The news Zhao Yun brought back was like a boulder cast into a still lake, sending ripples through Peach Blossom Spring's inner circle. A detachment of the Happo Navy would soon patrol these waters, led by Gan Ning, the "Brocade Sail Pirate" renowned for his valor. This was both a grave challenge and the "opportunity" Guo Jia had spoken of.
The council hall was brightly lit. Chen Yu, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, and Guo Jia had gathered, the atmosphere grave and tense.
"Is the intelligence confirmed?" Chen Yu asked in a low voice, his gaze sharp.
Zhao Yun nodded. "The caravan leader has some ties to the Happo Navy's logistics personnel. The source is reliable. Gan Ning's detachment consists of roughly five medium-sized warships and five hundred men. They're expected to reach our nearby waters in ten days. Their stated purpose is to suppress the recently active Black Tide Pirates, but their patrol route happens to cover our stretch of coast."
Guo Jia leaned lazily against his chair, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table, though calculation glittered in his eyes. "Suppressing pirates is a pretext. Their real aim is to probe Peach Blossom Spring's strength, perhaps even seize the chance to assert their authority. Though the Bluestone Town affair was hushed up, the Flower Country's higher-ups can hardly be entirely unaware. Their intentions in sending a fierce general like Gan Ning are plain."
Zhang Fei's round eyes widened as he roared, "Who gives a damn! Five hundred sailors? They'll be sitting ducks once they're ashore! I've been itching for a fight!"
Guan Yu stroked his beard, his narrow eyes half closed as he assessed the situation calmly. "Third Brother, don't underestimate the enemy. Gan Ning has ranged across the seas; he is no mediocrity. His sailors are well trained and well equipped, with the added advantage of warships. Though we hold defensible ground, if he blockades the coast and cuts off our outside contacts, we will inevitably face hardship over time."
Huang Zhong spoke steadily. "Guan Yu is quite right. Our men are brave, but naval warfare is not our strength. And they outnumber us. A direct clash may not be the best course." Having recently gained Dialga's power, his perception reached farther, allowing him to sense potential risks.
Worry showed on Liu Bei's face. "If fighting breaks out, regardless of who wins, we will have openly broken with the Flower Country, leaving no room for reconciliation. Our earlier efforts to establish our legitimacy may all come to nothing."
Everyone's eyes turned to Chen Yu, awaiting his decision.
Chen Yu fell silent for a moment, rapidly weighing his options. Fighting head-on would come at a tremendous cost and reveal their full strength too soon; giving way would show weakness and might invite even greedier designs upon them. If they could resolve the conflict, or even... win Gan Ning over, the situation would open up considerably.
He looked at Guo Jia. "Fengxiao, how do you think we should handle this? Is there any chance... of turning an enemy into a friend?"
A sly smile curled at Guo Jia's lips. "You see clearly, my lord. Gan Ning is fierce, brave, and loyal, but proud by nature. He has found little success in the rigidly hierarchical Happo Navy, where seniority determines advancement, and often feels frustrated. That gives us an opening. But empty words will not win over such a formidable general. We must demonstrate strength, appeal to his tastes, and show him sincerity."
"How do we demonstrate strength? How do we appeal to his tastes?" Chen Yu pressed.
"Demonstrating strength does not mean annihilating his force. That would create too bitter a feud." Guo Jia had his plan ready. "When he comes ashore to investigate or provoke us, we can strike hard, blunt his momentum, and display our martial prowess and methods, making him understand that we are a difficult opponent, not easy prey. As for appealing to his tastes... Gan Ning relishes combat, respects the strong, and values brotherly loyalty even more. My lord can personally lead elite warriors such as Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to challenge him to a friendly martial contest. If we can best him in the fighting skills he takes the greatest pride in, then treat him with the courtesy due a hero and explain Peach Blossom Spring's purpose of 'uniting in righteousness to resist tyranny and shelter the innocent,' we may sway him."
"As for the sailors under his command..." Guo Jia looked at Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun. "Huang Zhong's superb archery can threaten them from afar, keeping their warships from approaching rashly. Zhao Yun is swift and can lead a small team to harass their supplies or spread rumors to unsettle their troops. In short, we must fight, but keep it measured; show our strength, but leave room to maneuver. The ultimate goal is to force Gan Ning to sit down and talk, not fight to the death."
After listening, Chen Yu saw the way forward clearly. Every part of Guo Jia's plan linked together, combining military deterrence with psychological pressure. It was precisely the best solution to their current predicament.
