"Okay, let's get back to the point. I still say the same thing. It doesn't matter if the sea sacrifice is large in scale. After all, it's a foregone conclusion and there's no point in saying more. But the number of people entering the sacrifice site must be strictly limited. Only those who have passed the identity screening, signed the guarantee, and received the invitation can come to watch the sea sacrifice, to prevent thieves and pirates with bad intentions from sneaking into the sacrifice site and causing damage."
"Also, the sea sacrifice procedure should not be complicated or lengthy. It should be quick and brief so that the matter can be concluded quickly."
Zhang Jing's strong voice sounded again, and he spoke to Zhao Wenhua and others in an unquestionable tone.
"I disagree! I would like to ask Governor Zhang to think carefully about what the purpose of our sea sacrifice this time is?! Destroy the Japanese! Destroy the Japanese! Destroy the Japanese! Through the sea sacrifice, heaven, gods, and people are united! Pray to the sea gods to help my great Ming destroy the Japanese! Show my great Ming's determination to destroy the Japanese! Boost the confidence of the people! Strike the arrogance of the Japanese pirates!"
"If we strictly limit the number of people attending the ceremony, wouldn't that be announcing to the outside world that we are afraid of the Japanese pirates?! What will the people think? The people will think that we are afraid of the Japanese pirates and that we have no confidence in destroying them. They will be disappointed in us, the court, and His Majesty. This cannot be allowed to happen!"
Zhao Wenhua was like the opposing debater in a debate. As soon as Zhang Jing finished speaking, he spoke in an equally strong voice, responding sharply and refusing to give in.
"I am the governor-general of Jiangnan, Jiangbei, Zhejiang, Shandong, Fujian, and Huguang provinces. I am responsible for fighting against the Japanese. When it comes to destroying the Japanese, I have the final say!"
"I am the imperial envoy appointed by His Majesty and the chief priest of this sea sacrifice. I have the final say on all matters concerning the sea sacrifice."
"You have the final say. Can you be responsible for the sea sacrifice? The Japanese pirates sneaked into the sacrifice site and caused chaos. Can you take responsibility?!"
"There are more than 10,000 elite soldiers at the festival, and tens of thousands of heavy troops are deployed in the east, south, and north of the festival. It would be fine if the Japanese pirates don't come, but if they dare to come, they will be trapped in a jar, and their heads will be used for sea sacrifice!!!"
... ...
After spending a cup of tea in the general's tent, Zhu Ping'an knew that neither of them could convince the other. He also knew that they were not trying to convince anyone, they were just arguing for the sake of arguing, and it would be useless even if they argued until the end of time.
Just as Zhu Ping'an thought, Zhang Jing and Zhao Wenhua argued for a long time with red faces but still couldn't come to any conclusion.
"Forget it. There's no point in arguing. We're going to hold the sea sacrifice tomorrow, so we have to finalize the rules today. As the saying goes, one person's shortcomings and two people's strengths, justice is in the hearts of the people. Let's listen to everyone's opinions. What do you think?"
Zhang Jing waved his hand, stopped the meaningless argument with Zhao Wenhua, looked at everyone, and asked slowly.
Zhu Ping'an silently gave Zhang Jing a thumbs up behind him. Zhang Jing was very smart. His side had more people and more say, and he listened to everyone's opinions. In the end, his side would definitely win with the advantage of numbers.
Zhang Jing is smart and Zhao Wenhua is not stupid either, especially in this field of intrigue and scheming, Zhao Wenhua is even better than them.
As soon as Zhang Jing finished speaking, Zhao Wenhua could not help but sneer, pointing at the people behind Zhang Jing, and then at Hu Zongxian and the other three people behind him, sneering: "What do you mean by justice? Governor Zhang, don't you blush when you say this?"
"Those who are righteous will have many supporters, while those who are unrighteous will have few. This is justice, Lord Zhao..." Zhang Jing said calmly, without blushing or panting. He even stood on the moral high ground and implied that Zhao Wenhua was unrighteous.
“You really are…” Zhao Wenhua didn’t expect that the serious Zhang Jing would be so shameless. He was so angry that he was speechless for a moment.
"I think what Governor Zhang said is very true..."
When Zhao Wenhua was speechless because of Zhang Jing's anger, a magnetic voice sounded faintly behind him.
Zhao Wenhua suddenly felt as if someone had stabbed him in the back, and turned to look at the person who had spoken in disbelief.
Not only Zhao Wenhua, but everyone else in the commander's tent also looked at the person who spoke.
Hu Zongxian!!!
