"Master Shang, you are too kind to praise me. I am not worthy of it. My achievements are all due to the support of the people and the dedication of the soldiers."
Zhu Pingan was modest for a moment, then stated firmly, "However, the Zhejiang Army and I will do our best to fight to the last soldier to protect the safety of Suzhou and live up to the support and trust of Governor Shang in us."
"Master Zhu, there is no need to be modest. Everyone has seen your performance. From what we have seen today, your army has strict military discipline, the morale of the officers and soldiers is high, and they follow orders. This is incomparable to ordinary armies. It can be seen that Zhu Ping'an knows military affairs well, and he is exactly the kind of talented general that my Suzhou Prefecture lacks." Prefect Shang said with a laugh.
"Uh... How dare Ping'an be called a talented general? Lord Shang, you are too kind." Zhu Ping'an said with a wry smile.
"I'm always outspoken, I'm not afraid of you laughing at me. The local soldiers of the Military Preparation Department and the subordinate counties, alas... can't be compared with your army at all. The commanders of the Military Preparation Department and the subordinate counties took advantage of my ignorance of military affairs. They just sat there and ate for fun, evaded military affairs, indulged in pleasure, and were intoxicated by fine wine and beautiful women. The soldiers followed suit, and military discipline was lax, and the atmosphere was chaotic. During this period, Japanese pirates often harassed southern Jiangsu. Even if they were only a small group of Japanese pirates, they were helpless with more than 8,000 soldiers and horses, afraid of the enemy and afraid of fighting, and let the people in my territory be ravaged and humiliated by the Japanese pirates. After the Japanese pirates left the country, they pretended to send troops, shamelessly proclaimed that they had driven out the Japanese pirates, and falsely reported their military exploits in order to receive rewards and bonuses."
"At first, I was deceived by them. Later, after receiving reports from local gentry and common people, I investigated and found out the truth. I was very angry. In a rage, I dismissed several officers and put them in prison for severe punishment. As a result, alas, it almost caused a mutiny. There were Japanese pirates outside and mutiny inside, which would be a disaster. In desperation, I had to compromise and released them from prison, restored their original positions, and let them make meritorious contributions while serving their sentences... As a result, haha, it is difficult to change a country's nature, or it is said that a dog can't change its eating habits. They are still the same and have not improved at all!"
"Master Zhu, before the expansion, your Zhejiang Army had less than a thousand men, but you bravely rushed to Yingtian to help. Not only did you drive out the Japanese pirates, you also annihilated them. You are brave and resourceful, and you can train soldiers. Compared to the military preparation department that is just sitting there doing nothing, how can you not be considered a talented commander?"
Prefect Shang was just as he said, speaking frankly and digging up all the shameful secrets of Suzhou Prefecture's Military Preparation Department and the commanders of subordinate counties. It was obvious that he was extremely disappointed with the local officers and soldiers. It was also obvious that Prefect Shang admired Zhu Ping'an very much and was very satisfied with the Zhejiang Army led by Zhu Ping'an.
"Okay, Master Zhu, you don't have to be so modest anymore. I'll be in charge of Suzhou City in the future, Master Zhu."
As he spoke, Prefect Shang stood up and bowed deeply to Zhu Ping'an.
"Please, Master Zhu."
The officials under Magistrate Shang also stood up and bowed deeply to Zhu Ping'an.
"Master Shang, all the masters, please stand up quickly." Zhu Ping'an quickly stood up and helped Shang Zhifu and others up, and assured them, "Thank you for your trust, Master Shang and everyone else. Ping'an and the Zhejiang Army will not let you down and will ensure that Suzhou City is safe. If the Japanese pirates want to get their hands on Suzhou City, they must first get past our Zhejiang Army. As long as there is a soldier left, we will not let a single Japanese pirate threaten Suzhou City."
"Good! With Lord Zhu's words, we feel relieved." Prefect Shang clapped his hands and said good.
