The Ming Dynasty: The opening scene features Zhu Di angrily accusing him of illegitimate succession.

Chapter 118 Lin Yue and the chestnut horse team up to take down the MVP.

Zhao Hu responded and stepped forward, dragging him away while crying and begging for mercy, his voice fading into the distance.

The remaining few Japanese pirates who understood Chinese were terrified and knelt on the ground.

Lin Yue looked down at the prisoners scattered on the ground and said loudly, "Anyone who can identify the Han Chinese hiding among the Japanese will be given a way out and allowed to atone for their crimes through meritorious service."

Before he could finish speaking, several Japanese pirates who understood Chinese became furious and turned to shout at the prisoners on the ground, repeating Lin Yue's words over and over.

The once silent pile of prisoners instantly erupted into a frenzy, with the Japanese pirates scrambling to point and identify them, fearing that if they were even a step too slow, they would lose their chance to live.

"Him! He's Han Chinese! He joined us in raiding three villages!"

"And him! He was the one who led the way during the massacre of the fishing village last month."

"That guy hiding in the back is also a Ming person; he's the one giving the leader advice!"

The Han Chinese men who were called out instantly turned pale.

Lin Yue sat upright on his horse, raised his hand, and said coldly, "Drag them all away and interrogate them carefully to find out who colluded with them from the inside."

"No! My lord! Spare me!"

"I was really forced into this! Please, sir, give me another chance!"

'

Amidst cries and screams, Ming soldiers stepped forward and dragged away several traitors.

No matter how much they cried and tried to explain, Lin Yue didn't even lift an eyelid. He just glanced at the remaining Japanese pirates and said.

"I am not a bloodthirsty person. As long as you cooperate actively and reveal the Japanese pirate hideouts and spy strongholds along the coast, you can be spared from death."

If you dare utter a single lie or conceal anything, that person you just spoke to will be your fate.

"My lord, I confess! I confess everything, I beg you to spare my life!"

"The villains know the hideout; there's a large nest on the sand in front of the camp, and a water fortress in the reed marshes!"

Amidst the chatter, information about the nearby Japanese pirates was quickly pieced together: deep in the sand in front of the camp was a long-established lair, garrisoned by hundreds of fierce pirates; and in the reed marshes at the mouth of the Yangtze River, there were three smuggling strongholds, serving as springboards for the Japanese pirates to land.

Lin Yue's eyes narrowed, and he said sternly, "Shut up! One by one!"

Zhao Hu, separate them and take their statements, cross-checking each other's accounts. Make them clearly describe the location of the hideout, the deployment of troops, and the time of troop rotation—everything!

"Yes!" Zhao Hu responded and stepped forward, leading his personal guards, eager to carry out the torture.

In less than half an hour, the confessions from the hideouts had been almost completely collected.

Lin Yue frowned slightly as he looked at the Japanese pirates' confessions.

It was only the early years of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty, and the coastline had already deteriorated to this state; it was truly appalling.

According to intelligence provided by the Japanese pirates, there were secret spy outposts in villages and towns along the coast of Jiangsu, Songjiang, Zhejiang, and Yangzhou, which were responsible for reporting information and receiving stolen goods.

In these hideouts, a considerable number of abducted civilians were imprisoned in secret water dungeons, where they suffered countless humiliations.

"Zhao Hu." Lin Yue grew angrier the more he looked, and turned around to say.

Zhao Hu immediately stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, saying, "Your subordinate is here!"

Lin Yue raised his hand and beckoned Zhao Hu to come closer, whispering, "Take all these Japanese pirates to dig pits."

Tell them to dig a big pit for the traitors they dealt with earlier, and once it's finished, push them all in and bury them alive along with the traitors.

Zhao Hu was taken aback and subconsciously said, "Sir, didn't you promise them that they would atone for their crimes and be spared? If you do this, others will probably say that you are breaking your promise."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yue turned to look at him expressionlessly.

"You mean you want me to let go of these Japanese pirates who slaughtered the people of the Ming Dynasty and committed all sorts of atrocities, such as burning, killing, and looting?"

