Summer, Nineteenth Year of the Xin Zhuo Emperor

The battle for the fate of the National Union of Jiangshan would begin today on estuary of the River Gugang.

The National Union Fleet assembled before dawn, setting up as strong a defensive position as they could. Kong had selected this location as the best before Panyu itself: the fleet lay in front of a funnel where the river entered the Golden Delta, allowing room for smaller ships to maneuver a great distance around the flanks but limiting the capital ships to a relatively small channel, a bottleneck further enhanced by the river defense obstacles Kui Jun had prepared in strategic locations around the various channels. Admiral Yi took command of the 210-vessel fleet, which he divided into three lines: a small skirmish screen of scout and fast attack ships led by Yunwen in the most dangerous position, the main line held by the Panokseons and Louchuans under Yi himself, and a reserve containing a mix of both small and large ships led by Mengho. In the main line, Yi held the center, the far left was held by the turtle ships under Eokgi, the middle left wing held by the Wokou pirates under Vrana, the middle right held by the Nanyue vessels under Chi and the far right held by the Berang paddle ships under Arshak. Among the center line, Qing commanded the dragons with orders to utilize whatever vessels would be needed, while Touba commanded the tengu expeditionary force.

Prepared as best as possible, the rebel fleet waited, silently bobbing in the currents as the sky turned from black to blue, and then a hint of brightness.

Positioned on the Magnolia beside Qing’s ship the Blue Lotus, Morha gripped the railing of the command post as she nervously looked east to the unbroken horizon along with the professional observers. The mušḫuššu didn’t know what else to do-the purple dragon would have been bored, if not for the pit in her stomach. Beside her Captain Lin simply ignored the watch and continued passing orders.

Soon morning broke, but the mists hung in the air, obscuring any sunrise and coating the area in a ghostly mist.

And then an hour later came the long-awaited and dreaded report: “They’re here.”

Immediately the crew of the Magnolia began assembling into battle stations, readying the sails, preparing the powder and loading the siege engines, and all the ships of the fleet fixed their formations as they awaited the inevitable onslaught.

Morha looked out into the horizon. At first there was nothing but the tumbling waves seeming to stretch into eternity. Then a speck appeared, which the mušḫuššu wasn’t even sure if she had been imagining things, before another speck joined, then a dozen, a score, a hundred, until it seemed like a carpet of insects was crawling towards them. Gradually the specks resolved themselves into massive ships four stories in height with a half dozen giant sails, bristling with cannons and manogels and archers and marines. An unbroken line of ships, like a wall in the middle of the sea stretching from horizon to horizon, bore down upon the rebel fleet.

“Well fuck.” Morha muttered. She looked over to the Blue Lotus, where Qing already had her hydraulic monitor ready beside her and was busy talking to some of the senior officers. The blue dragon noticed the purple one watching and gave Morha a thumbs up. Morha returned the salute, but was less assured as she tightened her helm.

The Imperial fleet continued approaching seemingly without concern, barely even rocking among the waves of the large river estuary. Two hundred of the large Atakebune and Louchuan moved as one, large chains joining them as one overbearing mass. All around darted smaller vessels, djongs and war junks, boarding ships and gunboats, and behind all this, row upon row of landing vessels. Longs fluttered among the enemy fleet, screening its approaches.

"This will be one for history romances." The mušḫuššu heard Captain Lin mutter.

Morha really wished it wasn't.

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Richard Beddow, Simon Ravn, Richard Birdsall, and Tim Wynn - Tyrant (Total War: Three Kingdoms Soundtrack)

From  Axelon!

Original: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/55701047/