Qingzhou, Wen Pavilion, Night
The night was heavy. The lights in eastern Qingzhou flickered in the thick fog, swaying in the wind like scattered stars.
Deep within a quiet alley, a book pavilion stood silently, isolated from the clamor of the marketplace, exuding a unique tranquility.
This place, named the Wen Pavilion, was a hidden venue for scholars and martial artists to interact in Qingzhou.
At this moment, in a side hall inside the pavilion, candles flickered. A man in a scholar's robe sat upright at his desk, holding a recently delivered secret letter, his expression changing unpredictably.
Liu Wenzhou—who once taught at the Holy Scholar Academy and later left to operate out of the Wen Pavilion in Qingzhou. He was versed in mystical formations and mathematics, and held many secrets of the imperial court and martial world.
Tonight, he had to make a decision that would affect his future.
--
A few days ago, Liu Wenzhou received a secret letter from an aide in the Qingzhou garrison.
This aide used to be his student, serving as a clerk in the army, responsible for organizing military reports and orders.
However, during a routine organization of military orders, the aide discovered an extremely abnormal one—
This military order was not sent to the Qingzhou magistrate or the garrison commanders, but was sent via secret channels, expedited by fast horse, to a certain coastal merchant guild. Even stranger, it used a confidential format that the aide had never seen on regular military orders. Instead, it was a mathematical cipher composed of numbers, symbols, and geometric figures!
This made him very uneasy, so he took the risk of copying a duplicate of this letter and sending it to the Wen Pavilion, hoping Liu Wenzhou could help decipher it.
"...Is this mathematical encryption?"
At first, Liu Wenzhou merely thought it might be a new encrypted document and didn't pay much mind. It wasn't until he tried to decipher it that he realized he couldn't crack the whole thing. The parts he did decipher pointed to something like a deployment for an attack, and the target was incredibly... Linhai City in Qingzhou!
He specifically sent men to track the letter's destination and discovered it was ultimately split into two copies, each delivered to merchant guilds closely associated with the Moonrise Empire and the Pirate King Alliance!
This meant this military order wasn't for the Qingzhou military at all, but was being sent to hostile factions!
His heart suddenly tightened, realizing this might involve an enormous conspiracy or upheaval. It could even be an operation that would plunge Qingzhou into the flames of war!
The more Liu Wenzhou thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed. His hands couldn't help but tremble slightly.
This was no longer a simple military order, but a shocking conspiracy involving internal and external collusion!
Liu Wenzhou put down the secret letter, took a deep breath, and thought for a long time.
If his guess was right, the commoners, soldiers, scholars here, and even this Wen Pavilion itself, would not be spared.
He was not a disciple of the Holy Scholar Academy and was no longer bound by its rules, but he still upheld a scholar's morality—
"If I know a disaster is coming and do nothing, am I still considered a scholar?"
He closed his eyes slightly, then slowly opened them, his gaze firm.
I cannot completely decipher it, but it just so happens there is someone whose mathematical level is extremely high! I must notify Lin Wanying immediately.
"What is this?"
When Lin Wanying rushed to the Wen Pavilion, Liu Wenzhou pushed the secret letter in front of her, his tone low: "This is a military order from the Ministry of War, but it wasn't issued to the Qingzhou garrison. It was sent to two coastal merchant guilds. And the factions backing these two guilds are the Moonrise Empire and the Pirate King Alliance!"
"The contents here are entirely a special cipher encrypted through advanced mathematics."
Lin Wanying took the secret letter, scanned it quickly, and frowned tightly: "Such mathematical coding... ordinary military departments probably couldn't decipher it..."
She looked up, her gaze sharp: "This letter... what exactly is it?"
Liu Wenzhou was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Based on what I've deciphered so far, I suspect it is highly likely a strategic plan to attack Qingzhou. I invited you here hoping you can help decipher the contents."
"I will try it right now!"
Without hesitation, Lin Wanying found a chair, sat at the table, opened the secret letter, and began studying it.
She sat before the candle flame, head slightly lowered. The calculation chips drawn from the "Exquisite Calculation Box" in her sleeve danced continuously on the table.
