The rise of the poor

Chapter 2321 You still don't trust me?

Zhao Wenhua's concerns were not unfounded. If Wang Zhi feigned an amnesty or rebelled again after receiving the amnesty, it would be a severe slap in the face to the court and the emperor. Therefore, they had to treat Wang Zhi's amnesty with utmost care.

Whether Wang Zhi genuinely accepted the offer of amnesty is the crucial question!

“Wang Zhi’s intention to surrender is genuine. Observe his actions and you will know his intention. Several years ago, Wang Zhi cooperated with the government to quell the Japanese pirates, including Chen Sipan, who burned, killed, and looted. This year, he cooperated with me to eliminate the Japanese pirate stronghold in southern Zhejiang. Half a year ago, he submitted a petition to open trade and mutual markets. Although he had the intention of holding the government hostage, his intention to surrender is obvious,” Zhu Pingan said slowly.

After listening, Zhao Wenhua shook his head slightly and tapped the table gently, saying, "Zihou, you must know that people's hearts are hidden, but we cannot tell from these things whether he is truly willing to accept amnesty. His cooperation with the government in suppressing other Japanese pirates and eliminating their strongholds cannot rule out the possibility that he is taking the opportunity to eliminate dissidents, fight his rivals, and strengthen his own power. In the past month, although Wang Zhi and his Japanese pirates have not plundered your Jiangzhe region, they have not been idle in Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Fujian. They have been burning, killing, and looting. There have been no fewer than ten reported cases alone, which makes people doubt his sincerity in accepting amnesty."

This is indeed a problem. The Japanese pirate forces under Wang Zhi's command were diverse, including his own loyal pirates, those who had invested in other pirates, those who had been absorbed, fought, or annexed, those who had defected, and those who had been captured. There were genuine Japanese pirates, as well as Portuguese and foreigners. It was practically a melting pot of Japanese pirates, and their forces were also scattered. In addition to his stronghold of Ligang, many Japanese pirates were stationed on islands and along the coast.

Because of their diverse origins and locations, Wang Zhi was unable to effectively command and control his pirate gang.

His orders were often disregarded or outwardly obeyed but inwardly defied. For example, he ordered his pirates to stop going ashore to burn, kill, and loot, but many of them still disobeyed and continued to burn, kill, and loot.

Although they avoided the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, they frequented the Suzhou and Hangzhou areas, as well as the coastal areas of Fujian, committing arson, murder, and looting.

The burning, killing, and looting by the Japanese pirates under his command will certainly be attributed to Wang Zhi, which will definitely affect the court's decision-making.

Zhu Ping'an frowned slightly. This problem required Wang Zhi's cooperation. Those Japanese pirates who disobeyed orders, pretended to comply but actually disobeyed, and dared to burn, kill, and plunder on the shore should be slaughtered to warn others!

Only swift and decisive measures can deter the numerous and complex Japanese pirates under his command; death will teach them to obey orders!

Zhu Pingan slowly said, "The Japanese pirates under Wang Zhi's command come from diverse backgrounds and are a motley crew. They cannot obey orders and therefore cannot effectively control all the Japanese pirates under his command. It is inevitable that some Japanese pirates will outwardly comply but inwardly disobey."

“That’s possible, but we can’t rule out the possibility that Wang Zhi’s surrender is just a pretense.” Zhao Wenhua said, looking at Zhu Ping’an. “Zihou, aren’t Wang Zhi’s mother, wife and children in your hands? Bring them here. I’ll learn something about Wang Zhi from them and analyze whether he’s truly surrendering. If he is, it will be a great benefit to the suppression of the Japanese pirates. I will then strongly support the surrender of Wang Zhi and persuade my adoptive father, Yan Song.”

Ok?

Zhao Wenhua's attempt to understand Wang Zhi through his mother, wife, and children was reasonable, but the topic of conversation was somewhat abrupt.

