"Zihou, after the welcoming banquet, don't rush back. Try the tea I brought from the capital." Zhao Wenhua patted Zhu Ping'an on the shoulder and instructed in front of everyone.
"yes."
Zhao Wenhua invited him in public and regarded himself as a teacher, so Zhu Ping'an had no choice but to accept.
Next, Zhao Wenhua got to know some other officials and eventually arrived at the Imperial Commissioner's Office.
The Imperial Envoy's Office is a temporary office, which is usually sealed. It is only cleaned and tidied a few days in advance when an imperial envoy arrives. After all, the imperial envoy will not stay there for long and will mostly leave upon receiving an imperial decree.
However, Zhao Wenhua, the imperial envoy, is different. Zhao Wenhua's sea sacrifice will not take a few days, but it is uncertain whether he can supervise military affairs. Ten days or half a month will be fine, or even a year or two will not be a problem...
The people from the Ministry of Rites actually made the following arrangements: the Imperial Envoy's Office served as Zhao Wenhua's office, and as for accommodation, they rented a garden as Zhao Wenhua's daily living place, and hired some cooks and servants.
However, Zhang Jing rejected this proposal.
What a joke! To hire a garden and a group of cooks and servants for one person would cost hundreds of taels of silver a month. Wouldn't it be nice to use this money for military expenses and rewards for soldiers
The Imperial Envoy's Office has an office in the front yard, a dormitory in the back yard, and a dozen runners to serve. Zhang Jing wanted to break a copper coin into two halves to spend, so how could he agree to rent a garden and a cook for Zhao Wenhua
In Zhang Jing's mind, offering sacrifices to the sea was not reasonable. Could offering sacrifices to the sea god and seeking his blessing protect the southeastern part of the Ming Dynasty? If it really worked, then what would we, the soldiers of the three armies, do
It's ridiculous to spend so much money on sea sacrifice and just go to waste!
Of course, Zhang Jing would never say these words even if he was beaten to death. This involves the emperor, and the emperor is always right. The emperor cannot be criticized in the slightest.
Zhang Jing is a big shot in the political world. It is impossible for him to make such a low-level mistake. Just think about it in your mind.
"Welcome to the Governor, welcome to the Imperial Commissioner, welcome to all the gentlemen..." In front of the Imperial Commissioner's Office, Governor Zhang Jing took the lead, followed closely by Imperial Commissioner Zhao Wenhua, and other officials filed in. The servants in front of the office bowed repeatedly to greet the bigwigs, without straightening their backs.
The incense table had already been set up in the yamen, and the kitchen had also prepared welcoming wine and food, just waiting to be served.
"Thank you again, Governor Zhang, and thank you, Governor He, Duke Wei, and all my colleagues for your warm welcome. In this cold and snowy winter, you have made me feel the warmth of spring. Thank you very much."
Before announcing the decree, Zhao Wenhua bowed to everyone and thanked them again with emotion.
"Master Zhao is so polite."
Upon hearing this, a group of officials stood up and said that they had a better impression of Zhao Wenhua.
He is the godson of Prime Minister Yan, a key figure in the Yan Party, in a high position of power, and speaks well...
"Well, it's getting late, let's get back to the topic. The Japanese invasion is getting more serious, and all departments and officers should make it their top priority to prepare for the Japanese invasion. Lord Zhao, please issue His Majesty's order as soon as possible so that we can cooperate with Lord Zhao to complete His Majesty's important task as soon as possible and devote our energy to defending against the Japanese invasion."
Zhang Jing interrupted the emotional development between Zhao Wenhua and a group of officials and urged Zhao Wenhua to issue an edict.
"Yes, yes, Governor Zhang is absolutely right."
Zhang Jing was the governor-general and the top leader of Jiangnan. When Zhang Jing spoke, all the officials naturally followed his lead.
Zhao Wenhua, who was surrounded and flattered by a group of officials in the previous second, became a lonely man in the next second.
Ice and fire!
Zhao Wenhua felt it the most. A flash of gloom flashed across his brows. He smiled and said, "With the Japanese invasion at hand, time is running out. Governor Zhang is right. Let's get back to business. This time when I left the capital and came to your precious land, His Majesty has entrusted me with two important tasks. One is to offer sacrifices to the sea, and the other is to inspect and supervise military affairs in the southeast. I need the cooperation of Governor Zhang, the adults, and the generals."
