"Boss, you're back! Did you get it?"
Seeing Jiang Hai and Edward Anderson drive back, Tommy Charles and the others, who had been waiting at the dock, immediately came over. Because of the fishermen's unrest in recent days, Jiang Hai and his crew hadn't gone fishing at night. Still, their earlier hauls had been enough to keep the partner restaurants and Sam's Club in Pra Walton supplied, though with less variety.
So, aside from Edward Anderson, no one else had gone fishing at night.
But without fishing, there was no income. Sure, their salaries were still being paid, but what they really wanted was the bonus.
"Now that we've got it back, let's deal with it together." Jiang Hai nodded at Tommy's words.
At that, Tommy Charles and the others rushed over. Their faces hardened as they caught sight of the high-pressure water cannon pulled behind Jiang Hai's vehicle. Fishermen weren't known for subtlety; if someone provoked them, they would never let it slide. After unfastening the cannons, they discovered several thick steel plates beneath them, as sturdy as the ones used on ships.
"What are these for?" Enol Ceci asked curiously, completely puzzled.
"Defense. Thanks to Edward Anderson's reminder, if we're going to fire from the outside, the best way is to mount them on turrets." Jiang Hai grinned as he explained, glancing at Edward Anderson. He remembered how Edward had suddenly suggested this just before Jiang Hai made the payment.
"That's even better! Come on, let's arm these boats!" Bill Zepheniah, who had just arrived, laughed heartily at the sight of the plates and shouted. The others quickly joined in, their excitement growing.
They immediately headed to the dock, grabbed blowtorches, saws, and other tools, and began modifying the boats. Jiang Hai wasn't very skilled with these tasks, but thankfully, his men were.
They knew exactly how to enhance defenses, how to attack without being vulnerable, and how to maximize their field of vision. That evening, the dock lights didn't go out until after ten o'clock.
Exhausted, Jiang Hai returned home. Entering the villa, he saw the meal the women had specially prepared for him and smiled. They hadn't said much these past few days, but Jiang Hai could feel their concern. Still, he knew that retreating didn't always guarantee smooth sailing. At least, he didn't believe it did.
After reheating the dishes, he ate quickly, tossed the leftovers and utensils into the dishwasher, and returned to his room. Inside, Qi Jie, Qi Ya, Xila, and Oshilia—his companions for the night—were already asleep. Quietly, Jiang Hai slipped into the bathroom to wash up.
The day had been unbearably hot. Between the sea breeze, the sun, and hours of welding with blowtorches, Jiang Hai was drenched in sweat, carrying with him an odd metallic smell. He turned on the shower and began washing. Just as he lathered his hair, he noticed Qi Jie standing by the bathroom door.
"Hey? Why are you up? Did I wake you?" Jiang Hai asked awkwardly, standing naked inside while she stood in her silk pajamas, her coat draped loosely over her shoulders.
"No, I wasn't asleep. I heard you come back…" Qi Jie shook her head, her expression calm.
Jiang Hai gave a helpless smile, finished washing up quickly, and felt the urge to apologize—he knew it was his actions that had made her worry.
"When a man is handling matters outside, women shouldn't interfere. But you also know how important you are to this household. So, before making decisions, please think of the women around you," Qi Jie whispered softly.
"I really worried you…" Jiang Hai muttered, warmth spreading through his chest. Rinsing the foam from his hair, he wiped his face and approached her, his cheeks red.
"You know we'll always worry. Just be more careful, alright?" she said, casting him a reproachful glance before turning to leave. But before she could step away, Jiang Hai caught her and kissed her deeply.
Qi Jie's resistance melted instantly. She could never withstand Jiang Hai's dominance. Her body softened like water in his arms as Jiang Hai carried her out of the bathroom. Yet, just before he opened the bedroom door, Qi Jie pressed a hand against it.
"No, don't wake the others…" she whispered breathlessly.
Jiang Hai froze for a moment, then nodded and kissed her again. The battle began suddenly, fiercely.
An hour later, with Qi Jie freshly washed, Jiang Hai carried her back to bed. She curled into Xila's arms as she drifted to sleep. She knew Jiang Hai liked to sleep while holding Qila, and she didn't mind.
Jiang Hai, a little embarrassed but used to the habit, lay down and wrapped his arm around Qila. The room fell silent until dawn.
The next morning, Jiang Hai returned to the dock to help with the installations. Welding wasn't easy—it demanded strength and precision. But in America, most ranch and fishery owners were hands-on. Instead of hiring labor, they learned to do things themselves from a young age. By adulthood, they were already skilled.
