Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

The boatmen busily moved about on the deck, carrying cargo. Their shouts and the creaking of ropes mingled together, creating a lively symphony of labor.

At Taicang Port, larger ships are sailing out of the port one after another.

These ships are enormous, with masts soaring into the clouds and sails billowing in the wind, as if they are about to carry the ships to the distant horizon.

The sailors on board were all strong and healthy. They skillfully operated various navigational equipment, and their eyes revealed a sense of awe for the sea and a desire to conquer it.

At Shuikou in Zhenjiang, dozens of civilian boats were launched one after another.

All the ships were heading in the same direction: towards the center of the river.

By evening, nearly two hundred boats had gathered on the river, looking like a floating city from afar.

The ships maintained a certain distance from each other, yet they vaguely formed a long array, resembling a well-trained army, ready for battle.

Zhu Biao stood beside him, dressed in a brocade robe, his face handsome yet with a touch of youthfulness.

Looking at the magnificent sight on the river, he couldn't help but exclaim, "So many ships! The Prince of Han's Mansion has really gone all out this time!"

Zhu Han said calmly, "It's not enough."

Zhu Biao was taken aback, a look of doubt appearing in his eyes. He asked, "Isn't that enough? No matter how powerful the Salt Gang is, they're just a bunch of rabble. With so many ships, are we afraid of them?"

Zhu Han shook his head slightly and said, "Naval warfare is not about who has more troops, but about location and strategy. The Salt Gang has been operating on this river for many years and is very familiar with the water. We cannot be careless."

Zhu Biao looked at the river and asked again, "Then what are we competing in?"

Zhu Han said calmly, "Positioning. We need to occupy a favorable position to maximize our combat effectiveness. Once they come out, we'll adjust our tactics accordingly."

A river breeze began to rise, causing Zhu Han and Zhu Biao's robes to flutter loudly.

As darkness fell and night descended, the river surface was shrouded in darkness, resembling a giant black hole concealing endless unknowns and dangers.

Suddenly, a light appeared in the distance, followed by a second and a third. Soon, a row of torches lit up the river, like a burning fire dragon winding its way across the water.

The fleet, the Salt Gang's fleet, is slowly approaching.

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Biao's eyes as he clenched his fist and said, "They're here."

Zhu Han simply watched quietly, his eyes showing no emotion, as if everything was under his control.

Zhu Biao said in a low voice, "They're serious."

Zhu Han said calmly, "Of course. The Salt Gang has come out in full force this time, clearly intending to fight us to the death. However, they have underestimated our Prince Han's Mansion."

A moment later, the salt convoy stopped in the middle of the river.

On the foremost large ship, Han Shichang stood at the bow, his posture upright and his eyes cold and stern.

He looked ahead and suddenly froze, because the river in front of him was already filled with boats, densely packed and stretching as far as the eye could see, like an insurmountable barrier.

His second-in-command couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow... how come there are so many ships!"

Han Shichang narrowed his eyes, a hint of wariness and doubt flashing in them.

In the distance, a large ship slowly raises a flag with gold lettering on a black background. A large character "瀚" (Han) stands out prominently in the night sky.

Han Shichang's face darkened instantly, and he said in a low voice, "The Prince of Han's residence."

The deputy stammered, "How could they... We had made meticulous plans, how could they have known about our actions in advance?"

The river wind swept past like a wild beast, carrying a fierce momentum.

The howling wind, like the roar of a ferocious beast, echoed wildly across the river.

On the river, flags fluttered violently in the gale, their waving motions resembling razor-sharp knives lying across the wide river, as if trying to cleave the surging waters in two.

The two fleets faced each other across the river, like two armies on high alert, the atmosphere so tense it seemed the air itself could ignite.

In the distance, on the Zhenjiang city tower, Zhu Han stood quietly, his gaze piercing through the vast night, fixed on the two fleets of ships facing each other on the river.

A gentle breeze caressed his face and ruffled a few strands of his hair, but he was completely unaware.

After a moment, he tilted his head slightly, a faint smile curving his lips, and said softly, "Now, it's their turn to come up with a solution." His voice was deep and steady, as if carrying an unquestionable authority.

In the middle of the river, the standoff between the two fleets continued. The light of torches danced and flickered on the water, illuminating the dense array of boat shadows with exceptional clarity.

From a distance, these ship silhouettes resembled two city walls floating in the darkness, tall and majestic, exuding an awe-inspiring aura.