Liu Wenzhou looked at her back, his voice low: "Miss Lin, in addition to numbers, this content incorporates mathematical puzzles composed of symbols and geometric figures. I believe without a specific formula, there is no way to decipher even half of the contents."
A few incense sticks of time later, Lin Wanying said, "You are right. Without the deciphering formula to plug in, this is not something we can crack in a short time."
"I don't know who else can help. Unfortunately, most people in the Wen Pavilion are not proficient in mathematics! However, I do know someone who very likely can crack it. He is a mathematical genius I knew back at the Holy Scholar Academy. He is currently the magistrate of Qingzhou and is right here in Linhai City. His name is Chen Hui."
"It's him? I know him! The other person I was looking for on this trip was exactly him!" Lin Wanying suddenly said excitedly.
"Exactly! Together, he and I might be able to decipher it! I will go find him right now!"
At the Qingzhou Magistrate's Office, Chen Hui was sitting at his desk handling official business.
A bailiff reported: "My lord! A female warrior who claims to know you demands an audience!"
Shortly after, Lin Wanying, panting slightly, rushed in. She had hurried all the way, a thin layer of sweat hanging on her forehead. Without waiting for the report to finish, she barged right into Chen Hui's study the moment she was announced.
"Insolence! How dare you trespass into an important area of the yamen?" The bailiffs stepped forward to block Lin Wanying.
Chen Hui looked up and saw the anxious but undeniably calm woman before him, freezing for a moment: "You are...?"
"I am Lin Wanying of the Shushan Sect! No, I am not Lin Wanying of the Shushan Sect, I am just Lin Wanying. You should remember me; didn't I help you crack the riverbank iron ox?" she replied rapidly, her gaze locked on Chen Hui. "Liu Wenzhou told me to find you. He said you and I together might succeed in cracking the mathematical cipher of this secret letter."
Chen Hui said to the bailiffs, "Stand down. She is an old acquaintance. It's fine."
He then asked Lin Wanying, "Brother Liu Wenzhou? What kind of secret letter is it? Why the extreme urgency?"
"This is very likely a strategic plan to attack Qingzhou. We must decipher the contents!"
Chen Hui's expression changed: "Bring it here quickly!"
The contents of the secret letter were spread out on the table. The handwriting on the paper was irregular and scattered, presenting several sets of meaningless numbers, symbols, and geometric figures. But in the eyes of Lin Wanying and Chen Hui, this was a mathematical puzzle waiting to be solved.
Without wasting words, Lin Wanying pulled up a chair next to the table, took out the "Exquisite Calculation Box" from her sleeve, and skillfully drew out the calculation chips, spreading them on the table: "We don't have much time. Let's begin immediately."
Chen Hui nodded slightly. Picking up a brush, he drew several geometric patterns on a piece of paper beside the secret letter: "I see that this secret letter uses multi-layered encryption. First is mathematics combining the method of circle division (Gougu theorem/Pi) and the 'Yin-Yang Five Elements', plus the directional correspondence of these geometric symbols."
Lin Wanying's eyes flashed. Following his line of thought, she began rapidly flicking the calculation chips: "Exactly. This looks like the directional cipher combining the 'circle division mathematics' of the *Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art* with Yin-Yang Five Elements... You handle the geometric directions, I will calculate the numerical values."
Under the candlelight, the two cooperated with focused synergy. Lin Wanying rapidly calculated the numbers, the chips flying like flowing clouds and moving water; Chen Hui carefully observed the relationships between the geometric figures, the tip of his brush drawing precise marks on the paper.
"Yes... this triangle here should correspond to the southeast..." Chen Hui murmured.
"Then the value is sixty-four!" Lin Wanying responded immediately.
With their cooperation, the contents of the secret letter gradually emerged. The two had perfect chemistry, and their deciphering speed grew faster and faster.
Chen Hui nodded slightly. Taking the brush, he quickly wrote out a derivation on the paper: "Mathematical calculation and geometry are only part of the content. There must be another layer of information hidden here, likely the corresponding rules for coordinates or dates."
