Chapter 97 - Building a Jingguan

The Wokou who had just boarded the ships hadn't even had a chance to catch their breath when they were shocked to see flames several zhang high shoot up from both sides.

One by one, they were greatly alarmed, and their exhausted bodies shot up with a whoosh. It had a certain feeling of 'being startled up from one's deathbed'.

That thunder on flat ground from before was one thing.

But now they can even light a fire on the sea's surface?

Since when did the people of the Central Plains have such methods?

I have to say, the knowledge of these Wokou was ultimately a bit shallow.

This was 'menghuoyou' (Fierce Fire Oil).

The so-called 'menghuoyou' was a combustible substance used as a fire weapon in the ancient wars of the Central Plains. In reality, it was petroleum.

Many people think that the discovery of petroleum in the Central Plains was very late. In fact, as early as the Eastern Han Dynasty, the historian Ban Gu recorded in the ‘Book of Han: Records on Geography’: 'In Gaonu County, there is the Wei River, which is flammable.'

What is being said here should be that there was overflowing oil floating on the water, which could be burned.

Fan Ye's ‘Book of the Later Han: Treatise on Commanderies and States’ also has a record: 'To the south of the county, there is a mountain. Rock gives forth spring water, large as a cup, which burns extremely brightly when lit, but cannot be eaten. The county people call it 'rock lacquer'.'

The 'rock lacquer' here is petroleum.

Because petroleum could burn on water and its flames were difficult to extinguish with water, it was widely used in military affairs, especially during the Five Dynasties and the Song, Jin, Liao, and Yuan periods, where it was often called 'menghuoyou'.

In the West, outside of the Central Plains, it was called Greek fire. It's just that because of the mature development of gunpowder in the Central Plains, 'menghuoyou' did not have a long period of glory like Greek fire.

As for these Wokou, they naturally didn't know what petroleum was. Seeing the towering flames rise up from the sea surface, they were all dumbstruck.

Could this be a punishment sent down from the heavens?

"Set sail! Set sail quickly!"

Just as all the Wokou were stunned, Hirata Saburō's roar tore through the silent night sky. Perhaps because of his extreme fear, even Hirata Saburō's voice had changed, becoming hoarse and sharp.

But this shout ultimately startled the numerous Wokou awake, and they began to bustle about, trembling.

But launching a boat is at its most troublesome and slowest, especially at the seashore. The waves crash against the shore one after another, reducing the speed of the boats to its lowest. How could it compare to the spread of the fierce fire oil?

The sea wind blew past.

The whooshing sound was like ghosts crying and wolves howling, echoing in everyone's ears.

Moreover, fire arrows, like meteors, streaked across the night sky, shooting towards the Wokou's ships. At this time, no one cared about accuracy. Whether they hit the ships or the nearby sea surface, the effect was the same.

Whoosh, sizzle, shwoom.

In an instant, dozens more clusters of flames shot up on the sea's surface.

When the first wisp of flame leaped onto a Wokou ship's sail, the fire, like an awakened demon, spread rapidly along the dry canvas. Leaping, it quickly expanded from a small spark into a raging inferno. The flames roared in the night wind, as if roaring in anger.

The fire was like a hungry beast, greedily devouring everything.

The Japs screamed in terror, running everywhere on the ships. Their figures looked pathetic under the reflection of the firelight.

Some Wokou tried in vain to extinguish the flames, but the fire was too fierce. The moment they got close, they were forced back by the heatwave.

Some were directly swallowed by the flames. The fierce fire burned the cloth on their bodies, sticking to their skin. In the blink of an eye, a series of blisters were burned onto their skin. Then the blisters quickly burst, and the flames began to scorch the bright red flesh inside.

The flames ignited their hair. Those figures, one by one, were like demons walking out of purgatory.

It must have been very painful.

Some couldn't bear the pain of being burned alive by the raging fire and leaped from the ships, attempting to use the seawater to extinguish the flames on their bodies. But on the sea's surface... there was also fire.

The fire burned more and more fiercely. The bright flames lit up the sea's surface, and the sparkling waves seemed to have been dyed red with blood. The sea wind howled, fanning the flames. The beasts' bodies twisted in the seawater, like maggots about to be dried out by the wind.

Mixed in with the shrill screams was a crackling sound, as if flesh and blood were bursting in the scorching flames.

To be able to become the leader of the Wokou, Hirata Saburō's strength was beyond doubt. He was the strongest among these several thousand Wokou. Even though his hair was already burning, even though most of the skin on his body had already been burned beyond recognition, even though the seawater sliding over his wounds brought waves of unbearable stinging pain, even though his four limbs were already out of his control, Hirata Saburō still desperately paddled in the seawater.

He wanted to live.

Didn't want to die.

Didn't want to die.

He was unwilling to accept it.

He was one of the greatest Wokou leaders in this sea region. He was a man who had sworn to become the Wokou King. How could he die so humiliatingly here?

As long as he could survive, he swore that one day he would definitely kill his way back and let those foolish and despicable people of the Central Plains understand his terror.

A large wave crashed over. Hirata Saburō, who had just swum a short distance, was instantly overturned. Flames wrapped around him from all directions. Even the air he breathed in was scorching flames.

The special smell of petroleum, mixed with the scent of evaporating seawater and the aroma of roasted meat, spread with the night wind. Even from a great distance, one could smell that nauseating odor.

