69
Cheng Xi frowned slightly: "Is the Lu family's fleet going to dock at Luoling Island?"
Lu Jian said, "Yes, a thousand-ton ship, five two-masted Fuzhou ships, and countless small boats. They set sail last year and will return to Luoling Island by April this year at the latest."
These words shocked the audience, and even Yan Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
This scale is considered a first-class large ocean-going fleet. If it had not been damaged at sea, the amount of wealth and goods it brought back would have been an astonishing number, enough for a noble family to gain a foothold in the port.
No wonder Mr. Lu set his sights on this island, and no wonder the second-in-command was so crazy about wanting to take back the island.
"If that's the case, I'm afraid Mr. Lu San won't let it go easily?" Cheng Xi was unmoved and went straight to the point.
Lu Jian said frankly, "That's why I want to go to Panyu early to see what my third brother is planning to do. If you can lend me a hand, I won't take a penny of the property I seize."
Everyone's breathing became heavier. Just a thousand-ton ship alone must have carried a cargo worth tens of thousands of gold, not to mention a fleet of ships.
If they could swallow it all in one gulp, it would be a windfall that would make anyone die of hunger! Even if they couldn't eat it all, if they could intercept one or two ships, it would be enough for the Red Flag Gang to eat for several years!
Cheng Xi thought for a moment, then said, "Shen Feng doesn't know about this?"
"He may have guessed something, but he has no time to worry about it." Lu Jian smiled slightly, "Now a ruler of Japan has sent troops to attack Ryukyu, causing civil unrest in Japan and stirring up several East China Sea bandit gangs. Sugar is the foundation of Shen Feng's life, and it has also made him deeply involved in it, and he was almost cut off by the Ye family of Minzhou. Otherwise, why would he travel thousands of miles to Hepu to transport sugar?"
This really fits Shen Feng's style. Cheng Xi then asked, "Brother Mingde, aren't you going to ask him to share a piece of the pie?"
"If it were two months ago, I might have chosen the Qingfeng Gang, but now, my dear brother is the only one left to choose. After all, it's like a snake swallowing an elephant, and I'm afraid only my dear brother dares to give it a try." Lu Jian smiled, his smile was bright and cheerful, without a trace of worldly airs.
However, the meaning of the words was as crazy as ever.
So Cheng Xi also smiled: "This is really a great gift, it would be disrespectful to refuse it."
"Brother, have you agreed to this?" Lu Jian asked back.
"Of course, but before the fleet returns, I also want to go to Panyu with Brother Mingde." Cheng Xi said with a smile.
What does this mean?
I heard that the Lu family’s large fleet is about to arrive. Shouldn’t we train troops on the island and expand the fleet?
Did you go to Panyu with him to find out the truth, or to lend him a hand and eliminate the enemy in advance?
However, no matter what he thought, Lu Jian just nodded happily: "It's a blessing to have my good brother accompany me."
"It's rare that Brother Lu is so frank. Now everything is clear. It's a pity that there is no wine on the island. I should ask Brother Lu for some wine-making masters." Cheng Xi joked with a smile.
Lu Jian had not told the truth before, and had led the Chiqi Gang into an extremely dangerous situation. If they were not careful, they would become cannon fodder in the fight between the two sons of the Lu family.
But Cheng Xi didn't mean to blame him, instead he made a joke.
Because she knew that when dealing with people like Lu Jian, "usefulness" was much more important than "integrity".
Those who cannot come forward will naturally be stepped on by him. Now that they are at the table and have laid their cards bare, it proves that he has begun to truly face himself and the Red Flag Gang. Dwelling on the past will not bring any benefits, so it is better to let him settle it himself.
Sure enough, Lu Jian smiled and shook his head: "No wonder my dear brother refused to drink with me before, it was all my fault. I'll owe the winemaker for now, and I also brought a lot of good wine, why don't we drink together?"
"That couldn't be better. Come on, let's prepare the banquet!" Cheng Xi laughed and instructed the people around him.
Seeing that both the host and the guests were having a great time again, Yan Yuan, who was sitting beside them, frowned.
This wasn't what he'd imagined. The Jiangdong Lu family, a powerful clan that had lasted through two dynasties, probably owned more than one fleet. Would getting caught up in such a dispute really benefit the Red Flag Gang? Otherwise, they'd become Lu Jian's stepping stone.
However, this was not the right time to express these thoughts. Yan Yuan said nothing more and joined them at the table.
The wine that Lu Jian brought was indeed good, and it was quite strong. All the gang members drank it with great enthusiasm. Even Cheng Xi and Lu Jian raised their glasses frequently. Only Yan Yuan seemed a little restrained.
After the banquet was over, he immediately found Cheng Xi, but the first thing he could not help but say was: "Boss, are you drunk? Do you want to sober up first?"
