It was indeed Zhu Zhanhe imitating Zhu Zhanji.
In an instant, Ji Gang vaguely guessed something. He instinctively used his peripheral vision to observe the terrain and formation. The Imperial Guards far outnumbered and outmatched the Youth Army guards who had only trained for one year in both numbers and combat ability.
At worst, it would be a fight to mutual destruction.
Ji Gang said: “I heard the Imperial Grandson was looking for this humble minister. Where is His Highness?”
“Without using the Imperial Grandson’s name to find Commander Ji, would you have come so quickly in your busy schedule to find me? After repeated assassination attempts, the Imperial Grandson has become like a startled bird. He’s now staying behind closed doors, commanding from the central camp, waiting for Earl Pingjiang to arrive with the Great Ming Navy before immediately departing to return to Yunjian County on the mainland.”
Zhu Zhanhe’s expression was serious: “Commander Ji, why did you keep from me the matters you discussed with my father? If you had told me earlier, I wouldn’t have mistakenly entered the harbor this morning, wasting a perfect opportunity to assassinate the Imperial Grandson. Now it’s difficult to act again.”
The gun platform was positioned high. Speaking quietly up there, the guards below couldn’t hear.
Ji Gang was greatly suspicious inwardly but didn’t show it on his face, feigning shock: “What does Your Highness mean? This humble minister doesn’t understand.”
Zhu Zhanhe sneered coldly: “You all treat me like a fool, even father doesn’t trust me. I’m a member of Prince Han’s household, held as hostage in the capital. For survival, I have no choice but to constantly perform brotherly affection with the Imperial Grandson to please His Majesty. I contribute the most to this Youth Army, yet all the credit goes to the Imperial Grandson, and the army only recognizes him as master.”
“Why? Simply because he’s the Imperial Grandson and I’m Prince Han’s heir.”
Zhu Zhanhe approached Ji Gang step by step: “So however much father detests the Eastern Palace, that’s how much I detest the Imperial Grandson. Commander Ji, if you had told me your plans earlier, the Imperial Grandson’s corpse would be cold by now. But you deliberately kept it from me and botched everything. Now I have no choice but to come out and clean up your mess, eliminating the Imperial Grandson before Earl Pingjiang arrives.”
Ji Gang was half-believing, half-doubting: “Your Highness, you must not be deceived by instigation. One false step leads to eternal regret. Killing the Imperial Grandson is regicide—even this humble minister cannot shield Your Highness from that.”
“Still refusing to admit it.” Zhu Zhanhe said in a low voice: “Now the Imperial Grandson already suspects you and has sent you and the Imperial Guards far away. You have no opportunity left. The only chance is for me to act personally.”
Ji Gang slowly retreated: “Your Highness, turn back before it’s too late. This humble minister serves His Majesty and is loyal only to Him. Today Your Highness speaks nonsense—this humble minister will report truthfully to His Majesty. Your Highness must not make mistake after mistake.”
Zhu Zhanhe ignored this and continued pressing forward: “But with just myself alone, I cannot kill the Imperial Grandson and still escape unscathed without implicating Prince Han’s household. So I need your help.”
Ji Gang looked at the fourteen-year-old Zhu Zhanhe as if seeing a stranger. The youth whose gaze had once been clear now was filled with desire, like a bloodthirsty lone wolf eager to deliver a killing blow to his prey.
All along, Ji Gang had seen countless scenes of imperial family ruthlessness. He had always felt Zhu Zhanhe was an anomaly in the royal family—how could someone as ambitious as Prince Han produce such a son?
Now it seemed he had been wrong. Zhu Zhanhe wasn’t lacking in competitive spirit—rather, he hid his desires deeply, wearing a disguise to get close to the Imperial Grandson.
Could the prince’s heir truly have murderous intent toward the Imperial Grandson?
Seeing Ji Gang still refusing to relent, Zhu Zhanhe continued: “The land mines were planted by you, weren’t they? Too bad the gunpowder factory’s technology was unstable and they exploded prematurely. The Imperial Grandson became suspicious of you then. He had previously interrogated the Japanese pirates—not one knew about the gunpowder factory warehouse theft, none knew about purchasing stolen goods. The gunpowder factory theft was investigated by Commander Ji and became an unsolved case. The Imperial Grandson suspects you of stealing from your own watch, and you tortured the pirates to death, killing to silence them. Plus you leaked the navy rendezvous codes—from this the Imperial Grandson confirmed you’re the mole.”
