The night was deep and still.
A small boat silently approached from the sea, slowly drawing near the two Dutch warships anchored in the harbor. Even after it reached the ships' sides, no one noticed them. Jiang Hao nodded to the three women, then shot up onto the deck.
Jiang Hao led the three women aboard and began searching. He was extremely sensitive to human presence and could detect anyone nearby. The dozen or so sailors and Sun Moon Holy Cult members standing watch aboard the ship were all dealt with by Jiang Hao before they could make a sound.
They did the same to the other ship. Then several large ships from Jiang Hao's fleet pulled alongside and swiftly took over the two Dutch sailing warships. In less than half an hour, the warships Dongfang Bubai had spent heavily to purchase changed hands.
Jiang Hao inspected them. Not only were these two warships the most advanced sailing vessels of the era, each was equipped with twenty Red Barbarian Cannons. They could be called the most advanced warships in the world.
The holds were also packed with gunpowder and cannonballs. Dongfang Bubai had prepared thoroughly, but now it all benefited Jiang Hao.
This haul was truly enormous.
But it was not over yet. Jiang Hao looked toward the distant ronin camp. It was brightly lit, with songs and music drifting over. Jiang Hao gave the order, "Sail these two ships out. Use our own ships and bombard the shore with everything you've got. Tonight, I want that ronin camp blasted flat!"
"Prepare the cannons!"
"Fire at will!"
At the command, the warships opened fire on the shore. Shell after shell arced through the air and landed in the camp, and the once-lively camp instantly erupted with thunderous explosions.
**Boom! Boom!