“No matter what plots or schemes, they’re all a joke in the face of absolute strength. Of course, even a lion uses its full might to catch a rabbit. Let’s discuss how to deal with Zhu Ping’an,” Wang Zhi, seated at the head, waved his hand and took control of the conversation.
“Godfather—no, Prince Hui—this time Zhu Ping’an is attacking with eight thousand troops. To show we take him seriously, how about we deploy twenty thousand to crush him? I request to lead the vanguard. My fleet has eight thousand men, exactly matching his numbers. I’ll charge him first and show Zhu Ping’an what real pirates are! He thinks he’s something just because he defeated Xu Hai. Look at the rabble Xu Hai led and how long they lasted as pirates!”
As soon as Wang Zhi finished speaking, a man stood up to volunteer. Dressed in pirate ronin attire, with a Japanese sword at his waist and a menacing yaksha tattoo on his neck, he was tall and robust, exuding a fierce aura.
This was Mao Haifeng, Wang Zhi’s adopted son and one of the ten strongest under his command, with the best troops, equipment, and quality.
“There’s an old saying in the Central Plains: ‘Why use a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken?’ Let me lead the vanguard. I only have six thousand men, but most are true Japanese pirates, battle-hardened and worth ten men each. Just let General Mao cover my flank. I guarantee I’ll take Zhu Ping’an’s head and offer it to Prince Hui as a chamber pot. If I fail, I’ll commit seppuku and present my head to Prince Hui.”
Before Mao Haifeng could finish, another pirate stood, speaking in halting Chinese, vying for the vanguard role. He was Otomo Sadagawa, another of Wang Zhi’s ten strongest, a true Japanese pirate from a fallen noble family. Five years ago, he joined Wang Zhi after gathering a band of ronin.
“Let me lead the vanguard!”
“I’ll do it, I’ll do it!”
In an instant, several other pirates stood, competing for the role.
“Prince Hui, besides crushing Zhu Ping’an head-on, we could also send several armies to attack various parts of Zhejiang, seize a few counties, and show Zhu Ping’an the consequences of provoking us!” Ye Zongman stood and suggested.
“I agree. I request to lead troops to attack eastern Zhejiang!”
“I request to attack northern Zhejiang!”
“I request to take Taizhou. I’ve long coveted its wealth. We have insiders in the city, so this time we’ll take it in one fell swoop.”
Ye Zongman’s proposal won many pirates’ approval, and they stood to request leading attacks on Zhejiang.
Wang Zhi, seated on his throne, nodded in satisfaction as his pirate leaders vied for action, then raised his hand to quiet them.
The room fell silent.
“Zhu Ping’an is coming with eight thousand Zhejiang troops. We must strike hard, make him hurt, and make him face reality!”
“For the frontal assault, Mao Haifeng and Otomo Sadagawa will lead the vanguard. I’ll personally lead ten thousand troops as the rear guard to support you!”
“Also, Zhu Ping’an’s Zhejiang army numbers just over ten thousand. With his main force of eight thousand attacking us, his base in Shaoxing is vulnerable. It’s the perfect chance to take his stronghold. Zongman, Matsuura, and Ouchi, lead troops to attack Shaoxing. Once Haifeng and Otomo engage Zhu Ping’an’s army, sail straight for Shaoxing!”
“Old Xu, you do the same. When Haifeng and Otomo pin down Zhu Ping’an’s army, attack Taizhou!”
“Advisor, send out hero invitations, ordering all affiliated pirates to raid southern Jiangsu.”
“Then we’ll see if the authorities agree to open ports for trade!”
Wang Zhi stood, issuing his orders with authority, and ended with a forceful downward fist.
“Yes, sir! Godfather, rest assured. With me and Otomo as the vanguard, we’ll slaughter Zhu Ping’an’s pathetic Zhejiang army until not a single piece of armour remains! He’ll regret daring to attack us,” Mao Haifeng laughed heartily, standing to accept the order, brimming with confidence.
“Hai! Prince Hui, I, Otomo Sadagawa, will capture Zhu Ping’an alive and present him to you, proving my martial prowess!” Otomo Sadagawa stood, accepting the order with few words but fierce resolve.
“Prince Hui, rest assured. With Zhu Ping’an’s attack leaving Shaoxing vulnerable, I, along with Matsuura and Ouchi, have twenty thousand troops. Taking an empty Shaoxing will be like taking candy from a baby. Our scouts report Zhu Ping’an’s family is in Shaoxing. Last month, his wife gave birth to dragon-phoenix twins. This time, we’ll capture them all for Prince Hui,” Ye Zongman stood, patting his chest, guaranteeing to seize Shaoxing and Zhu Ping’an’s family.
The other pirates also accepted their orders.
“Uncle Ye, I heard Zhu Ping’an’s wife is as beautiful as a celestial fairy, even more stunning than the emperor’s favourite princess, a true beauty. Is that true?” Mao Haifeng, hearing Ye Zongman mention Zhu Ping’an’s family, grew curious about his renowned wife.
“Well, they say she’s as beautiful as a fairy, but you know how it is. These highborn ladies rarely leave their homes, and when they do, they’re in sedan chairs with a big entourage. Ordinary people can’t catch a glimpse of their true face. Our men have only heard that Zhu Ping’an’s wife is a celestial beauty, but no one’s seen her in person,” Ye Zongman replied with a wry smile.
In feudal society, strict etiquette meant upper-class women were rarely seen, kept secluded and taught that showing their faces was improper.
Unless you were a relative, there was little chance to see them.
Especially not for pirate spies.
“I know it’s true. She’s a real beauty. Last time, Yan Song’s men secretly contacted us, sending a chest of jewels to have us kill Zhu Ping’an. But they said while we could kill him, we couldn’t touch his wife. Yan Shifan has his eye on her, planning to offer her to him,” one pirate stood, revealing a secret deal.
“Oh, if even Yan Shifan, that lecherous fiend, is obsessed with her, she must be a peerless beauty,” Mao Haifeng and the others immediately believed.
Yan Shifan, Yan Song’s only son, held power second only to Emperor Jiajing, as Yan Song, now old, left most party affairs to him. Yan Shifan had seen countless beauties, so anyone he coveted must be extraordinary.
“Kill the dog official, steal his wife!”
One pirate leader shouted, sparking a frenzy as the others chaotically joined in.
“Kill the dog official, steal his wife!”
“Kill the dog official, steal his wife!”
…
