Boom!
Rumble, rumble!
It was hard to imagine that giant ballistae could penetrate a solid tower ship.
Was this still a ballista?
This was a heavenly arrow!
Before Zhou Yu could snap out of his daze, an iron chain suddenly appeared before everyone's eyes.
Immediately following, a tremendous suction force emanated…
Afterward, Zhou Yu’s tower ship was being dragged by an even larger warship.
The immense force rendered the tower ship incapable of free movement.
This was…
The whale-hunting tactic that the Long Xiao Camp navy excelled at.
At this moment… the entire Jiangdong navy on the tower ship descended into chaos…
The most panicked were the helmsmen…
Because they couldn’t control the tower ship at all. It was hard to imagine a tower ship as high as three stories being pulled by the opponent’s vessels, tossing and turning, listing precariously and shaking violently!
Countless sailors and crew members were falling into the river. Normally… falling into the river wasn’t a big deal for the Jiangdong navy; every single one was an expert swimmer.
But… inexplicably, after they fell into the river, they seemed to struggle for a moment, and then… they could only slowly float up, with a lot of rich blood water surrounding them.
The Jiangdong navy had no idea that beneath the tower ship… was the territory of Gan Ning and his pirate brethren. Whoever came… would die!
…
The situation changed drastically!
A battle that was initially a sure victory had now become fraught with peril… Following the ship Zhou Yu was on, many other tower ships were pierced by giant ballistae and hooked by iron chains…
No matter how they resisted? They were all desperately pulled back…
This was the true meaning of iron chains linking them together!
The opposing large ships’ methods were also simple and brutal… they simply dragged the tower ships forcefully to their side, and countless sailors swarmed aboard, engaging in bloody combat on the deck!
This tactic of using giant ballistae and iron chains was something the Long Xiao Camp navy had used countless times when capturing whales… If one thought about it carefully, the weight of a tower ship might not even be as great as a whale.
Furthermore, the naval combat of whales was clearly far superior to that of the Jiangdong navy.
Because the iron chains connected both enemy and friendly ships, the decks of both sides were shaking violently… but it was clear that the Long Xiao Camp navy was more accustomed to it.
This was because the waves in the sea were far stronger than those in the Yangtze River by countless times, and the violent jolts experienced when fighting whales were undoubtedly much more intense than this.
For the Long Xiao Camp navy…
They were used to it…
It was as natural as eating and sleeping… they were used to it.
“So weak…”
Some of the Long Xiao Camp navy even felt a sense of ennui… They felt that when they hunted whales before, the whales would at least cause them some trouble, but now… dealing with these people was simply too easy?
Were these the legendary Jiangdong navy that had routed the Jiangxia Huang family navy and the Jingzhou navy?
It seemed… they weren’t that strong either?
They weren’t even as strong as a fish!
Heh heh… To fight them, why would they need so many ships? A whole whale would have been more worthwhile!
…
Strike while the enemy is weak!
Although the Long Xiao Camp navy felt a bit listless, Wen Pin had no intention of letting their opponents off the hook.
“Continue, aim at the third tower ship from the front left, fire the giant arrows!”
Wen Pin repeatedly shouted, and one giant arrow after another burst forth from the ballistae, like scythes of death… continuously reaping the lives of the Jiangdong navy!
“Fire… Fire… Stop them!”
Zhou Yu, worthy of being the Right Governor of the Jiangdong forces, remained calm and issued commands even in such a situation, attempting… to suppress the opponents with arrows as the distance closed.
However…
The tower ships were being pulled by iron chains, swaying violently… It was difficult enough to stand steady, and under such circumstances, drawing a bow to shoot arrows was too difficult. This encounter battle was too… too difficult!
But…
Just because Zhou Yu’s side couldn’t fire arrows, it didn’t mean… the Long Xiao Camp couldn’t!
Huang Zhong’s nearly thousand-strong Divine Archer Camp had already formed their ranks.
– “Under the fierce bow, not a single soul remains! Shoot… Shoot!”
Swish, swish, swish…
The sound of arrows breaking through the air was endless. The whale oil smeared on the arrowheads ignited under the flames, and countless fiery points shot out like a swarm of locusts in an instant.
Boom…
Rumble, rumble!
Instantly, the entire river surface and all the tower ships were engulfed in raging flames. These fire arrows enhanced with whale oil… burned extremely persistently. In just a moment, at least dozens of tower ships were covered in a rain of fire.
“Ah…”
“The storehouse has caught fire.”
“Not good, the deck is all fire…”
Bottles filled with whale oil were hurled towards the enemy ships by trebuchets. Under the barrage of fire arrows, it instantly became a sea of fire.
Countless Jiangdong warriors were engulfed by the flames, turning into fiery figures, running wildly on the deck.
Zhou Yu was going mad…
This was the first time he had witnessed such a horrifying scene!
The sound of flames…
On the tower ships, fiery figures ran around like lunatics. They embraced their former comrades.
Then there was another fiery figure, or… they leaped into the water, and the flames disappeared… but many bloodstains appeared underwater.
