The large convoy moved slowly, the carts loaded with sacks. Suddenly, one sack fell off, its mouth loosening, and gleaming white rice spilled all over the ground.

“It’s food!”

Two Wokou swallowed hard, their eyes gleaming green.

The wild vegetable rice ball they’d eaten before setting out had long since been digested, and now their stomachs rumbled like thunder.

“Hurry and report to the leader!”

Chapter 9: Far Too Unchallenging

John Adams was thirty-one this year, and by Wokou standards, he was considered tall and sturdy.

When he was fifteen, his father died in battle. John Adams took up his father’s blade, but wanted to become a scholar. Unfortunately, fate gave him no such chance. Even though he studied until his family was destitute and was “full of learning,” no one was willing to hire him.

With nowhere else to turn, John Adams went into business, only to be robbed.

In utter despair, John Adams simply joined a band of mountain bandits.

As the saying goes, “A tree dies if it’s moved, but a person thrives.” John Adams was educated, and soon stood out among the bandits.

If nothing had changed, John Adams might have become a famous bandit. But fate is unpredictable. During one raid, his men captured a young girl. John Adams, having drunk too much, ended up sleeping with her.

Everything changed.

When he woke, the girl calmly told him her identity.

She was the daughter of a powerful clan.

And the only child—no brothers or sisters.

Either you make a name for yourself and marry me,

Or prepare for endless pursuit and vengeance!

No rest until death!

John Adams was terrified.

In the end, he chose to make a name for himself.

But how difficult that was.

The great lords everywhere had no need for a nobody like him.

To start from scratch? Don’t be ridiculous. Raise a banner today, and tomorrow the army would come to wipe you out.

John Adams chose to go to sea.

“I will return with countless Ming goods, and a reputation that will make the Ming people tremble.”

John Adams bid farewell to the girl.

In three years, John Adams’s pirate career became more and more successful. Along the southeastern coast of Ming, he had made a name for himself.

All of this was thanks to his courage and willingness to fight… He once led fifty men to defeat eight hundred Ming soldiers, making his name in a single battle.

“Leader.”

Off the coast of Nanhui Spit, more than ten ships of various sizes bobbed with the waves.

The Wokou sent out to scout had returned.

John Adams turned, “Well?”

The fleet had already run out of food. If they couldn’t seize more, John Adams knew his men would mutiny in an instant.

But he still appeared calm.

“We found a merchant convoy,” the scout Wokou said excitedly. “They’re transporting food.”

“Food?” John Adams clenched his fist behind his back.

“Yes, gleaming white rice! Made into rice balls, it would make anyone’s mouth water.”

“I saw it with my own eyes.”

John Adams frowned.

Ten days ago, rations had already been halved. Since yesterday, each man got only one wild vegetable rice ball per day. Everyone was so hungry their eyes were greener than the vegetables.

John Adams pondered for a long time. “I’m just afraid it’s a trap.”

……

“The prisoner keeps saying John Adams is cautious.”

It was drizzling at the garrison. Chris Bolton, damp all over, entered the room.

Robert Bennett was drinking porridge, with a small plate of pickles on the side.

“Have you eaten?” Robert Bennett asked calmly.

For some reason, seeing the composed Robert Bennett, Chris Bolton’s irritation mostly dissipated. He smiled, “I have.”

“Wait.” Robert Bennett slowly finished the rest of his porridge, ate a few pieces of pickle, put down his chopsticks, and said, “The art of war lies in knowing yourself and your enemy. John Adams is cautious, but you don’t understand the nature of the Wokou.”

So do you know… Brian Walker lowered his eyes behind them.

“The Wokou are cruel, and have a tradition of overthrowing their superiors. John Adams’s greatest mistake is being too cautious.”

“How so?” Chris Bolton squinted.

“Let’s go for a walk.”

Robert Bennett felt a bit stuffy and was the first to step outside.

The fine rain fell like threads, slanting densely between heaven and earth.

“If he had struck with all his might at the start, seized the food and retreated, who could have stopped him?”

Robert Bennett said lightly, “Zhuge Liang was cautious all his life, but does John Adams deserve to be compared to Zhuge? I had you send men to patrol between Nanhui Spit and Shanghai County’s passage—does John Adams dare to break through?”

“Before he knows the truth, he doesn’t dare!”

Robert Bennett was extremely experienced in warfare, and said confidently, “The merchant convoy is the bait I set for him. No matter how cautious he is, he has no choice but to take it! He has no other options!”

Chris Bolton took a deep breath. “In that case…”

“John Adams will definitely land today. You can assign a hundred men, led by David Brooks. Once you see the signal, attack the Wokou fleet and burn it all.” Robert Bennett looked at David Brooks.

Cutting off the enemy’s retreat—this is a great achievement!

David Brooks glanced at Chris Bolton.

Those were Chris Bolton’s men…

This young man is making demands… Chris Bolton looked at his subordinates, whose expressions varied, and nodded. “I’ve said everything will be arranged as James wishes.”

James Bennett is paving the way for my merit. David Brooks lowered his head, eyes reddening. “Please rest assured, James. Even if I die in battle, I will die charging forward! I will not fail James!”

“It’s not failing His Majesty!” Robert Bennett said with a smile.