"Good! We'll follow Fengxiao's plan!" Chen Yu made his decision, sweeping his gaze over them. "Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, prepare to meet the enemy with me! Liu Bei, Fengxiao, oversee internal affairs, keep the people calm, and prepare for negotiations with Gan Ning!"
"Yes, my lord!" Spirits high, they accepted their orders and departed.
Over the following days, Peach Blossom Spring entered a tense state of battle readiness. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei intensified the soldiers' training, drilling them in countering landings; Zhao Yun led a reconnaissance team in watching the coastline day and night, closely tracking Gan Ning's fleet; Huang Zhong took his sharpshooter team to construct concealed firing positions on high ground facing the coast, familiarizing themselves with ranges and angles.
Chen Yu devoted himself to training, further familiarizing himself with the use of Arceus's power. He tried to integrate [All Things Regulation] more deeply with the surrounding environment, such as making the coastal reefs slicker and harder to climb, or subtly influencing local air currents to deflect enemy arrows. Though the effects were limited, he was already preparing for a possible battle.
At dawn ten days later, the sentry on the watchtower sounded the alarm: five medium-sized warships flying the Happo Navy's flag had appeared on the distant horizon and were sailing toward Peach Blossom Spring's coastline!
"They're finally here!" Chen Yu stood high in the valley, looking out to sea, fighting spirit rising in his eyes. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Huang Zhong stood solemnly behind him, their presence formidable. Guo Jia and Liu Bei remained at headquarters, ready to respond to various possibilities.
Gan Ning's fleet dropped anchor a little over half a kilometer offshore. This kept them beyond bowshot while allowing them to launch a landing attack at any time. Soon, three small boats were lowered from the ships, carrying around fifty elite sailors toward shore under a general's command. The general had short orange hair and wore the standard armor of the Flower Country's navy beneath a rather flamboyant brocade robe. Twin halberds hung at his waist, and an unruly expression marked his face. It was Gan Ning!
The boats reached shore, and Gan Ning leaped out, planting both feet firmly on the sand. He surveyed the surroundings, taking in the quiet coast with its faint undercurrent of danger, and broke into an unrestrained grin. "Hah, so there really is a capable bunch hiding in this godforsaken place? You even dealt with those useless fools in Bluestone Town? Interesting!"
His voice was loud and rough as the sea breeze, carrying far.
Seeing this, Chen Yu knew the time had come. With Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun, he walked slowly out of the wooded mountains onto the beach, facing Gan Ning from twenty paces away. Huang Zhong remained concealed in the dense woods on a distant cliff, his bow half drawn, his arrowhead gleaming coldly in the sunlight as he kept Gan Ning in his sights.
"Are you General Gan Ning of the Happo Navy?" Chen Yu called, his bearing composed.
Gan Ning sized Chen Yu up. Though young, he had an exceptional bearing, while the three men behind him each had distinctive features and an imposing presence. Gan Ning put aside some of his contempt and answered arrogantly, "That's right, I'm your Grandpa Gan! You're that 'Peach Blossom Spring' lot? Now that government troops are here, why haven't you surrendered?"
Zhang Fei flew into a rage at these words and was about to charge out when Guan Yu caught him and held him back.
Neither meek nor overbearing, Chen Yu smiled faintly. "You're mistaken, General. We have built homes here and live by our own labor. We have never plundered the common people. What crime have we committed? Yet you would arrest us without first determining right from wrong. Is that how government troops should behave?"
Gan Ning froze. He had not expected such composure, much less to have the accusation turned back on him. Humiliation flared into anger. "Enough nonsense! Gathering a mob in the mountains makes you bandits! If you know what's good for you, come back to the naval base with me for questioning. Otherwise, don't blame me when my halberds show no mercy!"
Chen Yu shook his head. "I've long heard that General Gan's valor surpasses the entire army and that he is a generous, forthright man. To meet you today and find you so unreasonable is truly disappointing. Since you insist on fighting, though we have no wish to oppose government troops, we have no choice but to oblige. However, blades have no eyes, and casualties would be unavoidable. Why not have each side send out a few men to test their martial skills, stopping short of injury? If we lose, you may do with us as you please. If your side loses, please withdraw your troops. What do you say?"
Gan Ning was belligerent by nature, and Chen Yu's proposal of single combat suited him perfectly. The terms also seemed fair, and he had absolute confidence in his own martial skills. He agreed at once. "Good! We'll do it your way! Let's see what you're capable of!"
