The rise of the poor

“Master Zhao is right. The appointment of the governor is important. Let’s put the Japanese pirates on the books and settle accounts with them later!”

After Zhao Wenhua refused again, Zhu Pingan expressed his understanding and support for Zhao Wenhua's decision.

Seeing this, Zhao Wenhua patted Zhu Ping'an on the shoulder with satisfaction and promised him, "Zihou, don't worry. Once I take office as governor, I will definitely organize a large army to suppress the Japanese pirates. At that time, you will have plenty of opportunities to realize your ambitions."

"Thank you, Master Zhao," Zhu Ping'an said, bowing with his hands clasped in gratitude.

"Zihou, why are you being so polite with me? You call me Master Zhao, how could I possibly mistreat you?" Zhao Wenhua chuckled.

“Master Zhao, it is not advisable to organize an encirclement and annihilation of the Japanese pirates in Tuolin at this time. However, knowing your enemy and yourself will ensure victory in every battle. I request that you allow me to send Zhejiang troops to monitor the Japanese pirates in Tuolin so that we can take targeted action when the time is right.” Zhu Ping’an asked Zhao Wenhua for instructions.

"That's fine." Zhao Wenhua nodded without hesitation, granting Zhu Ping'an's request.

After receiving Zhao Wenhua's verbal permission, Zhu Pingan, citing the recent impeachments he had received from several people, worried that he might be impeached again by those with ulterior motives, and requested Zhao Wenhua to issue a written order to silence such individuals.

Zhao Wenhua couldn't help but think of Luo Longwen. Luo Longwen had impeached Zhu Pingan twice already, and this time he wanted to drag him into impeaching Zhu Pingan as well. Considering that he still needed to win Zhu Pingan's support, he thought for a moment and then issued a warrant.

"The governor ordered the Zhejiang army to monitor the Japanese pirates in Tuolin and to act as they see fit."

Zhao Wenhua handed the warrant to Zhu Pingan.

After receiving the warrant, Zhu Pingan carefully kept it close to his body. Plan B was successful, and the main objective of this trip was achieved.

"Zihou, do you still remember our bet?" Zhao Wenhua brought up the old story again.

"of course I remember."

"You said it wasn't easy for me to become governor, haha, the governorship will be appointed soon, and our bet will also be decided if I win."

"I am willing to accept defeat. From now on, no matter where Teacher Zhao asks me to sign my name, I will not refuse and will follow Teacher Zhao's lead."

"Hehe, Merlin, you heard what Zihou said, you are the notary."

"Lord Zhao, I understand. No one can renege on their promises. I am the most impartial and selfless notary."

The study was filled with a peaceful atmosphere.

After leaving Zhao Wenhua's residence, Zhu Pingan, escorted by Liu Dadao and others, headed towards the temporary camp of the Zhejiang army outside the city.

"With the warrant in hand, prepare for battle. At midnight, Da Dao, you will lead three thousand Zhejiang soldiers out of the main camp and march towards Songjiang Prefecture. Take the back roads and avoid the main roads. Hide during the day and move at night. Once you reach Jinshan, lie in wait for my orders."

Zhu Pingan made arrangements on the way.

"Great! We can fight the Japanese pirates again!" Liu Dadao was very excited, but he asked with some concern, "But, young master, the letter from that Zhao fellow ordered us to monitor the Japanese pirates in Tuolin. If we do this, will he cause trouble for us later?"

"The order instructed us to monitor the Japanese pirates in Tuolin, but it didn't forbid us from fighting them! With this order, our Zhejiang army can legitimately cross into Southern Zhili, and everything else will be fine. What crime is there in fighting the Japanese pirates? Besides, Zhao Wenhua's letter ended with the phrase 'act as you see fit.'"

Zhu Pingan said without any worry that as long as the Zhejiang army could cross the border into Songjiang Prefecture, nothing else would be a problem.

Hearing Zhu Pingan say this, Liu Dadao was no longer worried and excitedly rubbed his fists together, ready to make a big splash.

