Slowly, the retreating figures of the Japanese pirates gradually disappeared in the southern sky, and they could no longer be seen even from the city walls.
“It’s time.”
Zhu Pingan withdrew his gaze from the sky where the Japanese pirates disappeared, turned around and ordered Liu Dadao, "Beat the drums to gather the troops and prepare to set off."
Drums sounded, mules and horses neighed, armors rubbed against each other, and soon more than 800 Zhejiang troops were ready to go.
This made the defenders on the city wall feel ashamed. If it were them, being able to gather one-fifth of the troops would be considered an extraordinary performance.
Officials such as Prefect Shang could not help but admire Zhu Ping'an's ability in training and commanding troops. This Zhejiang army had been formed for less than half a year, but Zhu Ping'an had trained it to be as easy as using his fingers and arms to carry out his orders. It was truly amazing.
"Open the city gate! The whole army is marching out!" Zhu Ping'an held the reins in one hand and raised the other, giving loud orders.
With a creaky sound, the city gate slowly opened. More than 800 Zhejiang soldiers riding on mules and horses lined up in neat rows and drove out of the city in an orderly manner.
"Zihou, fellow soldiers, be careful on your journey. I will prepare a celebration banquet for you in the city." Prefect Shang led a group of officials to see them off outside the city gate.
"Thank you, Lord Shang. I hope that this trip can give the Japanese pirates a gift that they will never forget." Zhu Ping'an said with a smile while bowing to Governor Shang on horseback to express his gratitude.
"No matter what the outcome of this trip is, Zihou and you are worthy of being the hosts of the most luxurious celebration banquet."
Prefect Shang said with emotion that this was his true feelings. Zhu Ping'an and the Zhejiang Army under his command were the saviors of Suzhou City.
If it weren't for Zhu Ping'an and the Zhejiang Army, Suzhou City would have fallen. Thanks to Zhu Ping'an's efforts to turn the tide, Suzhou City was saved and tens of thousands of Japanese pirates were captured, which was the greatest achievement since the Japanese invasion of Jiangnan.
Therefore, Zhu Ping'an and his friends deserve the most awesome celebration banquet, no matter how luxurious it is, it's not too much.
"Thank you, Lord Shang. Please stay, everyone. We will set off now." Zhu Ping'an bowed and said goodbye.
"Master Zihou/Zhu, have a safe journey."
Prefect Shang led a group of officials to bow to Zhu Ping'an and see him off.
"Set off!"
Zhu Ping'an pulled the reins and rode away first, with Liu Dadao and others protecting him, and more than 800 Zhejiang soldiers following closely behind.
Watching Zhu Ping'an leading the Zhejiang Army away, an official who was seeing them off couldn't help but touch his forehead and said to the prefect Shang in confusion, "Sir, the Japanese pirates retreated to the south. Why are Zhu and his men chasing them heading northeast? Are they going in the wrong direction?"
"Yes, sir, is the direction wrong?" Upon hearing this, all the officials had the same confusion.
Hearing the confusion of his officials, Shang Zhifu actually had similar confusion. He didn't know why Zhu Ping'an went to the northeast, but in order to maintain his dignity as a superior, even if he didn't know, Shang Zhifu said calmly, "Zihou went to the northeast, of course, there must be a reason for it. If you can guess it easily, then you are all Zihou. Go back to the city, close the city gates, intensify patrols, and prevent the Japanese pirates from returning. In addition, recruit the chefs of the major restaurants in the city, prepare the best ingredients, and have plenty of wine and meat to prepare a celebration banquet for Zihou and the Zhejiang Army."
"Yes, sir." All the officials obeyed the order.
When Zhu Ping'an led the Zhejiang Army to the northeast, Liu Dadao was confused as Shang Daren and the others. While riding his horse to protect Zhu Ping'an, he asked in confusion, "Sir, the Japanese pirates are retreating to the south and heading southeast by boat. How can we go to the northeast? Wouldn't that mean we can't catch up with them?"
Liu Mu had the same confusion.
"Haha, why should we catch up with the Japanese pirates? We should get ahead of them." Zhu Ping'an said with a smile.
"Ahead of the Japanese pirates? Us?" Liu Dadao looked incredulous.
"That's right. The pirates came by boat, and they must have left by boat as well. They must have taken the same river they came by, and went out to sea through the Taicang estuary. Only this river could keep the pirates' ships away. The general direction of this river is southeast, but it makes a large north turn at Kunshan, turning north for several miles, and then turning southeast again, heading out to the Taicang estuary."
"Our destination is Kunshan! The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. We can ride northeast to Kunshan, which is about sixty miles away. This will save us nearly twenty miles compared to the pirates' water route."
Zhu Pingan explained with a smile.
"The Japanese pirates have been gone for so long. Can we get ahead of them?" Liu Dadao asked again.
"Of course we can get ahead of the Japanese pirates." Zhu Ping'an replied confidently.
"Sir, although I have little education, I know that all rivers flow into the sea. The water from these rivers all flows into the sea. The Japanese pirates are following the current, so their speed is not slow. Can we get ahead of them?"
Although Liu Dadao believed in Zhu Ping'an's words, he was still a little worried. After all, the Japanese pirates had been gone for so long, and it was still a good thing.
"Haha, don't worry. First, it is the coldest time of the year now, with little rainfall, and the amount of water in the river has greatly decreased, the water flow is slow, and there is an east wind today, which is a headwind for the Japanese pirates who are retreating to their lair in Tuolin. The speed of the Japanese ships will be greatly affected, and we are much faster than them on mules and horses; second, haha, the Japanese pirates will surely set up ambushes along the way in order to ambush the pursuers. In order to achieve their goal, they will deliberately slow down their speed to wait for the pursuers. In summary, whether it is God or the Japanese pirates themselves, the speed of their retreat will be greatly reduced. We will rush to Kunshan at full speed and will surely be ahead of them."
Zhu Ping'an smiled slightly, and explained to them briefly while riding his horse at full speed.
Zhu Ping'an was certain that the Japanese pirates would set up ambushes along the way. This was their traditional skill and they would not lose it.
Zhu Ping'an chose to go northeast to Kunshan instead of following the Japanese pirates. In addition to the fact that the straight line between two points is the shortest, it was also to avoid the ambush set by the Japanese pirates.
There were so many places suitable for ambushes along the way, such as hills, dry reed marshes, wastelands, dense forests, and even villages, etc. There were so many that Zhu Ping'an could not guess where the Japanese pirates would set up an ambush.
However, the only thing that is certain is that the Japanese pirates must have set an ambush along their route.
If you want to avoid an ambush, it’s easy. Just change the route.
You go your way and I go mine.
If you want to set up an ambush, then go ahead. You will make an effort at the first try, but the second will weaken and the third will be exhausted. You will have to wait until the flowers are all withered, but you still cannot wait for me. I will give you a big gift in front of the road you must take.
As long as you retreat to Tuo Lin's nest by boat, you must accept my gift. You have no choice but to accept it.