As soon as Tu Dashan finished speaking, Zhu Ping’an continued, bowing to Zhang Jing, “At the same time, we are also imperial governors appointed by His Majesty, with the responsibility and authority to oversee military affairs within our jurisdictions, commanding the military therein.”
What?
One moment, you say the Governor-General should rightfully command all military affairs in Jiangnan! The next, you say the governors have the authority to oversee and command military affairs in their territories! So, is the military command being consolidated or not?!
Are you sitting on the fence here?!
And you’re not even doing it behind closed doors! You’re openly straddling the fence in front of Governor-General Zhang and all of us! How many pairs of trousers do you have to withstand such fence-sitting?!
Tu Dashan was stunned.
Not just Tu Dashan—everyone, including Zhang Jing, was stunned, looking at Zhu Ping’an in bewilderment.
Under everyone’s gaze, Zhu Ping’an spoke slowly, “There is no contradiction between the Governor-General’s unified command of Jiangnan’s military affairs and our role as governors overseeing military command within our territories. For matters concerning the overall strategy against the Japanese pirates, the Governor-General has full command, and we fully obey his orders. For local operations against the pirates within our territories, we governors take command. Of course, the Governor-General can issue directives for local operations at any time, and we will fully comply. For all officers and soldiers within our territories, if the Governor-General issues an order, they follow his command. In the absence of his orders, they follow ours. If there is a conflict, the Governor-General’s orders take precedence.”
Zhu Ping’an did not want his military command stripped away by Zhang Jing. He respected Zhang Jing but did not blindly idolise him.
Zhang Jing’s strategy for suppressing the pirates was conservative, and Zhu Ping’an did not entirely agree with it. Moreover, according to historical records, Zhang Jing would be brought down by Zhao Wenhua through the influence of the Yan faction, dying unjustly. The position of Jiangnan Governor-General would change hands several times before landing with Hu Zongxian.
If military command were taken by Zhang Jing, it would set a precedent. No matter who became Governor-General in the future, Zhu Ping’an’s military authority would be stripped.
From then on, for a considerable time, he would be a governor without military power—a toothless tiger.
The Zhejiang Army he had built would fall into others’ hands, treated like an unwanted stepchild. It would likely meet the same fate as the historical Qi Family Army—complete annihilation. Furthermore, the Zhejiang Army heavily relied on firearms, and in this era, no Ming general—not even Yu Dayou or Qi Jiguang—had a firearms doctrine as advanced. If the Zhejiang Army fell to another commander, no matter who, its true potential would be wasted.
This was a situation Zhu Ping’an could not accept.
It wasn’t about greed for power or some notion that a man must wield authority. It was that power—especially military power—was necessary to act and suppress the pirates.
The people of Jiangnan had suffered from the Japanese pirates for too long!
According to history, it would take another decade or so to fully quell the pirate threat.
Ten years.
That was no mere number. Behind it lay the suffering of tens or hundreds of thousands of people ravaged by the pirates—families destroyed, wives and children separated, the elderly burying the young, the young burying the old. Countless riches and properties would be plundered, and countless homes and fields would be razed by the pirates…
A decade of devastation was too heavy a toll.
Zhu Ping’an wanted to do his utmost to end this catastrophe sooner, and that required power, especially military power.
Thus, Zhu Ping’an fought to retain the governors’ military command.
Tu Dashan glanced at Zhu Ping’an in surprise.
Zhang Jing narrowed his eyes slightly, a habit when deep in thought, as he considered Zhu Ping’an’s proposal.
The others present, each with their own calculations, recognised this as a power struggle at the top. They kept their eyes down, noses to hearts, sitting still, invisible, invisible, invisible…
After Zhu Ping’an spoke, the large meeting hall fell into silence, so quiet that a deep breath would stand out.
Silence, silence, more silence.
Zhang Jing continued to squint in thought, showing no sign of speaking, and the atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive.
Zhu Ping’an silently counted the time. Seeing Zhang Jing still hadn’t responded, he spoke again.
“May I ask, in the Governor-General’s opinion, how do you compare to Zhuge Wuhou?” Zhu Ping’an asked, bowing to Zhang Jing.
Come on, Lord Zhang, tell us—who’s greater, you or Zhuge Liang?
“How could I compare to Zhuge Wuhou? Compared to him, I’m like a star to the bright moon. How could a spark dare compete with the moon’s radiance?” Zhang Jing replied, shaking his head. Though somewhat prideful, he wasn’t arrogant enough to rival Zhuge Wuhou.
“To repay the late Emperor’s three visits to his thatched cottage, Zhuge Wuhou handled everything personally, exhausting himself until death. Rising early and retiring late, he reviewed every matter, big or small, eating poorly and sleeping little. In the end, he passed with regret at Wuzhang Plains, and the Northern Expedition fell short. As the poem says: ‘Three visits shaped the plans for the realm, his heart served two reigns with zeal. Before victory, his body gave out, leaving heroes’ tears to stain their robes…’
“I humbly believe Zhuge Wuhou need not have handled everything himself. Shu Han had talents like Fa Zheng, Li Yan, and Wei Yan. If he had delegated appropriately, he might not have overworked himself to death. Why must the Governor-General, like Zhuge Wuhou, handle every matter personally? By overseeing Jiangnan, commanding the broader strategy, and setting the course, that should suffice. We may lack great talent, but we are not useless. Entrust us with responsibilities, and we will spare no effort, giving our all to not disappoint you.
“The pirate problem in Jiangnan is severe, and suppressing them is not the work of a single day. The Governor-General is not made of iron. If you handle everything personally, how can your health and energy endure? We, though unworthy, are willing to share your burdens and ease your troubles.”
Zhu Ping’an spoke slowly.
“Zihou’s even brought out Zhuge Wuhou’s example…” Zhang Jing raised an eyebrow, letting out a soft exclamation.
At this point, Zhang Jing still showed no sign of relenting.
“Lord Zhu, mind your words. Are you cursing our Governor-General?” an official stood, launching an attack on Zhu Ping’an.
“How could I? This comes purely from my deep concern for the Governor-General,” Zhu Ping’an replied with utmost sincerity.
“No need to escalate,” Zhang Jing waved a hand, dismissing the accusation of cursing.
“The pirate situation varies across regions, and circumstances change rapidly. Sometimes, the Governor-General’s orders may not reach in time, requiring someone to adapt and respond swiftly…
“Moreover, if I may say something out of turn: if the Governor-General insists on handling everything, consolidating all military authority without delegating an inch, some with ulterior motives might deliberately obstruct or slander, questioning the Governor-General’s intentions…”
Zhu Ping’an continued slowly.
Though Zhu Ping’an didn’t explicitly say what those with ulterior motives might accuse Zhang Jing of, it was easy to infer: If you, Zhang Jing, consolidate all military authority in Jiangnan, even stripping the imperial governors of their power, what are you planning? Is it truly just to suppress the pirates?
