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"I never thought that old man would fly my flag, while secretly reaching out to several groups of pirates, planning to raid the coast as soon as my men arrived at Zhoushan, launching simultaneous attacks on Shuangyu and Jiading."
"I, Wang, just found out about this, and was about to confront that old man, when I received word that he’d already been slain by Yang Erlang... Yang Erlang did well, such a heartless, treacherous, and inhuman official deserved to be put down with a single stroke of the blade!"
After Wang Zeng said this, Yang Ge now remembered the pirate he had seen at Shanshui Garden’s Vast Righteousness Tower when he went to kill Geng Jingzhong.
That was definitely a real Dongying pirate, his appearance, accent, and the sense of alienation he exuded, all served as proof of his pure Dongying descent.
If Geng Jingzhong’s connections were to Wei people disguised as pirates, like Wang Zeng here.
Then, in a matter such as meeting Geng Jingzhong, it would be impossible for them to send a little Dongying pirate...
This point did indeed corroborate what Wang Zeng had said.
After pondering for a long time, he spoke again, "Why did Geng Jingzhong contact you first, then use your flag to reach out to those real pirates?"
Wang Zeng gave a modest smile, "I won’t hide it from you, Erlang. Having endured sea life for so many years, I do have some fame on the seas. Without my, Wang’s, nod, not many pirates would dare to cause trouble along Wei’s coast… apart from the fake pirates under Prince Ning’s command."
Yang Ge nodded as if suddenly realizing, "I see."
He pondered over the words of this fellow before him, who sported a swine-like face and a cunning heart, combining the clues and evidence he had on hand, he judged that at least half of this old rogue’s words were true.
As for the other half... his relationship with Prince Ning was definitely not as simple as he described, and his own actions were surely greatly beautified.
But this was human nature, who would speak ill of themselves?
"Let’s talk about what you’re seeking from me," he said.
After a long silence, Yang Ge eventually exhaled softly, gently touching the armrest of his chair and said slowly, "Just to clear up some misunderstandings. Hardly worth risking a personal visit by you, Wang Cheng."
"It’s embarrassing to say," Wang Zeng replied, his face bearing an ’ashamed’ smile tinged with feigned naivete, "I, Wang, have heard of Erlang’s great reputation at sea, known as a man of sentiment, loyalty, and steadfast commitment. I thought to take this opportunity to meet Erlang, firstly to clear up any misunderstanding between us, and secondly to ask Erlang to express my intentions to the court on my behalf, to seek a chance for my, Wang’s, pardon."
Upon hearing this, Yang Ge couldn’t help but stroke the hair at his temple... If he remembered correctly, this was already the third time this fellow had mentioned amnesty.
Assisting Prince Ning in pacifying the coastal pirate menace was for amnesty.
Agreeing to press the court on behalf of Geng Jingzhong was also for amnesty.
Now, risking a visit to Hangzhou to see him was still for amnesty…
Yang Ge looked the man over again, wondering, "Do you really want to serve the court that badly?"
Wang Zeng seemed even more perplexed, "Why do you say that? Although I, Wang, am a coarse fellow, I understand the principle of serving one’s sovereign and country! Besides, even vast fertile lands abroad cannot compare to the comfort of a three-foot bed in one’s homeland."
Yang Ge was at a loss for words.
In saying this, Wang Zeng made it seem as if it were Yang Ge who was out of the ordinary...
After musing for a long time, Yang Ge finally said, "You’re aware of the pirate trouble along the coast during the Grain Rain season, right?"
Wang Zeng nodded, "Just give the word, Erlang, and I, Wang, will drive that rabble away myself."
Yang Ge asked, "Can you gather the other two groups of pirates at one place in either Zhoushan or Shuangyu?"
After thinking, Wang Zeng nodded, "That can be tried, shouldn’t be difficult..."
Yang Ge slapped the armrest, "Then don’t drive them away. Since they dared to come, we, as hosts, have no reason not to welcome them."
"You arrange to gather them at an uninhabited spot on either Zhoushan or Shuangyu. With our forces’ cooperation, we’ll end this in one battle."
"Once it’s done, I’ll do my best to advocate for you. I may not have the capacity to grant you a military governorship, but I guarantee that at the very least, I can get you a position as a hundred households officer in the Embroidered Uniform Guard."
"If you don’t mind the low rank and are willing to trust me, Yang Erlang, on this one, then help me with this deed!"
"If you find the position beneath you, or if you don’t trust me, Yang Erlang, then forget it. Go back where you came from, and we’ll pretend we never met."
"But I’m putting the ugly truth upfront: if you dare to bring your men to participate in the raid, I will chase you to Dongying, if necessary, to take your head!"
"And your family back home will be heavily penalized by the law—confiscation of property, the execution of entire clans, you name it!"
"Manipulating official appointments is not my strong suit," he continued, earnestly.
"But the people I resolve to kill have yet to live..."
In his long speech, Yang Ge’s voice resounded with firm resolve.
Wang Zeng’s eyes flickered as he watched him, struggling internally before finally saying with a slow smile, "Let me not tell lies before a true man... falling from a second-rank military governor to a sixth-rank hundred households officer is a bigger drop than the waterfalls of Mount Lu."
"However, if Erlang even promises me a military governorship, I, Wang, would not hesitate and leave immediately."
"But since Erlang mentioned a hundred households officer, I, Wang, really do feel like trusting Erlang this time!"
"With Erlang’s reputation, he wouldn’t deceive an old fisherman like me, right?"
He had had his fill of pie in the sky.
Now, someone was promising him a bowl of millet porridge. Although it was far from what he’d hoped for, if he could truly get it... it would at least sate his hunger!
Yang Ge solemnly declared, "To speak with Yang Erlang is to seal a deal with a spit handshake!"
Wang Zeng bowed with his fists, "If I did not trust Erlang, I, Wang, would not have come to Hangzhou alone to meet Erlang!"
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Just the fact that Yang Erlang, as an official, could mingle with those from the Ming Sect made Wang Zeng willing to trust Yang Erlang this one time.
Yang Ge smiled, stood up, and pulled out the map, "Good, now let’s talk details..."
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