After Zhu Ping'an left, Deputy Envoy Bai showed an expression of sudden recollection, turned his head and said to Zhang Chufeng beside him, "Master Zhang, you just asked Master Zhu to go to the Ministry of War to report the urgent military situation. Now I suddenly remembered that this morning, Master Neitai asked you to invite Hu Zongxian, the inspector, to the yamen to discuss the relevant matters of the next year's patrol. Didn't Hu Zongxian reply that the Ministry of War sent a letter this morning to invite the Ministry of Revenue, the governor of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and some generals to discuss military affairs, and he might not have time this morning, and will come to the yamen to discuss it another day? They should be discussing military affairs at the Ministry of War now. Master Zhu is going there now, right..."
"Oh, how could I forget about this?" Zhang Chufeng slapped his thigh and said, as if he had suddenly remembered something after being reminded.
Forgot something.
You did it on purpose... You are famous for your good memory in our government. You can remember even trivial matters from the past. What's more, this happened this morning. It has only been less than a quarter of an hour. How could you forget it? But what does it have to do with me? If you say you forgot it, then forget it.
Deputy Envoy Bai glanced at Zhang Chufeng, smiled slightly, and did not expose Zhang Chufeng's lame lie.
Yes, Deputy Envoy Bai was not mistaken, Zhang Chufeng did it on purpose.
Just now he urged Zhu Ping'an to report to the Ministry of War as soon as possible because he wanted Zhu Ping'an to report this ridiculous emergency military information before the meeting of the Ministry of War ended, so that officials from various government offices present at the meeting could hear Zhu Ping'an's emergency military information and make Zhu Ping'an lose face in front of all the officials.
There are so many government offices. If Zhu Ping'an loses face today, the news will spread to all the government offices in Yingtian tomorrow, and to all the officialdom in Yingtian the day after tomorrow...
Zhang Chufeng patted his thigh and smiled again, then continued, "But this is also good. The Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, the Governor, the Inspector General, and the generals are discussing military affairs, which must be related to the Japanese invasion. Zihou's urgent military information is related to the Japanese pirates who landed in Shangyu, so we can take advantage of the opportunity to brainstorm and save Zihou from running around. It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early, that's the reason."
Deputy Envoy Bai smiled slightly and said nothing.
"Although Zihou's inference is somewhat unbelievable, we cannot completely rule out this possibility. You should go down and study it further." Zhang Neitai picked up the teacup and said to Deputy Envoy Bai and Zhang Chufeng.
"Haha, Zihou's inference is quite interesting. I'll find time to study it when I get down..." Deputy Envoy Bai stood up, nodded with a smile, then bowed to Zhang Neitai and said goodbye. Serving tea means seeing off guests, and an old official like him would know this.
"Master Neitai, Master Bai, what are you still studying? Zihou's inference is too bizarre. How could it be possible that less than a hundred Japanese pirates dared to harass the huge city of Yingtian? This is simply nonsense."
Zhang Chufeng also followed Deputy Envoy Bai and stood up to say goodbye to Zhang Neitai, but as he stood up to say goodbye, he shook his head disapprovingly. In his eyes, Zhu Ping'an's inference was not worth studying at all and was just a joke.
After leaving the door, Zhang Chufeng asked Deputy Envoy Bai, "Master Bai, are you really going to study Zhu Ping'an's outrageous inference?"
"Yes, but I need to find time to study. I'm busy with official duties recently and I'm afraid it will be difficult to find time..."
Deputy Envoy Bai smiled slightly.
"Haha, then I'll 'find' time to study it like Lord Bai..." Zhang Chufeng suddenly realized and laughed.
Zhu Ping'an left the Judicial and Surveillance Commissioner's Office and rode non-stop to the Ministry of War, where he dismounted.
"Sir Zhu, you are here." The officer on duty had received Zhu Ping'an last time. He recognized Zhu Ping'an at a glance and stepped forward to bow and greet him.
"Oh, you are Zhang Yuan." Zhu Ping'an had an almost photographic memory and recognized the officer.
Zhang Yuan was pleasantly surprised when he heard Zhu Ping'an call out his name. "Master Zhu, I'm honored that you still remember my humble name."
"Haha, last time I had the trouble of you bringing me to see Minister Zhang, how could I not remember it." Zhu Ping'an smiled slightly, then said seriously, "Zhang Yuan, I have urgent military information to report to Minister Zhang today, please go in and report it."
"Master Zhu, you are too kind. Please wait in the guest room for a moment. I will go in and report." Zhang Yuan responded, paused, and then reminded Zhu Ping'an, "However, the Minister is currently discussing military affairs with several officials from the Ministry of Revenue, Zhejiang Governor Li, and the Imperial Censor Hu, as well as some generals. I don't know when the Minister will be able to meet with you, Master Zhu."
"I saved it." Zhu Ping'an nodded, "Please go in and report it."
Zhang Yuan went in to report, and before leaving, he asked other officers in the yamen to take Zhu Ping'an to the guest room to wait.
Zhu Ping'an followed another officer to the guest room to wait, and asked him on the way, "Who is the Zhejiang Governor Li that Zhang Yuan just mentioned?"
"Replying to Lord Zhu, the Governor of Zhejiang, Lord Li, whose real name is Li Tianchong, took office yesterday. Previously, Governor Li served as the Deputy Military Envoy of Xuzhou. Some time ago, Lord Li led his troops to repel several waves of Japanese pirates in Tongzhou and Rugao, with outstanding achievements. The emperor specially promoted Lord Li to the Governor of Zhejiang, and he took office yesterday."
The officer explained.
Zhu Ping'an nodded. It turned out that Lord Li Tianchong had taken office yesterday. It was normal for the news to be delayed as he was busy training troops in Taohuaji.
Although Zhu Ping'an has never seen Lord Li Tianchong, he knows about his deeds in modern times. Lord Li was a famous general who fought against the Japanese invaders and was a good official. Because of his meritorious service in fighting against the Japanese invaders, he was promoted to the governor of Zhejiang. Unfortunately, he could have made great achievements in the anti-Japanese war, but his luck was bad. In history, he and Zhang Jing were brothers in distress, and their final fate was the same... ...
We must do our best to change this history and avoid tragedy.
The more capable people there are.
The sooner the Japanese threat can be eliminated, the sooner the people along the coast can live a stable and peaceful life.
When Zhang Yuan went in to report, the meeting was in progress. Zhang Jing was still a little unhappy, "Didn't I tell you not to interrupt unless it's urgent?"
"Please calm down, my lord. The deputy director of the Zhejiang Provincial Criminal Investigation Department, Zhu Ping'an, has important military information to report. I dare not delay."
Zhang Yuan explained hurriedly.
"Oh, in that case, you did the right thing." Zhang Jing nodded, his expression improved, and he even encouraged Zhang Yuan. He then said to him, "Since it is an urgent military situation, you should quickly invite Lord Zhu to come. Lord Zhu is knowledgeable about military affairs, and after reporting the urgent military situation, he can also attend the meeting."
"Yes, sir." Zhang Yuan accepted the order.
Soon, Zhu Ping'an, under the guidance of Zhang Yuan, came to the meeting place, and after reporting, he entered the meeting hall.