Scumbag Chapter 167 The Reformed White-Eyed Wolf General (33)

Mingting also shared his plan with Qi Ming. "Instead of waiting for the Eastern Sea pirates to attack after Qingming Festival, I might as we

Mingting also shared his plan with Qi Ming.

"Instead of waiting for the Eastern Sea pirates to attack after Qingming Festival, I might as well lead the troops to attack first."

In the months after Qingming, which is April, the Eastern Sea pirates invasion will be very serious. It is better to take the initiative than to passively defend.

Moreover, Mingting had a bold plan.

As the highest-ranking official in Yaozhou, Qi Ming needed to be informed in advance to prevent rumors and greater complications.

"What did you say? You want to become a pirate?!" Qi Ming was shocked after hearing this.

Soon, he realized that Mingting wanted to disguise himself as a pirate and ‘rob the pirates’.

"But our hairstyles are nothing like the pirates’. Are you suggesting we shave our heads? That’s unacceptable. Our hair and skin are gifts from our parents..."

After listening to Qi Ming patiently, Mingting pulled out a red square cloth, folded it into a cap, and tied it around his head.

"The Red Turban Army, how about that? Soldiers in war, pirates in chaos. We’ll sow confusion, pick our targets, and take them down one by one. From now on, I’ll be the Red-Headed Ghost, leader of the Red Turban Army, specializing in beheading pirates."

"Within a year, I’ll make sure the entire sea is haunted by tales of the Red-Headed Ghost."

Mingting’s idea was audacious and dangerous, which startled Qi Ming.

However, his method was undeniably effective.

The only issue was that if the court found out that Mingting, the dignified Count of Dingyuan, had turned into a ‘pirate warlord’, the censors would scold him to death.

"Are you sure about this? This is not a good reputation to have!"

Qi Ming was very worried about Mingting.

"I will report to His Majesty when I go back. Besides, when the general is in the field, he need not follow imperial orders. As long as the goal is achieved, why fuss over the process?"

Mingting didn't care much about his reputation.

Instead, he was afraid that his reputation was too good and his prestige was too high, as it would give the Emperor a headache and make him unable to sleep.

"Brother, if anyone slanders you, I’ll stand by you without hesitation."

Qi Ming had never met someone like Mingting, who was so wholly dedicated to serving the people.

For a time, he was influenced by him and felt a surge of heroic resolve. Qi Ming even thought that if Mingting was held accountable in the future, he would resign from his post… He felt that being a Prefect wasn’t worth it if he couldn’t support such a man!

With Mingting away, many responsibilities would fall to Qi Ming, so the two discussed matters for a long time.

In the end, Qi Ming urged Mingting to proceed boldly, and said that Mingting's family was his family, and he would help take care of them.

Mingting appreciated Qi Ming's kindness, and he also mentioned the security of Ning'an City.

In the original timeline, the Eastern Sea pirates were able to kill Qi Ming's entire family in Ning’an City, which showed that the city’s defenses were woefully inadequate.

As a scholar, Qi Ming didn't care much about security before, thinking that this was a state capital, so no one would be so bold to cause trouble here.

Now, seeing Mingting’s seriousness, he made it a top priority.

If the Eastern Sea pirates were forced into a corner and resorted to creating chaos in the state capital, whether it was assassinating officials or raiding civilians, it would cause panic.

When he thought of this possibility, Qi Ming immediately became alert and promised Mingting that he would tighten the security.

…

Mingting returned home briefly.

He told Liu Yongshan that this mission might keep him away for a while. So he entrusted all the matters in the Count’s Mansion to his father-in-law, emphasizing Huiniang and Maomao’s safety above all.

"Don't worry, my good son-in-law, I promise you that I will take good care of the family."

Liu Yongshan gave his word.

In the evening, Mingting wrote a letter to Emperor Chang.

Though his handwriting was still far from elegant, it is much better than before. After all, when the Emperor himself sent calligraphy models, a little progress was necessary to keep him pleased.

In the letter, Mingting declared that from now on, he would be the pirate, ‘Red-Headed Ghost’, leading the Red Turban Pirates, which specialized in raiding Eastern Sea pirate at sea and aiming to become the most feared King of the Pirates.

