Han Du's affirmative reply made several people look at each other.
Han Du continued: "Not only that, the sea area in front is extremely vast, more than ten thousand miles away."
There is no place to replenish fresh water, and there is endless sea for thousands of miles.
Fang Xiaoru frowned and said in confusion: "Then, if the boats in front rushed in without any care, wouldn't it be a dead end?"
Zhang Chao and Jiang Ming both had smiles on their faces. They had been running for these people for several years. Now that they finally heard the good news, they were naturally happy.
The boundless sea is thousands of miles wide and there is not enough fresh water. Even gods cannot survive.
Logically speaking, it was indeed what Fang Xiaoru said. But Han Du had a feeling in his heart that if he went back home, those people might escape.
After flicking his fingers twice, Han Du said with the three of them smiling: "I have decided to continue chasing!"
"No, no! The Marquis' rich body must not be involved in such danger. Even if you want to pursue him, you should go at the end." Zhang Chao's face suddenly changed, and he quickly tried to dissuade Han Du, and then recommended himself.
Jiang Ming's expression also changed, and he hurriedly said: "Master Hou, you must not do this. Those people are dead, and there is no way they can cross the thousands of miles of sea alive."
Even Fang Xiaoru was puzzled and asked: "Those people are almost dead, there is no need for you to take such risks, right?"
Han Du first glanced at Zhang Chao and said with a smile: "You go? Do you know how to locate with a sextant? On the vast sea, if you don't know where you are, even if you know the direction, it will be a dead end."
Zhang Chao immediately stopped talking. Although he knew Sextant, Sextant didn't know him. He didn't understand the complicated calculations of Sextant at all, let alone know how to use it.
Seeing that Zhang Chao was speechless by what he said, Han Du turned to look at Fang Xiaoru and Jiang Ming, and said: "A centipede insect can die without being stiff. These people have escaped from my hands more than once. In the past, I
I thought they were hopeless, but it turns out that these are not fuel-efficient lamps, and they can always survive from desperate situations again and again.
This time, I will definitely crush them to death!"
The two of them were immediately speechless.
After Han Du paused, he said calmly: "I have to go, but I am not prepared to rush in without any preparation."
After speaking, he looked at Zhang Chao and ordered: "I am going to continue the pursuit with only three warships. You have people move the supplies of the other ships to the three ships. We must ensure that these three warships are protected as much as possible."
full of fresh water.”
"Yes, General Mo will do it right away." After Zhang Chao answered, he quickly got up and went down to give instructions.
Then he returned to Han Du and said seriously: "Master Marquis, let the general accompany you this time."
"You? No, you should go back and guard the Old Port. We also have to prevent them from turning around and escaping from the Old Port. Judging from their turning around and colliding with us, they also know that the front is dangerous. It is not impossible." Han
Du waved his hands casually.
Then Chaofang Xiaoru and Jiang Ming said: "None of you should follow me this time. It's better for me to go alone, so I don't have to take care of you."
On the surface, Han Du did not want the two of them to drag him down, but in fact, Han Du himself was not sure that he could cross the thousands of miles of sea. For adventurous matters, one person is enough, and there is no need to drag others along.
But Jiang Ming smiled calmly and said: "The Marquis Zhang Chao wants to guard the old port, but the general has nothing to do. Besides, Marquis, you are invincible in sea battles, and the generals are naturally invincible. But what about the land battle? Anyway,
Someone needs to fight for the Marquis, right?
Lord Marquis, just let me follow you!"
Fang Xiaoru's words were more direct. He raised his hand to stop Han Du and said, "No, I came out with you. If I go back alone, how should I answer when Princess Anqing asks me where you are?"
In the end, among the four people's mutual resignation, it was finally decided that Jiang Ming and Fang Xiaoru would follow Han Du, and Zhang Chao led the navy back to the old port. After the navy rested in the old port, they immediately returned to the capital with those they captured.
.
As for Han Du's whereabouts, it is vaguely said that he is continuing to pursue the remaining people. Of course, the specific situation cannot be said.
