“Zhao Shiyan has a point. The governor’s appointment is important, so let’s put it on the account for the Japanese pirates and settle it with them all at once.”
After Zhao Wen-hua refused once again, Zhu Ping’an expressed understanding and supported Zhao Wen-hua’s decision.
Seeing this, Zhao Wen-hua patted Zhu Ping’an’s shoulder in satisfaction and promised him, “Zi Hou, rest assured. Once I sit in the governor’s position, I will definitely organise a large army to encircle and suppress the Japanese pirates. Then there will be plenty of opportunities for you to show your ambitions.”
“Thank you, Master Zhao.” Zhu Ping’an cupped his hands in thanks.
“Zi Hou, why be polite with me? You call me Master Zhao. How could I treat you poorly?” Zhao Wen-hua chuckled.
“Master Zhao, it is not suitable to organise an encirclement and suppression of the Japanese pirates in Tuo Lin at this time, but knowing the enemy and ourselves ensures victory in a hundred battles. Please allow me to send Zhejiang troops to monitor the Japanese pirates in Tuo Lin, so that when the time is ripe in the future, we can strike with precision.” Zhu Ping’an requested from Zhao Wen-hua.
“That can be done.” Zhao Wen-hua nodded without thinking, approving Zhu Ping’an’s request.
After obtaining Zhao Wen-hua’s verbal approval, Zhu Ping’an, citing that he had recently been impeached by several people and fearing further impeachment by those with ulterior motives, requested a written hand order from Zhao Wen-hua to silence such people.
Zhao Wen-hua could not help but think of Luo Longwen. Luo Longwen had impeached Zhu Ping’an twice already, and this time he even wanted to drag him into impeaching Zhu Ping’an too. Thinking of how he still needed to win Zhu Ping’an’s support, after a brief consideration, he issued a hand order.
“Order the Zhejiang troops to monitor the Japanese pirates in Tuo Lin and act at their discretion.”
Zhao Wen-hua handed the hand order to Zhu Ping’an.
After receiving the hand order, Zhu Ping’an tucked it close to his body. Plan B succeeded; the main purpose of this trip was achieved.
“Zi Hou, do you still remember our bet?” Zhao Wen-hua brought up the old matter.
“Of course I remember.”
“I said that my ascent to governor would not be easy. Hehe, the governor’s appointment is coming soon, and our bet will reveal the winner and loser. If I win…”
“The student is willing to honour the bet. In the future, no matter where Master Zhao asks me to sign, the student will not refuse and will follow Master Zhao’s lead.”
“Hehe, Mei Lin, did you hear what Zi Hou said? You are the witness.”
“Governor Zhao, I heard it clearly. No one can renege then. As the witness, I am the most impartial and selfless.”
The study was filled with harmony.
After leaving Zhao Wen-hua’s residence, Zhu Ping’an headed towards the temporary camp of the Zhejiang troops outside the city under the escort of Liu Da Dao and others.
“With the hand order in hand, prepare for battle. At midnight, Da Dao, you lead three thousand Zhejiang troops out of the camp and march towards Songjiang Prefecture. Take the small roads, avoid the main roads, travel by night and hide by day, and lie low in Jinshan until my command.”
Zhu Ping’an instructed on the road.
“Excellent, we can fight the Japanese pirates again.” Liu Da Dao was thrilled, but he asked somewhat worriedly, “However, young master, the hand-written order from the surnamed Zhao instructs us to monitor the Japanese in Tuo Lin. If we do this, will he not cause trouble for us afterwards?”
“The hand order instructs us to monitor the Japanese pirates in Tuo Lin, but it does not prohibit us from fighting them either! With this hand order, our Zhejiang troops can cross into southern Zhili legitimately. Everything else is not an issue. What crime is there in fighting Japanese pirates? Besides, the end of Zhao Wen-hua’s hand order includes the phrase ‘act at discretion’.”
Zhu Ping’an said without worry. As long as the Zhejiang troops could cross into Songjiang Prefecture, the rest was not a problem.
Hearing Zhu Ping’an say this, Liu Da Dao stopped worrying and excitedly rubbed his fists, preparing for a big fight.
