Chapter 1851 Departure
Slowly, the retreating figures of the Japanese pirates gradually disappeared in the southern sky, and they could no longer be seen standing on the city wall.
"It's time."
Zhu Ping'an looked away from the sky where the Japanese pirates disappeared, turned to Liu Dadao and ordered, "beat the drums and gather the troops, get ready to go."
< br>Drums sounded, mules and horses neighed, and armors rubbed against each other. Soon more than 800 Zhejiang troops were ready to go.
This puts the defenders on the city wall to shame. If it were them, even one fifth of them would be considered an extraordinary performance.
Zhifu Shang and other officials could not help but admire Zhu Pingan's ability in training and commanding troops. This Zhejiang army had only been in existence for less than half a year, and it was already trained by Zhu Pingan to control the troops. It's breathtaking.
"Open the city gate! The whole army marches out!" Zhu Ping'an held the horse's reins in one hand and raised his other hand, and ordered loudly.
Creak creaking, the city gate slowly opened, more than 800 Zhejiang troops riding mules and horses lined up in neat queue, and drove their horses out of the city in an orderly manner.
"Zihou, officers and men, be careful all the way. I will prepare a celebration banquet for you in the city." Magistrate Shang led a group of officials to see them off outside the city gate.
"Thank you Lord Shang. With your kind words, I hope this trip can give the Japanese pirates a gift they will never forget." Zhu Ping'an rode on horseback and thanked Magistrate Shang, saying with a smile.
"No matter what the outcome of this trip is, Zihou, you all deserve to be the hosts of the most luxurious celebration banquet."
Zhifu Shang said with emotion, this is his true words, Zhu Pingan And the Zhejiang Army under his command is the savior of Suzhou City.
Without Zhu Pingan and the Zhejiang Army, the city of Suzhou would have fallen. Thanks to Zhu Pingan, he turned the tide and saved the city of Suzhou. He also captured tens of thousands of Japanese pirates and established the biggest threat since the Japanese invasion in the south of the Yangtze River. achievement.
Therefore, Zhu Pingan and the others deserve the most luxurious celebration banquet, no matter how luxurious it is.
"Thank you, Sir Shang. Sir, please stay. We will set off now." Zhu Pingan said goodbye.
"Zihou/Master Zhu, have a good trip."
Zhifu Shang led a group of officials to send Zhu Ping'an off.
"Let's go!"
Zhu Ping'an pulled the reins and took the lead in riding away. Liu Dadao and others were guarding him, followed closely by more than 800 Zhejiang troops.
Seeing Zhu Ping'an leading the Zhejiang army away, an official who was seeing him off couldn't help but touched his forehead and said to Magistrate Shang in confusion, "Sir, the Japanese pirates are retreating to the south. Master Zhu and the others are chasing the Japanese pirates, so how can they go northeast?" ? Is the direction wrong? "
"Yes, sir, is the direction wrong?" After hearing this, all the officials were also confused.
Hearing the confusion of his officials, in fact, Magistrate Shang was also confused. He didn’t know why Zhu Ping’an went to the northeast. However, in order to maintain his dignity as a superior, even if he didn’t know, Magistrate Shang still had a look on his face. I know but I am too lazy to tell you, so I said calmly, "Zihou goes to the northeast. Of course he has his reasons. If you If everyone can easily guess it, then you are all rich. Go back to the city, close the city gates, and step up patrols to prevent the Japanese pirates from returning. In addition, recruit the master chefs of the major restaurants in the city to prepare the best ingredients. , enough wine and meat, prepare a celebration banquet for Zihou and the Zhejiang Army.”
“Yes.” All the officials took the order.
When Zhu Pingan led the Zhejiang army to the northeast, Liu Dadao was as confused as Lord Shang and others. While riding his horse to protect Zhu Pingan, he asked doubtfully, "Sir, the Japanese pirates are retreating south. Let’s go southeast by boat. If we go northeast, we won’t be able to catch up with the Japanese pirates.”
Liu Mu also had the same confusion.
"Haha, why do we have to catch up with the Japanese pirates? We have to go ahead of the Japanese pirates." Zhu Pingan said with a smile.
"Get ahead of the Japanese pirates? Us?" Liu Dadao looked incredulous.
“Yes, when the Japanese pirates came, they came by boat, and when they left, they would definitely leave by boat. They must have taken the same river they came from. To go to the sea through the Taicang outlet, this is the only river that can be used. The general direction of the river is southeast, but it takes a sharp northward turn in Kunshan. It went north for several miles, and then turned southeast, heading to the sea at Taicang. "
"Our destination is Kunshan! The shortest straight line between the two points, we rode northeast to Kunshan. , about 60 miles, which will save nearly 20 miles compared to the Japanese waterway.”
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 you can get ahead of the Japanese pirates." Zhu Pingan replied confidently.
“Sir, although I have little education, I also know the truth about how hundreds of rivers flow into the sea. The rivers all flow towards the sea. The Japanese pirates are following the current, so their speed is not slow. Can we get ahead of the Japanese pirates?”< br>
Although Liu Dadao believed Zhu Pingan's words, he was still a little worried. After all, the Japanese pirates had been gone for so long, so it was still smooth sailing.
"Haha, don't worry. First of all, it is the twelfth lunar month of winter, there is little precipitation, the water volume of the river is greatly reduced, the water speed is slow, and the east wind is blowing today. For the Japanese pirates who retreated to Tuolin's lair, it is a headwind, and the Japanese boats The speed of the ship will be greatly affected. We ride mules and horses much faster than them; secondly, haha, the Japanese pirates will definitely set up an ambush along the way in order to ambush the pursuers. Soldiers, in order to achieve their goals, they will deliberately slow down to wait for the chasing troops. In summary, whether it is God or the Japanese pirates themselves, they will greatly reduce the speed of the Japanese pirates' retreat. We will rush to Kunshan at full speed. Get ahead of them."
Zhu Ping'an smiled slightly and explained to them simply while galloping at full speed.
Zhu Pingan is certain that the Japanese pirates will definitely set up an ambush along the way. This is their traditional skill and will not be lost.
Zhu Pingan chose to go northeast to Kunshan instead of staying behind the Japanese pirates. In addition to the shortest straight line between the two points, there was also the reason to avoid the ambush set by the Japanese pirates.
There are too many places suitable for ambushes along the way, hills, dry reeds, grasslands, dense forests, even villages, etc. There are so many that Zhu Pingan cannot guess where the Japanese pirates will set up their ambush. ambush.
However, the only thing that can be determined is that the Japanese pirates must have set up an ambush on their way.
If you want to avoid an ambush, it’s easy, just change a way.
You go your way and I go mine.
If you are willing to set up an ambush, then do it. It will be exhausted again and again, and I will let you wait until the flowers have withered and you will not be able to wait for me. I will be on your only way. Send a big gift in front of you.
As long as you take a boat back to Tuolin's lair, you must accept my gift. It won't work if you don't accept it. (End of chapter)