“Actually, I can come and go freely in Jiangsu and Zhejiang without a token, just not so openly. Still, please convey my thanks to your governor,” Mao Haifeng said nonchalantly as he accepted the token, though his expression showed he was quite pleased—saying one thing but clearly appreciating it.
Ootomo Sadakawa glanced over.
“Oh, almost forgot—where’s Brother Ootomo’s token?” Mao Haifeng asked, slapping his forehead.
“Sorry, our governor only gave one, specifically for Leader Mao. He didn’t mention Leader Ootomo,” Huang Dashan said, his words apologetic but his face showing no remorse.
A mere pirate—what makes you think you’re entitled? Our governor gives to whom he pleases. If you didn’t get one, look at yourself for the reason.
“I don’t care about that nonsense. What I’m asking is, what’s the plan for verifying the old lady’s identity?” Ootomo Sadakawa shook his head, steering the conversation back to the main issue.
“Ahem, yes, good point. Envoy, what does Governor Zhu suggest regarding the verification of the old lady’s identity?” Mao Haifeng coughed and asked Huang Dashan.
“My governor said, since Leader Mao has concerns about coming to our camp to verify, he will bring the old lady to your camp…” Huang Dashan said slowly.
“What?!”
Mao Haifeng was stunned, his mouth agape, unable to believe his ears.
What did I just hear?
Zhu Ping’an is bringing the old lady to our camp for us to verify her identity?! How dare he?
What’s his backing?!
I don’t even trust myself! If Zhu Ping’an really brings the old lady to our camp, can I control myself and not detain him?!
No way I could!
Mao Haifeng asked himself several times: if Zhu Ping’an actually brings the old lady, can I keep my promise and not detain him? Each time, his heart answered: I can’t control myself, I won’t hold back, I’ll definitely detain Zhu Ping’an!
Mao Haifeng: I can’t even trust myself! Why does Zhu Ping’an trust me enough to bring the old lady for verification?!
Is he naive, just naive, or too naive?!
Mao Haifeng was incredulous, shocked, his mind reeling. Zhu Ping’an trusts me more than I trust myself?!
Ootomo Sadakawa was equally stunned but also filled with immense joy!
Perfect!
If Zhu Ping’an brings the old lady, he’s walking into a trap. Once he’s in our camp, we can do whatever we want—capture Zhu Ping’an, keep the old lady. That’s a massive achievement, two in one!
Absolutely flawless!
“But our generals dissuaded him,” Huang Dashan added leisurely.
Hey!
Are you sick or something?! Can’t you finish a sentence in one go?! Why pause like that?! It’s not like you’re stewing meat! Pause, pause, pause—what are you, a chef?!
The joy on Mao Haifeng and Ootomo Sadakawa’s faces withered instantly as they glared at Huang Dashan in frustration and displeasure.
“However, although our governor was stopped from coming to your camp, he said he’ll bring the old lady and two guards to the bridge between our camps to wait for Leader Mao. He said you can also send four people to the bridge to meet the old lady and verify her identity. What do you think?” Huang Dashan scratched his head, a bit embarrassed by their glares, and continued slowly.
Mao Haifeng and Ootomo Sadakawa exchanged a glance, then subtly shook their heads in unison, almost imperceptibly.
A touch of regret.
It wasn’t that they disagreed with the proposal—they were very much in favor—but it offered no opportunity to exploit.
On the surface, Zhu Ping’an, a frail scholar with negligible combat ability, would bring two guards and Wang Zhi’s mother to the bridge. Mao Haifeng’s side could also send four people to verify. Zhu Ping’an was a weakling in a fight, and Wang Zhi’s mother would either side with them or remain neutral—at worst, her combat ability was zero. Their side, however, had four fighters, giving them a clear advantage in strength.
But if Zhu Ping’an used the old lady as a hostage, they’d be forced to hold back.
No doubt, in a critical moment, the Zhejiang army would use the old lady as a hostage. They’d do the same in their position.
If they tried to capture Zhu Ping’an and caused the Zhejiang army to harm the old lady, resulting in her death, they’d become the culprits. In other words, they’d be the ones responsible for her death!
They’d become Prince Hui’s mortal enemies for killing his mother!
The vengeance for a mother’s death is irreconcilable!
Even if Prince Hui wanted to spare them for their years of loyalty, he couldn’t. If he didn’t punish those who caused his mother’s death, what would the martial world think of him? An unloyal, unfilial man—would pirates still follow him?!
So, for reasons of emotion, logic, and public opinion, Prince Hui couldn’t let them off.
Plus, learning from past mistakes, they couldn’t underestimate Zhu Ping’an. He wasn’t some fool walking into a trap. He’d defeated Xu Hai and them before. A scholar values his life, as the saying goes: a gentleman doesn’t stand under a crumbling wall. Would Zhu Ping’an take such a risk without absolute confidence?
He must have some backing—perhaps firearms, guards with unmatched bravery, or something else. He was surely fully prepared.
This left them no opening to exploit.
Still, even without an opportunity, Zhu Ping’an’s proposal showed his boldness, worthy of the top scholar Zhu Ping’an. And for them, this was a great deal.
They could verify the old lady’s identity.
If she was truly alive, then Prince Hui’s wife and child likely were too. They could report this joyous news to Prince Hui, who’d be overjoyed, earning them immense merit.
“Excellent, very good. As expected of Governor Zhu. This resolves our dilemma perfectly,” Mao Haifeng said, clasping his fists.
“Alright, I’ll report back. Prepare yourselves. In about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, we’ll release a skyrocket from our camp. Meet us on the wooden bridge then. Remember, only four people from your side—not one more,” Huang Dashan replied.
“Rest assured, we’re not men who break our word,” Mao Haifeng patted his chest, guaranteeing.
