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 those 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 can hardly survive.
Logically speaking, this is 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: "Are you going? Do you know how to locate a sextant? On the vast sea, if you don't know where you are, even if you know the direction, you will be dead."
Zhang Chao stopped talking immediately. Although he knew Liutant, Liutant did not know him. He didn't understand the complicated calculations of the sextant at all, let alone know how to use them.
Seeing that Zhang Chao was speechless by what he said, Han Du turned to look at Fang Xiaoru and Jiang Ming, and said: "A centipeded 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."
As he spoke, 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 stood 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 hand 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 things, one person is enough, there is no need to involve others.
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 incomparable. But what about the land battle? Anyway, Someone needs to fight for the Marquis, right?
Mr. Hou, 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 concessions, it was finally decided that Jiang Ming and Fang Xiaoru would follow Han Du, and Zhang Chao led the navy back to Old Port. After the navy made amends in the old port, it immediately returned to the capital with the captured people.
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.
...
Capital, Fengtian Palace.
When Lao Zhu heard that the navy had caught some more people and came back, he couldn't help but smile with satisfaction on his face. If these people are not eliminated, he will have trouble sleeping and eating. Only Han Du can share his worries. As long as Han Du takes action, there will be 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 lieutenant 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 irritable 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."
Upon hearing this, Lao Zhu immediately put down his Zhu batch, raised his head, and asked sharply: "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 you say it now?" Lao Zhu said with a straight face and a cold tone.
"The general obeys the decree, Marquis Zhenhai..." Zhou Xuan told the emperor the whole story 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 do you do 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. The Marquis wants to go, but the general...the general can't 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 reacted, 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. But suddenly thinking that Han Du's life or death was uncertain, for some 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 into the bowl. The water inside only covered the bottom of the bowl. Han Du hummed twice, but did not reach out to take it. Instead, he looked up weakly at Jiang Ming in front of him and asked: "Is there 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. Catching Han Du's gaze, he didn't say anything, but simply continued to ask: "Is this the last water?"
Jiang Ming nodded heavily.
Han Du smiled, leaned back, away from the porcelain bowl, and leaned weakly against the bulkhead. Glancing at Fang Xiaoru, who was lying motionless on the ground, Han Du would have thought he was dead if his chest wasn't still heaving. He gestured to 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 pour the water carefully 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 Hou..." Jiang Ming looked miserable and blinked hard. But he had been severely dehydrated for a long time and couldn't even shed tears.
"Master Marquis, please bring some water from other ships. I 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. We are all on board like this now, do you think Will they still have water on board?”
After being given water by Jiang Ming, Fang Xiaoru slowly woke up, turned over, and sat up with support from his hands. Seeing the overturned porcelain bowl next to your legs, why don't you understand what's 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, and 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 sighed 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 sun on the deck seemed to begin to dim.
Han Du blinked, thinking it was his imagination. But when Han Du looked over again, 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, bring out the things that can hold the rainwater, quick, quick, quick..."
Woo~~~
A low horn sound suddenly sounded, 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~
The rain was pouring down, and the three warships immediately hung up glass lanterns to avoid losing track of each other. Countless soldiers braved the heavy rain and used copper basins to scoop rainwater from the deck into wooden barrels, filling as many utensils as possible that could hold water. At this time, no one cares whether the deck is dirty or not. People who have experienced almost being thirsty to death 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 withstand the baptism of strong winds and 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 on the ship, instructing the navy officers to deal with it carefully.
Fortunately, the storm came and went quickly. After the storm passed, the sun shone on the sea again, flashing golden light.
The distance between the three warships was blown a little further by the storm, but they have not completely lost their traces. 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.
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? Are our losses big this time?"
Jiang Ming said in a heavy 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 for two seconds. People. Three 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. Lost in a storm, certain death. Even those who died on the ship could not be taken back and could only be thrown into the sea. Otherwise, if there are dead people on board, a plague will easily break out. Together with the plague, that is the real disaster.
For the Ming Dynasty people who pay attention to burial, the ending of death without a complete body like being buried in the sea is a heavy sorrow.
"Write down your name and I'll give you a big reward when you get back!" There was only so much Han Du could do.
Jiang Ming nodded heavily, indicating that he would write it down.
After the two passed away, and with the waterman having enough fresh water, everyone recovered.
Han Du and the two of them sat on the bow.
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. The answer I got was that this boat 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 gentle sip, and smacked 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? Better than us, we can 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 this sea still be said to be dead and lifeless?"
"It's lucky that we can encounter a heavy rain once. If you don't believe it, 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 if it is 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? How could 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, there is no other reason to survive longer with less fresh water except the reason mentioned by Jiang Ming.
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 are different. Both of them are dark and vicious. Judging from the current situation, those people not only lack fresh water, but may even lack food.
In this case, the matter is self-evident. Those people not only kill people to save water, but also...
It's too cruel, it's better not to let Fang Xiaoru know... Han Du and Jiang Ming looked at each other and made a decision in their hearts at the same time.
Han Du was lucky enough to find another island on the way, where he replenished fresh water and found traces of those people. And judging from various signs on the island, the number of those people was much less than Han Du estimated. 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 we have found the trace, we will pursue it relentlessly.
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