In Fujian, they encountered the first major problem.
The hulls were not sturdy enough.
It has to be said that the best shipbuilding technology in Chinese history was during the Song Dynasty.
But after the fall of the Song Dynasty, the invading Yuan Dynasty also neglected maritime trade.
With this transition, shipbuilding skills became fragmented.
It wasn't until the Ming Dynasty, during the Hongwu years, that Zheng He made his seven voyages to the Western Ocean. The ships of that era were very robust.
However, the Great Qing started from Shanhaiguan and was essentially a land-based power skilled in horsemanship. As their naval abilities were weak, naturally, they were not adept at shipbuilding.
Although the Ming Dynasty had fallen, many of its crafts were still exquisite. Fourth Master had to admit that these were much better than those skilled only in horsemanship and warfare like themselves.
The abilities of the Han people were not limited to flattery and opportunism.
