Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
This was the young hero that Mr. Xian Yun praised endlessly.
After the Zhou familyâs name was cleared, the emperor allowed Zhou Linghuai to enter the Teng library and participate in the compilation of the âCollection of Documentsâ. After this matter spread, many people in the capital discussed this matter.
As Zhou Linghuai was not famous, many people felt that his position was undeserved. He had entered the Teng library with the emperorâs grace.
Later on, a student from Youzhou couldnât help but sneer. âYouâre ignorant.
The peace in the capital has lasted for too long, so youâve become frogmen.
You only know how to open your mouth and look at the sky from a well.â
âFour years ago, the Di people invaded the North wantonly. It was Young Master Zhou who dragged his sickly body and helped Prince Yin gather rations in a short period of time to stabilize the situation in Youzhou. That was why Prince Yin had no worries and brought the 3,000 kings to protect the elite troops to support the battlefield. That was why Prince Yin and Harmon led 8,000 elite troops to meet on a narrow path. With 3,000 elite troops, they forced Harmon to flee.â
At the mention of this, someone was curious about Young Master Zhou and would definitely ask a lot of questions.
Later on, he found out that because of his congenital deficiency, Young Master Zhou was sick and weak. It was even difficult for him to walk in the ground. He had been in a wheelchair since he was young and lived in seclusion.
Therefore, he had read all the books in the world and was extremely talented, but his reputation had never been prominent.
Everyone sighed.
He was not surprised when he heard this.
Song Mingzhao only felt that there was a reason for it. He changed the topic. âThe Jiangdu Imperial Court is under the jurisdiction of the Zhejiang Imperial Court. The Zhejiang Imperial Court is directly under the left military governorâs office. After Song Xiuwenâs case was investigated, he was locked up. Recently, there have often been pirates and bandits disturbing the coastal areas of Zhejiang.â
Old Madam Yu frowned. âHas it always been like this in the past, or only after Song Xiuwen was imprisoned?â
When Yu Youyao heard this, she understood that her grandmother was suspecting that Song Xiuwen and the entire Zhejiang capital were colluding with the pirates.
Song Mingzhao put down his teacup. âLord Yu secretly visited the soldiers who had retired from the army because of their injuries and illnesses. According to them, the pirates and the water bandits along the coast often go ashore to do evil. They usually engage in small fights. Therefore. the strength of the navy to eliminate the pirates isnât high. However, compared to before, the pirates have been coming more often recently.â
Old Madam Yuâs expression darkened.
It seemed that they were also pirates and water bandits. They often disturbed the borders to begin with. Now, they would do it a little more frequently than in the past. Without conclusive evidence, it couldnât be said that they had colluded with the pirates and water bandits.
The capital of Zhejiang controlled the navy along the southeast coast. Without evidence, the Imperial Court could not do anything to them.
On the other hand, the pirates and water bandits were rampant, so there was no lack of navy battles.
Otherwise, if the pirates and water bandits went ashore to do evil, the Imperial
Court would be the one to suffer.
They were really fearless!
Zhou Linghuai smiled faintly. âSong Xiuwenâs case directly affected the entire Zhejiang capital. Even the Left Military Governorâs Residence was implicated.
All the officials in Zhejiang are in danger, and the navy is also disorganized. Without a capable general, the navy is like a paper tiger. I donât think they can stop the piratesâ ships. Itâs only a matter of time before the pirates come ashore. At that time, the Imperial Court will face a problem. Should we eliminate the pirates first or reorganize Jiangnan first?â
This was the method that the Zhejiang navy had used to deal with the Imperial Court.
If they eliminated the pirates first, the Imperial Court would not be able to leave the Zhejiang capital. They would not be able to reorganize Zhejiang. The Zhejiang navy would be even more arrogant and disregard the Imperial Court.
If they reorganized Zhejiang first, then it was inevitable that the pirates and water bandits would invade the coastal area. At that time, the pirates and water bandits would plunder the sea officialsâ ships and merchant ships. The Imperial Court would suffer huge losses. They would go ashore to burn, kill, and plunder, causing the dignity of the Imperial Court to be lost.
No matter what, the Imperial Court would not do well.
What should the Imperial Court choose?
Yu Youyao frowned. âIs the Zhejiang capital so confident that they can control the generals sent by the Imperial Court and the Zhejiang navy isnât strong enough? Is that why theyâre fearless?â
In that case, why did Cousin scheme for Ye Hanyuan to go to Zhejiang?
Just as Song Mingzhao was about to speak, Zhou Linghuai explained, âLord Ye isnât proficient in water combat. He wonât be able to subdue the Zhejiang navy for a while. After he goes there, he still needs time to learn water combat.â
When Yu Youyao heard this, she understood. âHowever, the Zhejiang capital, the pirates, and the water bandits might not give Lord Ye time and opportunity to learn. As soon as Lord Ye arrives in Zhejiang and hasnât controlled the navy, the pirates and water bandits will start being disruptive. If we lose this battle, Lord Yeâs dignity in Zhejiang will be lost, and he wonât be able to control the navy to fight. In less than two to three years, he will be transferred. Whatâs worse is that the pirates and water bandits will cause trouble, and the Imperial Court will still question him.â
It was no wonder that they were so confident in Zhejiang.
Song Mingzhao nodded. âSuch a situation is already common in Zhejiang. If it werenât for Li Qiguangâs rebellion and Song Xiuwenâs crime reported by Ning Yuanbo, Song Xiuwen would have been transferred back to the coast of Shandong next spring.â
Unfortunately, things were unpredictable, and Song Xiuwen still didnât make it back.
Yu Youyao understood. Although Song Xiuwen had arrived in Zhejiang, he had not completely subdued the navy under his name.
Song Xiuwenâs crimes were very likely to be a scapegoat for the Zhejiang capital.
Yu Youyaoâs expression did not look too good. She could not help but look at her cousin. âThen what should Lord Ye do when he arrives in Zhejiang? Song Mingzhao was frowning when Zhou Linghuai said calmly, âWe can only nurture our own navy.â
Song Mingzhaoâs expression changed slightly, and he couldnât help but tilt his ear.
Yu Youyao frowned. âBut itâs not easy to nurture a navy. Without a year and a half, itâs impossible for a navy to fight at sea. Even if theyâre nurtured for a year and a half, they canât compare to the pirates and water bandits who stay at sea all year round.â
Zhou Linghuai said with a faint smile, âNot everyone is evil at sea. There are also bandits who specialize in robbing pirates. If they can be incorporated into the army, they can also become a leader at sea. Moreover, many soldiers in the Zhejiang navy are discharged from the army every year because of injuries and illnesses. Why? Itâs because the money they receive is limited and they donât get extra money other than family expenses. As long as theyâre recruited again with benefits, theyâre very willing to return to the navy.â
These casual words hit the nail on the head and would break the predicament of the Zhejiang navy.
He had made a trip to Zhejiang and had a secret chat with Song Xiuwen before understanding the current situation of the Zhejiang navy. Zhou Linghuai had already seen the entire situation in the capital.
Song Mingzhao said calmly, âItâs not easy to recruit bandits on the water.â
Song Xiuwen was also a very capable general. After being transferred to Zhejiang, he had tried to recruit water bandits and new veterans, but he had failed.
He did not deny Ye Hanyuanâs ability.
However, in the past, Ye Hanyuan was not proficient in water battles in the North, so it was even more difficult for him to recruit the water bandits..