297 Eradicating Pirates (2/2)
With those, as long as the commander was not too incompetent, there was no reason to fail.
”So how Sir, should we launch a sneak attack?”
A few sergeants eagerly wanted to try.
”What sneak attack?”
Xu Ting took a few steps and made up his mind, ”Our soldiers are so much more superior, we have plenty of weapons and armours, and our ship is fortified with iron! Whereas, they only have three lousy ships, do you think they even stand a chance? Also, all of us are unfamiliar with the island's terrain, it would not be wise to solely trust one person!”
”We are soldiers, they are thieves! We don't need any devious plans, we just have to raise our flag up high and charge forward… With their three ships, where else can they run after we occupy the pier?”
While the plan seemed simple, it was one that was meticulously devised.
”In this first war, I rather win it clumsily than to lose skillfully. If my plan is infallible, that would be the best!”
Xu Ting quietly told himself.
”Raise the official flag!”
”Prepare the spearguns!”
”Speed up and charge forward!”
...
After listening to Xu Ting's arrangements, the sergeants were not against it.
After all, they were also clear that the pirates did not have much power to defend the pier. The pirates were no match for them.
Furthermore, they were backed by bodyguards and the daoist priest.
Truthfully, it was sufficient to fully suppress the pirates just with this elite force.
With such an overwhelming strength, the morale was high.
”Charge!”
The two warships instantly charged towards the pier aggressively, alarming its people.
Frankly, the pier was actually just a few shoddy structures built on a natural harbour. The ships could barely be berthed there.
Three old and dilapidated fishing boats parked at the side of the shore. They appeared modified of sorts and had numerous fishermen climbing up and down, fixing the sails and tidying the ship.
A ruckus erupted when they saw the two ships carrying the official flag charged towards them.
Not only were their boats difficult to operate, it took a very long time for them to gear up and be prepared to fight back. Furthermore, they lacked shipmen.
When Xu Ting charged towards them, he saw them scrambling to start up the ship. He could not help but laugh as he saw many of them running away and also those who were having difficulty hoisting the sails.
Ultimately, they were thieves against officials, the circumstances were against them. Naturally, their first reaction was to run.
Those who really fought back without hesitation were truly stupid or ready to die.
”Seize their ships! Even if they sink, do not leave them with any!”
Xu Ting wanted to capture them all in one fell swoop and immediately commanded.
”Spearguns… fire!”
A loud boom could be heard as the warship began to roar.
The spearguns were actually crossbows mounted on the ship that shot explosive spears.
”Boom!”
On the opposite side, the spear hit the wooden ship and pierced through a few pirates. Blood spewed everywhere as shrieks of terror could be heard.
”Boom!”
Another official vessel launched another spear. This time, it was slightly off and pierced through the sail, leaving behind a huge hole.
”Truth be told, this kind of speargun can only be used to scare off the opponents. It couldn't even hit a still boat accurately! What if we were on rough seas?”
Xu Ting shook his head at that sight, ”Let's not even mention those crossbows or what not, they can't even be used for long. With such dampness and humidity, they would be obsolete after a while…”
He was naturally talented in the battlefield. This time, not only was he collected in commanding, he even had the leisure to think about his own weaknesses.
”Charge!”
Once the ship reached the pier, the soldiers were prepared to jump down the official ship.
As their ship was huge, the deck was high above the ground and gave a dominant vantage point.
”Archers!” a sergeant hollered.
Twenty-something archers then drew their bow and shot at the armed pirates on their deck.
Fully armed soldiers then seized the opportunity and began jumping down the ship to fight.
”Those damned government troops are here, those who don't want their whole family to die, fight with them!”
Amongst the pirates, the very brave ones slashed forward with their swords.
”Form up and stab!”
The soldiers formed up, launched their spears together and the pirates turned into a bloody mess.
”Even with courage, this is all that is left…”
Xu Ting curled his lips as he looked at the scene.
These pirates' equipment were no match for the soldiers. Some of them were like beggars who used wooden spears.
Most importantly, many of them suffered from hunger and were skinny to the bones.
They could only rely on weapons with no gunpowder, and furthermore, they did not even have enough to eat, how would they have the energy to kill their enemies?
Hence, through the ages, none of the refugees who rebelled ever succeeded.
As Xu Ting silently made up his mind, he was no longer undecided on what would be the outcome of these pirates.