Zhejiang, Zhejiang Governor's Mansion.
When it was dawn, Hu Zongxian was already sitting in the study and handling official business.
Since the last time, after receiving the emperor's letter, Hu Zongxian followed Jiajing's instructions in the letter and summoned Liu Mi, the envoy of the Jinyi Guard, and the two discussed the next countermeasures together.
Hu Zongxian advocated that these surrendered Japanese pirates should be properly trained and then sent to Japan to collect information for the Ming Dynasty, while Liu Mi advocated using these surrendered Japanese pirates as disposable tools. for use.
Although the two sides have very different opinions, one thing they both agree on is that they must first test the loyalty of the surrendered Japanese pirates.
Because of this, Hu Zongxian was ready to make the best use of his resources and let these surrendered Japanese pirates go with the Ming soldiers to clear out the Japanese pirates hiding in Zhejiang.
After Hu Zongxian had almost finished handling the official affairs, he immediately called the guards and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"Call Zheng Michang to me. I have something for him to do!"
"Yes, Lord Governor!"
After responding, the guards quickly left the Governor's Mansion and headed towards the Chief Envoy.
In recent days, Zheng Michang has been very busy. He is not only responsible for the complicated affairs within the Chief Envoy's Department, but also the corresponding logistics support and other related matters. Even Ningbo Port, those trivial matters , it’s up to him to make the decision!
Because of this, when Zheng Michang heard the knock on the door, his face was full of displeasure and he immediately spoke.
"Come in!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zheng Michang's subordinates walked in, their faces full of respect, and reported.
"Sir Chief Envoy, Your Majesty the Governor wants you to come over!"
After hearing this, Zheng Michang put the brush aside, waved his hand impatiently, and ordered.
"Okay, I know, you go down and do your work!"
"Yes, Lord Chief Envoy!"
After the subordinate responded, he respectfully withdrew.
Then, Zheng Michang was seen holding his chin with one hand and thinking: "Why is the Governor looking for me to come over now? Is it to commend me?"
Immediately afterwards, Zheng Michang embarked on the road to the Governor's Mansion with great expectations.
…
In the waiting hall, Hu Zongxian was sitting at the top, sipping tea by himself. At this moment, a guard came in, with a respectful look on his face, and reported in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty the Governor, the Chief Envoy has arrived and is waiting outside right now!"
"Let him in!"
Upon hearing this, Hu Zongxian put the tea cup aside, nodded, and immediately gave instructions.
"Yes, Lord Governor!"
After receiving Hu Zongxian's order, the guards quickly left the waiting hall.
Not long after, Zheng Mi Chang entered the waiting hall under the guidance of his guards.
"I have met the Governor!"
As soon as Zheng Michang entered the waiting hall, he bowed slightly, bowed his hands to Hu Zongxian, and said respectfully.
After hearing this, Hu Zongxian withdrew his eyes from Zheng Michang, then pointed to the empty seat beside him and said slowly.
"sit!"
Zheng Michang did not refuse, and sat down directly at the position indicated by Hu Zongxian. His face was full of expectations, and he immediately asked.
"Mr. Governor, you have come to see me. Do you have anything to give me?"
Hu Zongxian nodded and said unhurriedly: "Exactly, I do have something that I need you to do!"
Hu Zongxian's words immediately shattered Zheng Michang's illusions when he came. But soon, Zheng Michang adjusted his mood and responded in a deep voice: "If you have anything to do, Mr. Governor, just tell me to do it. I will definitely do it for you." You did it properly!"
After hearing this, Hu Zongxian immediately called his subordinates, brought a map of Zhejiang Province, and said slowly.
"I heard that you are quite familiar with the situation in Zhejiang Province. Let's see where the possibility of hiding Japanese pirates is highest!"
After listening to Hu Zongxian's instructions, although the expression on Zheng Michang's face remained unchanged, a huge wave had already set off in his heart: "Could it be said that the Governor is determined to wipe out all the Japanese pirates hiding in Zhejiang?" ?”
"It stands to reason that this kind of thing does not require the Governor to take action personally, or is it for something else..."
Thinking of this, Zheng Michang suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his heart, then stretched out his finger and pointed at a location on the map.
"My Lord Governor, I feel that there is the highest possibility of Japanese pirates lurking here!"
"You see, the terrain here is complex, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and there are not many people around. The government cannot send a large number of officers and soldiers there. More importantly, this is the only way for Japanese pirates to sneak into Zhejiang Province."
Hu Zongxian looked along the place Zheng Bithang pointed on the map, only to find that the place Zheng Bithang pointed to was Jingning.
Immediately afterwards, Hu Zongxian looked away from the map and turned to Zheng Michang for confirmation.
"How sure are you?"
Zheng Michang met Hu Zongxian's gaze and said firmly: "Your Majesty the Governor, I am 70% sure that there must be Japanese pirates lurking here!"
After getting Zheng Michang's exact answer, Hu Zongxian clenched his fists, his face full of determination, and said in a deep voice.
"Okay, I will lead my soldiers to Jingning soon and catch all the Japanese pirates hiding here!"
Seeing this situation, Zheng Michang plucked up the courage to ask the question that had troubled him for a long time: "My Lord Governor, I feel that there is no need for you to go personally for this kind of matter. You only need to send a team of officers and soldiers to go there." , that’s more than enough!”
Hu Zongxian saw all the doubts on Zheng Michang's face, stroked his beard, and immediately explained.
"In the final analysis, my purpose of this trip is not to suppress the bandits, but to test the loyalty of these surrendered Japanese pirates to my Ming Dynasty!"
"If they can pass this level smoothly, then they can successfully implement the next plan and send them to Japan to collect relevant intelligence for my Ming Dynasty!"
After listening to Hu Zongxian's explanation, Zheng Michang suddenly realized: "So that's it, this is equivalent to the certificate of submission they gave me to the Ming Dynasty!"
"As long as their hands are stained with the blood of their companions, they will never be able to look back. No one will believe them again. Then we promise generous rewards. They have no choice but to work wholeheartedly for my Ming Dynasty!"
After listening to Zheng Michang's analysis, Hu Zongxian nodded slightly, and looked at Zheng Michang with a hint of approval in his eyes.
…
Forbidden City, Hall of Nourishing Heart.
At this moment, Zhang Juzheng was waiting anxiously at the foot of the steps outside the Yangxin Hall, waiting for the emperor's summons.
He came here today to report to Jiajing face to face on the current progress of the promotion of new weapons in the Ming army, as well as the many matters previously proposed by the emperor to rebuild the Shenji Camp.
While Zhang Juzheng was still racking his brains to think about what he should say when he met the emperor later.
Just hearing a high-pitched voice brought Zhang Juzheng back to reality.
"Xuan, Zhang Juzheng, Minister of the Ministry of War, has an audience!"
Hearing this, Zhang Juzheng shook his head imperceptibly, as if to get rid of all the chaotic thoughts in his mind. The look in his eyes gradually became firm, and he immediately stepped onto the steps step by step.
"I bow to your majesty, long live my emperor!"
Zhang Juzheng looked at the majestic figure sitting on the dragon chair and said respectfully.
(End of chapter)
