Over 5,000 Japanese pirate heads, more than 4,000 sets of armour, over 6,000 assorted weapons, and 116 muskets…
The spoils from the Zhejiang army’s battlefield cleanup piled up like mountains.
Zhu Ping’an stood before the towering heap of loot, nodding with slight satisfaction, quite pleased with today’s battle. Though the Japanese pirates would surely return, this fight was enough to strike fear into them.
In this single clash, the pirates lost at least six or seven thousand men, a blow that, even in the age of cold steel, would cripple them to the bone.
“Sir, while clearing the field, we found this Japanese pirate stood out, a real Jap, half his body blown off, but his remaining armour’s fancy, helmet all gaudy, and he was clutching a flashy fan.”
Liu Dachui approached, holding a pirate head in his left hand and half a suit of armour in his right, reporting to Zhu Ping’an.
“Oh, let me see, heh, this is a big fish, likely one of their leaders. The Japanese have a habit of commanding with fans, and judging by his armour’s style, only their generals wear this. Preserve this head carefully with lime, store it separately, after the war, we’ll identify him, see if he’s a major catch.”
Zhu Ping’an inspected it, breaking into a grin, instructing Dachui.
“Got it!” Liu Dachui excitedly hauled the head off for processing.
After Dachui left, Ou Zhige approached, saluting Zhu Ping’an, “Sir, I’ve got some bad news.”
“Master Ou, speak freely.” Zhu Ping’an nodded.
“Sir, our gunpowder usage exceeded expectations, today’s battle burned through a quarter of our reserves.” Ou Zhige reported quietly, “Processing black powder takes time, recent weather’s been poor, sunlight scarce, our equipment battalion’s using the fire-kang method, maxing out at 400 jin a day.”
“No worries, today’s fight used 600 jin in the firebombs alone, that’s 40% of our stock, the pirates won’t give us another chance for that trick, plus, after this battle, their next assault won’t match today’s ferocity, keep producing, with our reserves, it’ll hold us.”
Zhu Ping’an smiled faintly, brimming with confidence.
“Yes, sir, I’ll lead the battalion to churn out black powder full-speed.” Ou Zhige saluted, turning to leave.
“Master Ou, using the fire-kang method, be extra cautious, safety first, store the powder carefully, separate stockpiles, keep safe distances, prioritise safety above all.” Zhu Ping’an stressed.
“Understood, sir, rest assured, I’ll keep safety first.” Ou Zhige saluted with a serious face.
“Today’s victory owes much to the firebombs, your equipment battalion’s contribution is immense, once we repel the pirates, I’ll request merits for you, don’t get complacent, keep it up, ensuring our gunpowder supply, maintaining and repairing firearms and armour, that’s a big merit too, after the war, I’ll tally it all for your commendation.”
Zhu Ping’an spared no praise, encouraging Ou Zhige.
“Thank you, sir.” Ou Zhige was thrilled, Zhu Ping’an’s commendation filling him with energy.
Especially on his way back to the equipment battalion, every soldier he passed gave him a thumbs-up.
“Master Ou, those firebombs you rigged were damn fierce, blasted the pirates to bits!”
“Master Ou, thanks to your cotton armour today, I took three arrows and didn’t feel a thing.”
“Master Ou…”
Hearing the soldiers’ praise, seeing their heartfelt respect and recognition, Ou Zhige nearly strutted with pride.
Zhu Ping’an had given the equipment battalion high待遇 (treatment), but many soldiers didn’t get it, harbouring bias.
Today’s battle finally earned their respect, the equipment battalion could now hold their heads high in the Zhejiang camp, they weren’t freeloaders—they were true Zhejiang soldiers too!
“All soldiers, the pirates could return anytime, split into two shifts, one on alert, one resting.”
“This battle saw at least 6,000 pirates beheaded, 30,000 driven back in shock, victory belongs to all of us!”
“After the war, I’ll request merits for every one of you! But the fight’s not over, soldiers, keep pushing, victory is ours, it belongs to the Ming! Long live the Zhejiang army, long live the Ming!”
After the cleanup, standing before the blazing pyres of pirate corpses, Zhu Ping’an rallied the Zhejiang troops.
“Long live! Long live!”
The soldiers raised their arms, their shouts rolling like clouds, piercing the heavens.
This victory transformed them, tempered by fire and blood, bolstered by triumph, the Zhejiang army shed its greenness, forging the seeds of morale and spirit.
Far off, on Suzhou’s walls, jaws had long since hit the floor.
“The pirates retreated?! What was that earth-shaking explosion, how did the Zhejiang army do it?”
“Just now, at least 7,000 or 8,000 pirates charged, it looked like the Zhejiang army would be crushed, but in a blink, those thousands vanished, fewer than 1,000 ran back, and their main force pulled back over ten miles.”
“Did you hear? It’s the Zhejiang army shouting ‘Long live,’ they actually drove the pirates off…”
“They haven’t left, just retreated for now, still, it’s unbelievable, 30,000 or 40,000 pirates against 2,000 Zhejiang troops, ‘miracle’ is the only word I can think of.”
On the walls, officials and soldiers gaped, staring in disbelief at the settled battlefield.
“Zihou, oh Zihou, you’ve given me a colossal surprise.” Suzhou Prefect Shang Weichi gazed toward Fengqiao camp, hearing the Zhejiang army’s victory chants, a smile breaking through.
He’d never dreamed Zhu Ping’an could lead them to repel the pirates, he’d watched it all from the wall, saw 6,000 or 7,000 pirates vanish before the Zhejiang line, saw their main force retreat over ten miles.
Yet even now, hearing the chants, it felt unreal, like a dream.
Inside Suzhou, the citizens had caught wind of the Fengqiao battle through various channels.
Some had kin, friends, or neighbours on the walls, some delivered food or gear up there, witnessing or hearing of the clash firsthand or secondhand.
The pirate siege and frontline news, tied to every household’s survival, was Suzhou’s hottest topic.
Word spread, ten to a hundred, soon, the Fengqiao victory swept the city.
Of course, embellishments crept in.
The tale of Fengqiao and the Zhejiang triumph grew wilder, less true, slowly taking on mythic hues.
