Mountain and Forest Kingdom

In order to train the soldiers' ability to board ships and fight, Lawrence ordered two large ships to sail to the sea, while the rest of the men watched the battle nearby in small boats.

The 25-meter three-masted sailboat and another 30-meter three-masted sailboat were more than 500 meters apart and were approaching quickly.

The twenty-five-meter-long boat was the one made the year before last. It was also the large ship used in the conquest of the Deco Kingdom.

Last year when we attacked the Kingdom of Waves, we were working hard on making the big boat, and it was only this summer that we officially took out this 30-meter big boat.

Lawrence called it the Rhys, after the man responsible for the ship's construction.

The Reese is thirty meters long, five meters high from the bottom to the deck in the middle, and nine meters high on both sides. There are boathouses for people to rest. The bottom of the ship is a turtle shell structure suitable for balancing in shoals.

The sail height is 25 meters, and there is a circular barrel-shaped watchtower above the three masts. Sailors can climb to the 35-meter-high watchtower to sit, sleep, and stand to observe the enemy's situation.

The sail is a square sail that can be adjusted in angle around the mast.

The five-meter-high side of the Reese sailboat is not only five-meter high, it is to make it easier for you to jump off the ship and land.

If it's too low, the opponent will jump in and climb up. If it's too high, you'll also have problems if you jump on your side.

The height of five meters, minus the draft, is three or four meters higher than the pirate ships of this era. This height is not too troublesome for the pirates.

Lawrence stood on the small boat and looked at the two chasing ships. This time, the Reese was the chasing party, and the 25-meter old sailing ship was the escaping party.

The two sides competed on boat control technology and the use of natural conditions in this undulating wave environment.

The rudder technology has not yet been implemented and will need to wait until the next generation of ships comes out before it can be used.

At present, several large ships are not suitable for improvement. Even if they are improved, they will be eliminated in a few years.

Fortunately, there are many giant trees thirty to forty meters high in the mountain forest. The existence of these giant trees has increased the construction speed of the ship several times. The stability and waterproof performance have also been greatly improved due to the excellent oak performance.

Both sides were powered by sail oars, and the rowers and conductors were also made up of Valkyries and others.

Soon the Reese closed the distance to the barque.

Catherine looked at the two sides approaching, "The sails of the Reese in the back are three complete woolen sails, and the sail in the front is three twelve-sided sails. Is it because of the sails?"

Although the size difference between the two sides is huge, the onlookers at this time are all people who have ridden on a boat, sailed a boat, and controlled a sail.

Both Catherine and Lawrence have long sea voyage experience.

"Yes, the Reese's sails are larger and can catch the wind more easily, and the sails can change angles more easily."

"But there are many problems. Controlling the sail when the wind blows is very dangerous."

Lawrence looked at the square sails of the Rees and said, "The new Oak will use a wooden roller design."

Lawrence gestured with his hands in the middle of the boat, "Use a long, strong piece of wood to be fixed between the hulls. The rope of the sailboat is fixed to the wood, and then the sail is retracted little by little by turning the wood."

Just like the operation of gears, a wooden handle similar to a rudder is used to retract the heavy sail. In order to better leverage, several turns of rope will be tied to the wood in advance.

It can also be set up as a short wooden pulley between the mast and the side of the ship. Raising and lowering the sail controls the height of the sail, and the angle of the sail depends on various ropes.

The Reese is not equipped with this technology, and all sailboats use the method of raising the flag manually to control the height of the sail.

The current extreme method is to cut the main rope directly, and then use the tail rope to slowly retract the sail that has blown into the sea.

When the wind is not strong, a dozen sailors work together to control the sail. If there are few people, it will be blown out to sea.

Although the Reese has a lot of problems and is not equipped with current rudders, sails, armor and other technologies, its current data are far better than those of the three-masted sailing oar.

The larger sail and larger size allow it to reach much higher speeds when the wind is downwind than ordinary boats.

There is no need to think about headwinds, and people are not stupid. If the winds were against them, the sails would have been lowered long ago.

