Chapter 164 – Determination

“All medical, logistical, food, and water ships retreat, escorted by ten cruiser warships. Additionally, dispatch two centipede fast ships immediately back to the main camp to seek reinforcements from Lord Fang. Tell them we are facing formidable enemies here; preliminary estimates indicate their fleet is over five hundred ships. Please have the marshal send ships to aid us immediately!”

Pei Dongyan straightened up. “My lord! Where did this figure of five hundred come from?”

Xu Chun replied coldly, “We have a total of about two hundred and fifty ships at full strength. Without the twenty logistical and medical ships, we can still muster more than two hundred. General Nong ordered me to retreat clearly knowing that even if I took my ships into battle, there would be no chance of victory. By ordering the logistical ships to retreat, but not retreating himself, he knew that once they withdrew, our entire fleet would be in danger. Thus, he stayed ahead to buy us more time to retreat!”

His voice was calm yet icy, but he knew his hands were trembling slightly. He knew that Fang Zijing, Nong Sijie, and his cousin Changtian had been deliberately protecting and guiding him, the novice commander, to help him gradually learn tactics, familiarize himself with battlefield command, and grow step by step, establishing his own merits. He had always felt their earnest care and guidance.

He also knew that with a formidable enemy before him, the best course of action would be to retreat with all the logistical support, to preserve their strength. Originally, their mission this time was merely to cut off supplies, not to engage in active combat. Retreating to preserve their strength would pose no problem.

However, he saw meteor-like flashes of fire cutting through the dark sea, the corpses floating amidst the waves, and he thought of Big Brother Nong, who had proudly boasted about imparting secrets to him just half a day ago, and his childhood friend Changtian, akin to a real brother. He also thought of the young faces of the soldiers he had seen during drills and battles—naval troops fresh out of maritime academy, brimming with enthusiasm and hope. These young men should have had a bright future, not be facing an enemy that outnumbered them on this icy sea, fighting until the bitter end to cover the retreat of the logistical units.

Suddenly, Guan Wanwan arrived with several female doctors, urgently seeking an audience. She pleaded earnestly, “Commander Xu! Our entire medical team refuses to leave! We wish to remain with the main force to treat the wounded! Please grant us permission!”

Xu Chun responded, “There appears to be a major enemy ahead. A fierce battle is surely to follow. The flagship has already ordered the logistical fleet to withdraw. You are precious talents, carefully cultivated by the maritime academy, and we cannot afford to lose you in combat. It would be best to follow orders and retreat first, awaiting the arrival of reinforcements.”

Guan Wanwan raised her face. “Commander! Isn’t this very day what the maritime academy trained us for? If you make us retreat, when you engage in battle and inevitably suffer casualties, how will those injuries be treated without us? We all volunteered to fight. Please allow us to stay. There are likely already wounded ahead, how could we abandon our duty in such a critical moment? The motto of the maritime academy is to serve the country with utmost loyalty and to pacify the seas. Ever since our first day at the academy, we’ve been looking forward to this day, the day to fulfill our duty to the nation!”

Xu Chun felt a warmth in his heart and agreed, “Very well, you may stay and prepare to treat the wounded. Donghai, arrange a treatment room on the Wansui. Two doctors shall remain on board to assist Donghai.”

“Additionally, designate a ship specifically for rescue and medical purposes. Doctor Guan, take all the doctors there and ensure ample supplies of medicine, water, food, and attendants. After the battle commences, all the wounded shall be sent there for treatment. Hang the Empress Heaven flag high on the wounded’s ship. If the situation becomes dire, evacuate immediately.”

Donghai and Guan Wanwan both acknowledged the orders and promptly left.

Xu Chun walked to the sea chart and looked at the narrow strait Nong Sijie had mentioned earlier—the ‘Changhu Strait.’

Chunxi seemed to anticipate his intentions. “Young Master, should we wait for Lord Dinghai to return and confirm the number and position of the enemies before deciding?”

“It’s too late,” Xu Chun shook his head, his amber eyes heavy with determination. “The fleet must move ahead; we can’t just wait around. Generals Nong and Changtian definitely won’t retreat; instead, they’ll fight until the very end.”

His voice trembled slightly, but it was firm. “It’s useless for us to linger here. If we wish to alleviate their pressure, we must launch a diversionary attack to draw their firepower away.”

