Frontier Army Warrior

Chapter 1116 Reinforcements for the Sea Pirates

The two thousand men quickly formed ranks and, led by Hu Jincai, hurriedly left the west gate and headed straight for Funing Prefecture.

They were cavalry, so their speed was naturally much faster than that of the pirates' infantry.

This place is 280 li away from Fu Ning Prefecture City, and it will take about two hours to get to the city.

The pirate force of 20,000 men was still led by Atsumi Akiyama.

She was driven from Fu Ning Prefecture to Yingjian Gorge by Lin Feng, and then forced to retreat to Ganqing Prefecture, where she has been stuck, feeling extremely frustrated.

Just as she was feeling lost and confused, good news came from her family: the Dahe clan had dispatched hundreds of ships to transport nearly 30,000 troops to the eastern coast of Dazong.

The intention was clear: to occupy a large portion of the southeastern territory.

Because the Atsumi family had been plundering the area for many years, they were familiar with the local fighting methods and terrain.

Therefore, the strategist still appointed Atsumi Akiyama as the leader to be responsible for implementing the plan to occupy large swathes of the southern territory.

Meanwhile, 20,000 pirates from the mainland landed in Danzhou Prefecture and advanced towards Nantai Prefecture, which was guarded by Luo Shidong.

This led to the southern border region of Dazong being besieged by a large number of pirate armies.

During the retreat, Hu Jincai used the three thousand iron cavalry of the Zhenxi Army and Lin Feng's five hundred guards to wipe out the three thousand vanguard of the pirates.

This only fueled the pirates' frenzy. A force of nearly 20,000 men swarmed in, forcing Hu Jincai's troops into the city of Fuzhou, where they could only defend the city and no longer dared to launch a counterattack.

Luo Shidong's Zhennan Army had few cavalry units and no sharp shotguns. Faced with more than 20,000 pirates, they could only engage in a difficult defensive battle in Nantai Prefecture.

The situation was very unfavorable for both the Zhenxi Army and the Zhennan Army. The Taisho Imperial Guards blocked the reinforcements from the eight prefectures of Zhenxi, and the pirate army was still increasing.

Inside the city of Luo, in the mansion where Prime Minister Miao Changfeng of the Taisho era was staying.

Prime Minister Miao Changfeng was looking solemnly at Prefect Zhao Yichen, who was standing below the hall, and Wei Xianzhen, the highest-ranking military officer of Luocheng, who was standing to one side.

Guard captain Miao Yong and deputy captain Chen Dongping stood on either side of Miao Changfeng behind him.

Lin Feng stood by the entrance outside the lobby.

He could hear the conversation inside clearly.

Miao Changfeng said in a deep voice, "I have come to Luocheng for two reasons: first, to prepare for His Highness the Crown Prince's arrival, and second, to discuss the issues of Fu'an Prefecture and Fuchang Prefecture with you both."

The two high-ranking military and political officials of Los Angeles stood bowing, without saying a word.

"His Highness the Crown Prince came to Luoyang on the Emperor's orders, and he needs your cooperation to deal with the pirates between the two prefectures."

Wei Xianzhen, being a military officer, knew more about the battle situation and looked up in surprise.

"Prime Minister, shall we fight the pirates?"

Miao Changfeng shook his head: "It's not that we want to fight, it's that they want to fight."

He glanced at the bewildered expressions on their faces.

"According to internal reports, the pirates have begun to increase their numbers along the coast of our Great Zheng. Their intentions are very clear, and their main target is Luocheng."

Prefect Zhao Yichen said, "Oh, so His Highness the Crown Prince withdrew his troops not because of military setbacks, but to defend against the invasion of pirates."

Miao Changfeng chuckled: "Hehe, without Lin Feng, how could the Zhenxi Army be a match for our Dazheng Imperial Guard? Although we failed to capture Lindu, we did not lose many troops. However, the pirates are eyeing us covetously. Hearing that we were at war with the Zhenxi Army, they wanted to take the opportunity to seize land on our Dazheng territory. This is outrageous."

Lin Feng then understood Miao Changfeng's purpose, and was still somewhat disappointed.

The one guarding Lindu Prefecture should be Li Donglai, right? How come he hasn't won a battle to boost the morale of the Zhenxi Army?

