Midnight.
Lord Ran sat in the cabin planning the supplies needed for the next day when shouts rang out from outside the boat.
"My lord, there's a fleet of ships ahead!"
Lord Ran put down his pen and stepped out, gazing into the darkness where flickers of light sparked like stars.
Soon, a scout paddled back on a sampan to report.
"Lord Ran, I went to inquire and indeed ahead is Lord Liang's fleet!"
From another boat, Xiang Fangsu's hearty laughter sounded: "We've finally met up! It wasn't easy! Row quickly, let's get closer!"
At this command, a dozen boats remained still, steadily proceeding in the original direction.
Xiang Fangsu, puzzled, entered the cabin to ask, "Why aren't we going over?"
The helmsman hurriedly explained, "Master Xiang may not know, but our ships are large and loaded with many supplies, so they draw much water. The area ahead is shallow and could easily result in us running aground.
