As soon as Jiang and his men retreated to the inner courtyard, the pirates swarmed into the front courtyard, even smashing down a section of the wall. They pushed all four siege platforms inside, positioning them right before the inner courtyard. The pirates climbed the platforms in droves, grinning menacingly as they nocked arrows and aimed muskets at Jiang and the forty-odd surviving defenders.
*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh… Bang, bang, bang…*
A barrage of arrows and musket fire rained down. Jiang was wounded in the arm, and another ten or so constables and soldiers fell.
The pirates continued to draw bows and raise muskets…
In that moment, Jiang felt a gut-wrenching certainty—his life was over.
“As a dignified Ming magistrate, how can I die or fall into the hands of pirates!” With a long sigh, Jiang drew the sword at his waist, placed it against his neck, and prepared to slit his throat.
“Sir, no! Don’t give up until the very last moment!” His trusted aide lunged forward, desperately stopping him.
“It’s over, it’s over.”
The remaining constables and soldiers collapsed in despair, unable to withstand another volley.
“Surrender! We surrender! Stop shooting, stop firing!” someone pleaded, unable to bear it.
“Too late for surrender now!”
“Surrender? Go ask our dead brothers if they agree!”
The pirates sneered, rejecting the plea, and once again drew bows and raised muskets…
You’ve got no cards left, no value at all—why would we give you a chance to surrender?
As the pirates pulled back their bows and aimed muskets, Jiang and his men closed their eyes, awaiting death. But just then, a chaotic commotion erupted outside, mixed with shouts and the sounds of combat.
Then, the pirates on the platforms, as if spotting something terrifying, hurriedly turned, firing arrows and muskets in a new direction. Moments later, they scrambled down the platforms like rats fleeing a sinking ship.
“They’re retreating? The pirates are retreating?”
Jiang couldn’t believe his eyes. Just one moment away from wiping them out, the pirates had spared them and… retreated?! Was he already dead, dreaming a beautiful fantasy?
The surviving constables and soldiers were equally stunned. Halfway through the gates of hell, had they actually escaped with their lives?!
Why would the pirates suddenly let them live?!
Or were the pirates toying with them, like a cat with a mouse—pretending to let them go, letting them think they’d survived, only to reappear, crush their hopes, and slaughter them with arrows and muskets?!
Jiang, the constables, and soldiers watched the courtyard walls nervously, terrified the pirates would pop up, sneering, “Hahaha, fooled you! Thought you’d escaped, did you? It was a trick—now die!”
One second, two seconds, three seconds… the walls remained silent.
Outside, a chaotic mix of shouts, curses, and musket fire reached their ears.
“What’s happening out there?”
The constables and soldiers exchanged glances, then looked to Jiang.
Jiang was equally bewildered.
Just then, a head popped over the wall, calling out, “Anyone there?” The sudden voice startled them, some so badly they fell to the ground, a wet patch spreading uncontrollably in their trousers.
“There are still people alive—fantastic!” the head said, visibly delighted.
Footsteps followed, and a deep voice rang out from beyond the wall: “Is Magistrate Jiang present? I am Li Fengshi, under orders from Governor Tu to lead three thousand Shandong gunners to relieve Jiangyin. We arrived late, and you’ve suffered, Magistrate Jiang. Rest assured, the pirates have been routed by my men.”
Reinforcements had arrived! No wonder the pirates fled without finishing them off—help was here!
The defenders erupted in joy.
“General Li, I’m here! Thank you for leading your troops to our rescue, saving our lives. I’m endlessly grateful,” Jiang called out across the wall.
“Open the gate, quickly! I must thank General Li and his men in person,” Jiang said after his thanks, urging his men to open the gate.
“Sir, shouldn’t we verify their identity? What if it’s a pirate trick…” his aide cautioned.
“If they wanted us dead, would they bother with such a ruse? One more volley, and we’d all be gone. Open the gate!” Jiang ordered without hesitation.
The gate opened, and Li Fengshi, clad in armor, strode into the rear courtyard with a group of rugged elite soldiers, saluting Jiang with clasped fists.
“Thank you, General Li, for saving all our lives—and those of my family,” Jiang said, bowing deeply.
“Magistrate Jiang, you’re too kind. This is my duty,” Li replied, returning the salute. “Governor Tu repeatedly instructed me to ensure your safety. Seeing you unharmed, I can rest easy and report back to him. Li Xiao’er, take three hundred elite soldiers to protect Magistrate Jiang. I’ll lead the main force to pursue the pirates.”
Governor Tu of Nanzhili had indeed stressed to Li Fengshi the importance of saving Jiang, as Jiang’s father was an old friend of Tu’s. How could he not save his friend’s son?
After making arrangements, Li clasped his fists to take leave. “Magistrate Jiang, the pirates are routed. The opportunity is fleeting, and I must pursue them to maximize our gains, weaken their strength, and deter such boldness in the future!”
“The pirates are cunning. Be wary of their tricks, General Li,” Jiang said with concern.
“Rest assured, Magistrate Jiang. After breaching your county, the pirates split their forces—one group looted the city, the other besieged your office, letting their guard down. I led my army with men gagged and horses’ hooves muffled, catching them off guard from behind. We killed dozens in the initial strike. My Shandong gunners are fierce and skilled; our spear formations overwhelmed the pirates. We defeated them before the office, then again in the square, slaying dozens more. They fled in disarray… The nearly hundred pirate corpses outside are proof enough.”
Li laughed heartily, gesturing outside confidently, inviting Jiang to inspect the bodies.
Jiang followed Li and his men out and indeed saw nearly a hundred pirate corpses outside the office.
They were unmistakably pirates—Jiang had fought them and would recognize them even as ashes.
Their clothing and hairstyles couldn’t be faked in such short time.
Recalling how the pirates fled just before finishing them off, Jiang couldn’t help but praise, “General Li, you are truly a great commander.”
