It was deep into the night. The sky was pitch black, shrouded in dark clouds that hid the moon. One could not see one’s hand in front of one’s face. Only the cold wind howled without cease.
Outside Jiaxing City, in the temporary camp, Liu Dandao had selected three thousand elite troops. They formed ranks in the drill ground to receive Zhu Ping’an’s inspection.
“On this mission, you will reach the destination without a sound and lie low on the spot. Not being discovered is victory!”
“Set off!”
After the inspection, Zhu Ping’an waved his hand forcefully.
“Set off!” Liu Dandao and the three thousand Zhejiang troops folded their banners and stilled their drums. They marched silently towards Songjiang Prefecture.
With Zhang Jing impeached and removed by Zhao Wenhua, Jiangnan lacked unified command. The best chance to exterminate Xu Hai had been lost.
This battle was not to wipe out the Japanese pirates led by Tuolin Xu Hai. Instead, it aimed to tear a chunk of flesh from him. It would give the people of Jiangnan, ravaged by the pirates, a dose of reassurance and bring them hope and encouragement.
Zhu Ping’an could not leave Jiaxing for now. The city harboured many pirate spies, collaborators, and those who consorted with the Japanese. If he stayed away too long and word reached Xu Hai’s ears, it might alert him and increase the risks.
Lighting a lamp, Zhu Ping’an studied maps and intelligence reports.
At present, the Tuolin pirates struck out in all directions. The frequency and scale of their raids grew larger and more frequent.
By examining the frequency and scale of their strikes, the locations they hit, Zhu Ping’an gradually discerned a pattern.
The pirates’ raids ranged from near to far. The size of their forces grew from small to large. Their targets progressed from towns to county seats.
Zhu Ping’an judged that the Tuolin pirates would soon target a prefectural city.
Based on the pattern of their raids, he suspected the city they aimed for was Songjiang Prefecture’s capital.
Songjiang’s seat was now in Huating, less than a hundred li from the pirates’ Tuolin lair. It had been harassed multiple times by the pirates and briefly captured once. But as the prefectural capital, it was quickly retaken.
Lately, within Songjiang Prefecture, only the capital stood unscathed. All other counties had been attacked and plundered.
Songjiang’s capital was densely populated, a land of fish and rice, economically prosperous and wealthy. It was like a big fat piece of meat.
How could the Tuolin pirates resist the temptation?
It was close, large-scale, and rich. Naturally, it was their top choice for assaulting a prefectural city.
In the coming days, nine times out of ten, the pirates would strike Songjiang’s capital. Zhu Ping’an intended to deliver a heavy blow there.
Of course, for safety, he needed to verify it.
Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated. It was time. Zhu Ping’an decided to send someone to contact Zhao Gou and Wang Tie.
Back then, Zhao Gou and Wang Tie had surrendered with the unconscious Ma Ye. After Zhu Ping’an gave them a beating with the rod, he made careful arrangements and sent them back to the Tuolin pirate lair as inside men.
Soon after their return, they sent word. After a simple interrogation by the Tuolin pirates, they were reintegrated and made small leaders.
Zhu Ping’an had instructed them in advance. If the pirates attacked Jiaxing, they should try to stay at the lair and avoid joining the raids. If unavoidable, they must always be ready to flee.
Since the battle at Wangjiangjing, there had been no contact. He wondered how they fared.
Now, it was time to reach out.
Zhu Ping’an wrote a dispatch order by hand and handed it to the guard outside the tent. He instructed the man to disguise himself and go contact Zhao Gou and Wang Tie. Perhaps they could get more precise and accurate information from them.
He kept the lamp burning until the second watch of the night before extinguishing it and falling into a drowsy sleep.
The next day, Zhu Ping’an carried on as usual, drilling the Zhejiang troops in the temporary camp. The resounding slogans, orderly steps, and the aroma of steaming pots of rice in the camp were just like the day before.
To prevent outsiders from noticing the missing three thousand men, Zhu Ping’an made slight adjustments to the Zhejiang formations during drills. He also had them run an extra half lap.
He planned to have the Zhejiang troops conduct a night exercise with torches that evening. More torches would create the illusion of full strength.
At dusk, Zhu Ping’an received a message from Zhao Wenhua. It informed him that the imperial envoy from the capital to proclaim the decree had reached Qiaotoupo Town, just over fifty li from Jiaxing. Exhausted from the journey, the envoy would rest there overnight and arrive in Jiaxing the next day. Zhu Ping’an was to go to the north gate of Jiaxing early the following morning and join in going thirty li out of the city to greet the envoy.
Zhao Wenhua specially reminded Zhu Ping’an to bathe and change clothes that night, as they would receive the imperial decree.
The next morning, before dawn, Zhu Ping’an skipped breakfast. Escorted by Liu Dagang and ten other soldiers, he mounted his horse and left the camp for thirty li north of the gate.
Thirty li outside the north gate, a dragon pavilion had been hastily erected overnight. Outside it, crowds milled about, with ceremonial guards, drummers, and pipa players.
Of course, many officials had arrived early too, both those he knew and those he did not. They divided into civil and military contingents.
Leading them was naturally Zhao Wenhua. Having impeached Zhang Jing, he was at the height of his power. No one dared vie with him.
Zhu Ping’an was now a figure of weight himself. As he made his way, people greeted him from time to time. He returned each salute and exchanged brief pleasantries. Official etiquette demanded it. No matter the relations, the show must go on.
Zhu Ping’an walked and stopped until he reached Zhao Wenhua. He cupped his hands in greeting.
“Zihou has arrived. Have you eaten breakfast? I had someone prepare some over there. Just a few simple dishes. Go fill your stomach.”
Zhao Wenhua patted Zhu Ping’an’s shoulder lightly and pointed to the grove behind the dragon pavilion. He spoke mildly.
Sure enough, in the grove stood twenty or thirty tables. Makeshift earthen stoves were set up, with several large pots simmering. The faint scent of food wafted over.
“When will the envoy arrive?” Zhu Ping’an rubbed his stomach.
“The envoy is worn out from travel. He rose a bit late this morning. Probably another hour or so. Go eat. There will be plenty to do later. Time is ample. Merlin and Longwen are already eating there.”
Zhao Wenhua waved him off.
“Thank you, Master Zhao.” Zhu Ping’an cupped his hands in thanks.
In the grove, a sharp-eyed attendant served him food right away. Breakfast was lavish, far from Zhao Wenhua’s “simple few dishes.” It featured five dishes and a soup: three meats, two vegetables, and the soup. For morning fare, it was exceedingly sumptuous.
“Lord Zhu, over here.” Hu Zongxian called warmly from a table.
“Lord Hu.” Zhu Ping’an walked over.
“Hmph!”
A cold snort sounded nearby. It came from Luo Longwen, seated beside Hu Zongxian.
“Luo Longwen, have you found a doctor for your stick wounds yet? You might not make it in time otherwise.” Zhu Ping’an chuckled as he approached and plopped down right next to Luo Longwen.
“Zhu Ping’an, spare me your threats. I’m not afraid of you. In broad daylight with all these people, you cannot have your soldiers assault me, can you?!” Luo Longwen stuck out his neck, snorted, and shifted his bowl aside to keep distance from Zhu Ping’an.
“Fine, do not heed good advice, and suffer the consequences.” Zhu Ping’an smiled meaningfully.
“Spouting nonsense. Keep your stick-wound doctor for yourself…”
Luo Longwen would not back down.
