After using Zhu Ping’an to reprimand Hu Zongxian and the other provincial governors, Zhou Yu turned his gaze to Zhu Ping’an and spoke slowly. “Lord Zhu, the wokou situation in Jiangnan is currently grave. A capable and battle-ready navy is urgently needed. At present, Jiangnan’s only naval force is the Jianghuai Navy, but it suffered heavy losses in a recent surprise attack by the wokou and has lost its combat effectiveness for the foreseeable future. Given that the Zhejiang army has already established a navy that has essentially achieved operational readiness, and for the greater cause of suppressing the wokou, this governor has decided to use your Zhejiang navy as the foundation to expand it into Jiangnan’s primary naval force, under my personal command. What is your view on this, Lord Zhu?”
As soon as Zhou Yu finished speaking, a buzz of discussion broke out below the platform.
Using the Zhejiang navy as the foundation to expand it into Jiangnan’s primary naval force, under Zhou Yu’s personal command. The meaning could not have been clearer. This was a direct attempt to appropriate the navy that Zhu Ping’an had spent vast time and resources building.
No one had expected it. Just a moment ago, Zhou Yu had been praising Zhu Ping’an. The next moment, he was moving to seize Zhu Ping’an’s navy outright.
Some looked at Zhu Ping’an with sympathy. How pitiful. After all the time, effort, and enormous expense to build the navy, it was about to change hands.
Others gloated. You were so capable, weren’t you? Always showing off that you could build a navy. Well, how capable are you now? Serves you right. Your navy is being taken by the governor. Let’s see how capable you still are. Heh, serves you right.
Most people watched Zhu Ping’an with curiosity, wondering how he would respond to the governor’s question, which appeared consultative but left no room for negotiation. Would Zhu Ping’an dare to refuse?
“Heh.”
A cold laugh rang out.
Everyone quickly turned towards the sound, thinking the hot-blooded young frontier official was about to flip the table. But unfortunately, the laugh did not come from Zhu Ping’an. It came from Zhao Wenhua in the front row.
As for Zhu Ping’an himself, he was actually smiling. Under Zhou Yu’s gaze and that of everyone present, he accepted gladly. “Of course. With Your Excellency the Governor personally taking command and expanding the navy, this is a great boon for the navy itself. It will allow for more and larger ships, greater troop numbers, a larger overall scale, and stronger combat capability. For the great cause of suppressing the wokou, it offers nothing but benefits and no drawbacks. Naturally I agree. I agree wholeheartedly.”
What the hell?!
What did I just hear?!
Everyone had assumed Zhu Ping’an would refuse, or at the very least, even if he agreed, he would say something sour, showing clear reluctance. Yet to their astonishment, not only did Zhu Ping’an not refuse or show unwillingness, he accepted with genuine enthusiasm.
Zhu Ping’an?! Are you really Zhu Ping’an?! The same Zhu Ping’an who stood toe-to-toe against Yan Song and his son in the capital?! The one who would rather break than bend?!
How is it that today you knelt so quickly?!
And smiling while you knelt! Where is your pride? Where is your dignity? Have you lost them both? Are you still Zhu Ping’an?!
Everyone stared at Zhu Ping’an in stunned disbelief. Some even rubbed their eyes. Zhu Ping’an, you have become a stranger to me.
“Excellent, excellent, excellent. Worthy of Lord Zhu. My colleagues, you should all follow Lord Zhu’s example. Place the greater good first, the cause of suppressing the wokou first, and living up to His Majesty’s trust and the people’s expectations first!”
Zhou Yu laughed heartily, his face full of delight and satisfaction. He could not have been more pleased with Zhu Ping’an’s attitude.
Zhou Yu had originally expected Zhu Ping’an to haggle for a few rounds and had even prepared contingencies in case of refusal. Of course, regardless of whether Zhu Ping’an agreed, he would have brought the Zhejiang navy under his control, but the scene might have been somewhat unsightly.
He had not expected Zhu Ping’an not only to raise no objection but to accept gladly. This pleased Zhou Yu greatly.
Zhao Wenhua, however, was not pleased. He turned to look at Zhu Ping’an, his gaze sharp and predatory, full of scrutiny, doubt, and displeasure.
From Zhao Wenhua’s eyes, Zhu Ping’an could even detect anger.
Zhao Wenhua was looking at him as though he were a traitor. By agreeing to Zhou Yu’s takeover of the Zhejiang navy, Zhao Wenhua assumed Zhu Ping’an had betrayed him, that he had chosen to side with Zhou Yu, to support Zhou Yu, to curry favour with him. Why else would he have agreed so readily?
“Your Excellency the Governor, this humble official has one small request. I hope Your Excellency will grant it.” Zhu Ping’an cupped his hands towards Zhou Yu.
Here it comes, here it comes. I knew it. Why else would Zhu Ping’an agree so readily? He was waiting for this moment to make a demand.
Everyone adopted the air of spectators settling in for a good show. They sensed that Zhu Ping’an was about to put forward a demand Zhou Yu would find hard to accept, thereby making it difficult for Zhou Yu to proceed with seizing the Zhejiang navy. This was a strategic retreat to advance.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Wenhua’s expression changed again. He felt he had misjudged Zhu Ping’an. Zhu Ping’an had even given the Zhejiang army extended leave. How could he be in league with Zhou Yu? My apologies, Zihou. I wronged you.
“Lord Zhu, speak freely.” Zhou Yu smiled and gestured invitingly, but his words were cautious. Until he heard what Zhu Ping’an’s request was, he would not agree in advance, lest Zhu Ping’an ask for something outrageous and place him in a dilemma.
“Your Excellency, once the Zhejiang navy is expanded into the primary naval force, this humble official, though untalented, requests to serve as Your Excellency’s deputy in the navy. First, to learn. To study naval command and sea warfare at Your Excellency’s side is a rare opportunity. Second, to share your burdens. Your Excellency handles ten thousand matters daily and leads the entire Jiangnan anti-wokou effort. Your energy is limited. This official wishes to ease your load. When Your Excellency has time, you may personally command the navy while I observe and learn, assisting in command. When Your Excellency lacks time, I can manage the navy on your behalf and relieve you of that concern.”
Zhu Ping’an cupped his hands and volunteered, requesting to serve as deputy commander of the expanded primary naval force.
Deputy commander of the navy?!
That’s it?! We took off our trousers for this?! Zhu Ping’an’s great effort and “small request” was merely to ask for the position of naval deputy?!
Everyone was stunned.
Even Zhou Yu paused momentarily after Zhu Ping’an spoke. He had expected Zhu Ping’an to make an exorbitant demand, something outrageously difficult. Instead, Zhu Ping’an only asked to be deputy commander.
Just a deputy commander. What harm in giving it to him? I am the governor. I am the naval commander. You are merely deputy. The navy remains under my control.
“Hahaha, Lord Zhu is thoughtful. Granted. From this day forward, you are the deputy commander of the Jiangnan navy.” Zhou Yu laughed heartily, nodded lightly, and approved Zhu Ping’an’s request, appointing him deputy commander on the spot.
Zhu Ping’an’s face lit up with joy. He cupped his hands in salute to Zhou Yu and declared, “Many thanks, Your Excellency the Governor. I shall not betray Your Excellency’s trust.”
