Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 212

Chapter 212 Baiji’s Might
The ten Divine Fish spaceships moved impatiently on the wide surface of the Hanjiang River. Under Zhao Chong’s command, they continuously carried out various military drills, either changing their formation to form an offensive, or flying geese surrounded them, causing them to be extremely lively. The sound of drums and horns rumbling on the warship could be heard within a radius of tens of kilometers, causing countless people to stand and watch along the river.

“General, that’s the West River Channel.” Zhao Chong pointed to a puddle of water in front of him.

Qin Mubai climbed onto the command platform on the top of the ship and looked up. The water was hazy and filled with smoke and water. There were many swamps and hills growing on the reeds. Among them, there were many strange trees and rocks. The river was narrow and narrow. The entrance was only as wide as the Divine Fish ship, and there were many branches in the harbor. The extremely narrow area could only accommodate small flat-bottomed sand boats.

Zhao Chong lowered his flag and the ten Divine Fish spaceships were arranged horizontally in front of the West River Channel, like a river bank that stretched out in front of this swamp.

Seeing this, Qin Mubai couldn’t help but sneer, “Zhao Chong, I really want to know how you, the Divine Fish Ship, are going to kill the water ghost. Why don’t you drill it for me?”

Zhao Chong clearly recognized Qin Mu’s suspicion and dissatisfaction in the vernacular. He cupped his fists and bowed seriously, saying, “General, calm down. We will start the actual combat drill at the end of the day.”

“What are you waiting for? Let’s begin!”

“Yes!”

Zhao Chong waved his flag and a hurried drum beat rang out on the handsome ship. Suddenly, a loud shout rang out from below the ship’s side. Qin Mubai stretched out his head and looked down. He saw the large Divine Fish ship’s abdominal cavity suddenly pulling open the boards and rushing out of the boats. The boats were as wide as a person and were twenty to thirty feet long. Each ship had more than a dozen soldiers with sabers and bows on their backs, and a few others were specifically responsible for paddling, poling, and steering.

With the main general here to observe the battle, the sergeants also put in all their strength and struggled forward. Every shuttle ship’s speed was extremely fast, and they quickly rushed into the harbor alley. Following which, the archers on the ship shot towards the reeds at high speed.

Qin Mubai Dingqing saw that there were some haystack dolls that had been erected with green cloth curtains in the reeds. The archery skills of the soldiers were quite good, and many of the dolls were already full of arrows on their backs.

Immediately afterwards, the soldiers took out large crossbows from the cabins of the shuttle ship. The three or two soldiers pulled together and aimed at the water. They shot fiercely, then pulled with all their might. They also pulled up a lot of sand bags from the water to make dolls.

“You’re well prepared. It’s a bit interesting to practice.” Qin Mubai chuckled casually and patted the wooden fence on the command platform with his hand. A look of disdain appeared on his face.

Zhao Chong couldn’t bear to watch any longer and said angrily, “How dissatisfied does the general seem to be with the navy soldiers under Biao?”

“I can’t say I’m dissatisfied. I just feel that these soldiers are not very similar to soldiers, but they are some Riyadh disciples. They can’t kill enemies in battle. It’s good enough for them to go on stage and perform.” Qin Mubai sneered.

“What?!” Zhao Chong was instantly annoyed and didn’t dare to get angry at Qin Mubai. He could only clench his teeth and swallow his anger. His throat continued to slide up and down, and anger was already rising in his eyes.

When the other generals heard Qin Mubai’s words, they were also a little angry and secretly cursed Qin Mubai in their hearts.

Seeing that everyone else was dissatisfied and angry with Qin Mubai, Du Chengyuan hurriedly stood up and said, “Everyone, calm down!” I think General Qin’s meaning is that the Left Camp’s navy still needs to continue training, and there is still room for improvement! General Qin, please speak frankly. Zhao Chong has led the Left Camp for many years and has been training hard. Although the water ghost hadn’t been cleaned up for a while, it was only a matter of time. “Zhao Chong and the navy soldiers of the Zuo Camp have worked hard without any credit. General Qin shouldn’t be too harsh on them.”

After Qin Mubai heard this, he was not in a hurry to speak. Instead, he walked down the stairs step by step with his hands cut off. He walked directly to Du Chengyuan and stared at him with a dignified gaze. “Du Chengyuan, did I ask you to speak?”

“Uh, this … lowly position, please forgive me, General!” Du Chengyuan hurriedly took two steps back and cupped his hands in apology, but he sneered in his heart, “You only have this little bearing!” I was reprimanded by you for speaking for my fellow brothers, and I deserve to be reprimanded. Everyone respects me more and more, but they are more and more disgusted with you.