At the seashore, the two brothers Luo Tianquan and Luo Tianyang met up. Looking at the crimson sea surface in the distance, their eyes were full of shock and fear.

Luo Tianquan's brow was a bit solemn. Although he had long known that his brother-in-law was intelligent, who could have thought he would have such attainments in military command.

No, that's not right.

Luo Tianquan could see that his brother-in-law should have read some military treatises. But a military treatise is a military treatise. Brother-in-law's ability to command in battle was still a bit lacking.

The battle plan he formulated, although it seemed to have no problems, with each link interlocking and closely connected, in reality, a real war must leave a certain amount of leeway. The tighter the plan, the easier it is to fail.

Because this kind of plan cannot tolerate the slightest mistake; a problem in one link could lead to the whole game being lost.

Brother-in-law's truly formidable point lies in the 'investigation of things.'

He used the power of the 'investigation of things' to make up for the shortcomings in his plan.

Before brother-in-law, who could have thought that a mere bamboo pole could actually be used to resist the Wokou?

Who could have thought that the fireworks used for celebrating festivals could actually become a 'Heaven-Shaking Thunder'?

Although Song Yan had named it 'hand grenade,' in the hearts of the three brothers Luo Tianshu, Luo Tianquan, and Luo Tianyang, they all felt that 'hand grenade' was not imposing enough. In private, they all called it 'Heaven-Shaking Thunder'.

Heaven-Shaking Thunder—mighty and domineering.

And it was fortunate that brother-in-law was now the Luo family's son-in-law.

It's just that some of the rules regarding live-in son-in-laws will probably have to be changed.

For example, a live-in son-in-law cannot eat at the main table, a live-in son-in-law must go to greet his wife every day, a live-in son-in-law cannot inherit the family fortune, and the money he earns must be turned over to the family, a live-in son-in-law cannot take concubines, etc... If the restrictions go too far and make the brother-in-law become disloyal to the Luo family and turn against them, that would be trouble.

As for Luo Tianyang, his thoughts were simpler.

One word: Awesome.

At most, he'd add another sentence: Scholars are really fucking vicious.

The fierce fire kept burning.

Even though no traces of struggle could be seen on the sea surface, and no screams could be heard.

At some point, the sky had turned light.

In the autumn morning, the eastern sky had just revealed a faint light. A milky white mist floated over Ningping County, which was near the sea, making the city look even more ancient, as if it were a fairyland walking on the horizon.

People slowly gathered at the seashore. Fine ashes drifted down from the sky, as if welcoming the first snow of the year.

It's just that this snow was black.

In the air, one could still smell the foul odor of various scents mixed together.

On the sea surface, the fire had already gone out. The waves washed against the beach, bringing up countless charred pieces of wood, probably the remains of the ships.

And... countless, charred black corpses.

As far as the eye could see, it was a blackish expanse.

Luo Yuheng was still in her military attire.

When she was charming, she was graceful and moving.

When she was in battle, she was dashing and imposing.

Her armor was still as bright as snow, probably because she hadn't actually joined the battle. But for the residents of Ningping County, just having the Grand Princess appear on the battlefield was an immense encouragement.

Even those commoners could summon the courage to pick up weapons.

Her war boots, inlaid with metal plates, trod on the fine, soft white sand, making a crunching sound. Her bright eyes swept over the tragic scene before her. Perhaps because she had already witnessed that bloody scene when she left the city, no fear appeared in her eyes, only indifference.

This son-in-law of hers had truly given her a surprise.

He knew medicine.

He had literary talent.

He could create Heaven-Shaking Thunders.

He could refine white sugar.

And now, he was even better at leading troops.

It was as if there was nothing he couldn't do.

In the days to come, who knows what kind of surprises he will bring her.

To have such a son-in-law was truly her good fortune. With the talent that Song Yan had displayed, the now-declined Luo family was a bit unworthy of him.

Fortunately, when Song Yan had first entered the Luo Mansion, she had not treated him harshly.

She couldn't help but feel fortunate. A talent like Song Yan, if he were to flee to another place—let alone the other three kingdoms of the Central Plains, even if he went to the northern barbarians or the southern wastes—he would still be put to important use. It's just that at that time, it would be the apocalypse for the Central Plains.

After all, for a youth who had been trapped in the Duke's mansion for years, there was probably not much concept of 'country' deep in his heart.

For Song Yan, whoever was good to him, he would be doubly good to them in return. She was very fortunate that she was the one who was very good to Song Yan.

This time, they had annihilated several thousand Wokou. This was the greatest victory of the coastal towns against the Wa people. This matter was entirely planned by her son-in-law, yet she was the one who had been pushed out to be the leader.

After this event, the originally declining prestige of the imperial family would probably soar out of thin air, and the situation in the imperial court would likely also change along with it.

Thinking this, she stood on her tiptoes and stroked Song Yan's head.

"This night has been hard on you."

She really liked to do this. Just like how her own mother would always gently pat her head when she was a child. It made her feel comforted, feel intimate.

"Now that the matter here is settled, you should rest well."

"What should we do with these corpses? We can't just let them soak in the sea like this, can we?"

This was also a problem. After all, it was several thousand corpses. If left alone, they might breed a plague. And just letting them soak in the water would make even eating fish disgusting in the future.

If they were to be buried, I'm afraid no one would be willing to do such a thankless task.

His gaze swept over the scene in front of him. A curve appeared on the corners of Song Yan's lips:

"Cut off the heads."

"Build a Jingguan!”

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