Basically, when the two sides encounter each other, the sails, power, attack methods, etc. have already been determined.

Just when Lawrence thought that ordinary sailboats could not escape, the people on the boat quickly showed off their maneuvers.

"That ship is turning around!" Sofia saw the big ship that was adjusting its sails and starting to turn.

Sariel asked curiously: "The Reese is owned by Fleiss and Akda. Who is driving the other ship?"

Lawrence looked at the turning three-masted sailboat. The sails of the three-masted sailboat were smaller and more numerous. As long as the tail sail was controlled, the direction of the ship could be changed.

The Reese could also do this, but judging from the speed at which both sides began to slow down and turn at this time, the three-masted ship obviously did a better job.

You can't see the skill in straight-line acceleration. As long as there are no problems with the performance of the ship, you can catch up.

Now the two sides are starting to stop walking in a straight line and compete with curves and flexibility, which requires technology.

Lawrence smiled.

That's a good thing, and it's a good thing for the entire fleet.

"The captain there is Lao the waterman, and the boatswain is Gliss, but now it's obviously the rigging team that's playing a role."

"I remember that the captain of that ship's rigging was named Suliman, a man from the Wave Kingdom who surrendered last year."

"This man used to build ships in a shipyard. He recently joined the fleet with his rich sailing experience. I appointed him as the captain of the sailing and cable team."

Each fleet has multiple positions. In addition to shipwrights who repair, ship doctors who treat illnesses, and cooks who cook, there are many combat roles.

Sailor, boatswain, captain, mate, lookout, rigger, first mate, second mate, third mate, fleet supervisor.

A helmsman will be added in the future to make the fleet system more complete.

At this time, the three-masted sailing ship quickly sailed around the Reese, and the sailors on the Reese were quickly used to row together. However, due to the height of the ship, the effect was not good.

Lawrence saw the Reese's predicament.

This is not surprising. When the Reese was originally designed, it existed as a command ship to replace the three-masted sailing ship, mainly fighting downwind.

Considering that there will be a large number of small boats assisting the command ship, the oar power is optional.

The Reese's positioning is to rush in when the ships ahead are in a melee, and use its load to transport a large number of attacking team members to the battlefield to determine the outcome!

In a normal naval battle, both sides will fight close together, rather than fighting like a guerrilla.

What's the difference between fighting like that and not fighting?

This era is too far away, and neither side can reach the other.

Soon Akda, the captain of the Reese, realized the current problem and decisively sent a small boat to pursue it!

The Wakili people quickly hoisted the six-meter-long boat into the sea, and then more than a dozen sailors quickly paddled the oars and quickly approached the big ship in front.

Once approached and landed by these people, the sails of the ship will be cut off by them, and the large ships behind will quickly come over.

A pirate squad consisting entirely of Valkyries is rapidly approaching the ship.

Even though several years had passed, the people from the Wave Kingdom and the City of Water on the big ship still had negative factors such as fear and panic when facing these Valkyries.

Especially the fierce and fearless temperament of the Valkyrie stormtrooper behind him made everyone who knew that this was an exercise forget that it was an exercise, and felt an uneasy feeling of being chased by a ferocious beast.

The Valkyries quickly approached the ship, and those in front set up shields. Those behind stopped rowing, but took out hooks and ropes to prepare for a forced landing.

These Valkyries soon let out a savage roar, making the cowering people on the boat even more panicked with their excited shouts.

Fortunately, there were also Valkyries on this boat. Soon, the Valkyries on the big boat threw sharp javelins at the Valkyries decisively without caring about their fellow villagers.

A little resistance did not boost morale. After resisting the attacks of javelins and stones, the Valkyries on the boat directly threw the iron hooks tied with ropes at the sails and sail control ropes of the three-masted ship! !

Just like cattle and sheep whose eggs are bitten by wild dogs, the big ship can no longer escape the sharp teeth and claws of the predator.

The outcome of both sides was quickly decided. Rao and the sailors of Water City chose to surrender, and the rest of the Valkyries and Pumixiu who wanted to fight could only throw down their weapons angrily.

