Chapter 1165

When Hu Xiaotian walked out of the room again, his expression grew even more solemn; after bidding farewell to Qin Yutong, he prepared to return to discuss affairs, just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard a resonant voice from behind say: "Sir, perhaps I can be of some help!"

Hu Xiaotian turned and saw that it was Chang Fanqi who had spoken; Hu Xiaotian was overjoyed: "Brother Fanqi, let's move elsewhere to talk."

The two left the Hall of Shared Benevolence and went together to Hu Xiaotian's mansion; at that moment Li Mingcheng was already waiting there, and Li Mingcheng had already prepared a sea map, spreading it out flat on the table.

Hu Xiaotian pointed to Wolf Fang Bay on the sea map and said: "They were ambushed here; according to Hu Pi, the pirates had dozens of warships surrounding their fleet, including three heavy warships."

Li Mingcheng muttered: "How could this rabble possibly possess heavy warships?"

Chang Fanqi said: "The pirates of Python Flood Island are no rabble; their chief is Yan Tianlu, the paternal uncle of Bohai Kingdom's king Yan Dongsheng. After failing in the struggle for the throne, he was forced to lead his troops to flee Bohai Kingdom, raised a banner and became a pirate, also changing his name by replacing the 'Yan' of visage with the 'Yan' of the King of Hell, openly cutting ties with the Bohai Yan dynasty. He has been a pirate for over thirty years, and Yan Tianlu should now be nearly seventy."

Hu Xiaotian also did not expect Chang Fanqi to be so familiar with the pirates of Python Flood Island; he humbly asked: "Brother Fanqi, do you have any understanding of the true strength of Python Flood Island?"

Chang Fanqi nodded and said: "I understand somewhat, because previously the Bohai Kingdom repeatedly sought aid from the Emperor of Da Yong, asking Da Yong to send troops to help destroy Python Flood Island; the Emperor had even agreed, preparing to dispatch Grand Marshal Yuchi himself to go, and I was then in Grand Marshal Yuchi's army. So I had done considerable groundwork beforehand, but later the Emperor abandoned the idea of attacking Python Flood Island, outwardly claiming the cost was too high, while in fact it was because Python Flood Island had also sent envoys to Yongdu to negotiate secretly."

Hu Xiaotian said: "He must be getting benefits from both sides, so he simply turned a blind eye."

Chang Fanqi did not speak; in fact, he was acquiescing to Hu Xiaotian's statement.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I thought this pirate band was a ragtag militia, but after all this effort it turns out to be a regular army." He couldn't help but feel some resentment toward Hu Zhongyang, who had not made things so clear when he left earlier; if he had known that Python Flood Island possessed such formidable strength, he might have dispatched more men, but now that it has come to this, resentment is useless.

Li Mingcheng sighed and said: "Hu Zhongyang is merely a merchant, but those one thousand naval soldiers are our own kin. I wonder what the casualties are?" His meaning was that Hu Zhongyang's life or death didn't matter, but the safety of those one thousand naval soldiers was a major concern.

Hu Xiaotian could understand why Li Mingcheng said that, but he could not agree with this; he said in a low voice: "In Dongliang Jun, soldiers and civilians are all the same; in our hearts they are equally important."

Chang Fanqi stood aside, silently watching Hu Xiaotian. He secretly wondered how Hu Xiaotian would deal with this matter; actually, even if such a thing occurred in Da Yong, it might very well end inconclusively, a campaign against pirates. Long journeys and exertions, the vast sea—victory or defeat hinges half on fate; who would risk so much for a merchant convoy and a thousand soldiers?

Hu Xiaotian said: "We will try courtesy before force; if they agree to release the merchant convoy and our people, then this matter will be dropped; if they refuse, I will erase Python Flood Island from the sea map entirely!" His words were spoken with absolute certainty, leaving no room for maneuver.

Chang Fanqi secretly admired him, noting that this person had a distinctive quality—he handled matters so decisively, without the slightest hesitation on major issues, which is why he could stand firm here.

Li Mingcheng said: "Then exactly who should be sent on this mission?"

Sending an envoy to Python Flood Island is indeed an extremely risky undertaking, after all, the pirates of Python Flood Island are a band of cold-blooded, ruthless marauders who would not speak of benevolence or righteousness.

Chang Fanqi said: "If Sir Hu trusts me, I am willing to go to Python Flood Island."

Hu Xiaotian's eyes lit up; Chang Fanqi, who had previously been passive toward him, was now gradually becoming more proactive. Hu Xiaotian naturally understood that Chang Fanqi was not sincerely willing to submit to him; his willingness to help mainly stemmed from gratitude. Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said: "It's not that I don't trust you, but this mission is extremely risky; I must plan thoroughly before I can make a final decision. Brother Fanqi, I can guarantee that if we launch a campaign against Python Flood Island, you will personally lead the troops."

Chang Fanqi's heart jolted, his eyes filled with disbelief; Hu Xiaotian had actually made such a pledge, which could be called extremely bold—he actually entrusted the task of campaigning against Python Flood Island to me, as if he weren't worried I might betray him. He could not help but admit he was genuinely moved; after so many years in the army, he had never received such trust and esteem, and a saying came to mind: 'A scholar dies for one who knows him.' With Hu Xiaotian treating him this way, how could he betray trust and abandon righteousness?

