Gan Ning earnestly tried to dissuade Huang She, narrowly escaping execution.

Xiling Ferry.

At this moment, after a night of fierce battle and several changes of hands, Xiling Ferry was still firmly held by Xu Chu and Qin Qi, who refused to let the Xiling navy disembark.

Though the Xiling navy was the most elite force under Huang Zu, they were, after all, a navy. On water, they were indeed formidable. But on land, their prowess was reduced by seventy percent. Because of this, they had never managed to seize Xiling Ferry.

Huang Zu commanded thirty thousand troops in total, with over ten thousand stationed in Xiling County. These were divided between naval and land forces: five thousand guarded Xiling city, and five thousand comprised the navy at the ferry.

Last night, Su Ming led two thousand men in a surprise attack, defeating five thousand defenders and capturing Xiling city. The five thousand city guards were either killed or captured. At the ferry, the five thousand navy men failed to break through Xu Chu and Qin Qi’s defenses and could not reinforce the city.

By now, the outcome was certain. Xiling had fallen. Even if the navy managed to land, it would be impossible to reverse the situation. As for the rest of Huang Zu’s forces stationed across the twelve counties of Jiangxia, by the time they arrived, it would be too late.

After a night of relentless fighting, both sides had ceased hostilities for the moment. Amidst the reeds lining the riverbanks, a swift boat darted through the marshes. Such a vessel was known as an Eagle Boat—its shape and speed likened to an eagle, often used for reconnaissance on water.

The boat quickly approached Huang She’s flagship. A rope ladder was thrown down, and the scout was hauled aboard. Entering the main cabin, the scout knelt before Huang She and reported breathlessly, "Young General, grave news! Xiling city has fallen to Cao’s army. Our lord has been captured alive!"

Hearing this, Huang She nearly fainted. Huang Zu was his father—his own flesh and blood. How could he stand by when his father had been taken?

"Prepare the troops! No matter what, we must take Xiling County today and rescue my father!" Huang She ordered.

After the ferocious battle at the ferry last night, over a thousand of Huang She’s five thousand navy had been lost. Counting the lightly wounded who were still able to fight, there were barely four thousand left. As navy men, they lacked the advantage on land and had little hope of capturing the ferry. To launch a rash assault now would only mean further casualties, with no hope of success.

Gan Ning, a seasoned general, saw the situation clearly. Huang She’s desire to rescue his father by storming Xiling County was pure fantasy. They could not even take the ferry, let alone the city.

"Young General, we cannot continue fighting!" Gan Ning urged. "The men have fought all night. If this goes on, we’ll lose them all on the shore!"

But Huang She would not listen. To him, the lives of his soldiers could not compare to his father’s. Besides, as governor of Jiangxia, his father had amassed untold riches, all stored within the city. Whether for familial bonds or for the sake of gold and jewels, he was determined to retake Xiling.

"Gan Ning, do not disrupt the morale of the troops!" Huang She snapped. "Last night’s battle showed me that Cao’s men are not formidable. They are not yet firmly established—one assault will take the ferry, and then we can seize Xiling County in a single push."

"The five thousand Caos at the ferry are indeed new recruits, and their fighting power is lacking," Gan Ning replied. "But if this were a naval battle, I would not fear them. On land, as the attacking side, taking the ferry will be extremely difficult! Young General, the soldiers’ lives matter too! We cannot throw them away in vain!"

With Xiling lost and his father captured, Huang She was already seething. Now, faced with Gan Ning’s opposition, his rage boiled over.

"The soldiers’ lives matter, but my father’s life does not?" he roared. "Gan Ning, you were once a pirate, yet my father overlooked your past and took you in. Now you show no gratitude, and instead repay kindness with enmity, thwarting my rescue attempt at every turn. Are you planning to rebel?"

Anyone else would have fallen silent by now, but not Gan Ning. He was a straightforward man, steadfast when he believed himself right.

"Young General, I do not seek to hinder your rescue," Gan Ning said, "but to charge blindly ahead would be to pit ourselves against the impossible. If we lose all our men, we will still not save our lord!"

The more Gan Ning spoke, the darker Huang She’s expression became. Gan Ning’s close friend, Su Fei, kept signaling him to stop, but Gan Ning pressed on: "The prudent course is to hold our position and await reinforcements. Once our strength is gathered, we can make a concerted assault."

Gan Ning’s reasoning was sound—they lacked the manpower for an assault, and any attack would be suicide. But the captive was Huang She’s father, not Gan Ning’s. Gan Ning could remain rational; Huang She could not.

With a slap of his palm on the table, Huang She shouted, "Insolence! I have tolerated you long enough, Gan Ning. You have repeatedly undermined the army’s morale. What are your intentions? Men, drag Gan Ning out and behead him!"

Su Fei, loyal friend that he was, hurried forward and knelt, pleading, "Young General, executing a general before battle is an ill omen. Please spare Gan Ning’s life. I, Su Fei, pledge my own head as surety—by noon, we will take the ferry; by nightfall, the city will be ours."

Su Fei cared nothing for the reality of the situation—whether the ferry or city could be taken mattered little now. He knew only that this was the way to save Gan Ning.

Huang She understood Gan Ning’s worth. If they were to capture the ferry and the city, he would need both Su Fei and Gan Ning. If he killed Gan Ning, Su Fei would almost certainly turn against him as well.

After a moment’s thought, Huang She demanded, "Will you swear an oath of command?"

Without hesitation, Su Fei replied, "I do so swear!"

With that, he strode forward and made his oath before Huang She.

Taking the document, Huang She finally ordered Gan Ning’s release.