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But Cheng Xi did not do so. He sent the person back without asking any questions, as if it was just a misunderstanding.
Was this an act of extraordinary openness, or was it a sign of trust in me, a fear that he might discover my secrets? Regardless of the situation, it made me look like a despicable villain.
Lu Jian smiled self-deprecatingly. If it came to courage and magnanimity, he would be ashamed of himself.
Even if he desperately tried to leave the Lu family, he would still be a Lu family member, hypocritical and despicable in his bones. How could he compare to the upright and honest son of a general? However, he would not let go of what he should grasp. Without those tricks, how could he be where he is today?
Turning back to the cabin, Lu Jian called Lu Sanding and whispered, "Send someone to find out what the Li family is saying and see what they can find out."
He was on the same boat with Cheng Xi when he came here, so it was naturally not easy for him to ask around.
But this time on the return trip, he was riding on the Li family's boat. Li Niu seemed to be a man who couldn't keep secrets, so how could he not take the opportunity to test his strength?
Lu Sanding understood and immediately went on deck with a few of his confidants. They had fought side by side and had returned victorious, so wasn't it natural for them to build rapport and chat a bit?
However, after two days of trying hard, I didn't get anything out of it.
Lu Sanding replied rather helplessly, "Master, the Li family is very cunning. They never tell us how they knew Gang Leader Cheng, nor do they talk about the gang's rules. They just brag about the Gang Leader's generosity and his generosity in giving out rewards, and that he's their savior, but they won't even talk about how he saved them."
Li Niu looked rough, but he was surprisingly tight-lipped, and he also kept a tight rein on his subordinates. Even though they were allies, they didn't act too close to each other. This was far beyond Lu Sanding's expectations.
His thinking was simple. Lu Jian pondered and said, "Then don't ask for now. A confidant like Li Niu must have received instructions long ago. Boss Cheng does have some skills in controlling people. We'll make a plan when we return and change boats."
It would be fine to just test the waters a bit, but continuing to pester him would probably make Li Niu suspicious, and then reporting him to Cheng Xi would be more trouble than gain.
However, the news that they got was still somewhat shocking. Almost every member of the Li family on the ship received a reward. Although it was just a few pieces of cloth, it was of great significance. It seemed that Cheng Xi's words about everyone receiving a reward were not empty words. As long as rewards and punishments were clearly defined, why worry about his men not fighting to the death?
There were thousands of thoughts in my mind, but the boat did not stop and reached the shore the next day.
Before reaching the shore, they saw black smoke in the distance. Li Niu's eyes widened and he roared, "The thieves have come ashore! Hurry, let's rush over!"
Looking at the bustling deck before him, Lu Jian frowned slightly. Without that young man's presence, could this group truly hold off the pirates' harassment? What was the current situation at the Red Flag Gang's main camp?
After parting ways near Luoling Island that day, it only took two days for the fleet to return to Xiaziwo Camp.
Sun Erlang ordered all ships to unload their cargo and began to arrange defenses.
This time, the defense wasn't limited to the main camp, but the entire Dongning County coast. Sun Erlang first sent people to inform the villages that had borrowed rice on credit, saying that there was unrest on Luoling Island and that bandits might attack the coast.
This was not because he intended to create panic, but was a strategy set by Cheng Xi.
Once the Luoling Island incident was resolved, a large number of pirates would undoubtedly flee. Lacking both money and food, they would need to quickly reach shore to plunder a sufficient amount of money before finding a way to settle. Dongning County was too close to Luoling Island, making it an easy target. These villages, which had borrowed rice and grain on credit and resisted the salt tax, were essentially the Red Flag Gang's base in Dongning. How could they allow others to cause them trouble?
At the same time as informing the villages, a large number of fishing boats came to the coastal waters to monitor the enemy situation. On the one hand, they served as sentinels, and on the other hand, they could lure the enemy.
Once a small-scale pirate group is discovered, they will be lured to the vicinity of Xiaziwo. Xiaziwo has a private port, numerous camps, and a seemingly flimsy barracks. They also store a large amount of supplies. Isn't this the perfect place to fatten up a group of pirates?
The pirates were originally seeking wealth, so how could they resist such bait? What they could not have guessed was that this seemingly "weak" camp actually had fangs. As long as the invading forces were not large enough, it could be easily wiped out.
In this way, not only can the harassment of the bandits on the coast be reduced, but also the enemy's manpower can be annihilated as much as possible, showing the power of the Red Flag Gang.
This is the best solution that can be thought of when the government is just a decoration and one's own strength is not sufficient.
Sun Erlang may not be good at other things, but he is absolutely meticulous in doing things.