Although Hu Xiaotian had decided on courtesy before force, he did not yet understand the situation of Python Flood Island, so he could not rush to a decision; what he did not expect was that the envoy from Python Flood Island arrived in Dongliang Jun the day after Hu Pi returned, coming especially to discuss terms with Hu Xiaotian.

This time, the envoy sent by Python Flood Island was Luo Qianfu, the fifth-ranked chief of the island; he came alone, without any attendants.

Hu Xiaotian received Luo Qianfu at the prefect's office; this man was over forty, dark and thin, came before Hu Xiaotian, clasped his fists in salute, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Envoy Luo Qianfu of Python Flood Island pays his respects to Sir Hu!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly and said: "I have long heard of the great name of Python Flood Island; today seeing its hero, the reputation is indeed not undeserved."

Luo Qianfu chuckled and said: "One cannot judge a person by appearance, nor measure the sea by a bucket; Sir Hu, do you disdain me for my ugly looks?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Envoy, you have misunderstood; please sit, and let us have tea."

Luo Qianfu said: "Sir Hu, you are too polite; I have come this time bearing the island lord's order, and after delivering the message I will return immediately, daring not to delay."

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Luo Qianfu said: "Python Flood Island has always kept to itself, yet Sir Hu you have dispatched warships to disturb our territory, slaughter our brothers, and provoked the conflict."

Hu Xiaotian snorted coldly: "Envoy, where do you get these remarks? I sent warships to escort the merchant convoy; as for how the dispute actually arose, you and I both know the truth, so why speak in riddles before clear-eyed people and invite ridicule?"

Luo Qianfu's expression remained unchanged: "If Sir Hu sees it that way, there's nothing I can do; but currently our side has captured a total of eight hundred twenty-three Dakang soldiers and five hundred seventy-two members of the merchant convoy. The island lord, possessing a virtuous nature, after much thought still intends to repay hatred with virtue and plans to release these captives."

Hu Xiaotian naturally understood there were no such easy gains in the world; he lifted his Chazan, took a sip of tea, and said: "Tell me, what are the conditions?"

Luo Qianfu laughed and said: "Sir Hu, you are indeed a perceptive person; my island lord has said that these one thousand three hundred ninety-five lives are each worth two thousand catties of grain and one hundred taels of gold. If Sir Hu values their lives, he should exchange them for twenty-five thousand shi of grain and 139,550 taels of gold—the island lord has already rounded off the grain fraction, but not a single tael of gold may be lacking; deliver it to Python Flood Island within half a month, otherwise every day that passes will see a hundred heads fall."

Hu Xiaotian coldly replied: "Threatening me?"

Luo Qianfu smiled and said: "It is not a threat, but advice; of course, Sir Hu may also choose to ignore it. If you do not intend to save their lives, you can give me a clear answer, and I will return to inform the island lord to throw these over a thousand captives into the sea to feed the sharks—better than letting them waste grain."

Hu Xiaotian said: "You say fifteen days, then fifteen days? In such a short time, where am I to raise so much gold? Please tell your island lord to give me ten more days; I will surely deliver the ransom within twenty-five days."

Luo Qianfu, surprisingly, did not object; he clasped his hands in farewell: "Sir Hu, you are indeed straightforward; twenty-five days it is. I will immediately return to inform the island lord and await your good news."

Hu Xiaotian shouted sternly: "Wait!"

Luo Qianfu stopped in his tracks, smiled, and said: "Sir Hu, what further orders do you have?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "If even one of those one thousand three hundred ninety-five is missing, you will not receive a single tael of ransom or a grain of food; therefore you had best treat those captives well—give medical care to the wounded, heal the sick, and provide equal provisions in food, clothing, and use; I will not let your efforts go unrewarded, as long as you keep them fed and clothed, I will give you 150,000 taels of gold."

Luo Qianfu laughed and said: "Sir Hu, you need not worry; we will certainly treat those captives well."

After Luo Qianfu departed, Hu Xiaotian summoned Xia Zhangming and had him follow Luo Qianfu's movements; Xia Zhangming went out and returned after about two hours. He reported to Hu Xiaotian: "My lord, Luo Qianfu is a Beast Tamer; his mount is a gray eagle, whose speed is not slow, and he should be able to reach Python Flood Island within a day."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; at that moment Li Changming and Zhao Wusheng arrived together—Zhao Wusheng, having received the news, had rushed from Wuxing Jun across the river overnight, merely arriving a little late and thus missed meeting the envoy of Python Flood Island.

Hu Xiaotian relayed the news brought by Luo Qianfu, and Zhao Wusheng angrily exclaimed: "How outrageous! A band of pillaging, murderous, looting pirates actually dares to extort us at our doorstep!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "They are no ordinary pirates; Yan Tianlu was once a member of the Bohai imperial family, and most of his followers are Bohai Kingdom soldiers who defected with him. These troops are well-trained, adept at naval warfare, and have long been entrenched in those waters, making them very familiar with the surrounding situation."

Zhao Wusheng said: "My lord, what do you intend to do? Are you really preparing to send grain and gold over to them?" (To be continued~^~)