Watching Xia Changming's movements, Chang Fanqi could not help admiring him inwardly. Hu Xiaotian's string of victories was no accident. Without extraordinary charisma, how could he have won the allegiance of such remarkable people? Turning his thoughts to himself, he realized that his own impression of Hu Xiaotian had changed considerably without his even noticing.
Hu Xiaotian picked up his robe from beside him and put it on, then said with a smile, "Changming, you were so busy enjoying your eagle ride that you forgot we were waiting here until our eyes nearly wore out."
Xia Changming chuckled. "Please don't blame me, my lord. Python Jiao Island's terrain is complicated, and I had to avoid being spotted, so it took a little longer."
"Thank you for your efforts!" Hu Xiaotian said.
"It was hardly any trouble," Xia Changming replied.
Hu Xiaotian had someone prepare food and summon Yang Yuanqing. The men talked as they ate.
The intelligence Xia Changming had gathered painted a grimmer picture than expected. Python Jiao Island had around two hundred warships, over thirty of them large vessels. The island measured roughly twenty li from north to south and ten li from east to west. A natural crescent-shaped harbor lay on its northeastern side, while towering cliffs lined its western shore. High walls and arrow towers had been built on every relatively flat stretch of land. There was another particularly troubling development: numerous catapults had been deployed along the coast.
Hu Xiaotian was taken aback by the news. These pirates actually had catapults, which meant they could attack at long range. He had originally counted on his fifty Heaven-Shaking Thunders to give him complete superiority in ranged combat. Now, a direct assault on Python Jiao Island looked impractical. The enemy's catapults could inflict damage on his forces