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"Boss, we are about to enter the Qingfeng Gang's territory. It's been more than half a month, and we still don't know what the situation is over there. Should we put down the flag first?" Li Niu asked in a low voice.
He was very busy during the sailing days. Almost every day he looked at the sand table charts with the gang leader and studied the enemy situation.
Knowing that his abilities were inferior to his own, Li Niu did not dare to be negligent at all. He spent a lot of effort before he got to know the Qingfeng Gang thoroughly.
In fact, this fight was more like an intra-gang fight. The Qingfeng Gang's original base was located on Niutou Island, close to the border between Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and they made their fortune by sailing to Japan.
After the death of the previous gang leader, Shen Feng relied on his status as an "adopted son" and his versatile skills to win over several big bosses and became the new gang leader.
Afterwards, he continued to swallow up nearby gangs of all sizes, and under the pretext of "doing justice for the people" and "robbing the rich to help the poor", he repeatedly robbed cities and wealthy families on the shore, and won the hearts of the people by being generous and giving away money, which is how he gained such a great reputation.
Unexpectedly, when the Qingfeng Gang was gaining fame and prospering, it encountered General Qiu's campaign to sweep the sea.
After fighting several times and seeing that he was no match for the enemy, Shen Feng decided to lead his troops to retreat and retreat to Longhusha near Xiaoliuqiu, where he escaped the disaster thanks to the complex archipelago.
After that, he focused on the sugarcane trading, and his business grew bigger and bigger, almost monopolizing the sugar market in Donghai.
However, if you move away from the coast, you will have unstable footing.
After General Qiu's tragic death, the Ye family took advantage of the deserted coastal area and colluded with the garrisons to seize territory from the Qingfeng Gang. Shen Feng also tangled with them for a long time, until the rise of the Red Flag Gang. Only then, with external aid, did he defeat the Ye family and the government troops he was familiar with in one fell swoop, and seize Jinshan Island.
In this way, Jinshan Island is on the left and Niutou Island is on the right, which completely blocks Quanzhou's outlet to the sea. The Longhusha on the sea is next to Xiaoliuqiu, which can be used as a base to slowly erode this large island on the sea.
The three nests are like the three burrows of a cunning rabbit, and they support each other, which is even more secure than the layout of the Red Flag Gang.
But the problem is that there are too many factions within the Qingfeng Gang, and there are endless rebellious and evil-minded people.
Although dividing the troops into three groups was a safe approach, it also aroused some people's concerns. While Shen Feng was cleaning up the territory he had just conquered, a fleet from Longhusha rebelled and seized the nearby islands.
This was like stirring up a hornet's nest. Shen Feng certainly would not allow his men to disobey, and immediately led his troops to clear out the rebellion. Unexpectedly, a Western ship ambushed nearby, causing him to suffer a great loss.
Thanks to Shen Feng's cunning, he did not delay the deployment of troops even though he was injured, so he was able to retreat to Jinshan Island safely.
After that, she had to go to the Red Flag Gang to ask for reinforcements. According to Cheng Xi's calculations, Shen Feng's forces were probably on the defensive, having to balance the forces under his command. They probably couldn't even patrol their own territory. Wouldn't that make it the territory of the rebels? They were coming with great fanfare. She couldn't afford to be surrounded by the enemy without even seeing Shen Feng. Losing troops and generals was secondary. As the leader of the gang, she couldn't afford to lose.
Cheng Xi shook his head: "In the current situation, the bigger the noise we make, the better. It will also make it easier to observe the enemy's situation."
The fleet that followed this time was actually stronger than the troops Yan Yuan had brought before. Firstly, with her as the leader, they would definitely have more followers. Secondly, after the great victory, the fleet size had increased, and the number of artillery was far greater than before. As long as they didn't encounter those Western ships, they would be able to fight anyone.
Of course, Cheng Xi would not easily fall into the other party's trap.
"Send out scouts and expand the search area. Once the enemy is discovered, immediately surround and eliminate them. But don't pursue them. Let the deserters escape. Our formation cannot be dispersed." She gave the order simply.
This was a rather powerful move. Could it be that this was an attempt to intimidate the Qingfeng Gang? Li Niu understood the message and immediately followed the instructions.
The fleet under his command was the most flexible and versatile of the four major fleets of the Red Flag Gang. Not only were they brave and combative, but they also had some of the cunning that only smugglers had. They were no less skilled than ordinary pirates in choosing their prey. It only took them half a day to capture an enemy patrolling the sea.
That group of people also flew the flag of the Qingfeng Gang, but their behavior was very suspicious. Li Niu did not bother to be polite with them and directly launched a war without declaring war.
Atop the fully sailed masts, a group of men fearlessly climbed the rope ladders and hurled oil and dynamite jars. A blazing fire and a continuous explosion, along with a volley of javelins and long arrows, overwhelmed the enemy. Without even a boarding battle, they crushed the small fleet. Three ships were intercepted, and two escaped, with no one pursuing them.
This commotion startled the Qingfeng Gang's messenger. "Boss Cheng, wouldn't this alert the enemy and make those traitors target us? Why don't we go back to Jinshan Island and meet with the boss first?"
Cheng Xi glanced at him and said, "Are you teaching me how to fight?"
The messenger was so frightened that he quickly lowered his head and said, "I dare not. I was just talking too much."