"Of course." Zhang Jing and other officials would naturally not refuse the important task assigned by Emperor Jiajing.
"The first and foremost task is to offer sacrifices to the sea. This is also the first task that the emperor has entrusted to me. The Japanese pirates have come across the sea and the ocean. There must be sea monsters secretly helping them. I offer sacrifices to the sea and pray to the gods to kill the sea monsters and help my Ming Dynasty to wipe out the Japanese pirates."
Zhao Wenhua first bowed from a distance towards the northern capital city to pay homage to Emperor Jiajing, and then spoke to everyone.
After hearing this, Zhang Jing's expression didn't change. In his heart, he really disagreed and even wanted to laugh.
Sea monsters are causing trouble!
It's really a gathering of eunuchs - nonsense!
However, let’s just offer sacrifices to the sea. It’s His Majesty’s fault for practicing Taoism. Now that the matter is done, there is nothing we can do.
These days, pick an auspicious day, find a peaceful seaside, burn some talismans, recite some poems, confer an imperial deity upon the sea, offer sacrifices, and then pour the offerings into the sea and that's it.
Zhang Jing thought about it truthfully, and there was no big ripple in his heart. He did not have much resistance to the sea sacrifice.
"As for inspecting and supervising military affairs in the southeast, it is a long-term and important task. However, please rest assured, Governor Zhang, the other gentlemen, and the generals. I am not here to cause trouble or find fault during this inspection, but to solve problems. If you have any difficulties or troubles in military affairs, you can appeal to me. I will try my best to solve them for you. If I cannot solve them, I will report them to the cabinet and the emperor. Please ask the cabinet and the emperor to make the decision for you. The ultimate goal of inspecting and supervising military affairs in the southeast is to wipe out the Japanese pirates, return peace to the people in the southeast, and return stability to the emperor."
Zhao Wenhua said so.
Hearing Zhao Wenhua's tactful response, Zhang Jing nodded slightly, indicating that it's good that you have this awareness.
Inspecting and supervising military affairs, huh, what do you, a clinging person who takes others as your father, know about military affairs? Do you know how to deploy troops? Do you know how much food and fodder a battalion of soldiers needs? Do you know how to set up a siege and attack reinforcements?! Do you know how many horses the Japanese pirates have?! You know nothing!
However, at least you still have self-awareness and know not to cause trouble or find fault. This is a good awareness.
You just stand by and watch quietly.
Although you are a member of the Yan Party, considering your tact, it would be nice if you could share some of the credit after we wipe out the Japanese pirates in the future.
Zhang Jing thought truthfully in his heart and nodded slightly.
After hearing Zhao Wenhua's statement and looking at Governor Zhang Jing's expression, all the officials present felt relieved. They were all worried that Zhang Jing and Zhang Wenhua would start a tit-for-tat dispute.
Zhang Jing was the governor-general of Jiangnan, in charge of the military forces of Jiangnan, Jiangbei, Zhejiang, Shandong, Fujian, Huguang and other provinces. He was allowed to act at his discretion. Naturally, these local officials in Jiangnan had to follow Zhang Jing's lead.
As for Zhao Wenhua, he was an imperial envoy, sent by the emperor to offer sacrifices to the sea and inspect military affairs. He was backed by the huge Yan Party, so they could not be too careful in serving him, and could not afford to offend him. If these two leaders started fighting, they would not know what to do.
Fortunately, the two of them got along well, which made the officials feel relieved.
However, Zhu Pingan was not as optimistic as everyone else. He did not believe a single word of Zhao Wenhua's words, including the punctuation marks.
There was another person present who also did not believe what Zhao Wenhua said, and that was Hu Zongxian.
At this moment, his heart was full of ups and downs, with worry and excitement. His eyes moved back and forth between Zhao Wenhua and Zhang Jing. He knew that these two people would definitely be in opposition, this was destined.
Zhang or Zhao, that is the question.
Hu Zongxian stroked his chin, deep in thought...
Chapter 1658 Zhang or Zhao