What sinister plot are the Japanese pirates brewing?!
After reading the pigeon-delivered message, Zhu Ping’an closed his eyes and sank into deep thought for a long while. His mind swirled with countless threads, but he couldn’t untangle them right away. The main issue was the lack of information, making it hard to discern what cunning scheme the pirates were concocting.
To know oneself and the enemy ensures victory in a hundred battles.
With this in mind, Zhu Ping’an summoned Liu Dadao and other camp-level officers. He analyzed the pirates’ anomalies, voicing his suspicions and concerns.
“Young Master’s worries make sense. I felt something off today too. Compared to their fierce assault on our position the day before, their attack on the city today seemed like child’s play. Not only was the intensity weak, but the duration was far too short… I also think the pirates must be plotting some trick to take Suzhou City,” Liu Mu nodded vigorously. He’d sensed the pirates’ odd behavior all day—they surrounded the Zhejiang Army’s position but didn’t attack, and their assault on Suzhou felt half-hearted, as if they weren’t fully committed.
“Young Master, those pirates are full of dirty tricks. They’re definitely up to no good,” Liu Dadao chimed in without hesitation.
“It’s definitely not normal. When they attacked our position, they came at us like starving wolves, relentless even after losing thousands. But from the report you read, Young Master, they hit three of Suzhou’s gates at once and only lost a few hundred. I don’t think much of those fancy city troops, but Suzhou’s walls are tall and give a huge advantage. The pirate casualties seem too light,” another officer added.
“It’s indeed strange…”
The others nodded in agreement, all sensing something amiss with the pirates, unsure what mischief they were brewing.
“As the saying goes, ‘Know your enemy and know yourself, and you’ll never be defeated.’ I have a critical task that requires your help. I need two of you to each lead two hundred rangers, break out of the camp, and investigate every move the pirates make—every detail, reported back to me promptly. Also, try to uncover what they’ve been up to since last night.”
“A bird’s flight always leaves traces. Whatever scheme the pirates are plotting, they’ll leave clues behind.”
“Once we grasp their every action and deed, their tricks will have nowhere to hide.”
Zhu Ping’an’s gaze swept over the group as he spoke slowly, explaining the purpose of summoning them.
“I’ll go!” Liu Dadao was the first to stand.
“I’ll go!” Liu Mu and the others followed suit, rising almost in unison, eager to volunteer.
“Brother Mu, you should stay and assist the Young Master in camp. Your skills aren’t as sharp as mine,” Liu Dadao grinned confidently.
“Dadao, this mission needs brains more than brawn… I should go,” Liu Mu replied with a faint smile.
“Heh, I’ll go instead.”
“I’ll go, I’ll go…”
The officers clamored to volunteer, each vying to take the lead.
Seeing this, Zhu Ping’an felt a surge of satisfaction. This was a sign of a united and willing army. Breaking out to scout the pirates was far riskier than holding the camp, yet everyone stepped up eagerly—a clear testament to their morale.
“Dadao, Brother Mu, I’ll entrust the scouting mission to you two. After breaking out, work together. If there’s a disagreement, Brother Mu takes the lead.”
Zhu Ping’an assigned the task to Liu Mu and Liu Dadao, designating Liu Mu as the primary decision-maker.
Liu Mu was sharp-witted, calm under pressure, and a good thinker—perfect for scouting the pirates with minimal risk of error. Liu Dadao, meanwhile, was a powerhouse, commanding the camp’s fiercest rangers. Together, they were an ideal pair for the job.
“Young Master, rest assured. We’ll sign a military pledge to ensure the mission’s success,” Liu Mu and Liu Dadao accepted the order with excitement.
“Sir, why favor them over us? If Liu Mu and Liu Dadao can do it, so can we,” Ruofeng and the others grumbled, a hint of jealousy in their voices.
“Heh, I’ve got an even more important job for you. While Dadao and Brother Mu lead the rangers to break out and scout, you’ll be the ones to carve an opening for them and cover their escape.”
Zhu Ping’an smiled, patting Ruofeng and the others on the shoulders to reassure them.
“Don’t worry, sir. The pirates surrounding our camp won’t expect us to send men out. We’ll preload our firearms and catch them off guard. We’ll rip a hole in their lines and get Dadao and Brother Mu out safely,” Ruofeng and the others said confidently.
Soon, the time for the breakout arrived. Liu Mu and Liu Dadao each mounted up, leading two hundred rangers.
The four hundred rangers were clad in full cotton armor, each equipped with two preloaded muskets, a small iron canister of gunpowder, a small canister of lead and iron shot, a long saber, and three days’ worth of simple rations.
They were fully prepared.
Ruofeng, Xia Laoqi, Zhang Hu, and Liu Dachui each led two hundred elite soldiers, also fully armed. Their muskets were preloaded—one in hand, another at their waists.
The camp’s tiger crouching cannons were all loaded and assigned to Ruofeng’s group.
“Captain Ruo, Captain Xia, each of you take two hundred elites and concentrate your forces for a sudden assault on the pirates at the main gate. Don’t worry about killing many—just make as much noise as possible. Draw as many pirates as you can to your side,” Zhu Ping’an ordered Ruofeng and Xia Laoqi.
“Understood, sir. We’ll deliver a big surprise to those pirates,” Ruofeng and Xia Laoqi patted their tiger cannons, brimming with confidence.
“Dachui, Captain Zhang, each of you lead two hundred elites. Once Captain Ruo and the others draw the pirates’ attention, focus your firepower and break through their encirclement from the rear gate,” Zhu Ping’an instructed Liu Dachui and Zhang Hu.
It was a simple feint—strike east, attack west. Basic, but effective, proven time and again by generations past.
Ruofeng and Xia Laoqi’s frontal assault was a diversion to pull the pirates’ focus and forces toward the main gate. Then, Liu Dachui and Zhang Hu would strike from the rear, catching the pirates off guard when their attention was elsewhere, their rear defenses thin. A sudden charge would tear open a gap in the encirclement.
“Dadao, Brother Mu, once Dachui and Zhang Hu break the line, ride out fast. There are likely still survivors out there—while keeping tabs on the pirates’ every move, send men to search for them. The civilians might have noticed something unexpected,” Zhu Ping’an briefed Liu Dadao and Liu Mu.
“Rest assured, Young Master. We won’t let you down,” Liu Mu and Liu Dadao clasped their fists in salute.
