The rise of the poor

"We are neighbors, there's no need for thanks." Zhu Pingan smiled and waved his hand, then stepped forward and looked intently at Hu Zongxian. "Lord Hu, the Japanese pirates from Tuolin are plotting against Songjiang Prefecture. This is a crisis, but also an opportunity."

"What does Lord Zhu mean?" Hu Zongxian looked up at Zhu Ping'an.

"The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. The Japanese pirates are plotting against Songjiang Prefecture, and we can also plot against them." Zhu Ping'an looked intently at Hu Zongxian and extended an invitation, "Jiangnan has suffered from the Japanese pirates for too long. If you and I join forces, we can surely destroy them."

After hearing this, Hu Zongxian did not answer, but instead squinted his eyes and paced back and forth in thought.

Zhu Pingan looked at Hu Zongxian expectantly.

If Hu Zongxian joins forces with him, their military strength will increase, and their chances of defeating the Japanese pirates will be much greater.

Time passed second by second, and finally Hu Zongxian raised his head, faced Zhu Pingan, and slowly shook his head.

Ok? !

Zhu Ping'an was somewhat surprised. He had thought that Hu Zongxian was ambitious and decisive and would accept his invitation to join forces to ambush the Japanese pirates plotting against Songjiang Prefecture. However, after much internal struggle, Hu Zongxian shook his head and refused his invitation.

Zhu Pingan couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.

“Lord Zhu, Lord Zhao has recommended me to take up the post of Governor of Suzhou and Songjiang. At this critical moment, Lord Zhao is vying for the position of Governor-General. If I join forces with Lord Zhu and win, that will be fine. If I lose, I am not afraid, but I am afraid of implicating Lord Zhao.”

Hu Zongxian offered his own explanation.

Zhu Pingan nodded slightly. "Yes, I didn't think it through."

When Zhao Wenhua refused Zhu Pingan's suggestion to organize troops to suppress the Japanese pirates in Tuolin, it was perfectly normal for Hu Zongxian, who was in cahoots with Zhao Wenhua, to refuse his invitation to join forces to eliminate the pirates.

Although the objective was not fully achieved, the matter was settled. Zhu Pingan exchanged a few words with Hu Zongxian and then got up to take his leave.

The Japanese pirates could attack Songjiang Prefecture at any time, so I should head to Jinshan to deal with them as soon as possible.

"Lord Zhu, please wait a moment." Hu Zongxian called out to Zhu Ping'an.

He wondered why Hu Zongxian had stopped him. Had he changed his mind and wanted to join forces with him to defeat the Japanese?

Zhu Pingan stopped and turned to look at Hu Zongxian.

Hu Zongxian walked to his desk, bent down, picked up his brush, and began to write with great speed and skill. He finished writing quickly, then took out his official seal from the locked box on the table, breathed on it, and forcefully stamped it onto the paper.

"Although I cannot join Lord Zhu in sending troops, well, the Japanese pirate threat in Suzhou and Songjiang is serious. As the newly appointed governor of Suzhou and Songjiang, I am not capable enough. Given that the Zhejiang army is stationed in Jiaxing City, which is close to Suzhou and Songjiang, I would like to ask Lord Zhu to send the Zhejiang army to assist in the defense of Songjiang Prefecture."

Hu Zongxian handed the document bearing the official seal of the Governor of Suzhou and Songjiang to Zhu Pingan with both hands.

Zhu Pingan took the document handed to him by Hu Zongxian and glanced at it. The document was Hu Zongxian's request, in the name of the governor of Suzhou and Songjiang, for him to send Zhejiang troops to assist in the defense of Songjiang Prefecture, which was consistent with what Hu Zongxian had said.

Hu Zongxian was giving himself a reason to send troops to Songjiang Prefecture.

Although he had the order from Zhao Wenhua to send the Zhejiang army to monitor the Japanese pirates in Tuolin, the document from Hu Zongxian, the governor of Suzhou and Songjiang, requesting the Zhejiang army to assist in the defense of Songjiang Prefecture made his actions even more legitimate.

"Thank you very much, Lord Hu." Zhu Pingan carefully put the document away and bowed to Hu Zongxian in gratitude.

