Sweep Yuan

Chapter 165 Annihilating the Left Army and Dominating Chaohu

Due to the limited power of black powder grenades and the lack of a stable sulfur supply, Shishan had previously only arranged for Tong Si'er to make thirty grenades.

In the Battle of Chishui, the Third Battalion (commanded by Wang Bi) used thirteen rounds to block Aruhuige's cavalry, leaving seventeen rounds remaining.

After temporarily forcing Zuo Junbi to surrender, considering the pressure Liang County faced from the Yuan army, the Hefei army, and the "Peng Zu family," Shishan left all the remaining hand grenades to Fujunwei when he returned to the capital.

Shao Rong responded to Shi Shan's order by sending troops out of the city as a feigned attack to distract Hefei's troops, and it is highly likely that they will encounter the latter's cavalry in the wild.

Shao Rong then instructed Cai Fu to bring all the hand grenades just in case, and unexpectedly, these grenades actually saved Zhu Chongba's life.

Although Zhang Huan abandoned the attack at the last moment when he was about to break through the camp, the Hefei army earned a reputation for being brave in battle.

Cai Fu dared not be overconfident and knew when to stop. After a brief rest, he dismantled the camp and withdrew to Liang County.

The smoke of battle on land has temporarily dissipated, but dozens of miles south of the battlefield where Zhu Chongba shed his blood, on the vast surface of Chaohu Lake, a naval war that will determine the regional hegemon is about to take shape.

In the southwestern waters of Laoshan Island, the lake breeze rustled the sails as the Red Flag Battalion naval forces conducted a large-scale combined training exercise.

After Yu Tingyu and Liao Yong'an led their troops to join them, the Red Flag Battalion's naval force expanded significantly and began to take shape. The time was ripe to unite the fishermen of Chaohu Lake and establish the Red Flag Battalion's hegemony on the waters of Chaohu Lake.

The first step in completing this strategy was to eliminate Zuo Junmei's fleet, which was entrenched in the area where the Fei River flows into the lake.

Xu Da stood at the bow of his flagship. The so-called "big ship" beneath his feet was actually only slightly larger than a common fishing boat in Chaohu Lake. It had undergone simple modifications, with a flat bottom, low sidewalls, and a single-and-a-half deck. When sailing in slightly larger waves, the hull would rise and fall noticeably.

The man frowned slightly, feeling the swaying of the boat beneath his feet.

Ships are the foundation of all naval tactics. A general must be thoroughly familiar with the performance of every ship under his command in order to "know the enemy." Otherwise, it is just empty talk and will harm both himself and others.

The biggest problem facing the Hongqiying Navy is that it has too many people and too few boats. The existing 170-plus fishing boats generally have fatal defects such as flat bottoms, low sides, deep holds, and no decks, making them unsuitable for naval warfare.

This poor hull design, coupled with the frequent turbulence and rocking of the open waters of Chaohu Lake, caused the boats to sway violently, severely limiting the aiming and firing stability of the archers on board and greatly reducing their combat effectiveness.

Therefore, Xu Da meticulously divided the limited resources.

He personally selected this relatively stable ship as his flagship and assigned thirty of his elite troops, who were the best swimmers and the most determined, to escort it. They were both his personal guards and his future leaders.

The rest of the main force remained in the water fortress, using the nine most dilapidated sailless fishing boats that had been phased out, under the command of Yang Polang, to conduct basic acclimatization training in the relatively calm near-shore waters.

— Getting used to the water, overcoming seasickness, practicing standing firm in swaying, passing items, and even trying to turn with very small strokes of the paddle—it may be tedious and boring, but it is an essential part of laying a solid foundation for water combat.

The men under Zhang Desheng, Yu Tingyu, and Liao Yong'an were much luckier.

They were long-time fishermen who had made a living in Chaohu Lake for many years. Their fishing boats were an integral part of their bodies, and they were no longer afraid of wind and waves.

