Chapter 545 Results
In the Liu family courtyard, Liu Hong’s many children and grandchildren were packing their things in preparation for Liu Hong’s upcoming voyage.

Liu Hong didn't have to do anything himself. He just lay leisurely on the recliner and just directed his children's actions. Soon, a lot of things were piled up in the small yard.

In addition to necessary daily necessities such as clothing, the most common thing is books. Perhaps reading is the best way to kill time at sea.

Of course, these items were not just for Liu Hong himself. His many sons were naturally worried about Liu Hong traveling across the ocean alone, so they sent their youngest son to accompany him and take care of him.

In addition to them, another person who would go out to sea together was Liu Hong's young disciple Zhou Liang.

"Teacher, life at sea is hard and boring. You may not be able to return for one or two years. You should bring as many things as possible with you. But you don't have to worry about food, medicine, and tea for daily use. The fleet has prepared them all."

Zhou Liang's luggage was simple, just a few packages, so he reminded everyone.

The Liu family members in the room did not look at Zhou Liang in a particularly friendly manner.

They have never liked this student of Liu Hong. As members of the Liu clan, they still retain a little pride in their hearts and look down on guys like Zhou Liang who come from the lower class.

It was because Zhou Liang was recommended by Xu Chen and Cai Wenji personally that they were able to maintain superficial decency towards Zhou Liang and their relationship was not too awkward.

Now that Liu Hong suddenly decided to go sailing on the ocean, they became even more dissatisfied with Zhou Liang.

In their opinion, if it weren't for Zhou Liang's fault, Liu Hong wouldn't have made such a fuss. Going out to sea at his old age, isn't that harming others?

Liu Hong himself, on the other hand, was quite impressed with Zhou Liang. He was most satisfied with Zhou Liang's determination to study hard.

"Okay, it's almost time to get on the bus. Since there's everything on the boat, why bring all these messy things with you? Just pack up and follow me!"

After a while, the Liu family members in the courtyard kept talking, mostly giving instructions and dissuading people. Liu Hong soon got annoyed, stood up, shook his clothes, and wanted to leave impatiently.

At this point, no one dared to say anything more and could only escort Liu Hong out of the courtyard.

His daughter and daughter-in-law followed him, wiping tears silently, while his sons were mostly worried and sighing.

The only story of ocean voyages that can be traced back in history is the story of Xu Fu's voyage to the east. No one knows how far he sailed east, and as a result, there was no news of Xu Fu after his departure, which makes people even more uneasy about the unknown ocean.

Now that they were going to send Liu Hong out to sea, they couldn't feel at ease, but they couldn't persuade the old man, so they had to accept it.

Going to sea was a major event that Xuanxia had been planning for a long time, and it was also something that Xu Chen, the leader of Xuanxia, ​​had always been concerned about. Under his will, the process of promoting this matter was carried out step by step without any mistakes. Now the fleet has been prepared and can set off as soon as all the personnel are fully prepared.

After walking out of the courtyard, everyone loaded their luggage onto the parked convoy, and Liu Hong was about to sit on it and leave.

As the coachman drove the carriage slowly forward, all the children of the Liu family knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Liu Hong, sending the old man away. They stood up one after another until the carriage gradually disappeared in the distance.

The family members looked at each other and sighed.

Until now they still cannot understand why Liu Hong, at his age, is still working so hard for Xuan Xia's career.

The Liu family has lost the world, and that's because they are incompetent and can't blame anyone else. But the Liu family members are rushing to work for Xuan Xia, what's going on?

The fleet gathered at Wuqing Port. Liu Hong and Zhou Liang still needed to take a long carriage ride to arrive. After they set off, the master and apprentice started talking. "The last time I went to Southeast Asia with the fleet, I saw many small countries and tribes. We often stopped for supplies during the voyage, but even so, we often encountered storms and accidents. Many crew members died on the way. Not to mention the difficulties caused by storms and diseases, the depression of being isolated from the land for a long time and the longing for home can often drive people crazy. It's really not a pleasant feeling."

As it was time to go out to sea again, Zhou Liang couldn't help but fall into memories and recall his experience of going out to sea last time.

"This voyage is different from the last near-sea voyage. It is more difficult to sail in the open sea. No one knows what will happen in the unknown sea ahead. Perhaps there will be no coastal supplies for several months. If things go wrong, it is not surprising that the fleet will be wiped out. The dangers ahead are unimaginable."

Looking at Zhou Liang's pretending to be emotional, Liu Hong just snorted in his heart. How could he not understand that Zhou Liang was trying to dissuade him in various ways.

In fact, this was not the first time. Zhou Liang was not very confident about Liu Hong going out to sea with him. He had tried to persuade him many times before, but each time he was only met with Liu Hong's rebuke. In the end, Zhou Liang, who had always been inflexible, was forced to start using this set of euphemistic hints.

However, Liu Hong was mentally prepared for the difficulties of going to sea and would not change his mind.

"You don't have to act so pretentiously, kid. I have already boarded the carriage and there is absolutely no reason for me to turn back. If I go back like this, I will be ridiculed!"

Liu Hong said calmly: "The great man is gone, and only knowledge can make me pursue something. If this trip can help me find rare species from overseas, or make a breakthrough in astronomy and geography, it will be worth the hardship."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Liang could only smile awkwardly, and this completely extinguished his thought of dissuading him.

At this time, Liu Hong looked at Zhou Liang again, not knowing what he was thinking, and then said: "This year you have learned some skills and tinkered with some navigation tools, and you are clamoring to draw sea charts and demarcate longitude and latitude. You are really arrogant. I will go to sea with you, and perhaps I can take advantage of you. One day when you are successful, I can also share in your fame."

When it comes to technical matters, Zhou Liang immediately becomes excited.

"I'm not being arrogant. I succeeded under the guidance of my teacher. The sextant and the clock can measure the longitude and latitude, which can naturally be used to determine the route and the nautical chart. Otherwise, my confidence in sailing would be greatly reduced. This year's study is indeed very useful for navigation."

Liu Hong nodded, this was indeed true.

During this year, the master and apprentice devoted themselves to research and indeed achieved many results. The most direct one was the sextant, which, in conjunction with a clock and an astronomical calendar, could fully realize the function of positioning.

The help to navigation was almost immediate.

He naturally understood how practically useful these achievements would be, and that the things Zhou Liang wanted to accomplish were indeed possible.

He knew even more clearly what a great achievement it would be if these things were accomplished. Once the sea charts were successfully drawn, and they reached the other side of the ocean, saw the New World, and found those important species, countless people in China would benefit from it.

Those who do these things will inevitably have their names recorded in history.

This is exactly why Liu Hong insisted on going out to sea on this trip.

Of course, he was not as ambitious as he said on the surface, with nothing to pursue except learning. In fact, he was still utilitarian and wanted to gain fame for the Liu family and merit for his descendants.

In order to provide better conditions for his descendants, Liu Hong was determined to try his best even at his old age.

Thinking of this, he looked at Zhou Liang and said meaningfully: "When you return from this trip, you will be able to rise to prominence, but don't forget your relatives and friends when you become rich. Although my children have bad tempers, they are still your brothers and sisters, so remember to get closer to them."

(End of this chapter)