Who was most favored these days?
Besides Wang Zhen, it was Earl of Jingyuan, Wang Ji.
Wang Ji was unlike Wang Zhen. This old general had rendered illustrious military service, enjoyed an excellent reputation in the army, and held no small measure of popular esteem. Even though the Battle of Luchuan had dragged on without victory for a long time, earning him some criticism at court, many generals before him had also failed to conquer Luchuan—and most had suffered defeat after defeat. Compared with them, he had at least achieved something. Among them all, his performance had been the best.
Last year, the Battle of Luchuan ended in victory, and he leaped into becoming the emperor's most trusted and favored confidant. Even Wang Zhen had to yield him three paces.
Moreover, this old general truly did practical work. No sooner had he returned from Luchuan than he was dispatched north to inspect the borders. There, he discovered that veteran soldiers had been stranded at the frontier for years, their rotations changing from the original two-year terms to indefinite service, greatly damaging both morale and troop strength.
The frontier soldiers' winter clothes and military equipment were also all old and worn. There were even signs that the Northern Hu were stirring restlessly. Because of his border inspection, even the Northern Hu who had come south to plunder that autumn had become fewer.
Wu Zhihong's home was in Zhending. Other officials might not have felt this deeply, but through letters exchanged with his family, he had caught glimpses of it.
How could such a man collude with Japanese pirates?
And how could he rob and slaughter an envoy mission?
Just to oppose the maritime ban?
Wu Zhihong clutched at his hair, unable to puzzle it out no matter how hard he thought.