Shortly after the sunset, the western sky still burned with a sheet of orange-red evening glow. The sea was also dyed red by this radiant light, but its spectacle was even more magnificent than the sky’s.

Because it was alive and moving—whenever rows of waves surged up, the glow reflecting on the wave crests was both red and bright, simply like sheets of blazing flames, flickering, rolling, and disappearing. Then the row behind would flicker and roll forward once more.

For the entire day, Yun Ye had remained by the seaside, not to await the fleet’s arrival, but because Lai Chuanfeng and his men had been without news for three days.

The fleet required no concern—they sailed upon the great sea, and as long as the heavens showed no fury, they were the mightiest existence. The only worry was Lai Chuanfeng and his men. Yun Ye had never believed they would make good spies—each one fierce and menacing enough to frighten children to tears. No matter who looked at them, they were clearly no good people. Wouldn’t such men entering Beisha City attract serious attention from the Goguryeo officials? But Ren Xiong said there was no problem—he had been to Beisha City countless times and was quite familiar with the Goguryeo garrison there. Sometimes he even helped those Goguryeo people purchase Great Tang specialties. In any case, being bandits, appearing too weak would instead arouse suspicion.

The bright moon in the sky illuminated the sea surface with sparkling waves. Occasionally fish would leap from the sea, causing silver ripples to spread across the surface. In this tranquil and beautiful night, Yun Ye treaded upon the soft sandy beach, slowly walking forward along the shore. The seawater gently caressed the fine soft sand, producing a tender swishing sound. The late-arriving sea breeze, fresh yet carrying a chill, filled Yun Ye’s heart with indescribable worry and anxiety.

Just when Yun Ye had resigned himself to believing they would not return, a not-very-large sea vessel appeared on the water’s surface, rapidly approaching the shore with the tide.

“My lord, General Lai and his men have returned! This humble one recognizes that ship—two masts, no mistake, it must be them.” Liu Jinbao jumped down from the reef and ran swiftly to Yun Ye to report.

Actually, he needn’t have said anything—Yun Ye had already seen it. Even after the ship docked, he remained sitting on that seaside reef, counting heads one by one. No mistake—all had returned safely.

“My lord, this humble general has fulfilled his mission without disgrace. What you requested has been brought back.” Seeing that Yun Ye was still keeping watch by the sea late into the night, Lai Chuanfeng felt somewhat moved and approached to pay his respects.

“Very good. All returned safely—this is excellent. Hand over all the terrain maps you drew to Mister Liu immediately. Then go to the quartermaster to receive five jars of wine. After eating and drinking your fill, hurry and rest. Tomorrow when the fleet arrives, you’ll still need to board the ships for drills. This is an important matter that cannot be handled carelessly.”

“Acknowledged! This humble general obeys. But will the fleet truly arrive tomorrow?”

“Cannot arrive? Do you know what crime it is to miss a deadline? That’s a beheading offense. Even if Liu Renyuan has to crawl, he must crawl here by tomorrow’s final deadline. Otherwise, this commander will execute military law.”

Hearing Yun Ye speak thus, Lai Chuanfeng swallowed his saliva with a gulp. Only now did he realize that this young man before him was the fleet’s supreme commander. Having run about on land for years, he lacked awareness of these matters and still thought of himself as army, unconnected to the navy.

When they don’t return, none return; when they return, all return together. Just as he prepared to return to camp, another small boat appeared drifting across the sea surface, with Gou Zi’s arrogant voice audible even from two li away.

If Lai Chuanfeng’s group resembled bandits, then the three men descending from the ship were pure thieves. Each carried a huge bundle on their back, their steps heavy, leaving deep footprints in the sandy beach.

“Good heavens! All yellow goods, and that old gentleman’s back is full of red goods! These three must have found a fat sheep.” Ren Xiong’s eyes nearly stood on end with envy. In these times, such fat sheep were hard to find.

“Big brother, I’ve returned! Went out to purchase some betrothal gifts for Daya. Not bad at all. That Chifeng Town you mentioned was truly hard to find—if little brother didn’t know how to read mountains, I might not have found it.”

“This old man has discovered for the first time that martial arts can be turned into money. Goguryeo officials are quite plump indeed. On this trip, we must stay for more days—this old man has grown fond of being a masked bandit.”

“Don’t get too pleased yet. Did you alarm anyone? You’re not to go next time. That’s our collective source of wealth. The navy’s entire expedition expenditure depends on that place. When we return later, we’ll move that place’s wealth clean away.”

Ren Xiong asked in astonishment, sucking his teeth: “My lord, military forces also permit robbery?”

“Once we’re at sea, we’re no longer Great Tang military men. At that time, we’ll be the most fearsome bandits in the world. Anywhere the fleet can reach falls within our plundering range.”

“You’re still the most formidable. This humble one was a bandit for thirty years, yet the wealth I robbed in a lifetime doesn’t match even a fraction of what you rob once. And I was still chased around like a dog by the authorities. This humble one entered the wrong profession—should have joined the official army from the start.”

Yun Ye kicked Ren Xiong’s leg and said in a lowered voice: “You understand shit! Living off the enemy—this is an effective method to weaken enemy strength. How can it be compared with your household robbery?”

