The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 112: Recalling Li Yi in those days, he was handsome and heroic, wearing a crane-shaped cloak and a silk scarf. While he was talking and laughing, the masts and oars were reduced to ashes.

The pirate invasion involved Gan Ning's professional field.

Li Yi then asked:
"Xingba has been rampant on the river for many years. Which pirate group do you think this is?"

Gan Ning thought for a moment, then said:

"There are many pirates on the river, and the most powerful one is the pirate Xuezhou."

Xuezhou...

Li Yi and Chen Deng looked at each other. Wasn't this the pirate mentioned earlier who was causing trouble in the Yangtze River and East China Sea?
Chen Deng once mentioned that Guangling was not a good place to train the navy on a large scale because Jiangdu, which was most suitable as a port, was easily invaded by pirates.

At that time, Li Yi proposed that if Xuezhou, the great river and sea thief, could be recruited, the other pirates would not be able to cause any trouble.

"Yuanlong, let's go to the water fort."

"……Um."

Chen Deng followed Li Yi to the water fort.

Li Yi selected several large ships and ordered Jiang Qin, Xu Sheng, Zhou Tai, Gan Ning and other skilled sailors to board the ships.

Chen Deng asked in surprise:
"Zi Yu is going to personally conquer Xuezhou?"

Li Yi stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly:

"What are you afraid of him doing?"

"I regard all the rats in the world as grass, let alone a flea on the sea."

"If we can capture Xuezhou in this battle, we will recruit him and make him a guarantor for our navy on the river."

"If we fail to capture him, let him die on the river, eliminate the main culprit, and shock the Xuzhou navy."

When the generals heard this, they all felt proud.

They all bowed to Li Yi and said:

"Let the military advisor direct your orders!"

Li Yi first instructed Chen Deng:
"Please Yuanlong take more care to stay in Guangling and settle the officials from Jingzhou."

"Don't cause any trouble and ruin the reputation of Xuzhou."

Chen Deng nodded, bowed on the bank and said:

"Zi Yu, go with peace of mind. I will set up a celebration banquet in Guangling."

"We'll wait for you to come back and share the snapper sashimi with us!"

This kid!
Li Yi curved his lips and smiled, and ordered his men to prepare twenty fireboats.

The boat was loaded with dry reeds and firewood, then filled with fish oil and covered with sulphur and other flammable materials.

A boat is tied to the stern to make it easier for the boatman and sailors to drive it.

After everything was ready, he ordered the helmsman to drive the boat out of the water fort.

The pirate ships over there were blocked by fireboats and could not advance for a while.

The leader of the bandits was indeed the pirate Xuezhou, just as Gan Ning had said.

He had been rampant in the Yangtze River and the East China Sea for several years, and had gathered more than 10,000 people under his command.

On weekdays, they would take small boats, as well as a small number of warships and battleships, to plunder the river banks and coastal areas.

Small counties and prefectures could not stop him, and whenever large counties and prefectures sent troops to suppress him, he had already boarded the ship and left.

The officers and soldiers were unable to catch up with him and could only watch him leave with his full load.

This went on for several years.

As a thief who travels across rivers and seas, he is well-informed about the news on the road.

That day, Xuezhou heard that three hundred ships from Jingzhou were heading to Guangling.

The ship carried many senior officials from Jingzhou.

So the bandits became ambitious and planned to send troops to rob the fleet.

Even if there is not much property, it would be a great idea to capture these officials and extort ransom from their families.

But I never thought that this Jingzhou fleet seemed to have some experts on the river.

Xue Zhou had no chance to intercept it several times.

Finally, I watched it arrive in Guangling.

Xuezhou was annoyed, so he decided to go ashore and rob people in the dark night.

He actually had a lucky mentality.

He thought to himself that these officials from Jingzhou had no relationship with Xuzhou, so he just needed to bring enough ships and men.

Show your power and scare the people of Xuzhou.

I don't think they will fight with me for these people from Jingzhou.

At this time, the sea breeze was strong.

Xuezhou stood at the bow of the boat and looked across the river to see the moon rising and shining on the river.