On the third day, the camp had completed all preparations. That night, the bandits approached the coast, with only a sloop and two small fishing boats. The patrol boat did not hesitate and immediately led the bandits to the camp in front of Xiaziwo.
The resounding sound of gongs echoed throughout the camp. Sun Erlang, holding his sword, addressed the soldiers, "The leader has entrusted us with the defense of the Red Flag Gang, effectively handing us the foundation of the organization. If we don't want the thieves to seize our food, supplies, and even the women in our homes, we must fight tooth and nail and kill them all! Any kill will earn us all a reward. Don't treat them as mere rewards, just as human beings!"
These words inspired the gang members below to shout in unison. Amid the shrill warning, the camp gate opened wide and thirty people filed out and lined up in front.
At this moment, the group of thieves had stopped at the dock. A group of knife-wielding pirates either jumped onto the dock or waded ashore, looking greedily at the camp in front of them.
The little leader raised his sword high in the air and said, "Brothers, this is a fat sheep! Go in and grab the gold, silver and women, then we can go back to the sea and have fun!"
They had all escaped during the chaos, and after two days of drifting at sea, the fear in their hearts had long since turned to rage. Who wouldn't want to vent their anger? Hearing the leader's words, the thieves all rushed forward like crazy.
The village was only fenced off, looking untenable. No wonder everyone inside had to come out to defend it. Look at what they were carrying: long branches with uncut branches, fishing spears, and even someone holding up a door panel in front. What's so scary about that? With evil thoughts surging in their hearts, they rushed forward with a roar.
The next moment, this group of people were like small waves hitting a huge rock and were blocked firmly.
The long, leafy branches, once swung, created a sea of green. They couldn't cut them down, and they couldn't get hit. Before anyone could parry, a spear would follow, piercing their chests! After finally dodging the branches and trying to flank them, a three-pronged harpoon blocked their blades. There was no other option but a stab to the chest.
That’s not all. There are people throwing short spears behind them. They are so fierce and accurate that they can pierce people to the core with one shot.
The small chief was stunned. This was a private port, how could it be so powerful? Could it be officers and soldiers pretending to be powerful? No, officers and soldiers couldn't have such abilities. Could he have encountered General Qiu and his spirit returned?
Seeing half of his men falling down after a single encounter, the man couldn't bear it anymore and shouted in panic, "Retreat first! Let's get back to the boat first!"
However, at this moment, where was the boat to return to? While the two sides were fighting fiercely, the sailors who were ambushing nearby had already sneaked to the side of the pirate ship and climbed up quietly.
This group of pirates fought so hard to attack the camp, how many people could be left on the ship? They took it out in no time, and without stopping, they set sail and sailed out of the harbor.
When the leader and his men turned and fled, they discovered the dock was deserted. Not only were there no sloops, but even the small fishing boats were gone! Behind them, the sound of drums began. As the drums rumbled, three unharmed squads, weapons in hand, surrounded them...
Standing on the watchtower, Sun Erlang breathed a sigh of relief. This formation was even more powerful than on the boat. The formation could be expanded or contracted, and the attacks could be both close and far. If two more people with bows and crossbows arrived, who knew what kind of scene would unfold.
No wonder the leader told them to train constantly and not slack off for even a moment. With such strong soldiers guarding the place, they could hold their ground even against a hundred, let alone thirty or forty, bandits!
While Sun Erlang was still thinking, the soldiers below had already cheered.
We were all fishermen on the coast, so who wouldn't hate these thieves who burned, killed, and looted? Not to mention the gang members who had suffered in the past, who were practically in a hornet's nest at the hands of these thieves.
This time, no one was left alive; even surrender would be useless. When there were no more enemies breathing, the camp gates were thrown open, and the servants rushed out, some carrying bodies, some collecting weapons. Sun Erlang also descended from the watchtower and approached the victorious soldiers.
"Boss Sun, I just killed three of them!"
"Li Liu, stop yelling. If I hadn't been blocking the way, how could you have taken any credit?"
"Hahaha, don't worry, brother. We are on the same team, so you definitely deserve some credit..."
Some took credit, some boasted, and some burst into laughter. Thirty against forty-five, no one injured, the enemy completely annihilated—who could possibly hold back?
Sun Erlang also smiled and raised his voice, saying, "You are all great. You have lived up to the expectations of the gang leader. You will all be rewarded!"
Everyone cheered immediately.
Sun Erlang held his hands back, "But don't be too happy too soon. We don't know how many bandits are out there. What's the point of just one victory? We mustn't slack off or be careless. When the leader returns victorious, that's when the Red Flag Gang will be proud."
These words immediately silenced the group of soldiers. Suddenly, someone raised his spear and said, "Victory to the Red Flag Gang!"