In the first bout, Zhang Fei faced a brawny naval captain under Gan Ning's command. With a furious roar, Zhang Fei unleashed Groudon's power, his muscles bulging. Every punch and kick carried immense force, making him like a beast in human form. In fewer than three exchanges, he sent the captain flying backward, vomiting blood and falling unconscious.
Gan Ning's expression shifted slightly. Casting aside his contempt, he took up his halberds and entered the field himself. "Don't get cocky, you dark-faced brute! Take a blow from your Grandpa Gan!"
Guan Yu fought the second bout. His Green Dragon Crescent Blade met Gan Ning's twin halberds. The speed and wind pressure granted by Rayquaza's power made Guan Yu's bladework flow like water, swift and fierce. Gan Ning was highly skilled, his twin halberds whirling with unstoppable ferocity, but Guan Yu was better still. After more than thirty fierce exchanges, he struck Gan Ning's wrist with the back of his blade, knocking one halberd away!
Having lost two bouts in succession, Gan Ning was both shocked and furious, and felt deeply humiliated. He stared hard at Chen Yu. "Fine! Fine skills! Looks like I'll have to deal with you, their leader, myself!"
Chen Yu smiled faintly and stepped forward. "In that case, allow me to learn a few moves from you, General."
Gan Ning shouted and lunged forward, his twin halberds whirling like the wind. Chen Yu neither dodged nor retreated. Arceus's power circulated, and [All Things Regulation] affected the space around him, making Gan Ning feel as though he had sunk into a mire and slowing his movements for an instant! At the same time, Chen Yu struck with fists and feet. Though he followed no fixed forms, his attacks contained the beginnings of the laws of creation, every blow aimed directly at a weak point in Gan Ning's offense!
The longer Gan Ning fought, the more alarmed he became. His opponent's strength did not seem greater than his own, but that omnipresent pressure and strange sense of spatial restraint left him unable to bring his power to bear. It was unbearably stifling! After twenty exchanges, Chen Yu seized an opening and planted a palm strike carrying a faint pulse of life energy against Gan Ning's chest. It drove him back several steps, his blood surging, and nearly sent him falling onto his backside.
"Thank you for the match, General Gan." Chen Yu stood with his hands behind his back, his breathing steady.
Gan Ning's expression kept changing. He had lost, with no excuse to offer. His opponent had indeed held back. He looked at the tense sailors behind him, then at the perfectly composed Chen Yu and his three companions, and at the faint, intermittent glint of an arrowhead on the distant cliff, weighing things in his mind.
Just then, Guo Jia and Liu Bei emerged from the woods. Liu Bei cupped his hands in greeting and said gently, "General Gan, the outcome is settled. Might you hear me out? We gathered in Peach Blossom Spring out of necessity in these troubled times, seeking only survival, not to make enemies of the world. You are a hero of our age. Why serve as a tyrant's accomplice and risk your life for that corrupt government? Why not lay down our weapons and become friends?"
Guo Jia lazily added, "General Gan, I hear you face considerable exclusion in the navy. For all your abilities, you have little chance to fulfill your ambitions. Why confine yourself to one place? The world is vast. There is always somewhere for a hero to put his talents to use."
Gan Ning remained silent for a long while. He looked at Chen Yu and the others, then considered his own circumstances in the navy, as well as the strength and bearing Peach Blossom Spring had displayed. The balance in his heart gradually tipped. He was a man who followed his nature, respected heroes, and valued brave men.
At last, he sighed deeply, returned his twin halberds to his waist, and cupped his hands toward Chen Yu. "Enough! Today, I, Gan Ning, admit defeat! And I accept it wholeheartedly! Master Chen, brothers, you all have real skill! I'm not a man who can't take a loss! I'll withdraw my troops! As for becoming friends..." He grinned, showing white teeth. "That depends on whether this 'Peach Blossom Spring' of yours has any good wine!"
Chen Yu laughed heartily. "As much as you can drink! General Gan, this way!"
An imminent crisis was temporarily resolved through military deterrence, psychological pressure, and a sincere offer of friendship. Though Gan Ning had not immediately pledged allegiance, his hostility had faded, and a bridge of friendship had been built. With his withdrawal, Peach Blossom Spring's reputation quietly began spreading through the Happo Navy and beyond.
And Chen Yu knew that winning over Gan Ning, this "Brocade Sail Tiger," was now only a matter of time. Another major stumbling block had been cleared from Peach Blossom Spring's path to supremacy in the West Blue.
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