In order to arrive at Jiaxing as soon as possible and race against time, Zhu Ping’an passed by his home without entering. When he reached Shaoxing, he did not enter the city to visit Li Shu and the children. Outside the city, he met up with the Zhejiang troops who had been waiting for a long time, replenished gunpowder, rotated some of the Zhejiang troops, and gathered six thousand Zhejiang soldiers before heading directly to Jiaxing.
Li Shu excitedly brought the two little ones and hurried to the outside of the city in a carriage, only to see Zhu Ping’an’s back as he rode away on horseback.
A pair of bright, sparkling eyes instantly became dim.
“Humph, if you make me unhappy, I’ll beat your cubs.”
Li Shu lowered the curtain, turned her head to look at the two chubby little ones in the carriage, and rolled up her sleeves…
“Miss, don’t pinch the young master’s chubby face, don’t squeeze the young master’s bottom, don’t pull the young master’s little bird, ah, young master, you’re still laughing…” Hua’er’s anxious voice was drowned in the sound of horse hooves.
The moon was bright and the stars sparse, the long night was halfway through. Zhu Ping’an led the Zhejiang troops on a forced march through the night, arriving at Jiaxing City overnight.
Zhu Ping’an ordered the Zhejiang troops to set up camp outside the city, while he led Liu Dadao and others into the city to seek an audience with Zhang Jing. With the governor’s token, entering the city was no problem, and they smoothly arrived at the governor’s mansion.
“I’m sorry, Lord Zhu, the governor has not closed his eyes for two days and two nights in order to command the Battle of Wangjiangjing. Now that the Battle of Wangjiangjing has been won, the governor has finally fallen asleep. It’s better to let the governor sleep for a while. The governor instructed me to wake him at the hour of Yin tomorrow. My lord can come to pay respects at the hour of Yin tomorrow.”
The steward of the governor’s mansion said to Zhu Ping’an with a face full of difficulty.
In order to command the Battle of Wangjiangjing, Zhang Jing had planned and personally commanded on the front line, without closing his eyes for two full days and nights. After the great victory at Wangjiangjing, Zhang Jing wrote the victory memorial and only then got some rare rest, sleeping in his clothes.
Before sleeping, he instructed the steward to wake him at the hour of Yin tomorrow.
“The matter is of great importance, I have no choice but to disturb the governor’s rest. Please report it quickly.” Zhu Ping’an insisted.
“This…” The steward hesitated.
“It concerns the governor’s life.” Zhu Ping’an looked at him with burning eyes.
“This, Wang San, lead Lord Zhu to the guest room to wait for a moment. I’ll go inside to report.” The steward saw Zhu Ping’an’s serious face, not joking, so he had Wang San lead Zhu Ping’an to the guest room to wait, while he went to the inner courtyard to report.
Liu Dadao and the others were arranged to rest in the servants’ duty room. Zhu Ping’an followed Wang San to a slightly better guest room to wait.
Although it was already late at night, the governor’s mansion was brightly lit and decorated. The servants and maids on night duty all had relaxed expressions.
The great victory at Wangjiangjing was celebrated by all. The mistress gave a reward to all the servants in the mansion. Although it was not much, it brought good luck. The high-pressure atmosphere in the governor’s mansion was swept away, and the atmosphere became relaxed and pleasant.
Zhu Ping’an waited in the guest room for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. The steward hurried over, cupping his hands with an embarrassed face.
“Lord Zhu, the governor is sleeping soundly and snoring. The mistress asks my lord to come again early tomorrow morning. Please go back and rest, Lord Zhu. Or, I can arrange a guest room for Lord Zhu, so my lord can rest in the guest room and pay respects early tomorrow.”
Zhu Ping’an heard this, shook his head, and insisted, “The matter is of great importance. Please report inside once more, and say it concerns the governor’s family and life. If time is missed, it will be too late for regrets.”
“This, alas, I’ll report once more.” The steward saw Zhu Ping’an’s persistence and had no choice but to brace himself and report inside again.
