"Crackling, crackling...!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
"Charge! Charge!"
"Two mice fighting in a hole, the brave one wins!"
"Boom... boom... boom..."
On the coast of Qu County, the Xue Biao Army's navy and Zhen Ao's pirates were locked in a fierce battle. Ships caught fire and burned, while the small mongchong vessels continuously launched fire arrows amidst the pirate ships.
To call it the Xue Biao Army's navy was an exaggeration, as it consisted of only a dozen small ships and several hundred newly recruited sailors. Yet, they were driving the pirates into a panicked retreat. Large pirate ships ran aground on the shore or burned fiercely in the sea. Pirates cried out in agony as they fell into the water, the sea surface littered with countless wooden planks, clothes, and corpses.
While the battle raged at sea, the Xue Biao Army cavalry on the shore could only watch helplessly, lamenting their inability to join the fray on horseback. They could only beat drums to cheer or fire arrows. Due to the considerable distance, strong winds along the coast, and the fear of friendly fire, their efforts were minimal, and most could only watch from the shore with frustrated gazes.
All the Xue Biao Army cavalry reined in their horses by the shore, their eyes wide as copper bells, utterly stunned. This included the commander of the Xue Biao Army, Zhou Fugui, and his strategist, Li Qing.
"Yong Shou, how is it?" Zhou Fugui asked Li Qing, observing the battle with a spyglass.
Zhou Fugui's orders to Dongye Han and his men were to primarily harass, bluff, and simply let the pirates know their strength. He had never expected Dongye Han to actually lead their small fleet into battle against the pirates and rout them so decisively.
Dongye Han had somewhat deviated from his orders, but Zhou Fugui was deeply gratified, even feeling a bit proud.
When a general is in the field, he is not bound by the king's commands. On the battlefield, victory or defeat can be decided in an instant, and opportunities vanish like smoke. Therefore, would it not lead to a missed opportunity for a commander in the field to await the king's or military orders before engaging? Thus, Dongye Han's actions were in line with military strategy, and how could Zhou Fugui possibly blame him? Not only did he not blame him, but he was also quite pleased and delighted.
"An army's strength lies in its quality, not its quantity, and a general's prowess lies in strategy, not mere bravery!" Li Qing praised upon hearing this. "Dongye Han possesses both strategy and courage. When facing the enemy, he leads the charge, fighting as a hundred men – truly a general of talent!"
"Haha, that's right..." Zhou Fugui laughed heartily with pride. "Dongye Han is a general of talent, a thousand-mile steed! But even a thousand-mile steed needs a Bole to recognize it. The tale of Bole recognizing a thousand-mile steed is a timeless one!"
"Hmph, just another Han traitor!" Huang Daimei scoffed from the side.
Upon hearing this, anyone among the surrounding individuals who was Han immediately turned grim, including Zhou Fugui...
Dengling Yaoyao, holding Xiao Yunü, the two beauties in perfect unison, looked at Zhou Fugui and then at Huang Daimei, both thinking, what is their relationship?
No matter how much of a Han traitor Zhou Fugui was, he shouldn't have embarrassed her so publicly in front of his subordinates.
"What is this?" Huang Daimei also felt a bit awkward, but her words had already been spoken. She quickly snatched the spyglass from Zhou Fugui's hand and asked, trying to cover her embarrassment.
"Military equipment. Women and children are not allowed to touch it!" Zhou Fugui said, snatching the spyglass back.
This little girl, not old and so beautiful, where did all this jealousy come from? Zhou Fugui thought to himself with a chuckle.
Zhou Fugui knew Huang Daimei was referring to him, not targeting Dongye Han, so he didn't want to argue with her.
"Sound the gongs to recall the troops!" Zhou Fugui then ordered.
Dawn was approaching, and the pirate ships were gradually retreating. Therefore, it was best to stop while they were ahead.
If they pursued them into the open sea and the pirates discovered their weakness, it would be a great disaster.
...
"Bring them up!" Yan general Baima Wu shouted, holding his saber.
Following his command, Xue Biao Army cavalry, carrying large sabers, escorted over two thousand captured bandits to Li Sanjian.
"Reporting to Grand Commander!" Baima Wu said to Li Sanjian, "After a night of searching, we have captured over two thousand sea bandits, killed more than three hundred on the spot, and confiscated a quantity of stolen money and goods."
Zhou Fugui rubbed his temples, trying to alleviate the fatigue from the night, and asked, "So many people?"
Capturing over two thousand people presented a considerable handling problem, Zhou Fugui mused to himself.
"Grand Commander!" Baima Wu replied. "We captured some on land, some at sea, and others who were suspected of being sea bandits. Therefore, General Suo and I took them all in, awaiting identification and your decision."
"I see," Zhou Fugui nodded and then asked, "Where is General Suo?"
"He is leading men to clear out the remaining stragglers," Baima Wu replied.
Zhou Fugui nodded again and glanced at Huang Daimei, as if asking if there were any members of the Yi Qing Society among them.
Huang Daimei nodded slightly.
Zhou Fugui looked at Huang Daimei again, his gaze conveying, "Don't worry, I'll find an excuse to release them later."
Huang Daimei finally offered a grateful smile.
"Brother Zhou is still as dashing and charming as ever, no less than in the past," Dengling Yaoyao said with a shake of her head and a low chuckle, seeing their exchange of glances.
"Heh heh, Miss Tang... uh... Miss Tang is teasing me," Zhou Fugui replied with an embarrassed smile.
"Big brother..." At this moment, Xiao Yunü walked up to Zhou Fugui, took his hand, and said, "Big brother, we have to go..."