Lawrence quickly docked the two ships and asked the others about their specific operations.

"Okay, now that you all know how you and each other perform, I will divide you into groups based on your performance."

"Suleiman, you go to the Reese as the captain of the sails and cables. Those who took the initiative to attack the boat this time will also join the sailors of the Reese."

"The first person to board the ship this time serves as the boatswain of the Reese."

Suleiman quickly said in broken Luofen Kingdom language: "Thank you, great prophet."

The new boatswain Ilamanda also knelt down excitedly, "Thank you, great prophet!"

Lawrence needs a complete team with the highest degree of cooperation. There are actually many people who can play now, but the technical and command staff have not been determined for a long time.

Suleman is a good sail length. Before the ship's power and rudder are assembled, a good sail length will significantly improve the speed and safety of the ship.

Moreover, he has worked in a shipyard and can also work part-time as a shipwright to assist the captain in understanding the damage to the ship.

Suleiman's talent allowed Lawrence to pay more attention to the prisoners in the Kingdom of Waves, and he quickly selected a few capable people to join the fleet.

Everyone relies on the ship, not the captain.

Lawrence didn't want his ship to be sailed away, so he set up a Star Church priest to supervise it, who was responsible for recording the voyage log, as well as everyone's duty status, military exploits and discipline.

The chaplain is only responsible for recording and teaching language and writing to a group of illiterate sailors. He is regarded as the ship's teacher for all crew members. He is also a part-time doctor, cook and shipwright. It is best to also have certain combat capabilities.

This kind of talent is very rare, and Lawrence can only cultivate it slowly by himself.

After constant running-in and testing, and after dozens of voyages, the sailors and various positions of the Reese were determined.

Captain: Crete (Vakiri), controls the direction of the fleet and all affairs.

Vice-captain: Fleiss (a Sidel native), responsible for assisting the captain in controlling the fleet, and is mainly responsible for combat.

First Mate: Akda (Vakiri), responsible for assisting the captain on the left side, supervising the battles encountered on the left side and the sailors on the left side, assisting the crew with various tasks, and taking over the command after the captain dies.

Second mate: Salander (a native of Durila), responsible for assisting the captain's right side, maintaining the safety and order of the ship, and assisting the captain and other mates in their work.

Shipwright: Reese (Pumixiu), one of the builders of the Reese.

Boatswain: Gris (Forester/Durira), responsible for fighting and leading the rest of the sailors to complete the commander's tasks, and assisting in the handover between the sailors and the other deputies.

Deputy Boatswain: Tig (Forester/Durila), assists the Boatswain in completing the mission.

Chief Chef: Winter (from the Hokuriku Kingdom), leads the team of chefs to cook.

Third Mate/Fleet Supervisor: Beow

Lookout: Bobo (from the Kingdom of Waves), responsible for reconnaissance

Sailmaster: Suliman (from the Kingdom of Waves), responsible for leading the sailors to control the sails.

The remaining twenty sailors are all elite warriors selected from a hundred, including Valkyries, Duriras and pirates of the Wave Kingdom.

These people are either physically strong and suitable for close combat, or they are agile and brave and suitable for broadside combat.

In addition to the Reese, several talents have been arranged for training on other large ships. If they can lead a team, they will be given priority to be trained in the future.

Lawrence quickly sent someone to call Andrew back and asked him to serve as the third officer of the Leis.

The people of Telangtao City quickly learned that Lawrence was going to take action, so they also gathered warriors to prepare for the aftermath.

The city of Telanthoof quickly chose a naval battle rather than a land battle.

Because for a land war, a large number of knights will be sent to conquer the northern border. This journey will take a month. If they are defeated by the opponent's fleet, they will not be able to bear it.

So I chose naval battle. After all, the ship fleet of Luofen Kingdom has always been very strong! !

As for the land, there is a Wild Boar Legion for defense, so there is no need to worry about safety issues.

Both sides are making preparations, repairing ships, making weapons, gathering sailors, reinforcing cables, replacing canvas, or repairing and making wooden barrels to hold fresh water. (End of chapter)