At this moment, their fleet is scattered across the vast waters southwest of Laoshan Island, conducting training that is closer to actual combat:

The ships communicated commands using simple yet clear flag signals; practiced coordinated operations such as formation navigation, turning, and flanking maneuvers; and conducted the most dangerous and important boarding and seizure drills.

The rough shouts, the sound of oars slapping the water, and the shouts during simulated boarding all blended together, creating a vibrant atmosphere, yet also failing to conceal the rudimentary nature of this fledgling fleet's "warships."

Xu Da's gaze swept over his fleet, his heart filled with both anticipation and heavy pressure.

He knew that the real test could come at any time.

"Steward! Urgent report!"

A fast boat, acting as an outer perimeter guard, sped towards them like an arrow, cutting through the waves. The sentry's voice on board was shrill and distorted:
"The Zuo family's fleet has been spotted to the southeast! They're heading straight for the water fortress! A vast, dark mass of ships, probably nearly two hundred!"

Xu Da's heart sank! Zuo Junmei originally occupied the Feishui River estuary, which was rich in fish and located in the northwest of Laoshan Island. To prevent her from launching a sneak attack, he specially chose the southwest side of the island as the training location.

Unexpectedly, Zuo Junmei was so cunning that he led his fleet in a huge circle and headed straight for the water fortress from the southeast.

This completely disrupted Xu Da's plans.

"Did you recognize the banner? It really is Zuo Junmei?"

Xu Da pressed on in a deep voice, his hand already on his waist knife, his expression serious and tense.

“Absolutely true! The large 'Left' flag is led by two double-decker ships!” the sailor on the sentry ship replied hastily.

The Zuo family's fleet was not only numerous, but also had the support of Zuo Wu (Zuo Junmei's father) on land. They had an advantage in the number of large ships, especially the two modified warships with double decks, which were true naval weapons in Chaohu at that time.

To make matters worse, the wind was blowing from the southeast, and Zuo Junmei's fleet was coming with the wind at great speed. If the two armies were to meet on the water, Zuo's fleet would have a clear advantage in both maneuverability and archery.

Xu Da instantly assessed the current situation and the possible tactical choices Zuo Junmei might make, and gave the order:

"Order the entire army to return to the naval base immediately! All ships must maintain formation and not become disorganized! Zhang Desheng's troops will cover the rear!"

With the order given, the flag bearer waved red and blue signal flags to quickly transmit the command.

At this time, the naval fleet was located southwest of Laoshan Island and was heading back to Shuizhai, which was located north of the island. The general course was northeast. Although it could take advantage of some southeasterly crosswinds, its speed was certainly not as fast as Zuo's fleet, which was sailing with the wind and sailing straight towards it.

But in any case, we must return to the rescue as soon as possible; the water fortress cannot be lost.

Upon seeing the retreat signal sent from the flagship, the various ships in the training fleet quickly turned around.

Yu Tingyu and Liao Yong'an's boats reacted the fastest, adjusting their sails and rowing with all their might, beginning to turn back. The calm training waters were instantly enveloped in a tense atmosphere. The sound of oars striking the water suddenly intensified, and rapid white trails were carved across the lake's surface.

Just as Xu Da was rushing back to provide emergency assistance, Zuo Junmei stood on the deck of his double-deck flagship, gazing at the increasingly close silhouette of Laoshan Island, full of ambition and high spirits.

The morning light spilled onto the lake, creating shimmering waves that also reflected the burning ambition in his eyes.

Back then, his father, Zuo Wu, arranged for him to go fishing in Chaohu Lake. This was because Zuo Wu, a martial artist, had a keen sense of how to preserve the family business in times of chaos. He had foreseen that the world was about to descend into chaos and was secretly accumulating water power for the family.

Although the Yuan Dynasty was in chaos at that time, those who openly rose up in rebellion were quickly wiped out by the government army. The authority of the court was still intact, so Zuo Junmei acted with extreme caution, always keeping the size of his fleet to within fifty ships, and never making a scene.

