In less than half an hour, the Xiaokunshan camp was breached. More than a thousand Japanese pirates were captured, and six to seven hundred were killed.
Leading the troops out of the city was the county magistrate Ni Guangjian, accompanied by a deputy commandant of the militia, named Lu Fei. From Qi Jiguang's professional perspective, the battle was not fought well, but fortunately, Lu Fei was brave enough, and the pirates were half-dead from the smoke, having lost half their combat strength, which allowed them to break the camp with ease.
However, given the extraordinary circumstances, no more could be expected.
Qi Jiguang said to Ni Guangjian, "Lord Ni, these militia are very brave and all achieved merits today. Please compile a list, and I will report it to the Ministry of War."
Fearing that the militia had been out of the city for too long and that the other three gates might be in trouble, he added immediately,
"Lord Ni, please lead the militia back to the city! Tie up these captured pirates, parade them through the streets to appease the hearts of the army and civilians, and then keep them under strict guard. Never slacken!"
Ni Guangjian had never seen a battle. Seeing the Qi family army's bravery and order, and Qi Jiguang's brilliant generalship, his mind was somewhat at ease. But fearing that his own gate might be breached, he immediately led his troops back to the city.
Qi Jiguang was a top figure of the present era. After pondering for a moment and assessing the situation, he made a bold decision and said in a deep voice,
"Rulong, take your contingent and continue north to take down the camps in Zhujiajiao and Qingpu! Ziluan, take your contingent eastward, bypass Zuibaichi at an opportune moment, and continue north, continuously attacking the camps outside the East and North gates!"
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He took out his military orders, then mounted his horse, and added,
"Zi'an, accompany me eastward and encircle the Zuibaichi main camp with Zhu Mo!"
The three detachments dispersed simultaneously.
Chen Ziluan and Wang Rulong each unfurled the Great Ming Sun and Moon Stars banners and galloped along the foot of Huating City.
Ni Guangjian had the militia tie up all the more than a thousand Japanese pirates with bamboo poles and ropes, ten to a group, like human zongzi, and lead them into the city.
Although Huating City had been under siege for a short time, Jiangnan had rarely experienced war. The people were terrified. Seeing the strangely dressed pirate ronin paraded in chains immediately boosted morale. Ni Guangjian rode a tall horse, cupped his hands in greeting everywhere, and accepted the cheers of the people, enjoying a triumphant feeling as if he had won the battle.
...
At this time,
In the Zuibaichi area, three Portuguese camps were bombarded repeatedly by the "Iron Bodhisattva." The Portuguese had abandoned their cannons and fled eastward. The pirates, bandits, and many ronin also fled eastward in a panic.
The more than six hundred samurai who had charged earlier were all captured, and the rest died from severe injuries. However, it was a great pity that Omura Sumitada was desperately protected by more than a dozen of his samurai and managed to escape south to Fengjing on a fast horse!
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Yin Xiaohu blamed himself and wished he could slap himself a few times.
But Zhu Mo smiled and said, "Xiaohu, it's alright. After all, this person is a daimyo, and he naturally has men willing to die for him. He's not that easy to catch..."
Yin Xiaohu still lamented his misfortune, and angrily went to survey the battlefield.
Just then,
Zheng Qin, who had finished fighting at Fengjing, also returned north. Seeing the main Japanese pirate camp enveloped in thick smoke and thousands of pirates in disarray, he wondered how it was that this battle was so easy, feeling an overwhelming sense of dominance.
Seeing the Japanese pirates fleeing eastward, he wanted to pursue them, but suddenly remembered the pre-battle deployment and blurted out, "Young Master Zhu, General Yu's warships are waiting for the firearms and cannons. Shall we return to Hulu Mountain Water Village?"
Zhu Mo smiled and said, "Zheng Qin, no rush. This pirate siege is very peculiar. Let's take down the camps first... Moreover, there are still many remnants and stragglers in this area. We must clear them all out and prevent them from disturbing the people. Let's postpone the attack on Zhoushan for now..."
"This?"
Zheng Qin was immediately bewildered: If the Japanese pirates escaped to the sea, wouldn't it require more effort and time?
"It's fine..."
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Zhu Mo pointed to Huating City and changed the subject:
"The siege of Huating has been lifted. You lead the firearms unit north to attack other camps. Fight as many as you can, and help our allies more..."
