My Pen Pal Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 381 Entering the City
As the battle became more and more intense, the people in the city trembled with fear. Many people had already fled to other towns with their families. Those who could not escape could only stay at home, lock the doors, and pray that the war would pass quickly.

The sounds of gunfire and artillery fire coming from outside the city made them even more terrified.

What on earth did the Ming army use to fight the pirates? The crisp sound seemed to carry some kind of ominous sound, which made people terrified.

The pirates definitely don't have this kind of weapon. Could it be that the Ming army is using some kind of thunder and lightning?

The deafening sound of artillery fire made the people feel like they were living in hell. The sound seemed like a divine punishment from the gods, with the power to destroy the world!

The only thing they could do was to pray at home, praying that God's punishment would not fall upon them.

Some brave young men tried to run out of the city to see what was happening. However, when they climbed up the cliff outside the city and looked towards the beach, they saw the shells fired by the Ming Dynasty's artillery hitting the ground heavily and blew the pirates away.

No one dared to watch anymore. If he was hit, he would be torn into pieces.

However, after half a day, the sounds of gunfire and artillery fire seemed to have subsided a lot, and the people breathed a sigh of relief. Could it be that their prayers worked?

After a while, they were surprised to find that many pirates had run back to the city. Some of them were covered in blood, some had broken arms and legs, but they were all dejected, with fear and panic on their faces, just like dogs that had lost their homes.

Seeing the pirates in such a miserable state, the people felt very angry.

Seeing them being defeated by the Ming army, the people had only one thought in their minds: these guys deserved it!
At the same time, he was extremely curious about what kind of Ming army was that could have subdued these pirates.

You know, these pirates under Chen Zuyi's command have been wreaking havoc in Malacca for many years. Countries in this sea area are unable to do anything about the pirates, and some even depend on them for their survival. In the eyes of the people, pirates are invincible!

But the once invincible pirates were unexpectedly taught a lesson by the army from the Ming Dynasty, and the lesson was quite severe. This really opened the eyes of all the people.

Watching the pirates being defeated, the people became more curious about the Ming army. At the same time, their fear of the Ming army was alleviated a lot.

At this time in the palace, King Parameswara of Srivijaya stood on the terrace, looking anxiously at the beach in the distance, his anxiety growing more and more.

At first, when he heard that Chen Zuyi had intercepted the Ming fleet and even fought a battle with the Ming army in Temasek, he actually didn't take it seriously.

Although they worshipped the Ming Dynasty as the Celestial Empire and joined the tributary system, they only paid homage because they heard that they would receive huge rewards by becoming a vassal of the Ming Dynasty.

Parameswara did not have much awe for the Ming Dynasty in his heart. One of the main reasons was that Srivijaya was too far away from the Ming Dynasty!
Unlike Annan, Cambodia, Siam and other places, which are close to the Ming Dynasty and would tremble if the Ming Dynasty sneezed, Srivijaya is thousands of miles away from the Ming Dynasty, so Srivijaya does not have to look at the Ming Dynasty's face at all.

Therefore, Parameswara actually turned a blind eye to Chen Zuyi's behavior, not only because Chen Zuyi's power was too great, but also because Chen Zuyi would give him part of the looted treasures.

Chen Zuyi paid tribute to him, and he gave Chen Zuyi the title of a king with a different surname. Rather than saying that Parameswara was coerced by Chen Zuyi, it would be more appropriate to say that the two of them were in cahoots with each other.

This is why, as a vassal of the Ming Dynasty, he did not take it to heart after learning that Chen Zuyi had plundered the Ming fleet.

In his eyes, what was the difference between the Ming fleet and the fleets of other countries? It was just a hen that laid golden eggs.

However, what he never expected was that the Ming Dynasty actually attacked!

The Ming Dynasty actually sent a fleet to attack Chen Zuyi, a pirate, from afar! Parameswara may not know what "whoever offends the mighty Han will be punished no matter how far away he is", but he has experienced it firsthand at this moment.

At this moment, he realized what a terrifying behemoth Chen Zuyi had provoked!
However, he still had a glimmer of hope in his heart that Chen Zuyi's tens of thousands of pirates could drive away the Ming army. But when he saw the pirates fleeing back to the city gate in a panic, he knew that everything was over!
Just when the gunfire had completely ceased and the people thought it was over, a panic and noise broke out in the city.

Chen Zuyi is back!
Surrounded by a group of trusted followers, Chen Zuyi escaped into the city gate, and then fled in a panic towards the palace.

It seems that Chen Zuyi was really defeated by the Ming army!

The people felt happy but also nervous. They didn't know what would happen when the Ming army arrived. Would they be as barbaric and cruel as the pirates?
Just as the people were waiting for the fate to be decided on pins and needles, the soldiers of the second battalion had already chased to the city gate.

At this time, the guards guarding in front of the city gate were standing by the city gate with spears, swords and other weapons, staring at the Ming army, not daring to step forward to stop them, nor did they dare to retreat.

"Master, what should we do now? Should we go into the city?"

The general asked Qian Benyi while looking at the guards guarding the city.

"Are you stupid? You've chased us here. If you don't go into the city, are you going to guard the city gate for them?" Qian Benyi said as he looked at the so-called city gate built of mud, stones and wood, feeling a little emotional.

What's so good about guarding such a broken thing? Should we guard against gentlemen instead of villains?
"Then, what about them?" The general pointed at the guards.

"Ignore them, let's just go in. If anyone tries to stop us, just fight them back. Do you really think the semi-automatic rifles in our hands are vegetarian?"

Qian Benyi waved his hand, and the Ming army soldiers immediately formed an attack formation and walked towards the city gate together.

The guards' expressions froze, and then they turned their gazes away tacitly, as if telling themselves, "As long as I don't see the Ming army, then the Ming army doesn't exist."

"It seems that these barbarians still have some vision!" Qian Benyi smiled and led the second battalion straight into the city gate.

After successfully entering the city, many soldiers were dazzled by the buildings in Palembang that were very different in style from the Ming Dynasty, the chaotic streets, and the Srivijayan people who looked different from the Han people.

The people of Srivijaya looked at the Ming army soldiers with nervousness and surprise. The strange clothes, the weird weapons, everything about the Ming army was new to them.

And to their surprise, the Ming army did not seem to have any intention of harassing them.

"Everyone, pay attention and don't act like fools who have never seen the world!"

Qian Benyi scolded while organizing the team to move forward.

At this time, the general flag came up to him and asked, "Master, how do we get to the palace?"

Qian Benyi's eyes rolled, "This is easy. There are Han people here too. Can't we just find a Han person to lead the way?"

(End of this chapter)