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Panyu Port was the largest port in the Qing Dynasty and was also the place where tribute ships were received after the maritime ban. Therefore, in addition to the garrisons attached to the salt fields, naval artillery batteries were also set up, and there was a large camp dedicated to guarding the sea borders.
However, the military discipline has been lax in recent years, the soldiers are unable to fight, and there are too many and too strong pirates, so they have long become a decoration. It was only when General Qiu swept the sea that there was a slight improvement. After the general executed his entire family, they immediately returned to their original state. This army has not been seen on the sea for a long time.
But even so, the sight of the officers and soldiers still caused a panic on the ship, especially since they had suddenly turned from hunters to prey and were ambushed, which made people even more frightened.
The people around him asked anxiously: "Boss, what should we do?"
The pirate ship in front had turned around, and the official ship behind was approaching step by step, creating a situation of being surrounded from both sides.
If we were truly surrounded, escaping would be difficult. However, breaking out required direction and skill, so there was no need for reckless action. At times like these, the only person we could rely on was the leader.
Cheng Xi narrowed his eyes and looked at the official ships behind him. The ship formations in naval battles were quite sophisticated, especially when equipped with artillery, the attack formations would be different. The fleet behind him was exactly in an oblique goose-step formation, putting each ship in the optimal attack posture. This was worthy of vigilance.
Without hesitation, Cheng Xi ordered: "Advance at full speed, engage the bandits, and break through their encirclement!"
Now they must keep a distance from the official ship and escape the enemy's attack range. Moreover, mixing with the pirate ship can also help avoid artillery fire. After all, the current artillery has poor accuracy. These officers and soldiers can't just ignore their allies and open fire directly, right?
With her order, the Red Flag Gang's ships immediately changed their formation and rushed forward like a sharp cone.
This reaction was much faster than that of the coalition forces, and it was unstoppable and sharp.
They had been chased for a long time and were almost defeated. Now that the enemy was charging like this, these ship owners really felt a little scared.
Ning Fu's previous inattentive look shifted back and forth between the Red Flag Gang's several large ships. Suddenly, he raised his hand and pointed at one of them: "That's the flagship, stop it!"
The flagship of the Red Flag Gang was not the largest treasure ship, but a Fu ship. It did not have the command flag yet, so it did not look very distinct.
However, if you want to command the fleet and send flags, it is impossible to hide your identity. In this critical moment, what could be more useful than stopping the enemy chief?
The members of the Changjing Gang who came this time were all good ship operators. When they heard Ning Fu's order, they immediately turned the rudder and rushed towards the enemy.
With Ning Fu's order, the entire central army was mobilized, and the enemy formation facing the Red Flag Gang thickened visibly, turning from a net into a wall.
"Boss, the enemy formation is too dense, I'm afraid we can't break through!" the deputy shouted.
"Send two boats from the flanks and notify Li Niu to gather the remaining troops and come to join us." Cheng Xi said immediately.
Because it was a pursuit battle, the thousand-ton treasure ship did not keep up, and there was no support to break the formation.
Now she has two large ships at her disposal. Logically speaking, the best way is to send another group of troops to break through in two directions to distract the enemy's attention.
But Cheng Xi didn't think Ning Fu would be fooled. Just like she could tell the location of the Changjing Gang's flagship at a glance, the other party probably locked onto her position and suddenly gathered troops to block their way.
Dividing our forces at this time would weaken ourselves, with disastrous consequences.
However, if they locked onto her on the front battlefield, the enemy would not pay much attention to the ships that broke through the flank. At this time, the key was to send someone out to pass on the message and assemble the rear troops.
Since there is no way to resolve it peacefully, the only option is for the brave to win in a narrow road!
Cheng Xi drew the long sword from his waist and shouted, "The ghost scholar is right in front of us. Kill through the enemy formation and chop off his head!"
Following the command, the war drums sounded, and the main force of the Red Flag Gang rushed forward with great momentum without dodging or evading.
It really fell into the trap! Seeing the enemy's movements, Ning Fu's lips curled up into a sinister smile. Is this trying to break through the encirclement in one go?
The coalition forces are a defeated army. Even if they want to stop them, they may not be able to stop such a sharp attack.
As long as the two sides get involved, the government troops may not dare to fire, so they can escape, right?
The logic was sound and his prediction was accurate, but the young gang leader had guessed wrongly. The government troops chasing him were not arranged by him, nor were they allies of the coalition forces.
This big battle was originally a bait, but the target was not only the Red Flag Gang, but also the imperial officials and soldiers.
