At noon that day, Cao Jinxing and Qin Xuanji arrived at the main camp in Taizhou.
Qi Jiguang's deputy, Lou Nan, had clearly received word already. He hurried out to meet them, arranged quarters for the two, and briefed them on military matters with great warmth.
Lu Yi and Yang Xi had arrived a step ahead and had already begun assisting with military affairs and coastal defense, closely watching the movements of Wang Zhi and his men.
Unexpectedly, despite losing half his forces at Ninghai and having the three thousand Matsuura elites almost entirely wiped out, Wang Zhi made no move.
Four hundred Wokou ships still floated silently on the sea, facing off against the government forces.
It was as though they knew nothing of what had happened.
"Lu, have you noticed anything wrong?"
At the Taizhou Guard Station, Cao Jinxing stood before a desk, his eyes fixed on the defense map.
Lu Yi frowned. "He still hasn't withdrawn to Zhoushan under these circumstances... Wang Zhi either has something to rely on, or he's prepared to sacrifice these men to pave the way for his later plans... Strange. Where does he get the nerve? Our forces are now equipped with the Red Lotus General, and our firepower is no weaker than that of the Wokou ships. The Maritime Route Commander has deliberately held back precisely to make them face the heavy cannons on shore. Are these people really not afraid of a joint attack by land and sea?"
"They're certainly afraid, but something must have steadied them."
Cao Jinxing pondered. "What other trump cards do the Wokou have? Gyuki?"
"Surely not."
Lu Yi said, "Since General Qi said it was gravely wounded, there's no reason it could recover in so little time."
Cao Jinxing's eyes flickered. "Perhaps it could..."
Lu