Section Thirteen: Desperate Explosion

  White phosphorus was carefully sealed in a fuse, and the explosive pack was wrapped tightly in oilcloth, so there was no need to worry about it getting wet from seawater. The entire explosive pack was fixed on a wooden frame like a small boat, with several sharp iron nails protruding from the back of the frame, exposing a one-inch long tip.

  Jin Lao Yao had already brought people to move the 75mm (3-inch) small cannon onto a large sampan, which was a sampan with 10 rowing seats that could withstand the recoil of the small cannon when it was fired. Under the efforts of Liu Tiejiang and his two apprentices, the cannon was fixed at the bow of the boat, and it was very firm, fixed by several thick iron bars bent into rings.

  "Remember, attack them from outside the range of the red-haired devils' cannons. If you can hit them, that's best; if not, don't force it. If the red-haired devils move their ships to chase you, then run and keep your distance as the main priority. Otherwise, their hundreds of cannons will leave no trace of you and your brothers!" Mao Si said, putting his arm around Jin Lao's shoulder as they walked along the small dock.

  "Oh, okay, I understand." Jin Lao was patted on the shoulder by Mao Si, who had once severely injured his arm, and he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine as he hastily agreed. He had a sense of what Mao Si's true intentions were. After all, this time he had brought 10 people to launch a harassment attack, aiming to distract the Red Hair Ghosts and tie them up for the Water Ghost Team. However, if Mao Si's new method taught earlier was effective, maybe they could even sink one or two of the Red Hair ships like they did during the day.

  "Alright, you can set off now! Wait a minute, be careful with the extra people at the back of the boat, I'm afraid the flat-bottomed boat will lose its balance when we fire the cannon." Mao Si patted Jin Lao's sensitive shoulder again, making Jin Lao tense up for a while.

  After determining that Mao Si had nothing else to entrust, Jin Lao brought his men onto the large paddle boat. The 8 rowers grasped their wooden oars and began to row in unison. Before long, the paddle boat had rounded the reef in front of them, and the remaining six main ships of the Red Hair Gang were right ahead!

  The South China Sea, Yongshu Reef waters, two giant warships are advancing slowly southward in tandem.

  "Dear Henry, I suppose Rogeris is now at loggerheads with the Black Shark gang! Your idea was really good, after eliminating the devils of the island and the pirates of Palawan, I will ask Minister Secretary and Commander-in-Chief to reward you!" Berlis stood on the bridge, holding the intercom of the command tower, saying to a young major standing upright beside him. The General's face full of smiles showed that his mood was indeed not bad at this moment.

  Since July 5th, the Commander of the British Royal Navy's Far East Fleet has never been as happy as he is now! Sending troops to Devil Island and redeeming his honor has been his greatest wish for nearly two months. Recently, after the Admiralty ordered that no troops be sent to Devil Island before the safety of the hostages (important hostages) was guaranteed, the Admiral was very uncomfortable in his heart. Fortunately, a young Major beside him came up with an ingenious idea; he partially revealed the situation of the stolen goods from the "Elymée" to Rogelis, the leader of the Red Hair Gang, and instigated this "simple-minded" Spanish bullfighter to attack Devil Island. Meanwhile, British warships will appear in the waters around Devil Island at the right time, putting down the two major pirate gangs on the South China Sea!

  Under the ingenious operation of Major Hensley, Roggers indeed moved his heart and launched a surprise attack on Devil's Island! General Peries now seems to see His Majesty the King pinning a glittering medal on himself, seems to see himself becoming another hero in Britain! At a time when the Empire is bogged down in the Boer War in South Africa, the British people need a hero to boost their morale! And eliminating the pirates who have been active in the South China Sea for a long time, and eliminating the gang that dared to kidnap British nationals, is undoubtedly a victory worthy of praise.

  "Vice Admiral, I have a small request. I hope you will agree to let me command the Sydney cruiser as vanguard and clear out the devil's island for you!" Major Henry made a generous and passionate expression, volunteering to go into battle. As a staff officer, being able to lead a warship to independently complete a mission is something worth recording in one's military career and also a stepping stone for future promotion! Since transferring from India to Hong Kong, Major Henry had always hoped for such an opportunity. And annihilating the pirates was currently the only hope! So, the major boldly submitted the entire plan directly to the vice admiral, fortunately, the vice admiral highly praised the plan!

  "Ah! My young Major, although I still need you by my side to devise strategies, considering your request and the contributions you've made to the entire plan, I agree to this suggestion. You may go to Sydney, I'll issue the order now!" Having someone who can fully grasp the profound meaning of the entire plan commanding at the front line is what the General hopes for most, so naturally he approved the Major's proposal. After all, it would be somewhat embarrassing for a British Empire Admiral to personally command an operation against pirates, and would likely be ridiculed by those German naval officers from rural areas.

