The Rise of the European Emperor

Speaking of the improvement of this steering wheel, Marin recalled that it seems that the steering wheel of later generations is composed of ropes and pulleys. The use of pulleys greatly saves effort when turning the steering wheel. After all, moving the pulley saves half the effort.

But the problem is also here, it's not that Marin can't think of using a moving pulley to save effort. However, Marin has no suitable rope!

The rudder (balance rudder) is underwater, and seawater is very corrosive. The balance rudder made of oak is better and more resistant to corrosion. But ordinary ropes are not resistant to the service of sea water at all. Because most of the ropes used in sailing today are flax ropes in Europe. Even the canvas of the sails was made of linen. However, although flax has good corrosion resistance, it is not very resistant to seawater. Because of this, in the Age of Navigation, people discovered sisal in the 18th century and replaced flax with sisal as a cable for navigation.

The steering wheel was also invented in the 18th century, and it looks similar to the application era of sisal. In the absence of rubber and nylon, sisal was clearly Marlin's only option. In fact, even with rubber and nylon, later sailors still use sisal fiber as a cable material. Therefore, the combination of anti-corrosion and tensile properties of sisal fiber exceeds that of rubber and strong nylon. In particular, a part of the rope of the steering wheel is always soaked in sea water. If the seawater corrosion resistance is not enough, it is obviously not acceptable.

What's more, when he was working on the upper edge gaff sail before, Marin found that the upper edge gaff sail made of flax could not be made tall enough because of insufficient tensile strength. So, sisal is a must, whether it's making nautical cables or sails.

To this end, Malin specially sent ships to the Cuban colony of Havana, and ordered the governor of Havana, Tara, to try to conduct a full range of trade with the Mexicans to obtain sisal seeds. Then, find a place to plant a lot, gather sisal fiber, and make sailing cables and high-quality sails.

Malin clearly remembered that the Philippines in later generations seemed to be an important producer of sisal. Tanzania seems to be a big producer of sisal too. While sisal is inherently drought and salinity tolerant, the Philippines is a country with abundant rainfall. Therefore, the suitable place for sisal cultivation seems to be a tropical area with hot and humid but good drainage.

With just sisal fibers, Marin could have a labor-saving steering wheel system made of pulleys and anti-corrosion cables. At that time, only one sailor is needed to operate the steering wheel, and there is no need for two people to pull it together. In this way, it also saves manpower.

In addition, a large amount of copper material can also be left. After all, copper is so expensive now. The current steering wheel system using gears and copper rods is too expensive to manufacture...

...

With the passage of time, the time entered February. Seeing that the spring ploughing is about to start, whether it is the Grand Duchy of North Sea of ​​Marin or the Duchy of Gerdes of Charles II, they are all actively preparing for war. The Principality of Gedes wants to send troops to the Principality of Brabant,

Rescue the 70,000 "Swiss Mercenaries". Marin, on the other hand, planned to send 20,000 main troops to accept the "employment" of John II of the Cliff Convention in the name of mercenaries.

Seeing that Marin had no sign of going abroad, Charles II of the Gede Company was a little anxious. So, he sent someone to Marin to go abroad...

In fact, Charles II, Duke of Geddes, was very excited when he heard that Sweden had stripped half of its shares in the Marinefallen copper mine. He thought that Marin, a militant, would definitely be dissatisfied with the damage to his own interests. Chances are, Marin will gather an army and go to northern Europe to fight against Sweden in order to recapture his own interests.

However, Charles II did not expect that Marin only issued a non-painful protest statement, and there was no sign of sending troops.

This made Charles II anxious. If Marin really went to war with Sweden in a fit of rage, then Charles II could safely go to raid the concentration camp in Brabant. After all, Marin brought the main force to northern Europe to fight. At that time, Charles II launched an attack in the Netherlands, and Marin was at a loss for rescue.

It's a pity that Marin ignored the Swedes' violation of his interests, and rarely acted as a "shrinking turtle", which made Charles II angry, anxious, and even more worried...

So, Charles II simply sent someone over to urge Marin - it's time for you to go abroad...

