Beginning with the Ubume Bird
Chapter 715 - Chapter 715 Chapter 4 Parting Sorrow (Part 2)

Chapter 715: Chapter 4 Parting Sorrow (Part 2) Chapter 715: Chapter 4 Parting Sorrow (Part 2) No matter what, that Tianbao, who once financially dominated Cai Qian and surpassed Zhang He in martial prowess, who shattered the Red-haired Officials and Soldiers, had at one point made the Red Flag Gang the master of the South Seas. Now that three of the Five Flags have fallen and the national surname, Zheng, is teetering, it is only human for the leaders to reminisce about the old leader.

“That’s right, Leader Xiu, why hasn’t Tianbao Dragon Head arrived yet? Didn’t you say he would be here shortly? Whether we fight or flee, we need him to make the call,”

Cha Xiaodao rolled his eyes, Go ahead, let him make the call; it was his idea anyway.

Confronted with the question, Zheng Xiu was at a loss for words. Xu Chaoyi knew full well that the real Tianbao was not informed about the meeting in the Martial Arts Hall. Just as he was about to speak, Zheng Xiu interjected, “Zhi Nong speaks the truth.”

She turned to Li Yan with a playful wink, “Why don’t you go urge him, Yunsheng?”

Xu Chaoyi was initially taken aback but quickly understood; today’s Zheng Yunsheng was indeed off, could it be that he had already collaborated with Tianbao Dragon Head…

“…”

Li Yan and Zheng Xiu exchanged glances, smiled faintly, nodded in agreement, and then walked past everyone out of the Martial Arts Hall.

About a quarter of an hour later, Xue Ba and Qian Tuo returned with reports; the families and confidants of Yang Feng had been taken under control, and their forces of twelve Manila large ships, and more than twenty gunboats and small vessels had also been taken over. The dust had settled.

The crowd was anxiously discussing when suddenly, a tall shadow appeared at the door. The newcomer had only a short stubble on his head, was dressed in a black short coat, wore straw shoes on his feet, hurried inside, bypassed the unwittingly standing leaders of the Red Flag, and sat in the main seat facing the door, surveying the room.

“Have Yang Zuowu and Feng Kaiming not arrived yet?”

No need to say who had arrived.

Zheng Xiu remained composed and reported the events that had just occurred. She concluded, “Regardless of whether Yang and Feng were deceived or harbored wolfish ambitions and fabricated rumors, the position of leader cannot be occupied by them for the time being.”

“After all, we are brothers; we cannot just overturn their chairs over a few confused words. When things settle down a bit, I’ll handle it,”

At that, Zheng Xiu brought up Cha Xiaodao’s suggestion to abandon Lantau Island.

The elders grew agitated again at the mention of abandoning Lantau Island.

“There are still several thousand elderly and weak on Lantau Island, already unable to withstand the rough seas. Cha Daozi keeps insisting we abandon Lantau Island; does he want them to die at sea or let them be slaughtered by the officials and soldiers?”

It turned out that the Red Flag Gang had scattered about two thousand ship heads across the South Seas, with over ten thousand stationed at Macau, and a total of thirty-eight thousand remaining on the island, including craftsmen, elderly, and children, as well as several thousand disabled–after all, the sea is perilous, and Red Flag pirates risk their lives to make a living, injuries were inevitable.

For a hundred years, each leader of the Red Flag had taken care of the disabled and orphans within the gang, and even when the elderly and weak from the other Four Flags sought help, Lantau Island would admit them without hesitation. So it was not difficult to imagine why the Red Flag has always been the leader among the Five Flags, esteemed by the pirates of the South Seas; this was not a cohesion that could be brought about by the mere dry title of the Zheng Family of Treasure Island.

“With only just over three hundred ships of various sizes left in our Red Flag, and accounting for the goods, grain, and water, where could we fit thirty thousand people? Even if we squeeze them in, such a bloated fleet, what if we encounter a disaster at sea en route? Or what if we run into officials and soldiers? Cha Daozi is just talking nonsense!”

“Exactly!”

