Wang Zhi naturally would not give up.
But the first priority now is to survive.
It would be strange if you didn't get shot into a hedgehog if you rushed out at this time.
He was quietly waiting for an opportunity behind the boulder. As long as a round of arrows shot by, it would be his chance to escape.
The space behind was too empty, and he had to escape a hundred steps before the second round of arrows was shot.
...
...
After reading an anonymous letter, Yamato Keitai handed it to Shinshiro beside him.
"Our informant said the Portuguese are going to attack us."
"How could this happen? Don't the Portuguese want to do business with us anymore?"
Shinshiro was shocked.
"Business would be best, of course. But what the Portuguese are most interested in right now is naturally Shuangyu Island itself. They've been operating this stronghold for many years, so they're not willing to give it up easily."
After a brief pause, Ji Tian continued, "In their eyes, we have always been a threat. As the Ming people would say, it's like a thorn in one's side. The situation is dire right now, so to be on the safe side, it's naturally safer to eliminate all our opponents."
"But we never had any hostility towards them."
"It's not about us, it's about how they see it."
Ji Tian sighed and said, "No matter how much you try to defend yourself against what others have determined, it will be powerless."
"Are we just going to sit there and wait for death?"
"Of course not. We have to protect ourselves."
Ji Tian turned to Shinshiro and said in a deep voice, "Contact Wang Zhi and tell him we want to cooperate with him."
No one is more familiar with the terrain of the island than Xu Dong.
As one of the earliest pirates to enter Shuangyu Island, Xu Dong was very familiar with every tree and blade of grass on the island.
In this situation, as long as enough people are sent to occupy important positions, the Portuguese will be helpless.
"But even if we join forces with the Xu family, we are still outnumbered."
Shinshiro's expression was solemn.
"A warrior never wins by numbers."
Ji Tian patted Shinshiro on the shoulder and said, "It depends on courage and faith. The time has come to serve the feudal lord with all your loyalty."
He and Shinshiro are both native Hirado Islanders and are Matsuura Takanobu's confidants.
They traveled thousands of miles to Shuangyu Island to open up the sea trade route for Matsuura Takanobu.
Now that they have finally achieved some success, they are facing the possibility of all their efforts being wasted. How can they be willing to accept this?
Sure enough, Shinshiro became excited when he heard the word "feudal lord".
"You're right, everything is for the feudal lord. We are fighting for the entire Hirado Island!"
...
...
In early April of the 27th year of the Jiajing reign, Zhu Wan, the Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, moved his troops to Dinghai County, Ningbo, preparing to command the Ming army to launch a general attack on Shuangyu Island.
After comprehensive consideration, Xu Yan decided to follow Zhu Wan back to Ningbo.
First, he had been in Hangzhou for more than a month, and he had almost done all the things he needed to do and met all the people he needed to meet.
It’s appropriate to go back to Ningbo to visit my parents at this time.
Secondly, he was indeed very interested in Zhu Wan's plan to attack Shuangyu Island.
In later generations, he only saw records of the Battle of Shuangyu Island in books, but even so, he was shocked by the description of the fierce battle.
Now that he has the opportunity to witness this historic moment with his own eyes, he certainly doesn't want to miss it.
In fact, history has quietly changed since the moment Xu Yan came to Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Wan's current official rank has been greatly improved compared to history, and his status in the eyes of Emperor Jiajing is also higher.
Xu Yan also made some suggestions to Zhu Wan. Although Zhu Wan might not accept them all, they would definitely have some impact and change.
Zhu Wan’s problem is that he is too rigid and not tactful enough in handling problems.
We must know that rigidity is easily broken. If we want to continue to fight against the Japanese invaders in the southeast, we must learn to adapt and not stick to one path.
Putting aside personal character, Hu Zongxian is the best example.
If you want to unleash your talents and achieve great things, you must learn to compromise. Only by continuing to work in that position can you realize your ideals.
Officials like Hai Rui are certainly worthy of admiration, but Hai Rui alone is not enough.
If everyone were Hai Rui, who would do the real work?
It is impossible to survive under the supervision of Emperor Jiajing without some real talent and knowledge.
This is why officials like Hu Zongxian are doing so well.
Of course, Xu Yan doesn't want Zhu Wan to become the second Hu Zongxian. Zhu Wan is Zhu Wan, and she is unique.
But if you want to go further in this cannibalistic Ming Dynasty officialdom, you must learn to adapt.
When Xu Yan left Hangzhou, the person who was most reluctant to let go was Xu Wei.
To Xu Wei, Xu Yan was his benefactor, his mentor, and the person who helped him when he was confused and helpless.
Xu Wei certainly wanted to follow Xu Yan, but the business in Hangzhou was obviously more important than that in Ningbo.
With the overall situation in mind, Xu Wei decided to stay in Hangzhou to run the bookshop business.
Xu Yan was both pleased and moved by this.
He was comforted by the fact that Xu Wei was a trustworthy partner and a grateful friend.
He lamented that with Xu Wei's talent, it was a bit of a waste that he could only work in a bookshop.
He certainly considered recommending Xu Wei to Zhu Wan. Xu Wei was different from Qi Jiguang. Qi Jiguang was a military commander, and even if Zhu Wan admired him, he couldn't directly ask the emperor for someone else. Otherwise, he would be easily impeached.
But Xu Wei was just a scholar without any official position.
As long as Zhu Wan is willing, he can accept Xu Wei as his aide.
Xu Yan naturally had selfish motives, and he would rather Xu Wei stay by his side and work for him.
But more importantly, Xu Wei still needs to be honed.
After all, it takes time to transform from a scholar who only reads books into a strategist.
If there is a more suitable opportunity in the future, Xu Yan doesn't mind letting Xu Wei go solo.
Of course, it would be best if Xu Yan could keep Xu Wei by his side when he becomes an official in the future.
After returning to Ningbo, Xu Yan was immediately summoned to the county government office by the new county magistrate He Renqi.
The new Dinghai County Magistrate had obviously heard of Xu Yan's previous deeds and was extremely polite to this scholar who was promoted by several officials around him.
He asked Xu Yan to go to the county government office mainly because of the matter of the governor moving his garrison to Dinghai County.
In the eyes of County Magistrate He, as a close friend of the Governor, Xu Yan still has a certain influence.
If he wanted to serve the Governor well, he naturally had to ask Xu Yan for some advice.
Xu Yan and County Magistrate He actually had no personal relationship and had only dealt with each other a few times.
But based on the idea that more friends mean more paths, he still gave County Magistrate He some advice.
Honestly speaking, serving the higher-ups wasn't a comfortable job, especially during wartime.
Although Zhu Wan would certainly mobilize food and fodder from Hangzhou and other places, He Zhixian, as the magistrate of Dinghai County, must also make some statement.
It was because County Magistrate He couldn't judge the right balance that he asked Xu Yan to come and inquire.
Zhu Wan should stay in Dinghai County for a while and will not return to Hangzhou until he takes Shuangyu Island.
Xu Yan gave County Magistrate He many very pertinent suggestions. Even if he might not be able to win credit, at least he would not be blamed by his superiors.
...
...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
