Xu Hai, Ma Ye, Chen Dong and Hojo Dosan set sail on board with more than 30,000 Japanese pirates and headed straight into the sea. They will go along the coastal area to Taicang, then go up the Shuohe River from the mouth of Taicang to attack Suzhou.
To be on the safe side, Xu Hai and his men left more than 10,000 Japanese pirates at the Tuolin old nest to guard it in case the nest was attacked by the Ming army.
When Xu Hai and his men boarded the ship, Ye Zongman also boarded with his subordinates. According to the agreement, they also set sail, headed north along the coastal area, then went up the Shuojiang River and marched to Changzhou, north of Suzhou.
"Oh, they left more than 10,000 soldiers behind. Are they defending against the Ming army or against us? A lion will use all its strength to fight a rabbit, but they left more than 10,000 soldiers behind to attack Suzhou City. They are hesitant and can't achieve great things."
Zheng Kuang, a general under Ye Zongman and known as the "Sea Spirit", noticed that Xu Hai had left more than 10,000 Japanese pirates to guard the Tuolin lair. He shook his head, sneered disdainfully, and commented disapprovingly.
Zheng Kuang is a rare general under Ye Zongman. He is strong enough to pull an ox and is also cunning. He has made many military achievements for Ye Zongman. He is especially good at water battles. He has won eight out of ten battles in the sea and earned the nickname "Sea Spirit".
"A poor boy who has been wandering around for half his life finally made a fortune and built a big house and married a new wife. He always has to worry about the house being robbed and the new wife being raped. It's understandable, isn't it?"
Ye Zongman smiled slightly and joked playfully.
"I understand, but I always feel that he is too petty and will never achieve great things." Zheng Kuang shook his head.
"Haha, it's better to be petty like this. If they are all as aggressive as tigers, wouldn't it be a nuisance to Prince Hui?" Ye Zongman reached out and patted Zheng Kuang's shoulder gently, saying meaningfully.
"Oh, what you said is right, they are all petty, so we can control them." Zheng Kuangwenyi suddenly realized and nodded repeatedly. Then he rolled his eyes and said unwillingly, "But, boss, Suzhou is the most prosperous and romantic place in the world, rich and fertile. This fat meat is right in front of our mouths. Are we really not going to take a bite? Although we only have 5,000 soldiers and horses, which is not as many as their 30,000 or 40,000 soldiers and horses, we are all experienced soldiers who have fought in many battles. One is worth two, and we have the support of King Hui. Even if we go up and take a bite, or even eat half, I don't think they will dare to have any objections."
Ye Zongman listened to Zheng Kuang's words, shook his head and smiled, "Haha, Suzhou is not so easy to attack. It's unclear whether they can succeed this time. The purpose of our trip is to persuade them to send troops to complete Prince Wei's strategy. We would love for them to take the initiative to attack Suzhou, the great city of the Ming Dynasty. We should not create unnecessary trouble and hinder Prince Hui's plan. If they attack Suzhou, we will attack Changzhou, and Mao Haifeng and his men will attack eastern Zhejiang. Together, we will give the court a great gift and turn Jiangnan upside down, so that they can put down their arrogance, listen to Prince Hui's voice, and open the port and market."
Then, Ye Zongman opened his arms as if embracing the world, and slowly said, "As long as the goal of opening ports for trade is achieved, Suzhou is nothing. They can only rob us at most, but we can continuously obtain the vast wealth of the Ming Dynasty and many foreign countries overseas through opening ports for trade. Prince Hui has a scale in his heart and remembers our contributions. Haha, by then, we may be able to occupy a foreign country overseas and become the ruler, and experience the addiction of being an emperor."
As Ye Zongman spoke, he looked overseas with misty eyes filled with unbridled ambitions.
The profits from maritime trade are immeasurable. The Ming Dynasty only collected a little silver in taxes in a year. Compared with maritime trade, it is nothing but a younger brother.
If Prince Hui's plan succeeds and he forces the government to open the port and the market, then wealth will be like the sea, endless and inexhaustible. There will be no shortage of money, and he can build more huge ships, recruit soldiers, buy artillery from foreigners, and upgrade weapons.
King Hui can also become the real King Hui. According to King Hui's plan, after the port is opened and the market is opened, King Wei will establish a country overseas.
The country of Wa is now divided into pieces, and the various daimyo lords are constantly fighting each other. This is an opportunity. King Hui revealed that he would first occupy Hirado in Wa, establish the country "Song", and then slowly plan to occupy the entire country of Wa. King Hui said that after he established the Song Kingdom, he would allow his subordinates to establish a vassal state of the Song Kingdom to protect the Song Kingdom.
Luzon Island is in a good location, in the middle of the ocean, not too far from the Ming Dynasty and Japan. I used to go there often when I was smuggling. The residents on the island are short and look like monkeys. There is a barbaric and backward Wang Zuo, who is not very powerful. By then, with the strength of my subordinates and a careful plan, it will not be too difficult to overthrow Wang Zuo and occupy the magpie's nest. Haha, maybe I can have a good time by then. The emperor takes turns, and today is my house...
"Boss, you have a long-term vision, while I am short-sighted and cannot catch up with you. When the time comes, you will be the king, and I will be your general and continue to serve you." Zheng Kuang laughed and flattered him.
"Haha, I was just joking, but you took it seriously." Ye Zongman laughed.
“Hehe, anyway, I’ve decided to follow the boss. Wherever the boss goes, I’ll follow…” Zheng Kuang laughed and expressed his loyalty.
"Okay, stop trying to fool me. Go and see if all the men are on board. If they are, we will set sail and march to Changzhou by sea." Ye Zongman scolded with a smile.
Soon, all 5,000 Japanese pirates under Ye Zongman's command boarded the ship, and at Ye Zongman's command, they set sail.
Under the hazy moonlight, the two huge fleets roared past like giant pythons, riding the waves.
About an hour later, the two huge fleets arrived at the Taicang estuary silently.
"I wish you all success, victory in conquering Suzhou, and a great return. We will say goodbye now and march to Changzhou."
The two fleets parted at the mouth of Taicang. Ye Zongman stood at the bow of the flagship and clasped his fists to Xu Hai and others.
"Thank you Uncle Ye/Captain Ye for your kind words. Thank you Uncle Ye/Captain Ye for attacking Changzhou and supporting our actions. I will definitely reward you handsomely when the time comes."
Xu Hai and others stood at the bow, clasped their fists in gratitude and expressed their gratitude.
"Why are you being so polite? Prince Hui often says that the Japanese pirates in the world are one family. Since we are one family, we should help each other, right?!"
Ye Zongman smiled and took the opportunity to promote Wang Zhi's slogan.
"Yes, yes, the Japanese pirates in the world are one family, and we should help each other." Xu Hai and others nodded repeatedly.
"That's it."
"That's it."
So, the two fleets separated at Taicang estuary. Ye Zongman and his fleet continued to move northward to Changzhou, while Xu Hai and his fleet started from Taicang estuary, went upstream, and headed towards Suzhou along the river.