After leaving Hu Zongxian's residence, Zhu Pingan returned to the Zhejiang Army camp and led three hundred Zhejiang soldiers out of the camp in the dead of night, heading towards Jinshan in Songjiang Prefecture.

We cannot bring more Zhejiang troops; otherwise, the Zhejiang army camp may be exposed, arousing the suspicion of the Japanese pirates.

As Zhu Ping'an embarked on his journey under the cover of night, the Tuolin Japanese pirate camp was in a frenzy. Jars of wine were being broken open, pots of stewed meat were emitting a rich aroma, women were crying and struggling, and beasts were grinning and laughing, chugging bowls of wine into their mouths and gnawing on meat. Their greasy, dirty hands were groping the crying and struggling women.

"Thanks to the assistance of General Ryuzoji and General Matsuura who crossed the sea, our Tuolin Japanese pirate camp has been restored to its former strength."

Xu Hai raised his wine glass to Ryūzōji Takatsu and Matsuura Shigeyo, his attitude very enthusiastic.

Ryuzoji Takashi was an old man around fifty years old, wearing a kimono and a chonmage hairstyle. He was thin but wiry, with sharp, eagle-like eyes. He knelt on his knees with a jewel-encrusted Japanese sword on his knees, and a Japanese woman in a kimono served him beside him.

Matsuura Shigeyo was a burly Japanese pirate in his early twenties, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, with a fierce ghost tattoo on his neck. He was holding a tearful Ming Dynasty girl in his arms, greedily groping her all over, wishing he could have sex with her on the spot, like a beast in heat.

"Hehehe, General Xu serves my family head. We are both retainers and help each other. There is no need for thanks."

Longzhao Temple Gaoche chuckled and raised his wine glass.

Matsuura Shigeyo reluctantly withdrew his hand from between the girl's legs, picked up his wine cup, arrogantly waved it at Xu Hai, downed it in one gulp, and let out a satisfying "Good wine! This Ming Dynasty is truly a wonderful place. The women of the Ming Dynasty are truly captivating, the wine of the Ming Dynasty is truly delicious, and the wealth of the Ming Dynasty is even more so. In just these few days, the gold, silver, jewels, and silks plundered by my men have almost filled my ship's hold. Hahahaha, Elder Che, we should have come to the Ming Dynasty long ago. How could the people of the Ming Dynasty deserve such a treasure? With our martial prowess and our Japanese swords, this rich and honeyed land should rightfully belong to us."

After saying that, Matsuura Shigeyo looked at Xu Hai and chuckled, saying, "The Ming people I'm talking about don't include General Xu."

“Of course, General Xu is serving the head of the family, so he is already one of our own.” Ryūzōji Takagi squinted at Xu Hai.

"It's an honor," Xu Hai chuckled.

Xu Hai is good at taking things in stride; he still needs to rely on them, so he naturally agrees with what they say.

Of course, deep down, Xu Hai had no concept of country or nation. Bullshit Ming Dynasty, bullshit Hizen Matsuura, bullshit Japan, I don't care about any of them, I only care about myself, my power, my enjoyment, and my wealth and glory.

Indeed, people who engage in the acts of Japanese pirates would hardly have any sense of national pride, morality, or shame.

"General Xu, has the major city of Songjiang Prefecture that you mentioned been captured? When shall we send troops to take it?"

Ryūzōji Takakatsu asked with concern.

“The spies have already infiltrated Songjiang Prefecture. Give me two more days to send them ointments, weapons, and armor, and then we can send troops to seize the city.”

Xu Hai said confidently.

"If you ask me, why bother with all that trouble? The Ming people are weaklings, utterly defenseless. With just their warriors and their Japanese swords, they can simply storm the city and break down the gates. Haven't we already conquered countless cities in this period?!"

Matsuura Shigeyo didn't take it seriously. He played with the girl in his arms, laughing heartily as he watched her aggrieved, weak, and powerless appearance.

"General Matsuura, Songjiang Prefecture is not comparable to those small towns. You'll see when you see it."

Xu Hai smiled slightly, enjoying their naiveté. (End of Chapter)