The rise of the poor

"Heh, Zihou, are you a three-year-old?! This place is already a hotbed of trouble, the center of a military and political vortex. You still think you can stay out of it? You're dreaming!"

Zhao Wenhua chuckled coldly, dismissing Zhu Ping'an's naive and unrealistic ideas with disdain.

“Everyone needs to have dreams, otherwise what’s the difference between them and a salted fish? Although it’s unrealistic, I still want to give it a try. If it really doesn’t work, I hope Teacher Zhao will give me a chance.” Zhu Ping’an looked up and met Zhao Wenhua’s gaze.

Zhao Wenhua stared at Zhu Ping'an with displeasure, chuckled, and said coldly, "Give you another chance?! Zihou, do you think I'm a shopkeeper, giving you one more chance and another?! I already said that this is the last chance. If you seize it, we've been teacher and student for a time, and I'll take care of you in terms of supplies, logistics, and rewards. If you don't seize it, then after this meal, the moment we step out of this door, we'll be enemies. I won't blame you for being unjust, and you shouldn't blame me for being ruthless!"

Facing the angry Zhao Wenhua, Zhu Pingan smiled slightly, "Teacher Zhao, the matter of Zhang Jing has been settled. Whether I sign this memorial or not will not affect the outcome. Why don't we look forward?"

"Look ahead? What do you mean?" Zhao Wenhua narrowed his eyes.

There is a play.

Seeing Zhao Wenhua respond, Zhu Pingan felt a little relieved. He cupped his hands in greeting and slowly said, "Master Zhao, after Zhang Jing was dismissed, the position of governor-general is vacant. Someone has to take over. Master Zhao, you must want to as well, right?"

“Not bad.” Zhao Wenhua nodded frankly, and said with self-confidence, “If I were the governor, I would definitely be better than Zhang Jing.”

“The students also support Teacher Zhao’s rise to power. However, it will not be easy for Teacher Zhao to achieve this position, and I am willing to lend Teacher Zhao a hand,” Zhu Pingan said slowly.

To be honest, Zhu Pingan was unwilling to support Zhao Wenhua's rise to power, but the circumstances forced him to do so.

According to historical records, after Zhang Jing was dismissed, Zhou Chong took over, but he was soon dismissed as well. Then came Yang Yi, who was also dismissed very quickly. Both of them were dismissed swiftly after taking office. Only then did Zhao Wenhua take over. Not long after taking office, Zhao Wenhua fabricated merits in suppressing Japanese pirates and returned to the capital to be promoted to Minister of Works. After Zhao Wenhua left office and was promoted, the position of governor-general fell to Hu Zongxian.

Whether it was Zhou Chong or Yang Yi, they were either incompetent or sycophantic towards Yan Xishan's faction, neither of them were qualified commanders-in-chief for the suppression of the Japanese pirates! They were of no benefit to the suppression of the Japanese pirates.

Of course, Zhao Wenhua is not one of them either!
Zhu Ping'an's plan was to hasten the downfall of Zhou Chong and Yang Yi, and after Zhao Wenhua took office, to give him some credit and help him return to court quickly for a promotion.

Then, he could seek the position of governor-general. Zhu Ping'an believed that he would do a better job than Hu Zongxian after taking office as governor-general!
"Is it not easy for me to get to this position?" Zhao Wenhua laughed upon hearing this. "Hehe, Zihou, are you going to use the old-fashioned persuasive tactics?! To spread alarmist rumors and seize the initiative?! I have the merit of offering sacrifices to the sea, the position of supervising the war, and the support of my adoptive father, Grand Secretary Yan. Getting the position of governor-general is not a sure thing, but it's almost a certainty."

"Master Zhao, why don't we make a bet?" Seeing Zhao Wenhua's confidence, Zhu Ping'an seized the opportunity to propose a bet.

"What kind of bet?" Zhao Wenhua asked.

"Let's bet on this governorship," Zhu Pingan said, squinting his eyes.

