“Slander, pure slander! I, Zhang Jing, am utterly loyal and devoted to His Majesty! All my actions are aimed at suppressing the Japanese pirates, restoring Jiangnan’s prosperity, and serving His Majesty!” Zhang Jing’s face darkened with fury upon hearing Zhu Ping’an’s words, and he spoke passionately.
Zhu Ping’an’s words had ignited Zhang Jing’s emotions. In truth, Zhang Jing had already caught wind of some malicious rumours. Certain troublemakers, eager to sow chaos, were slandering him! They claimed he held immense power but delayed deploying troops to fight the pirates. If he wasn’t fighting the pirates, what was he up to? Perhaps he harboured disloyal intentions!
Utter nonsense!
Vile accusations!
I, Zhang Jing, am fiercely loyal to His Majesty. In life, I am His Majesty’s subject; in death, His Majesty’s ghost. Heaven and earth can bear witness to my heart!
The garrison troops are so incompetent, so useless—how could I deploy them?! The wolf soldiers have just arrived, yet to be assigned or trained together—how could I deploy them?! To force a campaign would not be suppressing the pirates; it would be courting death!
These rumours infuriated Zhang Jing, his chest heaving, unable to contain his emotions.
The others present couldn’t help but think deeper upon hearing this.
Indeed, there would surely be those who slandered and speculated. Even now, without consolidating the military command of the provincial governors, they had already heard plenty of whispers about Zhang Jing’s excessive military power: “Zhang Jing holds nearly half the realm’s military power and can divert Jiangnan’s taxes to sustain his troops. With soldiers and provisions, if he had any ambitions, it could turn the world upside down…” or “Zhang Jing commands vast forces but ignores the court’s strategy to swiftly suppress the pirates, holding his troops back. What is he planning?!” The list went on.
It was easy to imagine that if Zhang Jing also took the military authority of the provincial governors, the rumours would multiply tenfold.
If you, Zhang Jing, defy the court’s call for swift pirate suppression and strip the court-appointed governors of their military power, what are you plotting?! Are you planning a coup like Sima Yi at Gaopingling or a usurpation like Zhao Kuangyin at Chenqiao?!
…
“Of course, this is slander. But, Governor-General, we are in Jiangnan, far from the capital, where many schemers and obstructionists spread slander. How can we avoid malicious gossip? As the saying goes, ‘the tongues of men are fearsome.’ His Majesty is naturally wise and valiant, but ‘three men make a tiger,’ Governor-General.”
Zhu Ping’an pointed toward the capital, urging caution against the slanders of petty men in the capital.
He also subtly warned Zhang Jing to beware of Emperor Jiajing’s suspicions.
Though Zhu Ping’an called Emperor Jiajing wise and valiant, if the emperor were truly so, how could ‘three men make a tiger’ hold sway?
Emperor Jiajing was not a magnanimous ruler. On the contrary, he was prone to suspicion and doubt.
Zhang Jing, a veteran of decades in officialdom, was well aware of Emperor Jiajing’s nature.
“An upright man fears no crooked shadow! I, Zhang Jing, am loyal to a fault, and His Majesty is wise and valiant. Why should I fear the slander of petty men?” Zhang Jing clasped his fists toward the capital, speaking with resolute conviction.
Still not relenting?
Zhu Ping’an frowned slightly in surprise. He hadn’t expected Zhang Jing to remain so steadfast, still refusing to yield.
The others in the room assumed Zhang Jing would insist on consolidating the military command of the provincial governors. However, at that moment, Zhang Jing’s tone shifted. He coughed and spoke slowly.
“However, seeing Zihou, Lord Tu, and others brimming with zeal to share my burdens, I cannot dampen your enthusiasm. For now, the governors shall retain military command within their jurisdictions. But my orders supersede yours. When I issue a command, it must be followed immediately and completely, without the slightest delay or deviation. If violated, I will enforce military law, and do not say I didn’t warn you.”
Zhang Jing finally relented, allowing the governors to keep their military command.
Tu Dashan looked at Zhu Ping’an in surprise, not expecting him to have persuaded the Governor-General.
Truly worthy of a top scholar! To convince Governor-General Zhang at such a moment! The others also turned their gaze to Zhu Ping’an.
“Rest assured, Governor-General. Whenever you issue an order, we will comply immediately and fully!” Zhu Ping’an, Tu Dashan, and the other governors stood almost simultaneously to pledge their commitment, eager to prevent Zhang Jing from reconsidering.
“Very well,” Zhang Jing nodded with satisfaction, then continued, “One more matter. Generals Lu Tang, Tang Kewan, Yu Dayou, Li Fengshi, and Zou Jifang have been assigned guest troops critical to Jiangnan’s pirate suppression. From this day forward, they and their forces will be directly under my command. No governor may directly deploy or command them. If deployment is truly necessary, you must first seek my approval, and only upon my permission may you act. Any objections?”
After Zhang Jing spoke, the room fell silent.
This was Zhang Jing’s fallback plan. Having failed to fully consolidate Jiangnan’s military command, he now sought to control the command and deployment of Jiangnan’s capable generals and their armies, still achieving his goal.
As for the other garrison troops’ military command, he let it go. Their combat ability was poor, and taking them would be useless. Managing their provisions, logistics, and pay would only be a burden.
On reflection, this was better. By taking only the command of Jiangnan’s capable generals and armies, he’d only need to handle their logistics and pay, reducing his burden by more than half.
Elite troops with skilled generals, lightening the load while ensuring combat strength—what was not to like?
Zhang Jing narrowed his eyes, scanning Zhu Ping’an, Tu Dashan, and the other governors, awaiting their response.
Worthy of Zhang Jing!
Zhu Ping’an quickly grasped Zhang Jing’s intent and couldn’t help but mentally applaud him.
Worthy of Zhang Jing, a renowned minister in history! His political wisdom and manoeuvring were truly admirable.
Zhu Ping’an even wondered if Zhang Jing’s true aim was never to take the provinces’ full military command but rather to secure the command of their elite forces—Lu Tang, Tang Kewan, Yu Dayou, and their armies.
Though Zhu Ping’an and the others were reluctant to let go of generals like Yu Dayou, Lu Tang, and Tang Kewan, military orders were ironclad.
Besides, they had no grounds to object.
As Jiangnan’s Governor-General, Zhang Jing held authority over all troop movements and commands in the region, a power granted by Emperor Jiajing.
Now that Zhang Jing wanted to take Yu Dayou, Lu Tang, Tang Kewan, and others, how could Zhu Ping’an and the others dare object?
To object would be to defy Emperor Jiajing’s edict—a crime of deceiving the emperor. Who would dare?
“We have no objections!” Zhu Ping’an and the others responded one after another after a brief pause.
“Good!” Zhang Jing smiled with satisfaction.
