Chapter 457: Sea Pirate Doubts

Chen Dynasty, the outer sea of Mingzhou (present-day Ningbo).

The sky was approaching dusk but not yet dark, and the sea surface was dyed a splendid purplish-red.

The 'Display Might' was the second ship of the Chen Dynasty navy's newly launched Sea-Pacifying class, and was carrying out a routine coastal patrol mission.

The ship's captain (the vessel's commander) stood on the tall aft deck, satisfiedly feeling the stable and powerful sensation beneath his feet as the new warship cut through the waves.

Compared with older vessels, the Sea-Pacifying class was more stable, faster, and carried more fresh water and provisions, sufficient to sustain longer patrols.

Just as the captain was calculating that after returning he would go drink a bowl of hot fish soup, the lookout at the top of the mast suddenly issued an urgent warning!

"Straight ahead! Spotted ships! Number three……no, five! Formation scattered, course suspicious!"

The alarm bell rang immediately!

The entire 'Display Might' instantly shifted from cruising to battle readiness.

Sailors took their positions; the gunners beside the crossbow cannons lifted the waterproof tarpaulin, and the glinting crossbow bolts were aimed forward.

The captain raised his spyglass and looked in the direction of the warning.

Only to see, on the sea surface shrouded in twilight, five vessels of varied shapes forming a loose semicircle, approaching the 'Display Might'.

These ships were small in size, their hulls aged, their sails patched, appearing no different from ordinary fishing boats or small merchant vessels.

But the captain, veteran of many sea battles, instantly sensed something was off.

These ships had a shallow draft, indicating they were not carrying heavy cargo;

yet their speed was considerably greater than that of cargo ships of similar size;

Most importantly, their seemingly chaotic tracks faintly formed a formation conducive to flanking and boarding!

"They are neither merchant ships nor fishing boats!"

The captain lowered his spyglass, his face darkening.

"They are pirates! Prepare for battle!"

Almost as the 'Display Might' finished its battle preparations, the five ships, as if receiving a signal, suddenly accelerated!

They flung open some concealed panels on their hulls, revealing crude oars and grappling hooks for snagging enemy ships.

Some burly men wielding sharp blades appeared at the rails, letting out fierce howls.

"Sure enough, a bunch of water rats!"

The captain gave a cold snort, not panicking.

"Hard left rudder! Seize the windward position! Ready the crossbow cannons, target the lead ship, measure distance!"

The 'Display Might's massive hull turned nimbly, skillfully using wind and current to occupy an advantageous position.

Meanwhile, the pirate ships opposite displayed shiphandling skill at odds with their dilapidated appearance, just as swiftly shifting formation to try to close in.

"Fire!"

The captain gave the order.

The taut bowstring emitted a deep, muffled roar!

Several specially made crossbow bolts, resembling short spears and carrying a piercing whine, shot toward the pirate ship charging ahead!

Pfft!

One crossbow bolt precisely struck the lower part of the enemy's main mast, wood chips flying, the mast emitting a grating groan as it slowly toppled;

another bolt pierced straight through the hull, pinning a pirate brandishing a harpoon to the deck!

Just one volley left the lead pirate ship heavily damaged, its speed plummeting and chaos erupting aboard.

The other four pirate ships, seeing this, did not retreat but instead charged forward even more frenziedly, attempting to use their numerical advantage to grapple.

"Want to rely on numbers? Dream on!"

A hint of contempt appeared at the corner of the captain's mouth.

"Keep your distance, greet them with crossbow bolts and oars! Let them taste the might of our new gear!"

The 'Display Might', thanks to its superb maneuverability and powerful long-range firepower, moved like an agile giant, weaving between the pirate ships.

Crossbow bolts whistled, oars swung, continually inflicting casualties on the enemy.

Although the pirate ships were fierce, their equipment was crude, unable to effectively approach the 'Display Might', and instead they suffered successive damage.

The battle lasted roughly a quarter of an hour.

Seeing they gained no advantage and instead suffered heavy losses, the pirates finally grew reluctant to continue.

