Chapter 96: North-South Guard

Sea off the coast of Taizhou Prefecture.

Under the moonlight, seven bird boats sailed westward from Dachen Island.

"We're almost at the Ling River. Once we're on the river, brothers, no loud talk — remember that." On the deck, Zheng Zhilong instructed the men behind him.

"Since we can't talk once we're there, let me talk my fill now. Brother Yiguan, just what method are you using to get past Haimen Guard?"

Zheng Zhilong smirked: "Brother Lei San, just watch. I guarantee the guard soldiers will lower the river chain and let us in without a fight."

Lei Sanxiang said: "You do love keeping secrets — you'd make a fine storyteller. Helmsman, do you know Brother Yiguan's plan?"

Lin Qian gazed at the Ling River under the moonlight and said: "It's a good plan, no time to explain in detail. Brother San, just watch from the boat."

Lei Sanxiang muttered: "He won't say, and you won't say either. Enough to drive a man mad."

Chen Jiao frowned: "Brother Yiguan, there's a river chain on this stretch of water?"

Zheng Zhilong nodded: "Built in the Jiajing years. Over fifty years now."

Chen Jiao: "With a river chain, this is tricky. Even if we slip in, once we're done and they raise the chain, getting out will be hard."

Zheng Zhilong wore a confident smile at the corner of his mouth: "Brother Chen, rest easy. After tonight, that chain will never rise again."

"Almost there. Douse the boat lamps." Lin Qian gave the order.

A moment later, the bird boat doused its lamps, and the six boats behind followed suit one by one.

Under the full moon's reflection, between the ink-black mountains and sea, two patches of warm yellow appeared — the lights of Haimen Guard.

Haimen Guard sat on the cliffs on both banks of the Ling River, facing each other north and south like a river gate — hence the name Haimen, "Sea Gate."

Gazing out in the darkness, the guard's lights seemed to float in mid-air.

As the boats drew closer, the two patches of light grew larger, gradually illuminating the cliff faces.

The sea breeze blew head-on, carrying faint sounds of unrestrained revelry from within the guard.

The seven bird boats neared the cliffs, lowered their sails together, and came to rest in the shadow of the bluffs.

The bird boats did not drop anchor, fearing the splash would alert the guard soldiers — they held position by sculling with oars alone.

So close to the cliffs, they had to keep the boats in shadow while avoiding drifting in to run aground or strike rocks.

It was almost like demanding the boats hold perfectly still amid the churning waves.

Fortunately, everyone aboard was a skilled boatman, and with oars and sculls they managed it for a short while.

Lin Qian sniffed the air — even from this distance, he could smell wine on the sea breeze.

The smell of liquor and the sound of laughter both came from the southern bank guard of Haimen, while the northern bank guard above Lin Qian was utterly silent.

Lei Sanxiang said in a low voice: "Brother Yiguan, the southern bank is feasting tonight, so their defenses must be empty. We should have entered the river from the southern bank."

A smile crept onto Zheng Zhilong's lips as he replied quietly: "That feast of meat and wine at the southern guard — I sent it myself."

Lei Sanxiang suddenly understood: "Oh! You used knockout drugs!"

"Haha, Doctor Su wouldn't part with that much. The drug I used to knock out dogs — I had to beg and plead for even that. Made into buns, it was just enough for the dogs. There was never any for people."

Zheng Zhilong spoke with a laugh, clearly immensely pleased with his own plan.

This was the first time he had taken charge of a major operation since joining Lin Qian's ranks, so he had racked his brains, determined to do it flawlessly and leave an impression on the brothers.

Lin Qian heard movement from the cliff overhead and quickly raised a finger to his lips for silence, then pointed at the bluff.

All the brothers held their breath, freezing in place, not daring to make the slightest sound.

A moment later, rustling footsteps came from the cliff above.

The cliff was only two or three zhang tall — they could even clearly hear the conversation on top.

"We're all brothers in the same guard, but half get wine and meat while half get wind and dirt! Damn it all! That cock-sucking beast plays favorites something fierce!"

