The rise of the poor

Zhu Ping'an was politely refused entry by the two eunuchs and had no choice but to leave. Under the surveillance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he left through the gate of the Governor's Mansion.

Zhu Pingan walked out of the governor's mansion and looked around for Liu Dadao and his group. He saw a magnificent sedan chair carried by eight men parked outside the gate. It was very luxurious and had no insignia. The eight burly sedan chair bearers had knives hanging from their waists, so they were obviously not ordinary people. Looking further into the distance, he saw Liu Dadao and his group coming to greet him.

"Young Master, are you alright? Two eunuchs brought Imperial Guards to deliver an imperial decree and drove us out. Those Imperial Guards came with ill intentions. We were worried about you, so we were about to send someone to deliver a message to you when they said that today's events had nothing to do with you. Then they shoved us out menacingly. We were afraid of causing trouble for you, so we didn't dare to fight back and were pushed out by them. Young Master, do you know what happened?"

Liu Dadao came up to him and asked with concern.

"It's alright, I've been asked to leave as well. As for what happened, I'll tell you when we get back to the camp outside the city. This isn't the place for a meeting." Zhu Ping'an waved his hand and said softly, "Let's go to the camp outside the city."

Just as Zhu Pingan was about to set off, the curtain of the eight-bearer sedan chair parked outside the governor's yamen was suddenly lifted, revealing Zhao Wenhua's face. Zhao Wenhua reached out from the sedan chair and waved to Zhu Pingan with a smug look on his face.

Zhu Pingan asked Liu Dadao and the others to wait a moment, then walked towards Zhao Wenhua. When he reached the sedan chair, he cupped his hands in greeting, "Master Zhao."

"Come up, Zihou, today is a joyous occasion, let's go to Yangchun Tower for a drink together," Zhao Wenhua beckoned to Zhu Pingan.

A joyous day?!

Ah, today is not a joyous day for you, as you have impeached Governor Zhang Jing!
However, for me, for the Ming Dynasty, and for the people of the world, this is not a day of great joy!

On the contrary, it was a day of great sorrow.

You framed loyal and virtuous officials, causing the nascent anti-Japanese pirate campaign to collapse prematurely, and the people of Jiangnan to suffer even more from the ravages of the Japanese pirates! Zhao Wenhua's actions are truly heinous and have caused immeasurable harm.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Pingan wanted to slap Zhao Wenhua twice. "You framed a loyal and virtuous person, causing pain to your loved ones and joy to your enemies, and you're even gloating over it. You're not ashamed at all, but proud of it. You're a complete traitor!"
Of course, Zhu Ping'an was just thinking about it. You can offend a gentleman, but you really can't offend a petty person, especially a petty person like Zhao Wenhua who is capable, vengeful, insidious, and ruthless. He is not someone you can easily offend.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Master Zhao, but I have just finished eating," Zhu Ping'an politely declined.

Zhu Pingan had no intention of celebrating with him the impeachment of Zhang Jing! He was afraid he'd flip the table and start cursing!
"Hehe, Zihou, you're already calling me Master Zhao, what are you being shy about?! You didn't even have a single bite of breakfast at the Governor's Mansion."

Zhao Wenhua chuckled as he spoke, but his eyes were fixed on Zhu Ping'an like those of a venomous snake.

Uh!
Zhu Ping'an's expression changed drastically, and he was greatly surprised. How did Zhao Wenhua know that he hadn't eaten a single bite of breakfast at Zhang Jing's residence?!
He has spies in Zhang Jing's household! To know this so clearly, there must be more than one or two spies!
and also!

Zhao Wenhua had informants in Zhang Jing's residence. He knew perfectly well that I hadn't eaten breakfast, even though it had only been a short time. So, my every move in Zhang Jing's residence must have already reached Zhao Wenhua's ears.

I came to Zhang Jing's residence to save him; in other words, I came to Zhang Jing's residence to sabotage Zhao Wenhua's impeachment.

Had Zhao Wenhua already known all along? Then why was he waiting here? Was he there to see Zhang Jing make a fool of himself, or was he specifically waiting for him?

Sure enough, looking at Zhao Wenhua again, I noticed that he looked hostile. Well, it seems I have no choice but to eat this meal.

"Zihou, you're known in the capital for your love of food and your ability to eat well. What, you don't want to dine with me?!"

Zhao Wenhua chuckled, then looked at Zhu Pingan with a forced smile and asked in an unfriendly tone.

"How could that be? Master Zhao is too kind," Zhu Ping'an quickly said, bowing.

"Hehe, Lord Zhu, Lord Zhao has specially reserved a feast of eight delicacies from land and sea at Yangchun Restaurant, including deer antler, sea cucumber, abalone, and shark fin. It would be such a pity if Lord Zhu didn't go."

At this moment, another person appeared from the eight-bearer sedan chair. It was Hu Zongxian, who chuckled and said to Zhu Ping'an.

"Since it's such a lavish spread, I won't stand on ceremony." Zhu Ping'an readily agreed, since he couldn't refuse anyway.

"Hehe, that's right, get in the car." Zhao Wenhua nodded with slight satisfaction.

Zhu Pingan gave Liu Dadao and the others some instructions, telling them to return to the Zhejiang army's temporary camp outside the city and keep an eye on it.

Liu Dadao and his men insisted on waiting for Zhu Ping'an outside Yangchun Tower, as they were worried about Zhu Ping'an's safety due to the recent rampage of Japanese pirates.

Zhu Pingan had no choice but to leave Liu Dadao and two personal guards behind, while the others returned to the Zhejiang army camp outside the city.

Yangchun Tower, the tallest building in Jiaxing City, is a magnificent five-story building with upturned eaves, carved beams and painted rafters. There are countless brick, stone and jade carvings, artificial mountains and streams, screens and curtains, and the design is exquisite.

On the first floor, there was a variety show featuring a thrilling aerial tightrope walking performance. Two female dancers in tight-fitting clothes walked side by side along a rope, passing each other with a smooth, fluid motion, drawing applause and cheers from the surrounding diners.

On the second-floor stage, a popular opera was being performed, and several tables of diners, clearly literati and scholars, watched and commented on it.

third floor
Zhu Pingan followed Zhao Wenhua and Hu Zongxian up to the fifth floor, where Zhao Wenhua indeed booked a table.

There is only one table on the fifth floor, located in the center, offering the best view. From your seat, you can overlook the shimmering river view.

As the three went upstairs, a variety of cold and hot dishes were laid out on the table. Just as Hu Zongxian had said, abalone, sea cucumber, deer antler, and shark fin were all on the table, with excellent color, aroma, and taste. Zhu Pingan estimated that the value of this meal alone was at least a hundred taels of silver.

It's really too extravagant for three people to eat at this table.

At the current grain price, one tael of silver can buy about two shi of grain, and one hundred taels of silver can buy two hundred shi of grain. One hundred taels of silver is enough for all the soldiers of the Zhejiang Army to eat their fill for three days.

"Zihou, Meilin, please take a seat." Zhao Wenhua took the seat of honor without hesitation, smiling and gesturing for him to sit down.

"Thank you, Master Zhao."

Zhu Pingan and Hu Zongxian exchanged pleasantries and then took their seats.

Zhao Wenhua sat in the first seat, with Zhu Pingan and Hu Zongxian on the left and right respectively. Zhu Pingan was on the left and Hu Zongxian was on the right.

Zhu Pingan sat upright, facing the delicious-looking and fragrant food before him, but he had no appetite, only vigilance. This was a trap; he needed to be on his guard. (End of Chapter)