Should we spare their lives, allow them to atone for their crimes through meritorious service, or even recruit them into the Ming army?

Zhao Hu's forehead instantly broke out in a sweat. He quickly bowed and stammered, "I misspoke! I absolutely did not mean that!"

Lin Yue withdrew his gaze and said in a deep voice, "This is the last time."

Don't say things like that again.

We are both commoners from the Ming Dynasty, standing on the land of our ancestors, protecting our own people. Let us not forget our roots.

Zhao Hu's heart skipped a beat, and he clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Your subordinate will remember your teachings, sir!"

Lin Yuele turned his horse around and said to Zhao Hu, "I'll leave this to you. I'll take the statement to the main ship to see Eunuch Zheng."

Zhao Hu, are you sure you can handle this?

"I will certainly handle it properly!" Zhao Hu immediately knelt on one knee.

Lin Yue nodded, put the confession and map into his pocket, gently squeezed the horse's belly with his legs, and the chestnut horse raised its head and neighed, carrying him straight to the dock.

Inside the council chamber, Zheng He had just received the battle report of the complete victory at Shazhou when he saw Lin Yue striding towards him. He immediately stood up, quickly stepped forward to greet him, and exclaimed loudly.

"Scholar Lin, your performance today has truly shocked me!"

"Previously at the watchtower, I saw you riding alone straight into the Japanese pirate camp. I thought you were just acting rashly because of your civil official ambitions."

Who would have thought that you, alone on horseback, could leap over barricades, break through the gates, slay the Japanese chieftain, and rout the enemy ranks, defeating the Japanese pirates in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn?

"I have been fighting alongside Your Majesty for over ten years, risking my life in countless battles, and have seen many brave generals, but few are as fierce and unstoppable as you, Scholar."

As he spoke, Zheng He's words became increasingly appreciative: "I only knew you before that you were upright and incorruptible, a loyal and outspoken minister who dared to speak up for the people."

Only today have I come to know the scholar's great talent. He can formulate national policies with his pen, and he can slay bandits on horseback. It is a blessing for His Majesty and for all the people of the land to have a minister like you!"

"You flatter me, Eunuch Zheng." Lin Yue took out his confession and got straight to the point.

With the help of the chestnut horse, Lin Yue's bloodlust was rising, and he prepared to continue pursuing the Japanese pirates.

"Eunuch Zheng, all the Japanese pirate hideouts have been uncovered: their old lair in front of the camp, their water fortress in the reed marshes, and their hidden spies along the riverbank. We must take them out tonight; we absolutely cannot allow them to get wind of this and escape!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng He bent down and glanced at the map. Without much thought, he immediately agreed.

"Alright! As you say, we'll encircle them by land and sea and wipe them out overnight, giving the Japanese pirates no time to react."

In Zheng He's view, Lin Yue's martial prowess far surpassed that of ordinary vanguard generals, and taking down Japanese pirate camps would be a piece of cake.

In just a few words, the division of labor was settled.

Zheng He personally led the main force of the navy to blockade the outer sea of ​​the Yangtze River estuary and the Yangtze River waterway. Lin Yue personally led 200 elite troops and 500 naval infantrymen in fast boats to launch a night raid and capture the strongholds one by one.

Looking at the resolute and valiant Lin Yue before him, Zheng He couldn't help but add, "Be careful in everything. I've ordered the gunboats to be at your aid. If there's any resistance, just clear the way with cannon fire."

Lin Yue clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Rest assured, Eunuch Zheng, I will definitely uproot the hideout and rescue the kidnapped people!"

After he finished speaking, he turned around and strode out of the cabin.

A moment after Lin Yue left, a personal guard quietly entered the tent, bowed, and reported: "General, the battlefield at Shazhou has been cleared."

However, it seems that before leaving, Scholar Lin had all the captured Japanese pirates executed.

Upon hearing this, Zheng He paused, glanced at his personal guards, his face expressionless, but a sense of emotion stirred within him.