This shout seemed to stir up something that had been suppressed deep within their hearts. Everyone raised their weapons and roared, "Victory to the Red Flag Gang! Victory to the Red Flag Gang!"
Hearing these resounding shouts and looking at these resolute faces, Sun Erlang also raised his long sword high: "Red Flag Gang, long victory!"
A big victory brought a day of jubilation, but the next day, luck was not so good.
There were actually three ships coming this time. It was not because the sentry was careless. The other party had heard the news from somewhere and could not be lured away, so they headed straight for the shrimp nest.
"Is this the legendary Red Flag Gang?" asked a dark-faced burly man on the bow of the ship.
The hunched old man beside him said quickly, "Exactly! I've been here before, and they're very rich. Many villages have taken their rice and grain! If the chieftain can take it, he will definitely be able to dominate the area."
The flattery was not very good, but it made the big man laugh.
He had escaped from Luoling Island the day before yesterday, having escaped the Qingfeng Gang's arrest and bringing three boats with him. He was a decent team, by any measure. It was just that they had left in a hurry and were in urgent need of supplies, which was why they had chosen a village to attack.
Unexpectedly, the other party surrendered immediately and said they knew of a grain transport gang on the coast. They had sold women there before and knew the location.
Doesn't this mean both women and money? It was very effective in stabilizing people's hearts. Without saying a word, the bandit leader grabbed the timid old man onto the boat and groped his way along the coast. It only took him a day and a half to find the place.
Looking at the distant camp with shining eyes, the leader licked his lips and said, "If we can take it down, you will definitely get some benefits."
Wang Laowu bowed quickly. In fact, he didn't expect to get much. As long as he could save the village, make some money, and get back the women he had sold, that would be enough.
The Red Flag Gang has gone too far, and now they've run into someone even stronger, so they're doomed. Tsk tsk, that's just the way the world is, don't blame others.
Three ships, three pirate ships packed with many refugees, naturally put pressure on Sun Erlang and his men. Not only did they send all the originally assigned troops aboard, but they also added a reserve force to defend the village.
After all, if there are too many enemies, they may avoid the front team and attack the village directly. If there is no one to defend, it will be bad.
"Hold on! If the enemy suffers too many casualties, they will flee and won't fight any longer! As long as we hold on, we can wait for the leader to return victorious! Hold on!"
The encouraging slogans were shouted again and again, but the battle was still fierce. Looking at the battlefield below, even Sun Erlang felt a chill on his back and his hands were sweaty.
Should he send someone to attack the pirate ship? If the ship was robbed, would the pirates, realizing they had no escape route, become even more aggressive? But if he didn't seize the ship, the enemy's attack would be too fierce, and he wasn't sure he could hold out.
How should I choose? If only the leader were here!
"Captain! There's another boat coming from a distance!" someone nearby shouted.
Sun Erlang was startled and quickly looked up. There really was a ship with full sails, rushing towards the shore at lightning speed. Oh no! If there were another wave of enemy soldiers, they would be in danger!
However, the next moment, Sun Erlang was startled, suddenly grabbed the railing, and almost leaned out of the platform.
"No, it's not the enemy!" Sun Erlang shouted, his eyes red. "It's our ship! The leader has captured Luoling Island!!"
If we are defeated, both ships must return together, or none of them will be seen.
Now that only one ship has returned, doesn't it mean that the gang leader has already taken over Luoling Island and even has enough time to split up his troops!
Sun Erlang couldn't help but burst into laughter and shouted, "Brothers, our ship is back. Luoling Island has been captured. The Red Flag Gang has won!"
The number of people shouting loudly changed from one to two, then to three, four, and countless people... They shouted in unison, their voices shaking the wilderness.
"Luoling Island suffered a crushing defeat, and the Red Flag Gang triumphed!"
The pirate leader, overseeing the battle from afar, was startled. How did these people know about the disastrous defeat on Luoling Island? Could it be that the Red Flag Gang had also been involved in the battle that night?
However, he had no time to think about it. Drums sounded simultaneously from the camp in front and the warships behind him. The sounds on both sides were identical, which made people feel terrified.
Instantly, he remembered the tragedy on the island that night. Not only the leader, but also the pirates below were in a panic. Could it be that there was an enemy behind them, trying to cut off their escape route? If the ship was really robbed, how would they survive?
This caused a huge uproar. The bandits who had come to kill turned around and ran towards the dock desperately, and the offensive was instantly over. All the trained Red Flag Gang members knew that this was called a "rout." At this moment, there was no need to strictly defend the formation, just charge in!
Another round of more violent and exciting killing shouts rang out!
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