The Black Sails of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 96 North and South Guards

The sea east of Taizhou Prefecture.

Under the moonlight, seven bird-shaped boats sailed westward from Dachen Island.

"We're almost at Lingjiang. Once we're on the river, brothers, don't speak loudly. Remember that." On the deck, Zheng Zhilong instructed the people behind him.

"Since I can't say it later, I'll just say it now. Brother Yi Guan, what method do you intend to use to cross the sea gate?"

Zheng Zhilong grinned and said, "Brother Lei, just watch. I guarantee the garrison soldiers will obediently lower the river-blocking rope and let us in."

Lei Sanxiang said, "You're quite the storyteller. You must be a master storyteller. Captain, do you know Brother Yiguan's method?"

Lin Qian gazed at the Lingjiang River under the moonlight and said, "It's a good idea, but I don't have time to explain in detail. Third Brother, just watch from the boat."

Lei Sanxiang muttered, "Neither you nor he will say anything. It's really frustrating."

Chen Jiao frowned and asked, "Brother Yi Guan, are there any river-blocking ropes on this river?"

Zheng Zhilong nodded: "It was built during the Jiajing era, more than fifty years ago."

Chen Jiao: "With the river-blocking rope, this matter becomes tricky. Even if we manage to sneak in, once the river-blocking rope is raised after the incident, it will be difficult to get out."

Zheng Zhilong smiled confidently: "Don't worry, Brother Chen, after tonight, the river-blocking rope will never be able to be raised again."

"We're almost there, turn off the ship's lights," Lin Qian ordered.

A moment later, the bird boat extinguished its lights, and the six bird boats behind it followed suit, extinguishing their lights one after another.

Under the full moon's glow, two warm yellow lights appeared between the inky black mountains and sea—those were the lights of Haimenwei.

Haimenwei is located on the cliffs on both sides of the Lingjiang River, facing each other from north to south, like a gate to the river, hence the name Haimen (Sea Gate).

As darkness fell, the lights of the garrison seemed to float in the air.

As the ship drew closer, the two lights grew larger and larger, gradually illuminating the cliff face.

A sea breeze blew in my face, and I could faintly hear the sounds of unrestrained laughter from inside the garrison.

Seven bird boats approached the cliff, lowered their sails at the same time, and anchored in the shadow of the cliff.

The bird boat did not drop anchor, fearing that the sound of it falling into the water would disturb the soldiers at the garrison, so it stayed close to the oars to maintain its position.

So close to the cliffs, they had to keep the ship in the shadows while avoiding running aground or hitting the reefs.

It almost requires the ship to remain completely still amidst turbulent waves.

Fortunately, everyone on board was a skilled boatman, and they were able to manage it with oars and paddles in a short time.

Lin Qian sniffed the air; she could smell the alcohol on the sea breeze from a great distance.

The smell of alcohol and laughter were coming from the South Bank Garrison of Haimenwei, while the North Bank Garrison above Lin Qian's head was completely silent.

Lei Sanxiang said in a low voice, "Brother Yiguan, the south bank is hosting a banquet today, so its defenses must be weak. We should have entered the river from the south bank."

A smile appeared on Zheng Zhilong's lips as he answered in a low voice, "The meal and wine served at the South Bank Garrison was delivered by me."

Lei Sanxiang suddenly realized: "Oh! You used sleeping pills!"

"Haha, Dr. Su wouldn't be willing to give so much. The medicine I use to seduce dogs was obtained by begging and pleading. It's just enough to make buns for the dogs, not for people."

Zheng Zhilong spoke with a smile, clearly very pleased with his plan.

This was the first time he had been in charge of such an important task since joining Lin Qian's team, so he put in a lot of effort to do it well and leave a good impression on his brothers.

Hearing a noise coming from the cliff above, Lin Qian quickly made a shushing gesture and then pointed towards the cliff.

All the brothers held their breath and froze, not daring to make the slightest sound.

A moment later, the sound of rustling footsteps could be heard coming from the cliff above.

The cliff was only two or three zhang high, and you could even clearly hear conversations on the cliff.

"We're all brothers from the same garrison, half of us drink and eat meat, the other half just eat dust and drink the wind! Damn it! That bird-eating beast is so biased!"

