"How much does this car cost?" Qi Xingyun asked slowly.

When he first heard the hidden guard's report, he couldn't believe it, but then he felt relieved when he thought that countries such as Yajili in the West already had iron-clad ships that did not use sails for power.

If ships can use steam or even a kind of black oil as power, then cars must also be able to do so. It's just an improvement in technology.

Science and Technology Garden has been doing a lot of verification, but he doesn't understand everything. After all, many technologies are too strange, and he doesn't want to know more before he succeeds.

This was the case with the car this time. He hadn't heard anything about it before, but this time he suddenly knew about it.

"This car cost a hundred thousand taels of silver." Luo Xingchen sighed.

When it came to the money spent, Luo Xingchen felt a little unsure.

"Can expenses be reduced in the future? If not, this car will be useless." Qi Xingyun frowned.

"We will definitely be able to reduce expenses in the future. This car is just a prototype and cannot replace the horse-drawn carriage at the moment."

Luo Xingchen smiled and said, "This car is dedicated to the emperor."

"Okay, I'll keep it and put it in the backyard." Qi Xingyun nodded. In the backyard of the palace, there is a large open space for running. When he has free time, he will take a ride to experience it himself.

"Actually, the car is not important. What is important is the power machine inside that drives the car forward. With this new power machine, the speed of our armored ship can be increased by 50%." Luo Xingchen said.

Qi Xingyun's eyes widened, and he finally showed a surprised expression, which then turned into surprise.

"The new iron-clad ship, with its speed increased, coupled with new artillery and new tactics, can finally compete with the Western navy." Qi Xingyun took a deep breath, this news really made him happy.

Crazy.

"The performance of the ship is better than that of Western ships. The ships of many Western countries are still sailing battleships. Although they are much stronger than our honest Fu ships, they are no longer as good as our new iron-clad ships... However, we still have two

Big flaw.”

Luo Xingchen raised two fingers.

"Tell me about it." Qi Xingyun looked at Luo Xingchen with interest.

The better Luo Xingchen performed, the happier he was.

There is no one in this generation of the Qi royal family who can compare to Luo Xingchen.

The original disadvantage, that except for a very few people, the rest did not know Luo Xingchen's true identity, has now become an advantage.

The advantage is that it can protect Luo Xingchen, so that he does not have to face countless open and secret arrows in advance.

"First, let me tell you that after a century of naval warfare, we lack a large number of sailors who are skilled in operating new warships."

"Secondly, the shipyard's production capacity is insufficient and the production of new warships is very slow. At present, it can only form a small new naval force."

"It's not a big problem to deal with those water thieves, but it's still not safe enough to compete with those huge Western fleets."

Luo Xingchen explained the details bit by bit.

"Didn't you surrender a lot of water thieves in Wuchao Lake? I heard that those water thieves are very good at water, and they are all old water thieves." Qi Xingyun said.

"There are a lot of water thieves, but not many of them can be used. Many water thieves have very bad habits. They are used to the life of robbing, drinking from big bowls, eating large pieces of meat, and living happily, but they cannot adapt.

Strict discipline and high-intensity fighting. In addition, not many of them can read and cannot understand the instruments on the new warships... I cannot let such people enter the new navy." Luo Xingchen said sincerely.

He had been serving as admiral of the navy for quite some time. He had subdued many pirates in Wuchao Lake, but after training and selection, there were not many that could actually be used. This was something he was very worried about.

"Haven't the descendants of General Fubo Wang Ying surrendered to the imperial court?" Qi Xingyun said.

"Your Majesty, you should understand what the descendants of the Wang family need," Luo Xingchen said.

"It's not possible now. We have to wait for a while, and I will definitely clear General Fubo Wang Ying's name." Qi Xingyun said solemnly.

Regarding this matter, even though Qi Xingyun was busy with everything, he still did not forget it. At this moment, he was just making a promise to Luo Xingchen again.

"Your Majesty, I know your difficulties."

"The literati from Dongling Academy are the biggest obstacle. Only by convincing them can this matter be done," Luo Xingchen said.

"As long as you understand, this matter needs to be considered in the long run. The Wang family has complaints, and I understand in my heart."

"How dare the Wang family have any complaints? Letting them join the imperial navy now is already a favor. The Wang family has already set up a memorial tablet for His Majesty, and the incense continues day and night. Your Majesty is their biggest benefactor. It's not too late for them to be grateful."

Luo Xingchen said.

Qi Xingyun laughed and said, "Really? It seems that the Wang family also knows what is good and has their heart."

Although Qi Xingyun understood what the Wang family was going through, if the Wang family resented him, he would not say anything, but he would not be happy in his heart.

"The Wang family is now thinking about getting promoted and making a fortune. They are quite good sailors, mainly because they have studied and can read."

"Okay, then reward them with some property for me. As for the officials, they cannot be selfish and must follow the original regulations. Without military merit, they will not be promoted." Qi Xingyun said with a smile.

"The navy now implements a points system, which is what I mentioned in the note I gave to Your Majesty last time. These points are accumulated through combat merit. When the points are reached, you will be automatically promoted. At the same time, the points can be exchanged for property. This is all clean and transparent.

It’s clear at a glance.” Luo Xingchen said.

"I believe you can handle it well. A tiger's father has no dog's son. I leave the navy to you..."

Qi Xingyun took a sip of water, looked into Luo Xingchen's eyes and asked.

"How is your grandpa doing lately?"

Luo Xingchen was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Grandpa is strong and very good, but he refuses to come back."

Luo Xingchen also wrote a letter to persuade his grandfather to come back for a visit, but his grandfather still refused as before. Maybe the obstacles in his heart were still restraining him.

"Come back if you can. I really want to meet him, but I can't go to the East China Sea." Qi Xingyun sighed.

There are some things that cannot be discussed with Luo Fengtang and can only be discussed with King Wu.

He still remembered how King Wu charged into battle. At that time, he was very young and it left a deep impression on him.

In his eyes as a child, King Wu was the object of his worship.

Later, King Wu became the object of his vigilance.

But now the situation has changed again, and he is looking forward to King Wu's return. This may be the reason for the changes in the world.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid I can't do this..." Luo Xingchen said truthfully.
Chapter completed!