This scene…
This feeling was enough to make one’s heart pound.
…
As the tower ships drew closer to the larger warships, the fire arrows grew more ferocious. Escorted by countless warriors, Zhou Yu… retreated into a safe cabin.
Through the window, he could finally observe the monstrous behemoth before him!
“Long Xiao…”
The black, massive characters “Long Xiao” were exceptionally clear, fluttering in the wind… as if expressing their mockery and disdain for the Jiangdong navy.
“Damn it… it really is him… it’s him!”
“Lu Yu… Lu Ziyu…”
Zhou Yu saw a clean-faced young man being protected by a robust man in the opponent’s ship.
That robust man, Zhou Yu had seen him in a portrait. Who else could it be but Dian Wei!
And the one Dian Wei was escorting… could only be Lu Yu!
“He… he actually went against the norm, entering the Yangtze River from the sea and sailing upstream…”
“We fell into the trap, we… we fell into the trap!”
Zhou Yu gritted his teeth…
He even felt an urge to fight his way out, to stand on the deck… to command again, to turn the tide!
However… the deck was already a field of ashes. The “tower ships” that the Jiangdong navy was so proud of seemed to have no ability to resist under the bombardment of the opponent’s ships!
“Governor Zhou… keep the green hills, and you’ll never run out of firewood!”
“The enemy warships’ assault is too fierce, and the Great Wei navy has also recovered. This battle is lost… it’s already lost!”
“The small boats are ready, let’s… let’s withdraw first!”
Beside Zhou Yu… Huang Gai, Han Dang, Ding Feng… many generals were persuading Zhou Yu.
But…
But Zhou Yu didn’t want to leave.
In the past… how proud he and his elder brother Sun Ce were! Back then… they had attacked Lujiang by surprise, thinking they had victory in hand, but they fell into Lu Ziyu’s ambush, and the name of the Long Xiao Camp became renowned throughout the nine provinces.
It was from then on.
The name Lu Yu had evidently become a nightmare for him, Zhou Yu, and his elder brother Sun Ce. Today… they finally had a chance to try and overcome it, but… that massive warship, the Long Xiao Camp, which was inexplicably skilled in naval warfare, had once again plunged Zhou Yu’s spirits into despair.
Zhou Yu was an extremely proud person. How could he… endure… failure twice against the same person!
“The entire army listen…”
Before Zhou Yu could utter the word “listen,” a shrill cry rang out. A shield-bearing warrior escorting Zhou Yu had his eye pierced by an arrow…
He covered his eyes with both hands…
Blood trickled down his cheeks and from between his fingers. He let out a pig-like wail, and finally… in his wails, his entire body was engulfed by flames.
The deck, stained with whale oil… the flames spread even more fiercely.
This…
Zhou Yu was forced to retreat further, his eyes now bloodshot.
What a terrifying enemy warship!
What a terrifying Long Xiao Camp navy…
What… what a terrifying Lu Yu!
He simply couldn’t understand, how could Lu Yu, who lived in the north, have built such massive ships.
How could the Long Xiao Camp, which was “invincible” in land warfare, also be so glorious and dazzling in naval warfare!
Finally…
Zhou Yu made a decision. Through the cabin window, he glared fiercely at Lu Yu.
His tightly clenched lips suddenly parted: “Withdraw, withdraw…”
“Take the small boats, all of you… all retreat to Chibi!”
Upon saying this…
He couldn’t help but glance at the opponent’s giant warship again. Hundreds of black “Long Xiao” flags on the warship fluttered in the river breeze.
“Lu Ziyu… Lu Ziyu, I… I, Zhou Yu, will remember this day’s shame!”
“I… I…”
Pfft…
A mouthful of blood spurted out…
At the same time, another volley of arrows burst forth, another batch of warriors fell. It seemed that heaven did not intend to give Zhou Yu a chance to utter threats!
Since he had chosen… to flee shamefully like a stray dog?
Then what was the point of uttering threats?
Was he worthy of uttering threats?
Under the sky full of fire arrows… Zhou Yu, escorted by countless generals, boarded a small boat, abandoning these tower ships and warships… and quickly retreated from the area.
This battle…
This first battle of Chibi, Jiangdong suffered a terrible defeat!
…
…
Xiliang, the sky was overcast.
This dry land of the past had recently been shrouded in dark clouds, and it had been raining constantly… as if heaven was foretelling something.
At this moment, Yan Xing held a bamboo slip in his hands and presented it to Han Sui.
“Father-in-law, this is the topographical map of the Bronze Sparrow Terrace drawn by that Sima Yi.”
“According to him, the Golden Tiger Terrace and the Ice Well Terrace have been completed, and only this Bronze Sparrow Terrace is nearing completion.”
“Sima Yi has drawn this topographical map with exceptional clarity. Based on this map, with Wang Yue’s skill, it might not be difficult to assassinate Ma Teng!”
Yan Xing slowly stated his thoughts.
Han Sui paced and nodded while looking at the topographical map.
“It seems that Sima Zhongda truly wants to help us.”
