The destruction of the Black Tide Pirates was like a boulder hurled into a still lake, stirring far greater waves than expected in the turbulent waters of the West Blue. Those waves arose not merely from the disappearance of a pirate crew with a bounty exceeding thirty million, but also from the manner of its destruction and the delicate relationships it exposed.
After Gan Ning escorted the pirate leader Fraser and some of the spoils back to the Happo Navy branch and reported that he had "exterminated the Black Tide Pirates through meticulous planning and a hard-fought battle," he immediately caused a considerable stir within the Flower Country's military.
The Black Tide Pirates had plagued the trade routes for years, and several Happo Navy campaigns against them had ended in failure. Now Gan Ning, that "troublemaker," had actually taken them down in one stroke? Though the battle report was vague, the achievement was undeniable. Gan Ning consequently received commendations from his superiors and a substantial shipment of military supplies. His standing in the military rose, and he spoke with considerably more authority.
Yet paper could not wrap up a fire forever. No wall was entirely soundproof. Rumors quietly began circulating in limited circles that Gan Ning had close ties with a mysterious force called "Peach Blossom Spring," and that the Black Tide Pirates had actually been destroyed by Peach Blossom Spring, while Gan Ning had merely "claimed the credit."
Mixed with reports of uncertain truth-that Peach Blossom Spring possessed miraculous abilities, had fierce generals in abundance, and specifically killed corrupt officials and local tyrants-these rumors seemed to sprout wings, spreading through the towns, taverns, and underground intelligence networks along the West Blue's coast.
For the first time, Peach Blossom Spring, a name previously confined to rumors around Bluestone Town, truly came to the attention of certain interested parties in the West Blue.
Within Peach Blossom Spring, the excitement of their first victory gradually settled, turning into a stronger drive for development. After repairs and modifications, the three captured pirate ships became the first proper warships of Peach Blossom Spring's navy, named the Peach Spring, the Loyalty, and the Flying Swallow respectively. The naval force expanded, and Zhao Yun drilled it day and night, striving to make it combat-ready as soon as possible. The captured wealth and goods greatly eased their supply shortages, while the nautical charts, ocean current records, and intelligence on the various powers of the West Blue accumulated by the Black Tide Pirates were priceless treasures.
The core leadership gathered again in the council hall, but the atmosphere differed from before. There was less of the urgency of surviving in secrecy and more of an uplifting confidence as they looked toward the future.
"Big Brother, Fengxiao, we've made a name for ourselves in the West Blue now! What should we do next? Isn't it time to expand our territory?" Zhang Fei rubbed his fists eagerly, itching to find another pirate crew foolish enough to cross them and fight it immediately.
Guan Yu stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Be patient, Third Brother. With fame comes both fortune and danger. Peach Blossom Spring has likely attracted the attention of more powers by now, and some are bound to covet what we have. Our immediate priority is to consolidate our foundations and absorb the gains of our victory, not expand blindly."
Zhao Yun nodded in agreement. "Brother Guan Yu is absolutely right. Our army has just won a victory, but our navy is newly established, and our land forces also need time for integration and training. With our reputation spreading, we must guard against lurking scoundrels and prepare for possible changes in the authorities' attitude."
Huang Zhong said steadily, "While leading patrols through the mountains these past few days, I've discovered more signs of people spying on the surrounding area than before. Though most are scattered scouts, we cannot neglect our defenses."
Liu Bei looked worried. "As our reputation has risen, considerably more displaced civilians have come to join us in recent days. This is a good thing, but settling and screening them also takes considerable effort. We must be careful not to let spies slip in."
Guo Jia lounged against the back of his chair, listening to their discussion with a faint, elusive smile on his lips. Only when everyone's gaze returned to him did he speak unhurriedly. "Your concerns are all reasonable. Yet a crisis holds opportunity within its dangers. Peach Blossom Spring is now like a hidden dragon emerging from the depths. Though it has yet to soar into the heavens, its scales and claws have appeared, and its might has become known. The present situation can provide a crucial stroke in our great undertaking of 'establishing our name' and 'deepening our roots.'"
He sat upright, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. "There are three urgent matters we must begin at once:
"First, strike while the iron is hot and spread our reputation for benevolence. The Black Tide Pirates have been destroyed, and the trade routes are safe for the time being. This is welcome news for the towns and caravans along those routes. We can send people to spread word of this, linking it to Peach Blossom Spring's aspiration to 'uphold justice on Heaven's behalf and shelter the innocent.' At the same time, we should turn away none of the displaced people who come to us, but we must screen them rigorously and settle them properly, displaying the character of a benevolent and righteous army. This will win the people's hearts and lay a firm foundation for 'establishing our name.'"
