Chapter 123

Having received the mobilization fees.

After assembling the troops and horses, Li Mu led his unit and headed straight for South Tongzhou.

For Yangzhou Prefecture, the number of pirates exterminated is secondary; the key is that South Tongzhou cannot be lost.

It concerns the face of the imperial court and is equally related to everyone's official career.

Losing cities and territory under one's governance—when the capital official evaluation comes around, even if the people above want to show favor, it can only be marked as 'unqualified.'

Being stained with such a blemish is of no consequence to a military officer.

As long as you are not the person directly responsible and you are capable enough in battle, you can make up for it later on the battlefield.

Civil officials are different.

Many administrative achievements are difficult to quantify, and the key to whether one can be promoted is a competition of who makes fewer mistakes.

Adhering to the philosophy of taking people's money and resolving their disasters, Li Mu led his unit and advanced seventy li on the first day.

This is the advantage of fighting on home soil; there is no logistical pressure.

The troops can carry a few days of dry rations and set off with peace of mind.

With cavalry clearing the path ahead, the enemy has no chance to launch a sneak attack.

"Assistant Regional Commander, scouts have reported.

The pirates besieging Tongzhou suddenly began to contract their forces this morning, suspected to have sensed our army's approach."

Company Commander Zhang stepped forward to report.

The enemy's movement was entirely within Li Mu's expectations.

A military operation of such fanfare cannot be kept secret at all.

As long as the pirates aren't stupid, they will send people to gather intelligence.

It is already the third day since the main army set out, and there are only a few dozen li left until they reach the walls of South Tongzhou.

Knowing that the imperial army is coming to suppress them, it would be strange if the pirates didn't take action.

"Arrange for people to keep watching; once you discover signs of the pirates running away, report it immediately.

Send someone to notify the Jiangnan Navy and tell them they must cut off the pirates' retreat."

Li Mu ordered calmly.

Whether or not the pirates can be kept here depends mainly on the navy.

Frankly speaking, he truly did not understand the audacity of these pirates.

Historically, when those great pirates harassed the coast, there were deep-seated interest games behind them.

Unlike these blockheads, who didn't run away immediately after seizing the salt fields in South Tongzhou, but actually had the nerve to besiege the prefecture city.

Being so blind, the local officials have no choice but to suppress them.

"This subordinate obeys!"

Below the walls of South Tongzhou.

Upon receiving news that the imperial army was coming to suppress them, the pirate ranks became restless.

To ordinary pirates, the Great Dayu Dynasty still possessed a very strong deterrent force.

Especially the new recruits, who held even more fear for the imperial court.

"Shipmaster, we won't be able to take the prefecture city anytime soon.

The imperial army is already on the road; if we don't withdraw now, it will be difficult to leave later."

Liu Damazi urged strenuously.

To persuade their boss to run, they had been working hard for an hour, but unfortunately, Yin Kai-nan remained unmoved.

"What is there to panic about? The imperial army won't arrive until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest; we have plenty of time to prepare.

Pass the order down: tell the brothers to pack their bags, we are diverting to Chongming Island."

Yin Kai-nan ordered slowly.

He only wanted revenge; he wasn't prepared to court death.

He didn't know the combat effectiveness of the Yangzhou Camp, but he understood very well what kind of goods his own subordinates were.

In a one-on-one duel, they wouldn't fear the imperial army at all.

In a head-on battle of one thousand against one thousand, the odds of winning were three to seven.

Within three hours, they would be shattered by the imperial army seven times.

This is the difference between a ragtag group and a regular army.

Even though pirates fight on the sea year-round, once they reach land, they remain a mob.

"Shipmaster, what's there to grab in Chongming County?

Besides, our ships are already loaded with spoils; even if we want to grab something, we can wait for next time."

The Scar-faced man to the side spoke up in opposition.

They had offended powerful figures in the imperial court; lingering on land for a long time was a path to self-destruction.

Chongming Island is indeed an island, but it is too close to the mainland.

The imperial army could strike at any time, and they wouldn't be able to utilize their advantages at all.

"Hmph!

I have told you many times to look at the big picture; why are you still so shortsighted?

If you can all see the risks, do you think I can't?

Last night, someone came to see me; it is said that someone in the imperial court has proposed opening the sea ban and levying maritime trade tariffs.

That muddled Emperor Yongning, despite knowing nothing, actually showed keen interest.

Such a move has made many people feel threatened.

Those great clans engaged in maritime trade do not want the court to open the sea ban and add competitors for themselves.

At a time like this, someone needs to stand up and stir up trouble to dispel that muddled Emperor's unrealistic ideas."

Yin Kai-nan said with feigned nonchalance.

Ever since he became a pirate, he hadn't paid much attention to court affairs.

No matter how those big shots tossed and turned, it wouldn't affect his pirate life.

But with the court wanting to open the sea ban, the situation was different.

Purely from the perspective of a pirate, this was definitely a good thing.

Without the court's restrictions, maritime trade would become increasingly prosperous.

With more merchants, they would have more to rob.

Yin Kai-nan was clearly not a simple pirate; having seen the world, the amount of money was unlikely to pique his interest.

Being able to rise in a short time and sit firmly in the position of pirate leader.

Besides being proficient in the art of power, another important reason was that he was willing to share the money.

Even if everyone couldn't understand his orders many times, they were still able to execute them seriously for the sake of the money.

"Shipmaster, isn't this using us as cannon fodder!

