December 29 of the seventh year of Chongzhen.

Zhang Zhun barely fell asleep last night, and only closed his eyes slightly when it was almost dawn. He had already woken up when the first rays of morning light appeared on the horizon.

In fact, the officers and men of the Tiger Ben Army Navy basically didn't fall asleep last night. Everyone was gearing up last night, going all out to prepare for the battle, just waiting for dawn to continue to fight. Everyone knows that today's battle will definitely be more intense. The pirates' attacks are sure to be even more frenzied. If last night's battle was just a tentative attack, then today's battle is the real **.

Even Zhang Haibin took the initiative to apply to go to Ninghai to help Zhou Zhengyu command the battle. During last night's battle, Zhou Zhengyu's calf was injured by flying sawdust and he was unable to move. But he resolutely refused to leave Ninghai, and Zhang Zhun had no choice but to let him. In fact, there are many soldiers like Zhou Zhengyu who are injured and can't get out of the line of fire. Encouraged by yesterday's sinking of two pirate ships, the wounded were full of fighting spirit and confidence in victory.

Everything was ready and waiting for the pirates to rush up.

After dawn, the sun never came out, the sky was gloomy, the visibility was very low, and it felt like morning was like dusk. The sky was densely packed, all of which were dark black clouds, pressed very low. It seems to be on top of a person's head, and you can touch it as long as you reach out. Experienced old people know that this is a harbinger of snow. With such dense clouds, it's definitely going to snow today. I am afraid that this heavy snowfall will not be able to stop for three or four days. If I guess correctly, this year's Chinese New Year's Eve will be spent in heavy snow.

Strangely, it was already dark, and there was no sign of the pirates. On the sea outside Mawan, it was quiet, and there were no ships in sight. The sea level is also very quiet, with only layers of light waves, gently splashing white. Even when the time passed, there was still no sign of the pirate. Pirates, as if they have disappeared.

"Why don't you see pirates?"

Shen Lingfei held the clairvoyant mirror and asked curiously.

Zhang Zhun didn't sleep well last night, but she slept soundly. By Zhang Zhun's side, it is safety. She could fall asleep upside down. She is still wearing a white down coat, her petite body is densely wrapped in her clothes, and she is even wearing small deerskin gloves on her hands.

"Wait and see."

Zhang Zhun said slowly.

Time went on, and it was almost noon, and there was still no sign of the pirate ship.

Zhang Zhun held a clairvoyant mirror and carefully searched the sea outside, but could not see any trace of the pirate ship. Due to the gloomy sky, the sea water is all black, and due to the optical illusion, the black clouds on the horizon seem to be constantly rotating, as if a monster will come out of it at any time. However, there was no sign of the pirate ship.

In the other defense areas of the Tiger Army, there was no news of the pirate landing. From the coastal area of Aoshanwei and Turin Shanwei, Zhang Zhundu had already arranged a tight defense. The coastline has a large number of lurking posts. It is impossible for pirates to go ashore quietly. If the pirates forcibly landed somewhere else, Zhang Zhun should have received the news.

Could it be that the pirates are not going to attack?

"Go out and have a look."

"Look what the hell the pirates are up to."

Zhang Zhun immediately ordered three Cangshan ships to go out to investigate.

Liu Sheng, Wang He, Cheng Lei and others, with three Cangshan boats, slowly sailed out of Mawan. They split into three roads and drove in different directions. Soon, the figures of the three Cangshan boats disappeared into Zhang Zhun's clairvoyant mirror. The position of the sea and sky line is still dark and dreary, and there are no ships in sight.

"Have the pirates withdrawn?"

Shen Lingfei said suspiciously.

"I don't know."

Zhang Zhun said coldly.

Two ships were sunk and hundreds of men were lost, and the pirates did have the possibility of withdrawing. Last night's battle had amply confirmed that the pirates would pay a heavy price if they wanted to get close to the two floating batteries. Without these two floating batteries, pirates would not be able to enter Mawan. Without access to Mawan, the pirates could not continue their attack. It's an endless loop.

The pirates had to continue their attack in order to take the two floating batteries. However, the chain bullets and grape bullets fired by the Wyvern Cannon are not covered. If they can't withstand the bombardment of chain bombs and grapeshot bullets, the pirates' gang jumping battles can only be fools' dreams. In front of the eighty flying dragon cannons, it is indeed very difficult to carry out gang jumping operations. It is not entirely impossible to say that the pirates were frightened and had to evacuate.

However, Zhang Zhun always felt that pirates would not leave easily. Yes, the pirates did sink two ships, and the loss of personnel should be quite a few, but the pirates still had eight ships and a few hundred men. The two No. 2 Fu ships, which were the main force of the naval battle, did not suffer major damage. The combat effectiveness of the other six pirate ships is basically intact. On top of each warship, there were craftsmen who accompanied the ship, and after a night's hard work, these injuries could be repaired.

