The rise of the poor

Zhu Ping'an braced himself, preparing to face this trap, but unexpectedly Zhao Wenhua enthusiastically placed a dish in his bowl, saying, "Here, Zihou, try this dish and see how it tastes?"

This is a piece of braised pork, with skin and meat on, with a bright red color and a rich aroma.

It looked very appetizing, but unfortunately he had no appetite. Nevertheless, Zhu Pingan still put on a flattered expression, cupped his hands in thanks, and said, "Thank you, Master Zhao." Then he used his chopsticks to pick up the food and put it in his mouth.

"How does it taste?" Zhao Wenhua asked with a smile.

"It's delicious." Zhu Pingan complimented, although the dish was indeed delicious, he had no appetite and found it tasted like wax.

"Hehe, Zihou, do you know what kind of meat this is?" Zhao Wenhua asked with a chuckle.

"It has a rich and mellow flavor, and it's also very chewy. It's not beef, not pork, and not chicken. I don't know what kind of meat it is. Please enlighten me, Teacher Zhao."

Zhu Pingan narrowed his eyes slightly, savored the taste for a moment, and still couldn't figure out what kind of meat it was. Finally, he shook his head.

"Hehe, have you ever heard the saying, 'Even immortals can't stand firm when dog meat is cooked three times'?" Zhao Wenhua chuckled.

"This is dog meat?" Zhu Pingan was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, not expecting it to be dog meat.

"No, no." Zhao Wenhua shook his head with a smile.

Ok? !

Zhu Pingan was taken aback. It wasn't dog meat after all. Then what did you just say, "Even immortals can't stand still after dog meat has been cooked three times"? Are you out of your mind?

"Dragon meat in the sky, dog meat on the ground, but Zihou, do you know how dog meat can compare to wolf meat? Wolves are more powerful than dogs, and wolf meat is more delicious than dog meat." Zhao Wenhua revealed the answer with a smile.

This plate of meat turned out to be wolf meat. Zhu Ping'an couldn't help but think to himself, "If this were in modern times, you'd be in serious trouble."

"Zihou, do you know the name of this dish?" Zhao Wenhua asked Zhu Pingan.

"Braised wolf meat?" Zhu Pingan replied.

Zhao Wenhua shook his head.

"I humbly request your guidance, Master Zhao," Zhu Ping'an asked.

"Zihou, you've heard the story of Mr. Dongguo and the wolf, right? Mr. Dongguo saved the wolf, but after escaping from the hunter's clutches, the wolf wanted to eat Mr. Dongguo. Zihou, don't you think the wolf repaid kindness with enmity? In the end, it became a dish. So, this dish is called 'Repaying Kindness with Enmity.'" Zhao Wenhua looked at Zhu Ping'an with a deep gaze and said slowly.

Uh.

Okay, so this is what I'm waiting for.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Pingan's lips twitched slightly; the scent of a trap was coming through him.

"Come on, Zihou, try this dish again."

Zhao Wenhua then pointed to another dish and enthusiastically urged Zhu Pingan to try it.

Come again.

Zhu Pingan twitched slightly at the corners of his mouth as he looked at the dishes Zhao Wenhua had urged him to eat.

This dish is braised sea cucumber. There are three sea cucumbers on the plate, each about the length of a palm. The plate is full of sea cucumbers, accompanied by green vegetables and a rich broth.

Zhu Pingan picked up a sea cucumber, took a bite, and put the rest on his plate. He then commented, "The broth is fresh and rich, and the sea cucumber is soft, chewy, and delicious. The taste is very good."

"I'm glad Zihou likes it. Hmm, Zihou, do you know what this dish is called?" Zhao Wenhua asked Zhu Pingan.

It's the same familiar recipe, the same familiar taste.

Zhu Ping'an was speechless inside, but outwardly cooperated by guessing, "Braised sea cucumber?"

You don't even need to listen to know that the answer is definitely wrong, otherwise why would it be called the Feast at Hongmen?

Sure enough, the next second Zhao Wenhua shook his head, "No, no."

"Please enlighten me, Master Zhao." Zhu Ping'an bowed respectfully and asked for guidance.

