The capital, nightfall.
Yuxi Palace.
Jiajing, rarely hands-on, was wiping a jade urn.
Lu Fang, having rolled up his sleeves several times to help, was refused by Jiajing. Standing by his side, he said, "Your Majesty, please let this old servant do it. My hands are rough..."
Jiajing scoffed, "You call yourself rough? After following me in this deep palace and inner court, have you suffered so much hardship?"
Lu Fang smiled, "When Your Majesty takes action, it is unbearable for this servant to simply stand by."
Hmph,
After finishing wiping, Jiajing sat back on the Bagua platform and said leisurely, "What is learned on paper is ultimately shallow; to truly know this matter, one must practice it oneself... Doing it yourself is truly grounding..."
Lu Fang, who had followed him for forty years, knew that this was the time to report matters. He immediately said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Hu Zongxian's reply has arrived. Although it is just a piece of paper, this servant feels it is heavier than a thousand pounds..."
Hmph,
Jiajing suddenly displeased, said, "It should have been dealt with long ago. Why is it still not done? Is that burden truly so heavy? I don't want to hear it..."
Lu Fang, who was about to read, stopped abruptly and mumbled, "Your Majesty, he is also in a difficult position..."
"What difficulty? Is it me who makes it difficult for him, or Yan Song?"
Jiajing suddenly stood up, flicked his horsetail whisk, and said, "Get to the important points."
Lu Fang put on his reading glasses again, looked for a while, and then said, "He said that there is a military report of Japanese pirates gathering on our mainland again. He wants to have a decisive battle within the month. He said the outcome is unpredictable, but he only asks for dedication. He also said that His Majesty understands his inner thoughts, uh..."
Before he could finish speaking,
Jiajing suddenly turned his head sharply, snatched the secret memorial, and after just one glance, threw it away. He said vigilantly, "Something is likely to happen! Lu Fang, order Lu Bing to go down and see personally... Hu Zongxian is too slow. It's almost spring flood season, and he's still dawdling! The Japanese pirates might have already arrived..."
Lu Fang was stunned, his face filled with terror, "This, what can be done..."
Jiajing had long known that Hu Zongxian was besieging but not attacking, not to intercept reinforcements, but because he was constantly being interfered with by Yan Song. This secret memorial was written obscurely and indirectly, merely stating his resolve. It seemed the situation was already very bad, yet he dared not speak directly, only wishing to die. This indicated that the siege of Taizhou might have another significant variable.
One must know,
Jiajing saw through the entire situation. If Zhu Mo's reforms could provoke Anda's invasion, then it was even more necessary to stimulate the Japanese pirates to a decisive battle. Therefore, from the moment they surrounded the Japanese pirates in Taizhou, he had been urging them. Now, it had been three times, and forty to fifty days had passed. To say that reinforcements had not yet moved would be deceiving himself.
He pondered for a moment, then said, "Tell Yu Dayou to go north to provide support... and give Tan Lun a secret decree, that if Taizhou suffers defeat, he is to take over as Governor of Zhejiang and Jiangsu. Also, send two secret decrees, to Yang Bo and Li Wenjin respectively, ordering them to strictly guard against Anda."
Lu Fang noted them down one by one and hastily wrote the secret decrees, then said anxiously, "Your Majesty, is this, is this still in time?"
Jiajing gazed leisurely at the dark night outside the hall, murmuring, "Look to the heavens... I hope it's just a false alarm..."
Lu Fang finally understood and sighed, "Zhu Mo is down there, he must know something, right? He can't tell Your Majesty, they've all been deceived by these people..."
Jiajing also discovered a weakness at this moment—
Zhu Mo could not directly submit secret memorials. Although there was a layer of separation, he could only learn about many things indirectly and could not know them immediately. It seemed he would have to grant him the power to submit secret memorials in the future.
As he thought, he said aloud:
"This kid, who knows what he's doing? Even if he knows, he won't tell us... What four reforms, and clearing the donated land. At this juncture, he wants to stir up heaven and earth again..."
