Chapter 530: Official Collusion

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

This was the young hero that Mr. Xian Yun praised endlessly.

After the Zhou family’s name was cleared, the emperor allowed Zhou Linghuai to enter the Teng library and participate in the compilation of the “Collection of Documents”. 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 emperor’s grace.

Later on, a student from Youzhou couldn’t help but sneer. “You’re ignorant.

The peace in the capital has lasted for too long, so you’ve become frogmen.

You only know how to open your mouth and look at the sky from a well.”

“Four 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.”

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. “The Jiangdu Imperial Court is under the jurisdiction of the Zhejiang Imperial Court. The Zhejiang Imperial Court is directly under the left military governor’s office. After Song Xiuwen’s case was investigated, he was locked up. Recently, there have often been pirates and bandits disturbing the coastal areas of Zhejiang.”

Old Madam Yu frowned. “Has it always been like this in the past, or only after Song Xiuwen was imprisoned?”

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. “Lord 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 isn’t high. However, compared to before, the pirates have been coming more often recently.”

Old Madam Yu’s 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 couldn’t 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. “Song Xiuwen’s case directly affected the entire Zhejiang capital. Even the Left Military Governor’s 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 don’t think they can stop the pirates’ ships. It’s 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?”

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 officials’ 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. “Is the Zhejiang capital so confident that they can control the generals sent by the Imperial Court and the Zhejiang navy isn’t strong enough? Is that why they’re fearless?”

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, “Lord Ye isn’t proficient in water combat. He won’t be able to subdue the Zhejiang navy for a while. After he goes there, he still needs time to learn water combat.”

When Yu Youyao heard this, she understood. “However, 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 hasn’t controlled the navy, the pirates and water bandits will start being disruptive. If we lose this battle, Lord Ye’s dignity in Zhejiang will be lost, and he won’t be able to control the navy to fight. In less than two to three years, he will be transferred. What’s worse is that the pirates and water bandits will cause trouble, and the Imperial Court will still question him.”

It was no wonder that they were so confident in Zhejiang.

Song Mingzhao nodded. “Such a situation is already common in Zhejiang. If it weren’t for Li Qiguang’s rebellion and Song Xiuwen’s crime reported by Ning Yuanbo, Song Xiuwen would have been transferred back to the coast of Shandong next spring.”

Unfortunately, things were unpredictable, and Song Xiuwen still didn’t make it back.

Yu Youyao understood. Although Song Xiuwen had arrived in Zhejiang, he had not completely subdued the navy under his name.

Song Xiuwen’s crimes were very likely to be a scapegoat for the Zhejiang capital.

Yu Youyao’s expression did not look too good. She could not help but look at her cousin. “Then what should Lord Ye do when he arrives in Zhejiang? Song Mingzhao was frowning when Zhou Linghuai said calmly, “We can only nurture our own navy.”

Song Mingzhao’s expression changed slightly, and he couldn’t help but tilt his ear.

Yu Youyao frowned. “But it’s not easy to nurture a navy. Without a year and a half, it’s impossible for a navy to fight at sea. Even if they’re nurtured for a year and a half, they can’t compare to the pirates and water bandits who stay at sea all year round.”

Zhou Linghuai said with a faint smile, “Not 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? It’s because the money they receive is limited and they don’t get extra money other than family expenses. As long as they’re recruited again with benefits, they’re very willing to return to the navy.”

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, “It’s not easy to recruit bandits on the water.”

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 Hanyuan’s 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..

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