Chapter 21: Organizing the Fishing Fleet

Night fell, and the sea breeze howled. Li Chuan stood on the pier at the edge of the village, gazing out at the churning, turbulent sea. Scenes of the Japanese pirates’ raid flashed through his mind: flames reaching toward the sky, the screams of villagers, and the suffocating mixture of rage and helplessness. Now, he was determined to turn these familiar waters into a battlefield against the invaders.

The next morning, Li Chuan gathered the strong, able-bodied fishermen of the village for a meeting. On the beach, he used a wooden stick to sketch a topographic map of the surrounding waters, marking out the reefs, current patterns, and the routes frequently used by the pirates.

"We can no longer remain passive victims," Li Chuan said, his tone resolute. "This sea is ours. We know the tides and the reefs far better than they do. We will form our own fleet and use agile tactics and the advantages of our terrain to strike back!"

The fishermen looked at one another, and one raised a concern: "Li Chuan, we lack powerful weapons and don't even have proper warships. How can we possibly fight the pirates?"

Li Chuan looked around at them and said in a deep voice, "We don't need large ships or heavy weaponry. What we need is wisdom." He pointed his stick at a narrow channel on the map. "This is the pirates' main passage, and the water is filled with submerged reefs. If we lie in ambush here, using the tides as cover, they will surely be caught off guard."

Several experienced fishermen began to discuss the feasibility of the plan. The village elder, Old Chen, was the first to step forward in support: "Since Li Chuan was able to lead us in repelling the pirates' vanguard, I believe he can lead us to fight back!"

Li Chuan immediately set the plan into motion. He selected twenty fishermen skilled in maritime operations to modify their vessels, reinforcing the small fishing boats with wooden planks and iron spikes to improve their defensive capabilities. At the same time, he organized the village blacksmiths to forge simple weapons, including hooked spears and jars of naphtha for incendiary attacks.

A few days later, while inspecting the modified boats, Li Chuan found that the fishermen had cleverly utilized their everyday fishing tools in their designs. Some bows were fitted with sharp iron anchors to ram enemy vessels, while others were equipped with makeshift crossbow mechanisms for long-range strikes.

"Everyone has done a great job!" Li Chuan nodded with satisfaction. "Remember, our goal is not to clash head-on, but to outwit them. Our boats are fast and highly maneuverable—that is our advantage."

With the small fleet taking shape, Li Chuan decided to lead a vanguard to test the new tactics in the field.

On the day of the trial run, a dozen small fishing boats quietly sailed into the sea. Li Chuan stood at the bow, shielding his eyes as he scanned the horizon. "Based on the pirates' patterns, they will pass through the channel from the southwest at this time," he said.

The fishermen were tense, but under Li Chuan’s reassurance, they gradually calmed down. As the boats approached the pre-set ambush point, several fishermen skillfully threw barrels into the water. The barrels were filled with naphtha and connected by ropes, forming a hidden "sea of fire."

Before long, a small pirate ship entered the kill zone. Li Chuan gave the order: "Prepare to ignite!"

The fishermen immediately lit the floating barrels. Fire spread rapidly across the surface, surrounding the pirate ship. The pirates panicked and attempted to break through, but they struck the pre-arranged reef cluster, causing their vessel to capsize.

This was the first strike of the small fishing fleet. Though modest in scale, it proved the feasibility of their tactics.

After the successful test, Li Chuan summarized the experience with the fishermen. "The pirates are not invincible, but our tactics still need refinement," he said. "Next time, we must not only ambush them but also ensure our supply lines."

He divided the team into three sections: one group for patrol and reconnaissance to monitor pirate movements; one group dedicated to tactical training to improve coordination; and the third to continue improving weapons and stockpiling naphtha and other supplies.

The villagers, led by Li Chuan, threw themselves into the preparations. Li Chuan observed that everyone’s potential was being unlocked: the timid fisherman now operated a crossbow with ease, and the blacksmith who once only mended nets began forging more powerful incendiary jars.

However, Li Chuan understood that this victory was only the beginning. The pirate forces were vast; they would soon discover the resistance in the village, and the subsequent retaliation would be far more ferocious.

At night, Li Chuan stood by the pier, staring at the starry sky. The image of Lanna crossed his mind. Lanna’s resolve and wisdom had always been his spiritual pillar. Though they were separated, he knew that this struggle would ultimately require unity and wisdom to achieve true peace.

"The real battle has just begun," Li Chuan muttered, clenching his fist with determination.

Following the successful trial, the fishermen’s confidence grew, and more joined the fleet’s training. Yet, Li Chuan knew that one village’s strength was not enough. He decided to recruit from neighboring villages and further refine their tactical layout.