He leaned closer to Lin Wanying, supporting himself on the desk with one hand while flipping through the mathematical formulas on the paper with the other, his tone certain: "The recipient of this letter not only has the decoding formula but must also be intimately familiar with mathematics; otherwise, they couldn't decode it. It's unlikely to be ordinary wokou or pirates. This makes me think of the mathematicians of the Moonrise Empire or the Pirate King Alliance."
"Then we must decipher all the contents even more!" Lin Wanying replied immediately.
The two exchanged a glance, both seeing a burning will to fight in each other's eyes.
This decoding was a collaboration concerning the life and death of the people of Qingzhou!
As the final set of mathematical calculations was completed, the contents of the secret letter finally appeared in full!
"Three days from now, at the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), the main force will split into two paths to attack Qingzhou."
"Wokou first wave: Land from the southeast coast, create chaos, attack civilian houses and granaries."
"Wokou second wave: Arrive at the city gates at noon, launch a general assault."
"Pirate King Alliance: Night attack on waterway strongholds, blockade all supply lines and escape routes."
"The defending troops in Qingzhou City are less than thirty percent. Plan to capture the city within two days; the Ministry of War will not interfere."
"Ensure Chen Hui dies in battle."
"After the plan is executed, await official takeover by the Ministry of War."
"...This is the answer."
Chen Hui's hand rested lightly on the table. He stared deeply at the text on the paper, waves of emotion churning in his heart.
"From the very beginning, this war wasn't a foreign invasion, but a conspiracy of internal and external collusion!"
Lin Wanying gently wiped the calculation chips clean and returned them to her "Exquisite Calculation Box." She said, "As expected of the holder of the Holy Scholar Academy's 'Luoshu Bead'! Your skill is comparable to my Lin family's mathematics."
Chen Hui let out a chuckle and shook his head: "It seems that deciphering this secret letter yielded an unexpected harvest—I'm starting to admire your mathematics."
Lin Wanying raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying a hint of teasing: "Admire my mathematics? What about your military strategy? Can you still handle this war?"
Chen Hui's gaze shifted, his expression turning serious as he said slowly, "If we combine our efforts, perhaps we can turn the tide."
For a moment, the atmosphere in the secret chamber became delicate.
The two stood side by side, the candlelight casting their intertwined shadows.
Amidst this tense deciphering and strategic forecasting, their states of mind had quietly drawn closer—
This wasn't just a simple academic contest, but a mutual appreciation between two meticulous and equally brilliant minds.
A certain intangible emotion quietly sprouted during this collaborative puzzle-solving process.
But at this moment, they had no time to dwell on this subtle flutter.
Because the war was already imminent!
A personal guard rushed hastily into the secret chamber, his expression panicked: "My lord, news from the military camp! The Qingzhou garrison was transferred away three days ago under orders from the Ministry of War!"
"Now the city has only thirty percent of its defenders left, and most are veterans and raw recruits. We cannot defend it for long!"
"What?!"
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying's expressions changed simultaneously. In that moment, the two finally understood completely—
This meticulously planned massacre had already begun!
"...Chang Yanjiao, you old fox."
Chen Hui cursed in a low voice, cold fury flashing in his eyes.
Lin Wanying took a deep breath, rapidly analyzing: "In this battle, we have no reinforcements, and the imperial court will not immediately order support. This means... we can only rely on ourselves!"
Chen Hui stood up abruptly, unrolling the Qingzhou map, pointing to three key locations: "We must establish temporary defense lines within the city and use the remaining troops and commoners for an all-out city defense!"
The first location: The Linhai City Gate of Qingzhou—the most likely target of the wokou's first wave of attacks, must be defended to the death!
The second key point: The granaries and the city's water sources—if destroyed, Qingzhou will be unable to hold out long-term!
The final battlefield: The docks and waterways—the Pirate King Alliance's surprise attack will come from the water; we must set up defenses in advance!
"We have no reinforcements. This battle depends entirely on us!"
The corners of Chen Hui's mouth curled up, his gaze firm: "Then let them come. Let these villainous thieves see that Qingzhou is not fish on a chopping block! And we will not surrender without a fight!"
The two looked at each other, their eyes full of fighting spirit—
The Great Battle of Qingzhou was about to begin!
