The rise of the poor

Faced with Zhao Wenhua's teasing, Zhu Pingan cupped his hands and replied, "This student pays respects to Master Zhao. It concerns the Japanese pirates in Tuolin, and I have come to ask for your instructions."

"Hehe, okay, let's go to the study to talk."

Zhao Wenhua chuckled, lifted the curtain and got out of the car. Hu Zongxian, who was in the same car, bowed to Zhu Pingan and helped Zhao Wenhua out of the car.

"Take everything to the warehouse and store it separately," Zhao Wenhua instructed the steward who was greeting them at the door, pointing to the four carriages behind him.

"Don't worry, sir, I understand." The steward readily accepted the order and directed the servants to drive the four carriages into the mansion.

The deep ruts and creaking sounds of the cart indicated how much was loaded in the cargo box. The horses pulling the cart were snorting from exhaustion.

Prefect Zhao Chong of Jiaxing has suffered another major financial loss.

Zhu Pingan understood.

Zhao Wenhua's study was quite different from Zhang Jing's. Zhao Wenhua's study was magnificent and luxurious. There were not many books, but there were many decorative items such as coral, antiques, and calligraphy and paintings, which exuded luxury everywhere.

Upon entering the study, the servants immediately poured tea for Zhao Wenhua, Zhu Pingan, and Hu Zongxian, and then tactfully withdrew.

"Zihou, you mentioned the Japanese pirates at the door. If you have any thoughts, just say so. There are no outsiders here."

Zhao Wenhua took a sip of tea to dispel the smell of alcohol, leaned back comfortably in the tiger-skin chair, and said to Zhu Pingan.

"Master Zhao, the Tuolin Japanese pirates have recently received reinforcements and their arrogance has returned. For several days, they have attacked Wuxian County in Jiangsu, Jiangdu County in Yangzhou, Muyang County in Huai'an, and Wuxi in Zhenjiang, burning, killing, and looting. The civilian population has suffered heavy casualties, and the land is a scene of devastation, like a living hell. I believe that we cannot allow the Tuolin Japanese pirates to continue their atrocities. We should take advantage of the high morale after the victory at Wangjiangjing and organize troops from all directions to launch a joint attack on the Tuolin Japanese pirates' stronghold, delivering a thunderous blow!"

"Currently, the position of governor is vacant, and only Zhao Shi has the ability to rally troops from all directions."

"Students are willing to lead the Zhejiang Army as the vanguard!"

Zhu Pingan stood up from his seat, clenched his fist and pounded his chest, and said to Zhao Wenhua that he was volunteering to be the vanguard.

Unfortunately, Zhu Ping'an was the governor of Zhejiang, and without orders from his superiors, he could not conduct cross-border operations.

Currently, Zhang Jing has been eliminated by Zhao Wenhua, and the position of Governor-General of Jiangnan is vacant. Only Zhao Wenhua, bearing the imperial mandate to oversee the army, is qualified to organize various troops to fight in coordination.

If Zhao Wenhua takes the lead and gives the order, he can lead the Zhejiang army out of Zhejiang and cross the border into Songjiang Prefecture, Southern Zhili, to Tuolin.

If we don't severely crack down on the arrogance of the Japanese pirates in Tuolin, they will become even more unscrupulous, and the people will suffer greatly.

If we strike the Japanese pirates hard, they won't dare to act so recklessly, and the people will have a chance to catch their breath.

In fact, Zhu Pingan did not agree with Zhang Jing's original approach.

Zhang Jing avoided fighting because the garrison troops were not strong enough. He waited for the arrival of guest troops such as the Guangxi Wolf Soldiers so that they could train together and form a fighting force.
Of course, Zhang Jing wanted to win a major battle with enough odds to wipe out the Japanese pirates of Tuolin in one fell swoop.

However, waiting for victory and avoiding battle allowed the Japanese pirates to become rampant and arrogant, causing immense suffering to the common people.