This was because Ning Fu knew that not long after he arrived in Panyu, a new lieutenant general was transferred to the Doumen camp, and that person was a member of the Lu family.
Having fallen out with the Ye family, the Lu family naturally had no reason to attack the Qingfeng Gang again. So what could be the purpose of transferring people to Panyu?
And with his actions, he gathered so many ships and made such a big noise. As long as the new lieutenant general is willing, he will definitely seize the opportunity of the fight between these two tigers.
He didn't know where the other side would set up an ambush, nor did he know how many troops they would bring. However, when the warships appeared at the right time and place, Ning Fu knew that this lieutenant general was a good leader.
Would such a person miss the opportunity to catch them all in one fell swoop?
And this is what really put the Red Flag Gang into trouble.
It's a pity that the person who came was probably Qiu Sheng's subordinate, otherwise he would have spread the news that the Red Flag Gang was founded by the remnants of Qiu Sheng.
But it doesn’t matter. Let’s wait until the two sides really fight and then release the news. By then, both sides will be Qiu Sheng’s subordinates. What kind of scene will it be?
Feeling extremely pleased, Ning Fu said to his men, "Don't rush your ship too far forward. Avoid the enemy's attack and don't get caught in the artillery fire."
"Cannon fire?" The little leader was startled. "There doesn't seem to be any cannons on this Fu ship?"
After fighting for a long time, he also knew that the Red Flag Gang only had one treasure ship equipped with cannons, and he had not seen any cannons on the several Fujian ships.
"The Red Flag Gang doesn't have it, but the government army does." Others can't see the government army's fleet formation, so how could he not see it?
His plan has been realized. Now all he needs to do is to save himself and evacuate safely.
This battle will not end easily and is bound to escalate. By the time the Red Flag Gang is defeated by the imperial court and they send troops again, the island will be like a woman with her skirt taken off, and will be at the mercy of others.
The wound on his jaw began to throb again, but Ning's smile on his face did not diminish at all, as if the pain had turned into pleasure, making him unable to stop.
The waves rolled, the drums roared, and the fleet flying the blood-red flag pierced into the big net formed by ships. The hulls rubbed against each other, making a dull "squeaking" sound, and the missiles whistled, exploding with a burst of flames from time to time.
However, such an offensive could not completely break the encirclement in front, because the fleet was too thick and too dense, with enemies everywhere.
There were also bows and crossbows and burning grenades. Some enemy soldiers, under the rain of arrows, set up the springboard and tried desperately to rush to the deck.
Once they got into a boarding battle, there would be no escape. Cheng Xi stood at the bow and shouted, "Protect the helmsman, use the fireboat to clear the way, and fight our way out!"
They had to move faster, penetrate the enemy formation completely, and reunite with the rear army.
If she delayed here for a while, those official ships would be right behind her. If the encirclement closed, even she would not be able to find another way out.
The Red Flag Gang's offensive was extremely fierce, provoking a part of the coalition forces to fight tooth and nail. The fleets of both sides gradually became intertwined and merged into one, reaching the most dangerous juncture.
The paper fan slammed against the side of the boat, and Ning Fu shouted in a low voice, "It's time!"
This sound was more like a command, and thunder rumbled in response.
Then, on the official ship, bursts of thick smoke came out, and with flames and gunpowder, black shells flew out of the muzzle and hit the chaotic battlefield!
Screams were heard.
The two sides were already engaged in battle, with their ships closely packed together and their masts linked together. Once a cannon shot was fired, there was no chance of it missing.
Both the Red Flag Gang and the Panyu coalition forces screamed in unison, wood chips flew everywhere, and masts overturned.
Aren't those government troops their allies? Why were they firing? Countless ship owners panicked and desperately shouted at the Long Whale Gang's ships.
"Mr. Ning, please make the officials stop!"
"Mr. Ning, you've hurt one of our own!"
Ning Fu paid no attention to the screams and flag signals. He chuckled and said to the people around him, "We can retreat now."
This time, he didn't say to bring anyone.
The little leader's face turned pale and he responded softly. Then, under the watchful eyes of all the allies, the two ships of the Long Whale Gang left the battlefield and sailed away into the distance.
That was not the direction of Panyu, but going in the opposite direction, gradually moving away.
Things have been arranged, so there is no need for him to stay.
It’s a pity that I didn’t see that young lady this time. I just hope that when I come again next time, she can still live peacefully.
No longer looking at the chaotic battlefield, Ning Fu walked into the cabin with a smile.
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