After Zhu Pingan bid farewell to Wang Zhi, he immediately ordered strict surveillance of the pirate camp across the river, monitoring whether Wang Zhi would honour the agreement and guarding against any sudden betrayal by Wang Zhi’s pirates, to avoid capsizing in the gutter.
Generally speaking, when two armies have just reached a verbal alliance, vigilance tends to slacken. If one side takes advantage of the other’s lowered guard and suddenly betrays them, there’s a high chance of catching them off guard and achieving a decisive victory.
If at this moment Zhu Pingan were to launch a fierce attack on the pirate camp across the river, nine times out of ten he would succeed, and in the chaos, he might even manage to kill Wang Zhi.
However, the problem was that eliminating Wang Zhi would not help resolve the pirate scourge in Jiangnan. Historically, after Wang Zhi’s execution, the pirate problem, lacking a controlling figure, grew even more rampant, with greater scale and destruction than before!
Wang Zhi must not die.
Moreover, the gunpowder in Zhu Pingan’s army was nearly depleted, and many firearms needed repair and maintenance, insufficient to support a major battle. Before the fight was even over, ninety percent of the Zhejiang army’s muskets would be reduced to fire sticks.
Still, one must not harbour harmful intentions, but one must always guard against others!
Zhu Pingan had to stay wary of Wang Zhi.
Fortunately, the night passed without incident, and there was no unusual activity in the pirate camp.
The next morning, the Zhejiang army cooked breakfast and ate. Afterwards, they noticed movement in the pirate camp across the river.
The pirates began breaking camp and setting off. It took them nearly two chaotic hours to dismantle the camp, and the pirate army left in disarray, leaving behind over three hundred tents. Assuming each tent housed ten people, roughly three thousand pirates remained.
Needless to say, these remaining pirates were Mao Haifeng and his men.
Shortly after the main pirate force left, Mao Haifeng, accompanied by two bodyguards, sauntered towards the Zhejiang army camp.
“Boss, just the three of us going to their camp? It feels like throwing meat buns to dogs, no return,” one bodyguard said, shrinking back nervously.
“Scared of what! We’re allied with the Zhejiang army now, we’re friends, not enemies. What are you afraid of!” Mao Haifeng snapped, giving him a kick and a scolding laugh.
“My cheap life doesn’t matter, but you, boss, are the king’s adopted son. In official terms, you’re the prince of our Song state. You can’t afford any mishaps,” the bodyguard said with a cheeky grin after the kick.
“Talk nonsense again, and it won’t just be a kick! What prince! The king has his own son! The Song state’s legacy will naturally go to the king’s real son. I’ll loyally support his son in the future! If you spout nonsense again, I’ll cut you down to stop rumours from affecting the king’s trust in me or my bond with his son! Got it?” Mao Haifeng glared fiercely, threatening him harshly.
“Got it, got it. I just meant the king’s son is so young, can he bear the burden of our Song state? Historically, young princes succeeding often led to ruin!” the bodyguard muttered, shrinking back.
“What are you mumbling about? The king is strong as a dragon, he’ll live long and have plenty of time to groom the young prince to stand on his own! And I, as his brother, will support him well! Stop saying this nonsense, or don’t blame me for being merciless!” Mao Haifeng slammed his scabbard hard on the bodyguard, glaring with authority as he scolded.
“Yes, yes, boss, I swear I won’t say it again,” the bodyguard said, finally behaving, “I just feel it’s unfair for you.”
“Unfair my arse! The king’s kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain. After this crushing defeat, anyone else would’ve been chopped up and fed to dogs by the king, but me? Not a scratch!” Mao Haifeng snapped, smacking the bodyguard’s head.
“That’s true,” the bodyguard nodded.
“So, stop talking nonsense. It’s useless and only brings me trouble, got it?” Mao Haifeng said sternly.
“Understood, boss,” the bodyguard nodded vigorously.
“Let’s go meet Lord Zhu, see if we can scrounge some supplies. The camp’s running low on provisions,” Mao Haifeng said, striding forward, “And test if this token Zhu Pingan gave me works.”
Soon, the three reached the Zhejiang army camp’s gate.
“Halt! This is a military camp, no unauthorised entry!” the Zhejiang soldiers at the gate stopped them.
“I’m Mao Haifeng. I have a token from your Lord Zhu, saying it grants free passage, right?” Mao Haifeng casually stepped forward, pulling out the token Zhu Pingan gave him and showing it to the guards.
“Correct, please enter. I’ll take you to see the lord,” the gate guard confirmed the token, opened the gate, and let Mao Haifeng and his men in.
Of course, they weren’t allowed to roam freely. One soldier reported to Zhu Pingan while another escorted Mao Haifeng and his men to meet him.
“Look at their camp, so orderly, so well-guarded. Compared to them, our camp’s a mess, like a bloody market. No wonder we lost the other day. If we didn’t lose, who would?” Mao Haifeng remarked, walking with the guard and observing the disciplined Zhejiang camp.
Halfway through, Mao Haifeng saw Zhu Pingan approaching with Liu Dadao and others.
“Hahaha, General Mao, you’re here! Come in, with your help, how can we not clear out the coastal pirate strongholds?” Zhu Pingan laughed heartily, quickening his pace to greet them.
Seeing Zhu Pingan come out to meet him, Mao Haifeng was surprised and felt greatly flattered.
“I was worried Lord Zhu might look down on a defeated general like me,” Mao Haifeng said, stepping forward with a smile.
“How could I? Our victory the other day was narrow, and I had the advantage of planning against your unpreparedness. If our armies fought again now, the outcome’s uncertain. Your pirates’ bravery left me in awe. With your help, clearing the other coastal pirate strongholds will be as easy as taking something from a bag,” Zhu Pingan said with a smile.
“The king ordered me to fully assist Lord Zhu and follow your commands. As long as you don’t disdain us, we’ll go through fire and water at your bidding,” Mao Haifeng said, clasping his fists in commitment.
“Excellent! As expected of General Mao, unmatched in loyalty!” Zhu Pingan praised, satisfied.
Mao Haifeng’s willingness to follow orders was great news, saving Zhu Pingan the effort of persuasion or tactics. Using pirates to fight pirates, reducing his own army’s losses, what could be better?
A few words of praise to make them work hard, what could be more cost-effective?
