After receiving the "sponsorship" of two hundred taels of silver from the "kind" and "helpful" Chu Xiong, Zhang Chufeng, and Zhuo Yan, or more precisely from Chu Xiong, Zhu Ping'an went straight home, called Liu Mu, Liu Dadao, Liu Dachui and Liu Dagang, borrowed a carriage from the Criminal Office, and rode straight to the Yingtian Military Office.
There is no time to lose. Now that we have obtained the imperial approval, we should cash it in as soon as possible, withdraw military supplies and food from the Yingtian Military Department, and form a militia as quickly as possible.
Now time is money, time is life. The sooner the militia is formed and trained, the sooner it can become an army and play a role in this era of increasingly serious Japanese threat.
Zhu Ping'an considered that the money given to him by the Ministry of War might not be silver notes, but most likely silver.
How heavy is five thousand taels of silver? ! The Ming Dynasty used sixteen digits per jin, which is the hexadecimal system, that is, "one hundred taels, no need to think, six jin and four taels, one thousand taels, no need to count, sixty-two and a half jin!" Five thousand taels is 312.5 jin. More than three hundred jin, Zhu Ping'an couldn't carry so much silver by himself, so Zhu Ping'an called Liu Mu and the other four to help carry the military pay and silver and ensure the road security.
The Yingtian Military Ministry Yamen was not far from the Judicial and Censorate Yamen, so Zhu Ping'an and his party arrived there in just a cup of tea.
"I am Zhu Ping'an, the deputy official of the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provincial Criminal Investigation Department. I have been ordered to take charge of military preparations. Now I have received the imperial court's approval, and I have come to your yamen to withdraw the approved 5,000 taels of military pay."
Zhu Ping'an, dressed in the uniform of a fifth-rank official, showed his token and successfully entered the Ministry of War, where he explained his purpose to the clerk on duty.
"Sir Zhu, withdrawing 5,000 taels of silver is a serious matter, and only the Minister can make the decision. Please wait a moment, let me report to the Minister." The clerk on duty did not dare to delay and immediately passed the message inside.
"Thank you for reporting to Minister Zhang." Zhu Ping'an nodded.
The Minister of War at this time was Zhang Jing, a famous and respected figure in history. Zhu Ping'an knew a lot about this in modern times and was looking forward to meeting this historical figure. According to historical records, Zhang was transferred from the capital to Yingtian as the Minister of Revenue at the beginning of the year, and was transferred from the Minister of Revenue to the Minister of War three months ago.
"Master Zhu, the Minister invites you."
Soon the clerk trotted back and took Zhu Ping'an to meet Zhang Jing, the Minister of War of Yingtian.
"Your humble servant Zhu Ping'an pays his respects to Minister Zhang." After meeting Zhang Jing, Zhu Ping'an bowed and greeted him.
This was the first time Zhu Ping'an met Zhang Jing. In his field of vision, Zhang Jing looked tall and strong, with an air of elegance. At first glance, he gave people the impression that he was a Confucian general with both literary talent and military strategy.
After Zhang Jing greeted Zhu Ping'an, he looked him up and down with a sharp gaze for as much as three seconds.
Is there something wrong with my attire and appearance
When Zhu Ping'an was looked at by Zhang Jing, he began to doubt whether there was anything wrong with his clothes and appearance.
"I heard from someone that you want to withdraw 5,000 taels of silver." Zhang Jing looked at Zhu Ping'an for three seconds before speaking slowly.
"That's right. I was ordered to take charge of the military preparations of the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provincial Criminal Investigation Department and lead the militia. In order to facilitate the work, I applied to the court for 10,000 taels of military pay. Now the court has approved 5,000 taels of pay and ordered me to come to your yamen to withdraw it. This is the official document approved by the court. Please review it."
Zhu Ping'an bowed and reported, then took out the imperial approval from his arms and handed it to Zhang Jing with both hands.
"No need for the official document. I have one here too." Zhang Jing waved his hand and did not take the approval document handed over by Zhu Ping'an.
"This time I am here to collect the approved 5,000 taels of military pay..." Zhu Ping'an said with a bow.
"Master Zhu, are you an adult?!" Zhang Jing did not respond to Zhu Ping'an's words, but asked Zhu Ping'an while looking at him.
"I am not yet twenty years old." Zhu Ping'an replied truthfully.
"Lord Zhu, have you ever led the troops?" Zhang Jing asked again after hearing this.
"When I was the magistrate of Jingnan a few months ago, I organized the military and civilians to defend the city twice," Zhu Ping'an replied.
"What I am talking about is the formal command of the troops." Zhang Jing added.
"That subordinate has not officially commanded the troops." Zhu Ping'an answered truthfully after hearing this.
"Sir Zhu, which militia do you want to lead?" Zhang Jing asked again.
"Local from Jiangsu and Zhejiang. I have already surrendered..." Zhu Ping'an answered truthfully, and then further explained how he persuaded the bandits to surrender.
"Then please go back, Master Zhu."
Zhang Jing interrupted Zhu Ping'an and said expressionlessly, then picked up the teacup to show that he was seeing the guest off.
What?! Let me go back?! Zhu Pingan was stunned when he heard this, and looked up at Zhang Jing, "What does the Minister mean?!"
"My meaning should be very clear. Lord Zhu, why do you have to ask questions when you already know the answer?" Zhang Jing said expressionlessly.
Indeed, Zhang Jing's meaning was very clear, refuse! How could Zhu Ping'an not see clearly. But why? ! I came here to withdraw silver with the approval of the court. Does the approval of the court not work here? !
Zhu Ping'an understood, but refused to accept it. He looked up at Zhang Jing and bowed again, "Master Zhang, I came to your yamen to collect 5,000 silver coins according to the imperial court's approval. I did not make it up. I hope you can give me some convenience..."
"I have received the approval from the court, but I have not received the silver approved by the court. My office has no salary for Lord Zhu to withdraw, so Lord Zhu, please go back. Lord Zhu, please come back to withdraw the silver when my office receives the silver approved by the court." Zhang Jing looked into Zhu Ping'an's eyes and said lightly.
Well!
Zhu Pingan took a deep breath after hearing this. He didn't expect to encounter obstacles when he came to Yingtian Military Department to withdraw military supplies and food. He didn't expect Zhang Jing to refuse him. It didn't make sense. This was the first time he met Zhang Jing. There was no possibility that he had offended Zhang Jing before. Moreover, Zhang Jing was not a member of the Yan Party. In fact, Zhang Jing opposed the Yan Party. It was impossible for Zhang Jing to trip him up just because he had offended the Yan Party. In addition, he was withdrawing money in response to the approval of the court. It was reasonable, well-founded, and legal.
He couldn’t understand it, he really couldn’t understand it. Zhu Ping’an couldn’t understand why Zhang Jing refused so resolutely.
"Sir Zhang, your office is the Ministry of War, and it represents the imperial court." Zhu Ping'an looked into Zhang Jing's eyes and said slowly.
What Zhu Ping'an meant was that your yamen is the Yingtian Ministry of War yamen, the Ministry of War yamen of the secondary capital, and is of the same level as the Ministry of War yamen in the capital. You represent the imperial court, and the treasury silver in your yamen is the imperial court's treasury silver. According to the approval document, your yamen can give it to me directly, and there is no need to wait for the Ministry of War in the capital to give you the silver according to the approval.
"Master Zhu is right, but the court is in a tight financial situation. Our government is not as well-off as the Ministry of War in the capital, and our finances are even tighter. We have long been outspending and have been in deficit. Currently, we have no extra money for Master Zhu to withdraw."
Zhang Jing said slowly, rejecting Zhu Pingan again.