Soon, the three city gates in the east, south and north of Suzhou City creaked open, allowing the people outside the city to enter.
"Dear fellow villagers, please do not fight or grab. Please line up to enter the city. Don't worry, everyone can enter the city."
"During this extraordinary period, if anyone dares to fight or rob, disobey orders, or disrupt order, I have reason to suspect him of being a spy of the Japanese pirates..."
"After everyone enters the city, follow the instructions in the city to go to the resettlement area for screening and inspection to prevent Japanese pirates from sneaking in."
Zhu Ping'an loudly established rules in front of the city gates, and arranged thirty Zhejiang soldiers in front of each city gate to maintain order and prevent the people from scrambling to enter the city.
At this critical moment of life and death, if order is not maintained, the people will certainly rush to enter the city, and it is easy for secondary accidents such as pushing and trampling to occur, leading to serious consequences. There were many such accidents in the previous life.
Therefore, Zhu Ping'an learned from his experience and lessons, established rules at the first opportunity, and had people maintain order.
Under the command of the Zhejiang Army who maintained order, the common people lined up to enter the city. Due to the proper command of the Zhejiang Army, the common people lined up and entered the city very quickly. The common people, carrying the elderly and children, and their families, entered the city quickly.
Zhu Ping'an led the rest of the Zhejiang Army soldiers and walked forward against the flow of people until they were 300 meters in front of the city gate. They set up simple fortifications and were ready for battle. The muskets and tiger squat cannons were also loaded and ready to fire.
When the common people saw that Zhu Ping'an really did as he said, not only did he not enter the city, but he also led the Zhejiang army to be on high alert at the front to guard against sudden attacks by Japanese pirates and escort them into the city, they were immediately moved and shed tears.
"This is what a true parent official is like."
"Dad and Mom, God has opened our eyes. We are lucky to have met good officials who truly work for us ordinary people."
"Thank you, Lord Qingtian."
Many ordinary people entered the city and one after another knelt down and kowtowed to the figure walking in the opposite direction outside the city.
The three city gates were opened wide, and in less than half an hour, tens of thousands of people outside the city gates entered Suzhou City.
"Lord Shang, all the lords, the people have all entered the city. Please close the city gates immediately. We will return to Fengqiao camp and prepare for the Japanese pirates."
After the common people entered the city, Zhu Ping'an rode his horse to the city gate, clasped his fists and bowed to Suzhou prefect Shang Weiwei and others on the city wall to say goodbye.
"Lord Zhu, you Zhejiang troops should also withdraw back to the city..." said the prefect Shang on the top of the city wall.
At this time, the area outside the city was the first line of defense against the Japanese pirates. It was isolated and helpless and was the most dangerous place. However, the city was protected by the city walls and moats. There were hundreds of thousands of people in the city and there were enough food and supplies to last for several months, so it was much safer.
All the officials on the city wall suddenly became nervous. If the Zhejiang army withdrew into the city, Suzhou City would become the front line.
The officials were just about to speak up to stop him, but before they could organize their words, they heard Zhu Ping'an under the city had already refused.
"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Shang. Our Zhejiang Army will not enter the city. Our Zhejiang Army will play a greater role outside the city. You are inside the city, and we are outside the city. We will support each other and make the Japanese pirates return empty-handed!"
"Sir Shang, all the lords, the elders and people of Suzhou, we bid farewell now. After we drive out the Japanese pirates, we will enter the city and drink to celebrate our victory. Hahahaha, Sir Shang, don't be reluctant to part with the good wine when the time comes. We will meet again."
Zhu Pingan shook his head without hesitation, rejecting the good intention of Shang Zhifu, and then turned his horse around and rode towards Fengqiao Camp. All the Zhejiang troops also turned their horses around and followed, and no one entered the city.
Watching the Zhejiang army riding away and the tall figure disappearing in the distance, Prefect Shang couldn't help but sigh with emotion, "With the people in mind and the responsibility on shoulders, we must always remember to be loyal to the emperor and serve the country. This is the bearing that an official of the Ming Dynasty should have! Zhu Ping'an, as long as he is here, my Suzhou City will be safe!"
After Shang Zhifu finished his sigh, he looked back at his subordinates and shook his head, "You are far behind."
"We are ashamed." All the officials lowered their heads hurriedly.
"Of course, I am far from that. I never thought that I would have to judge others by my own standards."
Prefect Shang shook his head in shame as he spoke.
"Did you hear what Zihou said just now? Strictly screen and inspect the people entering the city to prevent Japanese pirates from sneaking in."
"Everyone, be alert and strengthen your defense. If anyone dares to take it lightly, I will make him lose his head!"
After expressing his feelings, Prefect Shang gave a loud order.
"Yes, sir!"
All the officials and soldiers responded to the order, and the entire Suzhou city immediately entered a state of wartime alert.
Lumenli Fulu Street, Zhu Mansion, at the main gate.
Li Shu, who was pregnant, was supported by her two maids Hua'er and Qin'er, standing at the door and looking around.
Several burly guards were on guard on the street to prevent any ignorant thugs from bumping into Li Shu.
Suddenly, a figure wearing the uniform of a guard of the Zhu Mansion ran over the street. Li Shu and the others' eyes lit up immediately. Before the person came over, the chubby little maid Hua'er asked hurriedly, "How is it? How is it? Didn't I just hear that the son-in-law called the city gate? Has the son-in-law entered the city? How long will it take for him to come to the mansion?"
"Miss, Miss Hua'er, my brother-in-law asked for the city gate to be opened, not to enter the city, but to send the common people who fled from outside the city into the city. In order to prevent the Japanese pirates from suddenly attacking the gate, my brother-in-law led the Zhejiang army to line up two hundred meters outside the city gate to escort the common people into the city. After the common people entered the city, my brother-in-law did not stay for a moment and returned to Fengqiao Camp to defend against the Japanese pirates." The security guard came over and replied breathlessly.
"Ah?! The son-in-law won't come into the city?!" The little maidservant was extremely disappointed.
"I knew it was like this. How could a proud man like him abandon his responsibilities and hide in the city?" Li Shu smiled bitterly and turned away disappointed. Although she had known this would be the result, she still couldn't help feeling disappointed.
"From today on, no one is allowed to kill any living thing in the mansion. Let's release all the chickens, ducks, geese, fish, etc. that we bought. During these days, until Brother Zhu defeats the Japanese pirates and comes to the mansion safely, don't eat meat or anything like that. I want to be a vegetarian, and everyone should do the same. Let's pray for Brother Zhu."
Li Shu turned around and gave instructions.
"Miss, Miss, you are already more than nine months old. You need nutrition and nourishment at this time. How can you not eat meat?"
"That's right, young lady. You have to think about the young master too. We all eat vegetarian food to pray for the young master, so you don't have to."
When maids Qin'er, Hua'er and others heard that Li Shu wanted to eat vegetarian food, they couldn't help but persuade her.
"It's okay. They have been enjoying a good meal for so long. It won't be unfair to them if they have a quiet time. Besides, their father is out there in the midst of swords and arrows. If they enjoy a good meal, they will be unfilial."
"Help me go back. Before the Japanese pirates arrive, I will copy more basic Buddhist and Taoist scriptures to offer to the Buddha and the Three Pure Ones..."
Li Shu waved her hand and insisted.