"According to the convention, if the emperor wants to appoint you as the governor-general, he must first remove you from the military department and then order you to be the governor of the military affairs of the provinces of Nanzhili, Zhejiang, Shandong, Guangdong and Guangxi, and focus on suppressing the Japanese. In this Japanese invasion, according to your responsibility, you will not be dismissed from your post. Demotion or salary reduction will be enough, or even exile will be enough. The reason why I dismissed you from your post, I think, is to facilitate your appointment as the governor-general."
Under Zhang Jing's questioning gaze, Zhu Ping'an slowly explained with a look of confidence and determination.
Of course, he was confident, because Zhu Ping'an knew that this was the procedure for Zhang Jing to be appointed as the governor-general. According to historical records, the emperor ordered Zhang Jing to resign from his previous post as the Minister of War and to be the governor of the troops of Jiangnan, Jiangbei, Zhejiang, Shandong, Fujian, and Huguang provinces, to act at his discretion and focus on suppressing the Japanese invaders.
After Zhu Pingan finished speaking, he saw Zhang Jing was stunned, and a hint of excitement flashed in his eyes.
After a few seconds, Zhang Jing shook his head again and said calmly, "This is just Mr. Zhu's wishful thinking."
"Perhaps this subordinate is just wishful thinking." Zhu Ping'an shrugged slightly, and then bowed again, "However, this subordinate has absolutely no intention of making fun of you, my Lord."
"You are just talking nonsense, so I'll just listen to it for now." Zhang Jing nodded without comment.
"However, if you are appointed as the governor-general, please remember to owe me a glass of wine. When I come to your house to ask for it, please don't turn me away." Zhu Ping'an joked meaningfully.
"Haha, I have a jar of 'Pearl Red', a royal tribute wine bestowed by the emperor, in my house. I'm afraid Lord Zhu doesn't have the luxury of tasting it."
Zhang Jing stroked his beard and sneered.
"That's a deal. Old man must prepare the wine." Zhu Ping'an slightly pulled the corner of his mouth and revealed a confident smile.
Once Zhang Jing is appointed as governor, Zhu Ping'an believes that he will leave a deep and indelible impression on Zhang Jing.
Accurately predicted the Japanese pirates' attack on Yingtian, and accurately predicted Zhang Jing's appointment as governor-general...
It may be an exaggeration to say that he is a master strategist and a genius, but after these two incidents, Zhang Jing will seriously consider any suggestions or opinions he has in the future, instead of rushing to deny them like he did last time and this time.
"Nephew, nephew, come here..." Just then, Zhu Ping'an heard the call, and when he looked up, he saw Duke Wei and Marquis Linhuai holding wine glasses, standing beside Chen Hong, waving at him.
"Sir Zhang, excuse me." Zhu Ping'an said to Zhang Jing apologetically.
"Please do as you please, Lord Zhu. Don't worry about me." Zhang Jing nodded slightly, indicating that Zhu Ping'an could do as he pleased.
"Uncle." Zhu Ping'an walked towards the Duke of Wei and the Marquis of Linhuai holding a wine glass.
"My dear nephew, come here, let me formally introduce Eunuch Chen to you." Duke Wei and Marquis Linhuai said enthusiastically.
"Greetings, Eunuch Chen." Zhu Ping'an followed suit and stepped forward to greet Chen Hong.
"Haha, you are too polite, Mr. Zhuangyuan." Chen Hong smiled very gently, "The Duke and the Marquis, there is no need to introduce us to each other. Although this is the first time I meet Mr. Zhuangyuan today, it is not the first time I have dealt with him."
"Oh, this is not the first time that father-in-law and nephew have dealt with each other." Duke Wei and Marquis Linhuai were both a little surprised.
"That's right. Speaking of which, I have to thank the number one scholar very much." Chen Hong covered his lips with his hands and laughed.
"Oh, so my nephew has helped my father-in-law before? My nephew hid it too deeply and never told us."
Duke Wei and Marquis Linhuai were delighted when they heard this. That was good. With this relationship, there was really no need for introduction. My nephew had helped Eunuch Chen before. This was even better than introduction. When Eunuch Chen returned to the capital, he would naturally help my nephew to speak well of me in front of His Majesty. Haha, maybe because of my nephew, Eunuch Chen would also help us to speak well of me.
When Duke Wei and Marquis Linhuai thought of this, smiles suddenly spread across their faces. This was really good news.
"Ahem..." When Zhu Ping'an saw the smiles on the faces of Duke Wei and Marquis Linhuai, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.
I know they are overthinking it.
When I was in Jingnan, I did "help" Eunuch Chen and "entertained" his godson well.
Eunuch Chen and his godson must be thanking me from the bottom of their hearts, with gnashing teeth and chewing blood...
"Haha, No. 1 scholar is doing good things without seeking fame." Chen Hong covered the corners of his mouth, his smiling face as beautiful as a chrysanthemum.
"That was more than a month ago. At that time, I was ordered to go out of the palace to buy pearls. I was on official business in Suzhou. A thief pretended to be my unfilial son and swindled and robbed people in Jingnan County, ruining my reputation. It was the champion who saw through the man's impersonation of my son and caught him, beat him up, tied him up and handed him over to me. He protected my reputation and helped me a lot. Otherwise, ruining my reputation would be a small matter, but if it affected the emperor's mission and damaged the emperor's reputation, I would be a sinner for all eternity. Fortunately, the champion came to our aid."
Chen Hong said to Duke Wei and Marquis Linhuai with a smile, his words filled with gratitude to Zhu Pingan.
"You are too polite, it's just a small favor." Zhu Ping'an said modestly. You are flattering me, who is afraid of who? He continued, "Eunuch Chen is diligent in his work, fair and law-abiding, and has never violated the law. He has a good reputation. If he is really Chen's adopted son, he must be as upright and loyal as Chen. How could he indulge in his work and be diligent in swindling, bullying, and robbing people's property? That's why I immediately saw that the man was impersonating Chen's adopted son and ruining his reputation."
"Ah, someone actually dared to pretend to be the adopted son of the father-in-law to defraud and rob people. He deserves death."
Duke Wei said indignantly.
"That's right, my nephew is still young and too kind-hearted. A beating would be too lenient for him. He should be caned to death."
Linhuai Hou echoed.
Zhu Ping'an couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth again, and he saw from the corner of his eye that Chen Hong's mouth seemed to be twitching as well...
"Eunuch Chen, there is no need to thank you. It is his honor that my nephew can help you. Otherwise, how could he have known you? This is his blessing. You are a favorite of the emperor. A good word from you in front of the emperor is better than years of hard work."
Linhuai Hou said to Chen Hong in a flattering manner, and then he pulled Zhu Pingan forward to toast, "My dear nephew, why don't you toast to your father-in-law?"
Zhu Ping'an curled the corner of his mouth and said, "He is still speaking well of me. I should thank God that he doesn't slander me or say bad things about me in front of the emperor."
However, Zhu Pingan still smiled and stepped forward to toast, "Cheers to Eunuch Chen."
"Please come in, Mr. Number One Scholar. I won't say much to express my gratitude. If you need me in the future, please just ask. I will never refuse." Chen Hong raised his glass, clinked it with his cup, and drank it all in one gulp.
"Why don't you thank the eunuch quickly?" Duke Wei and Marquis Linhuai were very excited when they heard this.
"Thank you, father-in-law."
Zhu Ping'an had no choice but to bow and pretend to be submissive.