Despite the heavy rain, the military camp was well-prepared. Drainage ditches had been dug, and sandbags surrounded the perimeter. Water from outside couldn’t penetrate, while internal water flowed out. After such a downpour, the camp would likely remain unscathed.
The rainy weather meant Cui Xingzhou didn’t need to train troops, allowing him a respite at home. Though Bei Hai was typically hot, rainy days brought a chill to the air.
Mian Tang had already warmed some Huadiao wine from the capital in a ceramic jar. Meanwhile, Li Guangcai, the future brother-in-law, had bought two plump ducks from the village, intending to use Mama Li’s culinary skills to prepare aromatic roast duck.
Mama Li didn’t disappoint. She not only roasted the ducks with fruitwood but also made paper-thin pancakes as accompaniments.
The family gathered around, listening to the pattering rain outside while enjoying the wine and hot dishes. Little Yi’er, now able to sit steadily, joined them at the table, nestled in his father’s arms. His bright eyes followed his father’s chopsticks, eagerly anticipating morsels of food. Drool trickled from the corners of his mouth as he waited, open-mouthed, for his father to feed him.
Unfortunately, Mian Tang cautioned Cui Xingzhou, “Don’t give him any. He’s already had a bowl of meat porridge. Be careful not to overfeed him!” So, in the end, little Yi’er could only watch, finger in mouth, as his parents, aunt, and uncle ate.
During the meal, Mian Tang brought up Cui Fu and Li Guangcai’s wedding. Cui Fu calmly stated, “Guangcai and I have agreed that since our marriage contract was signed in the capital, given the current wartime situation, we’ll keep things simple. We just need you and your husband as witnesses to formalize our marriage.”
While a simple ceremony was understandable for Cui Fu’s second marriage, it seemed questionable for Li Guangcai’s first. Mian Tang couldn’t help but glance at Cui Xingzhou for his opinion.
However, Cui Xingzhou and Li Guangcai, lacking the sensitivities of young women, found the arrangement suitable. Li Guangcai smiled, saying, “I’ve seen brides weighed down by headdresses, unable to eat for hours. It’s quite tiring. With few relatives here in Bei Hai, there’s no need for an elaborate ceremony that would exhaust Fu’er.”
Mian Tang raised her glass in admiration, realizing why Li had remained unmarried for so long. His attempt at thoughtfulness was utterly misguided. No woman would object to looking radiant in public.
Cui Fu’s indifference stemmed from her previous marriage experience, which had left her disillusioned. She had accepted Li’s proposal to escape the Guo family’s entanglements and protect Jin’er by moving far away. Hence, she cared little about the ceremony for her second marriage. Mian Tang couldn’t explain this to Li without risking his feelings.
After dinner, Mian Tang discussed the matter with Cui Xingzhou. He dismissed her concerns, saying, “What matters in a marriage is compatibility in the bedroom. If Li Guangcai can’t win my sister’s heart, I’ll find her someone else once the war is over!”
Mian Tang marveled at the prince’s occasional bandit-like bravado. Was Li to be used and discarded if he proved inept?
Noticing Mian Tang’s disapproving look, Cui Xingzhou added, “Don’t get any ideas. Once you’ve married me, there’s no changing partners for life!”
Impressed by his audacity, Mian Tang played along, “No changes, no changes… unless you lose the ability to keep me satisfied… Ah!”
Before she could finish, the audacious bandit pounced on her. “Dare to question my abilities? You’ve grown bold. Let me show you how I’ll keep you in check! Ouch, you bit me again!”
Their laughter melded with the misty rain outside, a moment of intimacy soon to be disrupted by the events to follow.
As the heavy rain subsided, the Wokou resumed their coastal raids.
Initially, these Japanese pirates had masqueraded as merchants, traveling from Jiangzhe to Bei Hai, and trading with locals. Upon discovering iron ore deposits and sensing the weakness of local authorities, they shed their merchant guise and seized the mines by force. Several attempts by officials and local chiefs to suppress them ended in crushing defeats.
The Wokou then escalated to pillaging, looting, and even human trafficking, abducting many women to be sold in Japan and elsewhere.
They typically launched raids after heavy rains, exploiting the muddy roads that hindered large military responses. If officials dispatched substantial forces, they’d arrive too late due to slow progress. Smaller, swifter units proved ineffective against the pirates’ strength.