Lu Fang had already had eunuchs deliver the secret decrees, and then replied, "Your Majesty, if a major event truly occurs and the Japanese pirate army attacks, should we not halt the reforms first?"
Jiajing was now very firm and said,
"How can we stop? The more we hesitate, the less we can accomplish... These four reforms, I think they are all good! The more so at this time, the more resolute we must be. The reforms cannot stop! Lu Fang, add another imperial decree, for all the vassal kings and princes of the realm, ordering them to first review their donated land themselves, so as not to be embarrassed when it is discovered later."
"This servant will draft the decree immediately."
...
At the same time,
Yan Residence, late at night.
A tense atmosphere permeated Yan Shifan's study.
This was because Chen Dong, a major merchant from Nanyang who had just been seen off, had sent a gift from Japan: a superior samurai sword. Chen Dong also relayed a message that Otomo Sorin, the daimyo of the Six States of Kyushu, wished to express his apologies to Grand Secretary Yan Song of the Ming Dynasty.
No matter how much Yan Shifan questioned him, Chen Dong said this was the entire message, and there was nothing else. This was very strange, indicating that something significant must have happened on the sea.
At this moment,
After Chen Dong left, everyone discussed again, all feeling an oppressive tension.
Yan Song sat on the couch, his eyes vacant, as if in a daze, or perhaps in deep thought. Yan Shifan continuously fiddled with a string of coral beads, his eyes also darting around.
Finally, Luo Longwen broke the silence.
He cupped his hands, and after a moment of thought, said, "Your Excellency, Young Master, this matter is extraordinary. This subordinate believes that Otomo Sorin's warships may already be on the East China Sea. This message was likely sent along with the departure of the reinforcements. If that is the case, a major battle at Taizhou Garrison is likely to occur within these few days..."
Mm-hmm,
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Yan Song also suddenly nodded and gave a mysterious smile, saying, "Longwen, among the people I employ, you are the one who understands the general trend the best... What you say is not wrong. This Japanese pirate leader, Otomo, is very adept at warfare... Speed is of the essence in war; you must all remember these four words!"
Oh...
It really is so!
These Japanese pirates also have so many twists and turns...
The Japanese pirates are indeed formidable, advancing so swiftly!
Yan Shifan also interjected:
"You all, stop staring blankly. Speak out whatever ideas you have. This time, taking advantage of the Japanese pirates' swift surprise attack, unleash all your strategies! Old Luo, Old Yan, Mo Qing, Wen Hua, Ting Yi, all of you speak up, don't just stand there motionless!"
At this time,
Everyone understood—
Under the surprise attack by the Japanese pirates, Taizhou Garrison would most likely be relieved. The two Japanese pirate forces would join forces, and it would be a major battle that had not been seen in decades. This was a heaven-sent opportunity to deal with Zhu Mo!
Gao Hanwen also said at this time:
"Your Excellency, Young Master, this Japanese pirate leader has great ambition. He is essentially saying that he will be responsible for the naval and land battles, and we will be responsible for the reform and diplomatic battles. This time, we must achieve success in one fell swoop and create a brand new situation."
*Clap clap!*
*Clap!*
Old Yan Song was overjoyed and clapped his hands, saying, "Good, good! You all have this insight, and our chances of winning this time will be greatly increased."
Zhao Wenhua, who usually spoke little, also added, " this Japanese pirate leader, this subordinate believes, is more heroic than that Anda. He acts first and does not discuss conditions, truly a枭雄 who unified the island of Kyushu. With such an ally, if we do not exert ourselves, we will truly miss a great opportunity."
Wow!
Everyone nodded, and upon thinking about it, they realized it was true. Compared to last time, Anda, although claiming to be powerful, was not this or that. He was far inferior to this Japanese pirate leader.
Seeking collection, seeking silver tickets, seeking follow-up reading!