C136. Construction Navy.
After the cupping therapy, the group was startled by the marks left on their bodies.
Xuan'er focused on the marks on Yang Zhongfa's back, "Dad, your marks are quite scary."
"It's normal to have some marks after cupping therapy," the doctor walked over to Yang Zhongfa, glanced at the marks, and comforted him, "Mr. Yang, these dark marks turning purple represent residual blood stasis in your body, likely from past hidden injuries on the battlefield."
Yang Zhongfa widened his eyes in surprise, "You can tell blood stasis from the marks? Impressive."
Guo Mao found it interesting and stood up to let the doctor examine his back, "What does the mark on my back represent?"
The doctor carefully examined the mark, "The bright red mark on your back indicates a deficiency in both Qi and Yin in your body, with excessive liver heat."
While they were talking, Yuan Li also got up from the bed. His back only had faint marks, and Chu Hechao could tell that he was in good health.
Yuan Li stretched lazily and, seeing Chu Hechao massaging his neck and shoulders, observed the powerful muscles on his back marked with circular purplish-black imprints.
Frowning, Yuan Li walked over, "The marks on your back are quite deep."
Recalling what the doctor said earlier, the purplish-black color indicated blood stasis in the body.
Chu Hechao had no fewer hidden injuries than Yang Zhongfa, having achieved the position of Grand General at a young age, with merits earned at the cost of his life.
Yuan Li hesitantly touched the alarming mark, not particularly pleased.
Chu Hechao said, "Give me a scratch; the area where the mark is feels itchy."
Yuan Li scratched it skillfully, stating, "It's normal to feel this way after cupping therapy. Ci Ye, you should properly address your hidden injuries."
Looking back at his own mark, Chu Hechao frowned, not particularly surprised.
But thinking about Yuan Li's clean back, Chu Hechao rubbed his forehead.
Yuan Li was still young, so he had no bodily issues.
Unlike him, who was older and riddled with hidden injuries.
A slight sense of annoyance crept into Chu Hechao's mind.
He had to contemplate a matter he had deliberately ignored for a long time - the question of the difference in lifespan between him and Yuan Li.
Yuan Li: "Ci Ye?"
Chu Hechao snapped out of his thoughts, "Alright, I'll listen to you. I'm just afraid that calm days are limited, and all this nurturing won't matter."
Yuan Li pursed his lips, gazing at Chu Hechao as if he could see right through him.
Chu Hechao, somewhat distracted, asked, "What are you doing?"
"Just wondering about something again," Yuan Li replied.
Chu Hechao paused, looked into Yuan Li's eyes, and felt a strange sensation rising within him.
Having lived for so long, he never thought someone could see through his thoughts so clearly.
He brushed it off, saying, "Not thinking about anything."
Yuan Li's frown deepened, and soon he seemed pensive, "Are you worried about your health? Afraid that being eight years older than me, with many hidden injuries, you won't be able to keep up with me in the future?"
Chu Hechao was speechless.
Surprisingly, Yuan Li hit the mark.
Yuan Li lifted his hand and gently patted Chu Hechao's head, "No more overthinking, no more doubting my determination. Understand?"
The touch was light as a gentle breeze, but it felt like it struck Chu Hechao's soul directly. Glancing at Yuan Li, Chu Hechao nodded, admitting, "Understood."
Although the cupping process was uncomfortable, the relief afterward was significant. That night, everyone slept well.
Two days of rest flew by, and when they returned to Jixian County, everyone looked refreshed and energized.
Upon returning, Yuan Li began the busy task of building warships.
By the Bohai Sea, there was Yuan Li's salt production site. Over the years, Yuan Li had not overlooked the abundant resources of the Bohai Sea. He gradually had people build a small town on the shores of the Bohai Sea, where workers refined salt and stationed guards sent by Yuan Li for protection.
Now, Yuan Li planned to train a naval army on the shores of the Bohai Sea.
With the newly recruited soldiers from last year, there were a total of 180,000 soldiers in Youzhou and 100,000 in Bingzhou.
Yuan Li intended to select 50,000 of the best sailors from Youzhou secretly to go to the Bohai Sea as a naval force, completely separating the army and navy for systematic training.
Warships also needed to be built on the shores of the Bohai Sea. Firstly, the Bohai Sea area was uninhabited, making it safe from enemy detection. Secondly, while a good ship is essential, testing its power on the water was crucial, and being near the sea would facilitate practical testing after construction.
Although the system provided designs for warships of a single type, the blueprint consisted of 110 pages, meticulously detailing the ship's features in 360 degrees.
Just looking at the blueprint, Yuanli was convinced that this would be a powerful warship.
Such a warship deeply stirred Yuan Li's ambition.
It shouldn't just be used against their own people.
Yuan Li thought it should be used to conquer and explore a broader maritime dominance.
To truly bring this warship to life, the craftsmen's requirements were also extremely high.
Fortunately, Yuan Li had been recruiting various talented individuals with specialized skills. Most of the highly skilled craftsmen had already been recruited by the Department of Artifacts.
When Yuan Song came to Youzhou from Ruyang, he also brought many craftsmen he had cultivated at home.
Yuan Li handed the warship design to Yuan Dan, instructing the Department of Artifacts to gather 300 carpenters to rush to the Bohai Sea.
