Zhu Ran: Gan Ning is nothing but an empty reputation! (Please vote for me this month)

In this era, the Jiangdong navy was not only the finest in the realm; its shipbuilding techniques were also unrivaled. The vessels of the Jiangdong fleet far surpassed those of Jiangxia in both sophistication and speed upon the water.

Zhu Ran’s deployment was to arrange thirty small vessels into a fish-scale formation, effectively entangling the Jiangxia navy. Then, he would send in three flagships for a direct assault, maximizing his advantage in manpower. The standard configuration for each flagship was ten accompanying small boats.

To guard against any surprise attacks from the Jiangdong navy, Gan Ning’s flagship had remained anchored in the open stretch of the river, where the view was expansive. Should the Jiangdong navy mount an attack, Gan Ning could react immediately. The small boats attached to Gan Ning’s flagship had already spread out along the river, mainly for reconnaissance to detect any approaching enemy.

On the flagship of the Jiangxia navy, Gan Ning stood on the deck, gazing into the distance. "Our lord has been gone so many days now. Who knows when he’ll return?" he said, worry etched on his face. "My heart keeps pounding—I feel as if something is about to happen."

Seeing Gan Ning’s anxious demeanor, a deputy at his side said, "Big brother, you worry too much! Our lord’s courage is unmatched—even if Lü Bu himself were reborn, he’d fall short. The Jiangdong rabble has no hope of besting him!"

This deputy addressed Gan Ning as "big brother" rather than "General Gan." His name was Ding Chong, who had served as Gan Ning’s right hand since Gan Ning’s days as a pirate. For this mission escorting Su Ming to Jiangdong, Gan Ning brought his own band, the Brocade Sail Battalion.

"Ah," Gan Ning sighed, "Let’s hope so." Perhaps it was a sixth sense, but unease gnawed at him.

As evening fell, the setting sun cast its crimson glow across the Han River, turning its surface fiery as a cloud of sunset. At that moment, a brocade sail appeared on the river, racing toward Gan Ning’s position. Across the realm, only one fleet bore brocade sails—Gan Ning’s own Brocade Sail Battalion.

Ten small boats, sails billowing, sped toward his flagship. "Big brother, our boats are all coming back!" Wang Chong pointed to the approaching vessels. "It must mean they've found our lord!"

Gan Ning had dispatched all ten boats for reconnaissance; if they were merely returning with a report, not all would come back at once. Now, seeing all the boats return, there could be only one reason—they had found Su Ming. With Su Ming retrieved, they would head back to Jiangxia, and naturally, all the boats would regroup.

But Gan Ning soon noticed something amiss. Behind their ten boats, dozens of small vessels were giving relentless chase. Their ten boats were being driven back, pursued by a flotilla flying the flags of river bandits.

Yet Gan Ning was no fool; he could see at a glance these were Jiangdong navy ships. How could river bandits possess such well-crafted boats? Moreover, behind the dozens of small vessels, Gan Ning spotted three enormous sails—on the river, one sees the sails before the hulls.

Although he had not yet glimpsed the ships themselves, the sight of these three sails alone told Gan Ning there were three Jiangdong flagships approaching.

"Big brother, raise the sails, let’s retreat!" Ding Chong called urgently. The disparity in numbers and strength was overwhelming; the Jiangxia navy stood no chance.

With some distance still between the fleets, they could try to break through the encirclement before it fully formed.

"We cannot go!" Gan Ning declared resolutely. "If we flee, our lord will be trapped ashore!"

Su Ming had shown Gan Ning the favor of recognizing his talent, and the trust Su Ming placed in him was something he had never felt under Huang Zu. For a worthy lord, a warrior gives his life.

If Gan Ning ran now, he would no longer be himself.

His words struck Ding Chong—he realized, yes, their lord had not yet returned. To leave now would be to abandon him, becoming deserters.

There was only a Brocade Sail Battalion that fought to the death, never one that fled.

They needed to prove they were no longer mere river pirates, but elite marines under Su Ming’s command. Now, they were called the Brocade Sail Battalion.

"Big brother, give the order!" Ding Chong shouted. "However you want us to fight, we’ll follow you!"

A thousand against five thousand? One flagship against three? How could they possibly fight? There was simply no way.

Naval warfare differed from land battles—water offered far fewer opportunities for cunning stratagems. Victory depended on three elements: the size of the fleet, the quality of the troops, and the strength of the ships.

Of these three, Gan Ning’s men barely claimed one: the individual prowess of the Brocade Sail Battalion surpassed Jiangdong’s navy. But the enemy had more men, more ships—a numerical superiority that could crush them outright.

Those three Jiangdong flagships alone would be enough to give Gan Ning’s force a harrowing battle.

No matter which naval commander faced such odds, defeat was all but certain.

But he was Gan Ning.

Confronted with this nearly hopeless situation, Gan Ning showed not the slightest panic. He remained composed and calm.

Among the native generals of the Three Kingdoms, Gan Ning was unrivaled in naval warfare. His talent for battle on the water was etched into his very bones.

"Signal the fleet—form a straight line, with the flagship at the center," Gan Ning ordered.

Once Gan Ning spoke, the signalman relayed his command with flags. The boats that had been pursued swiftly changed formation, lining up alongside Gan Ning’s flagship in a single, unbroken line.

Gan Ning’s flagship remained motionless, showing no intention of fleeing.

As Gan Ning completed his formation, the three Jiangdong flagships appeared. On the deck of one stood Zhu Ran, surveying the Jiangxia navy arrayed in a straight line.

Zhu Ran was baffled. Why would Gan Ning choose such a formation? In naval warfare, a straight line was a grave mistake—unless the disparity in numbers was tenfold or more, no one would ever use it.

The formation was long, but dangerously thin; worst of all, it was highly vulnerable to fire. If attacked with fire, the entire line would be engulfed.

"Is Gan Ning commanding the enemy?" Zhu Ran asked in confusion.

The reputation of the Brocade Sail Battalion echoed along the river, but seeing them now, the reality fell short of the legend. Who fights naval battles like this? Gan Ning wasn’t preparing for battle—he was leading his brothers to slaughter.

(PS: Monthly tickets, brothers—if you have any, please vote! Thank you!)

(End of chapter)