"Sir Shang, the Japanese pirates will attack soon. Please be alert and defend the city. I have sent out 15 rangers to patrol and investigate 30 miles outside the city. I have also built 15 simple beacon towers outside the city. When the Japanese pirates come, light the beacon to warn them. This is the general location of the beacon tower. Sir Shang, please arrange for someone to look at the direction of the beacon tower on the city wall. Once the beacon smoke is found, immediately urge the people outside the city to enter the city and close the city gates."
After the greetings, Zhu Ping'an spoke to Prefect Shang with a serious face and solemnly handed Prefect Shang the general location map of the beacon tower. This was also the main purpose of his visit to Prefect Shang.
The outermost beacon tower was about thirty miles away from Suzhou City. It would take at least two or three hours to walk thirty miles, and about half an hour on horseback. The Japanese pirates were short of horses, so they could only walk.
Beacon fires can transmit messages very quickly. Once the beacon fire is lit, black smoke will rise into the sky within a few minutes and can be seen from far away.
This is precious warning time. As long as we make good use of this time, gathering the people and closing the city gates will not be a problem.
At least, the Japanese pirates will not be able to successfully attack the city gate!
"Beacon fires are a good idea. Zihou is thoughtful." Prefect Shang took the map and nodded in appreciation and gratitude. "I will arrange for someone to be responsible for watching the beacon towers. I don't want Zihou's efforts to go to waste."
After Prefect Shang finished speaking, he called the officials on duty and carefully explained the matter of the beacon tower.
Next, Zhu Ping'an had an in-depth discussion with Prefect Shang on Suzhou City's defense against Japanese pirates.
Shang Zhifu said that after receiving Zhu Ping'an's warning the day before, he had ordered the troops in the city to be reorganized, and at the same time, he had also transferred 1,000 troops from the local garrison to the city to assist in defense, and all the food and weapons were ready. More than 500 crossbows were added to the city walls, and defensive equipment such as thunder stones and rolling logs were piled up like mountains.
"The Japanese pirates are brave and cunning. They often send people to sneak into the city in advance. When attacking the city or fighting, the Japanese pirates who sneaked into the city suddenly attack and seize the city gate, and cooperate with the Japanese pirates outside to break the city. When defending the city, you must be especially careful of the Japanese pirates using the same old tricks. No outsiders are allowed to approach within a hundred meters of the city..."
Zhu Ping'an told Governor Shang about his experience fighting against the Japanese pirates without reservation.
After staying in the Suzhou government office for nearly an hour, Zhu Ping'an finally said goodbye and left with the farewell of Prefect Shang.
He hurriedly looked at Li Shu, without even having time to eat, and left in a hurry again under Li Shu's resentful eyes. The Japanese pirates would attack at any time, and the Zhejiang Army Fengqiao Camp could not do without him.
"Brother Zhu, Zhu Ping'an, you must be safe and sound..."
Li Shu stood at the door, supported by Hua'er and Qin'er, and murmured as she watched Zhu Ping'an hurriedly leaving.
When Zhu Ping'an returned to Fengqiao Camp, the Japanese pirates in Takulinchuan Shawa, Songjiang Prefecture were slaughtering pigs and sheep to entertain the envoys sent by Wang Zhi.
The envoy sent by Wang Zhi was of extraordinary status. Wang Zhi had eight fleet captains under him, each leading a large fleet.
The envoy who came this time was Ye Zongman, one of the captains of the eight major fleets, and he brought more than 5,000 Japanese pirates with him.
Ye Zongman was a veteran fleet captain under Wang Zhi. He came from a family of armed smuggling merchants and had followed Wang Zhi very early on.
On the vast ground, flags with the words "General Tiancha Pinghai", "Grand Sima Tiancha Pinghai", "Grand Pillar of the State Tiancha Pinghai", and "Head of the Ming Dynasty Tiancha Pinghai" were erected, fluttering in the cold wind.
Bonfires were burning brightly, lighting up the place like day. Roasted pigs and lambs were placed on the bonfires, emitting a strong aroma of meat. Jars of fine wine were also opened, and the fragrance of wine filled the air.
Groups of Japanese pirates sat on the ground, holding the women they had kidnapped in their arms, touching them all over, eating meat and drinking wine with big mouthfuls, looking very happy. There were even quite a few impatient pirates who pushed the women in their arms down on the spot and started to act recklessly.
In the center of the bonfire banquet, there was a table of wine. Xu Hai, Ma Ye, Chen Dong, Hojo Michisan and other big Japanese chieftains who occupied Takulin were sitting around the table. Behind each of them were two good-looking maids who poured tea and wine.
The one sitting at the chief seat was Ye Zongman, who represented Wang Zhi and brought with him five thousand Japanese pirates, so he was qualified to sit at the chief seat.
Ye Zongman was now dressed as a Japanese pirate, with a topknot hairstyle and wearing Japanese aristocratic clothing.
The reason for dressing like this was, firstly, out of habit. When he was a smuggler in the early days, in order not to implicate his family, he dressed like a Japanese. Secondly, it was because of the influence of his superiors. Wang Zhi was also used to dressing like this, so he followed suit.
"Haha, in just a few months, you have gathered more than 40,000 soldiers and horses. It's really amazing."
Ye Zongman said with a laugh, praising Xu Hai and others.
"Average, average." Ma Ye, Chen Dong, and Hojo Michisan couldn't help but smile proudly after hearing Ye Zongman's praise.
"No, no, compared with Prince Hui, what we did is just a small fight, not worth mentioning." Xu Hai replied modestly with a calm expression.
"Haha, don't be so modest. More than 40,000 soldiers and horses are no small feat. After King Hui learned about your achievements, he gave you a thumbs up and specifically asked me to express my appreciation to you."
Ye Zongman reached out and patted Xu Hai on the shoulder, and gave a thumbs up to him, Ma Ye, Chen Dong, Hojo Michisan and others.
Ma Ye, Chen Dong and Hojo Michisan were even more proud. Xu Hai clasped his fists towards Ligang and expressed his gratitude to King Hui for his praise. They would definitely keep up the good work.
"Haha, Ah Hai has grown up, and has become mature and steady." Ye Zongman patted Xu Hai's shoulder heavily again, and said with a smile, "More than ten years ago, your uncle and I took advantage of the relaxation of the court's maritime ban to build a ship and go out to sea to do business. Later, your uncle took you on board. At that time, you were still a little bald head, full of blood and energy. Because of a misunderstanding, you even tried to assassinate King Hui. Thanks to the generosity of King Hui and your uncle's persuasion, this matter was not mentioned again. In a blink of an eye, so many years have passed, and you have grown so big and become so mature and steady."
"Back then, I was young and ignorant, and was instigated and deceived by the villain, and I actually did the stupid thing of offending King Hui. Thinking about it now, I really regret it. Fortunately, King Hui was magnanimous and the Prime Minister was broad-minded, which gave me the opportunity to be reborn." Xu Hai said with a wry smile, and then clasped his fists towards the direction of Ligang again.
"Seeing that you are mature and steady, seeing that Brother Ma, Brother Chen, and Brother Hojo are all handsome men with the demeanor of great generals, and seeing that you have many talented people under your command, I know that you will surely return with a great victory when you plunder Suzhou this time. This glass of wine from me is to congratulate you in advance." Ye Zongman raised the wine glass and toasted to Xu Hai and others with a smile.
"Thanks for the good wishes, Chief Ye." Xu Hai and others raised their glasses together.