Chapter 3, No War

The lightning struck fiercely at the center of the imperial navy, and the first ship to bear the brunt was shattered into pieces by the bolt, with all those aboard meeting a gruesome fate. The area where the lightning exploded immediately generated a massive wave, which affected several nearby speedboats. In an instant, the vessels tilted and capsized into the water. The soldiers on board were also thrown into the sea, disappearing without a trace

However, that row upon row of naval vessels moved steadily through the storm like giants marching side by side

Yang Jiang shouted loudly, his voice resonating like a great bell, echoing across the entire sea surface

The sound of the horn rises again, and the enemy ships are approaching rapidly, already within three miles.

A fierce bolt of lightning suddenly struck down from the dark clouds, resembling a golden spear piercing through the sky, exploding into countless shards of light, blooming like brilliant yet deadly fireworks in the heavens

East, that is the direction of the coast, and they can finally set sail for home.

Amidst the tumultuous waves, the naval forces of the Central Plains are steadfastly advancing, sailing into the unfathomable depths of the open sea

The sound of the shouts echoed continuously over the sea, and once again, someone leaped into the water to rescue the soldiers who had just been overturned by the lightning.

One two three, hi! One two three, hi!

However, it was precisely because they were moved by Yang Jiang's selfless act of saving others that the crowd slightly regained their composure from the fear of death and began to hurriedly throw all the excess weight from the ship into the sea

Before Yang Jiang entered the water to save others, these soldiers were merely a disorganized crowd, having lost their commander, filled with fear, and only concerned with their own escape. It was their loneliness and helplessness that made their hearts tremble with fear. However, the recent scene of united rescue had bound all the soldiers' thoughts together. Looking at their spirited comrades around them, the fear of fighting alone vanished. Everyone understood that even if they fell into the water, there would be someone to save them; even if their boat capsized, there would be other vessels to board; and even if they were to die, they would have so many brothers accompanying them.

Wū——

Suddenly, a strange sound of a horn came from behind the crowd

On the thick rope, there hung a large cluster of people, densely packed, one after another, numbering no less than thirty.

In the distant background, where the water meets the sky, a fleet unexpectedly appeared at an unknown time.

However, the imperial navy ultimately underestimated the wisdom of the barbarians, and from the very beginning, they fell into the trap set by them. Yesterday, the sea was turbulent with strong winds and a sudden storm, which seemed to have caused the barbarians to deliberately remain hidden, allowing the central plains navy to avoid disaster. However, today the winds and waves are just right, and the imperial navy, having already lost their vigor due to last night's storm, would not let such a good opportunity slip by. Moreover, at this moment, the barbarian fleet is approaching with the wind, and these small imperial vessels lack the protection of larger ships. If they are struck by the enemy's large vessels, they would surely be crushed like a mantis under a cart, reduced to nothing.

Yang Jiang shouted loudly and was the first to throw the cable onto a nearby ship. The soldiers on that ship immediately understood and began to pull the rope, gradually bringing the two ships closer together

In naval battles, it is essential to take advantage of favorable winds and currents; only then can the strengths of the warships and large vessels be fully realized, allowing the entire fleet to resemble a fierce lion or tiger, unstoppable and formidable

Yang Jiang was also among them, but he did not seem to be struggling with the water. With a pull on the rope, he leveraged his strength and leaped onto the bow of the boat, joining the ranks of those rescuing others

Connect the ships together, ten in a row; after nightfall, the storm will become fiercer

A man fears dying in the torment of loneliness and despair far more than he fears dying a glorious death in battle

Zhang Gui and others did not think as much as Yang Jiang. For them, being fortunate enough to return with their lives was already a great blessing. As for what happens next, that can be discussed later. Since they came in a state of confusion, why not return in the same manner? What is wrong with that?

A commotion immediately arose among the fleet, as many were untrained recruits. Upon suddenly hearing the sound of an enemy attack, they lost their composure, frantically picking up bows, crossbows, knives, and guns from the boats, looking around in panic and fear. If it were not for Yang Jiang commanding the formation, these individuals would likely have already been preparing to flee in a state of utter chaos.

The soldiers who survived the ordeal bore expressions of fatigue, excitement, and a hint of heaviness. Although they had successfully navigated through the storm with relative ease, the ferocity of last night's tempest had still taken its toll. Despite the strategy of "iron chains linking the boats," two old warships had unexpectedly met with disaster, and the fate of the brothers aboard them was undoubtedly grim.