It wasn't that he was nosy, it was just that Cheng Xi's face was flushed and her eyes were watery, and she was obviously a little drunk.
He had never seen Cheng Xi drink alcohol before, and drinking like this all at once could cause problems.
Cheng Xi casually took the towel handed to her by He Ling, wiped her face, and breathed a sigh of relief: "Don't worry, I know what's going on."
She is a real soldier, and there is no one in the army who doesn't know how to drink.
Today's wine is only about 20 degrees, which is far from the "strong liquor" of later generations.
Although she had not drunk many times with this body, she knew the reaction of alcohol and would not drink too much easily.
Yan Yuan didn't quite believe what he said. After all, drunk people would say that. But the other person's eyes were indeed clear. After hesitating for a moment, Yan Yuan got down to business: "Lu Jian is not trustworthy. Not to mention how powerful the fleet led by the thousand-ton ship is, even the Jiangdong Lu family will not give up easily. Our Red Flag Gang is just getting established. If we get involved in this, I'm afraid we will be in trouble..."
"We're already involved," Cheng Xi interrupted him. "Or do you want to give up Luoling Island and hand over the foundation you worked so hard to build?"
Yan Yuan was immediately stumped. How could he not know how much effort Cheng Xi had put into Luoling Island? And as long as they stayed on the island, they would inevitably invite revenge from the Lu family.
"Don't worry, even though Lu Jian may be crazy, he's still very thoughtful. Since he dared to go to Panyu, it proves that he has some chance of winning.
"Besides, we're not following them because of the Lu family, but to fish in troubled waters and rescue someone from prison." Cheng Xi revealed the answer.
Yan Yuan immediately understood. If the Third Young Master Lu really had plans in Panyu, and Lu Jian had barged in with ill intentions, how could Panyu City be completely silent? And now there were two major bandits imprisoned in the city, intent on attracting the gang. If this started, how big of a mess would it cause? This was the best opportunity to rescue Tian Yu!
His heart was pounding. Yan Yuan hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded: "The boss is really thoughtful."
Cheng Xi suddenly asked, "How are the training of your men going?"
"Ready to fight!" Yan Yuan replied immediately.
"Then let's take it out for a stroll." Cheng Xi laughed again, "An armed parade should be lively."
Although he prefers sweet wine, Lu Jian can drink quite a lot. Even though several captains toasted him frequently and he drank a lot with Cheng Xi, he was far from being drunk.
When he returned to the house, he called Lu Sanding and asked, "Did you find out anything?"
Lu Sanding whispered, "Boss Cheng only has two maids around him. One is Boss Lin's daughter, and the other seems to be from a brothel. They both followed him from the shore. Apart from them, there are no others, and I haven't heard of anyone in the female camp who he values."
Coming from a brothel, he might have been involved in the Pinfang Pavilion incident... Lu Jian nodded and asked, "What about that Chief Yan? Are there any young women around him?"
"He has no relatives and no lover, and I heard that he is not interested in women." Lu Sanding answered immediately.
It seems that the "lady" they were talking about before had left the island long ago and was placed somewhere, or was she hidden?
But now it seems that the man surnamed Yan has been completely subdued and is highly valued. The relationship between the two may not be as simple as imagined.
Seeing Lu Jian lost in thought, Lu Sanding asked carefully, "Do you want to continue to inquire?"
"This matter involves secrets, so let's put it aside for now. Business is more important." Lu Jian shook his head.
Lu Sanding couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He really couldn't see through the Chiqi Gang now. If he rashly explored their private matters, he might anger them.
Now is the critical moment of the confrontation with the Third Young Master, so it is better to be cautious in everything.
After thinking for a moment, he asked again, "Will there be any hidden dangers if Gang Leader Cheng goes to Panyu?"
Lu Jian smiled: "It is precisely because Third Brother will not give up that it is better for him to go with him."
The reason for setting off early and specifically going to Luoling Island was to win over this ally, wasn't it? As long as the other party was willing to join, it would be a good thing. Lu Jian didn't care about the rest.
Hearing this, Lu Sanding knew that the head of the family had made up his mind and immediately shut up.
Lu Jian said, "Boss Cheng is very decisive and should be leaving soon. Let's all rest up early and recharge our batteries."
Upon hearing this, Lu Sanding immediately took his leave. Lu Jian also washed up and went to bed early.
However, Lu Jian did not expect that when he woke up the next day, the camp was in chaos and everyone was busy preparing something.
Just as he was in doubt, Cheng Xi came to him and asked with a smile, "Brother Mingde, are you in a hurry? I have some things to take care of. I wonder if it will delay your trip."
Lu Jian immediately said, "It's okay for me to go a few days later, as long as I can leave with the grain ship."
