Beginning with the Ubume Bird

Chapter 242: Chapter 79 The Great Thief’s Fame (Part 1)

That night, the order went out from the Red Flag Gang to be passed to the various pirate leaders.

Zhang He and Zhufen each commanded their own faction, returning to their bases with troops in tow, along with the forces of the Black Flag’s Anqian Gang, Niuwei, White Bottom, and five others. They set off towards Xiangshan to eliminate the Portuguese fleet that was challenging the local authorities, intending to annihilate the enemy completely.

Lin Ajin, also a faction leader, along with Blue Flag’s Qianjun Biao, members of the White Flag Gang, the various island Tu Tribes, and over twenty island forces, each returned to their bases with full troop strength. They would intercept the scattered Portuguese fleets from Shunde, Xinhui, Panyu, and elsewhere.

The Red Flag Gang along with Cai Qian, each leading their own faction, gathered all their remaining forces and set off toward Guangzhou Bay to annihilate the main fleet of the English and Portuguese, where Archbishop Tang Ruola was located.

They would set sail at the third watch of the night.

The whistle sounded urgently…

Dark sails towered high, cannons loomed menacingly. Thousands of large ships converged then dispersed, each aligning into three dark streams at sea, while small boats returned to their own lairs with the news.

Over the vast South Seas, minuscule black currents each surged with activity. The power groups brought out their hidden reserves of men, ships, and strength— a tangible force of two hundred twenty thousand, thousands of ships large and small, forming a dark tide that pressed toward the mainland coast!

…

Zhang He was a Hakka, a villager from Pan, brave and cunning. He once forcefully seized lands and, after killing someone, was captured and sent to the official in charge for interrogation. Granted amnesty, he then gathered a following, hoisted the Nine-star Black Flag, served the Elder Taoist, nurtured disciples, bowed before statues, and chanted spells—proclaiming invincibility to blades and bullets. His reputation as a “Demon Thief” spread wide, and he amassed a following of over ten thousand, their banners covering the sky.

——From the Deshun Longjiang County Annals

Zhufen, known as Jiuma Yishu, barely literate and turned to piracy, was astute; his peers followed his command. To avoid confrontation, he frequently traveled to Japan via the Xijiang River. Engaging in trade with Suzhong, he coveted the Fujian and Guangdong regions, long troubling the southeast.

——From The Beginning and End of the Lan Pirates

The night grew thicker, waves slapped against the ship’s hull, each sound resonating in the ears.

This was the top cabin of Zhang He’s cannon ship. Late into the night, Zhufen came to visit, wishing to see Zhang He.

“I heard that after the grand meeting at the Tianbo Division, Cai Qian invited Tianbao to the Cai Family Ancestral Temple. Heh, this Mr. Cai really knows how to climb the ladder…”

Zhufen’s tone was bitterly sarcastic. Suddenly, he frowned and asked Qi Daoji, “Where is brother Zhang He?”

Qi Daoji bowed and stroked his mustache, “Commissioner is in seclusion, Dragon Head Zhu, please wait a moment.”

Zhufen rolled his eyes, recalling the sullen face Zhang He had when he returned defeated to the Tianbo Division. He chuckled, “What? Brother Zhang, could it be that you still have some secret arts left unperformed?”

Qi Daoji made a sound of acknowledgement, smiling and gesturing with his hands, “Our Commissioner is merely healing from injuries to his ‘Corpse Dog’ spirit, which were suffered during his bout with Tianbao Dragon Head. There are no secret arts left to play.”

“Humph, why hide it from me? Who in the South Seas doesn’t know that Zhang He, on the Dharma Platform, could manipulate the Red Hair’s Vasco Warships like a child’s playthings? It’s just that during the bout, such spells couldn’t be used, that’s all.”

After they exchanged pleasantries, the curtain lifted and Zhang He, draped in a heavy cloak, stepped in. Wisps of white vapor rose from his black hair, a startling sight.

Zhang He entered with knitted brows, drenched in cold sweat, yet his eyes shone bright like torches, “You’ve been waiting, Dragon Head Zhu. What brings you here in the dead of night?”

Upon seeing Zhang He, Zhufen flicked his sleeves, “Looking at you, brother Zhang, could it be that you’ve made some advancements?”