“Once Earl Pingjiang arrives here, the Imperial Grandson will immediately tear off the mask, capture you in one move, and escort you to the capital. When that time comes, will His Majesty trust the Imperial Grandson or believe you?”
Zhu Zhanhe chuckled: “And the ministers, even the common people—will they believe you, who froze Xie Jin to death in the snow and has countless vengeful spirits under your command, or the Imperial Grandson pure as a white lotus?”
Ji Gang asked: “Did the Imperial Grandson tell you he suspects this humble minister of being a spy?”
“No, I deduced it myself.” Zhu Zhanhe said: “How could he tell me such confidential matters? I’m Prince Han’s heir. He treats me like a brother on the surface but has always been guarded against me. Time is running short. Once Earl Pingjiang arrives and you’re captured, my father will also be implicated. When the nest is overturned, how can any eggs remain whole? Once Prince Han’s household falls, I’ll also be reduced to a commoner. I must quickly kill Zhu Zhanji. Give me your men—how do we contact those people at sea? We need to prepare escape routes and pin the Imperial Grandson’s death on the Japanese pirates, absolutely not expose ourselves.”
Ji Gang’s heart was in turmoil. Zhu Zhanhe’s words were reasonable, and judging from his expression and eyes, he didn’t seem to be lying. But Ji Gang instinctively distrusted everyone, especially at this critical moment.
Just then, yellow smoke rose from the prison direction—the jailbreak had succeeded!
Ultimately, Ji Gang chose to trust himself. Without Zhu Zhanhe acting, I can kill Zhu Zhanji myself!
Ji Gang put on an air of righteousness: “Your Highness, your heart is dark, seeing everyone as thieves, as black. You mistake coincidences for assassinations and take this humble minister for an ambitious schemer who brings disaster to the country. This humble minister serves the nation wholeheartedly with complete loyalty and would absolutely never betray Great Ming. Your Highness should take care of yourself. This humble minister has many matters to attend to. Farewell.”
Ji Gang bowed and turned to leave. Suddenly his back felt cold—Zhu Zhanhe was actually holding A’Lei’s ring-pommel sword against his lower back.
Zhu Zhanhe: “Don’t move. Lord Mu once taught me that stabbing this acupoint won’t kill the opponent but will paralyze them—they’ll lose all sensation below the neck.”
Ji Gang hadn’t expected Zhu Zhanhe to suddenly attack from behind. As he tried to struggle, the ring-pommel sword pressed further, cutting through his clothes and about to pierce flesh!
Zhu Zhanhe, tall and strong, subdued the pampered Ji Gang in one move, whispering in his ear: “I haven’t tried this before. Does Commander Ji want to be my first victim?”
Ji Gang: “Your Highness failed to induce me to assassinate the Imperial Grandson, so now you want to kill me to silence me?”
Zhu Zhanhe: “I truly admire Commander Ji. Even facing death, you’re still deliberately speaking in riddles with me here. You’ve worn the mask so well you’ve forgotten to take it off. I must quickly kill the Imperial Grandson. Please cooperate, Commander Ji—whether providing men, effort, or a packet of instantly lethal poison powder. In the Youth Army I’m just the Imperial Grandson’s appendage, with no confidants, isolated and helpless. Now I can only hope for Commander Ji’s assistance.”
When soft tactics failed, Zhu Zhanhe turned to hard ones. He had to root out Ji Gang’s accomplices, or elder cousin would remain in constant danger.
The yellow smoke had dissipated. The prisoners had divided up weapons and were stealthily approaching, about to launch their counterattack.
Ji Gang sneered: “Perhaps there are indeed spies in the army, but absolutely not this humble minister. This humble minister doesn’t want to waste time here with Your Highness.”
With that, Ji Gang walked toward the gun platform steps, ignoring the danger of being stabbed and paralyzed.
Having failed to draw out accomplices, he could only resort to the lowest strategy—kill Ji Gang, this ringleader, and absolutely not let him leave to harm elder cousin!
Zhu Zhanhe steeled himself and stabbed, but the sharp blade met resistance and couldn’t penetrate even half an inch.
Ji Gang was wearing soft armor under his clothes!
Zhu Zhanhe switched to stabbing at Ji Gang’s neck, but Ji Gang was prepared this time. He turned and kicked, sending Zhu Zhanhe flying!
