Chapter 233: Pirate Duel (3)

"Continue." Gu Yun had long since seen Mu Cang's detestable small green snake. Her mind was only on the distribution map. Since Mu Cang could find the pirate den, she must understand the basic situation inside.

"The pirates have a total of fifteen main warships. Five were sunk yesterday, leaving ten, and there are thirty-six small boats. Generally, the main warships are distributed in this sea area because the reef groups here are very large and act as natural barriers, allowing them to easily evade your searches. The small boats are mostly concentrated between the large ships, hiding from the waves that surge during high tide. The pirates like to emerge from these two exits: one is where you were besieged today, and the other is here." Pointing to a sea area on the map, Mu Cang continued, "As long as warships enter this sea area, they are easily besieged by the pirates."

The pirates actually had more ships than the Su Family Army. This was unbelievable. Han Shu exclaimed, "I didn't expect the pirates to have so many warships! Fortunately, most of them are small boats and not very useful."

"You're wrong." Gu Yun said worriedly, "Small boats are sometimes more formidable than large ships. As long as these small boats hide behind the large ships and approach the enemy ships slowly, then wait for the right moment to swarm out and approach the enemy ships. Small boats are small and flexible, making it difficult for cannonballs to hit them. Once they get within twenty zhang, the cannons can't hit them, and then the pirates can fire rockets or even climb directly onto the ships."

So serious? Slapping the back of his head in frustration, Han Shu shouted loudly, "We now know the pirates' lair and have the reef distribution map. We should take advantage of their unpreparedness, rush in, and wipe them out in one fell swoop!"

"The reef group is far more complex than you imagine. The map only shows the general distribution; no one can fully know all the large and small underwater reefs inside. The Su Family Army's warships are so large that they will be easily discovered once they sail in. You aren't as familiar with the terrain as the pirates are. By then, it won't be you wiping them out, but you seeking your own death." Mu Cang's cold voice completely extinguished Han Shu's high spirits.

Can't go in, can't do this, can't do that—naval warfare is truly troublesome! Han Shu said angrily, "Then what do you suggest we do? We can't go in, and the pirates suffered heavy losses yesterday, so they definitely won't dare to come out. Even if they do come out, they might only send three or five ships like yesterday. If we can't wipe them out in one fell swoop, the future troubles will be endless."

Su Ling, who had been silent all along, suddenly said, "As long as we set the right bait, they will still come out."

"Bait?"

Gu Yun was shocked, "You want to use yourself as bait?"

Qiao Linfeng's face turned pale, and he said urgently, "General, you absolutely must not! You—"

Su Ling raised his hand, stopping Qiao Linfeng from continuing, and continued, "They have so many large warships and use formation changes in combat; these pirates are definitely not ordinary bandits. I suspect that their arrogant provocations over these days are, first, to test the Su Family Army's capabilities; and second, they are coming for me. As long as I am used as bait and appear in the sea area they think they will definitely win, they will definitely come out, and they will come out in full force." It was harder than ascending to heaven to take his life on land, but it would be much easier at sea. They wouldn't let this opportunity pass.

You Yi couldn't help but whisper, "Who exactly are the pirates? Who is supporting them behind the scenes?" Otherwise, how could they have so many warships?

"Mu Yi should know this." He claimed that as long as one was willing to spend money, there was nothing in the world he didn't know. Han Shu looked left and right but didn't see the enchanting red figure and asked, "Where is Mu Yi?" He was here yesterday; how did he disappear overnight?

"He's dead!"

Everyone was startled and lowered their heads, pretending they hadn't heard, looking at the dense reef distribution map. Just because the hoarse voice was filled with gnashing hatred, and no one knew how Mu Yi had offended this ice beauty.

"Alright, let's discuss and draft a practical plan." Looking at Su Ling, Gu Yun asked, "What do you think?" Since he thought of using himself as bait, he must have already thought of a battle plan.

Su Ling pointed to the area where pirates often appeared on the map and said in a deep voice, "I will lead six warships and ten small boats into the area of their ambush circle. The other six warships and thirteen small boats will be divided into two groups to ambush on the periphery of the pirates' encirclement circle. After they all come out and set up their formation, we will surround them from the left and right."

Han Shu was overjoyed and laughed, "This plan is excellent. By then, with attacks from inside and outside, the pirates will definitely have nowhere to fly."

Gu Yun stared at the reef distribution map, her face showing no joy, and her brows furrowed even tighter. You Yi asked, "What does the Military Advisor think?"

Gu Yun said coldly, "This plan of attacking from inside and outside is good, but to use this trick of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, this oriole must arrive before the cicada is eaten. To evade the pirates' sight, the other batch of warships must hide behind the reef group ten miles away." Gu Yun looked up and asked You Yi, "The northwest wind has been blowing recently. How long will it take to arrive from ten miles away against the wind?"

After calculating in his heart, You Yi replied, "Half a quarter of an hour."

