The rise of the poor

Amidst the deafening sound of gongs and drums and the fluttering of banners, the angels' procession finally arrived, drawing the eager anticipation and attention of the crowd.

A group of imperial guards escorted the angels as they appeared before the crowd. The leading eunuch, dressed in a flying fish robe, was about forty years old. The two eunuchs on either side of him wore bullfighting robes and were of opposite ages. Several junior eunuchs accompanied them, carrying the imperial edict.

Zhao Wenhua led Zhu Pingan and a group of officials to greet them, and the welcoming drums and suonas were played joyfully.

After a series of elaborate rituals, the angel began to announce the imperial edict: "Imperial edict has arrived. Governor Zhu Ping'an of Zhejiang, step forward to receive it."

Zhu Pingan never expected that he would be the first to step forward to receive the imperial decree.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Since assuming office, Zhu Ping'an, the Governor of Zhejiang, has been diligent in his duties, effective in bringing peace to the people, and meritorious in suppressing the Japanese pirates, with frequent reports of victories and auspicious omens. He is hereby granted a rank increase in salary and awarded a golden crane robe."

The angel's pronouncement, with its intonation and rhythm.

"Your subject Zhu Ping'an accepts the decree and thanks Your Majesty for your great favor. Long live the Emperor!" Zhu Ping'an knelt down to accept the decree, inwardly cursing the Jiajing Emperor for being stingy.

Despite his numerous merits in suppressing the Japanese pirates, he was only given a one-level raise in salary and a golden crane robe; he wasn't even given a promotion.

Zhu Pingan thought the Jiajing Emperor was petty, but Luo Longwen behind him had a face contorted with jealousy and hatred.

"Damn Zhu Ping'an! Damn him! Damn him! He really deserves to die! How did he get another reward from the Emperor!"

Luo Longwen's face was contorted, and he screamed wildly in his heart.

呸

That damned Zhu Ping'an, he even called me a sycophant! Why don't you take a piss and look at yourself in the mirror?! What about you?! What about you?!
You yourself presented the Emperor with two white tortoises and ambergris as auspicious omens. Bah! Do you dare say that wasn't flattery?!
I gave gifts to Donglou and the Grand Secretary, and you accused me of being a sycophant?!
And what about you giving gifts to the Emperor yourself?! Shouldn't you also take a piss, reflect on your own dignity, and curse yourself for being a sycophant?!
I spoke well of Donglou and the Grand Secretary, and you accused me of flattery?! And you, long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, aren't you the one flattering him?!

That damned Zhu Ping'an! A hypocrite! Envy, jealousy, and hatred have completely distorted Luo Longwen! He's utterly exhausted!
"Congratulations, Lord Zhu! You are truly a young man of great talent and ability, which is admirable. This golden crane robe has only been bestowed by His Majesty upon meritorious cabinet ministers. You are the first person outside of the cabinet to receive it. Your future is limitless."

The eunuch handed the imperial edict and the golden crane robe to Zhu Ping'an with both hands, congratulating him with a smile. He emphasized the preciousness of the golden crane robe, noting that no one except meritorious cabinet ministers had ever received one before, making Zhu Ping'an the only one of his kind.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Excellency. I will continue to strive and live up to Your Majesty's expectations and affection."

Zhu Ping'an accepted the imperial edict and the golden crane robe with both hands, his face showing excitement, and thanked the eunuch who delivered the edict.

After a brief thank you, Zhu Ping'an tactfully stepped back to the side so as not to interfere with the eunuch continuing to read the imperial edict.

"Imperial Inspector Hu Zongxian of Zhejiang, receive the imperial edict." The eunuch took another scroll of imperial edict from the tray of the junior eunuchs and continued.

"Your subject Hu Zongxian receives the imperial decree." Hu Zongxian stepped forward and knelt to receive the imperial decree.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Hu Zongxian, the Imperial Inspector of Zhejiang, has performed his duties diligently and made outstanding contributions in the Battle of Wangjiangjing. He is hereby promoted to Governor of Suzhou and Songjiang."

The eunuch's voice proclaiming the imperial decree reached everyone's ears, and most of them looked up in disbelief at the scene of the decree's proclaiming.

what? !