Zhu Ping’an waited another cup of tea’s time. The steward hurried over, “The governor invites my lord to the study.”
“Thank you, steward.” Zhu Ping’an thanked him.
“Lord Zhu is too polite, it’s all within my duties.” The steward led Zhu Ping’an to Zhang Jing’s study.
In the study, Zhang Jing was wearing a sleeping robe, using a wet towel to wipe his face and refresh himself.
“Zihou, you came through the night, saying it concerns my family and life. What is the matter?” Zhang Jing put down the towel and asked.
“Does the governor know that Zhao Wenhua has already impeached the governor?” Zhu Ping’an asked.
“Hehe, of course I know. Before Zhao Wenhua’s memorial reached the capital, I already knew its contents.”
Zhang Jing said without concealment.
He had long ordered strict surveillance on Zhao Wenhua and others. Every move of Zhao Wenhua and the others was under his control. He had known the contents of Zhao Wenhua’s memorial long ago. If he wanted, Zhao Wenhua’s memorial would not even reach the capital. However, he, Zhang Jing, had confidence, confidence in defeating the Japanese pirates. As long as the war against the Japanese pirates was victorious, the victory report would be the best response to Zhao Wenhua’s impeachment. Moreover, he, Zhang Jing, disdained using such unlawful means.
“Then, does the governor have a memorial to the emperor to report on his duties?” Zhu Ping’an asked with concern.
Zhang Jing shook his head slightly. Seeing Zhu Ping’an’s face change, he could not help but laugh and wave his hand, “Hehe, Zihou need not worry. The great victory at Wangjiangjing is the best response to Zhao Wenhua’s memorial.”
“Governor, you went to battle only after Zhao Wenhua’s impeachment. Won’t it be seen as fighting reluctantly only because you were impeached? It exactly matches Zhao Wenhua’s impeachment?!” Zhu Ping’an cupped his hands and looked at Zhang Jing, raising a fatal question.
“Hahahaha, Zihou is worrying too much. Who would think that? Ignoring the facts.” Zhang Jing shook his head and laughed heartily.
He thought Zhu Ping’an was rushing to see him for some important matter, but it turned out to be this…
Who would think that?!
Emperor Jiajing!
Emperor Jiajing thought exactly that!
Zhu Ping’an looked helplessly at the unconcerned Zhang Jing, sighed, “Governor, Zhao Wenhua is Yan Song’s adopted son. When Zhao Wenhua impeaches the governor, Yan Song and his cronies will surely join forces and speak for him. You know, many mouths can melt metal, three people can make a tiger. What if the emperor is deceived and misled by them?”
“Hehe, Zihou, the emperor is not a foolish ruler. You’re overthinking! Stay in the mansion’s guest room for the night. Tomorrow morning, we will muster the troops and head straight to Qingpu! At that time, the five armies will converge and annihilate the Tuolin Xu Hai Japanese pirates in one fell swoop!”
Zhang Jing laughed and patted Zhu Ping’an’s shoulder. He did not take Zhu Ping’an’s warning to heart.
Zhu Ping’an cupped his hands and persisted, “Gover…”
“Alright, Zihou, I’m really tired. Let’s rest for two hours. At the hour of Yin, we rise, muster the troops and head straight to Qingpu. The five armies converge and annihilate the Xu Hai Japanese pirates in one fell swoop! No matter how many tricks the demons have, in the face of blood-like facts, they will be speechless!”
“I heard you’re trying to appease Wang Zhi. The Japanese pirates are cunning and untrustworthy. For now, deal with him perfunctorily. After exterminating Xu Hai, we’ll free our hands and deal with Wang Zhi!”
Zhang Jing waved his hand dismissively and said. After speaking, he picked up the teacup, the intention to see the guest out was too obvious.
“This…” Zhu Ping’an looked helpless.
“Lord Zhu, the guest room is ready. Please go down and rest.” The steward came at the right time to see the guest out.
Zhang Jing held the tea without speaking.
Zhu Ping’an had no choice but to sigh and follow the steward down to rest.
