Wang Zhi and his entourage, under sparse moonlight, arrived at the temporary riverside camp. Seeing the two large banners still fluttering in the moonlight, Wang Zhi gave an imperceptible nod. Not bad—the banners and camp were intact, with plenty of pirates still inside.
“How many troops remain in the camp?” Wang Zhi asked Mao Haifeng and Otomo Sadagawa.
“The camp currently has 6,000 troops. We’re gathering stragglers and should recover another thousand or so,” Mao Haifeng and Otomo exchanged glances, then boldly inflated the numbers.
In truth, the camp held barely 5,000 pirates, not 6,000, but they exaggerated to downplay the scale of their defeat and save face. They couldn’t inflate further without risking exposure, as the camp’s numbers were evident. A thousand extra could be excused as troops sent to rescue deserters or forage for supplies. After the battle, they’d conscript a thousand men to cover the lie seamlessly.
“Nephew, you lost half your forces in this battle. It’s been years since we suffered such a defeat,” Xue Tao remarked coolly, unable to resist a jab despite the inflated numbers.
Mao Haifeng and Otomo Sadagawa flushed with embarrassment, wishing they could disappear. The loss was catastrophic, unprecedented, beyond imagination.
“Zhu Ping’an’s firearms were too powerful! We were caught off guard and overwhelmed,” Otomo said, ashamed.
“Hmph, how powerful can firearms be? We’ve seen them, and we have plenty ourselves,” Xue Tao scoffed.
“Uncle Xue, fight Zhu Ping’an yourself, then you’ll see how deadly their firearms are,” Mao Haifeng said calmly.
“Fine, let’s fight! No time like the present. My king, I request to lead my 1,000 troops tomorrow to face Zhu Ping’an, to offer you a victory and show him our true strength,” Xue Tao knelt on one knee, brimming with confidence, as if he could capture Zhu Ping’an in minutes.
Little Mao! Little Chuan! Watch and learn tomorrow how a real battle’s fought. Don’t blink!
Mao Haifeng’s lips twitched, his eyes encouraging but his smirk mocking. Xue, take on Zhu Ping’an? He’d be handing over his head.
“It’s worth a try. I want to see the Zhejiang army’s strength myself. Let’s see if Zhu Ping’an dares accept,” Wang Zhi said, squinting at the flickering lights of the Zhejiang camp across the river, nodding slightly.
If you want to recruit me, Zhu Ping’an, let’s see what you’re made of.
“Thank you, my king. I won’t disgrace you tomorrow,” Xue Tao said gleefully, shooting a smug glance at Mao and Otomo.
“Haifeng, send someone to contact Zhu Ping’an. Tell him tomorrow we each send 1,000 men to meet in battle. If we win, he comes to my camp to share wine and discuss matters. If the Zhejiang army wins, I’ll go to his camp to do the same. Ask if he dares to fight,” Wang Zhi instructed, pointing at the Zhejiang camp.
“Yes, sir,” Mao Haifeng replied without hesitation, summoning a trusted aide from the bridge meeting, handing him Zhu Ping’an’s token, giving detailed instructions, and having him repeat them to ensure accuracy. Then he sent him with the token to the Zhejiang camp to issue the challenge.
“Let’s see if Zhu Ping’an has the guts,” Wang Zhi said with a slight smile, gazing at the Zhejiang camp, his words heavy with meaning. “Only a young man full of ambition can handle a figure like us.”
“From my dealings with him, his ambition exceeds even your imagination, adoptive father,” Mao Haifeng replied.
“Hmph! If he dares fight, I’ll make him question his life. If he doesn’t, he’s just a coward!” Xue Tao boasted. The Ming troops were weak and sickly, none could fight, especially Zhu Ping’an’s Zhejiang army, mostly raw recruits of less than three months. What combat ability could they have? Mao and Otomo were useless, losing to such rabble, shaming all pirates!
The only way Xue could imagine Zhu Ping’an winning was by using Wang Zhi’s mother, wife, and son as hostages to threaten him. Hmph! If Zhu tried that tomorrow, Xue wouldn’t fall for it. If Zhu resorted to such underhanded tactics, it’d prove he feared Xue and couldn’t win fairly. Xue wouldn’t take the bait or fight. That’d show Zhu was scared, proving Xue’s superiority without a battle.
Confident in his counter-strategy, Xue Tao grew even cockier.
“Adoptive father, it’s getting windy. Please enter the tent. We’ve prepared ginger tea to ward off the chill,” Mao Haifeng invited.
“Good. I wonder how long Zhu Ping’an will take to decide,” Wang Zhi nodded with a faint smile, entering first.
The tent was much warmer. Wang Zhi shed his fur cloak and took the main seat.
“Heh, if Zhu Ping’an replies before dawn, I’ll call him brave,” Xue Tao chuckled.
“An hour should be enough,” Mao Haifeng said confidently, pouring ginger tea for Wang Zhi and the others. From his understanding of Zhu Ping’an, he’d get a firm answer within an hour. Zhu’s ambition was immense, and with the Zhejiang army’s recent victory and fierce firearms, they wouldn’t refuse.
“Heh, Nephew Haifeng thinks highly of Zhu Ping’an. Beaten by him and now won over?” Xue Tao mocked.
“Uncle Xue, it’s not about being won over. Zhu Ping’an is confident and full of ambition,” Mao Haifeng replied coolly, lips twitching.
You old fool, let’s see if you’re still laughing tomorrow.
