The journey of the only child of a peasant family to take the imperial examination

This news is like a bolt from the blue!

Everyone was shocked when they heard this and stood there in a daze.

Especially Lao Tu, who used to be a personal soldier under Zhou Ziming.

Many battles where the outnumbered side won were won under Zhou Ziming's command.

Calm and wise are his deepest impressions of Zhou Ziming.

In his mind, as long as he wants to do it, there is nothing he can't do!

Therefore, he has always respected and admired Zhou Ziming's character and ability.

It is an existence that makes him secretly admire and worship.

When he suddenly heard that the front line had been successfully attacked, he could hardly believe it.

He knew very well how dangerous it was to run out of food and fodder when marching and fighting.

The others were also aware of this and all looked solemn.

"Sir Zhang, as the prefect of the eight nearby counties, you have an unshirkable responsibility for this food and fodder issue. You must come to a decision quickly, or the consequences will be disastrous. I must also travel to Yangzhou as soon as possible, so I'll take my leave now!"

After the post rider finished explaining the situation, he didn't have time to see how everyone reacted. He immediately got on his horse and headed for Yangzhou.

The amount of food and fodder for hundreds of thousands of soldiers is not a small amount, and relying on the support of the cities along the Huai River and Yangzhou can only temporarily solve the urgent problem.

Ultimately, it depends on the attitude of the court.

So his final destination was not Yangzhou, but Lin'an.

The matter is urgent and there is no room for delay!

Watching the figure of the post rider galloping away into the distance, Zhang Ping'an was shocked but quickly made a decision.

He immediately ordered Liu Sanlang, "Brother-in-law, take my token, bring Chibao, ride fast, and follow the post riders to the counties along the Yangzhou route to inform them about the grain collection. Instruct them to immediately take out one-third of the grain reserves in each county, and try to transport it by horse and mule carts. Once everything is ready, set out immediately and rendezvous in Huai'an. Anyone who disobeys this will be executed without mercy!"

Liu Sanlang also reacted at this time. He nodded seriously and immediately got up and went to the stable.

The old bald man was a little worried that the people in the county town below would not obey his orders, so he said solemnly, "I'd better go. I'm afraid Sanlang can't control those people. It's not a pity if they die, but it will be troublesome if they make mistakes!"

"No, my brother-in-law can do it," Zhang Ping'an waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "Although he looks a bit honest, he is very sensible in doing things. As long as I tell him to do something, he will definitely do it. As for you, I have other arrangements. There are more important things that need you to do!"

"What do you need me to do?" The old bald man said seriously.

"You have been in the army for many years and are a veteran on the battlefield with rich combat experience. I want to select you as one of the captains to escort food and fodder to the front line this time, otherwise I will not feel at ease," Zhang Pingan said seriously.

"If there's any problem with the food and fodder we're sending to support the front lines, Zhengyang Pass and Huaiyang Pass will be in danger. Insufficient food and fodder will cause the army to lose morale and easily cause a breakdown, so we absolutely cannot afford to make any mistakes."

The old bald man stood up and said, "I understand. Even if you didn't tell me, I would have volunteered. I really don't feel safe if I don't escort them personally. We have won this situation with the blood and lives of so many soldiers. We can't lose it like this!"

"I understand what you mean," Zhang Ping'an understood Lao Tu's current mood very well, and he was also anxious.

But things have to be resolved calmly!

"I just did some mental calculations. It's a good 1,100 miles from Huai'an to Xi County. Even if we use a combination of human and animal power to transport the food and fodder, with each cart carrying 600 kilograms and each person carrying four dou of rice in a cloth bag, and people carrying it without stopping and the rice never touching the ground, we can only travel a hundred miles a day at best. It would take at least ten days to deliver the food and fodder to the front line, which is still too slow.

So I plan to ship the grain and fodder directly to Huai'an and sail west along the Huai River. Those grain ships were all built by me personally when I was in Ci County. Their top speed can reach 300 kilometers per hour. With the northwest wind blowing these past few days, sailing with the wind in our favor will probably increase our speed even further. This way, we'll arrive in just four days!"

"If they hold out for four days, there shouldn't be any problem," the old bald man replied. "What about Yangzhou?"

"General Luo is in charge of Yangzhou now. He has been in the army for many years and knows the importance of things. I am not worried. The most taboo thing in officialdom is to interfere in other people's affairs," Zhang Pingan shook his head.

"I plan to temporarily let Zouping handle the affairs of Ze County. What do you think?"

The old bald man looked surprised: "You want to go with us?"