The young and strong faction led by Shark Shen and Qian Tuo also voiced their determination to share fortunes and fates with Lantau Island, cursing Cha Xiaodao to no end.

As for Zhi Nong and Zhao Xiaoyi, they simply stated they would follow all of Tianbao Dragon Head’s commands and did not take sides.

Amid the clamor, Li Yan sighed deeply, his voice even trembling slightly, “Today’s disaster on Lantau Island is all because of my arrogance, laziness, and extravagant spending. I have let down Mrs.Shi, and I have let down all my brothers.”

As soon as these words were uttered, everyone instantly quieted down.

If you were to say that after six years of deep engagement with the Zheng Family, and embezzling hundreds of thousands from the treasury, the leaders didn’t harbor any resentment, that would be impossible.

However, now that Tianbao himself had acknowledged it, that was another matter entirely.

“Why should Tianbao belittle himself? Those red-haired officials and soldiers, which one wasn’t defeated by us? Cha Daozi talks as if the sky were falling. If the government wants to devour Lantau Island, my tens of thousands of brothers from the Red Flag will die before they let them succeed.”

Zhang Shen’s words sparked a wave of support.

Zhao Xiaoyi also opened his eyes, “The government repays kindness with ingratitude, and the traitors of the Three Flags were blinded by greed, bringing about today’s situation. How can it all be blamed on Tianbao Dragon Head alone?”

Elder Ning also advised, “Tianbao Dragon Head, we’ve known each other for decades. When you led us to break the siege of Guangzhou from the South Seas pirates and shattered the Red Hair’s demon ships, who wouldn’t give Tianbao a thumbs up? The brothers still look up to you. Now, with the government eyeing us covetously, Tianbao Dragon Head mustn’t lose heart.”

Li Yan spoke earnestly, “I’m not losing heart; these are sincere words. Having sunk to this level over the past six years, I feel I have let down the Red Flag and failed to live up to the role of Dragon Head, and I have no real defense. Although what Cha Daozi said was impetuous, it wasn’t entirely without reason. If you gentlemen think of the century-old hard work of the Zheng Family, you must not ignore it. Of course, what Elder Ning said is also the mark of experience and prudence. I actually have a solution that will satisfy both concerns; please hear me out.”

Li Yan went on to explain, which took about the length of time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

“…”

After Li Yan finished speaking, everyone had a different expression. Zhang Shen, Xue Ba, Qian Tuo, and others were filled with indignation. Zhao Xiaoyi looked shocked and uncertain, while Zhi Nong’s eyes darted around, clearly concocting some scheme.

“Is Tianbao Dragon Head really going to do this?”

Elder Ning’s face was grim.

“There’s no other way.”

Zheng Xiu’s face was a complex mix of emotions, staring blankly at Li Yan.

Zhang Shen slammed the table, “Tianbao, I, Zhang Shen, am not one who fears death or clings to life. By saying this, you clearly underestimate me.”

Li Yan looked intently at Zhang Shen, “Are you defying orders?”

Zhang Shen opened his mouth, but ultimately bowed his head under Li Yan’s piercing gaze.

Seeing the leaders sitting formally and tensely, Li Yan spoke seriously, “Lantau Island has suffered a great catastrophe. This move will ensure that the foundation of the Red Flag remains unshaken. I promise all of you that within one year, the Red Flag will rise again; within three years, I will pursue the aspirations of King Yanping to launch a northern expedition against the government and restore the former dynasty’s rightful reign. Given the circumstances, dear leaders, will you trust me once more?”

The leaders fell into a long silence. Zhi Nong tried to speak several times but was silenced by the solemn atmosphere, knowing that she shouldn’t be the first to speak at this moment.

“Very well.”

Elder Ning nodded, “Since Tianbao Dragon Head has put it that way, I have no choice but to obey.”

Li Yan looked around at the others. Even the usually obstinate Elder Ning had nodded in agreement. The fourteen leaders also had to give their assent one by one, their true thoughts to be revealed with time.

“Good, there’s no time to lose. Since all leaders have agreed, let us take action tonight…”

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