Last year, the Red Turbans from Ying, Qi, Xu, Hao, and Lu swept across Jiangbei, and the Yuan Dynasty's rule was on the verge of collapse. Zuo Junmei saw a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and began to expand aggressively, swallowing up small fishing tyrants.

During this period, they also fought with Yu Tingyu and Liao Yong'an's troops in a fierce battle over the most fertile waters for collecting the "fishing tax".

Although both sides had their victories and defeats, if Zuo Junmei hadn't worried that things would escalate too much and provoke a strong crackdown by the Yuan navy in Chaoxian, he would have been able to annex the Yu and Liao tribes at that time.

"Hmph, Yu Mazi, Liao Yongzhong... they're just two lucky peasants. Chaohu will ultimately be mine, the Zuo family's, possession!"

Zuo Junmei sneered inwardly. Shishan wanted to unify Chaohu? Zuo Junmei wanted it just as much!

The relationship between the Zuo family of Hefei and the Red Flag Battalion was complex and subtle.

On the shore, Zuo Junmei's second younger brother, Zuo Junbi, was pressured by the Red Flag Battalion, the Yuan court, and the "Peng Zu family." He had no choice but to refuse to bow to Shishan, but he always maintained a strong degree of independence. Only when Hefei was threatened by the Yuan army would he cooperate with the Red Flag Battalion on a limited basis for self-preservation.

In the waters of Chaohu Lake, Zuo Junmei believed that the two sides could cooperate, but the master-servant relationship had to be reversed—no matter how strong the Red Flag Battalion was on land, it was absolutely weak on water. Only if Zuo Junmei controlled Chaohu Lake would the Red Flag Battalion need Zuo's help.

Only this delicate balance based on the comparison of strength can be maintained in the long run.

Otherwise, if the Red Flag Battalion were allowed to consolidate the water forces of Chaohu, Zuo Junbi, the second brother who was trapped in the isolated city of Hefei, would sooner or later be completely devoured by the tyrant Shi Shan, leaving not even bones behind.

Therefore, when the scouts reported that Shishan had sent Xu Da to the water to begin integrating the forces of Chaohu, Zuo Junbi felt a strong sense of survival crisis.

The two brothers secretly discussed the matter, and Zuo Junbi immediately allocated several hundred fine crossbows and matching short swords and hand axes from the Hefei arsenal to fully support his elder brother Zuo Junmei in expanding his forces, with only one goal:
Taking advantage of the fact that the Red Flag Battalion Navy was not yet firmly established, they annexed it in one fell swoop, nipping the potential danger in the bud, while strengthening themselves and controlling the lifeline of Chaohu Lake.

When Xu Da led his troops into the water, he only had about sixty dilapidated small boats, and it took two trips to transport several hundred people. Zuo Junmei had heard about his predicament and felt even more contempt for him.

This time, Zuo Junmei had assembled nearly two hundred ships (although most of them were fishing boats temporarily taken along the way), but with more soldiers and ships, and with supplies available in Hefei, it seemed like an overwhelming force.

"Xu Da? A nouveau riche who just joined the army, what does he know about naval warfare?"

Zuo Junmei sneered. He could have led his troops to launch a direct assault on Laoshan Island's water fortress when Xu Da had just entered the water, using brute force to overcome skill.

However, he was always cautious and prudent in his actions. Considering that raising the flag to rebel would inevitably attract the attack of the Yuan navy in Chaoxian, in order to succeed in one fell swoop and reduce losses, he decided to take a roundabout approach and catch Xu Da off guard.

Zuo Junmei led a large fleet, avoiding the usual shipping lanes, and followed the lake shoreline, making a huge arc, appearing unnoticed in the southeast of Laoshan Island.

All fishing boats encountered along the way, regardless of size, were forcibly recruited into the group to bolster their presence.