Unexpectedly, Lin Yue, a civil official from the Hanlin Academy, who was usually gentle and refined, had such a strong desire to kill. He killed all of the hundred or so prisoners without hesitation.

But then he thought about it again and felt relieved.

Lin Yue was as upright as he was as ruthless in his actions. The coastal people had suffered from the Japanese pirates for a long time. During the floods in Jiangnan, he even dared to kill court officials. Killing some Japanese pirates was no big deal.

Yes, that fits the character.

After a moment's thought, he pulled himself together and simply ordered, "Understood. Instruct the people in charge of cleaning up the mess to do a thorough job and leave no room for criticism."

The guard bowed and agreed, but secretly he was grumbling to himself.

Scholar Lin was much more ruthless. He buried all of the hundred or so people in a deep pit, and the soil was compacted so thoroughly that not a trace could be found unless you dug three feet into the ground.

The night was as dark as ink, and the river wind whistled.

More than ten speedboats turned off their lights and silently slipped into the waterway deep in the reeds.

Lin Yue stood at the bow of the ship, his hand on the long sword at his waist, still pondering an offensive strategy.

As a result, the accompanying chestnut horse could no longer contain itself. With a deafening neigh, it smashed open the cabin door, picked up Lin Yue, and carried him away.

They jumped into waist-deep water together!

"You beast!" Lin Yue cursed under his breath, having no other choice, he leaped onto the horse's back.

Whatever, let the chestnut horse charge if it wants to. If it dies, consider it a martyrdom. What's there to be afraid of?

The chestnut-red horse galloped across the waves, heading straight for the village gate.

Then the next scene was familiar: the chestnut horse charged wildly and attacked fiercely. Seeing Lin Yue's bravery, the Ming soldiers also rushed forward and fought bravely against the enemy.

After a single charge, the more than one hundred Japanese pirates in the stronghold were routed without even putting up a decent resistance.

The stronghold was pacified, and the remaining bandits were all bound with their hands behind their backs and forced to kneel and beg for surrender in the open space in front of the stronghold.

Zhao Hu, carrying a blood-dripping steel knife, strode to the locked cabin and grabbed the axe blade, smashing it fiercely against the rusted iron lock.

With a few sharp cracks, the iron chains flew off, and more than thirty women huddled in a corner of the cabin, all dressed in rags. When they saw the soldiers with knives, they trembled with fear and huddled together.

Zhao Hu was startled and quickly turned to Lin Yue, clasping his hands in a fist salute and urgently reporting, "Sir! More than thirty kidnapped women and children have been found in the cabin. What should we do with them?"

Lin Yue spurred his horse to the cabin door, glanced at the scene inside, his brows furrowed suddenly, and he gave a deep order.

"Bring them dry rations, clean water, and clean cloths to help them rest. Quickly send them back to the main ship for accommodation. Have my personal guards take special care of them and forbid anyone from disturbing them."

The guards responded and obeyed, quickly setting off to carry out the order.

Lin Yue's gaze then swept over the surrendered bandits in the open space, and he said to Zhao Hu.

"Take these people to the empty fishing boat next to us and tell them to take them back to the main ship for trial. Once the boat is half a mile out of the reeds, burn the boat and the people to the ground. Leave no survivors."

This time, Zhao Hu didn't ask any questions and directly accepted the order: "Your subordinate obeys!"

Having given the orders, Lin Yue spurred his horse toward the ships and called out loudly, "Everyone assemble immediately, prepare the fleet, and head towards the camp at Qiansha!"

The fleet set off through the night. Behind them, on the river, the fishing boat carrying the Japanese pirates had just left the reeds when it burst into flames. Its mournful cries were quickly swallowed by the howling river wind and it soon sank to the bottom of the water.

Lin Yue has always dealt a heavy blow to the Japanese pirates. This time, he went to sea to wreak havoc, first killing the Japanese pirates and then the cannibalistic tribes.

Kill! Kill! Kill!

By the early Ming Dynasty, the threat of Japanese pirates was already severe. In the second year of the Hongwu reign, Japanese pirates attacked Chongming, and in the fifteenth year of the Yongle reign, they even captured the county seat of Chongming.