"How do we gamble?" Zhao Wenhua asked again.

"Please forgive my offense, Master Zhao, but I bet that the one who succeeds to the position of governor this time will not be you, Master Zhao," Zhu Ping'an said slowly, looking up at Zhao Wenhua.

"Hahaha, Zihou, this is a bet you're guaranteed to lose." Zhao Wenhua looked at Zhu Ping'an with a forced smile, clearly displeased. "What's the stake?"

“Master Zhao, if I lose, then no matter what memorial you bring, no matter what it is, even if it is an impeachment against me, Zhu Ping’an, I will sign it.” Zhu Ping’an said earnestly. “If I win, please give me another chance, Master Zhao. I do not want to be your enemy.”

Zhu Ping'an really didn't want to make enemies with a villain like Zhao Wenhua, whose methods of sabotaging others behind their backs were simply too ruthless.

Incompetent bungler.

If you are targeted by such a capable villain, you will never be able to sleep soundly again, let alone use your abilities.

"Zihou, is this a delaying tactic?" Zhao Wenhua looked at Zhu Pingan with scrutinizing and questioning eyes.

"Master Zhao, are you afraid to gamble with me?" Zhu Pingan said slowly.

“Why wouldn’t I dare? The positions of Left and Right Governors won’t be vacant for long, so a little time won’t make a difference,” Zhao Wenhua replied.

"Lord Zhu, why are you so certain that Lord Zhao will not succeed as governor this time?" Hu Zongxian asked.

"This is just speculation, but I'll keep you in suspense for now." Zhu Ping'an smiled slightly, looking very confident.

In truth, he himself had no idea why.

Zhu Ping'an's confidence stemmed from his familiarity with history. Historical records show that after Zhang Jing, Zhou Chong succeeded him, then Yang Yi, then Zhao Wenhua, and finally Hu Zongxian took over.

Zhu Ping'an didn't know why Zhou Chong succeeded Zhang Jing, as there are few historical records about him.

Zhu Ping'an only knew that Zhou Chong was now the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief and Governor of Shandong, but his reputation was not yet prominent.

As for why Zhou Chong was able to overpower Zhao Wenhua and become governor, and what kind of power struggles he went through, Zhu Ping'an knew nothing about any of that. However, it didn't matter if he didn't know the process; knowing the result was enough.

Since Zhao Wenhua wasn't going to succeed him anyway, he was certain to win this bet; that was his advantage.

"Since Lord Zhu is keeping us in suspense, then so be it. But what are your plans if Zhao Shi is not the successor?" Hu Zongxian asked.

"The Zhejiang army has just finished continuous battles in southern Zhejiang. The men and horses are exhausted, their armor and muskets need to be repaired, and their gunpowder is almost used up. This time, they have already done their best to come and suppress the Japanese pirates in Tuolin. After this battle, the Zhejiang army will need at least several months to repair."

Zhu Pingan narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke slowly.

Zhao Wenhua and Hu Zongxian were both intelligent men and understood Zhu Pingan's meaning. If the newly appointed governor was not Zhao Wenhua, then after this battle, the Zhejiang army under Zhu Pingan's command would have to rest for several months, unable to fight or serve the new governor.

Zhu Pingan supported Zhao Wenhua in this way.

In fact, this is reality.

The Zhejiang army only had enough gunpowder for one more battle, and their muskets were severely depleted and urgently needed replenishment. The Zhejiang army relied mainly on firearms, and without gunpowder and muskets, their strength would be reduced by at least half.

Even if the newly appointed governor-general were not Zhou Chong but Zhao Wenhua, Zhu Ping'an's Zhejiang army would still need to rest for several months and replenish their gunpowder and muskets, and would still be unable to fight or serve Zhao Wenhua.

"Alright, the food's getting cold, let's eat," Zhao Wenhua finally said.

"please."

"please."

Zhu Pingan and Hu Zongxian naturally responded. (End of Chapter)