Another flash of lightning erupted from the clouds, its power surpassing that of the previous one, exploding into a brilliant light in the sky, illuminating the entire sea as if it were daytime.

Nevertheless, a few ships that had long been neglected could not withstand the violent waves, instantly breaking apart, leaving only fragments of wood floating on the surging waters, while the fate of those aboard remained uncertain.

Enemy attack! Exercise caution and remain vigilant

The sea surface after the storm appears exceptionally calm. A cool breeze gently blows, and the light waves ripple, as if one is in a cradle

Boom! ... ...

The great wave rushes towards the sky, its momentum akin to a mountain collapsing

No wonder the naval forces have been advancing into the sea for nearly a day without even catching a glimpse of an enemy ship. It was thought that these barbarian vessels had already "fled at the sight of danger," but little did we know they had quietly followed behind the imperial navy. It seems these barbarians are quite skilled in naval warfare, contrary to the belief of the people in the Central Plains that they are ignorant and uncivilized

Everyone was moved by Yang Jiang's indomitable spirit, seemingly forgetting the threat of the storm and the fear of death. They shouted passionately, throwing themselves into the rescue of their comrades. In the battle against the storm, they finally felt the honor of fighting side by side and the gratitude for each other's support.

To preserve one's life, anything can be discarded

Yang Jiang was taken aback, exclaiming that it was bad, realizing that the entire navy had fallen into the trap set in advance by those foreign barbarians.

Come quickly to help, pull the rope

Zhang Gui and several others hurriedly pulled on the other end of the cable that Yang Qiang had taken down, but to their surprise, even with their combined strength, the cable did not budge at all. They quickly called for help.

The Man Yi ships have narrow and pointed bows and sterns that curve upwards, resembling hooks. Their sail design is larger and more easily recognizable than that of Central Plains ships.

Yang Jiang gazed at the red sun gradually rising from the sea, his heart filled with myriad emotions that were difficult to articulate. Continuing in such a chaotic battlefield, not to mention achieving great deeds or serving the country loyally, even preserving one's life became exceedingly difficult. These fallen brothers did not die heroically on the battlefield; rather, they perished unjustly at the hands of their own commander. A true man, standing in this world, should die a glorious death if he must die; if one were to die in such an unclear and unjust manner, would it not be better to return to the countryside and farm?

Amidst the astonished and regretful gazes of the crowd, Yang Gang held one end of the rope and swiftly moved across to the spot where the boat had just capsized

Although the sun is still hiding below the horizon, the red glow of dawn has already illuminated a vast expanse of sea and sky in the east

Everyone stabilized their respective boats, and only after this wave had passed did they begin to hurriedly search for the whereabouts of Yang Jiang and others

The might of the angry sea has indeed reached such a state

To know that the winds are fierce and the waves are high at sea, even those well-versed in swimming find it difficult to avoid being overwhelmed by the waves and losing their direction. Yang Qiang can leap over three zhang with ease, demonstrating his astonishing martial prowess; however, in the face of a raging sea, who is not utterly insignificant? Therefore, those who witnessed Yang Qiang's actions were all deeply shocked and moved by his courage to risk his life to save others

The barbarian fleet appears to be quite skilled in naval warfare, both in terms of formation and command, surpassing the naval forces of the Central Plains. In particular, their vessels are equipped with several sails, allowing them to maximize the use of wind power and push their speed to the limit. Compared to the design of ships from the Central Plains, they are indeed superior.

At the same time, thunder roared, and raindrops shot down fiercely

Although it is not possible to connect them with iron chains at present, using those thick cables will yield results that are not much inferior to iron chains. Everyone was busy competing with each other, and in just a moment, they had already connected hundreds of warships into several rows. Meanwhile, the two or three "battle ships" controlled by officials had quietly sailed out of everyone's sight without anyone noticing.

At this moment, among the Central Plains navy, no one had the leisure to appreciate those ships filled with exotic charm. Watching the enemy vessels rush in with the wind, like a school of sharks in the sea, they momentarily lost their resolve and did not know what to do.

After a night of battling against the storm, Yang Jiang has evidently become the core of this group. This recognition, arising from the hearts of the people, and the emergence of a leader spontaneously, transcends the interests tied to titles and money, coming across as the most sincere and reliable.