Beijing, Fengtian Hall.
When Lao Zhu heard that the navy had captured some more people and returned, he couldn't help but smile with satisfaction. If these people were not eliminated, he would have trouble sleeping and eating. Only Han Du could share his worries, as long as
If Han Du takes action, there will be no gains.
"Where's Han Du? Why didn't he come to report to me in person?"
The old eunuch hesitated for a moment, then bowed and said, "Han Du didn't come back. It was his deputy general who came back to report."
"Where are his people?" Lao Zhu frowned.
"According to the news brought back, Han Du grabbed the tail of the remaining people and chased them all the way." The old eunuch bowed again and said.
Lao Zhu suddenly felt irritated in his heart. He didn't know where the irritability came from. He exhaled, suppressed the uncomfortable feeling, and ordered: "Where is the deputy general? Come and see me."
"According to the order." The old eunuch bowed and took two steps back, then quickly turned around and went out to make arrangements.
Not long after, a general dressed in military uniform walked into Fengtian Hall.
"General Zhou Xuan will pay homage to the Emperor."
When Lao Zhu heard this, he immediately put down his Zhubu, raised his head, and asked sternly: "Where has Han Du gone? To tell the truth, if you dare to tell half a lie, do you know the crime of deceiving the emperor?"
"I don't dare." The deputy general bowed down quickly.
After standing up, Zhou Xuan didn't speak, but glanced left and right.
The uneasiness in Lao Zhu's heart suddenly became stronger. He raised his left hand, flicked his fingers, and retreated to the left and right.
"Can we talk now?" Lao Zhu said with a straight face and a cold tone.
"The general obeys the decree, the Marquis of Zhenhai" Zhou Xuan explained the whole story to the emperor in detail.
After hearing this, Lao Zhu's face turned red with anger, and he suddenly slapped his hand on the imperial desk. He stood up and shouted angrily: "What are you doing for food? He is in danger, why don't you stop him?"
"Your Majesty, forgive me." A look of horror appeared on Zhou Xuan's face, and he quickly explained: "There are so many military orders in the Navy. If the Marquis wants to go, the generals and generals will not be able to stop him."
In vain, Lao Zhu sat back on the dragon chair with some despair. Knowing that Zhou Xuan was right, he raised his hand and moved his fingers to let him back down.
Seeing that Zhou Xuan had not yet responded, the old eunuch waved to him quickly.
Zhou Xuan suddenly woke up and bowed again: "I will retire at the end of the day."
After Zhou Xuan exited Fengtian Hall, the old eunuch asked Lao Zhu softly: "Your Majesty, what should we do with those we caught?"
Lao Zhu suddenly raised his head, his eyes widened, and was about to order them all to be executed. However, he suddenly thought of Han Du's life and death, and for some unknown reason, his words suddenly changed: "All of them will be thrown into the sky prison."
The old eunuch was a little surprised that the emperor did not directly execute these people, but he did not dare to ask, so he quickly agreed.
Above the vast sea, three warships were swaying under the scorching sun.
Han Du's lips were chapped and he hid in the cabin to avoid the heart-burning torment of the scorching sun.
"Master Hou, drink some more water. You see, you haven't drank water for several days." Jiang Ming held a porcelain bowl and brought it to Han Du.
Han Du looked at the bowl. The water in it only covered the bottom of the bowl. Han Du hummed twice and did not reach out to take it. Instead, he looked up weakly at Jiang Ming in front of him and asked: "There is still water on the boat."
?"
Jiang Ming's condition was no worse than Han Du's, and his eyes looking at the water in the bowl were full of longing. When he met Han Du's eyes, he didn't say anything, and just continued to ask lightly: "This is the last one."
Water?"
Jiang Ming nodded heavily.
Han Du smiled, leaned back, away from the porcelain bowl, and leaned weakly against the bulkhead. He glanced at Fang Xiaoru, who was lying motionless on the ground. If his chest wasn't still heaving, Han Du would have thought he was
He was already dead. He glanced at Jiang Ming and said, "Give him a drink."
