Liujiangkou.
This was where several rivers converged near Lingzhou, beside a large lake called Hongtao, with a circumference of a hundred li and unknown depth. Liujiangkou occupied a strategically advantageous position, benefiting from its waterways, and had always been a battleground fiercely contested by military forces.
At this moment, two naval fleets were slowly approaching each other on Hongtao Lake.
One fleet bore the banner of Prince Ding. It had numerous ships, with sails like clouds, blotting out the sky, though they appeared somewhat disorganized, seemingly newly assembled.
The other force was smaller, numbering only ten thousand, but highly spirited, bearing the standard of Ma Meng.
On the central flagship, Wu Zhi was also observing the opposing fleet.
“I’ve heard that Ma Meng’s navy is elite. Observing their commands, even on the water they maintain strict discipline and perfect coordination. Truly a powerful army!”
After a long pause, she sighed, “I’ve heard that many of these sailors were once river pirates. How many extraordinary talents there are in the world!”
“Your Majesty!”
The generals below, especially those from the navy, upon hearing this, immediately looked embarrassed and stepped forward to kneel: “We failed previously and deserve death for our crimes. Today, we humbly request another chance from Your Majesty to redeem ourselves through meritorious service!”
“Hmm!”
Wu Zhi slightly nodded and pointed to one person: “Chen Xun! Today, I appoint you vanguard. Lead five ironclad ships and fifteen turtle-ships to engage the enemy!”
“Understood!”
Chen Xun came from a prominent local family in Lingzhou. Having received the order, he immediately left the flagship. Soon after, a small fleet was dispatched from the massive navy, moving toward the enemy.
“This must be the ironclad ships ordered by the King and hastily constructed by the Ministry of Works?”
On the flagship, generals from the land forces like Wu Tiehu and Chen Shuncheng watched intently as the five iron-covered ships slowly advanced.
The ships were massive, appearing like iron beasts upon the water.
“Indeed! These ships were designed personally by the Prince. The Ministry of Works’ skilled craftsmen worked day and night to complete them!”
Zeng Yu explained beside them: “Not only are they armored with iron plating for enhanced defense, but their decks are like land, capable of mounting ballistae, naval catapults, and even trebuchets!”
…
“Excellent ships! Truly excellent!”
Chen Xun stood on the ironclad vessel, and although it wasn’t his first time, he couldn’t help but admire it.
“Massive warships equipped with heavy crossbows are the future of naval warfare…”
Recognized by Wu Ming and tested by Wu Zhi, Chen Xun possessed exceptional insight and immediately identified his side’s advantage.
“The enemy’s navy consists mostly of river pirates. They are skilled in maneuvering boats, navigating rivers as if walking on land, and adept at naval combat, like wolves in the water… Our navy is newly trained and shouldn’t engage in direct combat.”
“But if we hold our ground on these ships, they become like floating fortresses. No matter how many enemy wolves swarm, they are merely scattered raiders. How could they breach our defenses? Combined with crossbows and trebuchets, we will be unstoppable!”
The junior officers below nodded in agreement: “General’s insight is profound!”
“Advance!”
Naval battles are commanded by the flagship. At this moment, Chen Xun’s ironclad ship served as the flagship. Upon his command, the fleet immediately advanced toward the enemy.
“Wu wu…”
The enemy sounded their horns, and a fleet also emerged to meet them.
Ma Meng’s navy primarily used small boats, swift and maneuverable on the water. Now, several large ships advanced with dozens of smaller boats flanking them, howling like a wolf pack closing in.
As they drew closer, the enemy sailors in short tunics with bare arms, wielding bows, arrows, and short swords, became clearly visible.
“Ballistae, fire!”
Chen Xun remained calm and gave the order. Immediately, the ballistae on the fleet roared to life.
“Xiu xiu!”
Modified for naval use, these arrows were nearly as thick as a baby’s arm. They shot forth like cannonballs, slicing through the air. Upon impact, they pierced men and shattered ships. Screams erupted from the enemy’s small boats.
“Attack!”
After several volleys and chaotic exchanges, the enemy boats finally reached the outermost turtle-ships. However, when the enemy sailors, teeth clenched around knives, attempted to leap aboard for close-quarters combat, they were surprised to find another armored shell atop the ships. From the gaps along the edges, long spears and strong pikes protruded like a hedgehog, making boarding nearly impossible.
As for the ironclad ships, they were like massive fortresses, towering and impregnable. Their hulls were extremely sturdy. Even if enemy divers attempted to swim beneath and sabotage the hulls, it was a futile endeavor.
“Ram them!”
Chen Xun watched the enemy boats with a cruel smile.
“Hu hu!”
Two rows of oars extended from the sides of the ironclad ships, churning the lake water. These five beasts surged forward at an astonishing speed.
“Ahh!”
The enemy sailors on the small boats screamed as their ships shattered, forcing them to jump into the water to save themselves. Except for a few with exceptional swimming skills, most were shot by archers, staining the lake red.
“Deploy fire ships!”
Seeing their skilled sailors so easily defeated, the enemy vanguard finally unveiled their trump card.
Dozens of small boats behind were loaded with firewood and lamp oil. Now set ablaze, they became flaming torches on the water, steered by suicide attackers toward Chen Xun’s fleet.
