Throughout the entire day, Zhu Ping’an stayed with Li Shu, looking after little Xingwen and Yiyi. The residence had underfloor heating, and the charcoal fires burned brightly. The room was as warm as spring, with the temperature at least around twenty degrees, forming a stark contrast with the bitter cold of the ninth month of winter outside.
The two little ones wore only thin layers, full of energy as they stretched their arms and kicked their legs on the bed, practising turning over and chewing on cloth toys.
Zhu Ping’an could not stop touching one, then kissing the other, holding their tiny hands and teaching them to call him “Daddy”.
In the evening, the two little ones were looked after by the wet nurses, and Zhu Ping’an and Li Shu enjoyed rare time alone together.
The next morning, Li Shu was radiant as she dressed and applied makeup at her dressing table. Zhu Ping’an, supporting his aching waist as he got out of bed, walked with a slight sway…
In the morning, while looking after the children, Zhu Ping’an received the battle report from Songjiang Prefecture. After reading it through, he let out a sigh of regret.
He had not expected such an outcome. He had not thought they would be defeated so quickly, so utterly routed, turning a pursuit battle into a defence of the prefectural city.
In history, perhaps only the border provocation by Country A years ago, when a border conflict turned into the defence of New Delhi, could compare.
In this campaign, Hu Zongxian had been anxious, hasty, underestimated the enemy, and made many command errors. Of course, the official troops’ fighting ability was also dismal… Zhu Ping’an shook his head and casually set the report aside.
Another day passed amid wife, children, and warm bed. In the evening, Li Shu claimed she felt unwell and asked Hua’er to attend Zhu Ping’an instead.
Zhu Ping’an pulled Li Shu into his arms, holding her soft hand. “It does not matter. Tonight I shall simply hold you and sleep. Nothing else.”
“You said the same yesterday,” Li Shu looked up, her watery eyes giving him a hard glare, “and yet you were restless all night, again and again, as if it were never enough.”
“Cough cough… It will not happen today. I shall only hold you and sleep. Trust me.” Zhu Ping’an promised solemnly.
“I do trust you. But let Hua’er accompany you tonight. You have been with me long enough, and that girl misses you terribly.”
Li Shu twisted in his arms, trying to get up.
“It is only one more day. While I was out campaigning, I dreamed of holding you as I slept. Last night, cough cough, I was too caught up… and did not sleep well. Tonight, let me hold you and rest properly. Tomorrow, Hua’er can accompany me.”
Zhu Ping’an hugged Li Shu tighter and gently kissed her forehead.
Li Shu was persuaded. She blinked her bright, affectionate eyes at him, her red lips parting softly. “Very well, then. As you say. Tonight, you only hold me and sleep properly. Nothing else.”
“Of course.” Zhu Ping’an nodded firmly.
That night, cold winds howled outside, while warmth filled the room. In the darkness, Li Shu reproached him. “Zhu Ping’an, you have no integrity. Did you not say you would only hold me and sleep properly, nothing else? What are you doing now?”
“Just a little pre-sleep exercise. Do not worry, it will not be endless like yesterday…” Zhu Ping’an breathed heavily.
The next day, Li Shu gave Zhu Ping’an countless glares.
By evening, no matter what he said, Li Shu refused to let him hold her as they slept. No amount of sweet talk could change her mind.
“Master, no, my lord, do you not like me anymore?” That night, as Hua’er attended him, she asked plaintively.
“Of course not.” Zhu Ping’an replied.
“Then when the young mistress asked me to attend you last night, why did my lord refuse?” Hua’er asked, looking wronged.
“Did I refuse?” Zhu Ping’an smiled faintly and pulled Hua’er into his arms.
“Hee hee, yes, that’s right.” Hua’er giggled foolishly twice and snuggled closer.
“Enough thinking. Blow out the lamp and sleep.”
Zhu Ping’an truly felt weary. The previous two nights had severely drained his energy. Indulging in bedroom pleasures, he had slept little both nights. Tonight he only wanted a proper rest to recover his strength.
“The young mistress said that my lord has been too tired these past days and asked me to attend you well, to help you relax properly.”
Hua’er said shyly.
Feeling his energy depleted, already spent on Li Shu, Zhu Ping’an coughed and politely declined. “Cough cough, Hua’er, there is no need. A good night’s sleep will do.”
“My lord need not move, just lie there. Hua’er will help you relax.” Hua’er murmured, her face red, and lowered her head…
Uh…
This wicked feudal society. At times like this, it was truly both loved and loved even more…
Tonight’s moon was big and bright, and it even bit…
The next morning, Hua’er helped Zhu Ping’an wash and dress, shaving his stubble once more and showing off her skill.
Speaking of shaving, only last night did Zhu Ping’an understand what Hua’er had meant that day when she said she had practised, first on winter melons, then on pig heads, and later on her own body, shaving very cleanly. Indeed, very cleanly…
With wife and children, a warm bed, a lovely wife and beautiful concubine to feast the eyes upon, and delicious food full of colour, aroma, and taste, Zhu Ping’an was utterly content at home, apart from his waist struggling to keep up. He was reluctant to leave. Yet good days were interrupted by an official document.
The appointment of the Jiangnan governor had been made.
The position of Jiangnan governor that Zhao Wenhua had longed for, as in history, did not fall to him. Following the historical trajectory, Zhou Yong succeeded to the post.
Before becoming governor, Zhou Yong had served as Right Vice Censor-in-Chief and was already in Yingtian. Upon receiving the imperial decree, he took up the post immediately on the spot.
The document Zhu Ping’an received was drafted on Zhou Yong’s first day in office and sent by fast courier.
In it, Zhou Yong ordered Zhu Ping’an to proceed to Yingtian with all haste, eight hundred li urgent, upon receipt, to report to the governor’s yamen for orders, without delay.
A new official brings three fires upon taking office. Zhu Ping’an had no wish to be the first to burn. After receiving the document, he promptly bade a reluctant farewell to Li Shu and Hua’er, packed light luggage, took Liu Dadao and three hundred Zhejiang troops, and rode double horses at full speed toward Yingtian to pay respects to the new governor Zhou Yong.
In history, Zhou Yong was little known, mentioned only briefly as a stepping stone for Hu Zongxian’s appearance.
Zhou Yong’s tenure as governor lasted mere months before Zhao Wenhua impeached and removed him, his fall astonishingly swift.
Yet as for what kind of man Zhou Yong was, Zhu Ping’an believed seeing was believing over hearsay. He would judge with his own eyes.
Though Zhu Ping’an had long coveted the governor’s post himself, he wanted to assess Zhou Yong first before deciding.
Zhao Wenhua certainly wished to drive Zhou Yong from office so he could take the position. If Zhou Yong proved capable of leading Jiangnan’s great campaign against the Japanese pirates, Zhu Ping’an would not mind lending him aid. Conversely, if Zhou Yong lacked the ability to lead the campaign, Zhu Ping’an would not mind assisting Zhao Wenhua instead.
The Japanese pirate plague in Jiangnan could be delayed no longer. The people’s suffering had gone on long enough.