After Zhu Pingan left, Hu Zongxian poured tea for Zhao Wenhua and said, "Lord Zhao, Lord Zhu's request to transfer the Zhejiang army to monitor the Tuolin Japanese pirates is probably not just about monitoring them."

Zhao Wenhua chuckled, picked up his tea and took a sip. "Hehe, I know. Zihou is naturally not satisfied with just monitoring the Tuolin Japanese pirates. He also wants to take a piece of flesh from them."

"Then why did Lord Zhao issue a handwritten letter?" Hu Zongxian asked, puzzled.

“Of course we’ll give him a hand. I even added the ‘go-it-as-you-go’ option to help him out.” Zhao Wenhua said meaningfully.

It turns out that the phrase "act as one sees fit" was added by Zhao Wenhua specifically for Zhu Pingan.

"Why?" Hu Zongxian asked, puzzled.

Wasn't it said that now is a crucial time for the appointment of the governor, and it is not advisable to organize a large army to suppress the Japanese pirates in Tuolin? Then why did Zhao Wenhua specifically give Zhu Ping'an a letter regarding the Zhejiang army crossing the border, and even added a sentence to Zhu Ping'an: "Act as you see fit."

"Hehe, at this time, it's not appropriate for me to lead a large-scale attack. However, it's fine for Zhu Ping'an to lead the Zhejiang army. I only gave him a written order to monitor the Japanese pirates in Tuolin; I didn't directly order him to attack them. If Zhu Ping'an leads the Zhejiang army to attack the Tuolin pirates and wins, I can take credit for it, since I was the one who ordered Zhu Ping'an to monitor the Tuolin pirates. I have the merit of giving the order. If Zhu Ping'an leads the Zhejiang army to attack the pirates and suffers a defeat, that's fine too. I only gave the written order to monitor the Tuolin pirates. If he attacks the pirates, it's an unauthorized attack, a violation of my order. That's Zhu Ping'an's fault, what does it have to do with me?" Zhao Wenhua chuckled, speaking meaningfully.

"So that's how it is," Hu Zongxian suddenly realized.

"I will send someone to the capital tomorrow to bring some local specialties from Jiangnan to my godfather and Donglou."

Zhao Wenhua suddenly said to Hu Zongxian.

"Lord Zhao, I have long admired Grand Secretary Yan and his son. Could you please trouble you to bring some local specialties for them as well?" Hu Zongxian understood the implied meaning and was extremely excited. He had been trying to curry favor with Zhao Wenhua to gain patronage of the Yan faction, and now that Zhao Wenhua had said this, he had been given the opportunity to do so. How could he not be excited?

"There's no need for such formalities between us. Just pack up your local specialties and bring them over. I'll have someone take them to you tomorrow," Zhao Wenhua said with a gentle smile.

Soon, Hu Zongxian returned and packed up five carriages full of local specialties, sparing no expense, and sent them all to Zhao Wenhua's residence.

"Lord Zhao, these two carts are for Master Zhao. Please send these three carts to Grand Secretary Yan and Young Master Yan."

Hu Zongxian gave two of the five carriages to Zhao Wenhua, asking him to take the remaining three to Yan Song and Yan Shifan in the capital.

"Merlin, why are you being so polite with me?" Zhao Wenhua waved his hand politely. "I'll take all five cartloads to my godfather and Donglin for you."

"Lord Zhao, thank you for your guidance and care during this time. This is just a small token of my appreciation. Please don't find it offensive," Hu Zongxian said hurriedly, persistently urging Zhao Wenhua to accept his gift.

Zhao Wenhua declined repeatedly, but finally accepted it reluctantly, saying that it would not be done again.

Hu Zongxian repeatedly stated that this would not be repeated.

That evening, after Hu Zongxian left, Zhao Wenhua summoned his trusted steward to inspect the five cartloads of local specialties that Hu Zongxian had packed. After looking them over, Zhao Wenhua pointed to four of the cartloads and instructed his steward, "Send these four cartloads to my residence in the capital and store them in the warehouse. Send the other cart to my godfather's residence." (End of Chapter)