"Sigh! What can you do — that beast's personal soldiers are all on the southern bank, so of course the good wine and meat all go to them."

"Damn, I wish I could be a personal soldier too. No wars in the southeast, just drinking and eating meat all day — that's the easy life."

"Ha, you're a hereditary military household — forget it. Stay a common soldier and live out our miserable days!"

As the man spoke, he tossed something off the cliff.

It splashed into the water not far from the bird boats. The men looked toward Lin Qian, who slowly shook his head, signaling them to hold position.

"I heard the southern bank's wine and meat was found, not bought. This afternoon a cargo boat ran aground on the southern bank, and a whole boatload of wine and meat went to those bastards on the south side for free."

"They seized it?"

"Obviously. Think they'd pay for it?"

"Splash!" Another object hit the water — it seemed the men on the cliff were tossing stones.

Lin Qian looked up and saw no one at the cliff's edge — likely because of the darkness, the talkers didn't dare get too close to the edge.

Fortunately the tide was rising, flooding the shallow beach at the cliff's base, letting the bird boats hug the bluff — otherwise the men above would surely have spotted them.

"Hey, your arm's no good. Watch me throw one farther!"

Another splash sounded from farther out on the sea.

Luckily the two were competing to see who could throw farther — if they'd been competing to throw closer, nine times out of ten they'd have hit a bird boat and given them away.

"Come to think of it, how does a boat loaded with wine and meat run aground right by a guard station? Don't you think that's a bit odd?"

Hearing this, everyone on the bird boats felt their hearts leap into their throats.

Lei Sanxiang shot a look at Zheng Zhilong — if not for the men overhead, he'd have demanded an answer right then.

Zheng Zhilong waved his hand, signaling him to stay calm.

"Odd is good. Poison that cock-sucking beast, hahahaha."

The two men on the cliff laughed for a while, then continued.

"That boat came from the open sea — probably a delivery for the Lin estate too. Pity it wasn't poisoned."

"The Lin estate has been taking in a lot of wine and meat lately. What, are they tired of running the porridge stall and want to hand out wine and meat to the poor now?"

A call came from farther off: "Hey! You two, stop your yapping and come switch shifts!"

"Got it, I'll go after I take a piss!"

A stream of urine fell onto the deck, landing squarely on the head of Lu Zhou, who was standing there.

Everyone on the boat broke out in a cold sweat.

If that water had fallen on the deck, the hollow echo it made would have been especially clear in the silent mountains and sea, and the soldiers on the cliff would surely have detected something amiss.

For a moment, everyone on the boat turned their gaze toward Lu Zhou.

Lin Qian stared hard at him, making a downward-pressing gesture with his left hand to signal him not to move.

"Damn it, why is there no sound of water?" A soldier's voice came from the cliff.

"You must have pissed on a rock. How many girls have you worn yourself out on, to be this exhausted?"

"Bullshit!"

Fortunately, the stream had already stopped by then.

From the cliff came the sound of someone pulling up his trousers. As he did so, he walked toward the cliff edge, as if to check where the urine had landed.

Lin Qian looked up and saw half a pitch-black figure slowly emerge over the cliff.

Just then, the man's companion said, "It's the middle of the night—do you want to die? Get back here now."

"I feel like something's off down below the cliff."

"Hahaha... I think it's what's down below YOU that's off! Come on, hurry up and change the watch."

As the footsteps faded into the distance, everyone on the bird boat let out a sigh of relief.

Lei Sanxiang looked at Lu Zhou and pointed at the seawater beside them.

But Lu Zhou shook his head and wiped his face haphazardly with his still-damp sleeve.

"Not bad." Lin Qian praised Lu Zhou in a low voice.

Lu Zhou revealed a smile.

"That was a close call just now," Chen Jiao remarked with a sigh.

"Brother Yiguan, this is your brilliant plan?" Lei Sanxiang voiced his dissatisfaction in a low tone.

Zheng Zhilong looked somewhat apologetic and was about to speak when Lin Qian cut him off.

"Everyone, quiet—a ship is coming!"

(End of chapter)

Yahei

Pink Round

Pen