Xingyang, downstream from Gubaidu Ferry, at the Sanhe Ferry crossing.
Two warships lay hidden inside a cove near the crossing, their hulls pressed tight against the shadowed riverbank.
The sailors aboard leaned over the gunwales, eyes fixed on the Yellow River ahead, their expressions cold and focused.
Standing among them was an old acquaintance of Gao Family Village.
Zhai Tang.
One of the Eight Great Jin Merchants.
Years ago, after Zhai Tang betrayed Tie Niaofei in the Hedong Circuit, Gao Family Village had reported him directly to the Supreme Commander of Xuan-Da. Supreme Commander Zhang Zongheng launched a sweeping investigation along the frontier, purging the border armies of Han traitors and collaborators.
Zhai Tang's business empire collapsed overnight.
For several years afterward, he was forced to lie low, keeping his head down, burying his ambitions, surviving quietly in the shadows.
But Zhai Tang adapted quickly.
If he could not sell supplies to the Manchus, then selling them to rebels was just as profitable. In fact, it was even better. The rebels' gold, silver, and jewels were all looted wealth. Since it was not their own, they spent freely, often far more extravagantly than the Manchus ever had.
Once again, Zhai Tang was rolling in money.
And once his financial troubles were resolved, a fierce desire for revenge ignited within his heart.
He wanted Tie Niaofei dead.
He wanted everyone standing behind Tie Niaofei dragged down with him.
However, this was no easy task.
The other side possessed flintlock rifles and strange hand grenades.
To counter them, Zhai Tang had reinforced his ships with thick wooden planks to block bullets. Behind those planks, he even constructed concealed bunkers. Whenever grenades were thrown, his men could retreat inside and avoid the blast.
Yet the result last time had been disastrous.
The boats he dispatched were completely annihilated. Not a single subordinate survived. No one escaped to report what had gone wrong.
Zhai Tang could not understand it.
But that did not matter.
Those destined for greatness had the courage to fail.
If it did not work once, he would simply try again.
This time, Zhai Tang prepared two massive tower warships, each carrying large numbers of soldiers armed with muskets and Three-Eyed Arquebuses.
"Oh, their flintlock rifles are impressive, are they?" Zhai Tang sneered. "This time, I have flintlock rifles too. And plenty of them."
He refused to believe that those flat, crude plank boats without even a deckhouse could defeat his towering warships.
"They're here!" a sailor suddenly shouted. "My lord, the cargo ship with the colorful flag has appeared!"
Zhai Tang stepped forward and looked out across the river.
Sure enough, a flat-bottomed plank boat unique to that mysterious faction emerged from Gubaidu Ferry and began sailing downstream.
Zhai Tang's spirits lifted instantly.
"Capture that boat," he shouted. "I will reward a hundred taels of gold!"
Cheers erupted from his subordinates.
Zhai Tang himself, however, jumped down into a small skiff and calmly rowed back toward the shore.
Battles were not something a man of his status needed to personally participate in.
The two tower warships surged forward, charging straight toward Gao Family Village's cargo vessel.
The cargo ship spotted them almost immediately.
After the previous ambush on Jiang Cheng, Gao Family Village's ships had become far more vigilant. Unidentified vessels were no longer allowed to approach freely.
The moment the cargo ship confirmed hostile intent, it immediately turned and fled.
Someone aboard grabbed a tin megaphone and shouted toward the pursuers.
"Who are you? State your identity and intentions immediately! Do not approach this vessel any further, or you will be deemed pirates! I repeat, who are you…"
The two tower ships ignored the warning entirely and continued their aggressive pursuit.
Gao Family Village's cargo ship was powered by an electric engine. Once it opened its throttle, its speed increased sharply. The wooden tower ships had no hope of catching up from behind alone.
But at that moment, from another cove upstream along the Yellow River, two more tower ships emerged.
They blocked the cargo ship's escape route.
Zhai Tang had prepared four warships in total, forming a deadly encirclement from both front and rear.
The sailors aboard the cargo ship tensed instantly.
There was no longer any need to question the enemy's intentions.
This was a battle.
"All hands, battle stations!"
"Prepare for combat!"
"They mean trouble. Do not let them get close!"
"Open fire!"
Flintlock rifles thundered. Bullets streaked toward the four encircling tower ships.
Zhai Tang's preparations this time were even more thorough. The wooden planks mounted on the tower ships were thicker than before. Anti-grenade bunkers were scattered across the decks. Once the towering deckhouses closed in, his men would be able to attack from a commanding height.
The sailors aboard Gao Family Village's cargo ship understood clearly.
If the enemy closed the distance, they would lose.
Yet their flintlock rifles alone could not halt the enemy's advance.
Amid the constant crack of gunfire, the encirclement tightened.
At the same time, several li upstream.
The Wanli Sunshine continued downstream at cruising speed.
On deck, the atmosphere was relaxed.
"Along the riverbanks, monkey cries never cease…" Zhu Piaoling suddenly recited.
Shi Kefa frowned. "There are no monkeys by the river at all. Do not recite poetry just for the sake of it. It does not match the scenery. Besides, it should be 'apes' cries.' What kind of poetry uses 'monkey cries'?"
Zhu Piaoling scratched his head. "Huh? Is there really a difference?"
Shi Kefa shot him a sideways glare.
Tie Niaofei laughed. "I also felt like reciting poetry on this trip. I've traveled land routes my whole life. Sailing by water feels rather novel. Although this boat rocking back and forth is making me uncomfortable."
Shi Kefa retorted irritably, "A salt smuggler getting seasick? That is unheard of."
He had barely finished speaking.
A lookout's voice rang out sharply from above.
"Water battle ahead!"
The shout jolted the entire Wanli Sunshine.
Sailors who had been resting sprang to their feet and rushed toward their stations.
Shi Kefa was startled. "What happened?"
The group hurried toward the bow.
Jiang Cheng was already there, telescope in hand, staring downstream. After only a few breaths, his face twisted with rage.
"Someone is attacking our cargo vessel!" he roared. "Damn it, is it that same bastard who ambushed me last time?"
"Prepare for battle!"
"All hands on the Wanli Sunshine, prepare for combat!"
The atmosphere aboard the ship shifted instantly.
Moments earlier, the crew had been moving casually. Now they transitioned into full combat readiness. Navigation crews, combat teams, and damage control teams moved with clear division of labor.
As this was the Wanli Sunshine's maiden voyage, there was brief confusion as sailors ran above and below deck.
But order quickly returned.
Combat sailors raised their flintlock rifles. With sharp clicks, bullets were loaded.
At the bow, Jiang Cheng roared, "Our cargo vessel is in danger! Full speed ahead! Accelerate immediately and rescue our people!"
Inside the cabin, the navigation crew seized the gear lever.
It was marked clearly with two settings.
Cruising Speed.
Combat Speed.
The lever was currently set to Cruising Speed.
The sailor shoved it forward with all his strength.
With a solid thud, the lever slammed into Combat Speed.
The motor roared.
Power surged to its maximum.
The Wanli Sunshine charged forward at full speed.