The night was as dark as ink. The streets of Qingzhou seemed exceptionally quiet in the thick night fog. Only sporadic sounds of clashing weapons came from the distant encampments, as if reminding the city that it was about to undergo a baptism of fire.
Inside the main hall of the yamen, several generals and militia leaders surrounded a spread-out map. The candlelight flickered in the breeze, illuminating the solemn expressions on everyone's faces.
Chen Hui stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze steady. Sweeping his eyes across the crowd, he slowly spoke: "The Qingzhou garrison has been transferred away. The capable fighters left in the city now number no more than two thousand, half of which are raw recruits and militia. What we must do is not fight the enemy to the death, but hold out for three days so that the news of the attack spreads. The imperial court and the Ministry of War will be forced to return to rescue the situation."
He looked at the map and pointed to several key points: "First, the East Gate of Linhai City. The wokou main force will inevitably attack from here; this will be our first line of defense. Archers and crossbowmen will ambush them on the city walls, preparing rolling logs and blazing fire in advance. We will wait at our leisure for the exhausted enemy, delaying their entry into the city."
"Second, the granaries and water sources. These are our lifelines. If the enemy captures them, Qingzhou will collapse without a fight. Therefore, we will set up ambushes around the warehouses and wells. The moment the enemy infiltrates, we counterattack immediately."
"Third, the docks and waterways. The Pirate King Alliance's forces will attack from here. If they successfully blockade the waterways, we will have no further supplies. Therefore, we will bury oil at the docks. When they land, we will set the ships on fire, trapping them in a dilemma!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a lieutenant immediately clasped his hands and said: "My lord, the enemy forces outnumber us several times over. Can such a deployment hold for three days?"
Chen Hui gave a confident smile, intending to infect everyone with his confidence. His eyes were sharp as knives as he said, "It is not a matter of 'can we', but 'we must'."
Lin Wanying stood beside him, smiling with a hint of teasing: "As expected of the magistrate governing Qingzhou. Your thinking is clear; many staff officers in the Ministry of War probably couldn't match you."
She turned towards the map, her gaze locking onto the warehouse area, and slowly spoke: "I will lead people to set up traps. Using the terrain and mathematical calculations, we will make the enemy misjudge the landscape and walk right into our ambush circles."
She paused, her phoenix eyes shifting slightly, and said softly, "You defend orthodoxly, I will strike surprisingly. Perhaps we really can stall this battle."
Chen Hui looked at her, his heart stirring. This woman's composure and wisdom far exceeded his imagination. The light flashing in her eyes at this moment produced an indescribable flutter in his chest.
However, with the battle imminent, this flutter had to be buried deep in his heart. He nodded and said deeply: "If so, Qingzhou might still have a glimmer of hope."
Just as the strategic deployment was nearing its end, a dark figure walked into the main hall. Everyone turned around to see Liu Wenzhou slowly approaching. Still dressed in an elegant scholar's robe, he now carried a resoluteness and courage different from his usual demeanor.
He looked at Chen Hui and Lin Wanying, his tone low: "I am here to help."
Lin Wanying raised an eyebrow, lowering her voice slightly: "You shouldn't have gotten involved."
Liu Wenzhou chuckled softly, his tone calm but firm: "If I don't get involved, this city will be massacred. Although I am no longer at the Holy Scholar Academy, these commoners are living people. If I still have a shred of conscience, I will not stand idly by."
He walked up to the map, pointing to a hidden path: "I am familiar with Qingzhou's underground secret passages. If the granaries and water sources are breached, I can lead people to secretly transfer the grain and forage, ensuring our supplies are not completely cut off."
Chen Hui and Lin Wanying stared at him, and after a moment, nodded gently: "Are you sure you want to do this? By doing this, you are breaking the rules of the Holy Scholar Academy. You don't have to."
Liu Wenzhou smiled helplessly: "Chen Hui, ever since I handed the secret letter to Lin Wanying and mentioned you to her, I already had no choice."
On the southeast coast of Qingzhou, the dark tide surged. Dozens of warships quietly approached the shore. The elite warriors of the wokou forces moved silently under the cover of night, like a pack of hunters in the dark.