Like thousands of golden snakes, playing with the waves.

Xuezhou laughed loudly in the wind, thinking himself successful.

He turned back and said to the bandits:

"What about Guangling Governor Chen Yuanlong?"

"I thought I could stop you with a fire ship. When the fire is out, I will go ashore."

"I will rob all the people in Jingzhou, and then go to the river with my brothers to enjoy the wealth and glory together."

When the thieves heard this, they all laughed with their heads raised.

They have been roaming the water for so many years, coming and going freely, and the government cannot do anything to them.

Just when everyone was self-righteous and forgetful.

Suddenly, a thief pointed at the river bank and shouted:
"Commander, there is a faint tuft of sails in the north of the river, bringing the wind!"

Xuezhou was not in a hurry. He stood at the bow of the boat and looked out from a high place.

I saw a fleet of warships coming towards the wind, but it was dark and I couldn't see the flags clearly. I didn't know which general of Guangling's flags they were.

"We made such a big noise that we have already alerted the officials in Guangling."

"It seems they are serious this time, sending out their navy to capture us!"

Some of the thieves began to whisper, expressing their concern.

"Yes, I also heard that Liu Xuzhou is building a navy in Guangling."

"The officers and soldiers were dispatched so quickly this time. Could it be that they wanted to test out the newly trained navy?"

hum~
Xue Zhou snorted lightly, showing disdain on his face.

These Xuzhou people are so bold and presumptuous that they actually treat them as experienced babies.

Do you think that the fame we brothers have gained on the rivers and seas over the years is just empty talk?
"Marshal, why don't we withdraw?"

Some bandits made a proposal to Xuezhou.

This is actually the usual style of these pirates. They come and go like the wind and hide on the rivers and seas before the officers and soldiers arrive.

To ensure minimal losses.

It was precisely because of this method that they were able to survive in the rivers and seas for many years and gather a group of more than 10,000 people.

"No!"

Xue Zhou waved his hand and rejected his men's suggestion to retreat.

Under normal circumstances, as soon as the officers and soldiers were dispatched, Xuezhou would retreat immediately.

But this time it’s different, the people of Xuzhou are really too arrogant.

A group of new recruits in the water came out so quickly and actively.

You don't take us brothers seriously at all.

These ignorant officers and soldiers must be taught a lesson, otherwise all officers and soldiers will think they are easy to bully in the future.

Then how will they come ashore to plunder in the future?
"Don't be afraid, everyone."

"We are all new soldiers who have just learned to fight on the water. How can we compare with brothers like us who have been fighting on the water for many years?"

"Besides, we have more ships and they have fewer."

"When many are against few, what is there to fear?"

"Come, listen to my orders and sail towards the ship!"

At a command, the thieves drove the boat forward.

Xuezhou also ordered his men to take small boats and go up to demonstrate and shout.

"The official ship ahead should stop going forward and quickly disembark."

"I will spare your life!"

The thieves shouted in unison, laughing.

Before he finished speaking, the bows and strings sounded, and all the bandits in the front row fell into the water.

The thieves were shocked and rushed back to the ship.

Xuezhou widened his eyes and suddenly noticed that there were more and more government ships on the river.

While I was in doubt,

I saw the ships were like arrows, with fire ships rushing forward one after another.

It turned out that Li Yi had prepared many large ships this time, with small boats hidden inside the large ships.

When the ships approached, he ordered his men to release the small boats, add flammable materials, and light them into fireboats.

Crashed towards Xuezhou's fleet.

The wind helps the fire, and the fire takes advantage of the power of the wind.

The flames rose to the sky, reflecting a bright red color on the river.

Behind these fireboats were small boats, carrying strong water warriors, each holding a sword and an axe.

Everyone is rubbing their hands, ready to fight.

The fireship crashed into the Xuezhou army's ships.

The thieves thought that this group of people were going to fight to the death, and they immediately became chaotic.

The fire ships were coming like arrows, so fast that there was no place to escape.

Some people were reluctant to abandon their boats, so the Guangling navy boarded their boats and hacked to death.