He used the overwhelming force of Mount Tai to subdue an egg, and with minimal cost, he absorbed Xu Da's navy and accomplished his goal in one battle!
"General, the gates of the water fortress are tightly closed. Upon closer inspection, the fortress appears to be empty, with no large fleet of ships anchored inside."

The sent-out patrol ship returned, bringing news that surprised Zuo Junmei somewhat.

Laoshan Island Water Village is built in a natural, sheltered harbor. The outer perimeter is surrounded by a fence made of thick wooden stakes driven underwater, with wide gaps that allow only boats and people to enter.

As the sentry boat drew closer, it became clear what the berths were like inside the village. The sentry's report made Zuo Junmei frown slightly.

Why is the main force of the Red Flag Battalion's navy not in the camp? Where did they go?
His mind raced.

Ambushing my troops? Absolutely not! Zuo Junmei immediately dismissed the idea.

His elaborate and secretive detour was intended to catch the enemy off guard. If Xu Da had been able to foresee this, he would not have set up the ambush at the entrance of his own water fortress. Instead, he should have chosen a more complex waterway, such as a reed marsh or a narrow harbor, where small boats could maneuver more effectively.

Moreover, Xu Da's fleet was already smaller than his own, and his shore-based supplies were far less convenient than those from Hefei. If their stronghold fell, it would be a catastrophic disaster for a navy that had not yet established a firm foothold.

Where can they escape to then? Only annihilation awaits them!
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Zuo Junmei's mind like lightning. His mind raced, and he instantly "understood" Xu Da's intention:
They must be thinking the same thing as me, wanting to take advantage of my unpreparedness and strike straight at my water fortress.

Having understood this, Zuo Junmei was not surprised at all; instead, she clapped her hands and laughed:
"Haha! This is wonderful! Heaven is on my side!"

First, seize their undefended stronghold, then wait for them to tire themselves out. When Xu Da's attack fails and he hastily returns, the fresh troops can then confront the exhausted enemy and crush them in one fell swoop. At that time, who in Chaohu Lake can rival the Zuo family's fleet?

We've already won this game!
Thinking about this, Zuo Junmei felt even more that her elaborate and almost perfect bypass and surprise attack was truly a stroke of genius!
"Send the order!"

Zuo Junmei, full of vigor and ambition, waved her hand, and her cold command echoed across the lake:
"Lower the sails! Slow down! Small boats in front, large ships behind, charge into the water fortress! Anyone who dares to resist, kill them without mercy!"

Most of the fishing boats under Zuo Junmei's command were temporarily coerced. The boat owners and sailors were not under each other's command, and the crew was in a state of panic. They had not been trained at all, so they were naturally unable to effectively transmit and execute complex flag signal commands.

The entire fleet was commanded primarily by shouting and relaying orders by small boats running back and forth.

But at this moment, Zuo Junmei was confident of victory and extremely relaxed. The enemy was weak and we were strong, and the water fortress wouldn't grow legs and run away on its own; the slight delay in relaying orders was of no consequence.

The massive fleet began to adjust as ordered, slowly approaching the Laoshan Island water fortress like clumsy behemoths.

The small boat advanced, attempting to approach the underwater barrier and send someone into the water to open the heavy wooden sluice gate. However—

"Whoosh! Splash!" A sharp arrow shot into the water with precision, less than half a foot away from a Zuo Jun soldier who had just jumped into the water. He was so frightened that he scrambled back to the side of the boat.

Although the Red Flag Battalion soldiers stationed on the two arrow towers were few in number, their high vantage point made their bows and arrows no mere decoration.

The small boat made several attempts, but all failed, and several people were wounded by arrows.

"waste!"

Zuo Junmei, who was on the flagship, saw everything clearly, snorted coldly, and gave the order:
"Make way! Look at the big ship!"

The true trump card of Zuo's navy—the two modified warships with double decks, resembling floating fortresses—slowly sailed forward. This was the "surprise" that Zuo Junmei had meticulously prepared for the Red Flag Battalion's navy, but now it was being used to eliminate a few small arrow towers, which felt like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, but it also demonstrated his determination to succeed.

