In the late summer of Sea Circle Calendar 1514, Guo Jia's "psychological intervention" with Chinjao was like a stone cast into stagnant water. Though it had not immediately resolved his inner anguish, it had successfully breached the sealed walls of despair around his mind, allowing a glimmer of light inside. Not long after Guo Jia returned to the fleet and dispatched a swift ship to notify the Happo Navy at once, a crucial turning point for the navy's future quietly unfolded on the mist-shrouded island.
The swift ship traveled day and night, carrying the news back to the Happo Navy's base. Shocked and anxious at the news, Sai and Abu wasted no time. They immediately led an elite squad aboard their fastest ship and headed straight for the misty island, heedless of the wind and waves. When they landed and, guided by Zhao Yun's troops, saw Chinjao curled up amid the ruins, gaunt and hollow-eyed, the tough man's eyes instantly reddened, while Abu burst into tears.
"Grandpa!" Sai rushed forward and dropped to his knees before Chinjao, his voice choked. "I've failed you as your grandson and let you suffer!"
Chinjao's clouded eyes shifted slightly as he looked at his desperately anxious grandson and his weeping younger grandson. A faint flicker crossed his numb face. He opened his mouth but could produce no coherent sound. He merely extended a trembling hand, seemingly wanting to touch Sai, then recoiled as though burned and said dejectedly, "Y-you... what did you come here for? In this state, how can I have the face to see you?"
"Grandpa! What are you saying?" Sai caught Chinjao's retreating hand and held it tightly, his voice firm. "You're the Pillar of the Happo Navy! You're our grandpa! Whatever happens to you, you always will be! The Happo Navy can't do without you! Abu and I can't do without you!"
Abu threw himself forward too, hugging Chinjao's arm. "Grandpa, let's go home! Everyone's waiting for you! Your drill-shaped head, winning or losing-none of it matters! What matters is that you're all right!"
The warmth of family affection began to thaw the ice in Chinjao's heart like the most effective medicine. The seed Guo Jia had planted earlier-"Sai and Abu, your own flesh and blood, are worrying about you"-now began to sprout, watered by their affection. As Chinjao looked at his grandsons' sincere, anxious faces and listened to their heartfelt words, the grievances, pain, and self-reproach that had built up over the years seemed to find an outlet, turning into two streams of murky tears that slid down his aged cheeks.
He neither flew into a rage nor roared as he had before. Instead, like a lost child who had found his family, he clasped Sai's and Abu's hands tightly in return and broke into loud sobs. This was no longer a roar of despair, but an outpouring of relief and guilt.
Sai and Abu hugged their grandfather tightly, offering silent support. Zhao Yun and Guo Jia watched quietly from a distance, knowing that family affection had accomplished the most crucial step.
Under Sai's and Abu's patient soothing and persuasion, Chinjao's emotions gradually settled. He agreed to return with them to the Happo Navy's base to recuperate. Before leaving, he cast a long look toward Guo Jia and Zhao Yun. Though he said nothing, most of the hostility and wariness in his eyes had faded, replaced by a trace of indescribable complexity-perhaps gratitude, perhaps appraisal.
Guo Jia did not approach to disturb them, merely cupping his hands in salute from afar. He knew that this incident had brought a subtle, positive change to the relationship between Peach Blossom Spring and the Happo Navy. This goodwill, forged jointly through a helping hand and family affection, would surely have far-reaching effects.
After seeing Chinjao's party off, Guo Jia and Zhao Yun led their troops back to Longquan Island as well. Although this operation had not fully healed Chinjao's emotional wounds, it had successfully stabilized this formerly Admiral Candidate-level powerhouse and established a good relationship with the core of the Happo Navy's next generation. Its strategic objectives had been fully achieved.
Yet the waves of the West Blue never rested. Just as Peach Blossom Spring successfully handled the Chinjao incident, a new conspiracy was brewing in the Chancellor's residence in the Flower Country's capital.
The Flower Country's Chancellor was shocked and furious when he learned that Shadow Fox and his followers had been wiped out, and that Guo Jia had followed the trail to root out most of the covert agents he had planted in various places. He knew full well that directly deploying the Flower Country's official forces against Peach Blossom Spring would not only offer uncertain prospects of victory, but could easily spark internal unrest and even give other powers an opening.
"So, Peach Blossom Spring! Chen Yu! Guo Jia!" The Chancellor's face darkened. "Force won't work, and intelligence operations have suffered a setback. It seems I must kill with a borrowed blade and set a tiger upon the wolf!"
He summoned a trusted aide and instructed him in a low voice, "Send out the order. Use all our resources in the Underworld to spread this news: within the Flower Country in the West Blue, the newly risen force known as Peach Blossom Spring has a leader, Chen Yu, and generals under him such as Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, who possess rare Devil Fruit abilities suspected to be Ancient Zoan or even Mythical Zoan! Reliable intelligence indicates that they possess a technology called 'Source of Life,' which can greatly increase crop yields and even rapidly heal injuries and illnesses! Longquan Island, which they occupy, is extraordinarily fertile and holds astonishing wealth!"
The aide accepted the order. A vicious gleam flashed in the Chancellor's eyes as he added, "Also, anonymously post enormous bounties in the Underworld: one billion Beli for Chen Yu's head! Three hundred million Beli for the head of any general under him! Anyone providing crucial intelligence will also be richly rewarded!"