"Zihou, look, don't these three sea cucumbers look like two trenches in the middle?" Zhao Wenhua guided Zhu Pingan to observe the gaps between the three sea cucumbers.

"It does look like it." Zhu Pingan nodded, but the connection seemed somewhat far-fetched.

“Zihou, look, one ditch after another. This is like falling into one ditch and not learning from the mistake, then falling into another one. You never learn from your mistakes! This dish is called ‘You never learn from your mistakes!’” Zhao Wenhua looked at Zhu Ping’an meaningfully and said quietly.

As expected, this happened again.

Hearing Zhao Wenhua's veiled and indirect references to the dish names, Zhu Ping'an remained unmoved, already mentally prepared.

Then, Zhao Wenhua warmly invited Zhu Pingan to taste every dish on the table, asking Zhu Pingan if he knew the names of the dishes. This pattern was repeated again and again.

Stir-fried water spinach is called "non-hearted vegetable" by Zhao Wenhua because it has no heart.

According to Zhao Wenhua, stewed wild geese and frogs are called "unwise stewed in one pot" because they are unwise and therefore stewed in one pot.

Braised abalone, according to Zhao Wenhua, is called "eyes without pupils" because it looks like an eye, but has no pupils...

One dish after another was sarcasticly criticized by Zhao Wenhua.

Zhu Pingan eventually got used to it.

"Zihou, what did you do at Zhang Jing's residence last night?" Zhao Wenhua finally revealed his true intentions and asked Zhu Ping'an.

"Didn't Master Zhao already know?" Zhu Ping'an met Zhao Wenhua's gaze frankly.

"Zihou, have you forgotten how you were demoted from the capital to Jiangnan?" Zhao Wenhua asked with a hostile expression.

"The student hasn't forgotten," Zhu Pingan replied calmly.

"Since Zihou, you haven't forgotten, why don't you learn from your mistakes?! Time and time again, last time in the capital you helped Yang Jisheng revise the memorial impeaching your adoptive father. If it weren't for your adoptive father valuing your talent, and if it weren't for me pleading for you, do you think you would still be demoted to Jiangnan? You would have been with Yang Jisheng long ago!" Zhao Wenhua looked at Zhu Ping'an with hatred for his lack of ambition, slammed down the teacup in his hand, and made the table crash loudly.

"Thank you very much, Master Zhao, for interceding on my behalf." Zhu Ping'an bowed and expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you?! Is this how you repay me?! By helping Zhang Jing and becoming my enemy?!" Zhao Wenhua glared at Zhu Ping'an with a dark expression. "Fortunately, Zhang Jing didn't take your advice, otherwise..."

Zhu Pingan remained silent.

"Time and time again, from Yang Jisheng to Zhang Jing, Zihou, why don't you learn your lesson?!" Zhao Wenhua questioned Zhu Ping'an. "Have I treated you badly?! I gave you rations and supplies, replenished your firearms and gunpowder... How much rations and supplies did Zhang Jing give you? How much help did he provide?! Zihou, tell me, aren't you repaying kindness with enmity? Aren't you learning from your mistakes? Aren't you short-sighted? Aren't you out of touch with reality?!"

Zhao Wenhua, his face dark, stared intently at Zhu Ping'an and uttered a series of questions.

"I am ashamed," Zhu Pingan said, bowing his head.

"Zihou, what are your thoughts?" Zhao Wenhua asked Zhu Pingan.

"This student has no intention of being an enemy of Master Zhao; I only wish to quell the Japanese pirate threat as soon as possible, that's all," Zhu Ping'an replied calmly, looking up at Zhao Wenhua.

"What? Zhang Jing can quell the Japanese pirates, but I, Zhao Wenhua, am a sabotage force? Can't I, Zhao Wenhua, quell the Japanese pirates?" Zhao Wenhua's expression changed drastically, filled with indignation. "I urged Zhang Jing to send troops to destroy the Japanese pirates; I practically wore his doorstep down. Zhang Jing didn't send a single soldier, didn't fight a single battle. If I hadn't repeatedly urged him, if I hadn't impeached him, Zhang Jing wouldn't have launched the Battle of Wangjiangjing!!! If it were me, Zhao Wenhua, I would have launched the Battle of Wangjiangjing months ago!!!" (End of Chapter)