After Zhu Ping’an left, Hu Zongxian picked up the teapot and added tea for Zhao Wen-hua, then casually said, “Governor Zhao, Zhu Daren’s request this time to deploy Zhejiang troops to monitor the Japanese pirates in Tuo Lin is probably not just about monitoring them, is it?”
Zhao Wen-hua chuckled, picked up the tea and took a sip. “Hehe, I know. Zi Hou is naturally not satisfied with merely monitoring the Japanese pirates in Tuo Lin. He also wants to take a bite out of them.”
“Then why did Governor Zhao still issue the hand order?” Hu Zongxian was puzzled.
“Of course I had to issue it. I even specially added ‘act at discretion’ to give him a helping hand.” Zhao Wen-hua said meaningfully.
It turned out that this phrase “act at discretion” was specially added by Zhao Wen-hua for Zhu Ping’an.
“Why?” Hu Zongxian was puzzled.
Was it not said that now was a critical time for the governor’s appointment, and it was not suitable to organise a large army to encircle and suppress the Japanese pirates in Tuo Lin? Then why did Zhao Wen-hua still specially give Zhu Ping’an a hand order allowing the Zhejiang troops to cross borders, and even add the phrase “act at discretion” for him?
“Hehe, at this time, it is not suitable for me to take the lead in organising a large army to strike, but it is fine if Zhu Ping’an leads the Zhejiang troops to strike. I merely issued a hand order for him to monitor the Japanese pirates in Tuo Lin, without directly ordering him to attack them. If Zhu Ping’an leads the Zhejiang troops to attack the Japanese pirates in Tuo Lin and wins, I can naturally claim credit. It was I who ordered Zhu Ping’an to monitor the Japanese pirates in Tuo Lin; I have the merit of issuing the order. If Zhu Ping’an leads the Zhejiang troops to attack the Japanese pirates and suffers a defeat, that is also fine. I only issued a hand order for the Zhejiang troops to monitor the Japanese pirates in Tuo Lin. His attack on the Japanese pirates would be unauthorised and against my order; that would be Zhu Ping’an’s fault, what does it have to do with me?” Zhao Wen-hua chuckled, speaking meaningfully.
So that was it. Hu Zongxian suddenly understood.
“Tomorrow I will send someone to the capital to bring some local specialties from Jiangnan to my foster father and Dong Lou.”
Zhao Wen-hua suddenly said to Hu Zongxian.
“Governor Zhao, I have long admired Grand Secretary Yan and Young Master Yan. Could I trouble Governor Zhao to also bring some local specialties from me to Grand Secretary Yan and Young Master Yan?” Hu Zongxian understood the implication and was thrilled. He had attached himself to Zhao Wen-hua precisely to attach himself to the Yan faction. Now that Zhao Wen-hua said this, it was giving him the opportunity to attach himself. How could he not be excited?
“What trouble is there between us? Why be polite? Pack up the local specialties and send them over. Tomorrow I will have someone take them along with yours to the capital.” Zhao Wen-hua said with a gentle smile.
Soon, Hu Zongxian went back and packed a full five carts of local specialties, sparing no expense, and sent them all to Zhao Wen-hua’s residence.
“Governor Zhao, these two carts are for Master Zhao. For these three carts, please have someone take them to the capital for Grand Secretary Yan and Young Master Yan.”
Hu Zongxian gave two of the five carts to Zhao Wen-hua and entrusted him to deliver the remaining three to Yan Song and Yan Shifan in the capital.
“Mei Lin, why be so polite with me still?” Zhao Wen-hua politely waved his hand. “I will take all five carts for you to my foster father and Dong Lou.”
“Governor Zhao, thank you for your support and care during this time. This is a small token of my appreciation, unworthy though it may be. Please do not disdain it.” Hu Zongxian quickly said, persistently urging Zhao Wen-hua to accept his token.
Zhao Wen-hua repeatedly declined and finally reluctantly accepted, saying it would not happen again.
Hu Zongxian repeatedly assured him it would not happen again.
In the evening, after Hu Zongxian left, Zhao Wen-hua called his trusted steward and together they went to inspect the five carts of local specialties packed by Hu Zongxian. After looking them over, Zhao Wen-hua pointed to four of them and instructed the steward, “When these four carts arrive in the capital, send them to my residence and store them in the warehouse. Send that one cart to my foster father’s residence.”