Zhu Pingan narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhao Wenhua. Finding that Zhao Wenhua was also looking at him, he cupped his hands and said, "Master Zhao, Wang Zhi's mother, wife and children are key to his surrender. I have already promised his mother, wife and children that I will give them protection and limited freedom, and I have also promised Wang Zhi that I will treat his mother, wife and children well."

Zhao Wenhua chuckled. “Zihou, this doesn’t conflict with your promise. I’m just asking them some questions to understand Wang Zhi and to assess whether his offer of amnesty is genuine or not. Don’t worry, I won’t harm them. Once I’ve finished understanding, I’ll send someone to return them to you, ensuring that not a single hair on their head is missing.”

"Uh, this..." Zhu Pingan pondered.

"What's wrong, Zihou? Don't you trust me?" Zhao Wenhua tapped the table, his face showing some displeasure.

Zhu Pingan shook his head and slowly explained, "How could that be? Of course I trust Master Zhao without a doubt. However, Master Zhao, this is a crucial time for the pacification of Wang Zhi. If we send his mother, wife, and children from Shaoxing, I'm worried that Wang Zhi might misjudge the situation and thus affect the important matter of pacification."

There must be spies of Wang Zhi in Shaoxing. If Wang Zhi's mother, wife and children are escorted here, they will definitely be seen by those with ulterior motives. There are no secrets in this world. Many times, a crisis of trust often arises from small things.

During the critical period for Wang Zhi of Zhao'an, it was better to remain still than to take any action.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wenhua nodded slightly, pondered for a few seconds, and slowly said, "Well, Zihou's concerns are not without merit. How about this, I'll send someone to Shaoxing to ask them some questions in person?"

"Thank you for your understanding, Master Zhao. It's perfectly fine. Master Zhao can send someone to Shaoxing at any time to inquire about Wang Zhi's mother, wife, and children," Zhu Ping'an nodded.

Having just squeezed so much money out of Zhao Wenhua, Zhu Pingan didn't want to offend him. As long as Wang Zhi's mother, wife, and children were still in Shaoxing, he could guarantee their safety to prevent any accidents from causing Wang Zhi to misjudge the situation.

Therefore, Zhu Ping'an did not object to Zhao Wenhua sending someone to Shaoxing to inquire about Wang Zhi's mother, wife, and children.

"If we can really grant amnesty to Wang Zhi, then the extermination of the Japanese pirates will be much easier. First of all, the Japanese pirates under Wang Zhi's command account for more than half of the total number of Japanese pirates. If Wang Zhi is granted amnesty, as long as these Japanese pirates are settled properly, it will be equivalent to pacifying more than half of the Japanese pirates. Secondly, if we grant amnesty to Wang Zhi, we can use Japanese pirates to control Japanese pirates. We can use Wang Zhi and the Japanese pirates to exterminate the other Japanese pirates. In any case, it is the Japanese pirates who will die. Regardless of victory or defeat, we will have won."

Hu Zongxian nodded repeatedly. If Wang Zhi could be granted amnesty, it would be a great benefit to the suppression of the Japanese pirates in Jiangnan.

"Whether or not Wang Zhi can be granted amnesty depends on whether he is truly sincere. If he is, I will do my best to make it happen." After saying that, Zhao Wenhua urged Zhu Ping'an, "There is no time to lose. Here's what I'll do: Zihou, write a letter now, and I will send someone to Shaoxing to verify as soon as possible whether Wang Zhi's amnesty is sincere."

"it is good."

Zhu Pingan nodded, picked up the brush on the table, wrote a letter, blew the ink to dry it, stamped it with his seal, and handed it to Zhao Wenhua with both hands.

"Good!" Zhao Wenhua took the letter, read through its contents, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Please wait a moment, I will send someone to Shaoxing right away."

As Zhao Wenhua spoke, he rose and left the study, summoned someone, and quietly gave them instructions, ordering them to ride to Shaoxing as quickly as possible. (End of Chapter)