“Stop! Don’t even think about running!” A furious shout from a mounted man rang out not long after the fleet had left the harbor.
Zhu Xiaoliu remained calm and continued leading the fleet away. Only after they were twenty or thirty zhang from shore did he order the boats to stop.
By then, the harbor and the hillside were packed with people. At the very front stood Zhang Balang, followed by several men from prominent clans.
Looking at the unfriendly crowd, Yan Ke’s expression did not change. She picked up a loudhailer and shouted, “May I ask why you have come to the Jinyang Army’s harbor?”
Zhang Balang’s eyes were cold. “This is Sizhou, not the Jinyang Army’s harbor.”
Yan Ke did not seem to care. “Then why have you come?”
Zhang Balang was so angry that he laughed. “Why? Don’t pretend you don’t know. Your Jinyang Army seized our horses, grain, medicine, gold, and silver.”
“If you return our property, we can let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, don’t blame us for being unpleasant.”
Zhu Liu gave a cold laugh. “And how exactly do you intend to be unpleasant?”
Zhang Balang was momentarily at a loss for words. Pointing at the fleet that had moved far away, he shouted, “Are you guilty because you’re avoiding us, the rightful owners?”
The corners of Yan Ke’s lips curved upward. “We’re only afraid that rabid dogs might hurt someone.”
Zhang Balang ground his teeth in anger. “Who are you calling a rabid dog?”
Unwilling to waste any more words on him, Yan Ke simply said, “The only ships here are transport vessels from Fengzhou. We have never loaded anything here or taken anything away. General Qi’s men can testify to that.”
Standing on the deck of the Sizhou ship, Tian Quan hesitated for a moment before nodding. “That’s right.”
“We haven’t seen the Jinyang Army load anything onto their ships these past few days. We’ve only seen them unload supplies.”
A cold glint flashed through Zhang Balang’s eyes as he looked at the grain and medicine filling the Jinyang Army’s vessels. “Heh. Who knows whether the Sizhou Army and the Jinyang Army are in league with each other? I want to board the ships and inspect them myself.”
Tian Quan had never suffered such humiliation before, and his face flushed red. “I’m only stating the truth. Whether you believe me is your concern, but don’t insult my character.”
Zhang Balang glanced at him and snorted without replying.
There was no need for him to antagonize the Sizhou Army. Finding the gold and silver that had been stolen from them was the priority.
He turned toward the Jinyang Army’s ships. “You claim you didn’t take our things? Then let us board and search them to prove your innocence.”
Yan Ke shook her head. “I already told you—we didn’t take anything from you. If you insist on boarding our ships, don’t blame us for being unpleasant.”
Zhang Balang snorted. “What can you do?”
Yan Ke’s tone hardened. “You’re welcome to find out.”
Zhang Balang stared at her for several breaths before sneering, “A woman, and yet you’re quite a formidable one.”
Yan Ke raised her eyes to him. She seemed not to notice the sarcasm in his words and merely replied, “Being formidable has nothing to do with gender. It depends only on the person.”
It took Zhang Balang a moment to realize that she was calling him a fool. He ground his teeth. “You’re certain you won’t let us board and search the ships?”
The corners of Yan Ke’s lips lifted. “Certain.”
Zhang Balang glanced at her, his eyes icy. “Then don’t blame me for being unpleasant. Men, board the ships and search them!”
At once, more than a hundred retainers leaped into the water and began swimming toward the Jinyang Army’s vessels.
Zhu Xiaoliu raised a hand, and the ships slowly began to retreat. At the same time, the crossbowmen behind the firing ports pulled their triggers.
The retainers in the water were clearly experienced. The moment they saw the crossbows aimed at them, they knew something was wrong and quickly dove beneath the surface.
Yet the sound of arrows piercing the water rang out, followed by screams that tore across the sky. In an instant, a wide patch of sea turned red.
Zhang Balang and the others had never imagined that the Jinyang Army would attack without hesitation. In the blink of an eye, half of the hundred-plus retainers had been lost.
Yan Ke raised the loudhailer. “The Jinyang Army has no intention of making an enemy of you. But if you think a few thousand men are enough to defeat us, you’re dreaming.”
She looked toward Zhang Balang. “Consider this a warning. If you dare approach us again, our next volley will be aimed at you!”
Zhang Balang’s expression was grim as he watched the Jinyang Army’s fleet move farther and farther away. Yet he still did not dare order his men to fire.
He knew perfectly well that although he had more men than the Jinyang Army, they would be no match for them in a real fight. After all, the Jinyang Army was equipped with repeating crossbows.
Cheng Sanlang said unwillingly, “Are we really just going to let them go?”
“Then what do you suggest? Should we truly engage the Jinyang Army?” Zhang Balang’s expression was dark.
Cheng Sanlang fell silent. If they had dared confront the Jinyang Army, they would have done so long ago. Why would they have waited until now?
By this time, the Jinyang Army’s fleet had withdrawn to a safe distance and come to a stop.
The retainers in the water also swam back to shore, where their companions pulled them up one by one. Even the bodies of those who had been killed were dragged ashore.
Zhang Balang’s expression was so dark it seemed capable of dripping ink. Only after a long while did he finally issue a threat. “Just you wait.”
He mounted his horse and turned away.
The others hurried after him, and before long, the large crowd had disappeared completely.
Yan Ke secretly breathed a sigh of relief. After waiting for a while, the fleet approached the shore again and secured itself with ropes.
Zhu Xiaoliu gave a cold snort. “If this weren’t Sizhou, I’d make these people cry for their mothers and fathers.”
Yan Ke smiled faintly. “Our business comes first. We can settle the rest slowly later.”
Meanwhile, after a long journey, Lu Ping finally arrived at Wenlong City with his men.
Seeing his son return safely, Shangguan Mao secretly relaxed.
Shangguan Zhan was extremely excited. “Father, we’re back. We have completed our mission.”
“Good, good.” Shangguan Mao repeated the word twice.
He looked again at the Jinyang soldiers, strong and well-equipped, and at their confident, sharp-edged spirit. His heart filled with ambition, along with deep envy.
“We’ve been waiting desperately for you to arrive.” His voice trembled with emotion.
Lu Ping gave a hearty laugh. “General Shangguan, I’ve long admired your reputation. I truly respect you for holding Wenlong City all this time.”
Shangguan Mao waved a hand. “It’s simply my duty as a subject.”
By then, the soldiers of Wenlong City had gathered around. Their eyes were filled with longing as they stared at the supplies Lu Ping and the others had brought.
Lu Ping smiled. “We don’t have many men, so we could only bring around sixty or seventy shi of grain. Put it into the storehouse first. Tonight, everyone can have a proper meal—eat your fill.”
“Wonderful! That’s wonderful!” Shangguan Mao’s eyes reddened.
Sixty or seventy shi amounted to seven or eight thousand jin of grain. They had not seen so much food in a very long time.
Every soldier in Wenlong City broke into a smile, happier than they would have been during the New Year celebrations. Under Fish Moon’s direction, they carried the grain into the storehouse.
Shangguan Zhan took out his mo dao. “This was sent by our lord. It’s called a mo dao.”
“Wow, this blade is truly unusual. It looks incredibly sharp. It must feel great to cut down enemies with it.” Ye Wenbao exclaimed, his face full of envy.
Shangguan Zhan gave a proud smile. “Of course. But Commander Lu said that the later shipments will include weapons. You’ll have some too.”