Therefore, it is impossible for Sun Ronglu to give up the attack so easily. If he gave up the attack, in the future, he wouldn't even want to mix in the Zheng Zhilong Pirate Group. It's a shame, it's a shame. Sun Ronglu can't afford to lose this person. Perhaps, the pirate ship is gathering somewhere, like a wounded beast, licking its wounds. Once the wound is licked, they will launch a new attack.

After noon, the three Cangshan ships came back one after another.

They found no trace of the pirate ship in the outer seas.

"No target found."

"The pirate ships are gone."

"All the pirate ships, all gone."

Zhang Zhun received such news.

The news spread quickly. The soldiers and civilians around Mawan were greatly relieved. The nerves that were originally tense were relaxed. The pirates are gone, which is a good thing indeed. Finally, I don't have to continue to fight, and I can celebrate the New Year. They all naively felt that the pirates must have retreated. Two ships were sunk in the first shot, and if the fight continues, the pirates will not have to lose more ships?

Only Zhang Zhun frowned.

The departure of the pirate was indeed a bit unexpected to him. Could it be that Sun Ronglu retreated like this? Having lost two pirate ships, Sun Ronglu actually retreated willingly? Is this pirate leader really not afraid of losing face? Did the pirates retreat, or did they retreat and try to lure the Tiger Navy's navy to take the initiative?

"Keep an eye on it! Vigilant! ”

"Patrol ships should strengthen patrols off the coast of Mawan!"

"On Fuhai and Ninghai, there must be someone on duty at all times!"

Zhang Zhun said coldly.

The pirate was only wounded, but not killed, and there was no carelessness. According to Zhang Zhun's experience, people who are injured are usually even more crazy. The same goes for wounded pirates. As for the pirates trying to lure the Tiger Ben Navy into attacking, I'm sorry, they're in vain. The two monsters that Zhang Zhun made out will only stay here to the death, and they will never move their positions.

The three Cangshan ships continued to go out to reconnoitre. Subsequently, Zhang Zhun arranged a large number of fishing boats and sampans to carefully search the waters around Mawan. He suspects that the pirate ship may be hiding somewhere unknown. However, by the evening, the information came back that the pirate ship was really gone. All the coastlines from Aoshanwei to Lingshanwei have been explored. The sentries of the Tiger Army along the coast did not see the pirate ship appear.

Zhou Zhengyu said suspiciously: "Could it be that the pirates are rushing back for the New Year?" ”

Yang Guohua said uncertainly: "I think there is a possibility." I'm well aware of the pirate attack. Pirates won't do anything good without it. It's one thing for Yang Tiansheng to help Nanjing City out, it's another thing to want to reap the benefits. Sun Ronglu must be thinking about taking Fushan City before the New Year, making a good profit, and celebrating the New Year in Fushan City. There are money, women, everything, and of course the pirates are willing to do it! ”

"But now, the pirates have lost two ships and hundreds of dead. It was definitely a serious blow to the morale of the pirates. If Sun Ronglu can't take Fushan City during the Chinese New Year this year, his subordinates will definitely rebel against him. Which pirate can keep the New Year at sea? Sun Ronglu probably felt that it was impossible to take Fushan City in two days, so he returned to Fujian for the New Year. For two days, it was a tailwind, enough for the pirates to go back to the coast of Fujian. ”

Zhou Zhengyu nodded and said, "That's right." Maybe they retreated last night. Last night's retreat gave me at least eight hours more, just enough time to go back to the coast of Fujian. ”

Zhang Zhun shook his head lightly and said slowly: "I think it's unlikely." Sun Ronglu may not have a big surname when he goes back to Fujian. Perhaps, they were looking for a place to lick their wounds. ”

Yang Guohua said suspiciously: "Lick the wound? ”

Zhou Zhengyu was also a little puzzled.

Zhang Zhun pondered for a moment and said slowly: "This is just my intuition, maybe I can't do it accurately." I always feel that this Sun Ronglu may make a comeback. ”

Yang Guohua nodded and said, "That's right, pirates are very vindictive!" If you suffer a loss, you must find a way to make up for it. Sun Ronglu was sunk two ships this time, and he couldn't explain to Yang Tiansheng, he would definitely look for an opportunity to kill him back! It was indeed possible for him to find a place to mend the ship, boost the morale of the sailors, rebuild his strength, and then come back to the fight. ”

Zhang Zhun thought for a moment, made a decision, and said slowly: "Okay!" Since the pirates are not coming, let's have a good New Year! After the order, except for the vigilant troops, everyone else can celebrate the New Year according to the plan! Chinese New Year's Eve is a big day, I hope Sun Ronglu will not kill back on Chinese New Year's Eve! ”

Yang Guohua and Zhou Zhengyu immediately ordered to go.

(To be continued)