"Since we have the keel for this three-masted ship, why aren't we building a three-masted ship?"
"We'll definitely be sailing far out to sea. For a ship this big, three masts certainly won't provide enough power."
"Listen to me. Make it bigger!"
"Fine, even if I listen to you, we just need to build some more ribs. But tell me, exactly how many masts and sails will it take to make this great ship capable of a long voyage?"
"Have you ever built one?"
"If we build it and it can't be launched or sailed, who takes responsibility?"
The two were so engrossed in their argument that they had not noticed Lin Ke's arrival at all.
Hao Ning set the grilled squid on a shipbuilding block beside them and stopped the two. "Uncle Chen, Uncle Li, let's stop arguing. Bigger it is. At worst, we can buy some formations from the Rong Household."
"Wouldn't using formations to power the ship solve the problem?"
"Hey, hey, hey, take that off there! That thing's so hot. Be careful you don't ruin the shipbuilding block!"
As he spoke, the old man surnamed Chen snatched up the grilled meat and tore off two mouthfuls, eating until his mouth gleamed with grease.
The other old man did the same before saying, "You know, our worthy nephew Hao Ning really does have a good idea. That way, all we need to do is make the cabins spacious and comfortable."
"It's just... our Ten Villages do have a few Spirit Stones now."
"But since we're fighting to turn our fortunes around, might the Rong Household refuse to sell us formations to keep us down?"
"How could they? The Rong Household sells to other territories but won't sell to us? That makes no sense."
Lin Ke stepped forward.