“I know you are all like me, willing to sacrifice your lives for the country! Some have left descendants, some have brothers and sisters to care for their parents, but I still say: we are a suicide squad, but… not a death squad! If we must die, we must die with value. We… must win this battle for Great Zhou with the smallest cost!”

Having said what needed to be said, Jiang Huaisheng cupped his fists toward the soldiers before him, his voice extremely low: “Brothers! I hope… every one of us can return alive!”

Strive to return alive…

Even if hope was slim.

While these elite naval soldiers went back to write their final letters and pack simple belongings, Liu Shucheng pulled Jiang Huaisheng aside: “Huaisheng, it’s not that I want to stop you from leading the soldiers, but you know your situation. You’ve lost one hand, which reduces your chances of survival compared to others. I have all my limbs intact and a good mind. Since you’ve planned everything, I’ll just follow the plan. Let’s switch—I’ll go and you stay behind!”

“Even His Majesty said…” Jiang Huaisheng pointed to his head, “A general uses this, not brute force! Don’t worry…”

“What am I supposed to not worry about! How can I feel at ease?” Liu Shucheng was so angry that his voice trembled. “Your father died fighting for the Navy back then. You’ve devoted half your life to the Navy. Now your aunt has just arranged a marriage for you not long ago, and whether you’ll leave descendants is still uncertain. If something happens to you, what about your aunt? What about your wife? Jiang Huaisheng! This is not the time for rash behavior! Your younger brother is with General Zhao Sheng, and who knows if he’s in Yun Jing or at the Yan border. If something happens to you, what about your mother? Your aunt’s eyesight has always been poor—if something happens to you, she might cry herself blind!”

“Who doesn’t have a mother…” Jiang Huaisheng’s eyes and brows carried an extremely faint, composed smile. “Don’t our naval soldiers have mothers? If they can go… why can’t I? I have a younger brother, and there’s a wife at home to care for my mother. I will strive to return alive for their sake. If I can’t return, I’ll trouble you to deliver the divorce papers to her, telling her… that I, Jiang Huaisheng, have wronged her.”

“I won’t go! If you want to give divorce papers, give them yourself. Oh… you die, and I become the villain! I won’t!” Liu Shucheng was so angry that his hands shook. “Even if I’m not capable, there are other generals who can go… Why must it be you? You’re the supreme commander personally appointed by His Majesty! You’re abandoning your post now and letting me take over—I won’t do it!”

Even someone with exceptional skills and a healthy, strong body going on this mission could hardly guarantee returning alive, let alone Jiang Huaisheng, who had lost his left hand.

Jiang Huaisheng knew Liu Shucheng was speaking in anger. If he really left, given Liu Shucheng’s character, he would certainly take over.

Jiang Huaisheng also knew that Liu Shucheng’s obstruction wasn’t because he couldn’t bear to see his friend go to his death, nor because he felt others could die, but his friend couldn’t. Liu Shucheng simply felt that since he had already lost his left hand… if he joined the suicide squad this time, the hope of returning alive would be truly slim.

Liu Shucheng took a deep look at Jiang Huaisheng, then left angrily. After entering the ship’s cabin, he clenched his fists and spoke to the deputy general beside him: “The scouts just reported that the Dongyi naval warships are still some distance from us. They need to depart before the Dongyi navy arrives, so they’ll have a hearty meal soon! Drug General Jiang Huaisheng’s food and drink, and make sure to keep him on the main warship!”

“Then… who will lead the suicide squad?” the deputy general asked Liu Shucheng in a low voice.

Liu Shucheng gripped the sword at his waist tightly and said two words through gritted teeth: “I’ll go!”

“General!” The deputy general’s eyes widened as he looked at Liu Shucheng.

Liu Shucheng seemed to have made up his mind as he looked up at his deputy general: “General Jiang Huaisheng is smarter than I—he’s more suited to be the supreme commander. Killing the enemy commander, destroying enemy warships… serving as bait—I’ll do these things! Those three hundred soldiers are all naval elite. They can’t all go… cut it in half. I’ll take one hundred fifty men! Otherwise, too many small boats would be easily discovered even with night cover…”

“But General Jiang Huaisheng’s intention was half boarding ships, the other half as backup. He chose three hundred men to ensure nothing could go wrong!” Liu Shucheng’s deputy general spoke in a low voice.

“I will not fail! The soldiers’ lives are precious—half is sufficient. Don’t spread word of this yet. Just hold back half when it’s time to depart!”

Liu Shucheng was about to leave when he suddenly remembered how clever Jiang Huaisheng’s mind was. He paused and added, “Put drugs in the food, and also in all the tea Jiang Huaisheng drinks. Whatever he might consume, drug it all! Jiang Huaisheng is cunning as a fox—I’m afraid he’ll be on guard!”

“But what if…” the deputy general worried, “What if General Jiang Huaisheng ultimately doesn’t consume any food or drink?”

“Then knock him unconscious and prevent him from going!”

After speaking, Liu Shucheng headed deeper into the ship’s cabin to change clothes and pack his belongings.

Just as Liu Shucheng had predicted, when Jiang Huaisheng saw that Liu Shucheng was no longer trying to persuade him, he knew Liu Shucheng had probably thought of another way to have someone replace him. Therefore, he was extremely careful with eating and drinking, consuming only dry rations he had prepared beforehand and drinking water poured by others.

Originally, Jiang Huaisheng thought that Liu Shucheng would have no choice but to watch him lead the suicide squad soldiers away. Who could have expected that just as he was about to board the boat, he would be knocked unconscious in front of all the soldiers?

Liu Shucheng had already removed his battle robes and, like the suicide squad soldiers, wore fitted narrow-sleeved clothing. Looking at the confused suicide squad soldiers, he called out loudly: “General Jiang Huaisheng has lost one hand. If he leads you, the hope of bringing you back is slim! Therefore… I, this general, will face life and death with you instead! Liu Shucheng swears here… that I will do my utmost to bring you all back!”

Changing commanders at the last minute was supposedly a military taboo, but the replacement was Liu Shucheng, the most skilled in battle among their navy, which gave the suicide squad soldiers more confidence.

Liu Shucheng glanced at Jiang Huaisheng and signaled his deputy general to carry him away, saying: “When Jiang Huaisheng wakes up, tell him I will do my utmost to bring the soldiers back alive. Have him follow the plan and never show mercy just because we’re among them.”

These were the words Jiang Huaisheng had originally entrusted to him. Now that Liu Shucheng was departing, he naturally returned all these words to Jiang Huaisheng.

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Shucheng leaped into the leading small boat and raised his hand to signal departure.

By this time, the sun had already moved west, and clouds rolled across the sky in brilliant colors.