Before the recent downpour, Wokou scouts had spotted several attractive young women in Longyuan village. As the rain cleared, they set their sights on this target.
Near Longyuan village, the Wokou sub-leader, Onizuka Ichiro, sent his most capable subordinates to the village while he and the others rested on a nearby hill.
As the Wokou neared the village entrance, a few villagers spotted them, shouted warnings, and fled inside. The sound of slamming doors echoed through the village.
The lead Wokou laughed, remarking to his companions, “These villagers are truly foolish, hiding in their homes. Do they think closed doors will keep us out?” Previously, villagers had scattered, making the pirates’ work more challenging. The group laughed in agreement.
The leader drew his sword, shouting, “Charge in! Grab the girls! Take the silver! Even the cattle and sheep!” He led the charge as his men surged into the village.
After breaking into several empty houses, the leader grew puzzled. He had heard doors closing, yet found no one. As he burst into another courtyard, he encountered a large man in rattan armor, sword planted in the ground.
The man grinned, saying, “You’re late. I was getting bored waiting.” Listening to the sounds of ransacking and foreign chatter around him, he added, “Ha! Looks like I’m the first to engage you.” With that, he raised his sword and charged.
The Wokou, though surprised, intended to dispatch this man quickly and report back. However, he soon found himself outmatched by the man’s strength and skill, falling after just a few exchanges. Suddenly, the sounds of battle and the dying screams of Wokou filled the air.
The soldiers who had arrived earlier in Bei Hai had been weakened by unfamiliar conditions. But these hidden warriors in rattan armor erupted like tigers and leopards, overwhelming the unprepared raiders.
Onizuka Ichiro, seated on the hillside, sensed something amiss. Faint sounds of combat reached his ears. Standing quickly, he peered through his monocular towards the village.
The entire village had erupted in fighting, with none of his raiding party returning.
Onizuka didn’t dare linger. He hurriedly led his remaining men back to report to their leader, Takatsuji.
Unlike other Wokou rovers, Takatsuji came from a noble background. His rebellious nature had led him to leave his family and become a sea rover.
By occupying an island in Bei Hai and developing iron mines, he had, at a young age, earned imperial favor and restored his family’s honor. His forces had grown substantially.
Initially dismissing the Great Yan reinforcements, Takatsuji now realized they were formidable opponents, having ambushed his men in Longyuan village. This unexpected defeat prompted him to investigate the Great Yan forces more closely.
A few days after the Longyuan village battle, Takatsuji disguised himself as a Great Yan fisherman, complete with a wide-brimmed hat to conceal his face, and ventured to Cangwu County to assess the situation.
Choosing a small mountain, he used the forest cover to observe the Great Yan military camp through his monocular.
Inside the camp, troops were drilling. Tall, robust soldiers formed a square formation, each wearing rattan armor and wielding long spears or large swords. They stood ramrod straight, eyes forward, unmoving even as shouts of battle cries echoed behind them. Their discipline starkly contrasted with the officials Takatsuji had encountered before.
Frowning, Takatsuji continued his survey when suddenly his hand froze.
A carriage had stopped beside the formation. As the curtain lifted, a slender young woman in light gauzy clothing stepped out.
In the sunlight, wisps of her cloud-like hair fell softly around her face. Her skin, fair and flushed, resembled soy milk in its delicacy. Her eyebrows, though unpainted, were dark and graceful. Her cheeks, though unrouged, held a natural blush. Large, bright eyes curved slightly, even before she smiled.
Takatsuji had seen paintings of Great Yan court ladies before, always assuming such refined features were mere artistic exaggeration.
Yet this fleeting glimpse from the hilltop revealed that true beauty did exist. Those paintings paled in comparison to this woman’s allure!
Lost in admiration, Takatsuji failed to notice his monocular-reflecting sunlight, catching the young woman’s eye.
She frowned slightly, looking directly at him. As their eyes met, Takatsuji felt his heart race, certain he could hear its pounding.
Before he could fully process this feeling, the woman suddenly bent down, taking a spring-loaded crossbow from a nearby guard. She slowly raised it, as if playfully exploring its use, her posture as graceful as if tuning an instrument…
Just as Takatsuji was mesmerized by her elegance, her soft, water-like eyes suddenly sharpened with an eerie glint. She aimed directly at him and released an arrow!
The arrow, whistling through the air, sped towards him with alarming velocity!