Han Shichang's face gradually darkened, like the sky before a storm, gloomy and terrifying.

Seeing this, a nearby leader cautiously stepped forward and whispered, "Master, should we charge in?"

The voice carried a hint of urgency and impulsiveness.

Han Shichang sneered, the laughter sounding particularly abrupt in the silent air, as if mocking the leader's suggestion.

He slowly raised his hand, pointed forward, and said, "Charge? Look at that ship formation."

Upon hearing his words, everyone looked over carefully.

Soon, someone noticed the problem and exclaimed, "There are small boats in the front, and large ships all behind them, like a wall!"

The voice carried a hint of fear and unease.

Han Shichang said calmly, "We'll charge forward, the first row of small boats will scatter, and the large ships behind will then surge forward."

His tone was eerily calm, as if he were stating something utterly ordinary.

He paused, then continued, "If we get stuck in the middle of the river, we won't be able to retreat even if we want to."

Upon hearing his words, everyone's expressions changed slightly, and their previously restless hearts gradually calmed down.

One of the leaders couldn't help but ask, "What should we do then?"

Han Shichang did not answer immediately, but continued to look quietly at the river, his eyes deep and complex, as if he was thinking about something.

After a while, he suddenly said, "They don't dare to make a move."

Those around were taken aback, their expressions filled with confusion, and they asked, "Why?"

Han Shichang sneered and said, "This is the official road. Whoever makes the first move is guilty."

Upon hearing his words, everyone suddenly realized what he meant.

If the Prince of Han's ship were to collide with the merchant ship first, it would be considered a forced collision between a government vessel and a merchant ship. If word got out, the trouble would be considerable.

Thinking of this, everyone immediately relaxed a bit, and some even laughed, their laughter carrying a hint of luck and smugness.

Someone asked, "So, we'll just wait it out?"

Han Shichang nodded and said, "Let's see who gets impatient first." A hint of cunning and confidence flashed in his eyes.

On the other side, in the center of the Hanwang Mansion fleet, a three-story ship was steadily moored in the middle of the river.

Zhu Han sat by the window, with a river map in front of him, which detailed the terrain of the river and the positions of the ships.

Zhu Biao stood to the side, his eyes revealing a hint of nervousness and anticipation, glancing out the window from time to time to observe the movements outside.

The sounds of water and oars could be heard constantly outside, the sounds of boats moving on the river, like background music to this standoff.

"Uncle, they've stopped."

Zhu Biao said, his voice tinged with excitement.

Zhu Han nodded slightly and said, "Of course it will stop."

Zhu Biao frowned and asked, "So they're waiting?"

Zhu Han said, "Wait for us to make a move."

Zhu Biao couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Do they think we wouldn't dare?" Zhu Han said calmly, "It's indeed not suitable to make the first move."

Zhu Biao was taken aback and asked, "Then what should we do?"

Zhu Han did not answer, but stared intently at the map, as if searching for a way to break the standoff.

After a moment, Zhu Han suddenly raised his head and said, "Lu Chenzhou."

Someone immediately responded from outside the door, and a burly man pushed the door open and came in; it was Lu Chenzhou.

Lu Chenzhou knelt on one knee and said, "Your Highness."

Zhu Han asked, "How many ships does the Salt Gang have?"

Lu Chenzhou replied, "I estimate it to be between one hundred and forty and one hundred and fifty."

Zhu Han nodded, then asked, "What about the ship type?"

Lu Chenzhou said, "Most of them are flat-bottomed boats used for transporting salt, and there are also more than a dozen large ships."

Zhu Han pondered for a moment, then said, "Move the front row of boats forward."

Zhu Biao was taken aback and asked, "Get closer to them?"

Zhu Han nodded and said, "Move slowly, don't touch it."

Lu Chenzhou immediately understood and said, "Yes."

After saying that, he turned and went out to relay the order.

Soon, the fleet of ships from the Prince of Han's residence began to move.

The small boat at the front row moved slowly forward, its oars gently gliding across the water, the movements light and slow, as if afraid of disturbing the tense atmosphere.

Ripples spread across the river's surface, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, the ripples spreading continuously.

As the distance closed little by little, someone on the Salt Gang's fleet immediately noticed and exclaimed, "Master, they've moved!"

Han Shichang narrowed his eyes and asked, "How much?"

"More than a dozen."

Han Shichang sneered and said, "A test."

He waved his hand and said, "Don't move."

