Volume II Chapter 55 Tángláng Bǔ Chá**(Part 2)
Mantis Stalks the Cicada Unaware of the Bird Behind
**Chinese idiom, from Daoist cla.s.sic; The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole
behind. Meaning : to pursue a narrow gain while neglecting a greater danger).
Su Su"s face does not have any sign of anxiousness , not even for a little bit,
with faint smile she turned her attention to that person who was sitting on the
side like a mountain, without a sign of even slightest movement, asked, " Mo
Yuan, what is your take to it, how do we engaged in the fight?”
That person leaned his body over slightly, unexpectedly with appearance
between laughing and smiling, "You are asking me?"
Su Su pouted her lips and replied, “Didn’t you say that since you are in, we will
win?"
Mo Yuan slender index finger stroked his chin gently, looks that the profound
eyes of Su Su, " You mean, in your next battle, I should come and help you fight?
Uhh… ... Su Su thought that she was stab by Mo Yuan, gnashing her molars
talking to herself , " Mo Yuan little Lord omnipotent, I just want to experience
and see. “
Mo Yuan nodded slightly, after hearing the familiar gnashing of teeth and self
dialogues , laughed again," If you really want, I would let you see what you
want to see. “(T/N: Mo Yuan laughing? This will scandalize Li Yang).
" You two, do you want me to steep you a cup of tea, so that you can slowly
talk? " Sang Nuan’s gentle voice was gentler than usual, soft and pleasant,
supple like breaking out of the water surface, Mo Yuan’s proposal appeared to
be good, Su Su who doesn’t care about being embarra.s.sed and doesn’t have a
sense of shame on matters like this, sigh with the invitation, quickly replied,
"No." (T/N: Is she teasing the two?)
At this time, outside the door there was someone knocking softly, Ao Qī move
towards the door. He opened the door, to see a young man with a grim face, Ao
Qī was standing behind the gate, he took a step back, whispered towards the
shed, called "Sang Nuan, the sandbox was brought here.”
“Come on in. "Sang Nuan answered, Ao Qī slightly leaned over as the two men
gingerly carried the sand box.
Sang Nuan pointed to the small table previously used by Sang Nuan and Sang
Leng to play a game of chess and the two clever man placed sand table on top
then immediately backed out. At this time, out of the door came in also two
men, Ma Shu and Xiao Lin. It took them half an hour to count vessels and census
the people.
“Dàxiǎo jie. ” ( which means elder daughter of affluent family)
“Xiǎo jie.” ( this means young lady, it is commonly addressed if the person is
older )
The two men came into the shed; Sang Nuan manner was very respectful. Ma
Shu said, "On the island there are six warships, four of which has 12 forts, two
with eight fort, a total 4,900 ammunition, five ships have no turret, two large
fishing vessels, there are some small fishing vessels for offsh.o.r.e fishing. "
After Ma Shu’s ( Shu means uncle ) report, Xiao Lin also then took his turn , “
There are 380 people in the island that are able bodied and can fight, everyone
has their own weapon, as for the weapon storage, broadsword 65, dagger 46,
bow 93, arrow 210 bunches, other pointed weapons 26. The island reservoirs
there are 12 pools that is full, probably also suffices for a half a month to drink."
Su Su slightly picked her eyebrows, for less than half time, the inventory was
quick and very clear, Su Su remembered Sang Nuan said a moment ago for the
two to pick men on their group to carry out the tasks to get a census of people
and ships, which the two men had done.
After their report, they stood in one side and waiting for Sang Nuan’s further
instruction, Su Su suddenly ask,"Uncle Ma, how many small boats in total
specifically?"
Uncle Ma looked at Sang Nuan waiting for her approval, she lightly nodded,
immediately he answered, "There are 14 that can be of use."
Su Su listened and nodded and did not say anything afterwards. Sang Nuan
seemed to be thinking of something, the two men nearby was waiting for
further instruction, "I knew you are waiting for me, you go to the cave and wait
for me there."
"Yes."They turn around to leave and walked towards the entrance.
After listening to the report of the two men earlier of their Island’s situation, Su
Su went in front of the sandbox, scanned the topographic map of the island and
said," Ao Qī , can you specifically tell us about the status of the ships and
ammunition of Ju Ling, as well as the crew? "
“Seven ships, each ship 12 forts, 6000 ammunition, 122 people available, 52
personnel are good in naval battles, 70 people good at a.s.sa.s.sination.”
Indeed worthy as Uncle Ao person, truly difficult to make them say only several
words, that would be challenging, Su Su remembered and say, "I will see over
the two days, how good they are at naval battle right?"
Ao Qī nodded, “ Yes, and also the a.s.sa.s.sination experts were already hiding in
various secret places in the island everywhere.
When Ao Qī finished speaking, Sang Nuan’s face was a picture of calmness,
Sang Leng expression rather very strange, the pair have both admiration and
careful not to show it.
