Wang Zhi observed Xue Tao’s pirates below, equipped with alarm bells, clad in full-body armour, including four hundred sets of heavy plate, their conical formation flanked by longbows and arquebuses, adept at both ranged and close combat, with strong anti-formation capabilities, high fault tolerance, and, upon closer inspection, he noticed Old Xue had cunningly borrowed several renowned elite fighters from others to replace some of his less capable pirates, prompting a nod of approval.
Old Xue has made great strides, with such a lineup, such equipment, such pirates, this battle may not be a guaranteed win, but it’s certainly in the bag.
Of course, they couldn’t be careless, they still needed to assess the Zhejiang Army, Zhu Ping’an was not to be underestimated, a man of exceptional cunning, since he dared to accept the challenge, he must have some tricks up his sleeve.
“How’s the Zhejiang Army’s formation?” Wang Zhi asked.
“The Zhejiang Army’s formation is laughable, stretched thin like noodles, one hundred men per row, three rows per unit, three units total, with one hundred in reserve, with such a flimsy formation, Old Xue could smash through with one charge, then it’s a straightforward slaughter, or perhaps a pursuit, since the official troops are weaklings who collapse at the first blow, once Old Xue breaks their formation, the Zhejiang Army will likely crumble, they’ve built six floating bridges, plus the original wooden one, if they rout, many could escape, but if Old Xue seizes the chance and pursues ruthlessly enough, as they scramble for the bridges, plenty might fall into the river, drowning more than Old Xue kills…”
A forty-something trusted general at the table pointed at the Zhejiang Army’s formation, chuckling mockingly.
He was Wang Zhi’s personal guard general, commanding his elite guard, and his most trusted confidant.
He was Wang Xiaoyi, from the same hometown and clan as Wang Zhi.
“Uncle Wang, don’t underestimate this formation, it looks simple but it’s ingenious, paired with the Zhejiang Army’s firearms, it’s a veritable death trap, I plan to study it sometime.”
Mao Haifeng shook his head slightly, speaking earnestly.
“Hah, Haifeng, you used to be fearless, never bowing to anyone, not to the ferocious Li Baldy, the cunning Xu Dong, or Chen Sipan, whose fame rivalled the King’s, you always said if it were you, the outcome would’ve been different… how come one defeat by Zhu Ping’an has you wanting to learn his laughable formation?”
Wang Xiaoyi shook his head, laughing.
“Uncle Wang, your tone sounds awfully familiar,” Mao Haifeng said with a slight smile, deflecting.
“Oh, has someone else said something similar?” Wang Xiaoyi asked.
“Last night, I kindly warned Uncle Xue about the Zhejiang Army’s formation and firearms, and, well, he said pretty much the same thing, then showed me out…” Mao Haifeng recounted his warning to Xue Tao, laying the groundwork to avoid blame if Xue Tao failed, I warned him, more than once, but he wouldn’t listen, so it’s not on me.
“Hah,” Wang Xiaoyi chuckled.
The other pirate generals at the table joined in, laughing, a defeated general giving advice to others, how absurd.
“Look, both armies are raising their banners, the battle’s about to start,” Ootomo Sadagawa interrupted their laughter.
The group stopped mocking Mao Haifeng, turning their attention to the battlefield before the camp.
From their elevated platform, they had a clear view of every move on the battlefield.
Sure enough, the next moment they heard Xue Tao’s bloodthirsty, excited command, “Full attack, crush the officials, thirty taels of silver per man! Plus, thirty taels for every Zhejiang soldier’s head!”
“Don’t worry about me skimping, I’m making this promise in front of the King, I’ll sell everything to pay you!”
A wave of excited howls erupted from the pirate camp.
The pirates on the battlefield were like they’d been injected with three pounds of adrenaline, utterly frenzied.
Their eyes gleamed red with bloodlust.
Their fighting spirit soared.
“Hah, Old Xue played that beautifully, heavy rewards breed brave men, this hefty bounty has the lads worked up like sharks smelling blood in the sea.”
“Old Xue’s gone all in, this is in the bag.”
Wang Xiaoyi and the other pirate generals at the table gave thumbs-up, declaring the victory assured.
Wang Zhi nodded too, Old Xue must’ve consulted an expert, this should be a sure win.
“Have the kitchen prepare a fine feast, we can’t let Zhu Ping’an say we’re poor hosts.”
Wang Zhi sipped his tea, giving soft instructions.
“Hahaha, the King’s right, I’ll send someone to tell the cooks to bring their A-game, if any slacks off, they’ll be the next dish in the pot,” Wang Xiaoyi laughed, immediately sending word to the kitchen.
Mao Haifeng opened his mouth but held back, wanting to say, Foster Father, don’t waste your effort, this battle’s a loss, or rather, a certain defeat, but Ootomo Sadagawa tugged his sleeve, giving him a look to stop him from raining on the King’s parade.
So, Mao Haifeng shut his mouth tight, speaking the truth now would be foolish.
“All set, let’s see how Old Xue crushes the Zhejiang Army,” Wang Xiaoyi said, chuckling.
All eyes turned to the battlefield.
Spurred by Xue Tao’s hefty rewards, the pirates roared, charging at the Zhejiang Army’s formation like tigers descending a mountain.
“Kill! Wipe out the officials, and I’ll be filthy rich!”
“Die, die, die! Kanako, when I win this silver, I’ll return home to watch cherry blossoms with you and have three kids.”
“Charge, smash their formation, kill them all, the more we kill, the more silver, charge, kill!”
The pirates shouted, roared, and howled, rushing towards the Zhejiang Army’s formation like tigers.
Their charge shook the ground like an earthquake, like towering waves in the ocean crashing towards the Zhejiang Army.
And the Zhejiang Army’s formation?
Its thin lines were like ten stretched noodles, frail, as if a breeze could snap them.
They stood there quietly.
Silently, dumbly, as if stunned by the pirates charging like tigers.
Standing still, watching the howling, charging pirates.
The only dissonance was their faces, not terrified, but expressionless.
“Hahaha, the Zhejiang Army’s scared stiff.”
-dot-dot-dot”
The pirates watching from the camp burst into laughter.
But the defeated pirates, seeing this, shivered, the fear of yesterday’s domination by the Zhejiang Army returning.