Though not as refined as professional work, what they built was sturdy enough. By the second night, several gun emplacements had been completed.
Each emplacement resembled a metal cage, with firing slots at different angles, ensuring flexible firepower. Jiang Hai had essentially turned his boat into a waterborne fortress: two 120mm cannons at the front, two 82mm on either side, and two 65mm as backups.
The frames were rough and unsightly, but incredibly solid. Tests showed that even under direct hits from 82mm and 120mm water cannons, the steel plates held strong. The ships only rocked with the impact.
Jiang Hai was pleased. Each 120mm emplacement had four viewing slots, three reinforced with bulletproof glass, and one elongated oval opening for aiming. Tests showed they could sweep a 45-degree arc—more than enough. When both fired together, they created a storm of water that left no blind spots.
The cannons' power was terrifying. A wooden boat would be shattered instantly; small fishing boats capsized without resistance; even medium vessels rocked violently, as if caught in a storm.
Satisfied, Jiang Hai and his crew finished adjustments by the third day and turned in early, expecting trouble. Sure enough, at dawn the next morning, Edward Anderson sounded the alarm.
Jiang Hai and his fishermen rushed to the dock. Bell Lester launched a helicopter, not for combat, but to record everything.
This time, Jiang Hai was taking the initiative. If his enemies dared to act recklessly, he wouldn't hold back.
The two armed fishing boats sped toward the border. When they arrived, the intruders hadn't yet entered Jiang Hai's waters.
Through the telescope, Jiang Hai cursed. Nearly two-thirds of the opposing fishing boats had also mounted water cannons, openly displayed on deck. The smug looks on their faces only made him sneer.
They came prepared, but so had he.
"Jiang Hai, will you hand over the murderer?" the president of the fishery association called over the radio, smirking.
"Fuck off! You've already entered my private waters. Retreat now, and I'll forget this ever happened. Otherwise, I'll defend my rights." Jiang Hai roared back.
The president's expression darkened. "So be it. Fire!"
Dozens of water cannons unleashed streams of water. Though still out of range, they closed in fast.
"Sixteen 82mm, twenty-three 65mm, seventeen 50mm," Edward Anderson reported after a glance.
"They dared to bring 82mm? Pathetic. Tell Mullen to target the largest ship. Sweep the ones with 82mm!" Jiang Hai ordered coldly.
At his signal, Mullen Rupert's crew swung their 120mm emplacements toward the enemy's flagship. The twin cannons roared, sending torrents crashing into the vessel. Chaos erupted on deck.
The president's son, standing proudly at the bow, was struck squarely in the chest and hurled against the wall. The sailors were swept off their feet, thrown around like rag dolls.
Panic spread through the fleet. Some boats slowed, reluctant to approach; others charged recklessly, chanting slogans. Jiang Hai grinned, manning another 120mm himself.
"Fire!"
The torrent smashed into an approaching boat. Sailors were blown off their feet; the 82mm cannon tumbled into the sea. The ship rocked violently, almost capsizing. Screams filled the air as Jiang Hai shifted his aim, sparing them at the last moment.
His enemies were shaken, but some still pressed forward. Edward Anderson barked new orders: "Sweep their cannons into the sea! Focus fire on the flagship!"
The battle raged on, Jiang Hai's ships holding firm, their steel plates deflecting attacks. Fishermen were tossed into the sea one after another, their boats battered and pushed back.
Some attempted to ram Jiang Hai's ships directly. The guild leader, watching, sneered. "Let's see how you stop us now!"
But Jiang Hai only smiled. With a signal, two hidden 82mm cannons swung out, catching the attackers off guard. The torrents shoved them back, helpless against the force.
Shock spread through the enemy ranks. The guild leader's confidence faltered—this was a battle of wealth, and Jiang Hai's resources far surpassed theirs.
Yet his son refused to back down. Sneaking into speedboats with a handful of men, he attempted a surprise boarding. The boats darted across the waves, too nimble for the big cannons to hit.
But Jiang Hai had prepared for this. As the speedboats closed in, his men revealed concealed high-pressure valves. Twin torrents blasted the boats at point-blank range.
The president's son was struck again, hurled into the sea. His men were swept away, their boats wrecked in seconds.
Coughing seawater, his chest burning, the son resurfaced—just in time to see Jiang Hai's 82mm cannon finish the job, denting a nearby fishing boat and scattering its crew.
The guild leader's fleet was in shambles. And the battle was only just beginning.
(To be continued...)