The New Destiny of the Ming Dynasty

After finishing his business here, Yang Zhen instructed Zhang Degui, Pan Wenmao, Yang Shen, and others to each lead their teams to Zhang Chen and Zhang Guogan's location to set up camp and rest as soon as possible. Then, he took a few people to meet Xu Changyong and Zu Keyong.

When they arrived at their destination, Yang Zhen saw that Yuan Jin had already disembarked and gone ashore on the sandbar, where he was talking to Xu Changyong and Zu Keyong.

When they saw Yang Zhen, they quickly went up to greet him.

A few steps away, Yang Zhen heard Xu Changyong, with his loud voice, say with a laugh, "Brother Yang! We've heard what Brother Yuan said! Not bad! This sand island is a good place! We can attack or defend, and if things get really bad, we can get back on the ship and retreat to the sea! I've fought so many battles! This kind of flexible fighting style is truly a first for me! For this alone, I'm impressed!"

Yang Zhen didn't expect that Xu Changyong not only didn't complain about him not building a pier and dock for them in advance, but instead flattered him the moment they met, and he said with a smile:

"Brother Xu, don't rush to convince me! If you don't complain about me later, then you'll truly understand your brother!"

Yang Zhen walked up and greeted Xu Changyong, Zu Keyong, and Yuan Jin with a hug.

Yang Zhen was already used to this when he met his good friends in his later years, but for Xu Changyong, Zu Keyong and Yuan Jin, it was both unexpected and inexplicably touching, bringing them even closer together.

After exchanging greetings, the perceptive Yuan Jin quickly asked, "What's wrong, Brother Yang? Is there some problem on the island—"

At this point, Yuan Jin seemed to realize something and quickly added, "Could it be that there's no water source available for manpower on this island?!"

"Yes, we do have some! But it's only for livestock. People can tolerate it, but the saline water is harmful! If there are other water sources available, we still can't give this to our brothers!"

Upon hearing this, Zu Keyong immediately said, "Now that you mention it, Commander, I do recall something. When I was with Commander Zu in Jinzhou, someone mentioned the sailors' camp at the mouth of the Xiaoling River. It seems that they had to be abandoned because of the difficulty in obtaining water!"

"Of course, there are other reasons too! I heard that in previous years, when the Wuxin River and Xiaoling River swelled in the summer, and the tides were high when strong winds blew at sea, this sand island would be submerged! Only the highest point could be used as a foothold! Over time, it became unusable!"

Several people sighed upon hearing this.

However, regardless of what happens in the summer or during typhoon season, judging from the current situation, there should be no problem from March to May.

Moreover, after several days of arduous sea travel, the group finally set foot on land, even if it was only temporary. At least they had a place to stand on, which made everyone feel much more at ease.

What Zukeyong said didn't affect the good mood of most people.

Xu Changyong, in particular, was listless and silent for three days and three nights on the ship, but soon after arriving on land, he became energetic and regained his fighting spirit.

"In the summer, we wouldn't be here anymore! The wind, the waves, the water—none of that matters to us anymore! Let's just focus on the present!"

At this point, Xu Changyong suddenly realized what everyone had been talking about and immediately changed the subject: "Brother Yang, what did you just say?! You said there's no water on this island?! That won't do! How can we set up camp without water for people and horses?!"

"Brother Xu, don't worry! There may be no drinking water on the island, but that doesn't mean there isn't anywhere else. Even if there isn't any nearby, there's still the Xiaoling River!"

As the group chatted and brainstormed, a voice suddenly rang out in the moonlight from afar: "Sir! We've found it! We've found the water source!"

This is Yang Zhanao's voice.

Night had completely enveloped the earth, but the sky was clear without a single cloud, and although the moon was waning, it still shone brightly.

After spending a long time in the night and getting used to the brightness of the moonlight, everyone felt that even without torches, the night under the moonlight didn't seem so dark.

Hearing the sound, the group looked towards the source and saw several people excitedly running towards them in the moonlight.