"Second, use this momentum to forge allies in secret. After this affair, Gan Ning's interests are more closely tied to ours. Through this channel, we can try to establish closer ties with small merchant associations and influential local figures who resent the Flower Country's corruption or have disputes with the Happo Navy, exchanging what each side needs and even providing covert support. We can also attempt to contact other forces in the West Blue dissatisfied with the World Government or the major pirate crews. Even if we cannot form alliances for now, becoming acquainted and gathering intelligence would still be worthwhile."
"Third, strengthen ourselves to meet whatever changes come. Now that our reputation has spread, challenges are certain to follow. Whether the next step brings probes or suppression campaigns from the Flower Country's authorities, covetous attention from other pirate crews, or even... attention from higher levels, the intensity will far exceed anything we have faced before. Our forces must accelerate their integration and training, especially the navy! General Zhao Yun bears a heavy responsibility. Our weapons and equipment, intelligence network, and internal administration must all advance another level."
After hearing Guo Jia's analysis, Chen Yu agreed wholeheartedly. They had opened up new prospects, but all the more reason to tread the road ahead firmly, one step at a time. He said gravely, "Fengxiao's words strike at the heart of the matter. As the hidden dragon emerges from the depths, we must be all the more cautious in word and deed and accumulate our strength." His gaze swept over everyone. "Effective immediately:
"First, Liu Bei will oversee domestic affairs, taking responsibility for settling the displaced, allocating supplies, and internal education, promoting Peach Blossom Spring's ideals of 'uniting in righteousness against tyranny and sheltering the innocent.' Fengxiao will assist him, coordinating intelligence and external contacts, spreading our reputation for benevolence and quietly cultivating friendly ties."
"Second, Guan Yu will take overall command of the land forces, assisted by Zhang Fei and Huang Zhong. Strengthen training, improve our defensive system, and eliminate hostile spies in the surrounding area to ensure our base remains as firm as a rock."
"Third, Zhao Yun will devote his full efforts to developing the navy. Using the three new ships as its foundation, expand its ranks and intensify training. In the next stage, more of our endeavors will take place upon this sea!"
"Fourth, I will personally handle our contact with Gan Ning. Soon, I must meet him again to consolidate our relationship and use his channels to gain a deeper understanding of the West Blue's situation."
"Brothers, Peach Blossom Spring is no longer a hidden refuge tucked away in a corner. From this day forward, we will formally step onto the vast stage of the West Blue! The road ahead will surely be perilous, but with our hearts united, why should we fear wind and waves?"
"We will follow you, Big Brother (my lord), and build something great together!" Everyone roared their assent, their morale soaring.
With their strategy settled, the finely tuned machine that was Peach Blossom Spring sprang into high-speed operation once more.
Externally, under Guo Jia's planning, stories of Peach Blossom Spring's "righteous deeds" were packaged into various versions and quietly spread along the West Blue's coast through caravans, displaced people, and even some sailors under Gan Ning who were dissatisfied with the status quo. "Mysterious," "powerful," "benevolent and righteous," and "killers of corrupt officials and local tyrants" became Peach Blossom Spring's defining labels, drawing more talented individuals and ordinary civilians who could no longer endure oppression to join them. With a benevolent heart, Liu Bei properly settled the displaced and screened them rigorously, keeping Peach Blossom Spring's internal affairs in excellent order and winning the people's allegiance.
Internally, the intensity of military training reached new heights. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Huang Zhong made their land defenses ironclad and began practicing larger-scale troop operations. Zhao Yun's navy drilled day and night, familiarizing itself with the new ships' capabilities and practicing various naval tactics, steadily increasing its fighting strength.
Through secret channels, Chen Yu met Gan Ning again. This meeting was even more cordial. Gan Ning was now thoroughly convinced of Chen Yu's abilities, almost to the point of confiding in him without reservation. From Gan Ning, he obtained more detailed information about the various powers of the West Blue: the power struggles among the Flower Country's upper ranks, factions within the Happo Navy, movements in neighboring kingdoms such as the Ilisia Kingdom, and the threats posed by several active major pirate crews with bounties exceeding one hundred million. Chen Yu's understanding of the West Blue became clearer and deeper.
At the same time, Gan Ning brought the latest news from the Flower Country's authorities. "Brother Chen, opinions in the royal capital are divided over our affair. Some favor offering you amnesty and recruitment, believing you're a force worth having. But the faction calling for suppression, led by the prime minister and several generals with real power, has the louder voice. They consider you a grave threat and are preparing a large-scale campaign against you. The commander may be the Six Treasures Navy's deputy leader, an old veteran named 'Water Buffalo' Atlas. She's quite strong and has capable people under her. You need to prepare early."
The true challenge, an all-out counterattack from the Flower Country's authorities, was about to arrive. Peach Blossom Spring, this hidden dragon, had already bared its scales and claws. Its next step would be to battle through the storms amid the West Blue's towering waves and forge ahead toward that supreme goal! Beneath the boundless sky and across the vast sea, heroes emerged in great numbers, and the curtain was slowly rising on the era that belonged to Peach Blossom Spring.
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