The double-decker warship approached the arrow tower. The lower deck oarsmen rowed vigorously to stabilize the ship, while the upper deck was filled with elite archers from the left wing, clad in armor and wielding bows.

"Fire arrows!"

At a single command, arrows flew like locusts!

A dense rain of arrows instantly covered the narrow space of the arrow tower. The Red Flag Battalion soldiers left on the tower numbered only seven or eight at most, and the space was extremely limited. Faced with the arrows pouring down from below like a torrential downpour, they had nowhere to hide.

The shields were riddled with arrows like hedgehogs, and people fell from time to time, their blood staining the wooden planks of the watchtower.

The exchange of fire lasted only a few moments before the defenders of the arrow tower were either killed or wounded. The remaining soldiers, left with no other option, risked jumping into the icy lake and desperately swimming towards the island. The first line of defense of the water fortress had fallen.

"Open the gate!" Zuo Junmei said triumphantly.

The left-wing sailors quickly operated the winch, and the heavy wooden gate was slowly pulled up. With the threat of the arrow tower gone, the fleet was no longer hindered.

"Charge in! Seize the island!"

"Zuo Junmei shouted sternly. Like sharks smelling blood, boats of all sizes rushed into the gap in the lock, heading straight for that small beach deep in the water village, victory seemingly within their grasp.

At this critical moment.

"Whoosh!" Several small boats hidden in the corners of the berths, piled high with dry firewood soaked in kerosene, were pushed out by the soldiers left behind, and the torches at the bows instantly ignited the firewood.

"It's a fire ship!"

Upon seeing this, Zuo Junmei on the flagship's face changed slightly, but she wasn't panicked. She quickly gave the order:

"Quick! Small boats, push it aside! Big boats, prepare the water cannons!"

The water village was located in a sheltered harbor, and the water in the bay was relatively calm. The fire ships approached very slowly. The left army had many small boats, and before the firewood on the fire ships could be fully ignited, seven or eight small boats rushed up and used long poles to push them away.

At the same time, the powerful pumps (water dragons) on the large ship also sprayed out thick jets of water, accurately pouring them onto the fire ship. Hissing white smoke rose up, and the flames were quickly extinguished. It was just a false alarm.

"Hmph! A little trick!"

Zuo Junmei felt relieved, but then a surge of anger at being tricked welled up inside him. The provocation from the soldiers left behind on Laoshan Island had completely extinguished his patience.

"Land the island! Slaughter all the defenders! Leave no one alive!"

At this moment, the massive fleet, scrambling to enter the water fortress, was already in disarray. Large and small ships were crammed together, oars and paddles crisscrossing; a surprise attack from the enemy fleet at this point would be utter annihilation.

However, the limited garrison seemed to have run out of options. After launching the fire ships, they made no further moves. If the beach landing was successful, the island would be captured in an instant. The left-wing sailors jumped off the ships, shouting, and waded through knee-deep lake water to charge towards the beach.

"Release—!" A cold command seemed to come from behind the reef.

"Whoosh whoosh-!"

A dense rain of arrows, like venomous snakes that had been lying in wait, suddenly burst forth from behind several huge reefs, their target the exposed and crowded left-wing naval soldiers on the shallow beach.

"Ugh!"

"my leg!"

"Help!"

Screams erupted instantly. Although Zuo Junmei had anticipated that there would be garrison troops on the island, the density, timing, and precision of the arrow rain still far exceeded his expectations—just how many garrison troops were there?
The left-wing naval soldiers who were attempting to storm the beach fell in droves like felled wheat, instantly turning the clear lake water red. The beach, which had been rippling with blue waves moments before, was transformed into a living hell.

