247
In the noisy hall, the banquet was in full swing. A group of people were eating until their faces were greasy and drinking until their mouths were slurred. The table was littered with cups and plates. There were constant obscene sounds and occasional screams. The scene was disgusting.
But everyone present was wearing official uniforms, and the big man with a curly beard at the top had patches on his clothes. He was obviously a coastal defense guerrilla.
Unfortunately, no matter how respectable their clothes were, they could not hide the viciousness in their eyes and brows. They did not look like a military banquet, but rather like a group of bandits robbing a military camp.
In an important position at the top, there was a man in white drinking by himself.
The man looked like a scholar, with a free and easy manner and a calm demeanor. Logically, he should be a romantic and elegant man. However, there was a scar on his face, slanting upwards from the side of his lips, as if his mouth was split three-quarters apart. It was frightening to look at, as if a transformed monster was hiding in the crowd.
Perhaps knowing he was difficult to deal with, no one dared to approach him for a toast. Everyone gathered around the big boss to fawn over him. Just then, another flatterer came up and said with a smile, "Thanks to the big boss, oh no, thanks to the general's support, we brothers have finally made it big. If we take over the Red Flag Gang in the future, maybe we can even get a title and a son!"
Even if he is a pirate, he still has to think about his wife and children, not to mention that he is now an official.
Everyone below cheered loudly, and the arrogant ones were laughing and raising their glasses, as if they were sure of victory.
Suddenly, a voice rang out: "Speaking of the Red Flag Gang, I heard that some people still believe in General Zhenhai?"
These words came so suddenly that no one present could react.
The toasting man turned around in surprise, only to see a pair of cold eyes staring at him. The sinister smile that tugged at his scars immediately sobered him up a bit. He quickly said, "Mr. Ning, how could I dare to trust that Qiu? His men are keeping a close watch on him. I'm afraid there must be some misunderstanding..."
"Misunderstanding?" Ning Fu raised his hand lightly and threw a handful of wooden signs to the ground. "Is this also a misunderstanding?"
Even though they were far away, everyone knew what this thing was. The amulet given in the Zhenhai General Temple looked like this.
Throwing out a handful in one breath, how many people were captured? Whose men were they? Now, not to mention the man just now, even most of the people below were frightened awake. This was the first grand banquet after the surrender. Who could have thought that Ning Fu would explode at this time?
The dark-skinned man in the main seat laughed heartily. "Military Advisor, this is wrong. We know it's the Red Flag Gang behind this, so how can we just fall for it? We can't lose our composure."
There are wrong names in this world, but there are no wrong nicknames. "Black Whale" Xu Hei was known for his ruthlessness and voracious appetite, but he was also a man of tolerance. Otherwise, how could he allow a guy like Ning Fu to stir up trouble? Although he was a little surprised by his sudden outburst, he still had to smooth things over.
Ning Fen sneered, "This is the Red Flag Gang's method. I don't know how many times I've told you this, but some people just don't care. General, do you want to see these bastards turn against you in the middle of the battle?"
With the gang leader's intervention, the group of leaders also reacted and began to complain, patting their chests, fearing that the ghost scholar did not believe in their loyalty to their duties and suspected them of surrendering to the enemy.
Ning Fu looked around and said coldly, "You want money, women, and wealth, but I don't care. If anyone dares to disobey, I won't let him off easily. Don't forget why I took the trouble to arrange all this."
Everyone knew why they had to surrender. Da Gan could no longer afford to lose. The navy had suffered two consecutive defeats and was completely powerless to deal with these maritime giants. Therefore, he wanted to use them to eliminate the Red Flag Gang.
However, even though they knew it, they did not suffer any loss. They could wear official hats and receive rewards, and they could occupy Qiongzhou openly and avoid harassment from nearby garrisons.
The only problem is how to fight the Red Flag Gang.
But hadn't Mr. Ning already arranged a countermeasure and even borrowed soldiers from the red-haired barbarians? Now he's turning against me over these signs. Isn't that an overreaction?
However, although they thought so in their hearts, no one dared to say it out loud. It was because Ning Fu's pressure was too great, and he had the support of the boss, so no one dared to offend him.
So everyone could only nod in agreement, and even their interest in drinking faded a lot.
It was a grand banquet, but no one was in the mood to have fun, so it ended abruptly.
When the others were gone, Xu Hei no longer wore his awkward official robes. He stripped off his clothes and called Ning Fu over. When he saw him, he asked straight to the point, "What's going on? Did someone make you angry?"
Ning Fu had a fit on the spot without even informing him, so there must have been a reason.
Ning Fu chuckled, "I was the one who sent people to search out those signs. Do you know how many leaders were involved?"
Xu Hei was stunned: "How many?"