During the Yongle era, Yingqiansha had been a stronghold of Japanese pirates for many years. A two-zhang-high earthen mound was built on the beachhead, and a ten-zhang-wide moat was dug outside. Arrow towers stood everywhere, and more than 500 fierce pirates occupied this place, relying on the natural defenses and acting with impunity.

Lin Yue, mounted on his horse, looked through binoculars at the heavily guarded camp in front of the sandbar. After thinking for a moment, he decided to use his brain and employ some tactical skills to launch a feint attack.

He turned to Zhao Hu and said, "Take the firearms team and ride five warships to launch a feigned attack on the gate from the front. Use the cannons to bombard the main force of the Japanese pirates and draw them all to the front wall."

I led my men around to the rear, sneaking in from the rocky beach, and directly attacked the core camp, launching a feint attack in one direction while striking in the other.

Zhao Hu accepted the order and led his troops to bombard the camp.

As soon as the cannon fired, the chestnut horse once again acted on its own initiative.

Upon hearing the cannon fire, it seemed to hear the bugle call to charge. Suddenly, it stood up and, with Lin Yue in tow, began a thrilling charge.

Chestnut Horse: Tactics? I have my own judgment!

As always, Lin Yue was completely unable to control the wild horse's momentum.

This time, however, Lin Yue didn't yell or curse anymore, because he was used to it. Anyway, the chestnut horse was so good at fighting, so there was nothing wrong with charging along. At least killing Japanese pirates was very satisfying.

The chestnut horse galloped swiftly across the wet, slippery gravel, its hooves steady, making the treacherous road seem like flat ground.

In the blink of an eye, the chestnut horse had rushed to the low wall of the side village.

With a charge, it leaped into the air and once again carried Lin Yue into the camp.

"Ming army! The Ming army has broken in!" the Japanese pirates screamed, throwing the country into chaos.

The Japanese pirates on the front wall, hearing the deafening shouts of battle behind them, were thrown into chaos.

Zhao Hu stared wide-eyed at Lin Yue as he charged in.

What does this mean, Lord Lin? Wasn't it supposed to be a feint attack to flank from the rear? How come you rushed in all of a sudden?

However, like Lin Yue, Zhao Hu also got used to it.

Zhao Hu: It's just that Lord Lin took the lead, charged into battle alone, and captured enemy generals and flags. It's a very common phenomenon.

Why, don't other generals fight like this?

So he immediately decided to change tactics, turning a feint into a real attack: "Lord Lin has already broken in, everyone follow me and charge!"

After saying that, Zhao Hu followed Lin Yue's example and launched a heroic charge.

As long as we follow Lord Cherry Warhorse in the charge, everything will be alright.

Seeing the Ming army's bravery, the Japanese pirate leader realized that all was lost. He led a dozen or so men and fled in panic towards the side gate, hoping to reach the sea and escape by boat.

The chestnut horse, always sharp-eyed, charged straight at the leader without needing any command.

Within moments, Lin Yue caught up with the fleeing soldier. With a flick of his wrist, his long sword slashed down, and the Japanese chieftain was immediately beheaded.

The chestnut horse seemed to know that the leader had been killed, and it slowly stopped, raising its head and neighing.

It barked for a while, then suddenly lowered its head, picked up the head from the ground, and tossed it to Lin Yue. Turning back, it glared at him with its big eyes, baring its teeth and sticking out its tongue.

Lin Yue suddenly had a flash of inspiration: Could it be that the chestnut horse felt that its own neighing was not enough and wanted him to neigh along as well?

Then, holding the dripping head, he shouted sternly, "The enemy general has been killed; those who surrender will not be killed!"

These words were like a thunderclap, resounding throughout the surrounding area, and could be heard clearly even on the beach outside the village.

Upon hearing this, the Ming soldiers' morale soared, and they shouted encouragement in unison, making the battle cries even more intense.

Upon seeing Lin Yue, whose combat prowess was extraordinary and who seemed like a demon, the Japanese pirates immediately felt their knees buckle and trembled as they knelt on the ground.