Some people hurriedly jumped into the water to avoid disaster, but as soon as they stuck their heads out, they were hacked to death in the water again.

"The people of Xuzhou are crazy!" Xuezhou was horrified, thinking that these people were using boats to tie fireboats to ram him.

Wouldn't that mean both sides will perish together?
This kind of fighting method is truly the case of the brave winning when two meet in a narrow road.

If two sides fight, there will be death and no life.

Only those who have enough courage and dare to fight with the other party will have a chance of survival.

But the gang of thieves in Xuezhou are full of banditry and are used to bullying the weak and fearing the strong.

When it really comes to risking your life, where would you have the courage to step forward?
When they saw the fireboat coming, they all jumped into the water like dumplings, and dared not even to fight.

But on the surface of the river, fire was flying with the wind.

It was all red, covering the entire sky.

When Xuezhou saw that everyone was unable to accomplish their task, he ordered his men to turn around.

Suddenly, someone was seen behind him driving a boat, with smoke and fire coming out, heading straight for Xuezhou's ships.

"This……"

Xuezhou felt uncomfortable due to the smoke, and squinted his eyes to look, only to hear the sound of bells in the wind.

On the leading ship stood a sturdy man wearing a brocade robe, with bird feathers in his hair and bells on his waist.

Holding a long sword, he stood facing the wind.

With one hand on his waist, he sneered:
"Xuezhou, do you know Gan Xingba?"

Jinfan thief?
As a fellow Taoist, how could Xuezhou not have heard of Gan Ning's reputation?

"Gan Xingba, I haven't seen you for many years. How did you become like this?"

Although he was in a poor situation, Xue Zhou was a hooligan in his daily life, and even at this time he still did not forget to mock him.

"I had no grudge against you in the past, why are you acting like a lackey of the soldiers and chasing me away today?"

"What Xingba did was truly ridiculed by the people in the underworld!"

Gan Ning disagreed and smiled:

"I haven't been a pirate for many years."

"Now that I have pledged my loyalty to Liu Xuzhou, Brother Xue can quickly disembark and head for the middle of the river."

"Then he tied himself up and came aboard to apologize to Mr. Li."

"Mr. Li is kindhearted and might be able to spare your life."

"This is what I really think, but don't blame me for not paying attention to the moral principles and not reminding you."

"If it's too late, your life may be in danger!"

Xue Zhou laughed out loud when he heard this.

"I, Xuezhou, have traveled across the rivers and seas for many years. I can come and go as I please."

"Wherever you go, you will return with a full load."

"After failing today, I respect Li Yi as a hero."

"But if you want to capture me, Xuezhou, you still need some time."

After saying these harsh words, Xue Zhou ordered the boat to turn around.

Gan Ning hoisted the full sail and sailed against the wind.

Seeing that Gan Ning was chasing him closely, Xuezhou was neither panicked nor hurried. He ordered his men to take down the small boat to intercept him.

Having been the big brother for so many years, how could Xue Zhou not have brave men around him?
Soon, several small boats sailed towards Gan Ning's boat, blocking the way with their hulls.

It seemed as if he wanted to exchange his death for Xuezhou's life.

Gan Ning saw that the ship in front was not far away, so he simply abandoned his boat and boarded the enemy ship.

He drew his sword and chopped down several people in a row.

Standing on the bow, shouting:

"Don't leave yet! Come with me and confess your crime to Mr. Li."

"If you go like this, your life will be over!"

Xue Zhou laughed loudly while clapping his hands on the boat:
"If I keep this, my head will really be hanging over Guangling City."

As they were talking, two more boats were seen approaching.

They are Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin.

"Xingba, don't panic. We are here to help you on the orders of the military advisor!"

Gan Ning was overjoyed and shouted loudly:
"You two, hurry up and take my boat. I'm going to chase Xuezhou!"

Zhou Tai handed the boat to Gan Ning, and he and Jiang Qin intercepted the bandits in Xuezhou.

Gan Ning rushed after him, and Xue Zhou saw this and said angrily:

"How dare you chase me away alone!"

