“Wonderful! Did you hear that? Wang Zhi can be pardoned and become part of the official army!”
Hearing Zhu Ping’an’s words, Wang Zhi’s mother was thrilled.
“Wonderful!”
Wang Zhi’s wife was equally ecstatic, holding little Wang Qiong, tears of excitement streaming down her face.
Seeing his grandmother and mother so moved, little Wang Qiong grew excited too.
Zhu Ping’an patiently waited for them to release their emotions before clearing his throat and gently reminding them, “Madam, Lady Wang, a pardon is like a marriage—it requires both sides to come together willingly. It takes mutual affection, not one-sided enthusiasm.”
“What does the lord mean?” Wang Zhi’s mother and wife looked at Zhu Ping’an nervously, asking with concern.
“In simple terms, for a pardon to succeed, it’s not enough for the court alone to act. The key lies with Wang Zhi’s cooperation. The court may offer a pardon, but Wang Zhi must also be willing to accept it and seize the opportunity actively,” Zhu Ping’an said earnestly to Wang Zhi’s mother and wife. “If the court is willing to pardon him, but Wang Zhi refuses and insists on opposing the court, then the court will have no choice but to sweep him away like fallen leaves. Don’t you agree?”
“Yes, yes, the lord speaks truly,” Wang Zhi’s mother nodded repeatedly, but her face showed worry. “But what if Wang Zhi doesn’t accept…”
“If Wang Zhi accepts the pardon but persists in his pirate crimes, the court will have no choice but to send an army to eradicate him. The court will not stand by while pirates burn, kill, and plunder, endangering the people and the nation,” Zhu Ping’an said without hesitation.
Then, looking at Wang Zhi’s mother and wife, he continued seriously, “I’ve brought you and your son out of Jinhua Prefecture’s prison and treated you kindly to show Wang Zhi my sincerity. This is also a test to see if he responds and whether he has any intention of accepting a pardon.”
“So that’s how it is…” Wang Zhi’s mother and wife exchanged a glance and nodded.
“If Wang Zhi responds positively and shows willingness to accept the pardon, I will facilitate it, sparing a conflict. Wang Zhi could become part of the official army, serving the court, and you, Madam, would naturally be absolved of guilt. The people of Jiangnan could enjoy peace sooner, and everyone would benefit.”
“Of course, even if Wang Zhi refuses the pardon, you need not fear for your lives. I will petition the court, citing your cooperation in the pardon process, to reduce your punishment and spare you from death. I will arrange a private courtyard for you to live in temporarily. You may not leave the city without my permission and must report to the yamen regularly, but otherwise, you can live normally. As for clothing, food, shelter, and transport, you need not worry—I will ensure your basic needs are met.”
“Little Wang Qiong is ten years old, isn’t he? It’s time for him to start his education. I’ll arrange for him to attend a nearby private school to study diligently and improve himself.”
Zhu Ping’an spoke earnestly to Wang Zhi’s mother and wife.
“Thank you, my lord, thank you!” Wang Zhi’s mother couldn’t help but rise from her seat and kneel in gratitude.
“Thank you, my lord, thank you!” Wang Zhi’s wife followed, kneeling as well.
Little Wang Qiong joined his grandmother and mother, kneeling to thank Zhu Ping’an.
“No need for thanks. Please, rise,” Zhu Ping’an said, helping Wang Zhi’s mother up, lifting little Wang Qiong, and gesturing for Wang Zhi’s wife to stand.
“The lord has freed us from prison, arranged a home for us, ensured our basic needs, and even enrolled my grandson in a school. You’ve treated us so kindly. My only fear is that Wang Zhi might not see your kindness and sincerity and ruin everything,” Wang Zhi’s mother voiced a concern.
Zhu Ping’an had released them from prison, provided them with a home and necessities, and arranged for little Wang Qiong’s education. This was truly generous treatment, but how would Wang Zhi know that the lord had done so much for his family?
“Indeed, I nearly forgot that key point—how to let Wang Zhi know of my kindness and sincerity. Madam, thank you for the reminder,” Zhu Ping’an said, as if suddenly enlightened, thanking Wang Zhi’s mother.
In truth, Zhu Ping’an had already considered this issue.
That’s why he had come to meet them.
How to make Wang Zhi aware of his kindness and sincerity was indeed a critical question.
First, someone had to inform him.
Who to send?
A pirate to deliver the message? That wouldn’t be reliable.
Sending one of his own men would carry risks. The unspoken rule of not killing envoys during war was a gentleman’s agreement.
But some shameless people targeted envoys specifically.
Wang Zhi had some honour, but it was limited. He might not kill an envoy, but he’d likely capture one.
Zhu Ping’an recalled reading *Those Events of the Ming Dynasty* and remembered this part of history clearly. Two years from now, Hu Zongxian would send two envoys to the pirates’ base in Japan to find Wang Zhi. Zhu Ping’an couldn’t recall their names, which was a pity, or he would have sought them out for this task.
Those two envoys would travel six thousand miles across the sea to Japan, a perilous journey in this era. Unlike modern times, ships were less advanced, and without GPS, navigation on cloudy, starless days was impossible. Moreover, the seas were rife with ruthless pirates, offering no safety. For the envoys to cross six thousand miles and reach Japan safely was remarkable.
Arriving in Japan was just the first of many challenges.
Japan was in its Warring States period, much like China’s own Warring States era, with warlords vying for power, fighting and killing to become the ultimate ruler.
Finding a pirate leader named Wang Zhi in an unfamiliar, war-torn land was no easy task. Yet those two envoys managed to locate Wang Zhi in that chaotic, foreign country.
They had a pleasant conversation, and Wang Zhi expressed his desire to abandon piracy, surrender to the court, and help suppress the pirate threat.
The envoys agreed with Wang Zhi on a date to return to China for negotiations. But on the day of departure, as they boarded the ship, Wang Zhi jumped off, pulling one envoy with him, laughing as he said to the shocked envoy, “I can’t go back yet, and neither can you.”
Thus, one envoy was taken hostage by Wang Zhi.
So, facing someone like Wang Zhi, whose honour was limited, Zhu Ping’an had to choose carefully who to send.
There was another issue to consider.
If you sent someone to tell Wang Zhi empty-handed that his family wasn’t dead, that Zhu Ping’an had freed his mother, wife, and son from prison, arranged a home for them, provided for their needs, and enrolled his son in school…
Would Wang Zhi believe it?
He definitely wouldn’t.
The key to gaining Wang Zhi’s trust lay with his mother and family.