Both Yuan Dan and Cui Yan were extremely interested in this warship, and they marveled at the technique used to draw the ship. These two individuals were extremely curious, and after seeing the blueprints, they immediately wanted to go to the Bohai Sea to participate in the shipbuilding.
However, Yuan Dan had other obligations and couldn't go. It was Cui Yan who eagerly packed his bags, prompting Yuan Li to also send him to the Bohai Sea.
Yuan Li thought that the 300 craftsmen sent to the Bohai Sea also needed a leader, so he readily agreed.
At the same time, he also dispatched 3,000 troops to transport a large amount of timber to the Bohai Sea.
Everything was done systematically, with Ding Zongguang's assistance being indispensable. This man worked diligently and efficiently, always handling everything Yuan Li tasked him with quickly and effectively.
Yuan Li had more than once expressed his admiration to Chu Hechao, lamenting that if Ding Zongguang hadn't broken his arm, he would have already been a high-ranking officer by now.
It was a pity that he was now dealing with these trivial matters.
Chu Hechao calmly said, "There's nothing to regret. The number of people who died in battle is countless, and among them are many extraordinary individuals. If he can survive and be reemployed by you, it's already better than many others."
Yuan Li wanted to see Chu Hechao's expression when saying this, so he deliberately turned around to stare at the man.
The man's face showed no particular expression; he seemed to state a fact, with a plain and even somewhat icy gaze.
For some unknown reason, Yuan Li suddenly said, "If I were to die on the battlefield..."
Chu Hechao's breathing halted, his face darkened as he flipped over to pin Yuan Li down, forcefully grasping the man's chin.
Yuan Li's hands were held tight, and his words were stifled by the man's terrifying expression.
Chu Hechao's expression darkened, "Say that again?"
Yuan Li's heart pounded erratically, feeling shaken by the man for the first time, he swallowed nervously and cautiously said, "I won't say it again."
A vein popped on Chu Hechao's forehead, his grip strong, not releasing Yuan Li's chin, his hand even trembling slightly.
-- Yuan Li had just mentioned a possibility.
The man's eyes turned cold, with an unpredictable warning, "Yuan Li, remember, if you dare to die before me—"
He chuckled coldly.
Yuan Li swallowed nervously once again.
The inappropriate curiosity that could harm the cat emerged uncontrollably, and Yuan Li couldn't help but ask quietly, "What will happen?"
Chu Hechao's smile disappeared from his handsome face, replaced by a blank expression. "I'll defile your corpse," he said.
His expression was terrifying, but his hand gently touched Yuan Li's stomach. "I'll have my little brother pierce into your body, and we'll both enter the coffin in this position, so that everyone can see how you died, how I protruded your belly. How about that?"
Yuan Li was horrified by the touch, but he forced a smile and said, "Brother, rest assured, that won't happen."
Chu Hechao looked deeply at him. "As long as you know."
*
To train the navy, it is essential to find a commander to lead and train the navy in combat operations.
However, neither the generals under Chu Hechao nor Wu Kai and Wang Er and the others had any experience training a navy, let alone leading warships in combat on water.
After searching around, Yuan Li finally settled on two of his close guards - Kong Ran and Gu Yue.
Among the elite guards, Kong Ran and Gu Yue were among the best in terms of their water skills. They were highly capable, and had achieved many merits. Therefore, Yuan Li appointed them as his subordinate officials and was very impressed by them.
Of the two, Yuan Li paid more attention to Gu Yue.
While Kong Ran had the ability to train the navy, Gu Yue had the talent to be a general.
Gu Yue was not physically strong, nor the most intelligent. However, he possessed an unwavering will to never give up, as well as a superior overall strategic vision.
Such strategic vision is what a great general needs.
After calling the two of them, Yuan Li had a conversation with them. The more they talked, the more Yuan Li admired Gu Yue.
There are different types of leaders.
Some leaders are commanders who possess adaptive thinking and decisiveness, such as Chu Hechao and Yang Zhongfa. Others can only follow orders and handle tasks assigned to them, but may panic when taking charge.
Gu Yue belonged to the former category, while Kong Ran belonged to the latter.
Yuan Li had an idea in his mind, but he didn't make an immediate decision. He found Chu Hechao and asked him to assess whether Gu Yue was suitable to lead the navy, and if Kong Ran was suitable to train the navy.
The next day, Chu Hechao arrived at the training field with Gu Yue and Kong Ran.
Seeing Chu Hechao's expressionless face, both of them felt nervous and scared.
Chu Hechao's reputation was too intimidating. Whether enemies or allies, the mention of his name instilled fear. To those who joined the military, Chu Hechao was a war god, someone whose name evoked admiration and fear.
Just seeing Chu Hechao's cold and stern face made their hearts race.
However, they both knew that this would definitely be an opportunity.
Just yesterday, their lord called them for a talk, and today the Grand General had brought them to the training field - if they weren't being arranged for something, how could they, as the Grand General and the governors of two states, find time to meet with these two insignificant figures?
Kong Ran and Gu Yue exchanged a glance, understanding each other's thoughts, their eyes gradually becoming firm. Their excitement and unease intertwined in their hearts, but they both secretly made a decision at this moment.
No matter what this opportunity was, they would absolutely give their all to seize it.