Are these Imperial Guards of the Taisho era difficult to defeat?

Lin Feng had great confidence in generals such as Li Donglai, Wang Qian, Hu Jincai, and Zhang Changyou. They had fought alongside him in numerous battles over the years. Even if they couldn't wipe out the invading Taisho Imperial Guards in a decisive victory, they should have no problem holding the city and launching a counterattack.

Furthermore, they had their own self-developed weapons and equipment, with steel swords and armor that were a level above the enemy's, and abundant food and supplies.

They also had warships and cannons to assist them.

In a war like this, would there be any suspense?

Judging from Miao Changfeng's words, it seems that Prince Zhao Jian's forces did not suffer many losses.

Lin Feng sighed inwardly, wondering how Li Donglai had fought this battle.

Hu Jincai isn't here, so where is Wang Qian?

What about Zhang Changyou?

In short, Lin Feng frowned and pondered, feeling that Miao Changfeng might not be telling the truth, and that Crown Prince Zhao Jian must have suffered a lot in this battle.

Seeing that they had failed to capture Lindu after a prolonged siege and had suffered considerable losses, they withdrew their troops to prepare for the defense of Luoyang in case of a sudden attack by pirates.

Lin Feng thought about it more and more and felt that his guess made sense.

Miao Changfeng was still speaking angrily.

"Back then, the Emperor had an agreement with the pirates, lending them Fuzhou and Changzhi Prefectures as shelter. Who knew these guys were so ambitious and greedy, they even captured Fu'an Prefecture and Quzhou Prefecture, and further south, Ganqing and Danzhou. If we don't retaliate, the entire south plus half of Dazheng will fall into their hands."

Prefect Zhao Yichen frowned and asked, "What about the Zhenxi Army...?"

"We are now attacked from both sides. We must first deal with the pirates. After all, they are foreign enemies and we cannot afford to be careless."

Wei Xianzhen nodded: "No wonder the pirates have recently dared to cross the Yongding River and act recklessly in my Luocheng Prefecture."

Zhao Yichen also said, "There are many more sea ships on the Yongding River. They must be the warships of the pirates preparing to invade Luocheng."

Miao Changfeng sighed.

"His Highness the Crown Prince will arrive with his army in three days at the latest. You two must prepare all war supplies and collect battle reports in preparation for His Highness's orders."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

"Yes, I certainly wouldn't dare to delay His Highness's important business."

The two Los Angeles officials bowed and agreed.

Wei Xianzhen suddenly remembered something and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your Excellency, according to reports, Hu Jincai's Zhenxi Army has 20,000 troops in Funing Prefecture and Jinhao Prefecture, and Luo Shidong's Zhennan Army has 20,000 troops in Nantai Prefecture and Jinghai Prefecture. Why don't we drive the pirates across the Yongding River and force them to the south from Fu'an Prefecture, so that they can fight to the death?"

Miao Changfeng nodded and smiled: "This matter needs His Highness the Crown Prince to decide, but I think your direction is very correct. You can make a suggestion to His Highness the Crown Prince when the time comes."

Wei Xianzhen was very pleased: "Thank you for your guidance, Prime Minister."

"Very well, you may go and make preparations. Once His Highness the Crown Prince's army arrives, I will return to the capital..."

As he spoke, he rubbed his forehead with his hand.

"Sigh, so much to do, it's rare to have a few days of leisure."

"Please take care of your health, Your Excellency. The Great Zheng Dynasty cannot do without you."

Miao Changfeng waved his hand: "Go, go, I know."

The two high-ranking military and political officials from Los Angeles left the hall one after the other.

Just as Miao Changfeng was about to get up and go back to his room to rest, Chen Dongping, the deputy captain of the guards, stepped forward and whispered something to him.

Although he spoke in a low voice, Lin Feng could still hear the content clearly.

"Sir, the guard team is missing a captain and a member. They disappeared overnight."

Miao Changfeng frowned: "Hmm? Have you found out where they went?"

"We've checked, but we don't know where they went."

"Send people to search the city. Where else could these women go besides the brothels?"

Miao Changfeng snorted coldly, got up and walked into the inner room.