After Zhu Ping’an signed, Prefect Shang immediately summoned a trusted aide, ordering him to set out that very night with an 800-li urgent dispatch to deliver the report to the Western Garden in the capital.
“Zi Hou, I’m just worried about complications if we delay. The longer we wait, the more variables could arise. Here in Jiangnan, there are more than a few unscrupulous types—especially that big shot from out of town. I won’t name names, but you know who I mean. Why did he come to Jiangnan? What’s this sea sacrifice really about? Why does he keep meddling in the anti-wokou efforts? If he hears about our Suzhou victory, he’ll surely stick his nose in. Who knows—your hard-earned, blood-soaked triumph might end up credited to someone else. Of course, the main thing is to let His Majesty see the report sooner and rejoice,” Shang explained to Zhu Ping’an.
“I agree. A victory report’s value lies in its timeliness—the sooner it reaches His Majesty’s eyes, the better,” Zhu Ping’an nodded, understanding that Shang’s real concern was the risk of delay.
If some higher-up interfered with the Suzhou report, Shang’s plan to rewrite the Traitor Wang fiasco would be dead in the water.
Though Shang didn’t name him, it was as good as pointing straight at Zhao Wenhua.
Shang’s fears weren’t baseless. In history, Zhao Wenhua had snatched credit for Governor Zhang Jing’s future Wangjiangjing victory—not only stealing the glory but also orchestrating Zhang’s downfall. While that was yet to happen, Zhao’s character made it certain he’d pounce on news of Suzhou’s triumph.
It could be the merit of supreme command, tactical leadership, or something else—Zhao Wenhua wouldn’t hesitate to claim it.
Zhu Ping’an knew Zhao’s ambition well—evident from the Hundred Flowers Wine incident. His sights were set high.
In the Ming Dynasty, which official didn’t secretly dream of becoming the Grand Secretary?
To ensure the report reached Emperor Jiajing’s desk first, Shang even allocated 2,000 taels of silver to his aide for expenses along the way.
“Bribe the post stations, the palace eunuchs—anyone who needs greasing, grease them. Don’t skimp on silver. Change to the fastest horses at every stop and get this report to His Majesty’s desk in the Western Garden without delay. I’m telling you—if it arrives on time, I’ll record it as a great merit and reward you handsomely when you return. But if you drag your feet, don’t think your decade with me will save you—I’ll punish you harshly,” Shang instructed his aide sternly, wielding the classic carrot-and-stick approach with finesse.
“Rest assured, my lord—I won’t let you down,” the aide clasped his fists, vowing repeatedly. He mounted his horse, joined by five skilled riders bearing the 800-li urgent flags, and set off for the capital.
As Shang’s aide rode off, Zhu Ping’an considered for a moment before offering a suggestion.
“Prefect Shang, this Suzhou defense saw an unprecedented number of wokou attackers and an equally unprecedented victory—the greatest since the wokou plagued our dynasty. To preempt skeptics questioning if we’ve exaggerated, and to silence those with ulterior motives, I suggest we send the wokou heads and captives to the capital. True gold fears no fire—facts outweigh rhetoric, and justice lies in the people’s hearts. With so many heads and prisoners as proof, no one can baselessly dispute our achievements.”
Zhu Ping’an’s proposal stemmed from wariness of the Yan clique.
Having crossed the Yan faction in the capital, Zhu Ping’an knew figures like Yan Shifan, Yan Maoqing, and Luo Longwen would throw every obstacle at his merits. This report wouldn’t sail smoothly—he needed a safeguard.
Presenting wokou heads and captives to the capital would bolster credibility with undeniable, bloody evidence.
“Brilliant, brilliant! ‘Facts outweigh rhetoric’—Zi Hou, you’re a genius! That phrase captures the ultimate truth of any debate and will surely echo through the ages. Your suggestion is spot-on! With over 10,000 wokou heads and 400-plus captives as hard proof, even the slickest tongues of ill-intentioned skeptics will crumble! His Majesty will see it clearly and grant us justice—everyone, high and low, will have to acknowledge it,” Shang exclaimed, nodding enthusiastically and praising Zhu Ping’an’s idea.
“Zi Hou, I’ll muster 800 men to escort the heads and captives to the capital. But to keep the prisoners in line over such a distance, we’ll need your Zhejiang troops’ fearsome presence—they’ll only behave under that pressure. You should send some of your men along too, with your troops leading the way and handling the journey’s logistics,” Shang added, noting the long trek to the capital—over a thousand li—and offering to let Zhu Ping’an’s forces take charge while his own men followed their lead.
“Agreed. I’ll send 400 men. Liu Mu under my command is steady and capable—he’s up to the task,” Zhu Ping’an nodded without hesitation.
He wouldn’t trust Suzhou’s garrison alone to escort the heads and captives.
“Liu Mu? I haven’t heard of him, but if Zi Hou calls him ‘steady and capable,’ he must be exceptional. Your people are trustworthy. Good—let him lead this mission to present the captives and heads in the capital,” Shang said, placing full confidence in Zhu Ping’an and, by extension, his subordinates. Though unfamiliar with Liu Mu, he entrusted him with the critical task.
“I’ve navigated officialdom for decades and have connections in the capital. I’ll write a few letters to ask them to look out for us,” Shang continued, offering to leverage his network.
Catching the hint, Zhu Ping’an chimed in, “I’ll also write to my mentor, Grand Secretary Xu, to see if he can quietly lend a hand.”
“Oh, right—I almost forgot your mentor is Grand Secretary Xu! If he could discreetly assist, that’d be perfect,” Shang said, delighted.
Zhu Ping’an tempered expectations, “That said, my mentor’s position isn’t easy these days. Plus, this unworthy student caused him plenty of trouble in the capital back then—I’m not sure he’ll still bother with me.”
“Ha ha, I get it. These are just bonuses—nice if they happen, fine if they don’t. As you said, ‘facts outweigh rhetoric.’ With the heads and captives we’re sending, we’re already invincible,” Shang laughed, unbothered.
Indeed, Zhu Ping’an nodded in agreement.