Behind the reef, under a makeshift scaffold, Yang Polang's eyes were cold as he surveyed the carnage on the beach through a pre-drilled observation hole, his expression utterly unmoved. Instead, he seemed somewhat dissatisfied, and berated a new recruit who had fired too far due to nervousness:
"Hey! What's the panic? Hold on, let it get closer before you fire! On my command, three teams, four teams, get ready—fire!"

The defending archers were in a virtually safe position, sheltered by the battle tents and blocked by huge reefs in front of them.

Following their pre-battle rehearsals and precisely marked firing lines, they took turns drawing their bows at Yang Polang's command, their movements steady and rhythmic. The continuous barrage of arrows, like a precise rain of death, covered every inch of the beachhead.

The first wave of the Zuo Jun's beach assault ended in a chaotic retreat after leaving behind dozens of corpses.

"Move forward with the large ships and fire arrows to suppress them!" Zuo Junmei's face was ashen as she urgently ordered the double-decker warships to approach the beachhead.

With the sturdy double deck providing cover, the archers on board began to hurl arrows at the reef, the arrows flying over the reef like locusts and landing on the top of the defenders' tents with a muffled "thud".

However, Zuo Junmei could not see what was happening behind the reef. She only knew that the defending troops were firing sparser and sparser arrows at her.

"Keep the small boats ashore! Don't stop!"

Zuo Junmei gritted her teeth and gave the order, attempting to use sustained pressure to break through the defenses, attack Laoshan Island, and completely eliminate these stubborn resisters.

Behind a rocky bunker with a better view, Yang Polang held a long pole and raised a polished bronze mirror high, cleverly using the mirror's reflection to observe the enemy ship's movements.

Seeing Zuo Junmei once again maneuver the small boats to storm the beach, a barely perceptible sneer appeared on his lips.

"The fish has taken the bait..."

Yang Polang put down the bronze mirror and gave the order in a deep voice.

"Teams one, two, and three, listen up! Concentrate your fire on the beachhead! Team four, prepare your kerosene canisters!"

Manager Xu's fleet is not far from the island and will be back soon. Yang Polang wants to keep Zuo Junmei's attention firmly on the beachhead, this deadly place.

After a prolonged siege with heavy casualties, Zuo Junmei's frustration and unease grew stronger.

The man is currently adjusting his strategy; perhaps he should send his elite troops to attempt to scale the reefs on the flank where there are fewer rocks, or concentrate the firepower of his large ships to bombard a single point...

"General! General! Something bad has happened!"

A sentry boat came speeding up from behind like a stray dog, the sentries on board were pale and their voices were trembling with sobs:

"A large number of enemy ships have appeared in the southwest. They are the main force of the Red Flag Battalion's navy. They are countless and are... are encircling us."

The news struck Zuo Junmei like a bolt from the blue. She was terrified and turned her head sharply to look southwest. There, where the water met the sky, a sail was rapidly growing larger, sweeping in like a dark cloud.

not good! Fell into a trap!

A chilling coldness instantly shot from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, and alarm bells rang wildly in Zuo Junmei's mind.

The sheer number of troops defending the island and their fierce resistance were already beyond expectations. At this critical moment, Xu Da's main fleet did not launch a surprise attack on his own stronghold, but instead turned around and launched a counterattack.

Once the enemy fleet blocks the exit of the water fortress, our own fleet, already crammed into a chaotic mess, will be trapped like turtles in a jar.

"Quickly! Retreat! Retreat from the water fortress! Hurry!"

Zuo Junmei suddenly drew her sword and waved it wildly, her voice distorted by extreme fear, becoming sharp and piercing.

The ship owners and sailors also realized the situation was dire; the shadow of death was so clear, and everyone cried out in their hearts:

"Retreat! Retreat now! If we get blocked, it's all over!"

Getting into the water village is not easy, but getting out of it is even harder!
Zuo Junmei's fleet was composed of a large number of disorganized and chaotic people.

In addition, the repeated mobilizations in preparation for capturing Laoshan Island had already scattered the formation, with ships of all sizes jostling and bumping into each other, creating a chaotic mess. The order to retreat only exacerbated the chaos, with the large ships desperately trying to turn and escape, and the oarsmen rowing frantically.

