Chapter 22: Tentative Ambush

Night fell, and the sea was shrouded in silence, broken only by the soft sound of waves stirred by a gentle breeze. Li Chuan stood on the deck of the command ship, his gaze locked intently on the dark horizon. He knew this was not merely the first operation of the fisherman fleet; it was a test that would determine the spirit and resolve of his people.

"Check your equipment!" he commanded in a low voice. The fishermen quickly verified their crossbows, spears, and ropes, ensuring the jars of incendiary oil at the stern were securely stowed to prevent accidents.

Just the day before, scouts had reported that a small flotilla of three Japanese pirate ships was approaching the waters near the village. The pirates clearly did not realize that the fishermen were no longer the helpless prey they once were.

Li Chuan had devised a simple yet ingenious ambush, utilizing the complex terrain of the reef area to set his trap. He divided the fisherman fleet into three groups:
1. The Lure Team: Two vessels disguised as ordinary fishing boats, tasked with drawing the pirates into the ambush zone.
2. The Main Strike Force: Concealed behind hidden reefs, ready to deliver a lethal blow.
3. The Support Team: Hidden deep within the bay, responsible for cutting off the pirates' retreat.

"They are here," a scout whispered.

Under the dim moonlight, the three pirate ships crept closer, moving like phantoms across the sea and exuding a chilling aura. Li Chuan could faintly see pirate warriors standing at the bows, long swords in hand, scanning their surroundings with vigilant eyes.

The Lure Team’s boats pretended not to notice the enemy, rowing slowly toward the reef area. As expected, the pirate ships accelerated, closing in like predatory beasts.

"Ready!" Li Chuan ordered quietly. The men of the Main Strike Force gripped their weapons and held their breath, waiting for the signal that the pirates had entered the trap.

Just as the pirate ships were about to cross the reef zone, the Lure Team’s boats swerved sharply and fled, simultaneously igniting the oil jars at their sterns. Fierce flames erupted, and plumes of thick smoke billowed into the air, creating a momentary screen that blinded the pirates.

"Attack!" At Li Chuan’s command, the boats of the Main Strike Force surged out from behind the reefs.

The fishermen unleashed a barrage of spears and crossbow bolts. One pirate ship, unable to dodge in time, struck a hidden reef; its hull tilted, and chaos broke out on its deck. Another attempted to turn and flee, only to be intercepted by the Support Team.

The pirates clearly had not expected such an organized counterattack. They fought back desperately, but under the onslaught of fire and the fierce aggression of the fishermen, they quickly lost the upper hand. A pirate warrior who jumped overboard in an attempt to swim to the reef was struck by a spear and fell into the blood-stained water.

In the end, all three pirate ships were destroyed; the invaders were either killed or wounded, and not one escaped.

"We won!" As the last pirate fell, the fishermen erupted in cheers.

This was their first proactive strike and a complete victory. Though it was only a small band of pirates, the significance to the villagers was immense.

Li Chuan stood at the bow, watching the burning wreckage. His heart was filled with complex emotions. This was a test and a victory, but he knew well that this battle was only the beginning.

Back at the village, Li Chuan gathered all the participants for a debriefing. He analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the ambush in detail and encouraged everyone to keep working hard.

"We succeeded this time because we stood united and utilized both the terrain and the enemy’s arrogance," Li Chuan stated. "But we must remain vigilant and refine our skills. The main force of the pirates has yet to appear; we must be prepared for much greater battles!"

He proposed several improvements:
1. Trap Upgrades: Utilize more concealed reefs and tidal patterns to place more threatening oil jars and spike traps.
2. Signal Coordination: Establish uniform light and flag signals between the fleets to ensure tighter coordination during combat.
3. Weaponry Refinement: Use captured pirate gear to improve existing weapons, increasing the fishermen's offensive and defensive capabilities.

The fishermen were stirred to passion, all pledging their continued service. An elder fisherman said excitedly, "Brother Chuan, we are with you! Just say the word, and we will do it!"

After further discussion, Li Chuan decided to expand the scale of the fleet and spread the news of their victory to neighboring villages, calling on others to join the resistance.

"The pirates are not invincible," he concluded at the end of the meeting. "As long as we are united, using our wisdom and courage, these waters will eventually belong to us!"

With Li Chuan’s call to arms, the confidence of the fishermen soared, and the entire village was filled with a sense of hope and fighting spirit never seen before. They knew the next battle would be harder, but also far more meaningful.

The night was as dark as ink, and the sea shimmered with a faint, rippling light, as if whispering that the next storm was approaching. The news of the pirate scouts being sunk reached nearby villagers, filling them with a mix of joy and disbelief. The pirates were notorious for their cruelty, yet this group of fishermen, who had once only known how to flee along the coastline, had successfully ambushed and annihilated a pirate unit!