"Yes, I plan to go to Huai'an with you tomorrow morning. I won't feel at ease if I don't hand this batch of food and grass over to Lord Zhou in person. If the front line is defeated, none of us will have a good ending!" Zhang Ping'an said solemnly.

"The route from Huai'an to Yangzhou is still safe. With Zouping, Ruan San, and my brother-in-law staying here, I don't need to worry too much."

"But you have never been to the battlefield? Swords and knives have no mercy!" said the bald old man.

To be honest, he didn't want Zhang Ping'an to go to the front line.

It would be such a pity if he lost his life on the front line and died young!

"You don't need to persuade me, I've made up my mind," Zhang Pingan said, and then smiled again: "Don't worry, a master told my fortune when I was a child, I will be fine."

The bald old man moved his lips but didn't say anything else.

Finally, he just patted Zhang Ping'an on the shoulder and praised him: "You are really a real man!"

After the two finished talking, they went their separate ways.

Recruiting laborers, deploying soldiers, shipping food and fodder, and handing over political affairs all take time.

When the soldiers in the camp heard the news that they needed to escort the food and supplies to Huai'an, they were fine. After all, it was not a big deal for them.

But for the common people, it was like throwing boiling water into a frying pan.

Most of the civilians who were selected were very pessimistic.

Zhang Ping'an and Lao Tu were busy all night without sleeping.

At dawn the next day, the two of them set off with their team.

The soldiers on horseback and the civilians pushing carts behind him were silent in the cold wind.

All that could be heard was the creaking of wheels.

Zouping stood on the city wall and looked at the backs of the people going away. He felt heavy-hearted and prayed silently in his heart, hoping that everything would go well!

If the war breaks out again, this land will be truly hopeless!

Zhang Ping'an and Lao Tu were walking in front, also feeling heavy-hearted.

After solving the food and grass problem, the doubts that had been weighing on their minds yesterday began to surface.

"Ping'an, what do you think is going on? Firearms have always been made only by our Daxia's firearm workshop, so how come the Tatars suddenly have them too?" The bald old man suddenly leaned closer and asked in a low voice.

"Firearms have not always been unique to Daxia. The Russians in Luzon have been using firearms for a long time, and even invented cannons earlier than us," Zhang Pingan said quietly.

The bald old man cursed, "Stop talking nonsense! You know that's not what I meant! Even if the Russians in Luzon used artillery, how did the Tatars get it? What does it have to do with them? I think there's a traitor!"

"I understand what you mean, but now is not the time to turn against the court. Some things don't necessarily require the truth, do you understand?"

"It's so fucking frustrating!" The bald old man cursed and said no more.

It's not that he doesn't understand, he also knows that what Zhang Ping'an said is reality.

Not to mention that there is no direct evidence to prove that there is a traitor, even if there is evidence, it is probably just a scapegoat.

Lord Zhou still needs the court's support, and the court does not dare to offend Lord Zhou openly.

Understanding is one thing, but actually encountering it is another.

Both sides are trying to smooth things over. What kind of situation is this?

The bald old man cursed in his heart!

Zhang Pingan saw the old bald man's indignant face, thought for a moment, and then whispered a reminder: "Don't mention this matter again. Wait until you see Mr. Zhou to discuss it. I suspect there is something else going on."

"Huh? What do you mean?" The bald old man was surprised.

Zhang Pingan shook his head. "I can't really explain it, it's just a feeling. A hundred thousand soldiers and horses need a lot of food and fodder. This defeat was so inexplicable!"

After hearing this, the bald old man frowned and seemed to be thinking about something.

Ze County is not far from Huai'an, only eighty miles away.

The dry food and water bags brought by the soldiers and civilians were all ready-made, and there was no need to make a fire to cook.

Zhang Ping'an and Lao Tu led their men without stopping for a moment and finally arrived at Huai'an City in the evening.

Huang Chengxi, the prefect of Huai'an, had been waiting anxiously for a long time. He had not slept a wink from the time he received the news yesterday until today.

When he heard that Zhang Pingan had brought people, he was immediately excited and came out to greet them in person.

Seeing Zhang Ping'an and others from afar, he ran over with the hem of his official robe in hand.

The long black beard swayed in the wind.

He doesn't look at all like a steady official.

When he got closer, he grabbed Zhang Ping'an and Lao Tu's hands and wouldn't let go, tears welling in his eyes as he said, "Master Zhang, Master You, you're finally here. What should we do with such a big thing? Let's go into the government office and discuss it together!"

Zhang Ping'an was nominally a fifth-rank co-magistrate, the prefect's deputy, and Lord Huang was his immediate superior.

