Zhang Jing nodded slightly but soon shook his head again.
Seeing this, Zhu Ping’an was momentarily stunned and asked in confusion, “Why is the Governor shaking his head again?”
“The reasons you’ve given for the Tuolin Wokou attacking Jiaxing are from our perspective. However, if we put ourselves in the Wokou’s shoes, they still have concerns about attacking Jiaxing,” Zhang Jing said slowly.
“Concerns?” Zhu Ping’an narrowed his eyes.
“Can they guarantee that an attack on Jiaxing will definitely succeed? And if they capture Jiaxing, can they ensure a smooth retreat? If they cannot, these are their concerns,” Zhang Jing explained.
Zhu Ping’an nodded in understanding.
“Zihou, in your opinion, what are their concerns?” Zhang Jing asked, holding his teacup and looking at Zhu Ping’an.
After a moment of thought, Zhu Ping’an said slowly, “The Tuolin Wokou’s concerns likely stem from the auxiliary troops you’ve summoned, Governor, particularly the Guangxi wolf soldiers. The wolf soldiers are renowned for their ferocity, considered the fiercest in the land. Known for their boldness and combat prowess, they far surpass the weak garrison troops. If the Wokou attack Jiaxing, they’ll inevitably clash with the Guangxi wolf soldiers, whose fearsome reputation must make the Wokou wary.”
“Well said, Zihou. We’ve spotted several suspicious figures skulking around the Guangxi wolf soldiers’ encampment and have already captured a few Wokou spies. Interrogations confirmed that the Wokou are indeed wary of the Guangxi wolf soldiers and sent spies to probe their strength,” Zhang Jing nodded, sharing that they had caught several Wokou spies scouting the wolf soldiers.
“The Wokou sending spies to investigate the wolf soldiers shows they’re quite wary of them,” Zhu Ping’an nodded in agreement.
“Guangxi is a rugged, miasmic region in the south, harsh and desolate. Only those with strong wills and robust constitutions can survive there. Generation after generation, this has forged the locals’ tough physiques and fierce temperament. They’re skilled with crossbows, hunting in the mountains for sustenance. Children ride dogs, draw bows to shoot pheasants, rabbits, and dig for rats. From a young age, they train in military skills and horsemanship, volunteering as wolf soldiers. These soldiers are strong, courageous, and exceptionally skilled in battle. I arranged for them to spar with local troops, and the local soldiers were no match,” Zhang Jing said, clearly satisfied with the Guangxi wolf soldiers.
After speaking, he looked at Zhu Ping’an and asked, “Zihou, in your view, how can we dispel the Wokou’s concerns about the wolf soldiers?”
How to alleviate the Wokou’s wariness of the Guangxi wolf soldiers? Zhu Ping’an narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.
The Wokou feared the wolf soldiers because of their renowned combat prowess. Having never fought them, the Wokou were cautious of an unknown yet fearsome opponent.
Dispelling their wariness was simple in theory.
If the Guangxi wolf soldiers ceased to exist—sent back to Guangxi—the Wokou would no longer be concerned.
But obviously, that was impossible. It would defeat the purpose.
While the wolf soldiers couldn’t disappear, their reputation for ferocity could. If the wolf soldiers weren’t as formidable as rumored, the Wokou would have no reason to fear them.
The Wokou never feared the garrison troops; a mere hundred Wokou would dare charge thousands of them.
“The Wokou fear the wolf soldiers because they’ve never fought them, and the wolf soldiers’ reputation is daunting. If the wolf soldiers’ reputation proved hollow, the Wokou would have no need to fear them,” Zhu Ping’an said slowly.
“Haha, well said. I’ve already made arrangements. In the coming days, I’ll orchestrate a few small skirmishes, sending small units of wolf soldiers to engage the Wokou and stage deliberate defeats. This will show weakness, letting the Wokou win repeatedly, leading them to underestimate the wolf soldiers and cease fearing them,” Zhang Jing said with a slight smile.
“The Governor is wise,” Zhu Ping’an said, clasping his hands in respect.
Zhang Jing waved his hand dismissively and looked at Zhu Ping’an again. “But Zihou, do you know what else the Tuolin Wokou are concerned about?”
“What else?”
Zhu Ping’an narrowed his eyes, pondering for a moment before shaking his head slowly. “Aside from the wolf soldiers, I truly can’t think of any other concerns the Wokou might have.”
Zhang Jing looked at Zhu Ping’an, smiling without speaking.
Why is he suddenly looking at me like that?
Zhu Ping’an was puzzled.
Seeing that Zhu Ping’an hadn’t caught on, Zhang Jing smiled, stepped forward, and gently patted his shoulder. “Zihou, the Wokou are also wary of you and your Zhejiang army.”
“What?” Zhu Ping’an exclaimed in surprise, caught off guard by Zhang Jing’s words.
“Haha, Zihou, don’t underestimate yourself or your Zhejiang army,” Zhang Jing said with a smile. “The blows and damage you’ve inflicted on the Wokou have left an indelible mark on the Tuolin Wokou.”
Before Zhu Ping’an could respond, Zhang Jing held up one finger and continued, “Let’s not even mention the Battle of Jihai. Take the Suzhou Defense Battle: Wokou leaders Xu Hai, Chen Dong, Ma Ye, and Hojo Dozo led over 40,000 Wokou in a surprise attack on Suzhou. It was your Zhejiang army’s scouts who discovered their movements and sounded the alarm in time. Then, under your command, the Zhejiang army employed ingenious tactics in Suzhou, fighting multiple battles, annihilating 40,000 Wokou, killing Hojo Dozo, capturing Chen Dong alive, and destroying or capturing over 100 Wokou ships. Only Xu Hai, Ma Ye, and a few hundred remnants escaped by sheer luck. This battle didn’t just cripple the Tuolin Wokou—it nearly wiped them out. Only the 10,000 or so Wokou left in their Tuolin stronghold remained. If Xu Hai and Ma Ye hadn’t captured Jiaxing and regained their strength, the Tuolin Wokou would’ve been eradicated!”
Indeed, in the Suzhou battle, if Xu Hai hadn’t been extraordinarily lucky to escape, there wouldn’t be any Tuolin Wokou left today.
Zhang Jing raised another finger. “And then there’s the ambush you led in northern Zhejiang a few days ago. The results were remarkable: thousands of Wokou were killed, and in the aftermath, you captured Wokou leader Ma Ye. Meanwhile, your Zhejiang army’s losses were negligible, almost insignificant.”
Looking up at Zhu Ping’an, Zhang Jing continued, “Zihou, tell me, after suffering such devastating defeats and losses at the hands of your Zhejiang army, would the Tuolin Wokou not be wary of you? Would they not fear you?”
“Uh…” Zhu Ping’an hesitated. “Should we also arrange a few small battles where I have the Zhejiang army stage defeats?”
Zhang Jing shook his head with a wry smile. “Zihou, do you think Xu Hai would believe it if you staged defeats? They’ve never fought the Guangxi wolf soldiers, so a staged defeat by the wolf soldiers might fool them. But Xu Hai and his men have clashed with your Zhejiang army. They know your army’s strength. If you staged a defeat, it would backfire, only making Xu Hai and his men suspicious.”