Not only does he want to kill the Eastern Sea pirates, but he also wants to go to the Eastern Sea pirates' lair to let them feel the horror of the Red-Headed Ghost, so that they will not dare to go to sea in the future.

When the sea is completely calm in the future, the Red-Headed Ghost will disappear. It can retire or die in the hands of Zheng State's navy. It all depends on what Emperor Chang wants.

Mingting laid out detailed plans and even marked the envelope ‘Top Secret’.

Emperor Chang had grown accustomed to receiving Mingting’s periodic letters. This time, when he received the letter and saw the words ‘top secret’ on it, Emperor Chang rarely became serious.

‘Mingting is not a person who treats trivial matters as top secret, so this matter must be very important.’

Emperor Chang opened the envelope and quickly read the contents.

He understood Mingting’s intent. He wanted to create a sea ghost specifically targeting Eastern Sea pirates and others invaders.

Many actions, if taken officially, would draw condemnation, painting the dynasty’s ruler as cruel, perhaps even staining the historical records.

But if they change to another identity and become a ‘bandit’ outside the jurisdiction of the government, that is a different story.

Mingting said in the letter that everything the Red-Headed Ghost did to the Eastern Sea pirates and their hometown had nothing to do with Zheng State.

If he died, it would be as the Red-Headed Ghost, not Zheng State’s Count of Dingyuan.

If he fell into the hands of the Eastern Sea pirates and was captured alive, his identity would only be the leader of the Red Turban Pirates, and what he did had nothing to do with Zheng State.

And Mingting had already found the scapegoat, that is, the remnant of the previous dynasty.

In the end, the ones doing evil are the remnants of the previous dynasty… what does that have to do with their new dynasty?

Reading this, Emperor Chang’s eyes unexpectedly grew moist.

A head-on battle might seem honorable, but the pirates were elusive, making it impossible for Zheng’s soldiers to guard against them at all times.

Not only would it tie up vast military resources, but it would also drag on for years.

Mingting’s tactics, which contained ambushes and disguises, are brilliant. The only concerns were the safety of his team and the damage to Mingting’s reputation if the truth came out.

It can be said that Mingting was staking his life and reputation for the people of Yaozhou.

"A pillar of the nation! A loyal general!"

Emperor Chang carefully stored the letter away. The last time Mingting wrote a letter, it was leaked, and he had executed several people afterward.

This time, with such a critical secret at stake, he had to protect Mingting.

Moreover, the cannons had to be completed as quickly as possible, and the shipbuilding had to be accelerated too!

‘Kid, you must come back safely!’ Emperor Chang gazed southeast and said silently in his heart.

On land, he had full confidence in Mingting, the Ever-Victorious General, but could he still be invincible at sea?

Emperor Chang was deeply worried.

…

For the first operation, Mingting took a hundred men.

Once the ship left the harbor, he immediately ordered his people to go south. After arriving at a secluded bay, Mingting out the prepared red scarves, outfits, and sails, instructing everyone to change.

"My Lord, what’s this for?"

After changing and tying on the red scarves, the men stared in shock at the ship’s new sails, which is emblazoned with flaming red sigils.

‘Aren't we going to fight the Eastern Sea pirates? Why are we wearing casual clothes?’

"From now on, call me Boss." Mingting narrowed his eyes.

"We are no longer soldiers of Zheng State. We’re the Red Turban Army of the seas. We are the former dynasty's evildoers who were exiled to the sea. We robbed the island occupied by the Eastern Sea pirates and established ourselves as kings!"

The speech left the men dumbfounded. Some even began suspecting Mingting was secretly an imperial blood of the old dynasty.

Finally, Mingting explained his plan to them in detail, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"I’ve been a soldier all my life, this is my first time playing bandit! This is exciting! Only with the Boss could things get this wild!"

"The Boss is the Pirate King, and we’re his crew. Once we drive out the pirates, we’ll be the lords of the sea like he said!"

"Stealing from Eastern Seapirates? I’m in! Boss, let’s move… my blade is thirsty!"

Two boats, more than a hundred people, just the mention of killing Eastern Sea pirates had them howling with excitement.

Especially when Mingting announced that half the loot seized from pirates would go to the court, and the other half would be split among them. Their eyes turned bloodshot with greed.

Who had ever seen a leader this generous? Sure enough, following Count of Dingyuan meant feasting on meat!