The term "compelled" is apt in this situation. Although hijacking a ship carries great risk, considering the murderous intent of the other party, it seems we have no alternative given the current circumstances.
I remained silent, nodding toward Guo Tianming.
Upon returning, I informed Duan Huairen and Jiang Erwa of the situation.
Duan Huairen wasted no time, expressing that when one has a knife at their throat, it's a matter of unbearable provocation. He felt that in this matter, we and Guo Tianming shared common interests and risks, and thus, the benefits should be equally shared, with a fifty-fifty split.
"That's easy," remarked Duan Huairen. "Guo Tianming is clueless. I have no idea how much these goods are worth, and he's even more in the dark. When the time comes, we'll call the shots."
Duan Huairen stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Indeed, that seems to be the case."
Jiang Erwa was indignant. Despite his recent closeness with He Huan, he had been kept in the dark. Fuming, he exclaimed, "The first mate, that scoundrel, kept such a major event from me. It seems he doesn't consider me one of his own."
Duan Huairen snorted. "Old Jiang, you overestimate yourself. The first mate threw the quartermaster and the third mate overboard like they were worthless. What makes you think you're any different? Also, concerning Old Jia and He Huan, your wife..."
Jiang Erwa's expression soured, and he interrupted sharply, "Enough said. Let's settle both old and new scores and deal with them to the end."
With matters of life and death at stake and the other side having the advantage in numbers, direct confrontation was not advisable. We needed a foolproof plan, so we met in secret several times to finalize a strategy.
Guo: "He Huan said I'm a freeloader who doesn't work. Very well, next time I'll join him in diving into the sea and take care of this damned business."
Pausing, he added, "The rest of you, focus on controlling Old Jia. As the saying goes, 'When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.' Once we settle things with them, the rest won't be a concern."
Jiang Erwa, puffing on his cigarette, squinted and remarked, "That's a good plan. Catching Old Jia, that scoundrel, I want to deal with him personally and toss his offspring into the sea to feed the fish."
However, there was one more thing.
If the plan failed and there was no way out, we would be left with only one option: a dead end.
"Shouhou, I have a task for you."
Wang Xiaoliang readily agreed, saying, "Du Ge, just give me the orders."
"In that case, you'll be responsible for getting the life raft ready. Bring some food and drink, as well as diving equipment. And don't forget..."
After a moment of thought, I added, "Make sure to bring plenty of water. You can go without food for days, but without water, drinking alcohol will only make you die of thirst."
Guo Tianming and Wang Xiaoliang exchanged a smile, while I remained puzzled by their amusement.
Wang Xiaoliang explained, "Du Ge, since you haven't obtained your seaman's certificate, you wouldn't know. A few fishing rods will suffice; fish eyes have physiological saltwater."
I exclaimed in surprise, "You know about my background?"
Guo Tianming patted my shoulder. "To be honest, Jin Shiqing told me."
The rain had been falling for several days, and with such a confined space on the ship, tensions had reached their peak. Everyone was on edge, and the internal pressure was immense.
Due to the heightened mental strain, I had hardly slept a wink in the past few days.
As dawn broke, the rain ceased, and the wind subsided. The morning sun pierced through the overcast sky like a sharp fish knife.
"It's time to get to work. We've been idle for too long," came the voice of He Huan from outside.
As Wang Xiaoliang walked past me, he whispered, "Du Ge, it's done."
Glancing over, I saw several Manchu men casually dispersing from the life raft. They had stolen the keys and quietly unlocked the steel cable's padlock. In case of emergency, the life raft could be deployed at any time.
As for supplies, Old Jia was also prepared. Not even a single shallot could escape his watchful eye.
We managed to procure some instant food, concealed in several backpacks for easy carrying. We didn't bring water, but we prepared fishing rods; if necessary, we'll have to rely on the sea for survival.
The salvage operation continued.
He Huan had bandages on his hands, didn't even wear knee-high rain boots, only a pair of Li Ning basketball shoes, standing on the deck gesturing and shouting orders.
Wang Xiaoliang whispered, "Lao Gui, there's been a change. It seems the first mate won't come down today."
Guo Tianming furrowed his brow, remained silent, briefly contemplated, then went straight over, busying himself with the diving equipment.
Wang Xiaoliang quickly told He Huan, "First mate, I've caught a cold from the rain these past few days, got a bad stomachache."
This excuse was valid; diving with a stomachache is impossible. Due to the low water temperature, it can trigger spasms, risking one's life.
Guo Tianming, while putting on his gear, sarcastically remarked, "Some people are like crows standing on a coal heap, quick to spot others' flaws but blind to their own."
Guo Tianming was quite cunning, deliberately referring to "crows" as "dogs," clearly shifting the focus onto the Teddy Dog Biscuits matter. When those Manchu men looked at us, their expressions changed instantly.
Hearing this, He Huan's face darkened, raising his severed finger. "Lao Gui, what else do you want?"
Guo Tianming smiled faintly but said nothing, shouldered the air tank, and jumped into the sea.
Guo Tianming knew He Huan too well; once he went down, He Huan would inevitably follow suit. Because He Huan always had to one-up him, even when it came to peeing.
Sure enough, Guo Tianming's scheme succeeded.
He Huan's face alternated between shades of blue and purple. Ignoring everyone's attempts to stop him, he wrapped the wound with tape and also went into the sea.
As a wave passed, the sea surface regained its calm. Beneath the endless expanse of the sea, a thrilling battle was about to unfold.
Old Jia was still sleeping in the captain's cabin, while Jiang Erwa, cigarette in mouth, prowled near the gangway, like a hungry wolf eyeing its prey.
He Huan had a few loyal followers, all watched closely by Duan Huairen's group. Once Guo Tianming succeeded, we would act immediately, aiming for a quick and decisive battle.
About an hour later, bubbles began to surface on the sea, and a figure emerged – Guo Tianming. He nodded towards us.
During our planning, once Guo went into the water, it was either him killing He Huan or He Huan killing him; there was no third possibility.
Seeing Guo Tianming resurface, several Manchu men immediately attacked. With glints of cold steel, two men were stabbed repeatedly, not understanding what was happening before being shoved into the sea.
One tried to flee but was soon caught up to. Fish knives slashed wildly, blood splattering everywhere.
"One kill or two, it's all the same."
"Kill them all, leave no one alive."
Amidst this crimson world, these men had gone berserk.
Seeing this, I was stunned, quickly shouting, "Nobody move, no one is allowed to move."
Duan Huairen hurriedly restrained the Manchu men, telling those who were pale with fear to crouch down.
"Duan Huairen, we mustn't let them kill anyone else."
After shouting, I turned and ran towards the captain's cabin, as Jiang Erwa's figure was no longer at the gangway.
Jiang Erwa's ambush had failed, and he was wrestling with Old Jia.
He held a fish knife, both covered in blood, and it was unclear who was injured. I quickly helped subdue Old Jia and tied him up with a belt.
Half of Old Jia's face was on the ground, glaring at us, gritting his teeth. "What the hell are you bastards doing?"