210: Smooth return

"The tow rope has been installed. Please try to see if it can ascend smoothly," Liu Xiaolin informed the crew in the cockpit.

Upon hearing the command, the driver in the cockpit pressed the slow ascent button. Explorer II, pulling the massive shipwreck, began to ascend slowly. During the ascent, several Blood-Lip Batfish and Sea Pigs still clinging to the ship's deck were startled and slid off the deck, gliding down to the seabed.

"The ascent is going smoothly. You should return to the cabin now. We are preparing to return," the driver said to Liu Xiaolin and the others.

The three people returned to the inside of the submarine the same way they came, going back to the cockpit.

"Due to the huge size of the shipwreck, and the ship body plus cargo definitely weighing over twenty tons, our ascent speed will probably be slow, estimated to take around three hours. Also, if the tow rope becomes crooked along the way, we will have to stop and straighten it before continuing the return journey," Driver A said.

"Okay, got it. We'll observe the situation at all times," Liu Xiaolin said. "We can now request permission to return from the Ground Command Center."

"Okay, I will start requesting now," the driver replied.

"This is Explorer II. The tow rope has been secured. Requesting permission to return, requesting permission to return."

"This is Ground Command Center. Permission to return granted. Pay attention to deceleration during the return. Pay attention to deceleration during the return. Over."

"This is Explorer II. Command received. I will return at a speed of 10 knots. The return journey will take approximately three hours. Over."

"This is Ground Command Center. Return speed of 10 knots approved. Over."

After a brief communication with the Ground Command Center, Explorer II, towing the shipwreck, began its slow ascent. After the driver adjusted the speed and course, he set the submarine to autopilot.

After nearly six hours of work, everyone felt exhausted.

"Let's eat something. I didn't feel hungry at all just now, but now that we're done, I'm starving," Liu Xiaolin suddenly felt a little dizzy from hunger, and he said this while touching his chest.

"You're right, I wasn't hungry at all just now, but as soon as I relaxed, I felt the hunger," Director Mao echoed.

"Quick, quick, the delicious food is here, let's eat, let's eat quickly," the driver took out a pile of convenience foods. Liu Xiaolin saw that these convenience foods were actually Space meals.

"Haha, why did you bring Space meals?" Liu Xiaolin asked.

"Are these Space meals? I don't know. Engineer Niu sent someone to deliver them. He said these foods taste very good and are filling," the driver said, looking momentarily surprised.

"Then the taste is indeed very good, most people can't eat these," Liu Xiaolin said as he opened a box of shredded pork with fish flavor rice and started eating.

The others, hearing that it was Space food, were all very curious. They each chose a flavor and started eating.

"The taste is really good, better than the dishes in restaurants. When we get up, I'll ask Engineer Niu for some to take home for my wife and kids to try," Director Mao said while eating.

"Haha, I estimate Engineer Niu won't sell them. These Space meals were developed by their R&D Department specifically for Space tour groups," Liu Xiaolin chuckled.

"Since they can let us bring them to the seabed, they can give me some to take home," Expert Mo, who was eating heartily, also started acting tough.

"Alright, alright, I wish you success," Liu Xiaolin said with a smile.

The few people devoured their food and were quickly full. While eating, they kept an eye on the screen to observe if the shipwreck's tow ropes were normal.

Two hours later, they had ascended to about 600 meters below the surface. Liu Xiaolin noticed that two or three tow ropes had come unhooked. Although it didn't affect the ascent, leaving them untreated might cause more tow ropes to detach.

So, Explorer II immediately stopped ascending. Liu Xiaolin and the two divers swam outside the submarine and reattached the unhooked tow ropes to the railing.

This caused an extra half-hour delay.

"Okay, let's continue the return journey," Liu Xiaolin said after they returned to the cabin.

The rest of the return journey was very smooth. Upon reaching fifty meters below the surface, they received instructions from the Ground Command Center.

"This is Ground Command Center. We observe you are about to reach the surface. Please remain at the surface 200 meters from the dedicated dock. During this time, tugboats will first tow the shipwreck to the backup dock. Explorer II can only return to the dedicated dock afterwards."

"This is Explorer II. Command received. Will immediately stop and dock 200 meters from the dedicated dock. Over."

When the massive figure of Explorer II emerged from the sea surface, six tugboats quickly approached. Simultaneously, six divers submerged below Explorer II, detached the top ends of the tow ropes, attached them to the tugboats, and then pulled the shipwreck towards the backup dock. They quickly docked the shipwreck at the underwater backup dock, after which the backup dock slowly rose, lifting the five-hundred-year-old shipwreck to the surface.

At this point, the people who had been waiting anxiously on shore all day began to cheer. They cheered for the recovery of the shipwreck from this great voyage, and even more so, they were proud of the magnificent shipbuilding craftsmanship that existed five hundred years ago!

"My goodness, this ship actually has three decks. How did they do that five hundred years ago?"

"Isn't that right? How could they build such a massive ship without mechanical assistance?"

"I really admire the skills of the ancient people of Dragon Country."

"Incredible! Not only is the ship body huge, but the design looks very exquisite. Is the bow carved with a dragon head? It's a symbol of our Dragon Country!"

Amidst the crowd's discussions, Liu Xiaolin, Director Mao, and Expert Mo also came ashore.

Looking at the giant ship before them, the few people were even more incredibly proud. Because this was the ancient ship they had personally salvaged!

"Can we go inside the ancient ship's cabin now?" Niu De walked towards Liu Xiaolin and Director Mao and asked.

"Probably not for now. This shipwreck has now been taken over by the Ministry of Culture and the Public Security Department. Currently, no one is allowed to approach or enter or exit," Director Mao had contacted his superiors while inside Explorer II and learned this news.

"Strict management is necessary, it is necessary," although Niu De felt some regret, he had to abide by the regulations.

"It's good enough that we can look at it from afar. You know, besides our staff here, no other ships or personnel are allowed to approach," Liu Xiaolin said with a smile.

"You are right, we will just look at it from afar, looking at this five-hundred-year-old ship, as if we are conversing with profound history, which is also a great honor," Niu De said with emotion.

"Huh, I think there are words on the bow of the ship," Liu Xiaolin said, looking at the ancient ship in the setting sun.

"Let me see, let me see," Director Mao squinted his eyes and looked carefully as well. "There are indeed two large characters in seal script. They might have been covered by silt for too long, making the writing unclear. These two characters should be 'Ying Feng' ( windward)!"

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