The sun rose in the east, sunlight bathed the land, all things glowed with life, and the south gate of Suzhou City opened. The chief of the military office and the chief of the ceremonial office of Suzhou Prefecture, escorted by over a thousand elite soldiers, led more than a hundred fully loaded carriages out of the city.
The carriages were filled with slaughtered pigs, sheep, and other meats, along with various vegetables, fruits, and delicious dishes prepared by restaurants. These were gifts from the officials, wealthy merchants, and common people of Suzhou Prefecture to reward, comfort, and express gratitude to the Zhejiang Army. The last few carriages carried gunpowder, as well as supplies like sulphur, saltpetre, and charcoal.
Of course, the items from the city to reward and comfort the Zhejiang Army were far more than just these.
Upon hearing that the government was heading out to comfort the Zhejiang Army, the common people—old and young alike—carried pots of food and jars of drink, bringing chickens, ducks, and various agricultural products, eager to follow the convoy out of the city to show their appreciation. This was especially true for the refugees who had fled to the city from outside, who were particularly enthusiastic. They were endlessly grateful for Zhu Ping’an’s kindness in ensuring their safe entry into the city.
However, given that the large army of Japanese pirates was still outside the city—having only retreated ten miles and not fully withdrawn—Suzhou’s Prefect Shang earnestly dissuaded the enthusiastic crowd. Only a portion of the comfort goods was selected, loaded onto over a hundred carriages, and escorted out by soldiers. No one else was permitted to leave the city.
Originally, Prefect Shang had intended to lead the convoy himself, but his subordinates pleaded with him, citing various necessary and compelling reasons, until he relented. Instead, he appointed the chief of the military office and the chief of the ceremonial office to represent him in comforting the Zhejiang Army outside the city.
To guard against a surprise attack by the Japanese pirates, the city gates were immediately closed as soon as the convoy departed.
“Hurry up, hurry up, faster! The Japanese pirates are still ahead. The sooner we go, the sooner we return,” the military office chief urged repeatedly.
“Good point. Everyone, pick up the pace. It’s not that we’re afraid of the pirates—it’s that we don’t want to cause trouble for Lord Zhu and the Zhejiang Army,” the ceremonial office chief nodded in agreement, urging the group to speed up while explaining to everyone.
“Exactly, exactly. It’s not that we fear the pirates—it’s mainly that we don’t want to burden Lord Zhu and the others,” the military office chief concurred wholeheartedly.
The group spurred their horses faster and faster, and soon they arrived at the Zhejiang Army’s Fengqiao camp.
Zhu Ping’an had already noticed the comfort convoy from the city and sent men to greet them, welcoming them into the Fengqiao camp.
“Lord Zhu, esteemed generals, on behalf of Prefect Shang and all the people of the city, we thank Lord Zhu and the Zhejiang Army’s brave soldiers for holding the line, striking the Japanese pirates, and protecting Suzhou. We congratulate Lord Zhu and the Zhejiang Army on your remarkable staged victory. This is a small token of the heartfelt gratitude from everyone in Suzhou. Among them, twenty carriages were sent by your esteemed wife, and we ask that Lord Zhu not refuse,” the ceremonial office chief and the military office chief stepped forward, bowing with clasped hands to Zhu Ping’an, presenting the list of comfort goods.
Zhu Ping’an skimmed the list, noting that it included meats, vegetables, fruits, and other comfort items. The twenty carriages sent by Li Shu contained not only meat but also much-needed gunpowder and its raw materials. Without hesitation, he accepted everything listed.
“Thanks to Prefect Shang, thanks to all the elders and folks of the city, and thanks to you two lords and brothers for braving danger to bring us these comforts. We won’t stand on ceremony,” Zhu Ping’an clasped his hands in gratitude, ordering the goods to be received.
Seeing Zhu Ping’an accept the items, the military office chief and the ceremonial office chief grew restless, occasionally glancing toward the direction of the Japanese pirate army, worried that the pirates, who had retreated ten miles, might return.
“Lord Zhu is busy with military affairs, so we won’t disturb you further,” they said after a brief exchange, offering a polite farewell. “Prefect Shang said that if Lord Zhu has any difficulties, feel free to speak, and we will do our utmost to assist.”
“As it happens, there is indeed one matter I’d trouble you with,” Zhu Ping’an replied the moment their words fell.
The two chiefs froze, not expecting Zhu Ping’an to take the offer so literally.
“May we know what Lord Zhu requires our assistance with? Is it reinforcements? Speaking of reinforcements, the city’s troops are actually quite limited…” The military office chief, fearing Zhu Ping’an would request more soldiers, preemptively cut off that possibility.
“No, not reinforcements. We need oil,” Zhu Ping’an shook his head slightly before the man could finish, stating his request.
“Oil?” The military office chief was stunned, bewildered. What did Zhu Ping’an want oil for? Was the Zhejiang Army camp out of oil for cooking? We’ve brought so much pork—couldn’t they render fat from that?
“Yes. Please, after you return to the city, gather it for us as soon as possible. Sesame oil, rapeseed oil, or lard will do— at least a thousand jin, though the more, the better,” Zhu Ping’an nodded.
“What does Lord Zhu need so much oil for?” the military office chief asked, puzzled.
“It’s for a significant purpose, a matter of secrecy. Please forgive me for not elaborating. You’ll understand in time,” Zhu Ping’an kept it confidential.
Military matters are sensitive, and the fewer who know about secrets, the better.
“No trouble, no trouble. If it’s just oil, there’s absolutely no issue. Let alone a thousand jin—even three thousand jin is fine,” the military office chief said, merely curious. As long as it wasn’t reinforcements, three thousand jin of oil was nothing.
“Then I thank you,” Zhu Ping’an clasped his hands in gratitude.
“Lord Zhu is too polite. If there’s nothing else, we won’t disturb your preparations for battle. We’ll return to the city now, gather the oil, and send it to your camp as soon as possible,” the two chiefs said eagerly, bidding farewell to Zhu Ping’an, anxious that the pirates might return and trap them outside.
“Please wait a moment, gentlemen. My wife is in the city, and I fear she’s worried. I have a few words I’d trouble you to deliver to her,” Zhu Ping’an asked them to pause. He took up a brush and ink, wasting no time as he wrote line after line.
*To My Beloved*
I recall when we were young,
I loved to chat, you loved to laugh.
Once we sat beneath a peach tree,
Wind in the treetops, birds singing loud.
Somehow we fell asleep,
How many petals fell in our dreams?
—Don’t worry, I’m well. When the battle ends, we’ll hold hands to watch the snow and grow old together.
Zhu Ping’an finished writing, dried the ink, carefully folded the letter, placed it in an envelope, and handed it to the two men, asking them to deliver it to Li Shu in the city.
Li Shu was nearing full term, and pregnant women often feel anxious. He wrote this letter to comfort her and ease her worries about him.
“Also, please remind Prefect Shang that the Japanese pirates, having suffered a setback at Fengqiao, might turn to attack other gates. I ask Prefect Shang to prepare defences and leave no opening for the pirates. If they do attack another gate, my Zhejiang Army will strike their rear, supporting the city’s defence, ensuring the pirates leave empty-handed,” Zhu Ping’an said as he escorted them out of the camp, giving final instructions for Prefect Shang.
“Rest assured, my lord, we’ll deliver the message,” the two chiefs nodded repeatedly, eager to leave before Zhu Ping’an could add more requests, and hurried off.