How could Qin Mubai not understand his thoughts? He was just trying to buy people’s hearts by retreating. There was no need to argue with him now. Qin Mubai solemnly said to the crowd, “All the generals, listen up!” We are soldiers, the duty of the soldiers is to protect the country, protect the people of Anbang. The requirements of the Great Tang for our army are due to merit, not toil! Only those who had contributed were qualified soldiers. If he didn’t make any contribution to his work, then he would be tossing and turning, wasting his money and food, just like a greedy commoner! ”

Everyone’s expressions changed as they lowered their heads. Du Chengyuan couldn’t help but retaliate, “General Qin, aren’t you going too far? The water ghosts in Xiangzhou haven’t stopped causing trouble for decades. In the past, the officials, generals, and sergeants in Xiangzhou were all eating for free?”

“Du Chengyuan, I know you’re not convinced.” Qin Mubai wasn’t in a hurry to get angry. Instead, he sneered, “I didn’t say that you guys are just eating corpses and not doing your job properly.” However, the Zuoying Navy had too many tricks, and their actual combat ability was simply too weak. This general was truly insignificant. Take a look around. How much money, manpower, and material resources will these ten Divine Fish ships consume? “If we use this money in practice, not to mention the mere West River Cao Water Ghost, even a city under separate regimes can be taken down.”

Zhao Chong quickly ran down from the command platform, clasped his fist, and said angrily, “Why does the general think that Biao Xia’s navy is not strong enough?”

“Alright, I will let the truth tell you!” Qin Mubai raised his eyebrows and shouted, “Where is Pang Fei?”

“The last one is here!” Pang Fei strode forward and clasped his fists.

“Order, the soldiers of the Hundred Cavalry, unload your armor!”

“Yes!” Without saying a word, Pang Fei and the other 30 Baiji soldiers instantly took off their beautiful bright armor, revealing their upper bodies and taking off their shoes and stockings. They stood upright in the cold wind of early spring, all of them describing themselves as strong and energetic.

“Now you are the water ghosts of the West River Channel. Go into the water and compete with the White Wave Navy!” Qin Mubai ordered.

“Yes!”

After a neat and loud obedience, the thirty-one people jumped down from the twenty to thirty feet tall Divine Fish ship and plunged into the water.

Everyone was shocked and ran to the side of the ship to take a look.

At such a high distance, even those who were familiar with the water wouldn’t dare to jump down easily. The impact force when they fell into the water was enough to knock many people unconscious. Pang Fei and the other thirty-one people disappeared into the water like an osprey. They saw a few flashes of water. Everyone had already appeared several zhang away. Suddenly, they dived into the water without a trace.

Zhao Chong’s eyes widened in shock, his expression filled with disbelief. Du Chengyuan and the others had the same expression, extremely shocked.

In their hearts, how many people in the north knew water? However, these people in front of him were clearly all like flood dragons in the waves, and they were extremely good at swimming! Not only that, when they carried out their orders, they were decisive, courageous, fast, and neat. This truly opened the eyes of everyone present.

A good soldier is a good soldier!

“Zhao Chong, let your White Wave Navy fight against my subordinate Baiji.” Qin Mubai waved his hand. “I know what you’re trying to say. Swords and blades are blind and easy to hurt. You don’t have to be afraid of hurting Baiji! Whatever the White Wave Navy has, use it. If you hurt one, I’ll reward you with money!”

Zhao Chong’s words were blocked and he gulped down a mouthful of saliva. He said in a deep voice, “Then I will offend you rudely!”

After saying that, he rushed to the command platform and waved his flag. He waved his flag and said, “All troops, fight! Kill with all your might!”

The navy soldiers on the dozen or so shuttle ships were all shocked when they saw the flag. They didn’t know who to fight with. Everyone looked at each other. For some reason, many people raised their bows and arrows in a daze and shot fiercely at the puppet. Zhao Chong was so anxious that he stamped his feet on the command platform and scolded his mother in pain.

In an instant, a huge white wave suddenly appeared in the harbor alley, and at the same time, it let out a miserable scream. Several shuttle boats rolled over, and all the soldiers on board fell into the water without exception. Several naked silhouettes immediately appeared beside him, pressing down on the fallen soldiers and pouring them into the water, causing miserable screams and splashing water everywhere!

“Kill! Kill! Resist! Shoot, swing the knife!” Zhao Chong was so anxious that he chopped off his feet and shouted at the command platform.

A few soldiers finally regained their senses and started firing at the random arrows in the water. The hook spear target and the hard crossbow spear called out at the same time, but none of the Blood Star Foam appeared. A few more shuttle boats capsized in a daze. The boats capsized and fell into the water, screaming miserably as water tumbled everywhere.

Zhao Chong’s face turned slightly pale as he murmured, “Damn it, he’s even more powerful than a water ghost … I can’t even touch half of the corner of his clothes!”

Qin Mubai stood at the side of the ship with her hands crossed behind her back, staring ahead with a cold smile hanging on the corner of her mouth. Beside him, Du Chengyuan and the others were completely silent and didn’t dare to say anything more. Many people lowered their heads in shame, and some people’s foreheads were drenched in cold sweat, their mouths dumbfounded.

