November 11, 1990 in the Holy Calendar, is the day when the Southern Ship sets sail.
The dock area of Franklin Harbor is crowded and lively.
Everyone who had heard about the opening of the new sea route came to the dock to watch the excitement and sailed the ship to the Cape Bay area in one go. This was a great adventure that many people had never heard of.
The officers and soldiers on the Nanfang were busy making final preparations for the upcoming voyage, while the shipyard supervisor Rubin and the old shipwright Benjamin led the craftsmen to inspect the ship.
Even the underage candidates were running around on the deck, moving here and there according to the orders of their superiors.
Little Shota Allen and another companion were struggling to carry a large wooden barrel down the ladder into the warehouse.
The two teenagers put down the barrels and saluted Provisioner on the ship.
"Mr. Provisioner, this is the last barrel of wine."
"6 barrels of rum, 4 barrels of wine, 4 chickens,...10 boxes of cans... biscuits... bread..."
Provisioner was counting the supplies in the cargo hold while looking at the notebook in his hand.
"Very well, the food is ready. You can take a rest."
"Yes!"
After working for a long time, we finally had some time to relax. Allen and his companions happily climbed out of the cabin.
The candidates who were still young children were extremely excited about this trip south, because they could see a wider world. Anyway, they were orphans. For such a long time, they had long been accustomed to using warships as their home. Wherever the ship sailed, their home was there.
Allen ran to the side of the ship and looked towards the pier. He saw many familiar figures, but it was a bit regretful that he did not see the figures of sisters Physician Wade and Susan. They went to Lakeheart Town to participate in some training and have not returned yet.
He suggested to the midshipmen who were idle on the deck. "Hey! Guys, the captain said that this voyage may last for more than a month. Let's go to the dock and say goodbye to the people in the town. We have received a lot of care from them some time ago."
"Okay!" "Yeah!"
This proposal was quickly echoed by many people, and they all got off the boat and walked outside the cordoned area.
"Gentlemen, please follow me!"
Captain Quirk led five people who were obviously not dressed like the navy to board the Southern.
Four of these five people are business representatives, not only from Arda, but one of the representatives is also from Emden of Bairdin.
As for the fifth person, it was arranged by the lord himself to be on the ship. A pretty boy named Dirac. It is said that he is a scholar and is going to go to Corner Bay with the Southern Ship to bring his family to Northwest Bay.
Calling him pretty boy is really appropriate. Mr. Dirac is so handsome. If it weren't for his mustache, Quirk would have doubted whether he was disguised as a man.
Quirk thought to himself a little jealously, "If it were in the south, with this pretty face, he must be a frequent visitor to those ladies' salons."
He said to everyone, "We will have to spend at least the next month on this ship. Let me show you the Southern."
Quirk led everyone around the ship slowly, and they first entered the warehouse.
It is said to be a cargo warehouse, but it is also the place where all crew members except the captain sleep and rest. There are rolled hammocks hung here, which are only unfolded when sleeping.
Quirk led the five people to the area behind the cabin.
He extended his hand and introduced, "This is where you will rest."
Unlike other places, this area uses thick canvas as "walls" to separate five "small rooms" with hammocks hanging above and a box below to store personal belongings.
Although each "small room" is only about two square meters, it is already a rare luxury on the Nanfang, and it is a special consideration for the five passengers.
Quirk walked to the end and opened a door, "This is the captain's room, hehe... that's where I live."
This captain's cabin can be said to be the most luxurious place on the entire ship. It is about four square meters in size. There is a bright window on the back wall of the ship. In addition to a hammock and an item box, there is also a small table and a stool on which are placed Ink bottles, quills and other objects, which should be used to record the voyage log.
In addition, there is a ladder in the captain's cabin that leads directly to the uppermost open deck.
"Next we have to look at a very important place."
Quirk led everyone to the front of the warehouse.
There are two doors here, one on the left and one on the right. Quirk opened the door on the left, and everyone found that there was a very small compartment inside. The special thing was that there was a downward hole inside.
Someone soon guessed what this place was for, "Captain, this couldn't be... couldn't be a toilet, right?"
"Yes." Quirk nodded, "Congratulations, you guessed it right. There is the sea below the entrance of the cave, which is very convenient! In addition, I know that many people are more particular and are embarrassed to take a bath in public. You can also come here to solve the problem."
Everyone looked at each other and were speechless for a while, but no one found it difficult to accept. After all, everyone had traveled around in the past, and had lived a lot of days living in the open.
"Mr. Dirac" secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If there wasn't even a formal toilet on this ship, it would be a bit troublesome for "him".
Quirk led them to the place where food was stored.
"Gentlemen, we have stored enough food and drink for 15 days. We will eat these fresh vegetables, fresh meat, eggs and bread first, because these things usually spoil first, and then we will eat these sun-dried vegetables, pickled meat jerky and biscuits. Oh, I want to remind you, if you find maggots crawling out of biscuits, please don't yell. This is a normal thing at sea."
Maggots? Oh my God! Everyone suppressed their nausea and listened to the captain's continued introduction, "In the end, after we finish eating everything else, we have to rely on those cans. In addition, we also have four hens on the deck, which can replenish us with a few fresh eggs every day."
Quirk clapped his hands and said, "Okay, everyone. Go to the dock and say goodbye to your relatives and friends. We will set sail in about two hours."
About two hours later, it was almost noon.
"Everyone, this mission must be successful and there must be no mistakes!"
Austin stood on the deck, and all the officers and soldiers of the Nanfang, including Quirk, stood neatly in front of him, listening to Master Navy Commander's pre-voyage speech.
"It is no exaggeration to say that you carry the hope of Northwest Bay and the hope of the lord on your shoulders!"
"When you come back, all officers and soldiers Military Rank who participated in this operation will be upgraded to one level, and there will be other material rewards!"
Quirk shouted on behalf of the entire ship, "Please rest assured, Mr. Commander, we will definitely complete the mission!"
"Very good, then I won't delay you any longer and let's set sail immediately!"
"Yes!"
Austin turned and left. Before leaving, he glanced at the Green-haired "young master brother", who gave him a "no problem" gesture.
Only then did he confidently walk across the gangplank to the pier.
Quirk soon entered the role of captain.
"Put up the springboard!"
"Weigh anchor!"
"Lower the sails!"
"Southern! Set sail!"
The wind was quite strong today, and the ship soon started to move and headed outside the port.
"Have a nice trip!"
"You must come back safely!"
The crowd of onlookers on the pier became excited. They waved their hats or handkerchiefs while sending blessings to the warships leaving the pier. Rubin and the old shipwright Benjie were also among the crowd. They had tears in their eyes and kept waving to the Nanfei, as if they were looking at their children who were about to travel far away, with expressions of pride and worry on their faces.
The idle sailors on the boat also waved to the people on the shore, and some even burst into tears. Most of them left their hometown for the first time, and they were going to the south thousands of miles away.
In this way, blown by the strong sea breeze, the Nanfei sailed through the wind and waves towards the depths of the ocean...