The rise of the poor

After using Zhu Pingan to reprimand Hu Zongxian and other governors, Zhou Chong turned his gaze to Zhu Pingan and slowly said, "Lord Zhu, the situation with the Japanese pirates in Jiangnan is dire. A capable and combat-ready navy is urgently needed. Currently, our Jiangnan navy only has the Jianghuai Navy, but it suffered heavy losses in a recent surprise attack by the Japanese pirates and has lost its fighting capacity in a short period of time. Given that the Zhejiang Army has already formed a navy and has basically achieved combat capability, for the sake of the overall anti-Japanese pirate campaign, I have decided to further expand your Zhejiang Navy into the main force of the Jiangnan Navy, which I will personally command. What do you think, Lord Zhu?!"

As soon as Zhou Chong finished speaking, a buzz of noise erupted from the audience.

The statement that the Zhejiang Navy would be expanded into the main force of the Jiangnan Navy, with Zhou Chong personally in command, was all too clear. It meant that the Zhejiang Navy, which Zhu Ping'an had spent so much time and money to build, would be taken directly for himself.

Unexpectedly, one second Zhou Chong was praising Zhu Ping'an, and the next second he wanted to take over Zhu Ping'an's navy.

Some people looked at Zhu Ping'an with pity. It was truly pitiful. The navy, which had taken so much time, effort, and money to build, was about to change hands.

Some people are gloating, thinking, "So you think you can do it? You think you can build a navy? Now you can't, right? Serves you right, your navy was taken away by the governor. Let's see if you can still do it. Hehe, serves you right."

Many people watched Zhu Ping'an with curiosity, wondering how he would respond to the governor's seemingly consultative but actually uncompromising inquiry. Would Zhu Ping'an dare to refuse?

"hehe."

A cold laugh rang out.

Everyone turned to look at the source of the sound, thinking that the hot-blooded young regional official was about to overturn the table. But unfortunately, the person who made that cold laugh was not Zhu Ping'an, but Zhao Wenhua in the front row.

Zhu Ping'an, surprisingly, still had a smile on his face. Under the gaze of Zhou Chong and the others, he readily accepted, "Of course, with the Governor-General personally in charge of expanding the navy, this is a great thing for the navy. It will allow the navy to have more and bigger ships, more troops, a larger scale, and stronger combat power. It will be entirely beneficial to the cause of suppressing the Japanese pirates. Of course, I agree, I agree a thousand times over."

Damn it? !
What did I just hear?!

I thought Zhu Pingan would refuse, or at least make some sarcastic remarks, or at least agree reluctantly. But to my utter surprise, Zhu Pingan not only did not refuse, nor did he seem reluctant, but he readily agreed.

Zhu Ping'an?! Are you Zhu Ping'an?! Didn't you, Zhu Ping'an, stand up to Yan Song and his son in the capital?! Weren't you known for your unyielding spirit?!
Why did you suddenly kneel down today?!

You're still kneeling with a smile on your face! Where's your back? Where's your dignity? Have you given up on everything? Are you still Zhu Ping'an?!

Everyone present stared at Zhu Ping'an in disbelief, some even rubbing their eyes. "Zhu Ping'an, you feel like a stranger to me."

"Excellent, excellent, excellent! As expected of Lord Zhu! Fellow colleagues, we should all follow Lord Zhu's example, prioritizing the overall situation, prioritizing the great cause of suppressing the Japanese pirates, and prioritizing living up to the Emperor's trust and the people's expectations!"

Zhou Chong laughed heartily, his face beaming with joy and satisfaction. He couldn't be more pleased with Zhu Ping'an's attitude.

Zhou Chong originally thought that Zhu Pingan might drag things out for a few rounds, and even had a contingency plan for Zhu Pingan to refuse. Of course, regardless of whether Zhu Pingan agreed or not, he would bring the Zhejiang Navy under his control, but the situation would be somewhat unpleasant.

However, to Zhou Chong's surprise, Zhu Ping'an not only did not object, but also readily agreed, which made Zhou Chong very satisfied.

However, Zhao Wenhua was not satisfied. He turned to look at Zhu Ping'an with a hawk-like gaze, scrutinizing, questioning, and dissatisfied.

Zhu Pingan also saw anger in Zhao Wenhua's eyes.
Zhao Wenhua looked at him as if he were a traitor. He had agreed to Zhou Chong's request to take over the Zhejiang navy. Zhao Wenhua thought he had betrayed him, that he had chosen to stand with Zhou Chong, that he had supported Zhou Chong, and that he had curried favor with Zhou Chong. Otherwise, why would he have agreed so readily?

"Your Excellency, I have a request, and I hope Your Excellency will grant it." Zhu Ping'an bowed and looked at Zhou Chong.

Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes! I knew it! That's why Zhu Ping'an agreed so readily. He was waiting for this; he still had to make a request.

Everyone was watching with anticipation, feeling that Zhu Ping'an was about to make a demand that Zhou Chong would find unacceptable, thus making Zhou Chong embarrassed to continue occupying the Zhejiang navy. Zhu Ping'an was using a strategy of retreat to advance.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wenhua's expression changed drastically. He realized that he had misunderstood Zhu Ping'an. Zhu Ping'an had already given the Zhejiang Army a long leave, so how could he be in cahoots with Zhou Chong? "I'm sorry, I misunderstood you, Zihou."

“Lord Zhu, please speak freely.” Zhou Chong smiled and extended his hand, his words very cautious. He would not agree in advance before hearing what Zhu Ping’an’s request was, lest Zhu Ping’an make some excessive request and put him in a dilemma.

"Your Excellency, the Zhejiang Navy has been expanded into a main force. I, Ping An, humbly request to serve as Your Excellency's deputy in the navy. Firstly, I wish to learn from Your Excellency, to learn how to command the navy and how to conduct naval warfare. This is a rare opportunity. Secondly, I wish to share Your Excellency's burdens. Your Excellency is extremely busy, overseeing the suppression of Japanese pirates in Jiangnan. Your energy is limited. I am willing to share Your Excellency's burdens. When Your Excellency has time, you will personally command the navy, and I will learn from you and assist you in commanding the navy. When Your Excellency does not have time, I will share Your Excellency's burdens and oversee the navy."

Zhu Pingan clasped his hands in greeting and volunteered to serve as the deputy commander of the expanded main naval force.

Naval second-in-command?!
That's it?! You took your pants off and this is what you show me?! You, Zhu Ping'an, just volunteered to be a naval deputy?!
Everyone was stunned. They never expected that Zhu Ping'an would go to such lengths and make such a request, only to end up asking for a naval deputy!

Everyone was stunned.

Zhou Chong was also taken aback when Zhu Pingan spoke. He originally thought that Zhu Pingan would make an outrageous request, but he did not expect that Zhu Pingan would only volunteer to be the deputy commander of the main navy.

He's just a naval deputy; what's wrong with giving him to me? I'm the governor-general, the naval commander. You're just a deputy; I'm still the one who calls the shots in the navy.

"Haha, Lord Zhu, you're too kind. Granted. From today onwards, you will be the Deputy Commander of the Jiangnan Navy." Zhou Chong laughed heartily, nodded slightly, and granted Zhu Ping'an's request, appointing him as the Deputy Commander of the Navy on the spot.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ping'an couldn't help but beam with joy. He bowed respectfully to Zhou Chong and said, "Thank you very much, Governor. I will certainly live up to your trust." (End of Chapter)