12dz Chapter 145: Dramatic Changes at Sea
Chapter 145: Dramatic Changes at Sea
"Mr. Shi means that we need to march continuously for 300 miles to capture Nanye City and Longyan City?" A lieutenant seemed to think that this was a bit difficult. "We have been practicing martial arts since childhood, so there will be no problem. However, I am afraid that these new recruits may have difficulties."
He couldn't help but frown, and a hint of worry appeared in his tone. After all, the recruits had just joined the army and lacked experience and training. They might face tremendous pressure to complete such a task.
However, Xia Qin shook her head firmly, indicating that it was okay. She had already thought about this issue and had prepared a response plan.
Then she explained to the crowd, “We will go by sea.”
Hearing this, everyone was surprised and cast doubtful glances at him.
"From the sea?" someone couldn't help but ask.
"That's right. In the past few months, I ordered the Ministry of Industry to build and purchase hundreds of warships. I wanted to use them to deal with the Japanese in the future, and now it's just the right time to use them. Now it's autumn and the north wind has arrived, so it's just the right time to go south with the wind." Xia Qin answered calmly, with confidence flashing in his eyes.
"Mr. Shi is very thoughtful!" Hearing Xia Qin's meticulous arrangements, everyone couldn't help but admire him.
Xia Qin smiled and nodded, and continued to point at the sand table and talk about her plan: "We will march quickly from the sea, set off tomorrow night, and reach Longyan City in the early morning of a day and a half. After the surprise attack on Longyan City, leave 2,000 people to defend the city, and the rest will quickly attack Nanye City."
"Xia Xia, your plan is good. It's much faster and more covert than traveling by land." Mo Ye completely agreed with Xia Qin's idea, and a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.
"There won't be too many defenders in Longyan City and Nanye City," Xia Qin analyzed seriously, "I have asked Yan Wu to tell my brother about our plan. As long as we take over these two cities, a comprehensive clearing operation will begin."
Mo Ye nodded: "Well, without further ado, let's get ready and set off tomorrow night!"
In the capital, the Qin Party has never stopped its actions.
Qin Huiqi sat steadily in the hall, his expression calm and composed. He picked up the teacup, took a sip, then looked at everyone.
At this time, Sima Changshi Lingkong stepped forward and explained the current situation: "Now, the commanders and all the middle-level generals of the four armies, the Mobei Army, the Western Expedition Army, the Pingnan Army, and the Luoshan Army stationed near the capital, are all our people; and among the ten state governors, except for Youzhou Governor Tian Yong, Jiaozhou Governor Shi Lun, and Yangzhou Governor Mu Jinyan who just took office, the other seven governors have made preparations. Moreover, most of Yangzhou and Jiaozhou are still occupied by Japanese pirates."
Zhao Buai was immediately alerted when he heard this, and he quickly advised Qin Hui: "Lord Qin, now the Patrol Battalion and the Imperial Guards are in our hands. Even if Cheng Lin controls the Imperial Guards, he cannot compete with us. Since everything is ready, why don't we act immediately!"
However, Qin Huiqi waved his hand, signaling him to be patient. He was always calm and steady, and this time was no exception: "We must not act too hastily. His Majesty has suddenly become alert recently, and we still have some matters that have not been properly handled."
After that, he turned to look at the others and continued to ask: "Have all the disloyal generals in the army been eliminated? Also, where is Dongfang Yi now?"
"Those generals have been eliminated, and Dongfang Yi disappeared after returning to the capital," Zhao Buyai had been following Qin Huiqi's request, using his position to monitor the whereabouts of all officials in the capital, "but the Su family moved out of the capital after His Majesty's birthday."
"Su family? Where did they move to?" Qin Huiqi's expression was obviously a little surprised.
Zhao Buai whispered meaningfully, "Towards Yangzhou."
"Yangzhou? That old guy Su Wu is going to find Mu Lie," Qin Huiqi's face was a little unhappy, but then he relaxed, "Never mind, the two old guys are about to be buried, let them go, but Mu Jinyan and Mu Jinyu are really a bit tricky."
