Zhu Ping'an commanded the Zhejiang army to set up camp next to the Jianghuai camp of Linhuai Hou. Some Zhejiang troops dug trenches outside the camp, some went to the woods to cut trees to make deer antlers and fences, and there was also a sentry of Zhejiang troops patrolling back and forth. The Zhejiang army camp took shape and was heavily guarded.
Linhuai Hou, who had been watching from the sidelines, looked at the heavily guarded Zhejiang Army camp, and then looked at his own sloppy and lax Jianghuai camp. He scratched his head, a little embarrassed, and of course more disapprovingly said, "My dear nephew, there is no need to be like this. We are only camping here for two days. We will hold a sea sacrifice tomorrow and move back the day after tomorrow. We have spent so much effort digging trenches and building antler fences. When we move back the day after tomorrow, all these will be wasted."
"Uncle, this sea sacrifice has caused a lot of uproar. Almost everyone in Jiangnan knows about it. The Japanese pirates cannot be unaware of it either. They will definitely take the opportunity to cause trouble. There will definitely be trouble during this sea sacrifice, so be careful and cautious. It is best for you in Jianghuai Camp to set up trenches and antlers and increase your vigilance so as not to give the Japanese pirates any chance to take advantage of you."
Zhu Ping'an shook his head slightly and explained seriously, suggesting that Linhuai Hou's Jianghuai camp should also be careful and alert.
"Haha, nephew, you worry too much. We have a total of 12,800 elite soldiers in Shazhou this time. I brought 3,000 elite soldiers, General Yu Dayou also brought 3,000 elite soldiers, Lord Hu Zongxian brought 2,000 elite soldiers, Zhejiang West Lieutenant General Tang Kekuan also brought 2,000 elite soldiers, and veteran generals He Qing and Shen Xiyi also brought 1,000 elite soldiers each, and there are 800 elite soldiers of you, nephew."
"That's not all. Lieutenant General Lu Tong led 3,000 naval forces to cruise in Haikou. Veterans such as Yin Feng and Ke Qiao stationed their troops more than ten miles away from Shazhou in the east, south, and north. They are ready to fight like a tiger with its mouth opened. Once there is any change in Shazhou, they can move their camps to support us in an instant, and join forces with our Shazhou army to attack from both sides and form a siege."
"The Japanese pirates are so bold, or are they tired of living, that they dare to come to Shazhou to stroke their beards?! If they dare to come, it's like walking into a trap. Once they are tied, they will die without a burial place."
"So, nephew, you don't have to be so careful. You still have to stand there for another day tomorrow. It's better to conserve your energy instead of wasting your energy digging and building trenches and fences that only take two days."
Linhuai Hou smiled and shook his head. He did not accept Zhu Ping'an's suggestion, but instead persuaded Zhu Ping'an to save his energy.
When Zhu Ping'an saw this, he understood. Because there was a large army present, Linhuai Hou didn't believe that the Japanese pirates would dare to come to Shazhou to cause trouble.
I couldn't help feeling helpless.
Although the sandbar is now crowded with troops, and there are still troops stationed in the east, south, and north, the entire sandbar looks like an open mouth, like a tiger ready to pounce, full of deterrence...
However, the entire Linhuai Marquis' Jianghuai Camp was complacent and the defense was lax. The same was true for several surrounding military camps, which were not much better than the Jianghuai Camp, and were even worse.
This tiger, with its mouth open and ready to pounce, looks very intimidating, but it is actually dozing off, with flaws all over its body.
This gave the Japanese pirates an opportunity to take advantage.
Linhuai Hou's Jianghuai Camp was right next to him. If anything happened in the Jianghuai Camp and it became chaotic, it would inevitably affect his Zhejiang Army Camp. This was a personal hidden danger that had to be eliminated.
Zhu Ping'an knew that it would be difficult to convince Linhuai Hou, but after a slight turn of his eyes, he came up with an idea.
"Uncle, are we here to help with the sea sacrifice just to stand there for a day and then go back?"
Zhu Ping'an approached Linhuai Hou and asked in a low voice.
