Late Ming Dynasty: The Counterattack Begins with Sea Pirates

"There aren't enough people on the island. I'm thinking... should we kidnap some people from the surrounding areas and bring them to the island?"

After hearing this, Wu Wanruo stared intently at her husband, who seemed like a completely different person.

She didn't understand what had made her husband say those words.

Is this just an industry trend? Or is it because of the immense pressure I've been under these past few days?

Wu Wanruo studied medicine and could be considered a semi-doctor, as she cared about human life and death.

Deep down, she strongly opposed this behavior that disregarded the lives and deaths of ordinary people.

If killing some people can save more people, and killing some bad people can save more good people, she would have no reason to refuse.

However, this looting of the surrounding people was a truly ruthless act against innocent people.

This is not the same as robbing official ships or fighting pirates.

Seeing Wu Wanruo's helpless expression, Chi Honghai explained why he had such a bad idea.

"A few days ago, I went to see Zheng Zhilong, and by chance, I also met Chen Qian, the General of Guangzhou Prefecture."

"They're all snobbish people. Although... I'm snobbish too, they don't seem to treat their own people like normal people. Not to mention the common people of Pingjia. I hijacked ships from Xin'an County and Guangzhou Prefecture and got on Zheng Zhilong's good side. Those two will definitely not let me go in the future."

"I don't know exactly how long it will take, but I can't wait on this island for them to find us."

I understand now, I understand everything.

Now I understand why my husband has been living on the North Shore and acting like this these past few days.

Chi Honghai has something he has to protect.

His own life, the people who have followed him to this day and call him "Master," and himself.

Wu Wanruo reached out and touched Chi Honghai's face.

He ran his thumb across his cheek.

It has been confirmed that Chi Honghai is still the same Chi Honghai.

"If something has to be done, I'll take half the blame for you, even if it means being criticized."

Chi Honghai grabbed Wu Wanruo's hand, tightened his grip slightly, and swallowed hard: "No, but if there's one word that was said about my wife, I'll make sure that person never speaks again."

……

After his wife fed him, Chi Honghai's spirits improved considerably.

Once he regained his composure, he began to prepare for the plans in his mind.

This time, he called on all the brothers who were training, including Instructor Lang.

Everyone took their appropriate equipment—knives, guns, firearms, etc.

Boarding and setting sail.

Chi Honghai sent Shen Er to deliver this message early one morning.

It was very sudden for those who were training, but after their well-trained training, their reaction to this sudden order was no longer the usual chaotic scrambling, but rather a quick and orderly preparation.

All the people knew was that the master told them to grab their tools and immediately board the two ships.

But they didn't know what they were supposed to do.

It wasn't until the two ships were sailing on the sea that Chi Honghai said something to everyone.

Today's objective—to kidnap someone.

I thought that Master Chi would kidnap a few craftsmen or painters again, just like he did in Xin'an County or Guangzhou Prefecture last time.

Liu Qingjiang walked to his side: "Sir, we don't need two boats to kidnap just a few people, do we? And why did you let Instructor Lang lead a boat alone this time?"

"How many people? This time we're not just robbing a few people. We're letting Instructor Lang lead a ship alone to test his teamwork with the crew."

After hearing the master's words, Liu Qingjiang disregarded the cause and effect of the second half of the sentence, as if he had only heard the first half.

"Master? What are you trying to do?!"

"Have I made myself clear enough? Go to the area around Guangzhou and kidnap people! Bring back all the able-bodied men to be your conscripts!"

Although Liu Qingjiang was a pirate, he had seen and done many similar things in the past, back when Liu Xiang was alive.

But he was still very surprised that these words and actions could come from his current master.

He was puzzled. Was it because the master had been under too much pressure a few days ago and was venting his extreme thoughts, or was it for some other reason?

But the master's words are orders, and orders must be carried out.

The two boats sailed to the shore of Xiangshan County.

Not far away is the Macau Mirror; standing on the deck and looking up, you can see a glimpse of it.

The people on the boat quickly gathered on the shore, leaving only about ten people on the boat to keep watch.

Chi Honghai stepped off the deck and reiterated the mission for today's voyage.

It's not robbery, it's not murder, it's kidnapping!

All the strong and capable men were abducted and put on the ship.

Upon hearing the order, everyone shook their heads and looked around, completely baffled.

"Did you understand?" Chi Honghai shouted.

"Understood!" the group replied.

Chi Honghai led the team ahead, just as he had done back in Xin'an County.

The sound of the hundred or so people walking on the beach gave Chi Honghai, who was leading the group, a strange sense of familiarity.

This sense of familiarity comes from the feeling I had more than two months ago when I stepped off that shabby little boat and set foot on Hong Kong Island for the first time.

The cacophony of seagulls lingering on the shore was quite distinct.

When we went from the coast to the villages near the sea, we saw no one.

Even the one or two chickens and ducks that are usually kept in the pen were nowhere to be seen.

As for pets like cats and dogs, it goes without saying.

Chi Honghai was very surprised when he arrived here, as were everyone in the line.

He even wondered if someone had leaked the news and told the villagers in advance that he was coming to the vicinity of Xiangshan County.

But here's the problem: there are only a few ships on Hong Kong Island, and they're all right under our noses.

Apart from his wife, no one else would know about his thoughts immediately.

Surely the lady couldn't have sold me out, could she? Besides, it wouldn't be that quick.

He first had his men search every house in the first village.

There was indeed no one in sight.

But after taking two more steps, Chi Honghai realized something was wrong.

Looking at the marks on this muddy road, it seems many people have slipped and fallen.

"Qingjiang, look, there's something wrong with the marks from this fall."

"Sir, isn't it quite common to slip and fall on this dirt road in the countryside and leave a mark?"

Chi Honghai shook his head: "It's common to leave a mark when you fall on the road, but under what circumstances would someone fall?"

"It's a rainy day, of course. What normal person would slip and fall on a sunny day while walking on flat ground?" Liu Qingjiang replied.

"If it were a rainy day, there should have been a footprint before this mark. But look, there isn't. Besides, the leaves and the path were dry before we came here. If it were a mark left from a rainy day, it would have been many days ago."

"This is the main road of the village, and many people walk on it every day. Look at the edges of these footprints; there's not a single trace of them being stepped on."

Following Master Chi's words, Liu Qingjiang carefully examined the marks left by the fall, and then looked ahead. There was more than one such mark, and it wasn't just on this main road.

"Sir, what is your opinion?"