The man standing at the forefront of the warship wore silver-white armor. His black cape billowed in the wind. His eyes were deep and icy, with an old scar running through his right eye, making him look even more fierce and dangerous.
The main general of the Moonrise Empire's wokou forces—Ichiro Yamanaka.
He was the most cold-blooded tactician among the wokou. He killed without blinking, yet was highly proficient in military strategy and tactics. He was an elite commander personally appointed by the Moonrise Empire's royal family.
Standing on the deck, looking down at the distant Qingzhou City, his tone was icy: "Chen Hui... is the biggest variable in this city and my target this time."
The lieutenant behind him asked in a low voice: "General, shall we launch a full-scale attack?"
Ichiro Yamanaka shook his head faintly, saying softly, "No, I want him to walk right under my blade himself."
"First wave: the main force will launch a probing attack from the East Gate, making them misjudge our true troop strength and dispersing their defenders."
"Second wave: I will personally lead troops into the city and behead Chen Hui."
The lieutenant paused briefly, then dropped to one knee: "The General is truly far-sighted!"
The corners of Ichiro Yamanaka's mouth curled up slightly, bearing a bloodthirsty sneer, as he murmured: "Killing someone worthy always makes a war more interesting."
He slowly raised his katana, cold light flashing, then swung it down fiercely.
"Attack!"
In the distance, war drums sounded, warships docked, and the dark shadows of the wokou surged toward Qingzhou City like a tide—
The bloody battle officially commenced!
Qingzhou, Dawn Breaks, Beacons Rise
The morning light was faint, and smoke already filled the walls of Qingzhou.
Warships broke through the waves, flying crude black cloth banners without obvious insignia, making them look more like a scattered band of bandits. However, Chen Hui on the city wall knew in his heart that these invaders were no ordinary brigands.
These people were well-trained, marched in formation, and were fully equipped with siege ladders, fire arrows, swords, and shields—this was fundamentally a regular army disguised as wokou!
"These thieves are disguised indeed!"
He turned his head sharply, roaring to the lieutenant beside him: "All forces, prepare for battle! Do not underestimate these enemies!"
The wokou forces first launched long-range attacks. A rain of arrows blotted out the sky, falling like a torrential downpour.
"Raise shields!"
The Qingzhou troops quickly raised their shields. The dense arrows struck the shields like a rainstorm, emitting dull thuds.
"Archers, return fire! Ignite the fire arrows!"
The archers on the wall rapidly loosed their arrows. The ignited fire arrows shot like meteors toward the wokou's siege ladders and chariots, instantly engulfing some of the enemy troops in flames.
"Ignite the trenches! Set the fires!"
Upon the command, the oil in the trenches ignited instantly. Flames soared into the sky, burning the wokou who had just stepped into the trenches into a living hell.
However, all of this was merely a probing attack.
On the distant warships, the silver-white armor reflected the morning light. The black cape billowed in the wind as Ichiro Yamanaka coldly observed the battlefield.
"Retreat, prepare the second wave of attacks."
The wokou rapidly retreated without actually losing too many troops.
Yet, the soldiers inside the city were already exhausted.
This wave of attack was entirely designed to deplete the Qingzhou army's arrows and oil, weakening their defensive capabilities!
The wokou horns sounded, and the second wave of attacks fully commenced!
This time, the enemy was no longer probing, but launching a fierce assault!
Siege ladders were quickly hooked onto the city walls. Hundreds of wokou elites climbed the ladders, engaging in brutal hand-to-hand combat with the Qingzhou troops.
"They are forcing an assault!"
The lieutenant roared. Chen Hui suddenly stepped forward, lightly twirling the pair of judge's brushes in his hands, which glinted with a cold edge.
As the wokou stepped onto the city wall, Chen Hui met them head-on. Wielding his twin judge's brushes like silver snakes skimming shadows, the tips precisely struck the enemies' throats and wrists, neutralizing their attacks.
"Is this the magistrate of Qingzhou?"
A cold voice rang out through the smoke. A man wearing silver-white armor slowly approached, his eyes like knives, locking onto Chen Hui.
