Chapter 1127: The Netizen's Verdict: Execution by Firing Squad
Tieshan County, Joseon.
Vast numbers of Eight Banners troops and Joseon soldiers began to assemble.
Prince Ajige, Beizi Shuo Tuo, Prince Gongshun Kong Youde, Prince Huaishun Geng Zhongming, Prince Zhishun Shang Kexi... a host of Qing generals stood on the opposite shore from Pi Island, gazing out at the vast expanse of the sea.
Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming, and Shang Kexi—the Three Surrendered Kings—had once been prominent generals under Mao Wenlong, and all had been stationed on Pi Island. This place held a particular, complex significance for these three defectors. As they looked out at Pi Island in the distance, their hearts were heavy with conflicted emotions.
Ajige, renowned for his ferocity and martial skill, frowned. He sensed the challenge ahead. "Pi Island is surrounded by sea on all sides," he mused. "Our cavalry cannot unleash its full power there. We can only attack by ship. During the crossing, our vessels will be completely exposed to the Ming forces. The Ming defenders on the island can use the terrain to their advantage, firing cannons at our slow wooden boats at will. Even if a few of our ships reach the shore, the Ming garrison will easily counterattack from the beaches, using superior numbers to push us back into the sea."
Beizi Shuo Tuo nodded. "The Ming defenders are trapped on an island, surrounded by the vast sea, with no retreat," he said. "Their warships are few, and they cannot escape by sea. A cornered army fights with desperate courage. This will be a difficult engagement indeed."
Both Qing generals looked troubled.
Ajige turned to Kong, Geng, and Shang. "You three once garrisoned Pi Island," he probed. "Do you have any ingenious plans?" The three men were still lost in memories of their past days on Pi Island, thinking of their former commander, Mao Wenlong, which brought a pang of sadness. Caught off guard by Ajige's sudden question, they barely thought before shaking their heads in unison. "No," they replied.
Ajige's brow furrowed slightly. He sensed the perfunctoriness in the three generals' tone. But... after a moment's thought, he dismissed it. Attacking Pi Island couldn't rely on these three. He would have to depend on himself. He dispatched small boats to circle Pi Island, stealthily observing its terrain from a distance and scouting the Ming troop dispositions. He decided against a direct assault, instead opting for a two-pronged sneak attack: one feint, one true. One force, comprising Eight Banners cavalry, Han Banner soldiers (Wuzhen Chaoha), the troops of the Three Surrendered Kings (Heavenly Blessed and Heavenly Aided Soldiers), and Joseon soldiers, would form up in a grand display on the front, creating a massive distraction to draw the Ming army's attention. The other force, consisting of Eight Banners infantry, would move under cover, silently crossing the sea in small boats. With all plans in place, Ajige still didn't launch an immediate attack. Instead, he penned a letter, sending men in a small boat to fire it onto Pi Island with an arrow. First, attack their morale! Then, attack the island!
That evening...
Shen Shikui, Cao Wenzhao, and Chen Hongfan were leading a group of officers, both senior and junior, on a patrol along the coast, meticulously searching for any weaknesses in their defenses.
A sentry on watch by the sea ran up to them, holding out a letter with both hands. "Report!" he exclaimed. "Qing army boats approached earlier and fired an arrow-letter from a distance. Please, General, have a look."
Shen Shikui opened the arrow-letter, and his face immediately darkened. Cao Wenzhao and Chen Hongfan leaned in to read over his shoulder. It was, as they suspected, a letter of surrender. It boasted of a hundred thousand Qing troops amassed across the sea, ready to invade Pi Island at any moment, augmented by five thousand Joseon soldiers, fifty great 'turtle ships,' and hundreds of smaller vessels. The letter brazenly asked if the Ming garrison on the island was afraid. If so, they were urged to surrender at once, promising not only their lives but even a princely title for Shen Shikui.
Shen Shikui finished reading, then burst into laughter. He clenched his hands and tore the letter into shreds. "Though I, Shen, am no hero, I would never surrender and betray my country," he declared. "This pathetic letter doesn't even warrant a reply."
"Well said!" Cao Wenzhao roared with laughter.
They had barely shared a few chuckles when they turned to find Chen Hongfan had vanished. "Huh? Where's General Chen?" one wondered. "Wasn't he just here with us? Such a large figure, how could he disappear in the blink of an eye?" "Report!" a soldier cried out, rushing towards them breathlessly. "Coastal Regional Commander Chen Hongfan just boarded a ship with his naval contingent and fled!" "Damn him!" Shen Shikui cursed. "The scoundrel!" Cao Wenzhao added.
Just as they were about to unleash a tirade, a general rushed toward them. It was Jin Riguan, the Vice Commander of Laizhou, a subordinate of Chen Hongfan. His face was etched with fury. "Generals!" he cried. "That dog-cursed Chen Hongfan has fled! Your subordinate tried to dissuade him, but he was determined to escape. I refuse to be a deserter, so I have stayed behind. Please, Generals, allow me to join you in fighting the enemy!"
Cao Wenzhao, who had been on the verge of swearing, now let out a soft chuckle. "General Jin, you are a true hero! You've bravely chosen to stay, and I assure you, I will not let your sacrifice go unrewarded. After this battle, promotion and riches are certainly yours."
"It seems the Qing forces are about to attack," Shen Shikui observed gravely. "That letter was clearly meant to shake the resolve of men like Chen Hongfan."
"If they want to come, let them come!" Cao Wenzhao declared defiantly. "Who among us fears them? Issue orders to the entire army: prepare for battle!" "Prepare for battle!" the remaining warriors on the island roared in unison, waving their banners, ready to fight the Qing forces to the death. ——
Meanwhile.
Chen Hongfan was frantically directing his men, paddling their dilapidated boats southwestward, fleeing for their lives. The soldiers willing to shed their blood and lay down their heads for their country had remained on Pi Island with Vice Commander Jin Riguan. Those who fled with Chen Hongfan were all craven cowards. This rabble of fear-mongering, undisciplined soldiers, now desperate to escape quickly, rowed with all their might. They conserved their lives in battle but risked them all in flight. As they furiously paddled, they secretly congratulated themselves on having escaped before the Qing forces launched their full assault. Their lives were saved, a massive profit indeed.
Just as they rejoiced, a large flotilla of strange ships suddenly appeared on the horizon. These vessels bore no sails, and their propulsion mechanism was a mystery, yet their speed was astonishing. Each ship left a long, churning wake behind it, a testament to its velocity. At the forefront was an enormous, bizarre ship, its bow graced by a young man clad in a chivalrous robe, exuding an ethereal, dignified, and authoritative aura. That young man was, of course, Li Daoxuan.
He extended a hand, pointing towards Chen Hongfan's fleet ahead, and issued a loud command. "Everyone," he announced, "that fleet ahead consists of cowardly deserters. I ask you, judging with your pure, straightforward hearts: what fate awaits a soldier who flees in the face of battle?" The Gao Family Village Navy sailors roared in unison, "Execution by firing squad! Execution by firing squad!"
Li Daoxuan shook his head with a smile. "Always the same, isn't it? The netizens' verdict, starting with execution by firing squad," he murmured. "But then again, desertion during wartime merits nothing less. This time, you've judged correctly." He swept his hand forward, shouting, "Execute them!" The Gao Family Village Navy, at full combat speed, surged towards Chen Hongfan's fleeing fleet...
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