But because he did not have to take up his post in Huai'an and did not work together, he and the prefect only had a brief encounter when they first came by boat.

We occasionally exchange letters.

The connection is not very close.

I just feel that Mr. Huang is a good person and he is not arrogant.

Looking at the changes in Huai'an over the past year or so in the official gazette, we know that this is no mediocre person.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, he calmly withdrew his hand and went to the prefectural government office with Lord Huang.

Seeing this, the old bald man quickly pulled his hand away. Magistrate Huang had sweaty hands, and in just a short while, his hands were already sweaty.

I was too embarrassed to just take out a handkerchief to wipe my hands, as if I was disgusted with others.

I could only imitate Zhang Ping'an and wipe it on my clothes with my hands behind my back without saying a word.

Everyone knew what was important, so after they sat down one by one, they got straight to the point.

Prefect Huang wiped his eyes with a handkerchief and began by explaining the situation on his side. "Yesterday, I received an urgent report from Lord Zhou on the front lines, which arrived 800 miles away. Based on the grain reserves in Huai'an's granaries, I urgently allocated 1.5 million kilograms of grain. It was loaded onto a ship and dispatched at midnight. This will temporarily alleviate the urgent needs of the front lines. As for the rest of the plan, I await your arrival for discussion!"

Zhang Pingan heaved a sigh of relief after hearing this. He did some calculations and replied, "Master Huang is wise. We both agree. The grain transport is the fastest. One million and a half kilograms of grain will be enough to last four days. This will buy us a lot of time for this grain transport. Don't worry too much. To be honest, Master, I was so anxious that I didn't sleep a wink yesterday."

"Who isn't?" Magistrate Huang slapped his thigh and responded loudly.

Then he sighed again: "Alas, there is nothing I can do. I still know the priorities. In fact, Huai'an is not rich in food. Isn't this all for our soldiers and people in the north!"

"Mr. Huang is a righteous man. I, Old Baldy, admire civil servants like you!" Old Baldy praised.

"But I also have a question. There are fifteen cities along the line from Xi County to Huai'an. According to the autumn harvest situation in various places last year, the fifteen cities along the Huai River are enough to provide food to deal with the food problem. Why do we still need to allocate food from Huai'an to Yangzhou?" Lord Huang raised his doubts.

These are the food he saved with great difficulty, and he really feels sorry for it.

Yesterday, the matter was urgent and he couldn't think too much about it. He was also afraid that the situation would become urgent, so he could only allocate a part of it first.

After calming down today, I feel a little reluctant to let go!

Thinking that he should discuss it with Zhang Ping'an and others before making a decision, he looked forward to everyone coming.

I really don’t know what to do with this hot potato!

Lao Tu, who had been on the march for many years, expressed his opinion upon hearing this: "There must be grain transfers along the Huai River line, as it is closer to the front line and more convenient! But to be honest, based on my understanding of Lord Zhou, the amount will definitely not be large. Lords, you are familiar with history books and should also know that the people are the foundation of the country. A solid foundation will bring peace to the country.

It's precisely because the cities along the Huai River are so close to the front lines that if we transfer grain on a large scale, the people's morale, which we've worked so hard to rally, will dissipate, causing panic among the people. This will only complicate the situation. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Transferring grain from our rear is a bit more troublesome, but it's the safest option!"

After hearing this, Mr. Huang's eyes flashed, and he stroked his beard without saying a word, which meant that he agreed with this statement.

Zhang Pingan put down his teacup, helped to drum up support, and said seriously, "Master You is absolutely right!"

The old bald man was encouraged and continued, "My lords, I am a rough man and have not read much. I don't know whether these allusions are correct or not, but the meaning is this.

One million and a half jin of food may seem like a lot, but it can barely last for four days. However, this is also a way of saving food. Lord Zhang and I brought 700,000 jin of food from Ze County this time, which is the maximum amount that Ze County can squeeze out.

You all know how quickly the court works. Regardless, we must help gather at least a month's supply of food, otherwise the front lines will face a food supply crisis."

Magistrate Huang nodded. "I understand what you mean. The problem is that we need to help solve it, but it's spring planting time, so we have to save food and seeds for the people in the city, right?!"

Zhang Pingan pondered for a moment and said sincerely, "Master Huang, let's not mince words. Huai'an is the provincial capital. Its population is second only to Yangzhou among the cities along the Huai River and the Grand Canal. Its fertile land stretches for hundreds of miles. We all know about last year's autumn harvest. There must be a lot of grain stored."