Gu Yun looked at Su Ling and saw a faint helplessness and persistence in those black eyes. He also knew this was very risky, but he still proposed it. Was he too confident, or did he not take his own life seriously enough! Glaring at Su Ling, Gu Yun said unceremoniously, "In such a long time, the oriole hasn't arrived yet, and the cicada has already been eaten by the mantis."

Gu Yun's words made Han Shu unhappy, and he retorted loudly, "It's only half a quarter of an hour; you're underestimating people too much!"

Underestimating? Su Ling was risking his life like this, and Gu Yun was already angry. Now that Han Shu was saying she was underestimating them, she finally couldn't help but roar, "The pirates have ten large ships and thirty-six small boats, fierce firepower, are familiar with naval warfare, and are good at encirclement. The Su Family Army is only sending six warships and ten small boats to lure the enemy. How many lives do you have! How long can you hold out?"

Gu Yun was almost roaring. Not only was Han Shu stunned, but everyone was shocked by her sudden anger. There were many people in the large tent, but it was so quiet that even the sound of breathing was exceptionally clear.

Su Ling sighed secretly. Her temper was getting worse and worse. He understood that she was so angry entirely because she was worried about him, but if the pirates weren't wiped out for a day, the East Sea coast would have no peace for a day. The pirates were clearly coming for him, and he couldn't let the commoners continue to suffer.

After roaring, things still had to be solved. Gu Yun took a deep breath, suppressed the irritability and worry in her heart, and said in a low voice, "If we must lure the enemy out, you must take eight warships into the ambush circle, and plus Mu Cang's six ships, we should be able to hold them off."

Yan Ge, who had been sitting far away impatiently, heard that they also had to go and immediately roared, "Why should we go together?"

Gu Yun raised her eyebrows slightly and sneered, "Didn't someone say they wanted to help me wipe out the pirates? Regretting it now?" Gu Yun emphasized the words "help me" heavily. Mu Cang dared to use her as an excuse, so how could she not make the best use of her!

A rare smile appeared on the beautiful icy face. Mu Cang said readily, "Good, I will enter the pirates' ambush circle with Su Ling."

Mu Cang was so ready, and Gu Yun's expression improved a little. "Although your throwing explosives doesn't have the power of cannons, it's very effective against small boats."

Qiao Linfeng smiled bitterly, "The Su Family Army currently has a total of twelve warships, and three of them are damaged. Luring the enemy uses eight warships, so there are only four left for the ambush and encirclement, and we have to divide into two groups. I'm afraid the firepower won't be enough."

The main tent was quiet again. Yes, there were only so many ships, and it was easy to neglect one thing while attending to another.

"I can help you ambush the pirates." The low male voice was still indifferent, but very clear. Everyone looked at Ao Tian, who was sitting alone in a chair, not understanding why he, the master of Juling Island, wanted to help the Su Family Army?! Ao Tian's face was almost expressionless, and even his dark eyes didn't reveal any emotion.

Others didn't understand, but Su Ling understood very well. His eagle eyes narrowed slightly, and he glanced at the woman beside him. Su Ling said loudly, "Good. Qing Mo, you and Ao Tian will command the warships ambushing outside to surround them."

Gu Yun was startled. Why didn't he let her accompany him to lure the enemy? Gu Yun's expression was very ugly. Su Ling's intention wasn't hard to guess. Even if he added a few more ships, there was still a gap in strength compared to the pirates. This battle was extremely dangerous. She and Ao Tian supporting from the outside would be much safer, and... Ao Tian wouldn't let anything happen to her.

Gu Yun sneered. He was truly thoughtful! Turning her head coldly, Gu Yun stopped looking at him. Although she couldn't fight alongside him, she had said she would protect him, so she would try every means to do so! Gu Yun's cold eyes narrowed slightly, and she said in a deep voice, "Since we know where their main warships are docked, we can do other things before the battle."

Do what? Everyone looked at Gu Yun in confusion. Gu Yun didn't keep them in suspense and replied, "The pirates' most formidable weapon is their cannons. As long as we can destroy their cannons, even if we only destroy a part of them, our chances of winning will be much greater."

Qiao Linfeng said urgently, "How to destroy them?"

Gu Yun didn't answer his question, but turned to look at Mu Cang and asked, "If it's at night, how close can your ships get to the pirate ship camp without being discovered?"

After a moment of silence, Mu Cang replied, "Two miles away. The pirates are very vigilant. Even at night, there are people patrolling every large and small ship. Once any ship approaches within two miles, even the smallest ship will be discovered by them immediately."

She thought she wanted to send people to row small boats over, Gu Yun smiled and asked, "What if it's people?"

"People? You want to swim over?" Mu Cang was startled, then shook her head, "It's January now, the seawater is freezing cold, not to mention the sea isn't a river. No one can swim two miles in the turbulent sea."

"You don't need to worry about this. I just want to know if we can evade the pirates' eyes."

"If it's people, yes." Staring at Gu Yun's determined eyes for a long time, Mu Cang was puzzled, "What do you want to do?"

Not only Mu Cang was curious, but everyone wanted to know what medicine Gu Yun was selling in her gourd.

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 234 =====