The rise of the poor

"In addition to the gentry in Jiangnan, there are also some short-sighted and unruly people who secretly communicate with the Japanese pirates, provide them with information, lead them to hide, donate food and grass, and even send their own sons and nephews to join the Japanese pirates! With the secret support of these scum gentry and unruly people, the Japanese pirates stole the advantage of time, place and people!"

Zhang Jing said to everyone with an indignant look on his face.

Yes, what Zhang Jing said was true. Since the maritime ban, there were indeed many people living along the coast who secretly colluded with the Japanese pirates.

Some time ago, the Japanese pirates under Wang Zhi even appeared in the markets of Suzhou and Hangzhou to trade with local people. Some people even sent their sons and nephews to join the Japanese pirates.

Zhu Ping'an is very clear about this.

"Your Excellency the Governor is right. Once we ambushed the Japanese pirates, but some unruly people tipped them off. We waited in the ambush circle but saw no Japanese pirates, so we gave up the ambush. On the way back to the city, we were ambushed by the Japanese pirates, and many of our brothers died. We suffered such a huge loss, and we later found out that someone tipped off the Japanese pirates, but that person was cunning, so we didn't find out who the specific person was. We just circled out a range, which was the villages around our ambush circle."

"We have encountered this before. One time, our scouts discovered that the Japanese pirates were gathering and drinking. God gave us a good opportunity, so we made a plan and organized a group of young and strong people. We wanted to take advantage of their drunkenness to make dumplings and kill them by surprise. However, when our army arrived, the Japanese pirates had disappeared without a trace. At that time, we suspected that someone among the young and strong people tipped off the Japanese pirates. Now we think it must be the case."

Soon two generals spoke up to agree with Zhang Jing's words and cited their personal experiences to support their claims.

"Another important reason why our army has been defeated repeatedly is that our army is not strong enough. The garrisons are no longer what they used to be. I don't need to explain this. You are all generals, and you know better than me how rotten the garrisons are now."

Zhang Jing looked around at everyone and spoke slowly, especially the military generals, each of whom was looked at by him for a moment.

Everyone was silent.

How could they not know how rotten the garrison was? It had gone from being an elite force to a sickly one, with its combat effectiveness dropping more than tenfold.

"As for other reasons, there are certainly many, but as long as these two reasons are resolved, there is no need to worry about the Japanese pirates being dissatisfied!"

Zhang Jing said passionately.

"Your Excellency is absolutely right." Everyone applauded.

"This is also the reason why I called you all here today." Zhang Jing placed his hands on the table, leaned forward slightly, and looked down at everyone.

"Please give your instructions, Governor. We will obey your orders and do our duty." Everyone spoke up and expressed their full support.

Zhang Jing was very satisfied with the attitude of the crowd. He pressed his hands down and said slowly, "With your full support, there is no need to worry about the destruction of the Japanese pirates."

"The emperor has appointed me as the governor to oversee the suppression of the Japanese in Jiangnan. This is the emperor's trust in me, and I will do my best until my death. With the emperor's order, I have the responsibility to oversee the suppression of the Japanese in Jiangnan. The first thing to change is the situation where each place is fighting on its own. Whether it is Nanzhili, Zhejiang, or Fujian, I will be in charge of all of them. Do you have any objections?"

Zhang Jing spoke with a serious face. Although he was asking for everyone's opinions, his tone left no room for doubt.

"We have no objection. As the governor-general, it is your duty to take charge of the pacification of the Japanese. We will obey your orders."

Everyone expressed their opinions one after another.

"Very good. In response to the above two reasons, I have decided to let the governors of various places solve the first reason. The top priority of the governors of various places will be to find out those gentry who support the Japanese pirates and those unruly people who have collusion with the Japanese pirates! They must not disrupt the subsequent deployment and operations against the Japanese pirates!"

Zhang Jing looked at Tu Dashan, Zhu Ping'an and several other governors for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"As ordered."

Governors Zhu Ping'an, Tu Dashan and others bowed and accepted the order.

"Master Tu, Master Xiao Zhu, your two places, Nanzhili and Zhejiang, especially Nanzhili, are the hardest hit areas by Japanese pirates. There are many gentry who support the Japanese pirates and unruly people who collude with them. Your two places are also the key points for future military operations. You have a heavy burden on your shoulders. Can you complete the mission?!"

Zhang Jing called out Tu Dashan and Zhu Pingan and asked seriously.

We have to sign a military order now, Zhu Ping'an drew the conclusion from Zhang Jing's tone and expression.

Zhu Ping'an could see it, and Lord Tu, an old official, could see it even better.

This task was difficult. Since the maritime ban, the gentry and merchants along the Jiangnan coast had cut off the formal channels for overseas trade. However, the profits from overseas trade were too high, several times higher than those from inland trade. How could they give it up? If formal overseas trade didn't work, then only informal overseas trade was left.

As for irregular overseas trade, the only way is to cooperate with the Japanese pirates! Or, just support a group of Japanese pirates!

or!
Just become a Japanese pirate!

Their apparent identities were gentry and wealthy businessmen. They had harmonious relations with their neighbors and often helped the poor around them. They were regarded as great philanthropists and good men, and role models of the time, in everyone's eyes and mouths. However, they secretly gathered a group of people and did the work of Japanese pirates, committing murder, arson, rape, looting, and all kinds of evil!

In addition, the fishermen and common people along the coast, whose livelihoods were cut off by the maritime ban, were forced to support the Japanese pirates or even join them under their coercion and inducement. This became one of the few options they had.

Therefore, this task is very heavy and difficult to complete, but as Zhang Jing said, if this task is not completed, we will be at a disadvantage in the war against Japan!
This is also the reason why Zhang Jing asked himself and Tu Dashan to sign a military order.

To defeat the Japanese, this problem must be solved!

Although it’s difficult!

But go ahead!

"Please rest assured, Governor General. We will complete the mission. If we fail, you will punish us."

Zhu Ping'an and Lord Tu almost simultaneously issued a military order in public.

"very good!"

Zhang Jing was very satisfied with the two men's performance in signing a military order on the spot.

"I feel relieved with Lord Tu and Lord Xiao Zhu in charge of Nanzhili and Zhejiang. However, let me make it clear in advance. From now on, when various places use troops to suppress the Japanese pirates, if they encounter setbacks due to the gentry or unruly people secretly communicating with the Japanese pirates, you will be held responsible. I will report the truth to His Majesty, and don't blame me for being ruthless then. This is not only true for Nanzhili and Zhejiang, but also for other places!" Zhang Jing said with a serious face.

"Please rest assured, Governor General. We will complete the mission. If we fail, we will be punished by you."

Several other governors also expressed their opinions.

"good!"

Zhang Jing nodded with satisfaction. (End of this chapter)