Soon, the east, south, and north gates of Suzhou City creaked open, allowing the people from outside to enter the city.
“Dear fellow countrymen, do not fight, do not push, queue up to enter the city. Rest assured, everyone will be able to enter.”
“In these extraordinary times, anyone who dares to fight, push, or disrupt order, I have reason to suspect them as Wokou spies.”
“After everyone enters, follow the city’s instructions to designated shelter areas for screening and identification to prevent Wokou from infiltrating.”
Zhu Ping’an loudly laid down the rules in front of the city gate and assigned thirty Zhejiang soldiers to maintain order at each gate, preventing the common people from fighting to get in.
In such a life-or-death situation, if order was not maintained, the people would certainly rush to enter the city, causing chaos and secondary accidents like pushing and trampling, which could lead to severe consequences. In the previous life, there were many such incidents.
Therefore, Zhu Ping’an learned from past experiences and immediately set down the rules, instructing people to maintain order.
Under the command of the Zhejiang soldiers, the people queued up to enter the city. Thanks to the soldiers’ proper command, the people entered quickly, with elderly being supported, children carried, and families making their way into the city at a rapid pace.
Meanwhile, Zhu Ping’an, along with the rest of the Zhejiang soldiers, walked against the flow of people, going all the way to 300 meters in front of the city gate. There, they set up simple fortifications and stood in a defensive posture, loading their matchlocks and preparing their tiger cannons.
When the common people saw that Zhu Ping’an was not entering the city as he had promised, but was instead standing at the front with the Zhejiang army, prepared to fend off any Wokou ambushes and protect their entry, they were deeply moved, some even teary-eyed.
“This is a true, righteous official.”
“Father, mother, the heavens are watching. We are fortunate to have encountered a good official who truly cares for the common people.”
“Thank you, Great Lord of Heaven.”
Many of the common people, as they entered the city, knelt down and kowtowed towards the figure walking against the flow of people.
With all three gates wide open, in less than half an hour, tens of thousands of people had entered Suzhou City.
“Lord Shang, esteemed officials, the people have all entered the city. Please close the gates quickly. We will return to the Fengqiao camp to stand ready for the Wokou.”
After the people entered, Zhu Ping’an rode his horse to the gate and cupped his fists to bid farewell to the governor of Suzhou, Shang Weichi, and the other officials on the city wall.
“Zhu Ping’an, your Zhejiang army should return to the city as well,” the governor Shang called out from the city wall.
At this point, outside the city was the frontline in resisting the Wokou, isolated and unprotected, the most dangerous place. Inside the city, however, there were the protection of the city walls and moat, and hundreds of thousands of civilians, with enough supplies for several months, making it much safer.
The officials atop the city wall immediately became nervous. If the Zhejiang army withdrew into the city, Suzhou itself would become the frontline.
Before they could organize their thoughts to object, they heard Zhu Ping’an’s voice from below, already declining.
“Thank you, Lord Shang, for your kind offer. We, the Zhejiang army, will not enter the city. We have a greater role to play outside the city. With you inside and us outside, we will form a defensive angle and ensure the Wokou return empty-handed!”
“Lord Shang, esteemed officials, the fathers and mothers of Suzhou, I bid you farewell. After we drive the Wokou out, we will enter the city and drink to celebrate. Hahaha, Lord Shang, don’t hold back on the good wine! Until we meet again!”
Without hesitation, Zhu Ping’an shook his head, rejecting the governor’s kindness. He then turned his horse around and rode towards the Fengqiao camp. The entire Zhejiang army immediately followed suit, none of them entering the city.
As they watched the Zhejiang army ride off, and that tall figure disappear into the distance, Governor Shang couldn’t help but feel emotional. “With the people in his heart, and responsibility on his shoulders, always remembering to be loyal to the emperor and serve the country, this is the manner of an official of the Ming Dynasty! With Zhu Ping’an here, Suzhou will be safe!”
After his reflection, Governor Shang turned to look at his subordinates and shook his head. “You are far from it.”
“We are ashamed,” the officials quickly lowered their heads.
“Of course, I am also far from it. I never imagined I would have a day of thinking ill of someone with a noble heart.”
Governor Shang, feeling regretful, shook his head in shame.
“Did you hear what Zihou just said? Strictly screen the people entering the city to prevent any Wokou from infiltrating.”
“Everyone, stay alert and increase precautions. If anyone dares to be careless, I’ll have their head!”
After reflecting, Governor Shang loudly gave orders.
“Understood!”
The officials and soldiers all responded immediately, and the entire city of Suzhou entered a state of wartime alert.
At the entrance of the Zhu residence on Fulu Street in Lumenli, a heavily pregnant Li Shu stood at the door with the help of her two maidservants, Hua’er and Qin’er, looking around.
Several large, muscular guards patrolled the street, ensuring that no troublemakers bumped into Li Shu.
Suddenly, a figure in a Zhu residence guard uniform came running down the street. Li Shu’s eyes immediately lit up. Before the person could arrive, Hua’er quickly asked, “How is it? Didn’t we hear that the young master ordered the gates opened? Did the young master enter the city? How much longer before he comes home?”
“Miss, Hua’er, the young master didn’t enter the city. He opened the gates to let the people from outside enter. To prevent a Wokou ambush, the young master led the Zhejiang army to set up a defensive line 200 meters outside the city to escort the people safely into the city. After the people entered, the young master didn’t stay for a moment and returned to the Fengqiao camp to set up defences against the Wokou,” the guard explained breathlessly.
“Ah?! The young master didn’t enter the city?!” Hua’er was devastated.
“I knew it would be like this. Someone so proud wouldn’t abandon his responsibility and hide inside the city,” Li Shu said with a bitter smile, feeling disheartened. Although she had expected this result, it still saddened her.
“From today on, no killing in the residence. All the chickens, ducks, geese, and fish we bought, release them. From now until Brother Zhu drives the Wokou away and comes back to the residence, no more meat. No more animal products. I will eat vegetarian food, and everyone else must do the same, to pray for Brother Zhu’s safety.”
Li Shu turned and instructed.
“Miss, Miss, you’re already more than nine months pregnant. You need nourishment now, how can you not eat meat?”
“Yes, Miss, you also need to think about the little master. We’ll eat vegetarian food to pray for the young master, but you don’t have to.”
Hearing that Li Shu wanted to eat vegetarian food, Qin’er and Hua’er couldn’t help but persuade her.
“It’s fine. I’ve had enough rich food for so long. Eating lightly for a while won’t hurt them. Besides, their father is out in the thick of it, amidst swords and arrows. If they eat rich food, wouldn’t that make them unfilial?”
“Help me back inside. While the Wokou haven’t arrived yet, I’ll copy some Buddhist scriptures and Taoist texts to offer to Buddha and the Three Purities.”
Li Shu waved her hand and insisted.
