can easily replicate them.

It seems that Niujia Town's once-proud maritime status is about to be overtaken.

"Lady Lin, keep a close eye on the White Skull's movements."

"Yes."

With the enemy in the shadows and us in the open, a battle between Zhou Wu and the White Skull Pirates was inevitable, it was only a matter of time. Now, Zhou Wu could only rely on Lin Niangzi's pirate intelligence network to keep a close eye on their actions. During this time, Zhou Wu would not rest; he decided to start developing a powerful weapon. Once this thing was successful, it would dominate not only the oceans but also the land. Moreover, even if it were given to the enemy, they would not be able to easily replicate it. That's right, it was the cannon, the king of war.

. . . . . . .

The White Skull Pirates' lair.

The White Skull Pirates, having absorbed numerous pirate forces of varying sizes throughout the Great Dragon Sea, have multiplied their strength several times over. This is the source of Black Dragon's confidence in plotting to overthrow the Great Dragon regime.

"Chief, some of your men have encountered the Niujia Town fleet at sea."

"Oh, how's the battle going?"

If you were to ask who Heilong resented the most and wanted to kill the most, Zhou Wu from Niujia Town would definitely be the first name that comes to mind. So whenever he heard news about Niujia Town, he would always ask a few more questions.

"Our brothers have been separated."

"waste."

"The leader is really too powerful. According to the men, Niujia Town has now established a navy, which is a special army for fighting at sea. It's very powerful. This time, the brothers encountered their navy."

Heilong knew his men wouldn't lie to him, so upon hearing this, he suppressed his plan to cause trouble for Zhou Wu.

"Chief, we should prioritize the overall situation. Once we seize power, Zhou Wu will be a piece of cake."

The strategist, who was standing nearby, guessed what the Black Dragon was thinking and said something along with it. Sure enough, when the Black Dragon heard that someone had offered him a way out, he took the initiative to step on it.

"Strategist, what do we do now?"

"Chief, I have a plan that can solve our current predicament."

The strategist, in a pretentious manner, shook the fan in his hand.

"The strategist taught me."

This strategist is quite capable. Although he has only been with the Black Dragon for a short time, he has already made many contributions, which is why he became the strategist.