Yang Jiang gripped the black iron spear even tighter, as he experienced the fear of death for the first time

I am ultimately just a soldier

Everyone knows that this storm is unavoidable, yet the previous state of panic has completely dissipated. Each person appears surprisingly calm, and on their rain-soaked faces, a smile of assured victory emerges

The torrential rain poured down, the wind howled and the waves roared, accompanied by flashes of lightning and claps of thunder. Simultaneously, colossal waves surged one after another on the sea surface, threatening to obliterate all forms of life.

Boom ! ... ...

The fear of death spread rapidly, and amidst the vast and clear expanse of sea and sky, a sudden sense of desolation and slaughter arose. These court naval vessels, stripped of their flagship escorts, seemed like rootless dust floating in the air. Yet, in this boundless sea and sky, where could one find those eight "drunken" ships?

Heaven

The sound of the horn is high and long, precisely the battle cry commonly used by barbarians and thieves

Yang Jiang glanced at the enemy ships pursuing him and realized that the Central Plains navy would certainly be unable to escape the chase. The only option was to turn around and confront the enemy, as there might still be a slim hope of survival. After all, the enemy fleet consisted of only sixty to seventy large and medium-sized vessels, and he could leverage the agility of his smaller ships to maneuver against them. However, if he merely focused on fleeing, he would only become a target for the enemy's heavy ships to ram.

The torrential rain instantly transformed into arrows, striking the soldiers with a faint pain, yet the fighting spirit of the soldiers on the ship only grew stronger. Zhang Gui and the others looked at the darkened sky and said to Yang Qiang, "Brother Yang, what should we do?"

Boom ! ... ...

The fleet of warships soared with the waves, being swept up to the crests of the surging waters. Had it not been for Yang Jiang's prior warning, along with the necessary precautions taken and the early disposal of many heavy items, it is likely that numerous vessels would have been engulfed by the waves, resulting in the destruction of ships and loss of lives

Yang Jiang shouted loudly: "Throw away the burdens on the ship!"

At this thought, a sense of inexplicable loss arose in Yang Jiang's heart. Was it really the case that all his fervor and martial skills would be so easily submerged in the flow of time?

The remaining ten or so people rushed over to help upon hearing the news. The group of about twenty shouted in unison, finally managing to pull up the rope where Yang Qiang was located

Without a commander, the soldiers on the ship appeared quite casual. Due to the heavy rain last night, everyone was drenched, resembling drowned rats. As a result, some individuals on the ship simply went bare-chested, hanging their clothes on the ship to dry in the sun. Others engaged in conversation and play on the ship, waiting for it to slowly drift and take them ashore

Yang Jiang sighed in despair, knowing that the defeat was already determined. The two or three thousand soldiers of the court here had no hope of survival.

Yang Jiang and others, along with their ship, weathered the storm and slowly advanced in formation towards the direction of the rising sun

After the rope was pulled up a considerable length, everyone present found the situation both amusing and exasperating

Crack! ... ... ''

However, these Central Plains naval forces are all untrained recruits, lacking armor and thick shields for protection. If they were to confront the enemy head-on, it would be akin to a mantis trying to stop a chariot. At such a critical juncture, what course of action should be taken?

The Xuan Tie Longqiang is named "Jizhan," which signifies a fight to the death and a struggle with all one's might, embodying the spirit of never retreating in the face of battle. Yang Gang looked up to the sky and sighed deeply, could it be that today he truly has to fight to the death here?

The iron chains connect the boats, gliding across the river surface as if walking on level ground

The wind and waves grow more furious

As Yang Gang looked around at the gazes of his brothers filled with admiration and respect, he felt for the first time the responsibility and mission of being a leader on the battlefield. It was not a fight for personal honor, but rather to save the life of even one more brother.

Crack! ... ... ''

Upon hearing this, Yang Jiang couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine, as if pricked by needles, and a wave of coldness washed over him. With a heart full of trepidation, he turned his head to look back.

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In a critical moment, if someone is able to step forward, he will undoubtedly become the focal point for all, uniting the courage and intellect of the people into a single force; this is a natural occurrence

The sound of rumbling grew closer, and the massive wave behind surged with great force, soon to crash down. In this case, those who had fallen into the water would undoubtedly be submerged beneath the waves, and it was feared that no one would escape this disaster.

This was originally the greatest blunder of Cao's army during the Battle of Chibi, but now it seems perfectly suitable for Yang Jian to use in order to withstand the storm. Yang Jian connected the ships with cables, which not only allowed them to leverage the strength of multiple vessels to resist the waves and stabilize the hull, but also prevented the ships from being blown off course by the wind and waves at night.