Chapter 871: Only Then Can Great Success Be Completed

Xiao Ze looked at Lin Jiang and said plainly, "Captain Lin, the Red‑haired Barbarians are about to raise taxes again."

Cai Tong's whole body shivered, and he jerked his head up to look at Xiao Ze, his face full of disbelief.

Since the last trip to the Governor's Office, these people haven't even seen Kui Yi or Mei Er; where did this news come from? I don't even know!

Lin Jiang's complexion changed instantly: "Raise again? If they raise it further, lives will be lost!"

His voice trembled, his fingers unconsciously clenched the edge of the table: "Your Highness, is this news true?"

Xiao Ze nodded, his expression calm: "Captain Lin, no need to panic."

"After this tax increase, I hope you can inform all the Han civilian captains in advance, and arrange to meet together…"

"You want us," Lin Jiang said miserably, jumping in, "to take the sugarcane‑cutting machetes and block those Red‑haired devils?"

"No," Xiao Ze shook his head, "the Imperial Court doesn't need you to go into battle, but rather, do nothing at all."

Lin Jiang was stunned.

He thought he had misheard, turned his head to look at Cai Tong.

Cai Tong was also bewildered.

"Do… nothing?" Lin Jiang's voice was hoarse: "Your Highness, what does that mean?"

Xiao Ze said succinctly: "No work, no taxes, no resistance."

Lin Shan sprang to his feet, his chest heaving violently: "Then they'll definitely kill people!"

"You don't know Kui Yi's methods! If we don't pay taxes, they won't just kill one or two; they'll kill until everyone kneels and begs them!"

Lin Xi grabbed him: "Sit down, don't be so impatient."

Lin Shan slowly sat down.

Xiao Ze quietly watched him: "No need to worry; by then, they won't have time to deal with this matter at all."

Lin Jiang remained bewildered: "No time? How could they…"

"Because at that time," Xiao Ningchen interrupted him, "the Imperial Court's navy will surround Taiyuan Island with Tuan Tuan."

"With a great enemy before them, they won't have leisure to worry about whether you pay taxes or not."

Lin Xi's eyes lit up: "The Imperial Court really sent troops? Where? Jingcheng is far from here!"

"Quanzhou, they've been waiting there already!" Feng Zhou said proudly, "I've also modified the cannons; now our cannons are even stronger than theirs!"

"You?" Lin Shan blurted out.

Feng Zhou's proud expression froze: "What's wrong with me?"

Lin Shan scanned him from head to toe: "You're as skinny as a chick, yet you claim to have modified cannons?"

Feng Zhou's hair stood on end: "What does my skinny‑ness have to do with whether I can modify cannons?"

Lin Shan was about to speak again when Lin Xi tugged him: "Shut up, listen to big brother."

Lin Shan had to close his mouth, but still looked at Feng Zhou with puzzlement.

Feng Zhou hummed and turned his head elsewhere.

"The Red‑haired Barbarians' cannons are indeed formidable," Lin Jiang said gravely, "otherwise Taiyuan Island wouldn't have been in their hands for so many years."

His gaze swept over everyone's faces: "Do you… really have confidence? How much?"

Xiao Ningxun smiled: "On the battlefield, everything changes in an instant; no one dares claim ten‑percent certainty."

Lin Jiang's face darkened instantly.

"But in this battle," Xiao Ningchen interjected, "we already have eighty percent confidence."

"Eighty percent?" Lin Jiang's eyes suddenly brightened.

He stared hard at Xiao Ze: "Your Highness, really?"

Xiao Ze nodded.

Lin Jiang's eyes flickered, still clearly hesitant.

Xiao Ningxun said without evasion: "To claim this matter carries no risk is to overstate it; soldiers and weapons cannot be guaranteed to win."

He looked at Lin, speaking earnestly: "But please, Captain Lin, think of your newborn son who just set foot on the ground—must he grow up in a generation that still lives as now?"

"Living under the Red‑haired Barbarians' whip, with uncertain food and shelter?"

Lin Jiang felt something stir inside.

"The Imperial Court has dispatched a hundred thousand naval fleet this time," Xiao Ze's tone remained even, "even if we fight hard for months, we can still capture Taiyuan."

"The reason we haven't done so is to spare the island's civilians from suffering war again after the Imperial Court reclaims the land."

Lin Xi covered her mouth in surprise.

Cai Tong's face flushed red: "Ten… ten thousand?"

"Ten thousand… naval fleet?" Lin Jiang murmured, repeating it.

Lin Shan asked: "Is it really that many?"

Xiao Ningchen replied: "More than enough; the commander is my father, the war god of the fierce nation, Prince Ning Xiao Yuanhang."

"Goryeo and Japan, we captured them not long ago, following our father."

Xiao Ningxun explained patiently: "The massive army surrounding the island leaves them no escape."

"If you refuse to pay taxes and resist, you cut off their livelihood completely; this inside‑outside encirclement will finally drive the Red‑haired Barbarians off Taiyuan Island."

Cai Tong listened with great emotion, and together with Lin Shan and Lin Xi, all turned to Lin Jiang.

Lin Jiang pondered briefly, then slowly scanned everyone: "To be frank, if you say you have full confidence, I certainly cannot believe it."

"But now…" he clenched his teeth, "I will believe."

Xiao Ze clasped his fists and said: "Then we have Captain Lin's help. I'm not certain of the exact tax‑raising date, but I think it's within these few days."

"Captain Lin, you must persuade the other captains; this matter requires your united effort, only then can we achieve great success."

Lin Jiang solemnly nodded: "I will do my utmost, not disappointing Your Highness's trust!"

The next evening.

Everyone dressed in fine attire, followed Cai Tong, and entered the governor's mansion.

In the hall on the first floor, lights blazed brightly, and Mei Er came forward with a smiling face.