"Victory is worth celebrating, but we must not grow complacent," Li Chuan said in a low voice, watching the fishermen celebrate around him.

He knew clearly that tonight’s victory was merely a test. The true threat of the pirates had yet to arrive. Their main force was led by the "Sea Ghost," a heavily armed warship that terrorized the seas. According to the confessions of captured pirates, this ship possessed a thick wooden hull, several small cannons, and a crew of well-trained warriors and slave sailors—the core of the pirate menace raiding the coastal villages.

"Next, we must prepare for the true test," Li Chuan silently resolved.

Upon returning to the village, Li Chuan convened a tactical meeting with his core group. They decided to leverage their accumulated experience to further perfect the maritime ambush circle.

1. Expand the Ambush Zone: Li Chuan proposed extending the ambush points to deeper waters, not only increasing stealth but also using the currents to prevent the pirates from escaping quickly.
2. Add More Traps: Increase the use of floating oil barrels and spiked log rafts, forcing the enemy into dead ends using the tidal flow.
3. Strengthen Coordination: Li Chuan personally led training on light signals and flag codes, ensuring seamless communication between squads.

During the training, the fishermen displayed remarkable aptitude. Many were ordinary fishers, but under Li Chuan’s encouragement, they began to apply their fishing expertise to combat: how to judge current directions, how to hide their tracks, and how to use the wind to launch an attack.

A young fisherman said excitedly after a drill, "Brother Chuan, I never realized the skills we learned from years of fishing could be used to fight the pirates! Now, I have confidence!"

Two days later, the main pirate unit appeared as expected. This time, they sent five armed ships, including one small warship equipped with cannons and four fast boats. The pirates had clearly learned from their previous defeat; they were in a tighter formation, and their speed was much faster.

"Those dogs have grown smart," a fisherman observed quietly.

"But their cleverness is not enough to defeat us," Li Chuan replied calmly. He adjusted his ambush plan with composure:
1. The Main Strike Force moved from behind the reefs to deeper waters to avoid the range of the warship’s cannons.
2. The Lure Team added another fishing boat and dispersed their movements to distract the pirates as much as possible.
3. The Support Team switched to two lighter boats, circling ahead to the rear flanks of the pirate formation to form a pincer.

"Action!" At Li Chuan’s command, the fisherman fleet moved swiftly.

The three boats of the Lure Team darted about like panicked fish, fleeing in all directions before the pirates. The pirate fast boats accelerated in pursuit, but the warship, burdened by its size, was forced to slow down, attempting to provide fire support from a distance.

The Main Strike Force seized the opportunity to flank them, quickly closing in on two of the pirate fast boats. At a distance of less than five fathoms, the fishermen ignited their oil jars and used long hooks to toss them onto the pirate ships. Instantly, flames shot into the sky, and the two pirate ships fell into chaos.

"Well done! Keep the pressure on!" Li Chuan shouted from the command ship.

At the same time, the Support Team’s light boats quietly approached the warship from the rear. Although the warriors on the warship reacted quickly, firing arrows at the fishermen, the men used the agility of their small boats to successfully hurl oil jars onto the warship’s stern. The flames, fueled by the wind, spread rapidly, and the pirates on the deck were thrown into disarray.

However, the pirates were well-trained; they quickly stabilized the situation. A warrior led several sailors to extinguish the fire with wet cloths while operating the cannons to counterattack the Main Strike Force.

"Retreat!" Li Chuan ordered decisively, and the strike boats withdrew quickly to avoid the cannon fire.

Despite this, the ambush was a decisive victory. Of the five pirate ships, two fast boats were completely destroyed, one was severely damaged and unable to continue, and the warship’s stern was scorched, losing some of its maneuverability.

The pirates were forced to retreat, fleeing from the village waters in disgrace.

After the battle, the fishermen cheered again. However, Li Chuan did not indulge in the joy of victory. He stood on the deck, gazing deeply in the direction the pirates had fled.

"They will return, and they will bring even greater force," he whispered to Lanna, who stood beside him.

Lanna nodded. "Indeed, but today’s victory has proven one thing—we can defeat them."

"Next, we need to unite more strength," Li Chuan said, clenching his fist. "Not just the fishermen in our village, but those in the surrounding areas. Only by gathering everyone’s strength can we completely drive out the pirates."

That night, Li Chuan gathered the village elders and leaders for a debriefing. He clearly outlined the potential threat and proposed a new plan:
1. Continue to expand the fleet and strengthen support for other villages.
2. Study the captured pirate weapon technology and improve their own equipment.
3. Deploy more traps and early warning systems at key coastal points to prevent surprise attacks.

"As long as we stand together, the pirates will have no place to hide!" Li Chuan declared firmly.

The fishermen present were stirred with fervor. They knew their fate was now firmly in their own hands, and Li Chuan was the new hope and leader of these waters.