It was an exceptionally malicious scheme. He painted Peach Blossom Spring as a "fat sheep" that possessed rare fruit abilities, miraculous technology, and immense wealth. Once the news spread, it would be enough to draw countless greedy eyes:
Those curious about the power of Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits would covet the "Mythical Zoan" abilities.
Those greedy for wealth would lust after the enormous bounties and rumored riches.
Those interested in technology might set their sights on the "Source of Life" technology.
When the time came, forces from every quarter would swarm in like sharks scenting blood, attacking Peach Blossom Spring relentlessly. It would be enough to wear them out and perhaps even gravely weaken them. The Chancellor could then sit back and reap the rewards.
After returning to Longquan Island, Guo Jia and Zhao Yun immediately gave Chen Yu a detailed account of the Chinjao incident. Chen Yu expressed satisfaction with the outcome and was about to discuss their next strategy toward the Flower Country's court when a spy responsible for external intelligence under Guo Jia delivered urgent intelligence-news that the Chancellor was spreading rumors on the black market and posting astronomical bounties!
The atmosphere inside Dragon Might Hall instantly grew solemn.
"What a scheme to set a tiger upon a wolf!" Liu Bei's brow furrowed deeply. "If it succeeds, Peach Blossom Spring will never know peace!"
Zhang Fei flew into a rage. "One billion Beli? Three hundred million Beli? That old Chancellor really has spared no expense! I'll head to the Flower Country's capital right now and twist his damned head off!"
Guan Yu narrowed his Phoenix Eyes slightly, his killing intent chilling. "A posturing clown, out of tricks. Yet this scheme is indeed insidious. The swarming flies may not be deadly, but they will be irritating, and they will expose our strengths and weaknesses."
Zhao Yun said steadily, "Though our army is strong now, simultaneously dealing with assassinations, probing, and harassment from all directions will inevitably affect our development and troop training. We must take precautions early."
Chen Yu looked at Guo Jia. "Fengxiao, what do you think?"
Guo Jia gently waved his feather fan. Uxie's power allowed him to swiftly perceive both the scheme's sinister nature and potential ways to counter it. After a moment's deliberation, a meaningful smile instead curled his lips. "My lord, gentlemen, this crisis is also an excellent opportunity for us to establish our reputation and train our troops!"
"Oh?" Chen Yu signaled for him to continue.
"The Chancellor's scheme appears dangerous, but it actually reveals that he has exhausted his options and can only rely on outside forces," Guo Jia analyzed. "He wants to wear us out responding to attacks, but I intend to seize this opportunity to display our military might, identify allies, and even... turn the tables on him!"
He rose, walked to the map of the West Blue, and pointed to several key locations. "Our countermeasures are as follows:
Appear relaxed while maintaining tight internal defenses, and spread our net in wait. Publicly, our forces will carry on as usual, showing weakness to lure the enemy out. In secret, General Zhao Yun's navy must intensify patrols and expand its early-warning perimeter; the forces under Generals Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Huang Zhong must draw up contingency plans for surprise attacks by small elite units; Lord Liu Bei must strengthen internal screening to guard against infiltration.
Let intelligence lead the way and strike precisely. I will mobilize every intelligence network to closely monitor suspicious forces entering the West Blue. For those who are vicious beyond measure and have complicated backgrounds, we can send elite squads to annihilate them with lightning force the moment they enter our territory, making an example of them! Let the world know that money from Peach Blossom Spring is not so easily earned!
Counter their narrative and expose the truth. We can have friendly forces such as Pillar Qi Ming spread the truth through suitable channels, making clear that this is a vicious scheme by the Flower Country's Chancellor to eliminate rivals out of jealousy of talent, turning the trouble back upon the Chancellor himself. At the same time, we can appropriately display our army's positive image as defenders of our territory and protectors of the people to win sympathy.
Use this to establish our might and warn potential enemies. If a 'big fish' comes, it will be the perfect sacrifice for our banner! Concentrate superior forces to annihilate them publicly with overwhelming strength, then hang their heads on display! This single move will both deter petty villains and show the outside world our army's true strength, making those who covet what we have think twice!
Divide and recruit, turning enemies into useful personnel. For forces that are not irredeemably evil, or that come for profit, we can attempt contact or persuade them to surrender after capturing them, bringing them into our service. We can even use this to identify truly courageous, insightful people with potential."
Guo Jia's strategy brimmed with initiative, transforming a potential disaster into a strategic opportunity they could actively seize.
After listening, Chen Yu's eyes gleamed. "Fengxiao's plan is exactly what I had in mind! We will proceed accordingly! Send orders to the entire army: effective immediately, enter the highest state of combat readiness! We will let the entire Underworld know that Peach Blossom Spring is no place for them to run wild! And we will make the Flower Country's Chancellor understand that his end is not far off!"
"Yes, my lord!" the generals answered thunderously, their fighting spirits high.
As the Chancellor's vicious scheme unfolded, Peach Blossom Spring, a ship whose recent storm had only just begun to subside, was once again pushed into the heart of even fiercer undercurrents. This time, however, Chen Yu, Guo Jia, and the others at the helm were already prepared to brave the winds and waves, and even turn the force against them to their own advantage. This single bounty notice would make the situation in the West Blue even more unpredictable, while Peach Blossom Spring's edge would be honed ever sharper through these repeated trials.
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