Chapter 23: Dongling Arrives First, The Navy Crosses the River

Among the Three Kings, the first to move was the Prince of Dongling, Zhao Yin.

Dongling lies downstream of the Great River, its wealth unmatched under Heaven, and its navy supreme in Great Yin.

By all rights, for the Dongling army to attack Hanzhou, it would need to bypass a thousand li of mountains and rivers.

Yet Zhao Yin forged a different path.

He led fifty thousand naval troops up the Great River, then turned into the Han River tributary, directly threatening Hanzhou's southern border.

This route was treacherous and difficult; in past years, only merchant ships dared to travel it.

But Zhao Yin, with his vast wealth and bold spirit, forcibly laid out a waterway with three thousand tower ships, like an iron chain and a long snake, slaughtering toward the heart of Hanzhou.

When the news reached Jiang Manor, the generals' faces were grave.

Chen Shanhe pointed at the map and said, "Young Master, if the Dongling army lands from the Han River, they can reach the walls of Hanzhou City in three days."

Jiang Che asked, "Who guards the Han River crossing?"

"The old general Sun Zhao, formerly a Naval Commander of the Northern Frontier Army Water Camp."

Chen Shanhe said, "But the Hanzhou navy was scrapped twenty years ago; now there are only thirty-odd small boats."

Shen Wanjin coughed beside them.

"Young Master, I, Shen, happen to have two hundred merchant ships."

Chen Shanhe's eyes lit up.

Shen Wanjin hurriedly waved his hands: "But merchant ships cannot fight."

Jiang Che said, "Can they burn?"

Shen Wanjin froze.

"Ah?"

Jiang Che looked at the map.

The Han River channel was narrow, with reeds lining both banks, yellow and withered in autumn and winter, igniting at a touch.

"The Dongling Navy has come from afar, relying on sturdy ships and numerous troops. If we fight in open waters, we will surely be defeated."

"But if we lure them into a narrow river..."

Chen Shanhe suddenly slammed the table.

"Fire attack!"

Jiang Che nodded.

"Let Sun Zhao abandon the first crossing and retreat to defend Hui Long Bay."

"Shopkeeper Shen, lend me your merchant ships."

Shen Wanjin's face crumpled in pain.

"Young Master, two hundred ships..."

Jiang Che said, "I will return ten times as many."

Shen Wanjin gritted his teeth.

"Burn them!"

Two days later, the Dongling Navy arrived at the Han River.

Zhao Yin stood on the main tower ship, clad in Golden Armor, gazing at the desolate snowy banks on both sides, and sneered, "Jiang Che thought guarding White Bone Pass meant all was secure, yet he forgot Hanzhou has a Gate on its southern side too."

The deputy general said, "Your Highness, the Hanzhou defenders ahead have withdrawn."

Zhao Yin narrowed his eyes.

"Withdrawn?"

"Yes, leaving only empty camps."

Zhao Yin snorted coldly: "Border troops with rough methods, using bait?"

The deputy general asked, "Pursue?"

Zhao Yin pondered for a moment.

He knew there might be an ambush.

But the Dongling Navy had strong troops and sturdy ships; Hanzhou had no navy. Even if there was an ambush, what could they do?

"Pursue."

The tower ships continued north.

At dusk, the fleet entered Hui Long Bay.

Here the river channel suddenly narrowed, the water swirling, with dense reeds lining both banks.

Just as Zhao Yin stepped into the cabin, a horn blast suddenly sounded from the shore.

Immediately, flames erupted everywhere.

The reeds on both banks burned simultaneously; the fire rode the Wind, instantly merging into a wall of flame.

The deputy general cried out, "An ambush!"

Zhao Yin roared, "A mere fire attack, why panic? Order: charge out!"

But the next moment, over a hundred burning merchant ships appeared upstream.

The Fire Ships drifted downstream, crashing straight into the Dongling tower ships.

Boom!

The first tower ship was struck; oil exploded, and flames shot into the sky.

Then the second, then the third.

The Dongling fleet, trapped in the narrow channel, unable to attend to front or rear, fell into total chaos.

On the shore, Sun Zhao, his white hair disheveled, beat the drums himself.

"Release the arrows!"

Fire arrows fell like rain.

The Han Zhou garrison was small in number, yet they held every advantage of the terrain.

The Dongling Navy screamed in agony; countless soldiers jumped into the water to escape, only to be swallowed by the freezing river.

Zhao Yin's face turned iron-green.

"Where is Jiang Che?"

No one answered.

Just then, on a distant hillside, a figure in black robes appeared.

Jiang Che stood in the wind and snow, the Green Bamboo Sword at his waist still in its scabbard.

Zhao Yin locked eyes with him across the sea of fire.

Jiang Che raised his hand and pressed down lightly.

The Han Mountain Camp surged from both banks, specifically cutting down Dongling soldiers who abandoned their ships to reach the shore.

That night, the Han River ran red.

Of the fifty thousand Dongling Navy troops, more than half were lost.

Zhao Yin fled his flagship and retreated south in a wretched state.

At dawn, Sun Zhao knelt on the shore, his face streaked with tears.

"The veteran soldiers of the Water Camp have not failed in their duty!"

Jiang Che helped him to his feet.

"For this battle, Han Zhou records your merit as the foremost."

Sun Zhao choked back a sob.

Shen Wanjin looked at the merchant ships burned to wreckage, his heart aching so much he gasped repeatedly.

Jiang Che walked to his side.

"Shopkeeper Shen."

Shen Wanjin, eyes brimming with tears: "Young Master, ten times."

Jiang Che smiled.

"Put it on the account."