Early the next morning, Li Chuan took several strong fishermen and rowed their modified boats to the nearest villages. They first arrived at Sanjiang Village, located near the intersection of the river and the sea, where residents also suffered from pirate raids.

At the village entrance, Li Chuan stood before a group of hesitant villagers and spoke eloquently: "We have already repelled a vanguard of pirates—they are not invincible! But if we fight alone, we will only end up as their prey. Only by uniting can we truly protect our homes!"

The villagers whispered among themselves, but years of fear left them wary. An elderly villager asked, "The pirates' ships are large and sturdy. What will you use to fight them? Surely not just a few broken fishing boats?"

Li Chuan replied calmly, "It is not about whose ship is larger or whose blade is sharper, but about how we use wisdom and unity. Our village has used the terrain and the tides to make them pay a heavy price." As he spoke, he unloaded some captured pirate equipment, including crossbows and incendiary jars, to show the crowd.

"These are the spoils of war taken by our own hands!" Li Chuan declared, his voice filled with pride and resolve. "As long as you are willing to fight alongside us, we can use even more tactics to beat back the pirates, or even drive them away for good!"

The villagers' attitudes began to soften, especially upon seeing the spoils. Several young men were the first to step forward: "We are willing to join!"

After much effort, Li Chuan successfully persuaded fishermen from Sanjiang, Baisha, and Shiqiao villages. Within days, his fleet grew from twenty to over fifty people. Though the force was still green, their fighting spirit and unity provided a solid foundation for the coming counterattack.

Li Chuan organized the expanded force into three groups:
1. The Ambush Team: Tasked with lying in wait in dangerous waters to execute surprise attacks.
2. The Patrol Team: Responsible for monitoring pirate movements and relaying intelligence.
3. The Logistics Team: Responsible for supply storage and equipment repair to ensure long-term combat capability.

To help the new members adapt quickly, Li Chuan arranged a joint drill. He used the beach outside the village as a simulated battlefield, drawing the hypothetical positions of pirate ships in the sand.

"Remember, our advantage lies in mobility," Li Chuan said, pointing to the sand map. "Although pirate ships are sturdy, they are sluggish in narrow waters. We must exploit this to disperse their forces."

He assigned three groups of fishing boats to surround the "enemy" from different directions, simulating attacks and retreats. The fishermen were initially chaotic, but Li Chuan patiently guided them, gradually correcting their coordination.

A young fisherman couldn't help but ask, "Brother Chuan, do we really have a chance against the pirates?"

Li Chuan patted his shoulder and smiled. "Do not underestimate yourselves. This sea is where we have lived for generations, while the pirates are mere outsiders. They know nothing of the terrain and are helpless against our strategies."

Through several days of continuous training, the fishermen’s coordination improved significantly, and the ambush team mastered the use of the incendiary jars. Li Chuan emphasized, "This weapon is powerful, but must be used with care, or we risk hurting ourselves. Before every action, the tide and wind direction must be confirmed."

A few days later, the patrol team reported that a group of pirate boats was approaching the reef waters outside the village. Li Chuan immediately gathered the ambush and patrol teams, arranging tactics and assigning tasks.

"There are only five ships, but they have over thirty men," Li Chuan analyzed quickly. "Our numbers are few, but our equipment is superior. Follow the plan: lure them into the reef zone, then surround them with the incendiary jars!"

The ambush team split into two groups: one hid in the undercurrents behind the reefs, while the other disguised itself as ordinary fishing boats, intentionally exposing themselves to lure the pirates into a chase.

Sure enough, upon spotting these "ordinary" boats, the pirates accelerated to close the distance. Li Chuan watched the enemy's movements from the shadows. Seizing the moment, he waved his hand decisively: "Ignite!"

The ambush team quickly lit the jars. Thick smoke billowed, and flames spread across the sea, fragmenting the pirate formation. One pirate boat attempted to force its way out, only to strike a submerged reef; the hull tilted, and several pirates fell into the sea.

"Charge!" Li Chuan commanded. The fishing boats swarmed in from all sides, spears and crossbows firing in unison, swiftly clearing the remaining enemies.

The ambush ended in a total victory for the fishermen. All five pirate ships were destroyed, and not a single pirate escaped.

News of the victory spread through the surrounding villages, and more fishermen volunteered to join the fleet. Li Chuan seized the momentum, calling on the villages to form a "Fishermen's Alliance" to stand against the pirates with a more stable organization.

Old Chen sighed with emotion: "Young Chuan, this sea finally has someone who can lead us. As long as you are here, we will surely drive the pirates away!"

Li Chuan’s eyes gleamed with resolve. He knew that this struggle had only just begun.