“Whether it’s true or not… one must guard against it,” Yan Xing reminded him. “In my opinion, we should follow his proposed assassination method and dispatch Wang Yue to Ye City to assassinate Ma Teng! Meanwhile, we should keep Sima Yi in Yongliang… This way, regardless of whether his plan is meticulous or not, Father-in-law will be in an invincible position!”
As these words left his mouth… Han Sui’s eyes narrowed.
His footsteps stopped…
After a moment of thought, he then spoke.
“Pass my order, dispatch Wang Yue to Ye City to carry out the mission, and appoint Sima Yi as the Military Advisor of my Yongliang army. All Yongliang generals must treat him with courtesy!”
As soon as these words were spoken…
Yan Xing cupped his hands. “Father Marshal, your wisdom is unparalleled!”
Han Sui stroked his beard.
“Hahahaha… hahaha…”
On this rainy night, his mood was exceptionally joyful.
…
…
Xudu City, Canglong Gate.
The imperial palace.
At this moment, Ma Teng, one of the Nine Ministers, Wei Wei, frowned, his face filled with anger.
Before him, Ma Yunlu was lowering her head, pouting, blinking her eyes repeatedly, her cheeks slightly flushed.
She looked like a little girl who had done something wrong.
She had returned from Jingzhou…
Because she had to escort Guan Yu’s daughter, Guan Yinping, to Luoyang, Ma Yunlu was afraid that something might happen to Guan Yinping, so she had to deliver her personally.
Passing through Xudu City, she naturally had to visit her father.
“You still know how to come back? You left for the south without saying a word? What kind of behavior is this…” Ma Teng’s tone was somewhat stern.
“Dad… Daughter was wrong!” Ma Yunlu, who was usually carefree and had a tomboyish demeanor, acted coy and delicate before her father, Ma Teng.
Ma Teng couldn’t withstand Ma Yunlu’s manner.
“Sigh…”
He let out a helpless sigh, immediately opening his arms. Ma Yunlu very cooperatively let her father embrace her…
“Dad, I won’t dare to do it again.”
“Alas… Dad and your elder brother have spoiled you too much. What kind of behavior is this… what kind of behavior!” Ma Teng lamented repeatedly…
“Dad, you have no idea how exciting this trip to Jingzhou was?”
Even after returning, Ma Yunlu was still very excited.
Or rather… very agitated.
“Exciting? Did you go to the battlefield?” Ma Teng quickly looked around his daughter… fearing she was injured.
Ma Yunlu spread her hands, “Dad, I’m fine…”
“What I mean by exciting is the Nan Shuhou’s deployment of the Bowang Slope battle and the conquest of Jingzhou… you have no idea how spectacular it was!”
“He… he actually… actually made a giant ball fly up, and then dropped incendiary materials from the flying ball, turning Bowang Slope into a sea of fire… Forget Liu Bei’s thousands of troops, even if a hundred thousand or two hundred thousand were ambushed there, with the appearance of that flying ball… nothing would remain.”
Uh…
Ma Teng was stunned. He suddenly couldn’t understand, what was a flying ball?
How did it fly up?
How could it drop incendiary materials from inside?
This… isn’t right, is it?
Ma Teng’s eyes widened. At this moment, before his daughter… he felt like an unsophisticated bumpkin who had never seen the world.
Just as he was about to ask in detail…
Ma Yunlu spread her hands.
“Dad, I won’t talk to you about it anymore… In short, you have no idea how formidable that Nan Shuhou is?”
The former Bai Ma Hou had now been renamed Nan Shuhou.
Ma Teng knew this…
But what surprised him was his daughter… what was going on?
Why was she praising her fiancé like this all of a sudden?
One could be praised by others, but Ma Yunlu was Lu Ziyu’s future wife, how could she praise her husband like this?
Isn’t this inviting ridicule?
“Lu’er… you’re about to get married, you’re so unstable, what kind of behavior is this?”
Ma Teng frowned and said…
Ma Yunlu shook her head. “My return to Luoyang this time was also ordered by that Nan Shuhou. He captured Guan Yu’s daughter, Guan Yinping… no one could do anything to her, so I had to go! The Nan Shuhou then asked me to deliver her to Luoyang…”
Hmm…
Ma Teng was now curious, “Have you met the Nan Shuhou?”
“Naturally!” Ma Yunlu replied truthfully. Women from Xiliang were carefree and had nothing to hide.
Ma Teng quickly asked, “Didn’t you scare the Nan Shuhou?”
This was what Ma Teng wanted to ask the most…
He knew his daughter’s temperament very well.
When she became agitated, she wouldn’t care about her future husband, let alone her father or elder brother.
Ma Teng’s biggest worry was that Lu Yu would see his daughter and want to return her, which would be disastrous.
However…
“Heh heh…”
As soon as this question was asked, Ma Yunlu burst into laughter. “Dad, what are you thinking? That Nan Shuhou likes me very much!”
Uh…
Likes her?
Ma Teng rubbed his eyes. Why did it feel so fake?
…
…