"Alas! Who told those bird-like beasts to have their soldiers all on the south bank? Naturally, they get all the good wine and meat."

"Damn it, I also want to find a household soldier to serve in. There's no war in the southeast, and I can drink and eat meat all day long. Life is really carefree."

"Ha, you military householder, don't even think about it. Just be a regular soldier and live our hard life!"

As the man spoke, he threw something off the cliff.

With a splash, it fell into the water, not far from the bird boat. Everyone looked at Lin Qian, who slowly shook her head, indicating that they should remain still.

"I heard the meat and wine on the south bank were scavenged. This afternoon, a cargo ship ran aground on the south bank, and a whole shipload of meat and wine went to those bastards there." "Robbed?"

"Nonsense. You can't buy it with money, can you?"

"Splash!" Another object fell into the water; it looked like people on the cliff were throwing stones.

Lin Qian looked up and saw that there was no one on the cliff top. Presumably, because it was dark, the people talking did not dare to get too close to the edge of the cliff.

Fortunately, the tide was rising at that moment, submerging the shallows below the cliff, allowing the bird boat to get close to the cliff; otherwise, it would have been seen by the people on the cliff.

"Hey, your arm strength isn't up to par. Watch me go from a distance!"

Then, there was another splash on the sea in the distance.

Fortunately, the two were competing to see who could throw farther. If they had competed to see who could throw closer, they would most likely have hit the bird boat, thus revealing their mistake.

"Speaking of which, how could someone load a boat with wine and meat and run aground near the garrison? Don't you find that strange?"

Upon hearing this, everyone on the bird boat was on edge.

Lei Sanxiang's eyes shot towards Zheng Zhilong. If there weren't people above him, he would have spoken up and asked right now.

Zheng Zhilong waved his hand, signaling him to calm down.

"It's better if it's suspicious, let's poison that bird-eating beast, hahahaha."

The two people on the cliff laughed for a while, then continued.

"That ship came from the open sea, so it must have been delivering something to the Lin family. It's a pity it wasn't poisoned."

"The Lin family has been receiving a lot of wine and meat lately. What's going on? Are they dissatisfied with running the soup kitchen and now they're giving wine and meat to the poor?"

A voice called out from afar: "Hey! You two, stop talking nonsense and come over to relieve me of my shift!"

"Okay, I'll go pee and then!"

A stream of foul water fell onto the deck and hit Lü Zhou, who was standing there, on the head.

Everyone on the boat broke out in a cold sweat.

If the water were to fall onto the deck, creating a hollow echo, it would be exceptionally clear amidst the silent mountains and sea, and the soldiers on the cliff would surely be able to discern the source of the sound.

In an instant, everyone on the ship turned their attention to Lü Zhou.

Lin Qian stared intently at him, and made a downward gesture with her left hand, signaling him not to move.

"Damn it, why is there no sound of water?" came the voice of a soldier from the cliff.

"You must have peed on the rock. How many girls have you slept with? You're exhausted like this!"

"fart!"

Fortunately, the water flow had stopped by then.

The sound of someone pulling up their pants came from the cliff. As they pulled up their pants, they walked towards the edge of the cliff, seemingly to check where they had urinated.

Lin Qian looked up and saw half a dark figure slowly emerging from the cliff.

Just then, the man's companion said, "It's so late at night, are you out of your mind? Come back quickly."

"I have a feeling that something is strange down below the cliff."

"Hahaha... I think it's something strange down there! Come on, let's hurry up and change shifts."

As the footsteps faded into the distance, everyone on the bird boat breathed a sigh of relief.

Lei Sanxiang looked at Lü Zhou and pointed to the seawater beside him.

Lu Zhou shook his head and wiped his face haphazardly with his still-dry sleeve.

"Not bad," Lin Qian whispered her approval to Lü Zhou.

Lü Zhou smiled.

"That was really close," Chen Jiao exclaimed.

"Brother Yi Guan, is this your brilliant idea?" Lei Sanxiang said in a low voice, expressing his dissatisfaction.

Zheng Zhilong felt somewhat apologetic and was about to speak when Lin Qian interrupted him.

"Don't speak, a boat is coming!"

(End of this chapter)