Chapter 298: Hug Me Before You Go
Chunyu Hanfeng and Tantai Yi watched from the riverbank. They saw that although the fishermen had been startled, when the three fishing boats fled, they still sailed rock-steady and in neat formation on the turbulent river surface.
The three fishing boats were sailing in the middle of the river, some distance from both banks. Combined with the thin layer of mist shrouding the river surface, it took Chunyu Hanfeng quite a while to discover the trick behind it.
He pointed at the three fishing boats that were fleeing in panic and said to Tantai Yi beside him: “Military Advisor, do you see it?”
Tantai Yi nodded slightly.
“Yes, the reason those three fishing boats can sail so steadily on the turbulent river is because they’re connected by a thick rope. With the three boats linked together, their weight increases, making them less susceptible to wind and less likely to drift with the waves. This way, the fishermen can stand on the stable deck and more easily cast and retrieve their nets.”
“Exactly. The fishermen of Great Chu are truly wise. Such a good method that even this king hadn’t thought of.”
Tantai Yi’s eyes lit up.
“You mean we should imitate Great Chu’s fishermen and connect our warships together?”
“This king does have such a plan. What does the Military Advisor think?”
Tantai Yi thought this method was quite good. Using this approach, the Rongdi’s eighty thousand cavalry could successfully cross Yunluo River. However, he felt somewhat uneasy.
“The method is good, but if our warships are connected together and we encounter fierce attacks from the Chu army, it might be difficult to retreat.”
Chunyu Hanfeng nodded.
“This is indeed a major drawback.”
But remembering that his father’s killer was just across Yunluo River, the fierce look quickly returned to his eyes.
He must cross Yunluo River, kill Great Chu’s War King Long Yu, and avenge his father.
“Military Advisor, you needn’t worry so much.”
He pointed across Yunluo River toward the direction of the Great Chu military camp and said coldly: “Across Yunluo River are merely fifty thousand Chu soldiers, while we have eighty thousand brave and fierce cavalry. As long as we can cross Yunluo River, our eighty thousand Rongdi cavalry will surely take Long Yu’s dog head and occupy this western borderland of Great Chu dynasty. Then this king will give you this land of Great Chu’s west and make you King of Western Chu.”
Tantai Yi wasn’t interested in becoming any King of Western Chu. He had always assisted Chunyu Hanfeng only because of Chunyu Hanfeng’s kindness in recognizing his worth.
He was originally an unremarkable illegitimate son of the Tantai family, not only unvalued by the family but often bullied by the legitimate heirs. During a chance visit to the Tantai family, Chunyu Hanfeng encountered him being bullied, not only helped him out of trouble but also summoned him to his side, eventually making him Rongdi’s military advisor, a position that surpassed those legitimate heirs of the Tantai family.
Seeing that Chunyu Hanfeng was determined to cross the river, Tantai Yi, as military advisor and his friend, should support him. However, his uneasy feeling was obvious. After hesitating, he reminded again: “What if this is a trap set by Long Yu? Have you forgotten that Long Yu previously infiltrated our military camp and stole some black powder from the underground armory? If Long Yu has developed weapons using black powder, connecting our warships and rashly crossing the river would be very dangerous.”
Chunyu Hanfeng sneered: “Military Advisor, since when has your courage become so small? We’ve tested so many times before. If Long Yu had truly developed black powder weapons, he would have brought them out long ago.”
Despite Tantai Yi’s efforts to persuade him, he couldn’t convince Chunyu Hanfeng. He could only sigh softly, say no more, and choose to support Chunyu Hanfeng’s decision.
Seeing that Tantai Yi had stopped talking, Chunyu Hanfeng waved his hand decisively and ordered the soldiers behind him: “Pass down the order: prepare iron chains. In five days, our army will cross Yunluo River and take Long Yu’s dog head.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Five days later, evening.
The weather was clear with blood-red sunset clouds on the horizon.
Across Yunluo River, war drums and horns suddenly sounded together.
Rongdi King Chunyu Hanfeng, clad in black armor, led eighty thousand Rongdi cavalry to appear on the opposite shore of Yunluo River.
Over ninety Rongdi warships, each capable of carrying nine hundred men, were neatly arranged across the surface of Yunluo River.
The warships were connected by thick black iron chains, over ninety vessels linked end to end like a small island. Their high sails blocked out the sky and sun, creating an imposing sight.
Chunyu Hanfeng surveyed the island-like fleet of warships, raised his sword high, and shouted: “Board the ships!”
After his loud command, he rode his warhorse and was the first to charge onto a warship.
The eighty thousand Rongdi cavalry boarded the ships one after another.
On the opposite shore of Yunluo River, Great Chu’s warships were arranged neatly on the river surface like floating islands.
Zhao Ben and several other deputy generals under Long Yu’s command prepared to meet the enemy.
Long Yi, having assessed the situation, used his lightness skills to rush back to camp and report to Long Yu.
“Master, Rongdi King Chunyu Hanfeng is leading his army to attack.”
In the commander’s tent, Long Yu wore silver armor with the Cangming sword hanging at his waist, already prepared.
Seeing Long Yi breathing heavily, he said calmly: “Has the entire Rongdi army mobilized?”
Long Yi replied: “Quite a few have come this time. I roughly counted over ninety warships. This doesn’t seem like a probing attack.”
The corners of Long Yu’s mouth curved up slightly.
Over ninety warships, each carrying eight to nine hundred men, meant the total capacity was seventy to eighty thousand. If this wasn’t a full mobilization, what was?
“It seems Chunyu Hanfeng finally can’t hold back anymore. This king will personally lead the campaign. Long Yi, accompany this king to the drill ground to muster the troops.”
Only thirty thousand troops were stationed with Zhao Ben at Yunluo riverbank, while another twenty thousand remained in the camp.
This battle would be decisive, so all fifty thousand troops would definitely need to mobilize.
Long Yu strode several steps toward the exit, then suddenly stopped and turned to look at Yan Xiaosi.
Yan Xiaosi had just caught up, and their gazes met and intertwined in midair.
“The riverbank is dangerous today. Don’t go anywhere. Stay obediently in the tent and wait for me to return.”
Yan Xiaosi suddenly felt reluctant to let him go, her heart aching with sadness.
Although this man was very capable, in the age of cold weapons where swords and blades showed no mercy, she still felt somewhat worried.
“Yes, be careful.”
Seeing her furrowed brow and reluctant expression, Long Yu felt a gentle warmth in his heart, then turned to leave.
Seeing him step forward, Yan Xiaosi suddenly mustered her courage and rushed up, embracing his waist from behind in front of Long Yi.
“I’ve hugged you. Now you can go.”
This was the first time the little thing had actively hugged him. Long Yu’s body immediately stiffened, and before he could react, Yan Xiaosi had already let go and was urging him to leave.
He turned around, extended both arms, and pulled the little thing directly into his embrace. Lowering his head, he planted a kiss on her forehead.
“Don’t worry. I’ll return quickly.”
“Mm.”
Watching the silver figure disappear from sight, Yan Xiaosi’s face was full of melancholy, her brow furrowed. With war drums and horns thundering deafeningly in her ears, she couldn’t sit still.