The news of the Japanese pirates' re-invasion inevitably plunged Jingnan County into panic. Especially the people who were newly naturalized in Jingnan after the floods, their panic was even more serious. The local people in Jingnan had the experience of winning the last war against the Japanese. They had relatively confidence in Zhu Ping'an and in fighting the Japanese. However, the people who were newly naturalized in Jingnan did not have this experience. They lacked confidence, feared the Japanese pirates like tigers, and were as frightened as tigers in a deserted field. Weeds grow wildly.
"The Japanese pirates are coming to kill them soon. Each of these Japanese pirates are like ghosts, with green faces and fangs. They kill like crazy and do all kinds of evil. I heard they like to drink with people's hearts and livers."
"There are more Japanese pirates this time than last time?!"
"This time the Japanese pirates were sent by Wang Zhi. Wang Zhi is the uncrowned king of the sea. The Japanese pirates he sent will be more powerful than last time, right?!"
Fear spread far faster than confidence. In just a short time, fear spread rapidly in Jingnan like the plague, and many locals in Jingnan also began to panic.
Just when panic spread rapidly, I suddenly heard a surprised shout from people: "Look, the county magistrate, the county magistrate is here."
Hearing this shout of surprise, people all looked towards the main road in the city.
Zhu Ping'an is easy to identify. He is wearing the magistrate's official uniform and official hat. He is unique in his family and has no other marks.
Suddenly, more surprising shouts of "The County Lord is coming" rang out one after another.
These four words, "The county magistrate is here" were like a panacea, and half of the frightening plague dissipated in an instant.
"Hey, why is the county magistrate carrying a bed roll? This... the county magistrate is trying to run away, right?!"
A citizen who was naturalized after the flood suddenly noticed that Zhu Pingan was carrying a roll of bedroll behind him, looking like he was fleeing. His face suddenly turned pale, and he felt that Zhu Pingan was trying to run away.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, there was a burst of laughter around him.
"Hahaha, you idiot, don't talk nonsense if you don't understand. You are running away. Is our County Lord such a person?! The County Lord wants to settle down on the city wall and swear to live and die with the county."
"That's right, when the Japanese pirates came last time, the county magistrate also carried such a bed roll and spread it directly on the city wall. From the moment the county magistrate climbed up the city wall until the Japanese pirates were driven away, the county magistrate had food, accommodation and sleep. It is on the city wall. I have never gone even half a step down the city wall. Moreover, the county magistrate has posted a notice that as long as the Japanese pirates do not retreat for a day, if he does not go down the city wall even half a step, anyone can chop off his head. .”
...
The people who had experienced the last anti-Japanese battle to defend the city laughed at a few newly naturalized people from other places.
"What?! The county magistrate actually lives and dies with the county town?!"
"The county magistrate actually has such courage?!"
When several foreign citizens who were naturalized heard this, they were all shocked and dumbfounded, unable to believe their ears. In their view, officials put their own safety in the highest position. The city and the people are nothing compared to their own safety.
Can our current county magistrate really commit to coexisting with the county to the death? !
They have doubts about this.
However, reality dispelled their doubts. Zhu Ping'an really went straight to the city wall, laid out a bedroll, and posted a notice with the magistrate's seal like last time: The Japanese pirates will not retreat for one day. If I don't go down the city wall for a day, if I go down even half a step, please behead me.
Zhu Ping'an's words and deeds gave everyone a shot in the arm. The county magistrate is not afraid of death, but the common people like us are afraid of a ball!
"Fellows and fellow villagers, as you have heard and seen, the Japanese pirates have invaded our Jingnan again. There are more than 300 eight-banner boats and about five to six thousand Japanese pirates. Our Jingnan has once again reached the point of life and death... ." Zhu Ping'an stood on the city wall, picked up a special amplified loudspeaker and shouted to the people. He did not hide the number of Japanese pirates, but told them truthfully.
Because Zhu Pingan knew that this could not be hidden. Zhang Erniu and the others had already told everyone the number of Yawat boats before reporting to him. It was easy to calculate the number of Japanese pirates based on the number of Yawat boats. In this case, it is better to tell the truth and be honest with each other.
When the common people heard about the number of Japanese pirates, they couldn't help but feel panic. Last time, only 3,000 Japanese pirates came, but this time, more than 5,000 came.
Zhu Pingan glanced at everyone's expressions, and he expected everyone's worries. Then he twitched the corners of his mouth, smiled, and said to everyone with a smile, "Of course, this is a time of life and death, and it is also a day of getting rich. The last three More than a thousand Japanese pirates attacked the city, and we received a reward of 63,960 taels of silver. Each citizen who participated in the defense received an average reward of nearly 20 taels. This time, the Japanese pirates came with five to six thousand people, more than If the number of times is nearly doubled, doesn’t that mean the silver reward will also be doubled? Hahaha, do you think this is a day to get rich?!”
"Hahaha, it's really a day to get rich..."
"Hahaha, this is not a Japanese pirate. This is clearly a mountain of gold and silver coming over."
"My mother gave me a wife for the last silver reward. This time I want a big house..."
"If you don't defend the city, you will die. If you defend the city, you will make money. All fools know how to choose."
The people present couldn't help but burst into laughter when they heard this, especially the young and strong people who had received the silver reward last time. They laughed even more excitedly. Not only that, they also showed their own experience and described the silver reward they received vividly, which immediately made the people around them laugh. People are extremely envious and jealous.
Zhu Ping'an issued another "heavy reward order" at the right time, promising that just like last time, those who bravely defended the city would be rewarded with ten taels of silver; those who were injured while defending the city would be rewarded with an additional ten taels of silver; those who died while defending the city would be rewarded with an additional fifty taels of silver. . After this battle, priority will be given to those who are interested in serving in the county government or serving as errands.
Suddenly, people's attention shifted from the fear of Japanese pirates to the reward of silver, and enthusiasm was mobilized, and most of the panic atmosphere over Jingnan dissipated.
"In addition, this Japanese pirate attack is different from the last time. The last time the Japanese pirates attacked the city, they wanted to break into the city and plunder. This time is different. This time, the reason why Wang Zhi sent his Japanese pirates to invade our Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas was mainly for revenge. The purpose is to build momentum, expand influence, frighten the imperial court, and force the imperial court to agree to his request to open a port for trade. Therefore, the Japanese pirates will not fight with us in Jingnan. As long as we hold on to the first wave of the Japanese siege, the Japanese pirates will discover that we are a If they are tough, they will retreat and change the next target...The difficulty of defending the city this time will be several times easier than the last time..."
Zhu Pingan went on to further reduce people's fears and enhance people's confidence.
People are inspired.
"Fathers and fellow villagers, extinguish the torches, put down the flags, hold your breath, and don't make any noise! All the archers and city guard crossbows will be moved to one side of the city gate for me. When the Japanese pirates come, we will surprise them and give them an unforgettable blow. Let them see the power of our Jingnan..."
After everyone's emotions stabilized and their enthusiasm was mobilized, Zhu Pingan gave the order to everyone.
