After two days of repairs, the injuries of the soldiers injured in the naval battle were stabilized.
Early on the third day, amid Mo Canghai's words of caution, Lu Yulong led the entire fleet to set sail again and began to head south back to Pinghai County.
After all, Dinghai Wharf is only a civilian wharf and does not have the ability to repair and maintain warships or replenish soldiers and sailors.
Although the Japanese pirates may launch an attack at any time, the Yulong fleet has experienced many battles and is now short of men and ships, and the ships are too many and scarred.
If they don't completely return to the port for repairs and supplies, I'm afraid that when Ishikawa Taki's entire army is dispatched, they will only be able to watch the enemy show off their power on their own coastline.
Therefore, it is better to return to Pinghai County as soon as possible and strive to restore the fleet's condition as soon as possible.
Clang, clang, clang, clang.
The sound of police gongs sounded all the way from north to south.
The news that the Japanese pirate fleet appeared in the Yunshui coast spread in all directions with fishermen, merchant ships and newspapers.
Counties near the sea and other bordering counties have increased their vigilance. While setting up sentry posts, they also began to collectively report to Xingji City, requesting the imperial court to send troops for support as soon as possible.
The news also spread to the Baekje Peninsula.
For a moment, the threshold of Lu Fuhai's tent was almost flattened by the generals coming and going.
One by one, they proposed to take the fleet back to Yunchui as soon as possible.
After all, the responsibility of the East China Sea Barrier is to protect the Yunchui Sea Territory, and most of the soldiers come from coastal counties.
If Japanese pirates invade on a large scale, the fate of their families can be imagined.
"Everyone, please listen to me first. Going back at this time is not a good choice."
Lu Fu Haipo said to himself, "The Art of War has it in mind. I want to fight. Even though the enemy has high fortresses and deep ditches, those who have no choice but to fight me must attack them and save them..."
"General," some of the big-headed generals said with blank eyes, "just speak in plain English. The general is a rough man, and I don't think he can understand these things at all!"
Well.
Lu Fuhai got choked up in his throat at the first breath and almost didn't lift it up.
After regaining his breath, he could only explain slowly.
"That is to say, our sea area is too long, and Japanese pirates can go ashore at unknown places at any time to attack us, making it difficult to guard against."
"Our East China Sea Barrier has strong troops. Instead of passively guarding the long coastline, it is better to directly attack the key points of the Japanese pirates and cut off their retreat. This is the most direct solution."
Someone reacted quickly, "The general is talking about the Sishan Islands?"
cough.
Lu Fuhai's military advisor stepped forward at the right time.
"Attacking the Sishan Islands is indeed one of the options."
"But it has now become another base camp for Japanese pirates off the east coast of Baekje. The water conditions there are complicated, and the number of Japanese pirate ships is only a lot more than our East China Sea barrier."
"If we rush there over a long distance, the sailors will definitely be exhausted. If we encounter an ambush or bad weather, and we are surrounded by the vast sea, we will suffer big losses."
The generals may not be able to make any great sense, but they are all top-notch warriors when it comes to fighting. After hearing this, they couldn't help but nodded silently.
Lu Fuhai breathed a sigh of relief.
Ha ha.
He laughed loudly.
"Generals, as the saying goes, food is the most important thing for the people. Without food, the sky will fall. No matter how many boats there are, the soldiers will not have the heart to row them; no matter how good the plan is, no one will implement it.
"
"In a word, no matter what the Japanese pirates want to do, they won't be able to do it without food."
With that said, Lu Fuhai walked to the map and raised his hand to knock on Dongjing Island near the east coast of Baekje.
"And this Dongjing Island is the only remaining food island for the Japanese pirates. As long as it is destroyed, all the Japanese pirates can only eat grass."
"Such an important island is their lifeline. As long as we spread the news that we are preparing to attack it, Naoto Kudo on the east coast and Taki Ishikawa on the Sishan Islands will surely bring troops to rescue it."
"This will also solve the danger of Yunchui along the coast."
All the generals looked at each other with hesitation.
Someone couldn't help but stand up.
"General, it is September now, and it will soon be October in the golden autumn. These two and three months are the harvest season for our local food."
"Not to mention that Kudo Naoto is far away on the east coast of Baekje. Once the Sasan Islands run out of food, Ishikawa Taki is more likely to send troops westward and land directly on the mainland of the empire to grab food."
The others' expressions tightened and they all agreed.
"It is indeed possible."
"Japanese bandits and pirates have done this kind of thing many times before, so we have to guard against it."
"Our maritime territory is very long and difficult to defend, but that is no reason to ignore it. As naval forces, we should rush back as soon as possible to do our part."
…
Lu Fuhai's words made him dry, but he still failed to convince the many generals under his command. In the end, he could only let them go back to sort out their subordinates.
As for whether to go back or stay, we will decide later.
The Chinese army quickly became quiet.
Lu Fuhai turned around anxiously for several times.
"How are you finding His Highness Prince Qi?"
This was the first time he encountered so many subordinates questioning him face to face, and he couldn't help but feel a little upset.
The military advisors looked at each other.
"General, with the help of the King of Baekje and the Starfall Army, the search team is centered on the Baekje capital and is checking the unfamiliar population in each village."
"The entire capital has been checked and no trace of His Highness has been found."
Having said this, the military advisor hesitated.
"If we check all the villages within two hundred miles of the capital and find His Highness, it will be easy to find. If there is still no news about His Highness, I feel... I feel..."
The man's eyes flickered, he hesitated, and did not dare to speak any more.
well.
Lu Fuhai understood what he meant, and his face suddenly became very ugly, but he could only sigh helplessly.
"Look carefully and complete the investigation as soon as possible before it starts snowing. No matter what the result is then, report it directly to Star City."
As he spoke, Lu Fuhai's shoulders slumped.
After struggling for so long, he was already a little discouraged.
The most important thing was that the imperial envoy sent by Emperor Changxing was right under his nose, keeping a close eye on him. Moreover, Xiao Zheng and Wei Junqian, who were at the same level, were unwilling to cooperate from the beginning to the end.
Therefore, no matter what tricks Lu Fuhai wanted to play, he was always restricted.
There was nothing he could do about it.
Outside the account.
The generals who had just stepped out did not return to their main ships immediately.
They got back together.
well.
Some people couldn't help but sigh while eating.
"It seems that no matter what, the general has made up his mind not to go back in the near future."
"What's so strange?" The general next to him threw a few peanuts into his mouth. "After the last storm, so many ships were destroyed and lost again... It's understandable that we won't go back for the time being."
"Actually," someone mused, "it seems to me that the general is a little over-cautious."
"Last time the Japanese pirates attacked us, we did suffer heavy losses. But His Majesty and the Ministry of War have no intention of forcing us to return. Therefore, if there is any punishment from above, it shouldn't be too severe."
"Definitely." Others were not surprised. "Among the five major border defense armies of the empire, our East China Sea Barrier is the one closest to the Ministry of War. No matter what, Shangshu Guan will protect General Lu."
"The reason why the general chooses to stay is because he hopes to find the prince, make amends for his past mistakes, and at the same time, develop his own merits as a follower of the dragon in the future."
…
However, someone suddenly said angrily, "But what about our family?"
The noisy sounds suddenly disappeared, and there was silence all around.
Many generals shook their heads inwardly.
Most of the soldiers had no intention of fighting in Baekje by now. Even if Lu Fuhai forced himself to stay, he probably wouldn't be able to get any benefits during the war.
"How about," someone looked around, "let's go find General Xiao?"