"All the fleets have soldiers under General Xin Zhenhai, and several leaders have also hidden amulets." Ning Fu looked at Xu Hei sarcastically, "Could this be a coincidence?"
Xu Hei's expression changed immediately: "Do you suspect someone will rebel? Can't we just go to the shore and arrest people? As long as there are no spies, there will be no trouble."
"Those spreading this aren't necessarily spies; there are also some foolish men and women. This is the key to the Red Flag Gang's plan." Ning Fu smiled suddenly, as if remembering something. "If it were just someone in the gang who blindly believed it, it would be fine, but she used more than just these methods. If she can infiltrate our gang, she can certainly do something with the Xisai people."
"What, the people of Xise will turn against us on the battlefield? Didn't they already promise us?" Xu Hei could no longer sit still. In fact, their ability to withdraw troops to return to the South China Sea and capture Qiongzhou was not unrelated to that group of red-haired foreigners.
It was Ning Fu who first promised the Xise people that the Changjing Gang could obtain a high-ranking official position, and that trade could be opened up at that time, and a few small islands could be ceded to them for garrisoning. Only then did this group of people give up attacking the strait and choose to form an alliance.
Now they have defeated the government troops and obtained official positions. If the Xisai people suddenly change their minds, this battle will be troublesome.
Xu Hei couldn't help but become serious. "Didn't you say before that the foreigners' ship had been captured and that the Red Flag Gang wouldn't be spared? Why did you suddenly change your mind?"
"It's been so long, and no foreign ships have returned. However, someone spotted a Western gunboat near Luoling Island. If they weren't captured, it's a two-way street." Ning Fu snorted coldly. "Miss Qiu, the leader of the Red Flag Gang, is no ordinary person. She might have secretly established ties with the Xisai people, just waiting to incite them to revolt."
Just like the ever-growing number of General Zhenhai's followers, Xu Hei already understood why Ning Fu had become angry during the banquet. He frowned, "Then how should we counter this?"
Ning Fu said, "The best approach is to dispatch troops immediately. While morale is high and the Xisai people have no chance of changing their minds, we can seize Luoling Island in one fell swoop. We can also get the sailors from Panyu to cooperate with us in encircling and suppressing the Red Flag Gang. Even if they don't contribute fully, we must at least make them uneasy. Furthermore, the Qingfeng Gang has yet to recover. We are at our strongest point, while the Red Flag Gang is at its weakest. Therefore, the wind direction issue is really not a big concern."
Xu Hei didn't want to start a war right away. After all, they had just conquered Qiongzhou not long ago. Even if he had an official position, he still had to settle down in the territory.
Besides, the wind direction is really not in their favor. Wouldn't it be better to wait another month or two and send troops in the spring?
However, upon hearing Ning Fu's inference, he began to waver again. In war, it's rare to have all the advantages of time, place, and people. It's good enough to have one or two of them.
Besides, Ning Fu was right about one thing. Qiu Sheng's title of General Zhenhai was really annoying. If it dragged on for too long, it might not be beneficial to them.
After thinking for a long time, Xu Hei nodded heavily: "Then do as you say!"
He had never doubted his sworn brother. If it weren't for him as the leader, the Changjing Gang would have been devoured alive years ago. In that case, why was he still hesitating?
After arranging all the important matters one by one and chatting for a long time, when Ning Fu turned around, a smile appeared on his lips as if he couldn't suppress it.
Why did it happen today? His spies reported that several men had secretly arrived from Hepu and boarded Xise's ship. Were these messengers sent to persuade him? It seemed she hadn't given up, and was determined to eliminate his minions and cut off the source of the trouble.
It's a pity that she didn't expect that she would be demoted? With an official status, many things are different.
But he had truly met a perfect opponent. His plans, time and again, were effortlessly undone. How long had it been since he'd encountered someone so worthy of his skill? Ning Fu gently waved his folding fan, tapping his cheek. It was a habit he'd developed recently. The wound had healed, but the scar would never fade. This was what she had left him, so how could he not return it?
I just don't know how things in Panyu City were handled.
This wasn't the same as stirring up the Minoco Gang and the Qingfeng Gang. The man surnamed Lu was probably the one Miss Qiu relied on the most, wasn't he? He'd once met Lu Jian to test him, and he was truly a lady-pleasing, elegant gentleman. If he'd placed his head in front of Miss Qiu, wouldn't she have burst into tears, overcome with grief? Unfortunately, the two places were so far apart, and he might have to send his troops before he could hear any news.
Those cold black eyes appeared in Ning Fu's mind again. The scar on his face hurt slightly from the hitting of the fan bone, just like the day when the two met, cold and painful, unforgettable.
Is she as attractive as her eyes?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
