Shi Feiyang had made trade agreements with Emperor Taichang and chose a location between the Capital and Tianjin.
The Emperor sent an eunuch with many craftsmen to liaise with him, Shi Feiyang specified the scale and purpose, and the eunuch had the craftsmen draw up the plans before sending them for construction.
The money for purchasing the land and construction was all taken from the Emperor's private treasury.
After arranging everything, Shi Feiyang asked the Emperor to find him thirty craftsmen capable of building large ships.
These craftsmen, escorted by the Jinyi Guard, were trembling with fear, and they hastily kowtowed to Shi Feiyang, addressing him as "State Preceptor, sir."
Shi Feiyang said, "I am taking you out to sea, and at best it will take a few months, otherwise it might take a few years. Go back and make arrangements with your families, this is your relocation fee."
After speaking, he gave each craftsman a gold bar weighing twenty taels.