To oppose the imperial court, let alone small pirates like us.

Even the most powerful families, if they get involved in such things, will mostly end up finished."

The young man with the appearance of a scholar said indignantly.

The confrontation between maritime merchant clans and the imperial court was a political game between big figures.

If small characters get involved, they will be smashed to pieces at the slightest carelessness.

Moreover, their current identity is that of pirates, so they are even less welcomed.

No matter which side wins, they will inevitably face liquidation afterward.

"Smiling Scholar, you can be considered a person of some standing.

Can't you see through such a simple matter?

Being able to be used by others means we have the value of being used.

In life, one shouldn't fear being used; one should fear not even having the qualifications to be used!

Besides, they paid a high price, promising us five large ships, which are the top tier even in the imperial navy.

At any other time, even if we had all the money in the world, we couldn't buy them!"

Yin Kai-nan said disdainfully.

Getting involved in this storm was entirely an accident; since they had encountered it, they naturally had to find a way to maximize their benefits.

In the maritime trade chain, pirate groups like theirs had always been at the very bottom.

Seemingly looting everywhere, earning a fortune.

In reality, most of this money was earned for others.

Because they were pirates, every ship maintenance and repair cost more than ten times that of a normal merchant ship.

Wanting to purchase new ships was even harder than ascending to heaven.

When they wanted to sell the spoils they had grabbed, they couldn't avoid being squeezed on the price.

The great clans that controlled these chains were the upstream of the interest chain.

Bargaining did not exist; there were only a few families that dared to engage in this kind of trade.

Only pirate groups with strong strength and their own shipyards could possess a certain degree of speaking power.

"Shipmaster, the logic is correct.

I'm just afraid that before we are finished being used, we will be finished ourselves.

In the past, those who did this kind of work were all famous big figures on the sea.

To influence the imperial court's decision-making, one must at least stir up trouble across several provinces.

With just this small-scale commotion in front of us, those officials who like to cover things up won't even report it to the top."

The Smiling Scholar said with a straight face.

He was telling the truth; their pirate group only had a dozen or so ships.

It sounded like the scale wasn't small, but in reality, adding everyone up, there were only about two thousand people.

Among the many pirates, they belonged to the middle tier.

If they were truly powerful, they wouldn't be left staring blankly around South Tongzhou.

"The greater the risk, the higher the return.

What isn't risky these days!

I only know that after adding five large ships, our strength will be able to double.

Given time, there will sooner or later be a name for our brothers on the sea.

As for the final outcome, from the moment we stepped onto this path of no return as pirates, we should have been mentally prepared.

While we can still fight and kill, hurry up and accumulate a sum of money.

Then find a place where no one knows us, take root, and start a new life.

Just like I never ask for your real names; everyone's situation is about the same, and no one wants to disgrace their ancestors.

If you feel you've earned enough, then hurry up and get out of the team.

We've been brothers for a while; parting on good terms is better than anything else, and I absolutely won't pursue it!"

Yin Kai-nan said half-truthfully.

Being a pirate leader isn't easy; not only do you have to lead everyone to get rich, but you also have to guard against subordinates usurping the throne.

He had grabbed his position as the boss through bloody means.

The subordinates below could naturally imitate him.

With his own standing not upright, Yin Kai-nan naturally couldn't talk about loyalty, so he could only open up a withdrawal mechanism.

"Assistant Regional Commander, scouts ahead have sent news that the pirates have begun to retreat."

Hearing this news, Li Mu frowned.

This group of pirates was too tactless.

He had led his unit and rushed over from far away; they should at least fight a battle before running!

They were audaciously besieging South Tongzhou just a moment ago; how did they suddenly turn cowardly in the blink of an eye?

South Tongzhou has a special geographical location, facing the sea on one side and bordering the Yangtze River on the other.

The enemy came from the water and could leave by boat at any time.

Once the pirates board their ships, no matter how powerful the Yangzhou Camp is, they can only stare blankly.

"Pass the order: the cavalry battalion is to attack immediately.

If the enemy retreats, bite at their backs and pursue them.

Kill as many as you can; even if you can't keep the thieves, you must try your best to keep the spoils they grabbed!"

Li Mu ordered decisively.

There were only forty li left between the two sides; the infantry would be too late to catch up, so only the cavalry could be of use now.

If it weren't for the lack of combat experience and the worry that the cavalry would suffer too heavy losses in their first battle.

His order wouldn't have been to follow and pursue, but to directly have the cavalry cut off the enemy's retreat.

"This subordinate obeys!"

Cavalry Battalion Commander Shu Zhongyi replied immediately.

Having received the order, Shu Zhongyi headed straight for the cavalry unit.

He was a military jinshi by background and had originally been mixing in the Liaodong front line.

Because of the monopoly of the Nine Borders military families in the army, he hadn't fared well in Liaodong.

Even though he had repeatedly made military contributions, he was still suppressed by his superiors for various reasons and remained stuck at the position of Company Commander, unable to be promoted.

When the Yangzhou Camp was being formed, Li Mu lacked people to train cavalry.

Through his uncle's connections, he dug several grassroots officers from the Liaodong front line, and Shu Zhongyi was one of them.

Because he performed well during the training of the cavalry, he gained Li Mu's appreciation and was now acting as Battalion Commander in the capacity of Deputy Battalion Commander.

At this moment, Shu Zhongyi urgently needed to prove himself with a military contribution so that he could stand firmly in the unit.

(End of chapter)