  "Then I'll go to the Sydney immediately, goodbye, General!" The lieutenant's heel clicked, and his shiny boots made a crisp "crack" sound.

  Sariqi watched as the ship captains gradually returned to their own ships, feeling a little grateful for that annoying little boat. Without that small boat firing from afar, those dirty people would still be arguing and making their cabins filthy! How could they have hastily decided to let him take over the important role of captain when they were at an impasse?

  Watching the "Cannoneer" in the distance being hit by shells and bursting into flames, with people silhouetted against the fire desperately trying to put it out, Sarici even felt a little happy! "Dear Chinese pirates, dear little ship, I hope those two ships won't catch up and sink you! Oh! They should be sunk! These annoying and shameless Chinese are always firing cannons from afar, how many times is this? It seems like the fourth time already! May the darkness be replaced by light as soon as possible, tomorrow I will gather 6 main warships and heavily bombard the yellow people's stronghold! Rogelis was obviously not lucky enough, he didn't expect to die at sea, but it was me Sarici who defeated the yellow Chinese pirates and took that 7 million pounds! Think about it, 7 million pounds, what kind of life can I live in Lisbon? At least, I won't let that shameless Cristina get close to me again, no way! I'll buy a large piece of land by the sea, build a castle, yes! Call it Sarici Castle!"

  Jin Lao Yao was very pleased, at least in the eyes of the people on the raft who worshiped him. He had harassed the red-haired devils four times, fired eight rounds of cannonballs, sunk a ship of about 80 tons belonging to the red-haired devils, and another one that was also hit by several cannonballs was now burning fiercely. That ship should be comparable to the Qinglong number, shouldn't it? It must be one of the seven main warships of the legendary red-haired devils! Looks like later he would have to wait for an opportunity to fire two more cannons at it and send it to the bottom of the sea to feed the turtles! Those red-haired devils were simply not human!

  "Lao Yao Ge, when do you think our torpedo will launch?" asked Huang Tianxi, the young son of Huang Tuo Bei, who was in charge of loading the ammunition, warmly.

  "Old Mao said that when we set off, we'll light a lantern on the top of that reef," Ah! Fu Zi, you little scoundrel, keep an eye out or I'll be coming after you!" Jin Lao shouted loudly towards the back of the boat, something he had never done before.

  "Old Second Brother, rest assured, I'm keeping an eye on him! Although my eyes may not be as good as Ma Hou's, they're still better than Old Master Huang's gaze, right?" A young voice echoed from behind.

  "Damn it! You, with the surname Zhong, you little brat deserves a beating, doesn't he? Wait till we get back and I'll challenge you to a one-on-one fight. I won't rest until I knock out your teeth! Let's see if you dare to be so reckless in the future!" Huang Tianxi heard someone actually dared to use his own father as an example, how could he still hold back?

  "I'm just making a comparison! Who doesn't know that our village's Ma Huayan has exceptionally good eyesight? Otherwise, why would Old Mao let him get on the Qinglong boat? I've never even been on it! Your dad originally had poor eyesight, who's to blame for this?" The Clock Fu behind felt very wronged, and fought with Huang Tianxi on the shore, definitely ending up at a disadvantage, just like from childhood till now.

  "Alright, focus and look carefully, paddle hard, those two red-haired boats are just near us." Jin Lao's voice stopped Huang Tianxi's intention to speak.

  At this time, the dock of the Devil's Island was not so easy! Almost all the brothers nearby rushed to see off Ma Si and Zhang Xiao Wu and other seven water ghosts. Everyone knows how difficult it is to swim to the red-haired boat in such a dark night to put explosives; everyone understands that these brothers can be said to have come back from the dead, with a slim chance of returning; everyone is clear that among these people there is the eldest sister's heartthrob, who is also the natural leader recognized by everyone! Before parting, the atmosphere was heavy with life and death farewell!

  "Brother Guo Liang, we'll set off in an hour and let the horse monkey send a signal. And if I don't come back, you'll have to take care of my brothers and sister!" Mao Si tightly grasped Li Guo Liang's outstretched hand, reminding him once again. This desperate explosion is currently the only way for the Black Shark Gang to break through their predicament. Only by doing so can they strike at the main fleet of the Red Hair Gang, making the strength of the mountain stronghold and the Red Hair Ghost roughly even, and only then will they have a chance to thoroughly defeat the Red Hair Ghost! This desperate explosion is currently the only way out!"

  With tears in her eyes, Xiaojie He Ning's vision blurred, the small boat carrying Mao Si and others, along with explosive packs, set off with a simple underwater breathing apparatus.

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