Ichiro Yamanaka, the wokou leader, had taken the field personally!
"Can your brushes match my blade?"
He slowly drew the Moonrise Empire katana. The blade glinted coldly, a smear of blood remaining on the edge, as if it were already addicted to slaughter.
"Let's try it and see!"
Unintimidated, Chen Hui crossed his judge's brushes. Sharp glints erupted as the brush momentum tore through the air, striking straight at Ichiro Yamanaka's chest!
Ichiro Yamanaka's figure shifted slightly, his blade flashing like an illusion. Dodging the brush attack with a sideways step, he countered rapidly, his blade strikes like a torrential storm!
Brush and blade clashed fiercely on the narrow city wall. The flashes of blade and shadows of brushes were like an exquisite game of chess!
Chen Hui's brushwork was agile, his strikes swift. Every stroke sealed Ichiro Yamanaka's killing intent, even striking the edges of his armor several times.
However, Ichiro Yamanaka's swordsmanship was even more bizarre. He wasn't in a hurry to take the enemy's life, but was looking for flaws.
"You are harder to deal with than I imagined."
Ichiro Yamanaka chuckled lightly. Suddenly, his footwork shifted, and the momentum of his blade altered slightly. In a split second, Ichiro Yamanaka's right hand gripped the hilt tightly and sheathed the blade.
Chen Hui's movements slowed, preparing to defend against the next strike.
"...But you have already revealed a flaw."
Just as Ichiro Yamanaka finished speaking, the long katana sped out—
Iaijutsu (Sword-drawing art)!
"Snikt—!"
The blade tore through the air, fast as lightning!
"Ah...!"
Before Chen Hui could react, he felt an intense pain in his chest as blood gushed from the wound. He stumbled backward, falling to one knee. His chest had already been dyed red by a deep gash from the blade!
Ichiro Yamanaka twirled his blade, his gaze cold: "Is this your limit?"
He raised his sword again, preparing to take Chen Hui's life with the next strike!
"Quick, save the General!"
At that exact moment, several of Qingzhou's personal guards threw themselves forward regardless of their own lives, desperately shielding Chen Hui!
"My lord, go quickly!"
Using their bodies to block Ichiro Yamanaka's attacks, several soldiers were killed on the spot, their blood dyeing the city wall red!
However, their desperate defense finally bought Chen Hui a chance to retreat!
"Retreat! Quickly, take the General back inside the city!"
Several soldiers dragged the heavily wounded Chen Hui, blood dripping all the way. They desperately broke through the siege, ultimately escorting him back inside the city to Lin Wanying!
On the waterways to the south, the Pirate King Alliance's warships were anchored quietly. Standing on the deck was a woman dressed in a red military uniform.
"Blood Empress" Isabel—the leader of the Pirate King Alliance's attack on Qingzhou this time, and also a pirate crew within the Alliance. She controlled many of the sea's black market trade routes and was a cold, stunning, and deadly female pirate.
She gazed deeply at the flames engulfing Qingzhou City, lightly twirling a lock of red hair around her finger. A golden die hung at her waist, and a meaningful smile curled on her lips.
"Blockade the waterways? Why be so thorough."
She waved her hand gently to her first mate: "Tell the boys not to try too hard; don't accidentally get yourselves killed. We took money to do a job and get rich, not to throw our lives away. If anyone wants to fight desperately, we'll do our best to block them. But if someone is fighting for their lives, there's no need to trade our lives for theirs. We are pirates, not an army. Furthermore, if Qingzhou really falls into the hands of the Ministry of War, rumor has it they plan to trade with the Moonrise Empire, which does us no good."
The first mate frowned: "Empress, doesn't this violate the plan Chang Yanjiao gave us?"
Isabel chuckled lightly, turning and walking elegantly toward the cabin: "The marketplace is like a battlefield; one must always leave a way out for oneself."
She whispered: "The black market routes are our foundation. What business is there to do if Qingzhou is peaceful? The more chaotic the world is, the more money I can make. Isn't that better? Let me know if anything happens."
Her voice drifted away in the night wind, as rich and dangerous as red wine.