Zheng Qin saw a faint, strange smile on Zhu Mo's lips and was completely baffled. However, military orders were like mountains, so he could only comply.
...
In Huating City,
Liu Yingjie had been stationed in the south of Huating City, closely observing the main Japanese pirate camp.
Earlier, scouts had reported that the Xiaokunshan Japanese pirate camp caught fire. Later, they heard continuous cannon fire, and the Zuibaichi main camp was also engulfed in thick smoke.
He was a veteran of many battles and guessed that Qi Jiguang was fully attacking the weakest West Gate. He immediately ordered Ni Guangjian to go out and attack Xiaokunshan, while he remained in place, guarding the South Gate.
Based on experience, when the enemy camp was in great chaos, the defeated soldiers could sometimes be even fiercer. It was like a cornered dog would leap over a wall. If they opened the gates to pursue at this time, it would be fine if they were well-trained regular troops, but these militia were incompetent and might suffer losses.
Moreover,
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He had spent his life defending cities and passes. He knew well that the Xiaokunshan area was the key to breaking through. If even one point was breached, it would be immediate. There was no need to take more risks. Anyway, victory was already in hand, so he remained cautious and did not act.
Zhu Mo observed for a long time,
Seeing that Liu Yingjie could remain stable, he couldn't help but sigh with admiration.
Because this move was correct. If the city gates were opened at such a time, many unexpected problems would arise. The winning side would become arrogant and lose control, and the losing side would become desperate. Chaos was inevitable.
At this time,
Seeing that Liu Yingjie remained steady, his last worry was eliminated. The overall situation was no longer in danger. He immediately led seven hundred arquebusiers, some on horseback, some in carriages, towards the East Sea.
This was for another plan—
To deliberately allow the Japanese pirates to escape to the Zhoushan Islands.
Thus,
The duration of this battle could be extended. Only by extending the time could the political offensive of the Yan family be countered, and reform be promoted with this kind of momentum.
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Therefore,
He did not return to Hulu Mountain Water Village with the firearms troops and cannons as agreed, but instead moved eastward in a posture of pursuit to avoid gossip.
...
The mopping-up operations of each unit went very smoothly.
Two hours later,
All the armies assembled at the South Gate of Huating.
Qi Jiguang's troops captured over three thousand Japanese pirates, Zheng Qin captured one thousand, and Yin Xiaohu captured six hundred. More than twenty Japanese pirate officers and over a dozen pirate and bandit leaders were captured.
Ni Guangjian, as the county magistrate, led the people of the entire city out to reward the troops. The common people were overjoyed, beating gongs and drums, welcoming the troops into the city.
Although the generals had won, they couldn't be happy thinking about the previous dangerous situation. Moreover, at least four to five thousand Japanese pirates had escaped. Such an outcome would be troublesome if the imperial court questioned them.
After some pleasantries, the generals entered the city with the county magistrate and the people. But at this moment, everyone suddenly realized—
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Zhu Mo was gone!
Qi Jiguang and Liu Yingjie, who understood the battle situation best, knew that Zhu Mo was stationed at Hu Jia Ban, so close to Zuibaichi. Since they could take it, how could they not eliminate the escaping Japanese pirates?
The two felt that the matter was strange, but he was a Grand Secretariat and an imperial envoy, so how could they ask more questions? With doubts, they entered the city with the others.
...
At this moment,
Outside Jinshanwei, in the area of Wugui Mountain.
The Japanese pirates crowded on the shore were desperately boarding forty to fifty large ships. In the outer sea, one hundred and fifty to one hundred and sixty Japanese pirate warships patrolled.
Mao Lie had just learned of the defeat at Huating and that Omura Sumitada was missing. He was already terrified and hastily organized the pirates to board the ships. However, the tide had receded slightly, making it difficult to approach the shore. Dozens of small boats were dispatched to ferry people back and forth.
But time was flying. He thought of Yu Dayou being nearby, and the pursuing Ming army on shore would also arrive soon, making him extremely anxious.
Just then,
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He looked up from the ship's bow and saw Omura Sumitada riding a fast horse from the edge of the distant woods, galloping towards the seaside as if flying. And behind him, there was a troop of cavalry carrying firearms.
He immediately roared,
"Master Sumitada is back!"
"Quickly board the ship!"
"Zhu Mo is chasing from behind!"
Many Japanese pirates turned pale upon hearing Zhu Mo's name. Many of them simply jumped into the sea and swam towards the ships.