Bang! Crack—Splash!
A large ship suddenly turned, its bow slamming into a small boat that was trying to cut in front of it, instantly sending splinters flying and causing the boat to capsize and fall into the water, where fishermen cried out for help in terror.

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"

Another large ship, in a hurry to avoid a collision, panicked its helmsman and suddenly turned the rudder to full throttle in the narrow waters, resulting in its stern crashing into a fellow large ship that was also turning beside it.

The dull thud was enough to make your teeth ache. Both large ships were damaged, and the sailors on board were tossed about, screaming and cursing.

What a misfortune!

Having hidden behind the reef for so long, how could Yang Polang let go of this golden opportunity?

"Excellent opportunity! All archers, fire freely! Target: enemy ships on the water! Fire!"

Taking advantage of the situation, the defenders increased the intensity and density of their arrow barrage to the extreme, with arrows raining down on the crowded waters of the fortress. With nowhere to hide, the left-wing sailors became sitting ducks, and their casualties skyrocketed instantly, quickly turning the lake surface even more crimson.

Panic spread rapidly across the water like a plague, with cries, curses, splashes, and collisions of ships blending together, and Zuo's navy completely lost control.

"Useless! Idiots! A bunch of damned peasants! You've ruined my plans!"

On the flagship, Zuo Junmei trembled with rage, cursing and screaming, seemingly driven mad. Looking at the apocalyptic chaos before him, he knew that any orders would be ineffective. In desperation, the instinct for survival overwhelmed everything!
A cruel glint flashed in Zuo Junmei's eyes as she roared at the captain of her personal guard beside her:

"Loose the arrows! Loose the arrows now! Shoot! Clear away these fools blocking the way! Anyone who dares to block my flagship's path will be killed without mercy!"

Zuo Junmei's personal guards were all Zuo family loyalists, and they carried out this extremely ruthless order without hesitation.

A hail of arrows rained down on the flagship, which was clogged with fishing boats that had been brought along. Screams rang out again.

The erratic boats either had their helmsmen shot and the boats came to a standstill, or, under the threat of death, the people on board unleashed astonishing potential, rowing to either side at an even faster speed, even at the cost of capsizing neighboring boats.

A narrow passage paved with blood and corpses was forcibly "cleared" out amidst the chaos!

"Paddle fast! Get out of there!"

Zuo Junmei shouted hoarsely, and the oarsmen on the flagship gritted their teeth and rowed with all their might. The heavy flagship began to turn with difficulty, and the bow slowly pointed towards the only exit of the water fortress.

The ship moved clumsily through the chaotic gaps between the vessels, each collision causing it to rock violently.

Finally, the bow of the boat broke through the wooden fence of the water fortress. A fleeting sense of joy at escaping death rose in Zuo Junmei's heart, but the next second, that joy froze on her face, turning into boundless despair.

On the suddenly open lake, what awaited him was not a path to survival, but a net of death.

Under Xu Da's command, the main fleet of the Red Flag Battalion Navy had completed a brilliant encirclement. Ships of all sizes, like giant birds with outstretched wings, were pressing in from the southwest and west in a semi-circular formation.

The nearest enemy ship was less than an arrow's throw away from Zuo Junmei's flagship.

What terrified him even more was that his flagship, which he relied on, was in such a state that, in order to maneuver nimbly within the water fortress, the mainsail and secondary sails were still drooping, the rigging tangled, the canvas piled up, and the huge sails were like the wings of a dying bird, limply clinging to the mast, unable to draw any wind.

Meanwhile, the enemy's sails were being billowed full by the southeast wind.

Finished!

Zuo Junmei's vision went black, his body swayed, and he almost collapsed on the deck. He seemed to hear the tolling of a death knell. The icy lake water felt as if it had already risen past his ankles and was choking him.

(End of this chapter)