If it were the Wokou chasing them, David Brooks would bet that not a single one of his men would stay. As for the prisoners, who the hell would care about them!

"Little David, I have something to say!"

The clear, youthful voice rang out.

Everyone looked over—it was Robert Bennett.

David Brooks said coldly, "Speak!"

This was an opportunity... Robert Bennett had faced many crises during his time as a minor warlord in South America. Among them, there were several times when he was besieged by superior government forces.

He cupped his hands calmly, his bearing making David Brooks secretly praise him: Truly a talented young scholar—his composure surpassed even the officials of a thousand-household rank that he had met.

This was also why he was willing to waste precious escape time listening to Robert Bennett's nonsense.

"There are dozens of Wokou, but this is the heartland of Ming!"

The youth's voice echoed along the official road.

"There are garrisons nearby. If they hear and do not come to the rescue, it is a grave crime. So I conclude that the Wokou must be uneasy."

"So what?" David Brooks was impatient.

"I have a plan to drive off the enemy!" Robert Bennett said, his eyes full of calm.

"Speak!" David Brooks glanced at the distant smoke and fire, feeling anxious and uneasy.

"Little David, have you ever heard of the Empty City Stratagem?"

David Brooks shook his head.

The popularized version of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms was only first published in the first year of Jiajing; it would be a while before it truly became widespread.

Robert Bennett pointed to the woods on the right.

"We can have people drag branches in the woods to stir up dust."

Robert Bennett looked at the prisoners. "If we succeed, these prisoners can earn merit to atone for their crimes. I ask the little banner officer to allow it."

The prisoners' eyes lit up instantly; someone even shouted, "I am willing to risk my life!"

"I'd rather fight the Wokou to the death than be sent to Taizhou Prefecture to die!"

The prisoners were all excited. David Brooks couldn't help but take a sharp breath. He would bet that if it weren't for the presence of government soldiers, these dozens of prisoners could easily overwhelm his own men.

This... doesn't this mean he suddenly has dozens of death-defying warriors?

The gentry love to boast of their civil and military talents, but compared to this Maocai Gong, they're like a pile of crap... A soldier with some military talent had a flash of inspiration and muttered regretfully, "Such outstanding talent—if he hadn't committed a crime, in a few decades, he might have become a minister in one of the Six Ministries."

David Brooks at least had some refinement. Hearing this, he understood Robert Bennett's intention, his eyes brightening, though he hesitated.

"Little David, are you worried the Wokou will charge in regardless and harm these brave men?" Robert Bennett said with a smile.

In truth, David Brooks and his men were afraid of dying.

But as the saying goes, everyone lifts the bridal sedan together. Robert Bennett, after mixing around in South America for a few years, understood this principle well.

David Brooks's face darkened—it was hard to tell if he was blushing—but he nodded.

"In that case, I am willing to be the bait." You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a child.

"You?" David Brooks knew the consequences of running: the prisoners would surely be left behind, and if he returned, he would either be killed or exiled.

But at least he could live a little longer!

Robert Bennett said resolutely, "I am willing to go and confuse the enemy!"

The Empty City Stratagem required someone up front to mislead the enemy.

Robert Bennett turned around. "Shitou!"

George Foster easily untied the ropes binding the two of them, and everyone looked at David Brooks.

David Brooks was silent, which was tacit approval.

Robert Bennett and George Foster slowly walked forward.

Then they stopped.

If they tried to escape, David Brooks, who had a horse, could easily catch up. And if Robert Bennett's Empty City Stratagem failed, David Brooks could still retreat calmly on horseback.

David Brooks gave Robert Bennett a deep look.

If he ran, he was dead for sure.

Whether Robert Bennett's Empty City Stratagem would succeed... David Brooks thought it unlikely. But at least it was worth a try! After all, if it failed, it wouldn't be him getting hacked to death by the Wokou.

"Do as this sick... as James Bennett instructs!"

Unconsciously, David Brooks's way of addressing Robert Bennett had changed, with a bit more respect.

Outside the distant village.

Shadows flickered.

The Wokou were gathering!

Chapter 4 James Bennett, Mighty and Majestic

More than thirty Wokou were rampaging through the village.

"Help!"

A woman clutching a child ran frantically through the smoke and fire.

Two Wokou with half-moon-shaped haircuts howled as they chased after her.

"Stop!"

It wasn't strange for the Wokou to speak Ming Chinese... At this time, many of the Wokou along the coast were actually Ming people.

The Wokou squad leader, William Adams, watched all this with a smile.

Two Wokou hurried over to report, "A few Ming soldiers were spying on us earlier."

"Where?" A gloomy look flashed in William Adams's eyes.

This was the heartland of Ming, with garrisons nearby. Although he had confidence in his men, even ants can bite an elephant to death!

"After they spotted us, they ran toward the official road."

The two Wokou grinned, not taking it seriously. Along the way, they had encountered government soldiers before, but those soldiers always turned and ran at the sight of them.

Hundreds of years later, in the invasion wars, the government soldiers were the same—at the sight of a small group of Wokou, they would turn and run.

"They ran?"

William Adams squinted toward the distant official road.

This raid ashore was his own initiative. If he couldn't achieve dazzling results, how could he hope to rise in rank?