The salt gang's ships remained stationary, as if waiting for the next move of the Prince Han's fleet.

The distance to the river surface was getting closer and closer, fifty zhang, forty zhang, thirty zhang... The small boat of the Prince of Han's Mansion finally stopped.

Between the two ships, only a short stretch of water remained, and the tense atmosphere seemed to freeze, as if time itself had stopped at that moment.

On the Salt Gang's fleet, many men had already gripped their weapons, their eyes revealing vigilance and tension, ready to deal with any possible conflict.

After a while, the fleet of ships from the Prince of Han's mansion moved again.

Dozens of large ships moved slowly sideways, their massive bodies moving across the river with a dull thud, like giant beasts walking.

They formed a moving wall, slowly sealing off both sides of the river.

Suddenly, someone in the Salt Gang fleet realized something, his expression changed, and he exclaimed, "Master, they're blocking the road!"

Han Shichang turned his head sharply, and sure enough, the large ships of the Prince of Han's mansion were unfolding on both sides, like a huge net, slowly closing in.

If the river were completely blocked, the salt guild's fleet would be trapped in the middle of the river, unable to advance or retreat.

The deputy couldn't help but ask, "Master, should we retreat?"

Han Shichang remained silent for a moment, then suddenly sneered and said, "Withdraw."

The deputy hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Now?"

Han Shichang said, "If we stay any longer, we won't be able to leave. We need to turn around."

The order was quickly passed down, and the Salt Gang's fleet began to slowly turn.

One boat after another turned around, causing some chaos on the river surface as the boats collided with each other, making a "bang" sound.

On the deck of the boat at the Prince of Han's mansion, Zhu Biao saw this scene and couldn't help but laugh, saying, "They're trying to escape."

Zhu Han said calmly, "As expected."

Zhu Biao asked, "Should we pursue them?"

Zhu Han shook his head and said, "We won't chase after them."

Zhu Biao was taken aback and asked, "Not going to pursue?"

Zhu Han said, "Today we're just letting them know one thing."

Zhu Biao asked, "What?"

Zhu Han looked at the river and said calmly, "The waterways of Jiangnan are not something they can block."

Zhu Biao paused for a moment, then suddenly said, "But they won't be willing to accept this."

Zhu Han nodded and said, "Of course not."

He looked at the Salt Gang's fleet gradually disappearing into the distance and said, "Next time, they'll try a different method."

Zhu Biao asked, "What about us?" Zhu Han replied calmly, "We'll switch too."

Meanwhile, in the salt warehouses of Yangzhou, the atmosphere was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

Han Shichang hadn't slept all night; his eyes were bloodshot, and his gaze revealed exhaustion and worry.

He had just returned to the salt warehouse when he saw all the leaders gathered in the hall, their faces filled with anxiety.

Finally, one of the leaders couldn't hold back any longer and broke the silence. He slammed his hand on the table and said angrily, "The Prince of Han's Mansion is too ruthless. They have too many ships and have blocked the river completely. Our ships can't get out at all. How are we supposed to do business like this?"

The other man frowned and asked helplessly, "Then what should we do? We can't just sit here and wait. If this continues, our Salt Gang will be finished."

Han Shichang slowly sat down, his movements somewhat sluggish, as if each step carried a heavy burden.

He picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and the bitterness of the tea spread in his mouth, but it could not dispel the gloom in his heart.

Then, he slowly said, "Feng Jiang won't work."

Everyone remained silent, as if the air had frozen.

Someone asked cautiously, "So, we're just going to abandon the plan? Are all our preparations over the past few days just going to go to waste?"

Han Shichang shook his head, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, a glint like lightning in a cold night, sending chills down one's spine. "Of course not."

He said in a low but firm voice, "If we can't seal off the river, then we'll seal off the port."

Everyone was taken aback, and someone asked in confusion, "Close the port? How do we do that?"

Han Shichang stood up and walked heavily to the map.

His finger moved slowly across the map, then pointed to several places, saying, "Zhenjiang Wharf, Suzhou Ping Wharf, Taicang Port."

"Boats can sail on the river, but they always have to dock. As long as we control these docks, the grain ships won't be able to unload their cargo. What can the Prince of Han's mansion do then?"

Everyone immediately understood, and their faces showed expressions of sudden realization.

Someone couldn't help but laugh, saying, "Hall Master Han is truly brilliant. This move, cutting off the enemy's supply lines, is something the Prince of Han's mansion would never have anticipated." (End of Chapter)