Dan Ying chuckled hehe, Gou Zi laughed haha, while only Wu She’s laughter sounded like a night owl’s wail. Perhaps feeling his laughter wasn’t pleasant to hear, he awkwardly wiped his face and urged everyone back to camp.

Under dim candlelight, Liu Fang examined the detailed terrain map of Mount Dahei, his facial expression extremely fierce as he rapidly adjusted the small flags on the sand table. After he finished adjusting them, the fierce look on his face also disappeared.

Wu She cackled as he drew a small roll of silk from his bosom. After opening and examining it, it turned out to be a layout diagram of Sanshanpu Harbor. Yun Ye pointed at those circles of various sizes on the map and asked Wu She: “What are these?”

“Big circles are big ships, small circles are small ships—all warships.”

“And what are these triangles?” Yun Ye again pointed at the triangular shapes between the big and small circles and asked Wu She curiously.

“Need you even think? Triangles must be merchant ships. These merchant ships are completely surrounded by the warships—must be very valuable cargo. Gou Zi dove underwater to look and reported back that inside was empty with no people, but the ship holds were sealed very tightly. The merchant ships’ waterlines were all pressed to their maximum limit, so there must be good things inside.”

Just as the military conference was about to transform into a robbery convention, Liu Fang planted the last red flag at Sanshanpu and said to Yun Ye: “Marquis Yun, our manpower is sufficient. This old man believes we can proceed on both sides simultaneously. Once Mount Dahei catches fire, that will be when the navy attacks Sanshanpu. This way we can achieve the effect of surprise troops.”

“It’s premature for us to discuss these matters now. After the fleet arrives tomorrow, we’ll discuss in detail. For now, everyone go to sleep. Wu She, Xiao Ying, Gou Zi—from this moment forward, you are not to leave the military camp to go into Goguryeo again, lest we alert the enemy.”

Wu She agreed readily enough. Though Gou Zi was unwilling in his heart, he dared not show it before Yun Ye. Dan Ying looked at the other two, found himself isolated and unsupported, and could only agree as well.

On the second day at dawn, Yun Ye assembled the troops and came to the seaside early in the morning. These people had probably never seen in their lives what a giant sea vessel actually looked like. Yun Ye set his chair upon the reef and from time to time glanced at the sundial placed in the clearing. If they didn’t arrive by the third quarter of the noon hour, Liu Renyuan couldn’t hope to live—this was the final deadline.

Those who miss deadlines shall be beheaded—this rule applied to everyone, and would not change due to any commander’s mercy. If the fleet didn’t arrive on time, the first thing the Military Administrator would do upon boarding would be to strike off Liu Renyuan’s head and present it on a platter.

Today at the seaside there wasn’t a single fisherman. Yuan Dake had long since notified the fishermen that they could not go to sea today, nor could they go to the beach, and absolutely must not peek. He especially ordered them to watch their own children—if any child appeared on the beach, they would be beheaded.

Toward the great army, common people always felt fear mixed with curiosity. Though they could see nothing, every doorway had several pairs of curious eyes pressed against the cracks.

After waiting just a short while, three deep horn sounds came from the sea surface, like a giant’s breathing. As the horn sounds ended, dense masts appeared on the sea surface. The leading warship seemed to jump directly out of the sun—the ship’s bow bore a painted giant beast head with fire-spitting eyes and long fangs protruding from its mouth. This was the legendary Bian, the mythical creature that could devour lions.

A small boat led the way ahead. After approaching the coast, they gradually furled the sails and finally moored not far from the dock. This type of giant mulan boat could not dock at the pier. With a heave-ho, the massive iron anchor slowly sank to the seafloor—one at bow and stern each, instantly locking down the drifting warship.

The smaller boats behind approached the dock one by one. When the gangplanks were laid and people began descending, Yun Ye’s face darkened like a pot bottom, because he actually saw many women wearing military uniforms descending from several oddly-shaped ships. His hand involuntarily gripped the chair’s armrest. Could it be that these two years of indulgence had led Liu Renyuan to the point of bringing women onto warships?

Those women stood trembling in the cold wind, at a loss. From their hairstyles, they were not Great Tang women. If they had been Great Tang women, Yun Ye wouldn’t even have asked questions—he would have beheaded Liu Renyuan directly.

“Marquis Yun, with large groups of women appearing on warships, this navy deputy commander should give you an explanation, shouldn’t he? If there isn’t a suitable reason, this old man believes this navy deputy commander can be beheaded for public display.”

Yun Ye nodded. Women appearing in the navy was a great taboo.

Liu Renyuan hurriedly descended from the ship and immediately came before the reef where Yun Ye sat. Clasping his hands in salute, he loudly announced: “Lingnan Navy’s Colonel of Militant Prowess Liu Renyuan reports for duty! Under my command are three hundred forty-three warships, actually arrived are three hundred fifteen ships, plus eight slave-trading vessels captured en route. Requesting the Commander’s instructions!”

Hearing Liu Renyuan speak thus, Yun Ye’s expression relaxed. Those women were most likely rescued slaves. Good—he hadn’t presumptuously brought women aboard ship himself.