Early the next morning, Zhu Ping’an led the Zhejiang Army out of Jiaxing, accompanied by Madam Wa, Cen Dalu, and others who came to see them off.
“Lord Zhu, safe travels! Once we’ve crushed Xu Hai, we’ll request permission from the Governor to reinforce you. When the time comes, our wolf soldiers will not let you down,” Cen Dalu said, waving repeatedly, reluctant to part.
“Good. I’ll be waiting for you in southern Zhejiang,” Zhu Ping’an said with a smile.
“Little Tusi, you’d better kill plenty of pirates. Don’t disgrace the armor and firearms we’ve given you,” Liu Dadao and the others, who had bonded with Cen Dalu in just a day, said with hearty laughs.
“Rest assured, any pirate that comes before our wolf soldiers—one, we kill one; a pair, we kill a pair; a thousand, we kill a thousand; ten thousand, we kill ten thousand. Not a single pirate will escape,” Cen Dalu declared, pounding his chest confidently.
“Lord Zhu, safe travels. I will not disappoint you,” Madam Wa said, clasping her fists in farewell.
“Madam, please stay. Everyone, please stay. We’ll take our leave now. I’ll await news of your great victory in southern Zhejiang,” Zhu Ping’an returned the gesture, mounted his horse, and led Liu Dadao and the others out of Jiaxing.
Zhu Ping’an’s Zhejiang Army exited through Jiaxing’s south gate. From the city wall, Jiaxing’s magistrate, Zhao Chong, saw Zhu Ping’an leading the imposing Zhejiang Army toward the south gate, clearly intending to leave Jiaxing.
Zhao Chong’s eyes lit up. Squinting, he roughly estimated the number of Zhejiang troops.
A quick count showed that the number of soldiers following Zhu Ping’an was the same as when they arrived—they were all leaving.
“This humble official pays respects to Lord Zhu. Why are you leaving the city so early in the morning? You arrived travel-worn just yesterday. Why not rest today? Yesterday, for the safety of Jiaxing, the inspections delayed you considerably. I’ve arranged a banquet for this evening to both welcome you and express my apologies,” Zhao Chong said, hurrying down from the wall to meet Zhu Ping’an at the gate before he could leave.
He feigned enthusiasm.
To an outsider, it might seem like Zhao Chong and Zhu Ping’an were old friends.
“Thank you for your kindness, Magistrate Zhao, but I must decline. I’m returning to Shaoxing today, so I won’t be able to enjoy your banquet,” Zhu Ping’an said from horseback, waving lightly with a calm tone.
“What? Lord Zhu, you’re returning to Shaoxing today?! Why the rush? You came in haste and now leave in haste—what’s the reason?” Zhao Chong asked, feigning confusion.
“I came to Jiaxing under the Governor’s orders to escort grain and salt. The delivery is complete, and my task is done. Naturally, I must return,” Zhu Ping’an replied simply.
“That’s too rushed. Why not rest a day and give this humble official a chance to host you? Leaving tomorrow wouldn’t be too late,” Zhao Chong said warmly.
“No need. Perhaps next time. I have urgent matters to attend to. Farewell!” Zhu Ping’an waved again, spurred his horse, and led his army onward.
Zhu Ping’an deliberately mentioned “urgent matters,” intending to make Zhao Chong expend effort investigating what those matters were. Information obtained through such means would be more convincing.
“This humble official bids farewell to Lord Zhu,” Zhao Chong said, bowing.
After Zhu Ping’an and his entourage were out of sight, Zhao Chong dismissed those around him, keeping only two trusted aides. He lowered his voice and said, “Yesterday, you urged me repeatedly, on the Great King’s orders, to verify why Zhu surnamed brought troops to Jiaxing. I told you he was here under Zhang Jing’s orders to deliver grain and salt, but you didn’t believe me, saying Zhu Ping’an had ulterior motives. Now you see—he delivered the grain and salt, and he’s gone.”
The two men by Zhao Chong’s side weren’t his personal retainers but pirates sent by Xu Hai to monitor and liaise with him.
Dressed as constables and standing behind Zhao Chong, they carried themselves with arrogance, showing no trace of respect.
“Zhu Ping’an came yesterday and leaves today—it’s illogical. There must be more to it. You heard him just now; he said he has urgent matters. What urgent matters? Is he returning to muster troops or transport weapons? Could it be detrimental to our army’s plan to seize Jiaxing? Without clarifying this, how can we report back to the Great King?”
“If the Great King is displeased, Magistrate Zhao, you know the consequences,” the two pirates said, glaring at Zhao Chong threateningly, their tones dripping with mockery.
“Ahem, of course we’ll investigate. But you know Zhu Ping’an is no ordinary man. Any probing must be done without arousing his suspicion, or it could jeopardize the Great King’s plans,” Zhao Chong said, coughing.
“No need for you to tell us. We’ve crossed paths with Zhu more than once. That little thief is sly as a fox,” the two pirates snorted.
“I’ll send someone to Shaoxing to see if we can uncover what urgent matters Zhu Ping’an is returning for. But to avoid alerting him, I can’t guarantee we’ll find out everything,” Zhao Chong said, looking at the two.
“Arrange an identity for one of our men to go along. Zhu’s damned ten-household registration and mutual guarantee system is too restrictive. It used to be easy to come and go, but now the slightest misstep causes trouble,” the two pirates ordered Zhao Chong directly.
Since the ten-household registration system was implemented, moving in and out of Zhejiang had become increasingly inconvenient and dangerous for them.
“This…” Zhao Chong hesitated.
“What, unwilling, Magistrate Zhao? Then we’ll have to report this truthfully to the Great King. Don’t blame us for not warning you—think carefully about the consequences,” the pirates threatened.
“I didn’t say I was unwilling. I’m just thinking about what identity to arrange,” Zhao Chong said, forcing a smile.
Inwardly, Zhao Chong was cursing. *Damn these two bastards! Always using Xu Hai’s name to pressure me!*
*Let them gloat for now. Once Jiaxing is settled and I become the third leader of the Tuolin pirates, I’ll deal with them! They’ll regret this!*
“That’s more like it,” the two pirates said, exchanging satisfied smirks.
*This Zhao guy can’t be given an inch! The Great King was right—he’s a spineless opportunist who needs constant pressure to stay in line.*
“I’ll figure out an identity for them. Have your man follow my people, but make sure you brief him well. He must be cautious during the investigation and not alert Zhu Ping’an, or the consequences will be dire,” Zhao Chong warned repeatedly.
“Just handle the identity. Leave the rest to us. Our man is a professional,” the two pirates said confidently.
“Good, then,” Zhao Chong said, relieved.