Although on Sang Nuan on her face does not show any expression but her heart
was actually really uncomfortable. Su Su said correctly, the ordinary
consequence for Huan Lang Island coming into view was unbearable, it will not
withstand, if Ao Tian wants to kill and extinguish them, there was no need for
Liao Yue, Huan Lang Island will cease to exist.
The elder sister and the younger brother’s expressions were not too good, Su Su
quickly decided to moved on to a better subject! "Looking at the battle
formation that today"s Tantai Ye Lie displayed, even with our existing ships and
humans add together, it would be very difficult if the battle is at the sea.
Therefore, we can only choose to engage them in the island head-on. The
common warship, the fort can hit 100 ten feet or so, Liao Yue’s elite division, it
could be 120 ten feet, even if they stop the ship in the sh.o.r.e and open fire at the
island, it can blow up the trees and the log cabin by the seash.o.r.e, it cannot
affect the jungle. Therefore, if Liao Yue want to win, they must attack by land
finally. At the appointed time we will fight back using the advantages of the
jungle.
Su Su was laying down her proposition and at the same time took the flag at the
sand table and inserts it in the jungle position.
“So far a distance?"
Su Su thought she was misunderstood, looked at Sang Leng, seeing his eyes was
somewhat complex then he added, “ The warship on island, the fort can only
make play 60 ten feet."
Su Su was surprised, it can play only 60 ten feet? On a second thought, if these
ships were what Mo Sang left behind, that was two decades ago, those forts
and ammunition even with care and maintenance; she does not know if they can
be of use. Su Su silently turned to Mo Yuan, with the look ‘ do not tell me the
ships of Mohist were also… … not good’.
Mo Yuan faintly threw few words, "The Mohist ship can play 150 ten feet."
One hundred fifty ten feet? Let alone Sang Nuan and Sang Leng, whereas Su Su
included was also shocked. The Su Family fire and ammunition manufacture all
these years were unsuccessful with their efforts and have only generated 120
ten feet artillery. How did the Mohist able to produce 150 ten feet fort? Even
Liao Yue cannot be a worthy opponent; frankly speaking, the Mojia shuns the
world but also did not like fighting, how did they produce so intrepid warships?
Su Su guesses that they should be able to defend themselves, is it possible that
the Mohist who were living in seclusion made their hideout … … by the sea?
Su Su’s pair of big eyes began to stare at Mo Yuan, her heart had all kinds of
speculation. Seeing her bright eyes flashing more and more radiance, Mo Yuan
eyes across has the touch of a smile and finally spoke, “ Did you completely gave
up the naval operation yet? If you need the thick mist before the island, though I
cannot help you disperse it completely but make it become thin, so you can see
the objects, I am able to do it. "
Su Su who was listening, stared with widened eyes at Mo Yuan, " Is this for
real?"
The Mo Yuan glanced at her, Su Su’s saw in the pair of black eyes a less
pleasant ray, quickly said, "I do not want fog to be lifted actually, the best if fog
can be thicker, the thicker fog the better!
Thicker fog the better? Mo Yuan scratched his eyebrow slightly, however Sang
Leng cannot bear to `be acquainted with and asked, " Based on today"s
situation, Liao Yue Naval forces" was on the path of the dense fog and was very
familiar with it, completely not being able to see their actions, if we rushed in
the dense fog, will not be their matches, the dense fog instead have became
Liao Yue’s side barrier of naval forces, we simply could not see clearly where the
ships were hidden in the end."
Su Su shook her head, cunning smiles appeared on the corners of her mouth, "
With regards to us, our advantage is actually only two points, one is dense
forest, the second is the dense fog. The greatest feature of the fog is being
suitable for hiding. If there is a large area of dense white fog to hide them, we
have a group of such talented a.s.sa.s.sins conduct a sneak attack."
Sneak attack? Three people look at Su Su silently and waited for her to continue.
Su Su looked at Sang Nuan and asked, "Ah Nuan, at the moment do you still
need to hide your skill with poisoning technique?"
Sang Nuan clears her throat and answered, " I have no consideration of
decorum ( feel guilty or embarra.s.sment), naturally did not have anything to
evade even what was considered taboo. In the past mother was also relying on
controlling the entire Huan Lang Island using the poisonous control, although
she was incomparable, actually I live confidently in them."
Su Su nods, her voice was full of excitement, the small flag also in hand inserted
in the white sand on table above that represents the layers of dense fog, " Liao
Yue even though they are familiar with the dense fog, however certainly they
will not be quick in the speed marching forward in the midst of dense fog. We
have 14 boats, sometimes the boat may be easier-to-use than the warship. Ah
Nuan, you find me 28 people most familiar with the path, I will arrange four
a.s.sa.s.sins on each boat, tonight we will make them ambush in the dense fog,
tomorrow once Liao Yue’s ships pa.s.sed through that dense region, right away
make them approach the warships, a.s.sa.s.sinate those that can be a.s.sa.s.sinated,
it will be too late to use the poison technique!"
