In a harmonious atmosphere, Zhao Wenhua began to read the imperial edicts, first the one on sea sacrifice, which dispatched Zhao Wenhua to preside over the sea sacrifice and to act at his discretion. Officials in Jiangnan were required to cooperate without making any mistakes. Then the imperial edict on inspection and military supervision was read, which dispatched Zhao Wenhua to inspect Jiangnan's defense and supervise military affairs.
After Zhao Wenhua announced the decree, Zhang Jing led a group of officials to receive it.
After the imperial edict was read, the welcoming banquet began.
At the main table were a group of bigwigs including Zhang Jing, Zhao Wenhua, He Zhenshou, Hu Zongxian, Duke of Wei, and Zhang Neitai.
Zhang Jing and Zhao Wenhua sat in the dual main seats.
Zhu Ping'an sat at the next table, which was very close, so he could hear clearly any movement at the main table.
"Alas, Governor Zhang and all of you are too polite. It is enough for me to have your assistance in my work and to meet all of you pillars of the country. There is no need for a welcoming banquet. You can save the money and use it for sea sacrifices and military affairs." Zhao Wenhua kept being polite as he sat down.
"How can that be possible? Not to mention that this is a thousand-year-old tradition, Lord Zhao has traveled a thousand miles on horseback. If we don't show some hospitality to welcome him, how can we face the world?"
The officials at the main table spoke one after another.
"Hey, you are so many in number, I can't argue with you, but there's no need for delicacies, just simple food will do."
Zhao Wenhua shook his head helplessly and smiled bitterly.
Because the food had been prepared long ago, it was served soon...
Zhu Ping'an was sitting right opposite Zhao Wenhua, so he could see Zhao Wenhua's facial expression clearly.
Zhu Ping'an clearly saw Zhao Wenhua's face darken for a moment after the food was served, then he forced a smile.
Because the food on the table is not simple, but it is home-cooked, braised tofu, boiled peanuts, cold three-shredded vegetables, cold kelp, cold lotus root, vinegar and white cabbage, leek scrambled eggs, four-happiness meatballs, steamed pork with rice flour, deep-fried river fish, plus a big bowl of spinach and egg soup, and the tea is also ordinary old tea... ...
For Zhao Wenhua, who had enjoyed delicacies from land and sea along the way, this table of food was really simple and plain.
In fact, the officials of the Ministry of Rites originally planned to serve delicacies from land and sea, but the Governor Zhang Jing rejected it.
Last time, when welcoming the imperial envoy, the money was too extravagant, and Zhang Jing disagreed. Wouldn't it be better to use the money to reward soldiers and buy food and fodder? ! However, Zhang Jing was only the Minister of War at that time, so even though he disagreed, he had no choice.
Things are different now. Zhang Jing is now the governor of Jiangnan. He holds a high position and has great power. His words are almost law in Jiangnan. Naturally, he changed his ways, lowered the reception standards, and saved money to spend on military expenses.
"Ahem, these are just some ordinary simple meals, a little shabby, I hope Lord Zhao will forgive me..." Lord Huang, the Minister of Rites sitting on the main seat, blushed before he even drank any wine. He coughed awkwardly and said with a lack of confidence.
The truth is, these meals are really not presentable, but there is no other way, as this was ordered by Governor Zhang himself.
"Haha, Lord Huang is wrong. This meal is not just plain food. Eggs are also chicken, and river fish is also fish. There are also meatballs and steamed pork with rice flour. This contains chicken, fish and meat. Ordinary people can't afford such plain food. For ordinary people, having fried eggs is like celebrating a festival." Zhao Wenhua smiled and shook his head.
Upon hearing this, Minister Huang's face turned even redder. An egg is also a chicken, and a river fish is also a fish... He felt really embarrassed just hearing this.
The food served at the welcoming banquet for the imperial envoy was just like this. If word got out and the colleagues in the Ministry of Rites in the capital heard about it, I wonder how they would laugh at him. Alas, a lifetime of fame was ruined by a meal.
Minister Huang has already thought about the scene of being laughed at when he goes to the capital to report on his work next year.
"Why does Minister Huang have to act like this? I am not joking, but telling the truth. I have come all the way from the capital, thousands of miles away, and have seen many sufferings and hunger of the common people along the way, which deeply touched me. Especially after entering the territory of Shandong and reaching the south of the Yangtze River, the people's lives are even more difficult due to the harassment of Japanese pirates. This welcoming banquet of ours is something they dare not even dream of during the New Year. So, this meal is not shabby at all. The money saved will be used for sea sacrifices and military affairs, to eliminate the Japanese pirates as soon as possible, and to give peace to the people. Good steel should be used on the blade. This welcoming banquet is very good, very good, and it touches my heart. A good official who cares about the people should be like this. Later, I will write to the emperor to praise Minister Huang for his integrity and serving the people."
Zhao Wenhua said this seriously, praised Shangshu Huang greatly, and vowed to write a letter to the emperor to praise Shangshu Huang's integrity.
Upon hearing this, Minister Huang's eyes almost popped out of his head in surprise, and then he was overjoyed, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise. He coughed to suppress his laughter, and waved his hands repeatedly, pretending to decline, "Ahem, ahem, it's enough that Lord Zhao can understand the difficulties. There is no need to write a letter praising me for my integrity and serving the people. It's all for the emperor to share his worries, and it's difficult for the people. It's not worth mentioning, it's not worth mentioning..."
At this moment, Minister Huang's affection for Zhao Wenhua was not just a little bit, but so full that it was almost beyond words.
Governor Zhang put me in a difficult position. This welcoming banquet was very shabby. However, Lord Zhao was not angry. Instead, he praised me for my integrity and dedication to the people. With Lord Zhao's endorsement, my behavior is no longer shabby. It is integrity and dedication to the people. My colleagues in the Ministry of Rites in the capital will not be able to laugh at me anymore. They will only praise me when they meet me.
Very good, Lord Zhao is very good.
The more Minister Huang looked at Zhao Wenhua, the more he liked him. Thinking that behind Zhao Wenhua there was Lord Yan, who was second only to the emperor, he immediately had an idea in his mind. When he spoke to Zhao Wenhua again, his tone became much more intimate and warm.
"It is a blessing for us that Lord Zhao thinks this way. Now that the Japanese threat is getting more and more serious, it is time to shift all our focus to suppressing them." Zhang Jing nodded slightly, then picked up the wine glass and offered the first glass of wine at the welcoming banquet, "Come on, everyone, drink this glass to congratulate Lord Zhao and the great plan to destroy the Japanese."
"Congratulations to Lord Zhao, and to the great plan to destroy Japan." All the officials present raised their glasses together.
"Thank you, Governor Zhang." After Zhao Wenhua drank the whole glass, he raised the second glass and said loudly, "Governor Zhang and all the others share the same goal, which is to wipe out the Japanese pirates and serve His Majesty. So, this glass of wine is for Governor Zhang and all the others. I will thank you for your cooperation in offering sacrifices to the sea and supervising military affairs."
"Of course, we will do our best to help..."
A group of officials followed suit and raised their glasses, expressing their support and drinking the whole glass.
Amid the clinking of glasses, the atmosphere of the welcoming banquet reached its climax and the banquet was filled with harmony.
Chapter 1659: Peace