"Look at me cumming in you!"

He immediately ordered his men to draw their bows and arrows and shoot towards the water.

Unexpectedly, Gan Ning was quick-witted and quick-handed, and he pulled the bow to its full length before anyone else did.

An arrow shot towards the bow and hit the rope.

The boat immediately lost its balance as the sail fell into the water.

The archers lost their aim and were all holding onto the bow of the boat, which was swaying.

Gan Ning sneered, raised his hand and pulled up the full sail on the boat, and sailed forward with the wind, the boat moving like flying.

After catching up with them in a short while, Gan Ning jumped onto the pirate ship in one leap.

Xuezhou immediately ordered his men to surround Gan Ning.

Gan Ning swung his sword wildly, blood gushed out like a fountain, and severed limbs flew everywhere.

Everyone was afraid of Gan Ning's bravery and did not dare to step forward.

Seeing this, Xuezhou hurriedly spoke out to comfort him:
"Xingba, you are alone now and cannot capture me."

"Why don't you and I go our separate ways? I'll let you go, and you don't have to chase me away."

Gan Ning laughed coldly:

"I am here to capture you on the orders of the military advisor."

"How can I report back empty-handed?"

After saying this, Gan Ning leaped up and circled around to Xuezhou.

Before Xue Zhou could react, Gan Ning kicked him into the water.

"Master Zong!"

Everyone shouted and was about to rush forward to rescue.

Unexpectedly, Gan Ning also jumped into the water like dumplings.

Xuezhou is a good swimmer, but Gan Ning is better.

After struggling in the water for a few times, he was restrained by Gan Ning, who locked his throat and made him unable to move.

Everyone on the boat didn't know what to do and watched Gan Ning kidnap Xuezhou.

Soon, Xu Sheng led a fleet to meet them, and Gan Ning sent Xuezhou on board.

Immediately, several warriors came forward, knocked him down, and tied him up with iron chains.

"Is this person Xue Zhou?"

Xu Sheng stepped forward to support Gan Ning, pointed at him and asked.

Gan Ning smiled and said:

"Even if he turns into ashes, I will recognize him."

Xu Sheng was overjoyed when he heard this, patted Gan Ning on the shoulder and exclaimed:

"Xingba, you have just arrived and have achieved such a great achievement."

"When I go back and see the military advisor, he will definitely be very happy."

"Take Xuezhou with you, and you will be rewarded handsomely!"

Gan Ning was a person who cared a lot about face in his life, so he couldn't stop smiling when he was praised by his senior.

Looking back at the river, I saw it all red and flames flying in the wind.

The Xuzhou government troops were fighting with the pirates who were trying to intercept the ship.

"How to deal with these pirates?"

"Can we send more people?"

Xu Sheng shook his head. "You have already captured the leader of the bandits. The rest are just ants. There is no need to worry about them."

"They will scatter like birds and beasts in a short time, and I think the military advisor will also withdraw his troops."

Sure enough, when the news of the capture of Xuezhou was reported to Li Yi.

Li Yi immediately ordered the troops to withdraw immediately without further fighting.

At the command, all the ships turned around and returned to Guangling.

As for the bandits on the river, they had no intention of fighting in the first place, and when they saw the officers and soldiers withdrawing on their own initiative, they immediately turned around and left.

There are still many people who are looking for Xuezhou like headless flies.

He had no idea that he had been captured by Gan Ning.

Half an hour later, the river gradually calmed down.

The Xuzhou navy docked and disembarked.

Gan Ning was eager to take credit, so he personally escorted Xuezhou to meet Li Yi.

"Military Advisor, this man is the leader of the thieves!"

Gan Ning's brocade robe was completely dyed red, but he did not have many injuries on his body.

When Zhao Yun and other generals saw this, they were also secretly surprised.

I sigh that Gan Ning is indeed a good water expert if he calls them over.

Even if Gan Ning rushed into the enemy camp through smoke and fire, he would not have escaped injury.

"Good! Xingba is truly a great general!"

Li Yi patted Gan Ning on the shoulder and praised him generously.

……

(End of this chapter)