"......" All three inwardly sighs, really, all is fair in war? Su Su caught herself
when she was talking about the sneak attack, her eyes was excessively excited.
"Sang Nuan, you a.s.signs two Huan Lang ship and 100 people to me, I plan that
with seven warships of 50 people from Ju Ling Island, with your two warship of
100 people, they will oppose the enemy in addition directly. The firing distance
of Mohist warships was far, the Mo Yuan , you arranged an aid outside, have
them prevent the dense fog, Liao Yue doesn’t have to know that outside the
dense fog has many ships, lets them taste the taste how to be attacked front
and rear. As long as they were in chaos, we have the opportunity. Sang Leng,
you bring 100 people and four warships defend the reef beach. Your function is
to you discover enemy troops, hold them, until the time for Sang Nuan to make
the arrangements in the jungle, it is also to prevent Liao Yue to sneak attack us
from behind."
"Yeah."
"Sang Nuan, you bring the 250 people on Huan Lang Island, I will give you 20
good a.s.sa.s.sins to be deployed in the jungle. Remember that the jungle is very
big, deploy wisely, do not do so recklessly."
"Yeah."
Su Su’s manner of speaking was unusually quicker, she was very nervous
actually. She had personally exercised war deployment at home, but at that
time, she had her parents standing behind her, they have a tacit understanding
with the soldiers, even if she were defeated there was always another chance to
exercise again, but now she does not have all of those things.
Su Su tightened her fist, makes an effort to deeply inspire and added, "Our time
is very tight, and all these deployment must be completed by tonight."
Three people faintly felt that anxiety from Su Su, Mo Yuan extended his hands
inside his sleeves quietly as if looking for something.
Sang Leng asked,” Do you fear that Tantai Ye Lie will not keep his word that’s
why ahead of time invading his territory?"
Su Su shook her head and sighed, "Forwarned is being forearmed."She thought
that the Tantai Ye Lie was unlikely to visit to challenge the enemy to battle
and to actually fail to keep his word, but she always had this restless feelings in
her heart, unavoidably something to be anxious about, "Ah Nuan, you and Sang
Leng go to the cave, and execute according to plan that we reached an
agreement a moment ago, a.s.signs the manpower, prepare the medicine and
after three hours, I will check on you."
Sang Nuan nodded, "Graciousness."
" Mo Yuan, you remember to instruct the people outside to always pay
attention to the movements on the island, if they hear a crackle of gunfire,
immediately collaborates from the outside with the inside immediately. " The Su
Su thought of something, also asked, “Ah yes, the matter of gathering the thick
fog do you also need someone to help you?"
"There is no need."
He was that strong? Sure indedd, earlier he asked for many people to cut logs
for people to arrange the embattlement ......Su Su was really curious, if the time
was not this tight, she also have to look at that 14 boats situation and the
distribution of tasks for that a.s.sa.s.sination, how she wishes she could watch Mo
Yuan to achieved the gathering of thick fog for such few hours by himself!
Sang Nuan glanced at Su Su and did not miss that bright shining eyes staring
intently at Mo Yuan, shook her head and then breaks the moment to say,” Let
us move respectively to our tasks."
Su Su was about to leave when a hand was extended suddenly, the slender
index finger and middle finger clamp a small yellow paper handing it before Su
Su. "What is this thing?" Su Su received the paper and examined it carefully,
that thing was folded like a triangle using a decadent paper. She pinched it
gently and she can feel that the triangle the center was wrapping something,
something solid but she really could not guess.
Seeing that Su Su wanted to disa.s.semble the yellow paper to find out what was
inside, Mo Yuan puts out a hand on the finger tip that was about to open the
paper, whispered, " You must not open it, inside is the antelope gra.s.s."
Su Su noted, when Mo Yuan said the words antelope gra.s.s, Sang Nuan paused
to listen at the doorway, Su Su doubting and looking at the thing in her hand,
asked, “What’s the use of it?"
Mo Yuan rarely knits his brows, Su Su was silent at this moment and his tone
was somewhat irritated all of the sudden, " I gave it to you just take it and in
several days you must give back to me."
Also need to return this ? Su Su guessing, "is ......for safety?"
Mo Yuan was silent, she has no reason, Su Su thought that sometimes he had
this strange att.i.tude, now giving her something to be safe, she smiled as she
was putting it in her waistband, the yellow triangular paper, with grat.i.tude,
"Thank you."
Su Su outwardly walked two steps, glancing at the front towards Sang Nuan’s
delicate back, paused her footsteps, then asked, "Why did you not to give one to
Ah Nuan also?"
Mo Yuan looked at her deeply sideways, answered briefly, "She does not need
one." then left.
What was that supposed to mean? Could it be said that in this war, Ah Nuan
was in no danger but for her... ... there seems to be a danger.