Deep Space Wandering Fleet
Chapter 451 - 449 The Dark Side of the Planet

Chapter 451: Chapter 449 The Dark Side of the Planet

Faced with the scholar’s doubt, Zhang Yuan calmly flipped to another paper that elaborated on the climatic environment on the dark side of the planet from the perspective of ocean currents.

He drew a diagram of the planet’s ocean currents on the blackboard with chalk, "If you stand above the Arctic and look down at the whole planet, you can see that the ocean currents rotate counterclockwise. Everyone should know that our Giant Stone City’s warm current flows from the west to the east, that is, from warmer places to colder ones."

"Influenced by this warm current, our region’s temperature is a bit warmer than that of other areas."

Due to the uneven heating of the planet, energy will naturally transfer from hot regions to cold ones, as stated by the laws of thermodynamics.

The planet, tidally locked by the Constant Star, has its rotation period equal to its orbital period, which does not mean it has no rotation. Such a slight rotation generates a Coriolis effect, leading to the general trend of ocean and air currents also being counterclockwise.

"What does this lead to?"

Zhang Yuan drew a circle on the blackboard.

"On the other side of the planet, the ocean currents flow from the east to the west, that is, from cold areas to warm areas."

"If a cold current meets land, it will significantly reduce the temperature of that area."

"Therefore, the climate on the dark side of the planet, theoretically, will be colder than this side by about ten degrees at the same longitude and latitude within the band of sunlight, turning an original forty degrees Celsius to about thirty degrees."

"What if, in the sunlight band, we discover a continent?"

"There’s light, there’s land, the climate is suitable—it could become humanity’s new paradise!"

"As long as it exists, and we can... discover it!"

The ambitious third exploration began once more.

This time, despite being well-reasoned, it still frightened many. Some started to mock Zhang Yuan’s wild ideas again, and even many sailors in the family showed hesitant and fearful expressions, unwilling to participate in such an endeavor.

Global exploration!

An unprecedented feat in the world!

The global exploration of this world is far more challenging than on Earth. Earth boasts vast continents with many landing points for resupply, but this world does not—its island distribution is equivalent to only having the Southeast Asia Islands; there are no Eurasian Continent, South America, North America, Australia, or Antarctica!

Being away from land for an extended period, not to mention the difficulty of resupplying provisions, will cause severe anxiety in everyone’s heart over time.

Zhang Yuan also knew that this might be his last adventure; he was already over forty, and his body was starting to decline.

This might also be the world’s last chance for exploration.

Regarding the sailors in the family who were unwilling to join the expedition, he did not force them. There were plenty of young people in Giant Stone City eager for wealth and fame.

Nevertheless, whether this expedition would march towards victory or death, no one knew.

"If this fails, there won’t be anywhere left to explore. Just retire honestly at home, hahaha!" Zhang Yuan turned his head, laughing as he said this to his sister Anna.

Indeed, if it failed, the world could only remain as it was.

After all, humans cannot keep struggling against the entire world. Settling down peacefully and developing Science, improving productivity—it’s not bad either.

Of course, given the current situation, no matter how it developed, Zhang Yuan believed it was impossible to break the upper limit; it would only be a slow death... but it was still better than no development at all.

"Say goodbye to your uncle!"

Anna, although now a lady of status and a mother of three, said, "In the future, you too will become great sailors."

She still couldn’t understand her brother’s choices, but in the end, she could only support him.

"Goodbye!" all the friends and family bid farewell from the shore.

Zhang Yuan boarded the new steamship "Victory," a faster vessel powered by steam and propelled by sails thanks to technological innovation.

In the entire fleet, there were a total of 8 similar large steamships. Zhang Yuan had once again spent all the wealth he had earned over the years, and amidst people’s discussions, blessings, admiration, mockery, and anticipation, he embarked on his third expedition.

A historian wrote in his book, "Even if Count Hoffmann didn’t discover any New Continent, even if the third voyage failed, he would still be remembered by history..."

"Oh world, we need a continent, a continent full of light!"

"Let’s discover it, so many suffering people in our world are still starving, without a home, without clothes to wear, let’s find it..."

Zhang Yuan took a deep breath and commanded, "Yang Fan, set sail!"

The entire global expedition would navigate through the Arctic Route toward the other end of the planet. The 5 ships carried 3000 people, and it would take 300 days if things went well, but if not, it might take 400 or even 500 days.

It would undoubtedly be a difficult journey.

One young sailor, gripping the ropes and raising the sails, watched the twinkling lights of Giant Stone City and suddenly felt an unwillingness to leave.

He asked the first mate standing nearby, "Loc, if we really discover the New Continent on the other side of the planet, what will happen? Will we get rich?"

"You little rascal, already daydreaming!" the first mate laughed and said, "Even the Earl himself can’t be sure of that. But... do you know what a New Continent means for us?"

"What?"

He spread his arms as if embracing the future: "We will become the heroes of Giant Stone City! Our names will be remembered by history! A thousand years from now, humans will still speak of us."

"Whether it’s wealth or honor, the choice will be ours, and if you wish, you might even obtain an estate of your own in the New Continent and become a manor lord! Of course, that’s provided we survive and see the Sun of the New Continent... if there is one!"

"The Sun, how wonderful it is. Have you ever seen the Sun from afar?"

"And if there is no New Continent?" the young sailor asked again.

"No New Continent, huh..." the look on the first mate’s face turned somber, and he sighed, "That’s okay, it would be like an ultra-long voyage... The Earl will naturally pay your wages, not a penny less."

"But without a New Continent..."

He turned his head to look at a lit room on the upper deck, "The Earl might go bankrupt again. I really can’t imagine if there is anyone else in the world willing to explore this dark and vast world."

"How much I hope for a New Continent..."

Thinking of the long sea life ahead, everyone lost the mood for conversation.

Each person carried a hint of confusion, a hint of longing, and... a hint of trepidation about the future.

"Victory" sounded its horn, leaving Giant Stone City with a slight heaviness. No one knew what their future would hold. The ship’s priest began the traditional prayer service.

"May we never regret today’s choice."

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