Previously, the demon-like George Foster who had slaughtered the Japanese pirates lowered his head. “Yes, young master.”

Then, the young man patted his head. “I’ll get you some meat to eat later.”

Chapter 5: A Golden-scaled Fish Is No Ordinary Creature

“Japanese pirates attacking?”

“Yes, they are pillaging ten li south of the city.”

The thousand-household officer Chris Bolton, who presided over the Qing Village garrison, sat high in the main hall, his expression calm and composed.

The deputy officers and centurions standing below looked somewhat uneasy.

“How many Japanese pirates are there?” Chris Bolton asked. Under the table, where no one could see, his fists were tightly clenched.

The thousand-household officer appeared calm and collected... The others secretly admired him.

The soldiers had only taken a distant glance before running off, so how could they know the exact number? Still, they braced themselves and reported, “Over a hundred.”

A collective gasp swept through the hall.

Deputy thousand-household officer Brian Walker whispered, “Sir, it’s said that the Japanese pirates can fight ten men at once!”

During the Jiajing era, there were countless military households who deserted. Chris Bolton’s own command was no exception—over three hundred had fled, leaving just over seven hundred men.

To everyone, a hundred or so Japanese pirates could easily thrash them.

“Sir, perhaps... we should request reinforcements from the garrison!”

“Yes! The enemy is strong; caution is best!”

At that moment, a rider galloped in, and a messenger entered.

“The commander orders your unit to go out and engage the Japanese pirates. Also, news of the pirates’ landing has already been sent to Nanjing. The commander instructs you to show the courage of Ming warriors.”

Chris Bolton slapped the table, and everyone stood at attention.

“Send out scouts immediately!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Gentlemen,” Chris Bolton looked at his officers, “to stand by and do nothing is a grave crime. Since you have joined the army, cast aside your fear of death and advance!”

With a righteous air, he was the first to stride out of the hall.

His subordinates looked as if their parents had just died.

It took half an hour to assemble.

They dawdled the whole way...

Seeing that Chris Bolton said nothing, everyone knew what he was up to.

We’re making a show of going out, but if the Japanese pirates hear we’re coming and run away, well, that’s still a merit, isn’t it?

They dragged their feet toward the site, and Chris Bolton gave a signal. His confidant immediately shouted, “This heat is unbearable, let’s take a break!”

“That’s right!”

With someone taking the lead, everyone chimed in.

“A bunch of lazy fools!” Chris Bolton cursed. “Fine, take a break!”

How much wealth could a single village have for the pirates to loot? Once they’d taken everything, the pirates would naturally leave.

“No rush.” Eating his rations, Chris Bolton said calmly to his subordinate who came to ask for instructions, “Composure is the true way of a general.”

“Yes, sir!”

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The scouts returned.

Their faces were full of joy.

“Have they left... cough, cough!” A centurion blurted out the question and immediately regretted it, covering it up with a cough.

Chris Bolton stared hard at the scout. “Where are the Japanese pirates?”

The scout tumbled off his horse. “Sir, the Japanese pirates... have been utterly defeated!”

“What did you say?” Chris Bolton strode over and grabbed the scout by the collar. “Other than us, what other government troops are nearby?”

“I don’t know, sir. I just saw a few Japanese pirates fleeing for their lives,” the scout replied.

This...

Could it be that the main army from Yingtian Prefecture had arrived?

Our chance to shine has come!

Chris Bolton’s eyes darted as he shouted, “We eat the emperor’s grain; today we must share His Majesty’s burdens. Advance! Kill the Japanese dogs!”

“Kill them!”

When Chris Bolton led his several hundred men to the outskirts of the village, they saw a dozen or so villagers weeping as they gathered the corpses. When they saw the soldiers arrive, they looked at them with contempt.

Something’s off about this atmosphere!

Chris Bolton saw two soldiers standing among them and was taken aback.

After some negotiation, the soldiers came forward and saluted.

“Where are you from?”

Chris Bolton asked with a smile.

In his mind, Chris Bolton was calculating who in Southern Zhili was most likely to lead troops here. To have encountered the Japanese pirates and not fled, this must be a great general—perhaps even a high-ranking civil official commanding the army.

If he could make a connection... Chris Bolton’s heart burned with anticipation.

The soldier saluted. “We are under orders to escort prisoners to Taizhou for penal service.”

What?

They’re just watchdogs from Yingtian Prefecture!

Chris Bolton: “...”

One of his subordinates couldn’t help but interject, “How many prisoners are you escorting? To defeat over a hundred Japanese pirates, you must have thousands of men, right?”

“Fifteen.”

Chris Bolton was furious. “How dare you mock your superior?”

The soldier lowered his head. “Sir, you can see for yourself.”

The disdain in his eyes was hidden as he bowed.

“Let’s go!”

Chris Bolton led his men into the village.

Along the way, they saw ruined walls and broken houses, with bloodstains still on the ground.

When they reached the most intact house in the village, Chris Bolton’s confidant stepped forward. “Where’s the leader?”

“The squad leader is inside.”

Not even coming out to greet us!

“Squad leader?”

A squad leader with a few men—fifteen in total!

Brian Walker was shocked. “Sir, could it be true?”

Chris Bolton whispered, “This squad leader must be something else. Remember, don’t act like a superior later.”

The military hierarchy was strict. In the past, Chris Bolton could have punished David Brooks, the squad leader, for disrespecting a superior.

But first, David Brooks had merit; second, if he really did defeat the Japanese pirates, Chris Bolton wanted a share of the credit too.