“Ballistae! Trebuchets! Fire!”
Chen Xun remained calm and gave orders. The ballistae and small trebuchets on the ships roared.
“Peng peng!”
A small boat was struck by a stone and disintegrated mid-advance. The suicide attackers had their bones shattered and fell into the lake.
Several other small boats approached but were riddled with crossbow fire, leaving few survivors among the attackers.
In the end, only a few fire ships managed to approach, but the turtle-ships calmly used long hooks to drag them away, causing no damage whatsoever.
The enemy fleet hesitated for a long time but eventually had no choice but to retreat.
A cheer erupted from Chen Xun’s fleet.
“Phew…”
Unbeknownst to others, Chen Xun also exhaled in relief: “These new recruits, having tasted victory, have finally gained confidence. In the future, even when facing the enemy, they will dare to fight and won’t collapse in panic…”
…
While the three armies celebrated, Ma Meng’s expression was grim in his naval camp.
“I had thought Dingzhou’s navy had suffered several defeats, yet it recovered so quickly and returned with such momentum!”
Ma Meng sighed.
He now understood the difference between himself and Wu Zhi, who commanded vast resources.
The enemy didn’t care about minor defeats. Even if half of Dingzhou’s navy was lost, as long as the foundation remained, countless resources could be mobilized at a single command. Local elites in Lingzhou even volunteered men and supplies, giving them formidable recovery capabilities.
But on his side, he only controlled two small commanderies. Every sailor lost was one fewer, every ship lost was one fewer. The shipyard progress was unsatisfactory; often, when one ship was launched on his side, the enemy had already added three or five more! And their sailors remained at full strength!
Such a disparity—how could human effort possibly turn the tide?
“Great news, General!”
At this moment, Sun, the previous advisor, appeared with a joyful expression and quickly reported: “Our sect heard of the General’s request for aid and took it very seriously. Several senior elders with formidable cultivation have been dispatched. Even the Grand Elder has issued instructions, promising to assist the General at a critical moment!”
“Is that so?”
Upon hearing this, Ma Meng, whose resolve had been wavering, found his thoughts once again in turmoil.
…
On Hongtao Lake.
After several days of probing and attrition, Ma Meng finally lost patience and committed his entire navy for a decisive battle.
Wu Zhi naturally wouldn’t back down. She directly appointed Chen Xun, Gan Meng, and other capable naval commanders as supreme commanders and engaged in a massive naval battle on Hongtao Lake.
Now hundreds, even thousands of ships clashed together, creating a vastly different and grander scene.
“Trebuchets! Prepare fire oil bombs! Launch!”
Chen Xun fixed his gaze on the enemy ships, his eyes gleaming. After a brief wait, he suddenly shouted.
“Launch!”
The trebuchets were already prepared, but instead of stones, they now launched clay jars filled with black naptha oil.
This oil was much lighter than stone, allowing the trebuchets to hurl them great distances. Upon impact with enemy ships, the oil spread rapidly, igniting fires that even water couldn’t easily extinguish. Screams of agony erupted from the enemy ranks.
“Excellent! Continue!”
Seeing the plan succeed, Chen Xun’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
This naptha oil bomb was Prince Ding’s secret trump card, kept hidden until now, precisely for this moment to unleash maximum impact and strike a decisive blow against the enemy.
“There is no greater cruelty in warfare than water and fire. Now we wield both!”
As numerous oil bombs landed among the enemy ships, a sea of flames erupted. Figures engulfed in flames could be seen leaping into the lake.
Unfortunately, even though they were skilled swimmers, in the heart of the battlefield, they were like drifting duckweed—either pierced by stray arrows or exhausted and drowned.
“Victory in war depends on morale!”
Mercy had no place in command. Chen Xun felt no pity at all: “Once this fire attack finishes its work, we must press our advantage, completely shatter the enemy fleet, and ideally capture their naval base!”
“Commander! Bad news! The wind has shifted!”
Just then, a junior officer noticed the change in the flags and cried out in alarm.
“Wind shift?”
Chen Xun was startled.
The reason he chose to use fire today was precisely because the wind was blowing from the west, favoring his fleet. Even if the fire spread, it would only ravage the enemy ranks. But now… watching the rapidly shifting flags, Chen Xun’s expression turned pale.
“It has turned to an east wind…”
He looked toward the enemy, where the burning large ships were gradually drifting away from Ma Meng’s fleet and toward his own side. His face turned deathly pale: “Did we overplay our hand? Impossible! Before today’s battle, I personally tested the water and soil, and even consulted a Taoist priest for weather omens. There should have been only a west wind. Where did this strange wind come from?”
He looked toward the enemy fleet, his eyes suddenly narrowing: “Could it be that Ma Meng has summoned a Taoist master capable of manipulating the weather?”
In the eyes of military strategists, anyone opposing the army’s advance was a demon!
“Haha… Order the attack!”
On the enemy flagship, Ma Meng also noticed the change and couldn’t help but laugh toward Sun, the advisor beside him: “Your sect’s elders truly possess profound magical abilities. They managed to summon an east wind to secure our victory. After this battle, I will surely reward you handsomely!”
“Thank you, General!”
Sun bowed in gratitude, though his heart was filled with doubt: “The enemy also has masters of high cultivation. This must be the Patriarch himself intervening with magical arts!”
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