Zhu Ping’an and Hu Zongxian chatted while eating. After breakfast, they walked together to stand behind Zhao Wenhua outside the dragon pavilion, awaiting the arrival of the imperial envoy.
During the wait, Yu Dayou came over especially to pay respects to Zhu Ping’an. Zhu Ping’an took Yu Dayou aside and asked with concern about the recruitment and training of the Zhejiang naval forces.
“With the grain, pay, and silver provided by the Minister, we have carefully selected three thousand strong and able men from the fishermen. They undergo rigorous training. The twelve large Fuchuan ships and thirty medium and small Fuchuan ships allocated last month have all arrived. Now, after a month of onboard drills, another month of training will allow me to take them out to sea to practice against water bandits and small groups of Japanese ships. In half a year, I am confident we will dominate the seas, becoming an iron barrier for Zhejiang. We will smash all invading Japanese warships and sink them to the ocean floor.”
Yu Dayou reported truthfully and made his pledge with full confidence. He stood like a fierce tiger perched on a massive rock.
“What difficulties does the navy face at present? See if I can resolve them.” Zhu Ping’an placed great hopes on Yu Dayou’s navy. To thoroughly suppress the Japanese pirates, a capable naval force was essential.
“If I must mention one, it is the shortage of ship-mounted cannons. Naval warfare differs from land battles. The more cannons a ship carries, the better, and the larger the calibre, the better! Our newly formed navy especially needs cannons to establish a sea battle advantage.”
Yu Dayou knew Zhu Ping’an’s temperament, so he frankly mentioned the navy’s lack of cannons.
“I believe naval and land warfare share common ground. Firearms bring small victories in small use, great victories in great use, and total victory when used fully.”
Zhu Ping’an smiled faintly. No one had more to say on firearms than him. The future belonged to firearms.
“It is I who fell short. The Minister’s emphasis on and application of firearms far surpasses the present age. I was like a fool wielding an axe before Lu Ban.”
Yu Dayou touched his head. He had almost forgotten that the Governor’s Zhejiang army was fully equipped with firearms. Their regard for firearms exceeded that of all contemporaries, including himself. His earlier words were indeed misguided.
He had meant naval warfare differed from other armies’ land battles, where cold weapons dominated and firearms made up only one or two tenths of the arsenal. But at sea, firearms were vital, with cannons and muskets being all the better for abundance.
“No, no, what you said is not wrong. Current land battles use too few firearms, especially cannons. But in time, it will be the age of firearms. Of course, firearms still need improvements in loading, firing rate, range, and accuracy.”
Zhu Ping’an spoke freely on the topic.
Yu Dayou also had insights into firearms. The two delved into the subject, chatting animatedly.
Of course, Zhu Ping’an did not forget the main matter. He said to Yu Dayou, “I will issue you a handwritten order. Send someone knowledgeable about cannons to the Shaoxing camp to liaise with the equipment battalion. Have them urgently produce and supply one hundred cannons of various models for naval warfare, along with eight hundred muskets. They will also prioritise a batch of gunpowder and shot for you. At present, the equipment battalion’s production cannot keep up with demand. Once capacity increases, I will allocate more cannons and muskets to you.”
“My deepest thanks, Minister.” Yu Dayou’s eyes grew moist with emotion at the corners. The Minister’s support was immense, beyond his expectations: money when asked, ships when needed, cannons when required…
After half a lifetime of wandering, multiple attempts to serve Ming lords, stripped of his military rank after offering service at Jinmen, then to the Minister of War Mao Bowen, then to the Xuan Da Governor Zhai Peng, yet never truly valued, tossed about, repeatedly suppressed, without meeting a true patron.
At last, at fifty, Yu Dayou had finally met one.
A warrior dies for the one who knows him. It was just so.
Yu Dayou thumped his chest in excitement and stood as if issuing a military oath to Zhu Ping’an. “Rest assured, Minister. I will train an invincible navy for you. If I fail, take my head.”
“I believe in General Yu. I have no interest in your head, but I am keen on Japanese heads.”
Zhu Ping’an shook his head with a smile.
“I will chop every Japanese head for the Minister! At any time, just send for me. Be it knife mountains or fire seas, I will not hesitate.”
Yu Dayou thumped his chest in pledge.
While Zhu Ping’an and Yu Dayou discussed matters aside, Hu Zongxian glanced over from time to time.
Yu Dayou’s special visit to pay respects to Zhu Ping’an meant only one thing to Hu Zongxian: Yu Dayou had pledged himself to Zhu Ping’an’s service.
Yu Dayou was a tiger of a general, adept at tough fights, well-known. Yet he lacked strategy and had poor luck, winning battles but also suffering defeats, his career full of ups and downs…
Still, one could not deny Yu Dayou’s boldness and decisiveness. Under Zhu Ping’an’s strategic command, he would have great prospects.
Zhu Ping’an was formidable too, quietly enlisting this tiger general. With such a fierce warrior at his call, Zhu Ping’an gained wings. His future held even greater promise.
His reputation was well-earned; he was not to be underestimated.
Hu Zongxian felt a twinge of regret. He too had favoured Yu Dayou and planned, after this promotion, to bring him under his wing. For tough sieges and breakthroughs, such brave and battle-hardened generals were indispensable.
In his view, Yu Dayou’s career woes stemmed largely from lacking a patron. Merits went unrewarded, errors brought punishment, suppression, and scapegoating. Who else to target but a rootless warrior like him?
If Yu Dayou had joined him, even modestly, his merits would earn commendations from Hu, his errors softened by pleas for mercy. It would greatly aid his career.
He had intended, after gaining influence from this promotion, to extend an olive branch to Yu Dayou…
But Zhu Ping’an had beaten him to it.
What a pity, a tiger lost.
Still, no matter. There were plenty of tigers. His own olive branch would draw eager takers.
Hu Zongxian felt the regret briefly, then adjusted his mindset.
Let the envoy come soon!
He could hardly wait.
“Damn Zhu Ping’an! That fellow beside him is Yu Dayou, is it? Knowing full well Zhu Ping’an has offended the Grand Secretary, and still daring to sidle up to him. Truly courting death. Just wait, see if I do not impeach him to oblivion!”
A resentful voice drifted over.
Hu Zongxian turned to see Luo Longwen, his face full of spite.
Hearing Luo Longwen’s words, Hu Zongxian felt contempt and irritation inwardly. Of course, his face showed nothing.
These fools, forming cliques for selfish gain, fixated on personal power, neglecting public duty, even harming it! With Japanese pirates ravaging the southeast, these idiots still schemed to cripple their own side. Utterly foolish, utterly hateful!!!!
The thought of working with such fools in future…
But he was different from them. He merely used them!