The shuttle boat in the harbor alley had almost capsized. After a few hundred cavalry soldiers beat the falling White Wave Navy, they tastelessly flipped onto the shuttle boat that was upside down and used a bamboo pole to prop up the boat and slowly row towards the Divine Fish ship. Those falling navy soldiers kept screaming miserably in the water, shouting loudly for mercy and help. The hundred cavalry ignored him and returned proudly with their shuttle boats.

Seven or eight shuttle boats were rowed back. Everyone counted at the same time. There were 31 Baiji soldiers, not a few of them. Not a single one of them had a single hint of color hanging on their naked bodies.

On the other hand, in the harbor alley, the remaining shuttle boats were salvaging the fallen navy, and they could only hear the sound of water pounding. The soldiers were embarrassed to wail.

On the command platform, Zhao Chong looked like a defeated rooster. He lowered his head baldly, and the command flag in his hand inadvertently landed on the ground.

“Baiji … is indeed worthy of being called the Dragon and Tiger Master!” Du Chengyuan took a deep breath and forced out a dry smile. He cupped his hands and said to Qin Mubai, “General Qin, I’m convinced of my humble position!”

The other general colonels also cupped their hands and said, “I am convinced of my humble position. The Hundred Cavalry are indeed mighty!”

Zhao Chong slowly walked down the command platform and walked to Qin Mubai. He turned his face to Qin Mubai’s side and cupped his hands in embarrassment, saying, “General Mo … I really admire you!”

Qin Mubai nodded with a faint smile and said, “From now on, the talismans of the Zuoying Navy will be handed over to Commandant Guoyi, Pang Fei, and he will be in charge of the drill. Everyone, I believe you have no objections, right?”

“We have no objection!” Everyone could only reply in unison.

Qin Mubai glanced sideways at Zhao Chong and said, “Zuoying Commandant Zhao Chong, continue to lead the White Wave Navy. If you don’t understand anything, ask Pang Fei.”

Zhao Chong clasped his fists and agreed. He heaved a sigh of relief in his heart. Fortunately, he didn’t let go of my job … Forget it, I admit it! Baiji was indeed formidable! Losing to them wasn’t embarrassing!

Pang Fei and the others boarded the boat from the abdomen of the boat and came together to Qin Mubai. They bowed and stood neatly at the side with their hands behind their backs, not saying a word.

“Dress up, cloak!” Qin Mubai ordered in a deep voice.

“Yes!” Pang Fei and the others answered loudly and quickly picked up the neatly piled armor and put it on. In an instant, they finished wearing it and stood neatly on the side.

Du Chengyuan, Zhao Chong, and the others didn’t dare to say anything more. They were truly shocked by the group of elite generals in front of them who were well-trained, skilled, and obedient to military orders.

“Bring it!” Qin Mubai stretched out his hand in front of Zhao Chong. Zhao Chong was stunned for a moment before hurriedly placing the flag in his hand.

Qin Mubai smiled and weighed the flag in his hand. He strolled to the command platform and waved his left hand and right hand. The sound of a clanging horn resounded from the flagship, and all the sailors pulled their sails and turned their rudders-the entire army had returned!

Zhao Chong stared straight at Qin Mubai on the command platform. He gulped down a mouthful of saliva and muttered, “He also understands the flag … What else can I do? I can’t eat anymore?”

Du Chengyuan’s face turned red and white. He was slightly regretful and fearful. He thought to himself, “I wonder if he just remembered my vengeance … miserable! This time, he actually had such a big thorn in his side!”

…

Not long after, the fleet returned to the Eight Ghosts Crossing. Qin Mubai said to the crowd, “Pang Fei, you and Zhao Chong are leading the navy back to the camp. The military affairs that need to be taken care of will be dealt with first. I will return to the city and have some matters to attend to. Everyone, farewell today. I will return to the military camp another day.”

‘Yes-‘ everyone agreed. Although Du Chengyuan and the others were cursing, ‘Why do you treat the military as a hotel? You love to come but not come’, no one dared to say anything more.

Qin Mubai summoned three to five hundred cavalry soldiers as his followers. He returned to the riverbank in a small flat-bottomed sand-proof boat, mounted his horse, and jumped onto the riverbank.

At this moment, everyone laughed loudly.

“General, you are truly too mighty today! Du Chengyuan and Zhao Chong, those country bumpkins, are stunned and don’t dare to fart again!”

“Who told them to underestimate the general and our Hundred Cavalry!”

“The most hateful thing is that Du Chengyuan, he doesn’t seem to care about the general and us! I’ve made a few ruthless moves just now, and I’m afraid that several of the navy have suffered a heavy loss.”

“That’s good, no one dares to look down on the general in the future, and no one dares to provoke us again!”

…

Qin Mubai allowed these brothers to vent their excitement and emotions freely, but he thought in his heart, It seems that the decision he made back then was truly wise. It was absolutely necessary to bring a group of hundred cavalry to his post. Speaking of which, I still have to thank my little devil Ling’er … After a few days of separation, I wonder how she is now?