The covenant was formed, and the subsequent conversation became harmonious, especially after the mutton, pork pots, and wine were served, making it even more harmonious.
With the wine warming their ears, the Wokou soldiers and Zhejiang army soldiers even started competing in drinking, the scene was indescribably lively.
Many people, who were killing each other on the battlefield the day before, were surprisingly drinking at the same table today.
It looked somewhat magical.
After finishing the meal, Zhu Ping’an had someone invite Wang Zhi’s mother, wife, and child, allowing Wang Zhi to spend a short time with them. Zhu Ping’an also gave them space to be alone, which made Wang Zhi particularly grateful.
Wang Zhi was also sensible, and did not mention the request to take back his mother, wife, and child, because he knew that Zhu Ping’an could not agree.
The current cooperation between the two sides had not yet reached that level.
“You wicked son, you must cherish the opportunity given to you by Lord Zhu! If you remain stubborn, I will no longer have you as my son! Even if you die, do not think of entering the ancestral hall, your Wang family’s ancestors will not recognise you as this unworthy descendant!”
Madam Wang repeatedly educated Wang Zhi before leaving.
“Mother, rest assured, I have already made a covenant with Lord Zhu, and I will fully cooperate with him.” Wang Zhi repeatedly assured her.
“Zheng Lang, we are doing well now, you do not need to worry about us, focus on cooperating with Lord Zhu and handling your important matters. I have never regretted marrying you as your wife, whether enduring hardship or enjoying blessings, I accept it all gladly, but our son is still young, he was imprisoned at such a young age, and it is rare to receive Lord Zhu’s grace and see the light of day again, these days he has been so happy and content, Zheng Lang, for our son’s sake, please take care.”
Wang Zhi’s wife had not seen him for so many years, and upon seeing him again, there was inevitably some unfamiliarity and distance. As she parted, she held Wang Zhi’s hand, with tears in her eyes.
“I have wronged you, making you suffer, rest assured, from now on, you and our son will have endless good days.”
Wang Zhi promised.
“Qiong’er, quickly call him Father, this is your father, if you do not call him now, who knows when you will see him next.”
Wang Zhi’s wife pulled little Wang Qiong, urging him to call Wang Zhi.
Wang Zhi also looked expectantly at Wang Qiong, earlier during their alone time, Wang Qiong had not called him Father once.
“I will not call him!” Little Wang Qiong turned his head away, ignoring him, puffing out his cheeks in sulky anger, he would not call this bad man Father.
“This child, he is acting shy now, quickly call him Father.” Wang Zhi’s wife held little Wang Qiong’s shoulders with both hands, secretly pinching him, and chided him playfully to make up for it.
“He is not my father, he caused Grandmother and Mother to be imprisoned for so many years, suffering so much, he is my enemy, not my father.” Little Wang Qiong stiffened his neck, refusing to call Wang Zhi Father no matter what.
“Qiong’er, how can you speak like that?!” Wang Zhi’s wife’s face darkened, and she angrily scolded little Wang Qiong.
“Do not blame my grandson.” Wang Zhi’s mother protected little Wang Qiong.
“Hahahaha, it is fine, it is all my fault, for making you suffer, this little rascal is right, he has guts, worthy of being my offspring. He knows to care for you and Mother, it is not in vain that you dote on him.”
Wang Zhi burst into laughter, stepped forward, and gently pinched little Wang Qiong’s cheek, his eyes full of appreciation.
“I am not your offspring, I am Grandmother and Mother’s offspring.” Little Wang Qiong swatted away Wang Zhi’s hand pinching his cheek, stiffening his neck as he spoke.
“Hahahaha.” Wang Zhi laughed even more heartily.
Little Wang Qiong turned his head away in anger, ignoring him.
Wang Zhi’s mother and wife could not help but cover their mouths and laugh.
Gradually, as the sun set in the west, Wang Zhi and his party returned to the Wokou camp, Zhu Ping’an led his people out of the camp gate to see them off. At parting, both sides exchanged gifts.
“I know that Lord Zhu likes firearms, these two firelocks were obtained by me in trade with the Portuguese barbarians, these are the latest style of firelocks from the Portuguese, they can be fired without igniting a match, reportedly used by their great nobles, specially gifted to Lord Zhu.”
Wang Zhi presented two exquisite new-style firelocks to Zhu Ping’an.
These two firelocks were both miniature firelocks, with rose family crests on the handles, and gold-inlaid patterns on the barrels, very refined.
Zhu Ping’an took the firelocks, seeing that the hammer’s jaws held a piece of flint, with a frizzen by the flash pan, surely with a spring mechanism inside.
These were already the latest flintlock guns, in history at this time, they had only been newly developed in Europe for a few years, and had not yet become widespread.
They would certainly have great reference value for the European craftsmen.
“Thank you, Leader Wang, this item suits me perfectly.” After Zhu Ping’an accepted the firelocks, he cupped his hands in thanks to Wang Zhi.
One should reciprocate a gift.
Zhu Ping’an presented Wang Zhi with a world map, “This map is gifted to Leader Wang, the times are calling, let us encourage each other.”
“Thank you, Lord Zhu, I will hang this map in my bedroom, to remind myself constantly, to join hands with you, and strive for our dreams!”
Wang Zhi respectfully accepted the map with both hands, carefully folding and storing it, then cupped his fists in assurance.
“Let us join hands and strive for our dreams!” Zhu Ping’an cupped his hands.
“We part here, tomorrow I will lead my troops back to Li Port, recalling my department’s coastal strongholds of Wokou along the way, I will order Hai Feng to lead his subordinate Wokou to stay and assist Lord Zhu in clearing out the remaining coastal Wokou strongholds.”
Wang Zhi said to Zhu Ping’an, indicating that he would order Mao Haifeng to lead his troops to stay and assist Zhu Ping’an in clearing out the strongholds of other groups of Wokou along the coast.
There were many Wokou strongholds along the Zhejiang coast, although Wang Zhi dominated, he had not unified all the Wokou, there were still some Wokou who had not submitted to him, even some who opposed him, and many coastal strongholds were established by these Wokou.
Wang Zhi leaving Mao Haifeng to assist Zhu Ping’an in clearing out these Wokou also had his considerations, wanting to take the opportunity to eliminate those disobedient Wokou, removing dissidents, so that he could dominate the seas alone.
“Thank you, Leader Wang, with General Mao’s assistance, the task will be twice as effective with half the effort.” Zhu Ping’an cupped his hands in thanks to him.
“Being able to observe and learn by Lord Zhu’s side is Hai Feng’s good fortune, if he can learn even a tenth of Lord Zhu’s skills, it will benefit him endlessly for life. I will leave him orders to obey all of Lord Zhu’s commands, at that time, feel free to issue orders, if he disobeys, feel free to discipline him, even if it is to behead him for disobeying military orders, I will have no complaints whatsoever.”
Wang Zhi assured.
“No need for that, no need.” Zhu Ping’an said with a chuckle, “General Mao is brave and fierce, familiar with the coast, he is my great help. At that time, I will report Leader Wang and General Mao’s merits to the Emperor in a secret memorial.”
“Thank you, Lord Zhu, we are endlessly grateful, if the Emperor takes pity and issues an edict of amnesty, we will shatter our bodies and bones, vowing to guard the maritime peace for the Emperor, serving him with the loyalty of dogs and horses.” Wang Zhi repeatedly thanked him.
After a lengthy exchange, Wang Zhi and his party bid farewell and left, Zhu Ping’an and his group watched them cross the bridge back to the Wokou camp.