Jiang Ming had no choice but to bring the water to Fang Xiaoru, support his head, and carefully pour the water from the gap between his lips little by little.
After doing all this, Jiang Ming threw the porcelain bowl on the ground and turned to look at Han Du.
"Master Marquis" Jiang Ming looked miserable and blinked his eyes with difficulty. However, he had been severely dehydrated for a long time and could not even shed tears.
"Master Marquis, please bring some water from other ships. I will beg you at the end of the day."
Hearing this, Han Du tilted his head slightly towards Jiang Ming, smiled and said: "When we set out, we all brought the same amount of fresh water, and they used it strictly in accordance with the requirements. Our ship is like this now, do you think they
Will there still be water on the boat?”
After being given water by Jiang Ming, Fang Xiaoru slowly woke up, turned over, and sat up with support on his hands. When he saw the overturned porcelain bowl beside his legs, he didn't understand what was going on?
He looked up at Han Du and asked, "Is there no water on the boat?"
When Jiang Ming saw Han Du giving the last bit of water to Fang Xiaoru, he might have complained about him, so he said in a fierce tone: "What you just drank was the last bit of water."
Fang Xiaoru just glanced at Jiang Ming, ignored him, and looked up at Han Du.
Han Du let out a long sigh and said with a smile: "I told you not to follow me, but you didn't listen. It's okay now, we will all die on this sea."
Fang Xiaoru was silent for a long time after hearing this, and finally sighed and said: "The dangers on this sea are really unimaginable."
At this moment, the rays of the scorching sun on the deck seemed to begin to dim.
Han Du blinked, thinking it was his hallucination. But when Han Du focused his eyes again and looked over, he could clearly see that the sunlight was much weaker than before.
At the same time, a cold wind seemed to blow in from outside the crack of the door, making Han Du shiver.
"Did you feel it?"
"What?" Fang Xiaoru and Jiang Ming both asked feebly.
"The wind is blowing, cold wind!"
After Han Du finished speaking, a thrill spread throughout his body. His whole body seemed to regain strength instantly, he opened the door and rushed out.
Jiang Ming followed Han Du out first than Fang Xiaoru. The three of them stood on the deck and watched the sea in the distance covered by dark clouds.
Without the fear of facing the storm, Jiang Ming suddenly shouted: "It's raining, it's going to rain! Everyone, please bring out the things that can hold the rainwater. Quick, quick, quick."
Woo~~~
A deep horn sounded immediately, and the sound of "dang-dang-dang-dang" gongs was also heard from the two warships on the left and right.
Before the soldiers could move the barrels out, thick raindrops hit the deck with bursts of chill.
Han Du quickly raised his head to the sky, opened his chapped lips, and greedily licked every drop of rainwater that hit his lips.
Hua Hua Hua~
Heavy rain poured down, and the three warships immediately hung up glass lanterns to prevent each other from losing track. Countless soldiers braved the heavy rain and used copper basins to scoop the rainwater on the deck into wooden barrels, filling as much as possible with everything they could.
Water utensils. At this time, no one cares whether the deck is dirty or not. People who have almost died of thirst cherish every drop of rainwater.
This heavy rain replenished the fresh water of the three ships again.
But before Han Du could be happy, bursts of lightning and thunder appeared in the dark clouds in the distance. Since they received the rain gifted by the storm, they naturally had to endure the baptism of strong winds and huge waves.
The warship began to tilt and sway in the storm. At this time, there was no way to contact the other two warships. They could only ask the Bodhisattva to bless them and wish themselves good luck.
Jiang Ming's roaring voice echoed across the ship, instructing the navy officers to deal with it carefully.
Fortunately, the storm came and went quickly. After the storm passed, another bright sun shone on the sea, flashing a little golden light.
The distance between the three warships was blown by the storm, but they were not completely lost. After the weather cleared, they quickly moved closer to Han Du's flagship, and the three warships resumed sailing side by side on the sea.
Look.
Han Du touched a handful of wet water on his hair and was reluctant to squeeze it dry. He raised his head and asked Jiang Ming: "How is it? Is our loss big this time?"