Marin obviously knows this situation too - if he doesn't go abroad, the Principality of Gede Company may not dare to actually rob the camp. After all, Charles II was afraid that he would stab him in the back.

In order to lure the company of Gede to act, Marin decided to go abroad for a few months...

However, there must be a reason to go abroad for a long time... After all, Marin is also the king of a country now. If it disappears for no reason, it will cause a big mess. Even if he led the troops to fight before, at least let people know the news. The king of a country, the most taboo, is to disappear for no reason. After all, once the monarch disappears for no reason, as long as there are rumors, it may cause panic.

Marin actually wanted to go to the North American colonies to have a look. After all, he had never been to America in his previous life or in this life. Today, it is February, and there can be no major storms in the North Atlantic (typhoons, hurricanes, etc. in the northern hemisphere, generally occur in summer and autumn). The only thing to watch out for is probably the icebergs drifting north of Newfoundland. As long as the ship doesn't hit the iceberg, it shouldn't be a big problem. In fact, even if it hits an iceberg, it's not a big problem. As long as it is not a single ship, even if it hits an iceberg, the rest of the ships can save people. Unlike typhoons, hurricanes and other things, it is difficult to escape when you are directly swept up into the sky...

Therefore, Marin decided to take advantage of the early spring to take a fleet to inspect the American colonies...

What are the reasons for going to North America? Could it be that the North American colonies are well built, so go and inspect them yourself? Absolutely not!

After all, Marin once published a book called Diary of the Wild in Columbus' name. The book's terrifying description of the Americas, coupled with an outbreak of syphilis on the Spanish colony of Hispaniola, stunned the enthusiasm of Spain and Portugal to colonize the Americas. Until now, there are still terrifying legends on the "Wild Continent" in the European continent...

If you visit the American colonies with great interest, isn't that the same as telling others that "the wilderness is not scary"? Otherwise, why would Marin go to inspect?

So, you have to think of a reason to make other countries feel terrible. Otherwise, this will arouse other countries' interest in the American continent...

Marin then began to meditate...

plague? This excuse doesn't work. If a plague broke out in the Americas, it stands to reason that the monarch himself would not be foolish enough to take the initiative to join in, it would be too late to hide...

Colonial riots? Seems like this could be...

However, to suppress the resistance of the colonies, it is not necessary for the master of the country to go out in person, right?

"What kind of thing can I work for myself, the lord of the country, to go out in person?" Marin scratched his head a little...

At this time, Marin suddenly heard the news that Adler had returned from Oldenburg to visit the old Hoffmans...

"Brother is back...Wait...Brother..." Marin suddenly caught something...

"Yeah, how did I forget about this?" Marin suddenly patted his head...

Marlin remembered that Albert had been shot on Manhattan Island before and nearly died. However, Marin did not make it public that time, but quietly mobilized the army to go to North America for revenge.

"It seems...you can use 'Albert was shot by a native' as an excuse to go to America..."

Soon, Marin found a very reasonable excuse for himself to go to the American colonies - his younger brother Albert was seriously injured by the savage natives with bows and arrows in the wild continent... As a brother, Marin planned to take the army to find the natives take revenge...

This excuse is very good. It not only shows the savage bloodthirsty of the savage natives on the "Wild Continent", it can scare people from other countries, so that they will not become interested in America; ——I’m not a brother-protecting madman, right? The younger brother was injured, and the elder brother went to help him to avenge... It's totally fine...

"That's it!" Marin quickly made up his mind.

Of course, this must first say hello to the old Hoffmans and Adler. Otherwise, it would be bad if they took it seriously. In addition, the emperor and John II, Duke of Cliff, will also secretly inform you that the original plan will not change... lest they think that something has changed...

In addition, Marin also secretly informed Charles II, Duke of Geddes, that he had made an excuse to go abroad for a few months, so that he could do it with peace of mind...

Then, Marin ordered the hype to begin. In order to act realistically and express his anger because his younger brother was injured, Malint broke several precious pieces of china in public - it seems that the novel describes the king's anger in this way... Well, doing it this way should make people even more Believe it...

After smashing the porcelain, Marin immediately mobilized troops and horses, expressing that he would go on an expedition to the "Wild Continent" to avenge his younger brother...