"Go? Where to?" Zhou Fugui looked at Dengling Yaoyao. "Miss Tang, it's been so many years, and not a day goes by that I don't think of... Miss Tang... Now that we've finally reunited, why not return to the city with me and let me play the host? Back then, I wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with you. Can I have my wish this time?"
Zhou Fugui's reluctance to part was evident.
"Who wants to have a heart-to-heart talk with you?" Dengling Yaoyao's face immediately flushed with two red clouds. After glancing at her subordinates, she said hesitantly in a low voice, "We've been out for quite some time... Father and Mother must be worried..."
Back then, Dengling Yaoyao suspected Zhou Fugui had seen through her and wanted a heart-to-heart talk? She had refused him outright then, and could she agree now? Of course, a long talk was fine, but sharing a bed was out of the question.
"Hmph, clearly a Han, yet acting as a dog for the barbarians. We disdain to associate with you," a young man behind Dengling Yaoyao coldly snorted at this moment.
The surrounding Yan generals and guards were instantly enraged and were about to apprehend this presumptuous fellow who had dared to insult their Grand Commander. Some had even drawn their swords, but seeing that the leader of these people was on familiar terms with the Grand Commander, and might even be involved with him... they all glared at the young man, waiting for Zhou Fugui's signal.
Zhou Fugui waved his hand, signaling the Yan generals and guards to stand down. He then looked at the young man and asked with a smile, "May I ask who you are, sir?"
So it was him who had been glaring at him with such hostility. Was it because of his identity as a Han traitor, or was there another reason? Zhou Fugui wondered to himself.
"He is Senior Brother Wu Zong..." Dengling Yaoyao replied for Wu Zong, and then said to Wu Zong, "Senior Brother, you should take the men back first."
"Alright, Junior Sister...?" Wu Zong asked, nodding.
"Commander Zhou is an old acquaintance of mine..." Dengling Yaoyao replied. "We are old friends reuniting, just catching up. Are you going to meddle in everything?"
"Junior Sister, what are you saying?" Wu Zong looked at Zhou Fugui and said, "How dare I meddle in your affairs? It's just... it's just... as you said, we've been out for quite some time, and Master and Mistress must be worried... Besides, how can Master and Mistress be at ease with you being with such a person?"
"What kind of person do you think I am?" Zhou Fugui asked Wu Zong, somewhat annoyed. "Are you Senior Brother Wu? What are you doing in Qu County?"
These incessant remarks about him being a Han traitor had already angered Zhou Fugui immensely, but considering that Wu Zong was one of "Tang Yao's" people, he didn't want to bother with him.
As the saying goes, one doesn't look at the monk but at the Buddha. Tang Yao had saved Zhou Fugui's life back then. He had yet to repay that kindness.
"Of course, it is to clear grievances, curb violence, and punish evil and promote good!" Wu Zong replied coldly, head held high.
"Nonsense!" Zhou Fugui cursed loudly. "I am the Grand Commander of the East Sea and the Prefect of Donghai Commandery. It is not for you to clear grievances, curb violence, and punish evil and promote good! Not only that, you disregard the law and have taken lives without authorization. I will hold you accountable!"
The Mo Tu disciples stood with their hands on their swords, looking coldly at Zhou Fugui.
If Zhou Fugui intended to hold them accountable, then their only recourse was to fight to the death.
Pi'e waved his hand, and the guards surrounded the Mo Tu disciples, waiting for Zhou Fugui's order to dismember them.
Although Wu Zong still stood coldly with his hand on his sword, the muscles in his face twitched slightly with fear, which Zhou Fugui noticed.
Seeing this, Zhou Fugui smiled slightly.
No matter how skilled the Mo Tu disciples were, they couldn't withstand a barrage of spears, dismemberment, and arrows.
"Brother Zhou, what do you intend to do?" Dengling Yaoyao also gripped her sword hilt, looking at Zhou Fugui and asking.
Even though Zhou Fugui was an old acquaintance, and even though Dengling Yaoyao felt a certain way about him... she couldn't allow him to kill her Mo Tu disciples. If he insisted, Dengling Yaoyao would turn against him.
"I don't intend to do anything..." Zhou Fugui replied with a smile. "To hold them accountable is not to condemn them..."
Zhou Fugui took Xiao Yunü's small hand and stroked her hair. He continued, "For Xiao Yunü's sake, I won't do anything to you."
"Yes, Senior Brother Wu, Sister, Big Brother is just joking, he won't harm us," Xiao Yunü said with a smile.
"Hmph, Junior Sister, let's go!" Wu Zong said to Dengling Yaoyao, relieved inwardly.
"Wait a moment!" Zhou Fugui said. "Not holding you accountable does not mean you are innocent..."
"Brother Zhou, what do you really want?" The talk of accountability and condemnation was making Dengling Yaoyao dizzy. So she asked with a wry smile, "What exactly do you want?"
"Miss Tang..." Zhou Fugui replied with a smile. "Isn't it obvious? I invite Miss Tang back to the city for a heart-to-heart talk. If Miss Tang goes, you will be innocent. If not... hehe..."
"Zhou Fugui, someone from Zhuying Mountain, how can he fear your coercion?" Dengling Yaoyao's expression changed drastically upon hearing this.
"Ah, Miss Tang, why are you being like this? I just want to invite you to Donghai Commandery to host a grand banquet, treat you well, and chat a bit. I won't do anything to you... What are you afraid of? Could it be that I have ulterior motives?"
This was highly uncertain, everyone present thought in unison, including Pi'e, Hu Jue, and the other generals and guards of the Xue Biao Army.