Hearing Zhao Wenhua’s words, Hu Zongxian immediately perked up. Brother, I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.
Under Hu Zongxian’s expectant gaze, Zhao Wenhua stood up, patted him on the shoulder, and slowly said, “Zi Hou has worked hard pursuing the Japanese pirates. It is time he rested. I shall immediately order him recalled. He should go home and spend time with his wife and children. Those two little ones of his probably scarcely recognise their father any more. The Zhejiang Army too. They have been away too long. They should return home to enjoy family happiness. As for you, Meilin, I am giving you an order. Immediately assemble elite troops and strong generals to pursue and annihilate the remaining pirate enemies!”
“I shall certainly not disappoint Your Excellency!” Hu Zongxian hurriedly cupped his hands in excited assurance, his expression confident and resolute.
Zhao Wenhua tugged at his sleeve and walked towards the desk. Hu Zongxian, very attentive to cues, stepped forward to lay out brush, ink, paper, and inkstone for Zhao Wenhua. He diligently added a little clear water to the inkstone and began grinding the ink stick.
Zhao Wenhua nodded in satisfaction. Hu Zongxian knew how to read the situation and act accordingly, a hundred times better than Zhu Ping’an.
If only Zhu Ping’an could be like Hu Zongxian…
Alas, Zhu Ping’an’s backbone was too stiff. How many opportunities had been given to him? Yet he still refused to actively draw closer, always awkward and hesitant.
If Zhu Ping’an had thrown in his lot earlier, what a fine opportunity this would have been. He could charge ahead capturing cities and strongholds, while I trumpeted his achievements from behind. His success would secure my position as governor-general. I would help smooth over his conflicts with his godfather and the Donglou faction. For every merit he earned, I would report ten. Once I had accumulated enough political capital and silver, and departed for the capital to advance further, I could then promote him to governor-general. Would that not be perfect for both, wonderful indeed.
What a pity.
Still, without Zhu Ping’an, there was Hu Zongxian.
“Meilin, do you know why I am recalling Zhu Ping’an and handing this opportunity to you?”
Zhao Wenhua asked this to test Hu Zongxian while lifting his brush and writing on the paper.
“It is all thanks to Your Excellency’s care for me.” Hu Zongxian kept his head lowered, continuing to grind ink, his words full of respectful flattery towards Zhao Wenhua.
“Correct. When there is something good, I prefer to look after my own people. Meilin, you are different from Zi Hou. Zi Hou does not count as one of us, at least not yet. But you are different. You are one of us. The pirates at Tulin were first mauled by Zhang Jing, badly wounded. Now Zhu Ping’an has beaten them again. They are already crippled. You assemble elite troops and fine generals. It is perfect for reaping the harvest. Fight well, and I shall petition vigorously for your rewards.”
Zhao Wenhua nodded in satisfaction, his brush flowing like water. He soon finished drafting the document recalling Zhu Ping’an.
“Thank you, Your Excellency, for your care.” Hu Zongxian expressed gratitude profusely.
Hu Zongxian knew why Zhao Wenhua was recalling Zhu Ping’an and giving the chance to mop up the pirates to him. Caring for his own was only one aspect. More importantly, Zhao Wenhua was greedy. He coveted this victory.
In this rescue of Songjiang prefectural city, Zhu Ping’an had mainly volunteered on his own initiative. Zhao Wenhua had some connection to the victory, but it was limited.
Zhao Wenhua’s connection was merely the document he issued to Zhu Ping’an: “Order the Zhejiang Army to monitor the Tulin pirates and act as circumstances dictate.” This document had only facilitated Zhu Ping’an’s departure from Zhejiang.
Rescuing Songjiang prefecture and exterminating the pirates… these were not commanded by Zhao Wenhua, nor ordered by him.
In this victory, Zhao Wenhua could claim at most a minor facilitating merit. Nothing more.
The lion’s share of the credit, indeed the overwhelming majority, belonged to Zhu Ping’an. Zhao Wenhua’s share was merely small.
Zhao Wenhua wanted more credit.
So, by recalling Zhu Ping’an and replacing him with Hu Zongxian, then issuing another order to Hu Zongxian, that would become merit for command. That merit would be substantial.
Now, Hu Zongxian needed this victory to stabilise his position as Suzhou-Songjiang governor. Zhao Wenhua also needed it. The post of Jiangnan governor-general remained undecided. Though Zhao Wenhua had the greatest chance and the loudest support, as long as the appointment had not come down, there was uncertainty. If Zhao Wenhua gained this victory as a boost, the appointment should become certain, falling securely into his grasp.
That was why Zhao Wenhua recalled Zhu Ping’an and gave the opportunity to him.
Of course, Hu Zongxian had long anticipated this and felt no shame or embarrassment. It was not for his own glory and wealth. It was for the rivers and mountains of the Great Ming, for the sacred dynasty. His ideal was to report to the emperor above and rescue the common people below!
“Meilin, how many troops do you need? How much provisions and equipment? Give me a number, and I shall allocate them all to you.”
“Zhang Jing himself is useless, but the Wolf Troops he brought are excellent, truly fierce and capable, one worth ten. Unfortunately, I have only won over a few small tribes so far, less than three thousand men. I shall place them all under your unified command.”
“There are also those three thousand Shandong pikemen. They too are fine soldiers, skilled in battle and obedient. I shall assign them to you as well.”
“As for provisions, equipment, weapons, and armour, take my handwritten order directly to the storehouses. Take as much as you want.”
To ensure absolute success in this victory, Zhao Wenhua assigned to Hu Zongxian the Wolf Troops and Shandong pikemen he had painstakingly won over, and opened the storehouses for Hu Zongxian to take freely.
“Thank you, Your Excellency. Then I shall not stand on ceremony. This time I shall take both the pikemen and the Wolf Troops. I still have three thousand elite in Suzhou-Songjiang. Together that makes nine thousand troops in total. The numbers are sufficient.” Hu Zongxian said excitedly. With so many troops, victory was certain.
“Only nine thousand? Very well, Meilin. I shall issue another order transferring one thousand elite garrison troops from Hangzhou Guard to you, making a round ten thousand.”
To guarantee no chance of failure, Zhao Wenhua added another handwritten order, transferring one thousand garrison elites from Hangzhou to Hu Zongxian, rounding the number to ten thousand troops.
Zhu Ping’an had achieved victory with merely three thousand Zhejiang troops. Hu Zongxian now had ten thousand, fully three times Zhu Ping’an’s force, and was fighting pirates already crippled by Zhu Ping’an. Success should be assured.
“Thank you, Your Excellency. Please rest assured. Zongxian will not let Your Excellency down. Your Excellency may await my victory reports at the residence.”
Hu Zongxian received the documents and orders, declaring firmly and confidently to Zhao Wenhua.
Leading ten thousand troops against pirates already defeated by Zhu Ping’an. If he still could not win, he might as well resign as Suzhou-Songjiang governor!
“Excellent. I await your triumphant return!” Zhao Wenhua was also full of confidence. He trusted Hu Zongxian’s abilities, or he would not have taken him under his wing.
After Hu Zongxian left, Zhao Wenhua remained at home. He instructed servants to purchase delicacies from mountain and sea, then summoned all the chefs from Songyue Tower to prepare a banquet at the residence. He sat waiting for Hu Zongxian’s victory reports, ready to summon Hu Zongxian for a grand celebration.