Zhu Zhanhe’s head struck the iron cannon, and golden sparks immediately flashed before his eyes.
Zhu Zhanhe shouted: “The rebel Ji Gang wants to kill me! Protect me!”
Knowing Zhu Zhanhe had murderous intent, Ji Gang also shouted: “He’s a spy in disguise! I’ve exposed him! Kill the spy!”
Who was really the traitor?
The Youth Army and Imperial Guards below the gun platform dared not shoot arrows, fearing they might accidentally injure the prince’s heir or Commander Ji.
Zhu Zhanhe rolled toward the cannon, aimed his wide sleeve at Ji Gang, pressed the trigger mechanism, and fired a sleeve arrow.
Ji Gang had no time to take the stairs and fell backward: “Catch me!”
After being their leader for years, they still had this understanding. The Imperial Guards linked arms, weaving their hands into a net. Ji Gang fell onto the arm-net and managed to escape.
Sleeve arrows could only fire once. Zhu Zhanhe immediately threw down his waist token: “Don’t listen to the rebel’s lies! This is my waist token! Kill the rebel—don’t let him escape!”
Ji Gang shouted: “The waist token is fake! If you don’t believe it, surround this spy impersonating the prince’s heir first. I’ll go fetch the Imperial Grandson and the real Prince Han’s heir for identification!”
With that, Ji Gang led his thousand Imperial Guards running toward the main camp. At this time, death warriors had joined with Japanese pirate prisoners to attack up the north slope of the main camp, and battle cries suddenly erupted.
Ji Gang seized the opportunity to roar: “Did you see? This spy used me as bait—it’s a diversionary tactic! Taking advantage of the Imperial Guards’ absence to launch an attack. He’s the spy!”
Watching Ji Gang flee, Zhu Zhanhe grew desperate. Ji Gang was eloquent, skilled in scheming, and quite prestigious. He had underestimated this three-dynasty veteran minister who had weathered many storms—far beyond what a fourteen-year-old youth could easily handle.
Zhu Zhanhe said to the Youth Army surrounding him: “You’ve been deceived by Ji Gang. Come up and pinch my face to see if it’s fake, you fools!”
The Youth Army ran up to look and were immediately dumbfounded. Just as they were about to pursue Ji Gang, Zhu Zhanhe stopped them: “Are cannonballs faster or your legs? Come help me push the cannon carriage and turn the muzzle!”
Previously the gun platform was designed to resist external enemies landing on the island, with cannons facing the sea. Now Zhu Zhanhe had a flash of inspiration—he would bombard Ji Gang and his accomplices.
The cannon weighed a thousand pounds. Zhu Zhanhe couldn’t push it alone—he needed at least five strong men to help. After adjusting the direction, Zhu Zhanhe began firing.
Boom!
The shell exploded among the Imperial Guards, killing a large swath.
Ji Gang threw himself to the ground, feeling the earth shake and mountains move. For a moment he was deaf, unable to hear anything. He instinctively shouted: “Everyone don’t cluster together—spread out and run!”
Ji Gang got up and ran. Zhu Zhanhe, blackened by the gun platform’s smoke and fire, shouted: “Fire!”
The second cannon, the third cannon exploded in succession. The Imperial Guards suffered heavy casualties. Just when Ji Gang thought he would be blown to pieces today, the sentries in the harbor watchtower rang the great bell.
Clang clang clang!
The dozen or so gunboats that had imitated the Great Ming Navy that morning were returning.
Zhu Zhanhe quickly directed the various gun platforms at the harbor to prepare for artillery duels with the enemy gunboats.
But the large ships at sea showed no intention of entering harbor to land. They stopped on the sea surface beyond cannon range, lowering simple wooden raft boats from the ships. Flying the grass mat sails commonly seen on pirate vessels, they sailed with wind and current toward the island’s shallows.
Ten thousand “Japanese pirates” with shaved moon-shaped heads landed from the shallows and crawled up the isolated island like ants!
The shallows were far from the harbor—the cannons’ range couldn’t reach them.
What to do? Now the Youth Army faced attack from two sides.
But the moment the first pirate landed, bronze drums rang from the harbor watchtower. An orderly fleet appeared on the horizon, firing at the “pirate” gunboats and sinking the enemy flagship almost instantly.
Zhu Zhanhe was overjoyed: It’s the Great Ming Navy—Earl Pingjiang has finally arrived!
The four-way melee officially began.