“That Tianbao, I fear, has inherited the teachings of some lesser deity—his prowess is no longer what it was. If I do not seek progress, wouldn’t I have my head taken by the Red Flag Gang within a few years?”

Leaning forward, Zhufen said, “I’ve heard that there’s a horrendous secret art within the Defying techniques; if one consumes the second half of the spine of a Defying master, they could gain half of that person’s lifetime cultivation. Could it be that Tianbao…”

Zhang He shook his head, “I’m all too familiar with Madam Shi’s sorcery— the methods used by Tianbao bear no resemblance to hers.”

Clapping his hands, Zhufen exclaimed, “Doesn’t that mean that somewhere in Lantau Island, there’s someone with half of Mrs. Yan’s skills hidden away?”

Zhang He looked at him with a smile that was not quite a smile, “Commissioner Zhu, if you have something to say, just speak plainly.”

Zhufen coughed twice, “Brother Zhang, our ‘Alliance Hierarch’ has already issued the order. We are to dispatch troops tonight and attack Xiangshan first. This matter—”

“My brothers have gathered the men, ships, and cannons, just waiting to set sail.”

Zhufen stomped his foot, “Hey, brother, why are you so honest!”

Zhang He pressed his fingers together, “What do you mean by that, Commissioner Zhu?”

“This Alliance Hierarch… claims to be Zheng Xiu’er, but in reality, isn’t it just that Tianbao? He wants to play the saint but also stand herself out like a whorehouse’s signpole. Ever since Madam Shi was alive, I’ve seen it—the Red Flag Gang, these people are ungrateful and unloyal, not fit for plotting. Among the five-direction pirates, both of us have bad blood with Tianbao—”

Zhufen swallowed his saliva, “Brother Zhang, this time the South Seas pirates have all come out, almost two hundred thousand strong. Though the Red-haired Men are fierce, they’re still of flesh and blood, definitely not our match. But now that we’ve arrived at Guangzhou, it’s already good if that Tianbao even lets us have a taste of the spoils.”

“Then… according to Commissioner Zhu’s thoughts?”

“When we get to Xiangshan, we deliberately leak news, letting them know that their main force in Guangzhou Bay is in trouble. The Red-haired Men will certainly try to break out and reinforce them. We’ll feign pursuit, let the Red Hair’s warships go cause trouble for the Red Flag and Cai Qian, then land and head straight for Guangzhou. If we get to Guangzhou City first, won’t we be the ones giving and taking as we please?!”

Upon hearing this, Zhang He burst into laughter and stood up.

“I’ve been pondering for a while, and I’ve come to the same conclusion as Commissioner Zhu.”

Seeing Zhang He’s stance, Zhufen knew his trip had been mostly successful and felt quite elated.

“Then it’s decided.”

“I’ll follow Commissioner Zhu’s lead.”

“It’s a deal, then. When the time comes to capture Guangzhou, I’ll take the northern part of the city, and leave the southern part for you, brother Zhang. After this haul, we won’t have to worry about money or clothes even if we wash our hands clean of this business!”

Zhang He responded twice, his eyes deep.

After Zhufen left the boat, satisfied, Qi Daoji came to Zhang He’s side.

“Commissioner, that Zhufen…”

Zhang He raised his hand and turned to ask Qi Daoji, “Teacher Qi, those things you investigated before, are you confident about them?”

Qi Daoji nodded, “Zhufen and us are just scapegoats for the Red Flag Gang! The cannons on the Spirit of the Duck are exactly the same as the Red Hair’s warships’, there’s no mistaking it!”

“And that thing the Red-haired Men are mad to get back, it’s in Tianbao’s hands as well?”

“Most likely. Otherwise, after everyone had run through their armaments, where would Tianbao have found the confidence to bring out dozens more cannons?”

“Daoji, if we get our hands on that thing, how would you handle it?”

“Naturally, I’d hide it in our lair, quietly make a fortune…”

Qi Daoji’s voice halted, “Governor?”

“Zhufen is too short-sighted. Indeed, Guangzhou is rich as can be, but whether you eat more or less of this meat, it won’t change the overall situation. Tianbao will still be the South Seas Alliance Hierarch, even if he has to sacrifice some troops. His prestige will also reach its peak…”

Zhang He’s gaze grew profound, “Once we arrive at Xiangshan County, how things will be done will be up to my command.”