The white-haired old man beside him replied expressionlessly: "My lord, it is true. Whether they are in the north or in the southeast, their performance on the battlefield is a bit strange. It seems that they used some mysterious firearms. Moreover, whether it is the death of Qiu Qianshan in the north or the disappearance of Tian Dan, I am afraid they are closely related to them."
Qin Huiqi thought of his two nephews who died tragically, and the Blood Hand Camp he had painstakingly cultivated, and his face became much gloomier. However, a little impatience can ruin a big plan. "Now is not the time to worry about these things. As long as we control the court and wait for Ren'er to inherit the throne, we will have plenty of time and means to deal with the Mu brothers and sisters."
"My Lord, you are right. I have arranged for a capable disciple to sneak into Yangzhou and keep an eye on their actions."
Qin Huiqi nodded: "Well, I'll trouble Master Fu with this matter."
As the sky gradually darkened and the sun set, the sky was dyed with an orange-red sunset glow. The temperature began to drop and the sea breeze became cooler.
Mo Ye and Xia Qin stood at the bow, feeling the cold sea breeze and shivering. On the left was the endless sea, and on the right was the vaguely visible coastline. Xia Qin led the fleet to sail south along the offshore.
"Xia Xia, wear more clothes and be careful not to catch a cold or get sick." Mo Ye held Xia Qin's cold hands and said with concern.
"It's okay," Xia Qin responded with a smile, and turned to ask the guides around him, "Old man, how far are we from the landing site?"
The dark-skinned old man next to him replied, "Mr. Shi, it's still about forty miles away. At the current speed, we will reach the shore in two and a half hours, and then march another twenty miles to reach Longyan City."
This news made Xia Qin happy. She had originally expected to take two days to reach her destination, but she didn't expect to have completed three quarters of the journey in one day. This was all thanks to the north wind that made them feel cold and helped them speed up their pace.
"It shouldn't be so cold after we get ashore." Xia Qin whispered, looking at the beautiful skyline in the distance with Mo Ye.
Under the azure sky, the sea surface is like a huge mirror, quietly spreading across the boundless horizon, sparkling and gently embracing every breeze.
The sun shines lazily, dyeing the sea water into a brilliant golden color, which is breathtakingly beautiful.
The two of them enjoyed the scene, however, the tranquility did not last long, as an unusual change was quietly brewing in the sky.
At first, it was just a subtle twist of the edge of the distant clouds, and then the dark night that was sometimes thick and sometimes thin appeared.
Gradually, this force began to gather, the clouds became thick and low, the color changed from white to gray, until it was pitch black, covering the entire sky.
On the sea, the wind began to become irregular, and everyone felt the uneasiness. The gently swaying waves began to become rapid and powerful.
Xia Qin and Mo Ye looked at the dramatic changes in the sky and sea in the distance, and suddenly felt something was wrong.
Before they could ask, the old man beside them said, "Mr. Shi, this is bad! I'm afraid the Dragon King of the sea is unhappy and the dragon is going to suck the water!"
A dragon sucking water? A tornado? While Xia Qin was in a daze, the changes on the sea level were getting faster and faster.
A vague and huge vortex slowly rose from the sea and the sky, like the most primitive anger of nature, drawing a clear line between calm and rage.
That was the prototype of a tornado, which was gradually approaching the once peaceful sea with an irresistible force.
The sea water was ruthlessly swept into the air, forming huge water columns that intertwined with the dark clouds in the sky, forming a shocking picture.
"Dock! Everyone dock!" Xia Qin made a prompt decision. There was no need and she could not take the risk of moving forward. Even if she landed now, she could reach Longyan City at night.
"Boom, boom, boom!" As a burst of rapid drumbeats resounded across the sea, hundreds of warships quickly changed direction like arrows and rushed towards the coastline.
The sails rustled against the increasingly fierce sea breeze. From afar, the entire fleet looked majestic and spectacular.
At the same time, on the coastline, several ragged men were watching Xia Qin's fleet vigilantly, their eyes full of hatred and vigilance, and when they saw the fleet begin to change course and head towards the coastline, these men immediately became nervous.
One of the men whispered, "Let's go, we have to go back and prepare!"
The others nodded in agreement, then they quickly turned away from the coastline and disappeared into the dense jungle.