The three relatively intact remaining ships covered their badly damaged companion as they fled in panic toward the open sea.

The 'Display Might' did not pursue deeply; the captain, mindful of naval regulations, did not advocate rash pursuit when enemy conditions and sea state were unknown.

He ordered:

"Rescue those who fell overboard, see if we can get any information from them."

"Inspect the damage, tally the battle results."

Almost at the same time.

False Song, offshore Hangzhou Bay.

A False Song convoy of three medium-sized merchant ships also encountered a similar pirate attack.

The attackers' vessels, tactics, and even their fearless spirit were extremely similar to those who had assaulted the 'Display Might'.

False Song merchant ships had weak defenses; despite fierce resistance, one merchant vessel was looted, suffering heavy losses of cargo and casualties among personnel.

The news was separately transmitted back to the Chen Dynasty and False Song.

Chen Dynasty, the Separate Villa.

Shi Dun, holding the detailed battle report sent back by the 'Display Might', reported to Chen Wen:

"Your Majesty, the pirates' identity is unknown; their shiphandling is veteran, not like a ragtag mob."

"Their objective is clear: they were aiming for our patrol ship, showing considerable intent to probe."

The two captured sea pirates who had fallen into the water were badly wounded; they died before any information could be gotten out of them.

But judging from their belongings and physique, they do not look like ordinary pirates suffering from long-term malnutrition.

Wang Ru added the intelligence she had:

On the False Song side, almost simultaneously, a merchant convoy was also robbed outside Hangzhou Bay.

The attackers' features highly match those of the group we encountered.

The local authorities of False Song have already classified this as ordinary pirate banditry and are investigating.

Chen Wen listened to the report, fell silent for a moment, and lightly tapped his fingers on the chair back.

Simultaneously attacking us and False Song...

He slowly spoke, a cold light flickering in his eyes.

This gang of pirates is bold and has a big appetite.

But don't you think this is too much of a coincidence?

Zhang Cheng pondered and said:

My lord, are you suspecting... that someone behind the scenes is pulling the strings?

Ordinary pirates only seek wealth.

Chen Wen analyzed:

They usually pick weakly defended, easy-to-capture merchant ships; they would never actively attack our Majestic Might, which is clearly a warship, a hard bone.

Moreover, provoking both us and False Song at once equals offending the two strongest powers in this sea area simultaneously, which does not fit the logic of pirate survival.

Qian Gui's eyes turned cold:

Unless... they simply don't care about offending anyone, or rather, their goal is not wealth at all!

Probing...

Shi Dun clenched his fists.

They are probing our naval strength, probing our reaction speed and the combat power of our new warships!

They also want to probe the strengths and weaknesses of False Song's side!

This bunch of scum, are they trying to stir up conflict between us and False Song?

Quite possible.

Chen Wen nodded.

What the Iron Crow Army excels at is this kind of behind-the-scenes instigation of conflict, muddying the waters to profit.

They support this gang of pirates, simultaneously attacking both sides; regardless of the outcome, they may plant seeds of suspicion and conflict.

If either we or False Song overreacts, it could trigger a chain reaction.

He looked at Shi Dun and Wang Ru, then ordered:

Shi Dun, order the navy to strengthen coastal patrol efforts, especially paying attention to the movements of unfamiliar ships.

At all ports, increase defenses, implementing stricter guard for key areas such as the new warships and salt fields.

Wang Ru, mobilize all resources to thoroughly investigate the origin, lair of this pirate gang, and any possible connection with the Iron Crow Army.

I need to know exactly which black hand is stirring these waters!

I will obey your command!

The two received the order and departed.

Chen Wen walked to the naval chart, his gaze solemn as he regarded the vast and mysterious blue expanse.

The ghost of the pirates has already appeared.

And behind this seemingly random attack, perhaps hidden is a clear signal that the Iron Crow Army is extending its strategic stage to the ocean.

A challenge coming from the sea, full of deceit and the unknown, has opened the curtain.