Jiang Ming said in a serious tone: "Half of the rainwater we collected was poured out, but fortunately it was poured into the boat, so we should be able to recover some of it. And when our boat was in the storm, we were thrown out by two
Three people and four people were thrown out of the other two boats respectively. The other three people were not rescued because they were short of water for too long."
Han Du nodded and closed his eyes sadly. If you were missing in the storm, you would definitely die. Even those who died on the boat could not be brought back and could only be thrown into the sea. Otherwise, if they were carried on the boat
If people die, it is very easy for the plague to break out. If the plague comes together, it will be a real disaster.
For the people of Ming Dynasty who pay attention to burial, the ending of death without a whole body like being buried in the sea is a heavy sorrow.
"Write down your name and I will reward you heavily when you return!" There was only so much that Han Du could do.
Jiang Ming nodded heavily, indicating that he would write it down.
After the two of them passed away, with the navy having enough fresh water, everyone recovered.
Han Du and the two of them sat on the bow of the boat.
Fang Xiaoru's skin was tanned and red these days, and even his personality completely lost the elegance of a scholar, and became as rude as the soldiers on the ship.
Han Du once asked Fang Xiaoru about this problem. The answer he got was that this ship was full of rough men with rude manners. Who could show his elegance to Fang Xiaoru?
Well, after Han Du got frustrated, he never asked this stupid question in front of Fang Xiaoru again.
Fang Xiaoru held a porcelain cup, took a sip, and sipped it carefully. It was as if his cup contained some rare and famous tea, but in fact, his cup only contained water.
Putting down the cup, Fang Xiaoru suddenly looked at Han Du and asked doubtfully: "You said that we were so well prepared that we almost died of thirst due to lack of water, but how did those people solve the problem of drinking water? Is it their luck?
Is it better than us to encounter heavy rain along the way?"
Han Du glanced at Fang Xiaoru indifferently and said, "How is this possible? If this is the case, can it be said that this sea is completely dead and lifeless?"
"It's lucky that we can encounter a heavy rain once. If you don't believe me, you can ask Jiang Ming. If we sail on the sea ten times, can we encounter such a heavy rain once?"
Jiang Ming shook his head subconsciously and sighed: "Let alone ten times, even a hundred times, we may not encounter it once. Speaking of which, we actually encountered such a heavy rain when we ran out of fresh water.
It’s true that God is watching over us.”
"But how do those people use less fresh water than us and still run ahead of us?" Fang Xiaoru couldn't understand even more.
Han Du glanced at Jiang Ming.
When Jiang Ming saw it, he immediately explained to Fang Xiaoru: "What else could it be? With fewer people, less fresh water is needed, so it can naturally last for a long time."
"There are fewer people? Why are there people? You mean they kill people?" Fang Xiaoru reacted instantly, with a look of horror on his face, pointing at Jiang Ming, and asked in disbelief.
Fang Xiaoru wanted to refute, but couldn't find a reason to refute. On the vast sea, if he wanted to support himself longer with less fresh water, except for the reason mentioned by Jiang Ming, there was no other reason.
Fang Xiaoru opened her mouth, but finally closed it, feeling speechless.
Neither Han Du nor Jiang Ming spoke. Fang Xiaoru was just a scholar. He could think of killing people to reduce fresh water consumption, which was his limit. But Han Du and Jiang Ming were different. Both of them were dark and vicious.
Judging from the current situation, those people not only lack fresh water, but may even lack food.
In this case, it is self-evident. Those people not only killed people to save water, but also
It's too cruel, so it's better not to let Fang Xiaoru know about it. Han Du and Jiang Ming looked at each other and made a decision in their hearts at the same time.
Han Du was lucky. He found another island on the way, replenished fresh water here, and found traces of those people. And judging from various signs on the island, the number of those people was higher than Han Du had estimated.
A lot less, obviously Han Du and Jiang Ming's guess was not wrong.
However, Han Du didn't care whether they were fighting among themselves or killing each other. Now that they had found the trace, they would pursue it relentlessly.