Gan Ning: Prisoners? There are no prisoners.

Above the Han River, the Brocade Sail Battalion had already achieved a resounding victory.

With fewer numbers overcoming the many—a thousand against five thousand—they not only triumphed over overwhelming odds, but also seized the three flagship vessels of the Jiangdong navy. These flagships were far more advanced than those of Jiangxia; once brought back and refitted, they could serve as the main force of Jiangxia's fleet.

Beyond that, they had captured around three thousand Jiangdong sailors. This battle would surely make Gan Ning’s name renowned across the land.

“Send word to prepare the ships!” Gan Ning ordered. “Let’s move closer to the shore!”

Since the Jiangdong navy had launched an attack, it was certain that an ambush awaited Su Ming on land. Gan Ning thus commanded the ships to approach the shore, ready to support Su Ming.

Deputy Ding Chong nodded and said, “Big Brother, we have about seven hundred men still fit for duty. The three thousand prisoners are a hidden danger! If they turn on us while we’re rescuing our master, the consequences could be disastrous.”

Seven hundred soldiers could easily guard three thousand prisoners, especially since the captives were disarmed and bound tightly, strung together like candied fruit. But Gan Ning’s men had a mission—they had to assist Su Ming. Only wounded soldiers could be left to watch over the prisoners. If anyone managed to break the ropes and seize the ship, Gan Ning’s efforts would be for naught.

If they had enough manpower, the prisoners could be kept; after all, they were experienced sailors and could be integrated into their own forces after training. But with their numbers so depleted now, keeping the captives might bring disaster.

Mercy has no place in war.

A general must not be soft-hearted or indulge in sentimental kindness. For Gan Ning, these prisoners mattered little; ensuring his lord’s safety was paramount.

On the deck, Gan Ning closed his eyes and spoke in a low voice, “The Jiangdong navy resisted fiercely; the battle was intense and desperate.”

“In the end, their men preferred to leap into the river rather than surrender.”

“This is the battle report—when we return to Jiangxia, have the clerks write it thus.”

Everyone understood, clever men all. There was no need to spell things out.

They caught the meaning.

Ding Chong’s eyes flickered; he grasped Gan Ning’s intent. In this battle, they had taken no prisoners. The Jiangdong sailors were valiant men, fighting to the bitter end, choosing the river over surrender.

As for those bound in the hold—nonsense, there were no prisoners.

Ding Chong understood and immediately picked a group of trusted men, armed with crossbows, and headed for the ship’s hold.

“Gan Ning, you’re a liar!”

“We surrendered, you promised not to kill us, you’re shameless!”

“Gan Ning, you bastard, may you never bear children!”

From the hold came cries of agony and curses directed at Gan Ning’s ancestors. But soon, silence fell.

“Throw the bodies in the river, and keep your mouths shut!” Ding Chong’s voice echoed in the hold. “If word gets out about today, I won’t spare you!”

Since ancient times, killing prisoners has been considered ominous. Generals who delighted in slaughtering captives often faced censure from officials and met ill fates. Gan Ning would not have ordered it if there had been any other way.

On the banks of the Han River, Ling Tong commanded ten thousand troops hidden in the forest—five thousand swordsmen and five thousand archers. When Su Ming reached the riverbank, they would unleash a storm of arrows, then hack him to pieces.

Su Ming and Ling Tong had a feud—Ling Tong’s father had been slain. Such enmity could only be avenged by blood.

Suddenly, a fierce wind arose, thunder crashed, and torrential rain poured down. The once clear sky was now a raging storm.

Ling Tong’s face darkened.

He led Jiangdong’s infantry, whose bows and crossbows differed from those used by the navy. Naval forces, accustomed to moist conditions, waterproofed their weapons, making them usable even in rain. Land forces, however, could not use theirs when wet; once the bowstrings soaked up water, they lost their tension and power.

Ling Tong had planned a volley of arrows for Su Ming—but now, that plan was ruined.

“The bowstrings are wet, useless now!”

“If only we’d requisitioned some crossbows from the navy!” Deputy Pan Zhang checked the weapons helplessly.

If only? If only one could foresee the future—who could have predicted a sudden downpour when just moments before the sky was clear?

“Without the butcher, must we eat hairy pork? No crossbows—does that mean we can’t kill Su Ming?” Ling Tong cursed, frustrated.

He thought Su Ming’s luck was extraordinary.

Without archery, Su Ming’s chances of escape had greatly increased.

“Pan Zhang, before Su Ming arrives, scatter caltrops all around,” Ling Tong ordered.

With rain disabling their bows, they could only block Su Ming’s escape using caltrops. Then, ten thousand troops would surround and slaughter him.

Though the archers were out of commission, as long as they could encircle Su Ming, Ling Tong believed killing him would not be difficult.

Once an army exceeds ten thousand, it is vast and boundless. Many generals boast of being able to face ten thousand foes, but it is merely a title. Even Lü Bu, famed for prowess, could not slaughter ten thousand in battle. Man is not a machine; human strength is finite. Even killing ten thousand pigs would exhaust you, let alone armored, armed elite soldiers.

Ling Tong’s only concern was failing to encircle Su Ming and letting him break through.

Thus, with bows rendered useless, Ling Tong ordered an increased deployment of caltrops, especially along the riverbank, densely packed with caltrops and barricades.

Ling Tong had one aim: even if Su Ming slipped through the encirclement, he must not return to Jiangxia. If he could not kill Su Ming, he would trap him within Jiangdong’s territory and slowly hunt him down.

While Ling Tong made frantic preparations, amidst the raging storm, Su Ming, accompanied by Sun Shangxiang and a hundred guards, raced toward the riverbank.

(P.S.: Vote for the monthly ticket! If you have a ticket, cast it now, brothers, wake up and vote!)

(End of chapter)