The rise of the poor

"I've already conquered five or six cities of the Ming Dynasty. Although they're a bit bigger than our Hizen city, they're not that much bigger. I don't think Songjiang city is that much bigger either. Besides, your Ming army is really too weak, not even as good as chickens. With this Japanese sword in my hand and my skilled warriors, let alone Songjiang city, we can easily break through even the imperial city of your Ming emperor."

Matsuura Shigeyo disagreed. In his view, the cities of the Ming Dynasty were only slightly larger than those of their Hizen Province, and by only a limited margin. How big could Songjiang Prefecture be? What was there to be so cautious about?

Xu Hai smiled slightly but said nothing.

The three on the high platform enjoyed themselves immensely, while the Japanese pirates in the arena were even more delighted, especially the genuine Japanese who had crossed the sea.

They're fighting to the death in Japan right now. They're living hand to mouth, eating worse than animals, and still not enough to eat. They're so hungry they drink cold water to stave off hunger and use their belts to wrap their stomachs.

Japan is a major rice-producing country, but only its daimyo and nobles can afford to eat rice. Even samurai can only eat rice when they are fighting. At other times, they eat coarse grains with wild vegetables. As for ordinary people, the rice they grow is all given as tribute to the daimyo. They can only eat wild wheat, millet, wild vegetables, grass roots, tree bark, and cold water. Why are ordinary people willing to join the army? Because joining the army means they won't go hungry twice a day.

Now that Japan is in chaos due to war, planting and production have been greatly affected. The Japanese have even less to eat. Even those who join the army have to eat coarse grains and wild vegetables and drink water to fill their stomachs. Not to mention the Japanese civilians, they should be grateful if they don't starve to death.

Unlike them, after they came to the Ming Dynasty, they ate rice to their hearts' content at every meal. They would eat one bowl and then throw the rest away. The key was that there was also meat, meat, meat. They ate meat until they were stuffed. The meat was so delicious, a hundred times, ten thousand times better than rice. They practically swallowed their tongues.

In Japan, apart from daimyo and nobles, how could they possibly eat meat? Let alone pork, mutton, or beef, they couldn't even afford fish.

The Ming Dynasty was simply paradise. With their Japanese swords, they chopped off the heads of the Ming people, plundered their gold, silver, jewels, rice, and livestock, and of course, their women. Then came fragrant rice, glittering gold and silver, beef and mutton that smelled delicious for miles around, and women crying and struggling.

In just the few days they've been in the Ming Dynasty, the gold and silver they've looted are enough to ensure their entire family's comfort for several years.

Heaven, it really is heaven, no, even heaven can't compare.

I heard they're about to attack a much larger and richer city. They say this city is ten or even a hundred times richer than the ones they've been attacking these past few days. That's fantastic! Once they conquer the city, the gold and silver they plunder will be ten or even a hundred times more. After this trip, their whole family can finally live a good life.

A lifetime of comfort and security—perfect! Absolutely perfect!
Tonight, I'm going to give my Japanese sword a good scrubbing. I'll rely on it to carve out a life of plenty. The Ming people may seem weak, but they still have backbone. They won't be able to cut through without a properly cleaned sword.

The Japanese pirates ate meat, drank wine, and indulged in women, dreaming of a wonderful life, feeling incredibly content.

After another day of feasting on meat and fish, Xu Hai confidently told Songpu Shigeyo that he could now lead his troops to attack Songjiang Prefecture City, as he had already sent ointments and armor into the city.

"When the time comes, as soon as the signal is given, a group of soldiers who have been lying in wait inside the city will start killing and burning, attracting the attention of the Ming army inside. Once the Ming army is drawn into the city, we can launch our attack and succeed. At that time, another group of soldiers who have been lying in wait inside the city will take the opportunity to help us seize the gate, creating a coordinated attack from the inside and outside."

Xu Hai laid out his plan in detail, telling Matsuura Shigeyo and Ryuzoji Takasha.

"Yo-ho, General Xu's plan is excellent, very good. With an inside traitor in the city cooperating, taking over Songjiang Prefecture will be as easy as taking candy from a baby."

After listening, Ryūzōji Takasaku nodded, patted Xu Hai on the shoulder approvingly, and grinned confidently.

"This is unnecessary. Even without an inside agent, the bravery of my samurai and the sharpness of their Japanese swords would make it as easy as turning my hand to break through Matsue Prefecture." Matsuura Shigeaki curled his lip dismissively.

“Matsuura-kun, preparation is key to success and lack of preparation leads to failure. Planning ahead and reducing the number of samurai deaths is a great thing.”

Ryuzoji Takasha said to Matsuura Shigeyo.

"Yoshi, that makes sense." Although Matsuura Shigeyo disagreed, he still respected Ryuzoji Takasho and nodded in agreement.

"This time, the three of us will each lead two thousand troops to jointly attack Songjiang Prefecture and capture the city in one fell swoop."

Xu Hai said to the two of them.

Ryūzōji Takakura and Matsuura Shigeyo naturally had no objections. They were unfamiliar with the ways of the Ming Dynasty and would have to rely on collaborators like Xu Hai for combat. Their job was simply to kill, kill, kill, and loot.

Soon, Xu Hai, Ryūzōji Takagi, and Matsuura Shigeyo each mustered two thousand Japanese pirates, totaling six thousand, ready to strike.

"Great! We've finally marched on Songjiang Prefecture. I've heard that the women in the city are all incredibly beautiful, and the city is overflowing with gold and silver treasures."

"Kill the dog of light, rob him of his silver, rob his wife and mother."

"Kill them! Listen to their dying pleas for mercy, plunder the wealth they've accumulated their whole lives—it's wonderful!"

The group of Japanese pirates who had been named were as excited as wolves emerging from their den, their eyes shining and howling.

"Brothers, our destination this time is Songjiang Prefecture City. It's been a long time since we attacked the prefecture city. There are countless gold and silver treasures, mountains of silk and satin, and countless women who are so beautiful they'll make your blood flow! Once we break through the city, all the gold and silver treasures, silk and satin, and women who are so beautiful they'll make your blood flow will be yours. As long as you can carry them all and keep them under control, whoever gets them all can have them!"

"Gold, silver, jewels, fine silks, and women who are so beautiful they seem to drip with moisture are all in the city. Whether you can get them depends on your abilities."

Xu Hai also gave the group of Japanese pirates a pep talk.

"Awoooooo! Break through the city! Break through the city! Break through the city!"

"Kill! Break through Songjiang Prefecture and seize its brew! Gold, silver, jewels, silks, and women that are so beautiful they practically drip with juice—they're all mine, mine, all mine!"

The Japanese pirates were so excited that they drooled all over the place, waving their weapons and howling.

"Very good, let's go!"

Seeing that the Japanese pirates were sufficiently provoked, Xu Hai waved his hand, and six thousand Japanese pirates set off, their eyes red and teeth bared, heading towards Songjiang Prefecture with murderous intent.

They vowed not to return until they had conquered Songjiang Prefecture!
They were very confident about this. (End of Chapter)