Hu Zongxian made outstanding contributions in the Battle of Wangjiangjing?! Did I hear that right? How could Hu Zongxian have made outstanding contributions in the Battle of Wangjiangjing?!
No! What does the Battle of Wangjiangjing have to do with Hu Zongxian?! The Battle of Wangjiangjing was a victory achieved by former Governor-General Zhang Jing, who lured the enemy deep into Jiaxing City, and commanded generals such as Yu Dayou and Tang Kekuan to lead the Wolf Army and other guest troops by water and land to encircle and annihilate the Japanese pirates at Wangjiangjing. The Japanese pirates were killed so badly that they cried out for their parents and their blood flowed like rivers, resulting in a great victory at Wangjiangjing.

Did the Battle of Wangjiangjing have anything to do with Hu Zongxian, not even a penny?!
If I remember correctly, during the Battle of Wangjiangjing, Hu Zongxian was celebrating Zhao Wenhua's 50th birthday at Xiangyun Tower, wasn't he?

Not only did you impeach Governor Zhang Jing and imprison him, but you also stole his credit for the Wangjiangjing project?!

Hu Zongxian made outstanding contributions in the Battle of Wangjiangjing. His credit was probably for joining Zhao Wenhua in impeaching and framing Governor Zhang Jing. Haha, he was promoted to Governor of Suzhou and Songjiang in one fell swoop. I admire him.

It's true that having connections in high places makes it easier to become an official!

When Governor Zhang was in power, he isolated and blocked Zhao Wenhua. Only Hu Zongxian openly and honestly supported Zhao Wenhua, walked with him, and fawned over him. Now it seems that he was just like Lü Buwei back then.

The crowd buzzed and whispered among themselves; Hu Zongxian's promotion was not convincing to the public.

Zhu Pingan couldn't help but sigh, "As expected of Hu Zongxian, he became the governor of Suzhou and Songjiang in one fell swoop. The return on investment is truly enviable."

Although the jurisdiction of the Suzhou-Songjiang Governor was not as large as that of the Zhejiang Governor, both were governors and held the same rank.

From the Zhejiang Provincial Inspector General to the Governor of Suzhou and Songjiang, this is not just a promotion of three ranks. The Zhejiang Provincial Inspector General is only a seventh-rank official, while the Governor of Suzhou and Songjiang is a full third-rank official. This is a promotion of seven ranks!
Level 7, a miracle!
Soar.

Hu Zongxian is now on the same starting line as me.

Of course, because of his own actions, history has deviated slightly. Historically, Hu Zongxian was promoted to Governor of Zhejiang at this time, but because he was the Governor of Zhejiang, Hu Zongxian was promoted to Governor of Suzhou and Songjiang.

Since history has gone astray, let it continue to go astray. I really want to sit in the position of governor-general. Only by sitting in this position can I steer the campaign against the Japanese pirates in the southeast.

"quiet!"

Seeing this, Zhao Wenhua snorted unhappily, and everyone fell silent.

"Your subject Hu Zongxian thanks Your Majesty for your great favor. Long live the Five Emperors!" Under Zhao Wenhua's protection, Hu Zongxian successfully received the imperial decree.

"Congratulations, Lord Hu! Congratulations on your meteoric rise and breaking the record for promotion in the court. Lord Hu is young and vigorous, shrewd and capable, and your future is limitless. Lord Hu and Lord Zhu are equally brilliant."

The eunuch handed the imperial edict to Hu Zongxian and offered a few words of congratulations with a smile.

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty, and thank you for your encouragement, Your Excellency. I will do my utmost to serve Your Majesty and will not fail you. I will not return to the capital until the Japanese pirates are defeated."

Upon receiving the imperial edict, Hu Zongxian could not contain his excitement and repeatedly expressed his determination.

At this moment, Hu Zongxian felt a surge of pride. He had heard the murmurs of the crowd, but felt no shame. Zhang Jing was too slow; he would do better. So what if the Yan faction held immense power? They were still at his service. All he had done was not for his own wealth and glory, but for the sake of the people, for the suppression of the Japanese pirates, for pacifying the southeast, for reporting to the Emperor, and for bringing peace to the common people! (End of Chapter)