When Hu Xiaotian emerged from the room again, his expression had grown even graver. After taking his leave of Qin Yutong, he prepared to return and discuss the matter. Just as he was about to go out, a deep, resonant voice suddenly sounded behind him. "My lord, perhaps I can be of some help!"
Hu Xiaotian turned to look. It was Chang Fanqi who had spoken. Overjoyed, Hu Xiaotian said, "Brother Fanqi, let's go somewhere else to talk."
The two left Tongren Hall and went together to Hu Xiaotian's residence. Li Mingcheng was already waiting there. He had prepared a nautical chart and spread it flat across the table.
Hu Xiaotian pointed to Wolf Fang Bay on the chart. "They were ambushed here. According to Hu Pi, dozens of pirate warships surrounded their fleet, including three heavy warships."
Li Mingcheng murmured, "How could a rabble like that have heavy warships?"
Chang Fanqi said, "The pirates of Python Jiao Island are no rabble. Their leader was named Yan Tianlu, and he is the uncle of Yan Dongsheng, king of the Bohai Kingdom. After losing a struggle for the throne, he had no choice but to lead his followers out of the Bohai Kingdom, raise his own banner, and become a pirate. He changed his name as well, replacing the Yan that means 'countenance' with the Yan in the name of the King of Hell, publicly severing his ties with the Bohai Yan Dynasty. He has been a pirate for more than thirty years now. Yan Tianlu should be nearly seventy."
Hu Xiaotian had not expected Chang Fanqi to know so much about the pirates of Python Jiao Island. He asked earnestly, "Brother Fanqi, do you know anything about Python Jiao Island's true strength?"
Chang Fanqi nodded. "A little. The Bohai Kingdom