As the captured Japanese pirates were escorted into the city, the sun had fully set, leaving only a fiery red glow of dusk painting the horizon, as if half the sky were ablaze. Under the crimson light, everything—sky and earth alike—was bathed in a blood-red hue.
The pirate captives, surrounded by this glow, couldn’t stop trembling, haunted by memories of being engulfed in flames.
After the pirates entered the city, the Zhejiang troops followed suit.
Beneath the dusk’s radiance, the city walls seemed draped in festive red silk, the ground resembling a scarlet carpet.
The Zhejiang soldiers marched in with heads held high, stepping onto this “red carpet” with pride.
Nature itself had orchestrated a grand ceremony.
“Lord Zhu, brave soldiers of Zhejiang, please enter the city. The victory feast awaits you,” said Prefect Shang, leading a group of officials to greet Zhu Ping’an and the troops with a respectful bow at the city gate.
“Thank you, Lord Shang. Thank you, esteemed officials,” Zhu Ping’an replied, returning the gesture. Leading his soldiers, cloaked in the red glow of dusk, he stepped slowly through the gate.
Though the sun had set, the sky still held some light. The narrow, dim tunnel of the gate darkened their vision as they passed from the brightness outside. Emerging into the city, their eyes met light once more.
The soldiers squinted instinctively, adjusting to the shift.
*Boom, boom, boom! Clang, clang, clang! Shh, shh, shh…*
Just as they blinked to adapt, a sudden uproar erupted—gongs and drums thundered, suonas blared, and a jubilant cacophony of music filled the air.
*What the hell?*
Startled, the Zhejiang troops snapped their eyes open. Before them stretched an endless throng of cheering citizens lining the streets, waving arms and colorful banners in excitement. The crowd extended far beyond sight.
Ten massive oxhide drums, each requiring three men to encircle, stood near the gate. Three bare-chested men pounded each one with mallets, their rhythm a joyous beat reserved for New Year celebrations.
Hundreds of locals circled the gate, banging gongs and blowing suonas, weaving a lively melody with the drums.
There were even dragon and lion dancers, and men staggering like drunken oarsmen “rowing” a mock boat.
It was more festive, more vibrant than any New Year.
“Welcome back, victorious Zhejiang army!”
“Lord Zhu, brave soldiers, you’ve worked hard! We’re blessed to have you protecting us!”
“Benefactors! Our benefactors are back! Thanks to Lord Zhu and the Zhejiang troops, we escaped the pirates’ wrath!”
“Thank you, Lord Zhu, thank you, soldiers! Without you, we Suzhou folk wouldn’t have today!”
The moment the troops emerged, the crowd erupted, some weeping with gratitude.
“Lord Zhu, soldiers, this is chicken soup my wife and I simmered all day—so fragrant, try it!”
“Lord Zhu, troops, here’s some potcakes and steamed buns we made at home—not fancy, but please don’t mind!”
“Lord Zhu, you’ve fought all day, you must be parched! This is our homemade rice wine—have a bowl to quench your thirst!”
“Benefactors, these are apples and oranges we grew ourselves—give them a taste!”
As Zhu Ping’an led his men onto the street, the welcoming crowd surged forward, bearing baskets of rice wine, chicken soup, fruits, and pastries from home. They waved eagerly, urging Zhu Ping’an and the soldiers to partake.
“Thank you, folks! Thank you all!” Zhu Ping’an waved his right hand, graciously declining their fervor.
But the people’s enthusiasm was overwhelming—impossible to refuse entirely.
Passing an ecstatic elderly couple, Zhu Ping’an couldn’t turn them down and accepted a steamed bun.
“Delicious! Thank you, Grandpa, Grandma!” He took a bite and praised it heartily.
The old man and woman beamed with joy, thrilled that Zhu Ping’an had eaten their handmade bun. They bragged to everyone nearby that Lord Zhu himself had complimented it.
The Zhejiang soldiers were swarmed, fed relentlessly by the zealous crowd.
One young soldier got dragged by an eager auntie, downing a huge bowl of chicken soup before escaping.
Two steps later, a woman in her twenties stopped him, pressing a bowl of rice wine on him.
Before long, his arms were stuffed with apples, oranges, cakes, and more.
Every soldier, without exception, was bombarded with food.
“Kids, thank you! If you hadn’t driven off those pirates, we Suzhou folk would’ve been done for. Don’t refuse—this is just a small token!”
“You won’t take it? What, you looking down on this old man?”
“No need to be shy—this is our heartfelt thanks! It’s not much, just gratitude. When we were in danger, you stepped up without hesitation, risking your lives to beat back the pirates!”
“You deserve this! You fought tooth and nail out there, braving blades and fire, so we could live in peace. Don’t turn down this little gesture, or how could we live with ourselves?”
Even the politest soldiers buckled under the onslaught of kindness.
It wasn’t just food—some ended up with handkerchiefs from young women tucked into their arms, blushing amid their comrades’ teasing laughter.
After relentless battles and a long march, the soldiers’ weariness melted away under the crowd’s warm welcome and generous offerings.
Even the frustration of being held outside the gate for verification vanished.
Amid the cheers and gifts, the Zhejiang troops swelled with emotion and pride.
The people’s gratitude, praise, and recognition lifted their heads and squared their shoulders. Honor, pride, and fulfillment filled their chests.
In that moment, they were proud to be Zhejiang soldiers. In that moment, their spirits soared, and Zhu Ping’an’s earlier teachings sank deeper into their hearts.
“I am a soldier,
Born of the common folk, bathed in royal grace,
Driving out the pirate invaders,
Crushing the barbarian foes;
I am a soldier,
Loyal to my lord, loving my people,
Tested by the flames of war,
My resolve grows stronger;
Hey, hey, gripping my weapon tight,
Eyes sharp and clear,
Whoever dares invade my homeland,
I’ll strike without mercy!”
Someone started it, and soon all the Zhejiang soldiers joined in, singing their anthem in unison.
For a moment, the military song rang out, bold and bright.