When they arrived closer, the one in the lead was Yang Zhan'ao, with Yan San following closely behind him.

"My lord! We're back! We've found a section of the Baigu River. The current isn't strong, and it's hidden deep in the reeds, forming a small pool, but it's enough for several hundred of us! And it's the fresh water you mentioned, my lord. Compared to the saline water on the island, the water we found is incredibly sweet and refreshing! My lord, please try some—"

As Yang Zhanao spoke excitedly, he handed over a leather water bag used by cavalrymen.

Yang Zhen didn't hesitate. He took the water pouch, took a sip, and then gulped down several more mouthfuls. He was indeed extremely thirsty after working for so long.

"Excellent! It's good water! Yang Zhan'ao and Yan San, I'll give you credit for this!" Yang Zhen drank a few mouthfuls of water, put down the water bag, and then looked at Yang Zhan'ao and Yan San and said.

After saying this, Yang Zhen changed the subject, pointed at Yan San, and said to Yuan Jin, "Brother Yuan! Your follower is quite good! He's made a great contribution today!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Jin first nodded to Yang Zhen, indicating that he understood, and then looked at Yan San and said, "Yan Shengsan! Since Commander Yang has given you such high regard, you will follow Commander Yang from now on!"

Yan San's real name was Yan Shengsan.

Yang Zhen admired Yan San, but when he suddenly heard Yuan Jin say that, he felt embarrassed and thought that Yuan Jin had misunderstood him, so he immediately tried to explain.

Yan San, or rather Yan Shengsan mentioned by Yuan, was also taken aback. He immediately knelt on the ground and opened his mouth to explain something.

However, Yuan Jin stopped him. He first looked at Yang Zhen, then at Yan San, and finally said solemnly to Yan San, "You have served under me, Yuan Jin, for many years, but you have never had an opportunity! I know you are capable, and now that the opportunity has come, I cannot let you sit on the ship and waste it! This time, you should follow Yang Xiezhen and earn a future for yourself!"

Upon hearing this, Yan San stopped explaining and simply stared at Yang Zhen.

Upon hearing Yuan Jin's words, Yang Zhen realized he had misunderstood and was overjoyed. He quickly said to Yuan Jin, "In that case, Brother Yuan, I won't stand on ceremony! I happen to need his help right now!"

After saying this, he immediately took two steps forward, pulled Yan San, who was still kneeling on the ground, to his feet, and said to Yan San, "Yan Shengsan! Following my advance battalion is not like being a rower or boatman on a boat. Although rowers and boatmen are nameless, at least they have a stable job! Following my advance battalion means facing life and death, a nine-out-of-ten chance of survival. Do you dare?!"

Yuan Jin transferred Yan San to the vanguard camp in the hope that his subordinates could take this opportunity to make merits and thus have a better future when rewards were given.

As for Yang Zhen, who had a team of talented people under his command, he was naturally more than willing. After all, it was impossible for someone like Yuan Jin, who held an official position, to be recruited into the vanguard camp.

Since Yuan Jin is not an option, Yang Zhen will send any of his men who are familiar with naval warships. Of course, Yang Zhen will not refuse to avoid suspicion. It is up to Yan San to decide what to do next.

"I, Yan Shengsan, have never thought of a peaceful life since the day I joined the army! A true man should strive to achieve great deeds and make a name for himself. Now that I have the opportunity to go ashore and kill the Tartars, it is my lifelong wish. What is there to fear?!"

Yang Zhen nodded happily at Yan San, which meant he had accepted the man.

In fact, Yang Zhen also knew that if Yan San were timid, complacent, and content to be an unknown and obscure rower or boatman, then he would not have asked for permission to come and scout out the enemy's situation.

Moreover, even if they were ordered to come, after scouting the situation on the sandbar, they could simply go back with another ship to report the news, and no one could say anything about it.

Instead of doing so, he chose to lead a boat straight into the mouth of the Xiaoling River, and even ventured deep into the area around the Niangniang Palace.

This is something that ordinary rowers and boatmen cannot do.