“Our current advantage lies in our sturdy ships and powerful cannons. Every piece of equipment on board is the latest model, bought for hefty sums of silver. But Big Brother Nong, with his extensive battle experience, requested our retreat immediately, indicating that the enemy’s numbers and firepower far exceed ours. To win against overwhelming odds, we must resort to ambushes and…”

His finger tapped on the strait on the map. “Do you remember the ambush we carried out before? Mines have always been a great tool for the underdog. This strait isn’t deep, which makes mine-laying easier.” His expression was solemn. “But the issue is timing. If we lay the mines too early and one ship gets blown up, the others won’t dare to follow. We can only sink the mines and deploy them gradually.”

The harsh winter and the pressing time made sinking anchor mines prone to accidental explosions, and the same applied to drag and spar mines. Without experience, it was easy to blow up your own ships. Previously, Sheng Changtian personally oversaw the deployment of torpedoes in Beisu Island. Now, Sheng Changtian, accompanied by the main force of the Sheng family and the vanguard fleet of the naval corps, had departed. The people he currently led were from the naval corps and Fujian naval corps, inexperienced with explosives.

His brows furrowed tightly.

However, Xia Chao suddenly said, “Your Highness, we have submarines! Entering and laying mines with them is safer! Also, there are those two torpedoes you had us test recently. Equipped with propellers, they can travel half a mile before detonating. Aimed correctly, they could have a surprising effect!”

Xu Chun hesitated. “That’s just a backup plan. During training, there were multiple instances of accidental explosions. The submarine technology isn’t mature yet, and the increased water pressure greatly increases the risk of accidental mine explosions.”

Xia Chao replied, “I’m familiar with these submarines, Your Highness. You forgot that I’m skilled in swimming. In Jinhai, I was the one leading the tests. Please, Your Highness, give me the order to lead a team and take a ship to lay mines and torpedoes.”

Xu Chun looked at Xia Chao in surprise. At sixteen years old, Xia Chao’s eyes gleamed with intensity as he pleaded, “Your Highness, give me a chance! I want to be like Chunxi and Donghai! I want to earn the rank of general! Honor the ancestors!”

Xu Chun responded, “This is dangerous, and you’re too young.”

Xia Chao retorted excitedly, “Fortune favors the bold, Your Highness! Young Master Changtian is trapped in there! If you refuse to retreat now, we’ll all die. Why not take a gamble? Since we’re gambling anyway, might as well bet big!” The youth spoke without reserve, but his words hit Xu Chun’s hidden concerns. If Big Brother Changtian couldn’t return, and he didn’t retreat, would they all be trapped here together?

He dared not dwell on the thought.

But Xia Chao continued speaking. “This task is dangerous, and Your Highness needs someone trustworthy to lead it. I’m familiar with submarines and skilled in swimming. Who could be more suitable than me? You’ve only recently taken command of the naval corps; you’re unfamiliar with them, and they may not dare to undertake such a task. Let me take the Sheng family’s experts. I assure you, there won’t be any problems!”

“Bull bladder rafts, chain anchors, wooden and iron shell mines—we have thousands stored in our family arsenal, and I know them well! Now we have torpedoes and submarines, such excellent weapons! Young Master, trust me! It’s the same as fighting pirates. My father fought them before. I brought two sets of diving gear, and we have plenty of bull bladders. On our ship, there are ten deep-sea divers, all handpicked and capable of crossing the strait. They’re skilled in holding their breath. They were originally meant to save you in case of emergencies, but since you’re going to fight, we’ll go and lay the mines!”

Xu Chun looked at Xia Chao as a warm feeling rose in his chest. He patted Xia Chao on the shoulder. “Remember, safety comes first. We’ll all be fine, and we’ll bring Third Brother back too!”

After seeing Xu Chun relent, Xia Chao left happily. Qiuhu felt a pang of melancholy, envious and disappointed, but she knew this wasn’t the time for her to speak up. She quietly checked Xu Chun’s armor.

Xu Chun gave orders in an orderly manner. “Change the ox horn formation to a double column echelon. The logistical and medical ships remain in the center, advancing at full speed towards the Changhu Strait!”

The fleet swiftly reformed into a double column echelon and sped towards the designated target.

Xu Chun stood at the bow again, taking out his telescope to continue observing the distance. As they approached the area where gunfire was heard, he instructed them to circle around from afar, sending a scout ship ahead.

Indeed, the lookout on the scout ship soon provided a shocking estimate. “At least six or seven hundred enemy ships. Chengfeng and Qianqiu are still there, their formations unbroken. The enemy surrounds them, but the battle isn’t extremely intense.”

