“Zihou, Meilin, once we have toppled Zhou Liang this time, I shall reluctantly shoulder the burden of governor. You two must give me your full assistance.”
Zhao Wenhua was already savouring the prospect of life as governor. After eating a piece of raw fish, he narrowed his eyes in satisfaction and addressed Zhu Pingan and Hu Zongxian.
In truth, these words were directed chiefly at Zhu Pingan. Hu Zongxian had long since pledged his loyalty, and no sooner had Zhao Wenhua spoken than Hu Zongxian declared his readiness to serve like a faithful horse or dog, exhausting himself until death.
“Master Zhao, that is only natural. Should Zhou Liang step down and you, sir, succeed him, this student will give you his full support. During this period, I have already ordered the Zhejiang army to prepare military supplies with all haste. When the time comes, at your single command, the Zhejiang army and its navy will go through fire and water without hesitation.” Under Zhao Wenhua’s expectant gaze, Zhu Pingan gave the affirmative answer he sought, making it clear that he would fully support Zhao Wenhua’s anti-pirate campaign.
So long as it concerned the fight against the pirates, Zhu Pingan could make such a promise without the slightest qualm.
Besides, Zhu Pingan knew that when Zhou Liang fell, Zhao Wenhua would not succeed him. Zhao Wenhua was brimming with confidence, convinced that once he had disposed of Zhou Liang he would take the governor’s seat himself, but Zhu Pingan knew how history had unfolded. After Zhou Liang was impeached and removed by Zhao Wenhua, another man entirely assumed the governorship, not Zhao Wenhua.
Since the premise did not hold, the promise was meaningless, and Zhu Pingan made it with even less compunction.
Zhao Wenhua, highly pleased with Zhu Pingan’s declaration, nodded repeatedly. Then he made promises to both men. “You may set your minds at ease. Since you lend me your strength, I shall not treat you shabbily. Take Meilin, for instance. You support me, and I shall help you rise high. Meilin, you have long accumulated strength and are ready to soar. Follow me, and provincial governorship will not be your final destination. You can go higher and farther. The same applies to you, Zihou. Help me complete my merit, and I shall help you achieve your desires, whether that means returning to the capital or advancing further. I can assist you. As for the misunderstanding between you, your adoptive father Cabinet Elder Yan Song, and Donglou, have no fear. I shall speak on your behalf. Clearing up the misunderstanding will not be difficult. I shall also put in a word with everyone to ensure no one deliberately troubles you again. Zihou, display your talents freely. I shall hold up the sky for you.”
Zhao Wenhua painted lavish pictures of the future for Hu Zongxian and Zhu Pingan, sketching glorious careers for them both.
“The pirate plague grows ever more rotten by the day, and Master Zhao is the very man to end it. Zongxian naturally swears to follow Master Zhao to the death, giving him his full support to bring this festering plague to an end and restore a prosperous, peaceful Jiangnan where His Majesty and the people may live in security and contentment.” Hu Zongxian was the first to pledge loyalty, proclaiming Zhao Wenhua the heaven-sent champion who would end the pirate scourge and vowing to follow and support him utterly.
Hu Zongxian’s words of loyalty made Zhao Wenhua’s smile broader than ever; he was blooming with delight.
Then Zhao Wenhua turned to Zhu Pingan, as if to say, your turn.
Under his gaze, Zhu Pingan cupped his hands and declared, “This student will give his full support to Master Zhao’s great anti-pirate undertaking.”
“Hahaha, excellent. In ancient times Cao Cao boiled wine over green plums and discussed heroes, declaring, ‘The heroes under heaven are only the lord and Cao.’ In my view, the only men in Jiangnan who deserve the name of hero are the three of us at this table. You two are like the Sleeping Dragon and the Fledgling Phoenix. With your full assistance, exterminating the pirates will be as easy as blowing out a lamp.”
Zhao Wenhua laughed heartily, looking at Hu Zongxian and Zhu Pingan as though he were Duke Liu possessing both Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, utterly triumphant.
“Master Zhao overpraises us. You and Zihou truly deserve to be called heroes. I am merely a foil.” Hu Zongxian spoke with humility.
“Not at all. I am still too young and lack the experience of Master Zhao and Master Hu. You both deserve the title of hero. I am a latecomer with much yet to learn from you.” Zhu Pingan naturally followed suit with his own modesty.
“Hahaha, enough modesty from you both. If neither of you qualifies as a hero, then no one in Jiangnan does. Or do you doubt the judgement of my eyes?”
Zhao Wenhua laughed.
Hu Zongxian and Zhu Pingan exchanged a glance and cupped their hands to Zhao Wenhua. “Many thanks for Master Zhao’s high regard.”
“Very well. Just wait and see. Within a month, Zhou Liang will be gone.” Zhao Wenhua spoke with complete confidence.
“I am certain Master Zhao will succeed.” Zhu Pingan acknowledged his confidence.
In scheming and intrigue, Zhao Wenhua was undeniably among the foremost, with very few able to surpass him.
History bore this out. Zhou Liang held the governorship for little more than a month before Zhao Wenhua’s plots brought him down.
“Excellent. The sooner a mediocrity like Zhou Liang is removed, the better.” This time Hu Zongxian was half a beat slow; Zhu Pingan had nearly finished speaking before he chimed in.
“You heard Zhou Liang’s anti-pirate strategy today. It amounted to very little. In the opinion of you two, how should the pirates be exterminated?”
Zhao Wenhua asked the pair.
Once I have Zhou Liang removed, it will be my turn to take the stage. I cannot present some absurd strategy like Zhou Liang did today.
You are both heroes of our age. Let me see your strategies. If they are good, then great minds will indeed think alike.
“Ahem. Zihou should go first. Zihou has won repeated victories against the pirates and must have profound insights. Let us hear Zihou’s esteemed opinion first.”
Hu Zongxian coughed and suggested Zhu Pingan speak first, giving himself time to gather his thoughts.
Zhu Pingan was perfectly aware of Zhao Wenhua’s purpose: to appropriate an anti-pirate strategy in preparation for his own governorship.
Zhu Pingan did not mind in the least. In fact, he welcomed it. The more people influenced by his anti-pirate strategy, the better. It would hasten the extermination of the pirates, bring peace to Jiangnan sooner, and free the common people from suffering all the earlier. What could be better?
Thus, Zhu Pingan did not demur further. “This student is untalented and will make a fool of himself. I beg Master Zhao and Master Hu to correct me.”
“Master Zhao, Master Hu, the pirate plague in Jiangnan grows ever more severe. True Japanese pirates, false ones, Portuguese, Dutch, and other Western barbarians, great and small, flock here eagerly, sparing no effort to attack cities, plunder the land, burn, kill, and rob, leaving scarcely a day of peace. Yet in my view, behind this multitude of pirates of every size stand two true adversaries. Eliminate them, and this endless plague can be swept away with a single wave of the hand.”
Zhu Pingan looked at the two men, raised two fingers, waved them before their eyes, then brought his hand down heavily on the table.
“Two true adversaries? Eliminate them and the pirate plague is swept away? Who are these adversaries with such immense influence?”
Zhao Wenhua leaned forward.
“Two true adversaries? Who are they?” Hu Zongxian could not help leaning towards Zhu Pingan as well.
Both men wore expressions of intense curiosity and inquiry.
