“I didn’t expect Governor Zhu to actually know about me,” Mao Haifeng said, clasping his fists toward Zhu Ping’an. Then, shifting his tone, he questioned, “But as a mere pirate, despised by all, when you call me heroic, isn’t that insincere? Are you just trying to flatter me?”
“A hero’s worth isn’t judged by their origins; even among outlaws, there are great men. Take Cheng Yaojin, for example, who rose from the Wagang bandits to become a founding general of the Tang Dynasty, listed among the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion…” Zhu Ping’an said calmly.
Cheng Yaojin was a historical figure, embellished by storytellers through the ages, a household name, especially idolized by bandits, mountain thieves, and pirates as their role model.
Mao Haifeng was no exception.
In feudal society, who didn’t dream of rising to nobility, securing titles for their wife and heirs, returning home in glory, and honoring their ancestors?
Hearing Zhu Ping’an compare him to Cheng Yaojin, Mao Haifeng felt deeply flattered.
But this also made him wary of Zhu Ping’an. As a high-ranking official who had just defeated him, Zhu Ping’an should be arrogant, yet he was so warm—or rather, flattering. As the saying goes, a weasel wishing a chicken well—what good intentions could he have?!
“Hah, Governor Zhu, aren’t you afraid this talk will reach others’ ears and cause you trouble?” Mao Haifeng asked with a chuckle, eyeing Zhu Ping’an.
“Why fear? The more it spreads, the better,” Zhu Ping’an replied with a laugh.
“Hm? Governor Zhu, are you being sincere? If your political rivals hear this, impeachment memorials will pile up like snowflakes!” Mao Haifeng raised an eyebrow.
Just days ago, Yan Shifan had sent a lavish gift to his adoptive father, trying to pit one against the other…
“Hah, if anyone impeaches me over this, they’re handing me merit. Leader Mao, do you know how Cheng Yaojin became a founding general?” Zhu Ping’an asked, smiling.
“By fighting and killing on the battlefield, earning merits,” Mao Haifeng answered without thinking.
“Do you know Cheng Yaojin’s life story?” Zhu Ping’an shook his head with a smile.
“Isn’t that it?” Mao Haifeng frowned, puzzled, as Zhu Ping’an shook his head.
“It’s not just about fighting and killing. That can earn merits or create sins,” Zhu Ping’an said slowly.
“What does that have to do with his life story?” Mao Haifeng asked.
“Cheng Yaojin first followed Li Mi in the Wagang Rebellion, then surrendered to Wang Shichong, only to betray him and join the Tang Dynasty under Prince Qin, Li Shimin. He fought on the battlefield, defeating Song Jingang, Dou Jiande, and Wang Shichong, earning repeated merits, eventually becoming a founding general and one of the twenty-four heroes of Lingyan Pavilion…” Zhu Ping’an explained.
“Isn’t that still fighting and earning merits?” Mao Haifeng asked, confused.
“Choices in life matter—choosing the right side matters. As the saying goes, a man fears entering the wrong trade, a woman fears marrying the wrong man. Under Li Mi and Wang Shichong, no matter how much Cheng Yaojin fought, it was in vain, even adding to his sins. But by joining the Tang Dynasty, his battles earned merits—the more enemies he defeated, the greater his achievements, ultimately making him a legendary general, his name etched in history,” Zhu Ping’an said, his gaze piercing as he looked at Mao Haifeng.
“You’re trying to sow discord, to recruit me, to make me betray Prince Hui and join the court?” Mao Haifeng finally caught on. “No wonder you’re not afraid of your rivals knowing! No wonder you said the more who know, the better!”
Zhu Ping’an gave a slight smile and shook his head.
“No?!” Mao Haifeng frowned, skeptical, staring at Zhu Ping’an like a chicken eyeing a weasel wishing it a happy new year.
Wasn’t Zhu Ping’an doing this to let word reach Prince Hui, making him suspect Mao Haifeng and sowing discord?!
Daring to act but not admit it?!
Mao Haifeng’s eyes were full of such suspicion.
“In my hometown, a great elder once said something I take as my motto: politics is about making as many friends as possible and as few enemies as possible. I’m not just recruiting you, but also your adoptive father, Wang Zhi. Why else would I show goodwill and sincerity to Wang Zhi, or send a letter through you?” Zhu Ping’an said with a slight smile.
Uh!
That makes so much sense!
Mao Haifeng scratched his head. “That’s true, but you’re wasting your effort. Prince Hui will never join the court.”
Before Zhu Ping’an could respond, Wang Zhi’s mother couldn’t hold back. She scolded, “He dares! Then he’s no son of mine!”
“Godmother…” Mao Haifeng tried to appease her.
“Don’t call me Godmother! I’m not your Godmother! And that scoundrel Wang Zhi—if he doesn’t cooperate with Governor Zhu, I’ll disown him! Governor Zhu has shown rare mercy, giving you a chance to turn from darkness to light. If you don’t seize it, I’ll cut all ties with you!” Wang Zhi’s mother pointed at Mao Haifeng, fuming, her anger palpable.
“Godmother, I, I…” Mao Haifeng stammered, at a loss for words.
“What ‘I, I’?! Is being a pirate something to be proud of?! Chopping at your own people’s necks—is that impressive?! Leading foreigners to burn and rob your own kind—is that glorious?! Being cursed behind your back, dragging your family’s name through the mud, unable to hold your head high among neighbors, shaming eighteen generations of ancestors—are you proud?!” Wang Zhi’s mother berated him relentlessly, her spittle practically giving Mao Haifeng a deep facial cleanse.
Mao Haifeng could only nod meekly, not daring to retort or even wipe the spit from his face.
“Those two letters and the keepsake—deliver them to that scoundrel Wang Zhi. Tell him to cooperate with Governor Zhu. If he doesn’t seize this chance, I’ll act as if I never had a son. That letter will be my final word! We’ll go our separate ways—him on his broad road, me on my narrow bridge. Even after a hundred years, he’s not to visit my grave! And I’ll decide for my daughter-in-law too—I’ll adopt her as my daughter and arrange a grand remarriage. My grandson, Wang Qiong, will take his stepfather’s surname…” Wang Zhi’s mother ended with harsh words, threatening to disown Wang Zhi, remarry her daughter-in-law, and rename her grandson if he didn’t cooperate.
“What?!” Mao Haifeng was dumbfounded.
“No need to get angry, Madam. It’s bad for your health,” Zhu Ping’an soothed her, then turned to Mao Haifeng. “Leader Mao, deliver the letters to Wang Zhi, and pass on a message from me: lifting the maritime ban is my wish. I hope to share a drink with him and discuss great matters.”
“What?!” Mao Haifeng’s jaw dropped further, staring at Zhu Ping’an in disbelief. “Lift the maritime ban? Really?!”
“Indeed!” Zhu Ping’an nodded firmly.