A weight lifted from Xu Chun’s heart, and he shared his thoughts with Chunxi. “They probably want our ships because they consider them valuable and think they have the upper hand, so they are slowly surrounding us to wear us down. During our campaign into Silla, when interrogating captured Jurchen prisoners, we heard that the Jurchens, for shipbuilding, even had their emperor tighten his belt, issuing national bonds to raise funds from civilian merchants. They need ships too! They’re quite poor.”

He instructed, “Continue advancing towards the Changhu Strait at full speed. Once we arrive, let Xia Chao take his men to lay the mines. They must have seen us coming and will likely split their forces to deal with us. We need to act quickly.”

Qiuhu brought over a set of heavy armor with two personal guards. “Young Master, change into a heavier suit of armor.”

When Xu Chun went on a military expedition, Xie Yi had someone modify two sets of his armor for him. One was a mail shirt, relatively light and mainly used for daily activities, convenient for commanding and riding horses. The other was a bright armor, heavier but capable of defending against some musket bullets.

Xu Chun didn’t refuse. Extending his arms, he allowed Qiuhu and Chunxi to help him put on the armor. The silver flask remained tied to his waist. Xu Chun touched the flask at his waist, then turned to look at Huo Dongyan. Pei Dongyan had been silent on the side, and Xu Chun called out, “Commander Pei.”

Pei Dongyan responded, “At your service, Your Highness.”

Xu Chun said, “This battle is fraught with danger… Previously, His Majesty ordered you to protect me, but now I’m stubbornly pushing forward…”

“If you disagree, you may withdraw.”

Pei Dongyan replied, “Your Highness, Fengxiang Guard is solely responsible for your safety and will never interfere with your decisions. This is also what His Majesty instructed. You are the leader, and we are the supporters. We can offer strategic advice in critical moments but cannot influence your decisions or defy your orders based on concerns for your safety. Not only does Fengxiang Guard operate this way, but Lord Dinghai does too. As a secret guard, he cannot disobey your commands.”

Xu Chun was taken aback. He recalled how Xie Yi had always prioritized his safety and feared that Pei Dongyan and the others might forcibly take him away at a crucial moment, disrupting his command. He decided to dismiss them preemptively. However, he hadn’t anticipated that Xie Yi had arranged for this group of people to truly support him and serve as capable subordinates, not intending to control his actions.

His eyes welled up with warmth, and his nose tingled. He thought, Brother Nine might have known I’d be stubborn, but he didn’t interfere. Instead, he genuinely trusted me, giving me these people to use.

A sense of reassurance filled his heart, as if he saw Brother Nine looking down at him gently and silently from his lofty throne, offering unconditional support. His courage soared, and his blood boiled. He looked at Pei Dongyan and bowed. “In that case, Commander Pei, please assist me.”

Pei Dongyan returned the salute respectfully. “Your Highness, the fifty guards of Fengxiang Guard accompanying you on this campaign are all elite soldiers, each capable of taking on ten opponents. They are willing to lay down their lives for you. Please give us your commands.”

Xu Chun said, “Commander Pei, our Wansui ship has an advantage. With your agreement to assist me, we have a higher chance of success.”

Pei Dongyan replied, “Please enlighten us, Your Highness.”

Xu Chun said, “The Wansui ship is an ironclad, incredibly sturdy. Ordinary cannon fire can’t penetrate its hull. On the contrary, if it collides with a regular ship, the latter would suffer. Upon seeing this ship, they will undoubtedly be tempted and greedy.”

Pei Dongyan noticed the hint of smugness on Xu Chun’s face and felt a jolt in his heart. “Your Highness wants to use the bait strategy again, like last time on Beisu Island? That’s too risky!”

Xu Chun ignored his concern. “Furthermore… capture the bandit chief first! I intend to take a gamble and engage in a boarding battle with their flagship!”

Xu Chun’s eyes sparkled with intensity. “Commander Pei, as far as I know, most of the pirates only have armor for their generals, with ordinary sailors wearing at most leather or wicker armor. With the elite soldiers of Fengxiang Guard, equipped with superior armor and swords, facing their sailors, who are only skilled in water warfare and rely on the advantage of cannons, wouldn’t it be like hungry tigers entering a flock of sheep? Moreover, once Lord Dinghai sees us returning, he should quickly join forces with us, further increasing our chances.”

They were delighted at the prospect of seizing this expensive ironclad ship after boarding it. How could they have expected to encounter a group of carefully trained, ten-to-one valiant warriors, fiercely guarding them?

“We’ll carefully design an ambush with archers and musketeers in high positions. Once we board, we’ll take charge, pretending to be weak to catch them off guard and seize their admiral’s flagship. Wouldn’t that be splendid?”