This is also why many ordinary people curse Zhang Jing.

"Hehe, Zihou, your heart is commendable." Zhao Wenhua praised Zhu Ping'an with a smile, and then said nothing more.

This is equivalent to a "friend zone" card.

You're a very nice person, but we're not a good match.

"Master Zhao, you are the only one right now." Zhu Ping'an tried to persuade him again.

Zhao Wenhua waved his hand and looked at Zhu Ping'an, asking, "Zihou, let me ask you, are you absolutely certain of victory in this battle?"

A sure chance of victory?!

This is war, not child's play. The outcome of war is influenced by various factors. There is no war in this world that is guaranteed to be won. The Japanese pirates from Tuolin are not pushovers either, especially since they have also sent 7,000 genuine Japanese reinforcements.

Zhu Pingan shook his head and replied honestly, "I am not confident of winning."

“That’s right, Zihou, you said it yourself, you’re not confident of victory.” Zhao Wenhua waved his hand. “If you’re not confident of victory, then we shouldn’t fight now.”

"what?"

Zhu Pingan was stunned when he heard Zhao Wenhua's words.

"No, Master Zhao, where in this world is there a battle that is guaranteed to be won?" Zhu Ping'an said, somewhat amused and exasperated. "There are only battles that we have no choice but to fight."

"Zihou, calm down. I understand you, but not now. These are crucial days for appointing the governor. If we win this battle, all will be well, you will have rendered meritorious service, and I can also take the governorship based on this victory. But what if we lose?! If we lose this battle, at this crucial moment for appointing the governor, then it will be a no-go. With such a defeat, I can no longer hope for the governorship. Now is a critical time. If we don't have absolute certainty, it's better to remain still than to act."

Zhao Wenhua took a sip of tea, squinted at Zhu Pingan, and slowly said.

Zhu Pingan was speechless upon hearing this.

Zhao Wenhua didn't want to take responsibility, or rather, he only wanted the fruits of victory and didn't want the bitter pill of defeat.

If he wins, it will be a plus, and he will definitely be able to become governor. But if he loses, it will be a minus, which will be detrimental to his chances of becoming governor.

If he wasn't absolutely certain of victory in this battle, Zhao Wenhua didn't want to take the risk or shoulder the responsibility.

What a sophisticated egoist!

They only cared about their own interests and completely disregarded the lives of ordinary people struggling under the iron heel of the Japanese invaders.

“Master Zhao, you impeached Zhang Jing for avoiding battle, so how is that any different from him today?” Zhu Ping’an could not hide his indignation.

“I am different from him. If I were to become governor, I would order you to send troops even if you did not volunteer. However, I am not governor yet, and this is a critical period. It is not advisable to take risks. Zihou, please be patient for a few days.”

Zhao Wenhua walked slowly to Zhu Pingan, gently patted Zhu Pingan's shoulder, and comforted him.

“Master Zhao, I don’t know how confident you are in taking the position of governor. If you are not completely confident, then now is the perfect opportunity. This time, Master Zhao, raise your voice and organize troops from all directions to besiege the Japanese pirates in Tuolin. As long as you achieve any success, it will be the stepping stone for you to ascend to the position of governor.”

Zhu Pingan tried his best to persuade them.

"What if I lose? Right now, many people are worried about not finding fault with me. If I lose, even if it's just a setback, it will become a handle for others to attack me. This would be to cut off my position as governor, which is unwise."

Zhao Wenhua remained unmoved, prioritizing stability and unwilling to take risks.

"Master Zhao."

No matter how Zhu Pingan tried to persuade him, Zhao Wenhua waved his hand and refused, unwilling to take the lead.

Ok.

Zhu Pingan sighed. Actually, this was within his expectations. Before coming, Zhu Pingan had prepared himself for Zhao Wenhua's rejection. This time, he was indeed rejected. Although Zhu Pingan was disappointed, he was still prepared.

Plan A doesn't work, no problem, there's always Plan B. (End of Chapter)