The person who spoke was actually Hu Zongxian.
Zhao Wenhua turned his head, in disbelief, and stared at Hu Zongxian with anger, as if he was looking at a traitor.
Good, you are so good, Hu Zongxian! I didn't expect you to betray me at this time! I trusted you so much!
The officials behind Zhang Jing also looked at Hu Zongxian in surprise. They didn't expect that this man who had so long ago surrendered to Zhao Wenhua would turn against him at this time. This was beyond the expectations of all the officials.
To be honest, Zhu Ping'an was also a little surprised.
However, based on Zhu Ping'an's understanding of history, he knew that Hu Zongxian would not betray Zhao Wenhua.
Therefore, Hu Zongxian was not going to betray Zhao Wenhua. On the contrary, Hu Zongxian was going to help Zhao Wenhua.
"Mr. Hu, are you going to turn from darkness to light, betray Zhao Wenhua and join Governor Zhang?" Marquis Linhuai approached Zhu Ping'an and whispered.
"No." Zhu Ping'an shook his head and replied in a low voice, "The reason why Lord Hu said this is probably because he has thought of a way to break the impasse, and it must be a way to help Zhao Wenhua control the situation of the sea sacrifice."
"ah?!"
Marquis Linqiao looked incredulous. Hu Zongxian had betrayed them so obviously, yet his nephew actually said that he had not.
"Hu Zongxian, do you think what Governor Zhang said is true?!" Zhao Wenhua took a deep breath, looked at Hu Zongxian, and asked word by word.
You can tell from Zhao Wenhua's tone that he is very angry at the moment, and the sound comes out from between his teeth.
Zhang Jing was also looking at Hu Zongxian with great interest at this time, wanting to see whether this junior, whom he once valued but who had fallen into depravity and attached himself to Zhao Wenhua, would turn over a new leaf.
"Your Excellency, that's exactly what happened. The sea sacrifice will be held tomorrow, and the rules for the sacrifice must be finalized today. Since neither Lord Zhao nor Governor Zhang can convince the other, why not listen to the opinions of me and others? One person's shortcomings can help two people gain advantages."
Under Zhao Wenhua's angry gaze, Hu Zongxian remained calm and composed, and spoke to Zhao Wenhua with his hands clasped.
Zhao Wenhua glared at Hu Zongxian angrily, "You traitor!" According to Zhang Jing's meaning, that would be a comparison of numbers.
Why would we even need to compete? They have so many people and we only have four of us. We should just admit defeat and avoid embarrassment!
When Zhao Wenhua was glaring at Hu Zongxian, he suddenly found that Hu Zongxian winked at him imperceptibly.
So, Zhao Wenhua snorted and said impatiently, "Hmph, then let's listen to your opinions."
"Imperial Censor Hu, what do you think about this?" Zhang Jing was the first to ask Hu Zongxian.
"I think this matter should be heard by His Majesty." Hu Zongxian clasped his hands and replied to Zhang Jing.
"Listen to His Majesty? Haha, Censor Hu is mistaken. We are at least two thousand miles away from the capital. It will take at least five or six days to go back and forth. But we will hold a sea sacrifice tomorrow. How can we make it in time?"
As soon as Hu Zongxian finished speaking, someone couldn't help shaking his head and laughing.
"Your Majesty is wise and has already made a decision on this." Hu Zongxian smiled slightly, clasped his fists and said towards the direction of the capital.
"Has the decision been made long ago?" Everyone shook their heads in doubt.
"The emperor's decree has already stated, 'Let Zhao Wenhua preside over the sea sacrifice and act at his discretion. All officials in Jiangnan should cooperate and not make any mistakes.' In other words, all matters concerning the sea sacrifice will be presided over by Lord Zhao and he should act at his discretion. All officials in Jiangnan, including the governor, should cooperate and not make any mistakes..."
Hu Zongxian lowered his head and spoke slowly.
"Yes, yes, yes, that's right. I will preside over the sea sacrifice, and all officials in Jiangnan, including Governor Zhang, must cooperate without error. Haha, Governor Zhang, you won't go against the emperor's will, right?!"
Zhao Wenhua was overjoyed when he heard this. He patted Hu Zongxian's shoulder approvingly. Then he looked at Zhang Jing with a smug look and said sinisterly.
"Of course I will obey the emperor's will! Humph! If anything goes wrong during the sea sacrifice, I wonder if you can bear the responsibility!"
Zhang Jing looked at Hu Zongxian for a few seconds before looking at the complacent Zhao Wenhua. He snorted loudly and left.