Cheng Xi high-fived him: "Then let's go together, so we can look after each other."
What exactly did he want to do? Lu Jian was puzzled, but he did not refuse. As a result, it only took one day for all ten ships, large and small, anchored on the shore to be fully manned and set sail together.
Looking at this huge fleet, the Lu family members changed their expressions.
What's going on? Even if they were heading to Panyu, there's no need for such a grand display, right? Besides, knowing that a ship from Southeast Asia would dock at Luoling Island next month, instead of increasing security, they deployed all their forces. Isn't that a bit unreasonable?
Standing on the two-masted flagship, Lu Jian said thoughtfully, "Could it be that my dear brother has encountered a strong enemy and needs a fight?"
This was a bit odd. If they really wanted to fight, why bother dragging him into it? Even if it was just to establish their authority, it was too risky.
But if there is no battle, why send out all the troops?
"They're not strong enemies, I just want to get the guys out for some practice. It won't take a few days." Cheng Xi said with a smile.
Looking at this frank smile, Lu Jian's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that the Red Flag Gang was planning to rob merchant ships along the way?
This is the gang's old business, but he went to Panyu to do it for a long time. If his reputation is ruined or even hated by others, he will get into trouble.
However, even though he was thinking this, he couldn't bring himself to ask it out loud. After all, he had borrowed the other party's fleet to transport grain without even saying hello, not to mention the troublesome matter at Luoling Island.
It is impossible to say that Cheng Xi has no grudges in his heart, but if the other party really acts like this, he may have to get off the boat early.
However, it was not quite what Lu Jian expected. Not long after they set out, they encountered a group of four merchant ships.
Seeing a fleet of such a scale, the other party was so scared that they hid far away, not daring to retreat or advance, and trembling like wild dogs saying goodbye. Unexpectedly, Cheng Xi didn't even look at them and sailed past.
Was he dissatisfied with the small size of the fish, or was he truly planning a war? Lu Jian's doubts grew even more intense. Fortunately, he didn't have to wait too long this time.
"Boss, the two ships ahead must be pirate ships." News came from the lookout tower, and Yan Yuan immediately came to report.
It is easy to distinguish merchant ships and pirate ships at sea. They have different drafts and flags.
These two ships were probably out hunting. If they encountered a fleet, they might just harass it, but if they encountered a single merchant ship, they might not let it go.
What Lu Jian didn't expect was that upon hearing the word "pirate ship", Cheng Xi waved his hand and said, "Capture it."
Yan Yuan took the order and left. With a flurry of flag changes, four ships came out and rushed towards the pirate ship.
This really surprised the pirates. You know, when the fleet is strong, they rarely pay attention to the pirate ships around them. After all, merchant ships have a deeper draft and it is difficult to catch up with the pirate ships.
Who would have thought that such a large fleet would actually bring four warships that were also unencumbered, and the two were so close to each other that it was really too late to run away.
So Lu Jian watched helplessly as the four ships took two quarters of an hour to catch up with the pirate ship, and another quarter of an hour to attack it. It only took half an hour to finish the battle and send back the flag signals.
"We killed 34 enemies and captured 22. There was no property on the ship." Yan Yuan came to report.
"Return to the team with the prisoners." Cheng Xi nodded calmly.
Lu Jian was completely dumbfounded. Why didn't they rob the merchant caravan but instead attacked the pirate ship?
After this battle, what else can we get besides two ships?
What if the gang members get injured or the ship gets damaged? Wouldn't that be a loss?
As if noticing Lu Jian's surprise, Cheng Xi smiled and asked, "Why, Brother Mingde, do you find it strange?"
Lu Jian coughed dryly, "I'm a little curious. That pirate ship hasn't even opened yet, so why are we attacking it?"
"Of course it's for training." Cheng Xi smiled. "Besides, with the Red Flag Gang in this sea area, other gangs should also restrain themselves a bit."
Lu Jian almost lost control of his expression. He hadn't expected Cheng Xi to have such an idea! If he wanted to expand his power and occupy a place, he would have to make others retreat.
Just like the Changjing Gang, with thousands of ships and tens of thousands of gang members, they were able to roam across Southeast Asia and even monopolize the pepper trade.
No one dared to show up near Hepu, precisely because the Changjing Gang was too powerful and had swallowed up all the gangs, big and small.
However, it is not surprising that a gang with many years of experience would act in this way. This young man had only occupied Luoling Island for two months, yet he dared to clear the sea area.
Should we say that he is bold and reckless, or that he is deep-minded?
Lu Jian couldn't find any words to comment at this moment, and he couldn't judge whether the Red Flag Gang really had such strength.
They are just two pirate ships, what can they do on the sea?
However, this idea began to waver as the fleet moved forward.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
