Mao Haifeng and Daoyou Zhenchuan ordered their men to keep watch on the Zhejiang Army’s movements across the river while hastily setting up a camp with lightning speed.
In such a short time, the camp was, of course, crudely constructed—barely qualifying as a camp at all.
Once the camp was established, Mao Haifeng and Daoyou Zhenchuan breathed a sigh of relief.
Though makeshift, it was still a foothold facing the Zhejiang Army, proof they were still in the fight.
“Thankfully, Zhu Ping’an didn’t send anyone to disrupt us! Otherwise, setting up this camp wouldn’t have been easy,” Mao Haifeng said, looking at the Zhejiang Army’s camp across the river, immensely relieved.
“Indeed. He didn’t rashly cross the river to attack, likely due to his cautious nature. But that very caution caused him to miss the chance to crush us completely. By tomorrow, Lord Hui’s main army will arrive, and he’ll have no more opportunities,” Daoyou Zhenchuan agreed, feeling relieved but also dismissive of Zhu Ping’an’s caution.
His caution cost him a golden opportunity. If it were me, I wouldn’t have let this chance slip.
At that moment, chaos erupted in the camp. Many shouted in panic, “The Zhejiang Army’s here! The Zhejiang Army’s here!”
The camp descended into disorder as the pirates recalled the terror of being dominated by the Zhejiang Army’s firearms—the hail of bullets like a storm, darkening the sky, the horrific carnage, severed limbs, and rivers of blood.
Hearing the chaotic cries of “The Zhejiang Army’s here,” Mao Haifeng and Daoyou Zhenchuan instinctively gripped their wakizashi tightly.
*Damn it!*
The camp was just set up, and now the Zhejiang Army was attacking? Defending from the camp, they’d make Zhu Ping’an pay in blood!
“Don’t panic! We have the camp to hold them off—what’s there to fear? Besides, Lord Hui’s army arrives tomorrow!” Mao Haifeng roared at the frantic pirates.
“Wait, why are there only a few Zhejiang soldiers? What are they carrying?” Daoyou Zhenchuan squinted, puzzled.
“Hm?” Mao Haifeng looked closely and saw five Zhejiang soldiers slowly crossing the wooden bridge toward them.
“Just a handful of men? Are they tired of living, coming to die?” Mao Haifeng frowned, confused.
“The leader’s holding a Zhejiang Army flag. This… they’re envoys?” Daoyou Zhenchuan noticed the flag in the leader’s hand and froze. “Why is the Zhejiang Army sending envoys?”
“Hmph, I’d like to see what Zhu Ping’an’s up to,” Mao Haifeng snorted.
Learning that the visitors were envoys, not attackers, the terrified pirates finally relaxed.
Soon, under everyone’s gaze, the five Zhejiang soldiers stopped a bowshot from the pirate camp.
“It’s him! The guy who shot the letter onto the flagpole last time! He dares show up again—cut him down!” a pirate shouted, recognizing the leader, Liu Daqiang, and recalling how his stunt with the letter humiliated them. The pirates roared in anger.
Seeing only five men, the pirates had no fear, clamoring to teach Liu Daqiang a lesson.
“You coward! Once I’m done with business, we’ll duel—one arrow each, life or death, riches or fate! You game?” Liu Daqiang, unfazed, pointed his flag at the loudest pirate, issuing a fierce challenge.
The pirate, recalling Liu Daqiang’s expert archery, didn’t dare respond.
“Hmph!” Liu Daqiang sneered disdainfully, shouting at the camp, “We’re envoys of the Governor. We have urgent matters to discuss with your leader. Report this quickly—don’t delay important business!”
“You want us to report? Who do you think you are?” the pirates jeered chaotically.
“Our Governor said we come with goodwill. If you turn us away, next time we’ll bring firearms! Choose—accept our goodwill or face our firearms. It’s up to you,” Liu Daqiang said, glaring at the pirates at the gate, his words dripping with menace.
Hearing the threat of firearms, the pirates recalled the terror of the Zhejiang Army’s weapons. Their faces paled, and the jeering faded.
“One more thing: I’m here on the Governor’s orders to meet your leader about matters concerning the pirate chief Wang Zhi. If you botch this, even nine heads won’t be enough for Wang Zhi to chop off,” Liu Daqiang added.
*What? It’s about Lord Hui, Wang Zhi?* The pirates behind the gate didn’t dare make trouble now.
One of them scurried off to report the news.
Inside the camp, Mao Haifeng and Daoyou Zhenchuan, who had already noticed Liu Daqiang’s group, were waiting in the command tent.
“What did the Zhejiang soldiers say? Why are they here?” Mao Haifeng asked.
“Leader, they say they’re envoys sent by their Governor, claiming they come with goodwill. They want to discuss matters concerning Lord Hui and threatened that if we refuse them, they’ll bring firearms next time…” the pirate panted, relaying Liu Daqiang’s words while embellishing to make trouble for them.
“Such audacity! Just five men, and they dare spout nonsense!” Mao Haifeng slammed the table, his tone harsh. “Open the gate and bring them in! I want to hear what they have to say, daring to use Lord Hui as a pretext. If they can’t explain themselves, they won’t leave here alive! I’ll chop them up and feed them to the dogs!”
“Yes, sir,” the pirate said, hurrying out.
“Brother Daoyou, what do you think Zhu Ping’an’s up to, sending these men?” Mao Haifeng asked Daoyou Zhenchuan.
“They claim goodwill and mention Lord Hui. Could Zhu Ping’an be trying to recruit Lord Hui?” Daoyou Zhenchuan frowned, incredulous.
Beyond this guess, he couldn’t think of another reason.
“Recruit Lord Hui? Hah, what a joke! How many men does Zhu Ping’an have? Ten thousand at most! Lord Hui can muster a hundred thousand! He’s delusional, not even checking his own reflection!” Mao Haifeng scoffed.
“Besides that, I can’t fathom why he’d send men,” Daoyou Zhenchuan shook his head.
“Hmph, we’ll know what he’s scheming when they get here,” Mao Haifeng snorted.
“Indeed, once they arrive, we’ll know Zhu Ping’an’s true intentions,” Daoyou Zhenchuan nodded.