"What do you mean, nephew?" Linhuai Hou heard Zhu Ping'an's subtext and asked with great interest.
"For this sea sacrifice, the main priest is the imperial envoy Zhao Wenhua, and the deputy priest is the governor Zhang Jing. The Minister of War of Yingtian, the Minister of Rites of Yingtian, the Governor of Zhejiang, the Zhejiang Inspector and other high-ranking officials gathered here. Doesn't my uncle want to leave an image of being smart and capable of taking on important responsibilities in the minds of these officials?" Zhu Ping'an said in a low voice with a smile.
Don't you want to leave an image of being smart, capable and responsible in the minds of Zhao Wenhua, Zhang Jing and other elders?!
Yes, I dream about it!
Linhuai Hou almost blurted out the answer, but after all, he was the deputy general, so his composure increased a lot. He coughed, nodded, and said frankly: "Ahem, of course I want to. Now that the Japanese invasion is serious, it is a good opportunity for my generation to make meritorious deeds. If I can leave an impression in the minds of Governor Zhang and Lord Zhao that I am smart and capable and can take on great responsibilities, I will definitely be able to occupy a good position in their great cause of suppressing the Japanese in the future and earn a step forward."
"It's just that we led the army to assist in the sea sacrifice for only two or three days. It was just for show and to deter the Japanese pirates from coming to cause trouble. With such a short time and such a simple task, how can we leave the impression that we are smart and capable of taking on important responsibilities to Governor Zhang and Lord Zhao?" Linhuai Hou shook his head with a wry smile and asked with a puzzled look on his face.
"Then now is a good opportunity." Zhu Pingan said with a smile.
"What good opportunity?" Linhuai Hou touched the back of his head, as confused as Jie Er's monk.
"Uncle, look at the makeshift camp over there, and that one, that one, did you notice? These camps are all very sloppily built, with no trenches, no antlers, no patrols or guards, and they look like they are undefended. But if you look at our Zhejiang Army camp, with a little effort, we dug trenches, set up antlers and fences, and it immediately stands out from the crowd. Tomorrow we will hold a sea sacrifice, and Governor Zhang and Lord Zhao will definitely come out to inspect the sandbar. When they see their sloppy camps and the heavily guarded Zhejiang Army camp, what do you think Governor Zhang and Lord Zhao will think of the commanders of each camp?"
Zhu Ping'an pointed at several sloppily laid out camps around him, smiled slightly, and said to Linhuai Hou.
"I see! The contrast is so sharp. The governor and his men must think that you are strict in managing the army, smart and capable, and have the style of Zhou Yafu, and can take on great responsibilities!" Linqiao Hou's eyes suddenly lit up, and he looked at Zhu Ping'an with sudden enlightenment. He patted Zhu Ping's shoulder vigorously and said with admiration, "I understand, nephew. No wonder you are willing to put in a lot of effort to set up camp even if it will be demolished in two days."
Then, Zhu Pingan saw the fat Linhuai Marquis, who looked like a ball in armor, striding towards the Jianghuai camp and standing at the gate, shouting, "Come here, come here, where is Deputy General Xu? Hurry up and send people to dig trenches and cut wood from the forest to make deer antlers and fences, so that they can be as well guarded as the Zhejiang Army camp. Also, arrange for soldiers to take turns patrolling around the camp."
"My lord, we will break camp and leave the day after tomorrow. Why are we wasting all this energy?" the deputy general asked in confusion.
"You know nothing. This is called strict military discipline. It's nothing to waste effort. It saves them from having nothing to do and causing trouble for me. Go quickly. I want to see the trenches and antler fences in place before dinner! Otherwise, I'll hold you accountable!"
Linhuai Hou, with his big belly, scolded his deputy general in a bad mood and spit all over his face.
"Yes, yes." The deputy general wiped the saliva off his face and nodded in acceptance of the order.
Soon, the Jianghuai camp was busy with complaints and curses, and trenches and fences gradually took shape...
Linhuai Hou raised the corners of his mouth in satisfaction, and Zhu Ping'an beside him also raised the corners of his lips.