He was Shen Feng's confidant, and had been to Luoling Island before, witnessing this "weak woman" slaughter several men with her own eyes, not to mention the daughter of General Qiu, known for her invincibility. If he offended such a powerful figure on the sea, he would probably have to pay with his own life.
Cheng Xi said nothing more and continued to order the fleet forward. After a few scattered hunting matches, the number of enemies at sea increased. Apparently, the news had reached the rebels. However, facing the enemy, the Red Flag Gang did not intend to stop and fight, but continued to sail slowly towards Jinshan Island. This made the enemy timid, fearing that this was a pre-arranged ambush with Shen Feng.
Almost under the enemy's watchful eyes, the Red Flag Gang's fleet entered the territory of Jinshan Island. Now all the ships following them stopped their engines, turned their boats around, and left in disappointment.
"Boss, is this all that's needed? If we call Shen Feng, we can have a big fight." Li Niu suggested in a low voice when no one was around.
"That's all. We'll discuss the rest after we meet Shen Feng," Cheng Xi replied calmly. She had already obtained the information she needed. Ning Fu wasn't among the enemy. At most, he had sent his trusted confidants, and the enemy didn't have any outstanding advisors. And as for the Western Fleet, the rebels probably couldn't use it.
Li Niu's heart trembled, and a possibility suddenly occurred to him. Shen Feng was injured. Who knew what his condition would be like after more than half a month? If a war broke out now, who knew if the Qingfeng Gang would cooperate? It would be better to show off his power and then run. He could gain both face and reputation. Wouldn't that be a good deal?
Finally arriving home, the messenger heaved a sigh of relief and quickly sent someone to report. Of course, it was impossible for all these foreign troops to dock at the port. Only Cheng Xi and Li Niu arrived at the harbor by boat, and they were greeted by an old acquaintance.
"I didn't expect that it was Boss Cheng who came in person. I'm really sorry for not welcoming you in person!" Yang Qing had a happy look on his face and bowed deeply when he saw the person.
Cheng Xi smiled and said, "I heard that Brother Shen was injured, so I had to come and see him. Is his injury better?"
Yang Qing immediately lowered his voice: "The boss is resting in the yard, please follow me, boss."
Li Niu couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Jinshan Island was the territory of the Qingfeng Gang, yet they were still hiding here. Could it be that Shen Fengren was almost dead? If this got out of hand, it would be bad.
Cheng Xi remained calm and followed him.
Probably because it was just conquered, the camp on Jinshan Island was built in a very ordinary way, with many traces left by the Ye family in the past. However, the courtyard where Shen Feng lived was quite grand, and could be called a small camp. Moreover, there were countless guards standing in and outside the courtyard, each of them with a solemn expression and fierce eyes, as if five hundred swordsmen would rush out at the slightest sign of a cup being smashed.
Li Niu put his hand on the hilt of the sword, and the guards looked nervous. Only Cheng Xi was calm and composed, and walked into the courtyard.
At this moment, Shen Feng was not in the reception hall. Yang Qing led people to the backyard and said to Cheng Xi, "Boss Cheng, the boss is recuperating and can't see so many outsiders right now."
Li Niu laughed when he heard this: "There is a difference between men and women. Since Gang Leader Shen is not convenient, I will go in and pay my respects."
Yang Qing was startled. Just as he was about to say something, Cheng Xi waved his hand and said, "It's okay. You can just stay outside."
Li Niu was anxious: "Boss, this is not right!"
The Qingfeng Gang's arrangement was too bizarre. Li Niu even doubted whether Shen Feng was still alive. What if they had set an ambush in the house? It would be safer for him to go in!
Cheng Xi smiled slightly: "What are you afraid of? Shopkeeper Yang is here."
Yang Qing immediately smiled and said, "Don't worry, Chief Li. The Red Flag Gang is our lifeline. Who would dare to offend us?"
Li Niu wanted to say something but was stopped by Cheng Xi: "Take your men and wait outside. Be quiet and wait."
The warning in these words was already quite strong. Li Niu swallowed his saliva, not daring to argue anymore, and stood aside obediently with his hands hanging down. Cheng Xi did not hesitate and followed Yang Qing into the bedroom.
The room was a little dim, with no lights on and the windows tightly closed. The smell of herbs was strong and pungent, and there was a faint smell of blood. It had an ominous air no matter how you looked at it.
Shen Feng was lying on the bed at this moment, with the curtains hanging low, covering most of his face. All that could be seen was his pale complexion and the equally glaring white bandage wrapped around his chest.
Even though people came into the room, he didn't open his eyes and his breathing was barely audible, as if he was dead.
Only after Yang Qing came forward and reported in a low voice did he slightly open his eyes and look over.
It was a face that was too handsome, but now it was infected with illness, which made it look even more lovable and haggard, enough to make any woman feel heartbroken.
Cheng Xi smiled, sat down on a chair beside him, and said jokingly: "Brother Chen, there is no outsider here, so please put away your magical powers."
Shen Feng's face froze for a moment, then he started to laugh. Without even needing help, he sat up and asked, "How did you figure that out?"
"If you were truly ill, you should have come out in person. You're probably doing all this just to avoid being noticed, aren't you?" Cheng Xi raised the corner of his mouth. "What's the matter? Have you lost track of how many spies are around you?"
Shen Feng looked at her for a long moment, then sighed sadly, "You guessed it right."
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