"Ten thousand dan of grain and fodder have been stored in the camp's granary. In the future, according to the supply of two dan per soldier, it will be delivered to the camp on time at the beginning of each month for your army to eat. In addition, these 20,000 taels of silver will be used to help your army with military expenses. In the future, my Suzhou Prefecture will provide your army with 3,000 taels of silver for military supplies every month. Please do not refuse."
As Prefect Shang spoke, he pulled out a thick stack of silver bills from his sleeve, all in denominations of one hundred taels, and handed it to Zhu Ping'an.
It is indeed worthy of being the most wealthy and prosperous place in the world, and it is indeed worthy of being the richest place in Ming Dynasty. What a grand deal!
Zhu Ping'an was immediately stunned by the Suzhou government's financial capabilities.
"Thank you for your strong support, Governor Shang. With the war at hand, I will not refuse the money." Zhu Ping'an thanked him and took the money without any hesitation. "The Zhejiang army will repay you with all their heart and soul."
A soldier eats 2 shi of grain per month. The 10,000 shi of grain supported by Suzhou Prefecture is enough for 2,000 Zhejiang soldiers to eat for two and a half months, saving the Zhejiang Army a lot of silver. Together with the 20,000 silver supported by Suzhou Prefecture, it is enough for the Zhejiang Army to build enough bayonets and small cannons. Now is the time to use the money, so Zhu Ping'an did not refuse.
"Master Zhu, you don't have to be polite. Compared with the heavy responsibility on your shoulders, our support is nothing. Besides, you are here to protect our safety, and it is our responsibility to support us with some food, fodder and silver." said Prefect Shang.
Speaking of the important mission of the Zhejiang Army, Prefect Shang explained it to Zhu Ping'an in detail.
If Suzhou and Lake Tai are prosperous, the world will be prosperous.
Nowhere in the world is wealthier than in Suzhou, and nowhere in Suzhou is wealthier than in Changmen. Changmen is the most prosperous area in Suzhou.
Tang Yin, one of the "Four Talents of Wuzhong" who passed away 30 years ago, wrote a poem titled "Things about Changmen", in which he wrote: "Wuzhong is the paradise on earth, and Changmen is the most majestic. Three thousand green sleeves go up and down the building, and millions of golds flow east and west. The market never stops at five o'clock in the morning, and the dialects in different places are always different. If a painter is asked to paint it, the painter should say it is difficult to paint well."
The prosperity of Changmen can be seen from this. As the prefect of Suzhou Prefecture, Shang Zhifu is well aware of the data of Suzhou City.
Prefect Shang said that nine-tenths of Suzhou city's wealth is concentrated in the Changmen area, and other urban areas account for only one-tenth of Suzhou city's wealth in total, and the prosperity outside Changmen is even greater than that inside the city.
The ten-mile long street from Changmen to Fengqiao, including Nanhao Street, Shangtang Street and Shantang Street, is backed by a river, with developed river transportation and numerous merchants. Boats and carriages from the north and south, as well as foreign merchants gather here. There are tens of thousands of shops of all kinds, covering all walks of life. It is more developed than the streets in Suzhou.
The Japanese pirates plundered for money, and their target was definitely the most prosperous area outside Changmen in Suzhou City. During this period, many people also saw Japanese pirates trying to find out the situation in the Changmen area.
In addition, the Japanese pirates came across the sea, up the Shuojiang River, and plundered along the Grand Canal and other waterways. The place where the Grand Canal meets the waterways of Suzhou is outside the Changmen Gate. If the Japanese pirates came by water, the first place they arrived would also be the Changmen Gate.
Finally, Prefect Shang concluded that if the Japanese pirates attacked Suzhou City, the area outside the Changmen Gate would be the first to be hit.
Fengqiao, where the Zhejiang Army was stationed, connected Shedu and Changdang in the north and Yantang and Taihu Lake in the south. It controlled the waterways leading to Changmen and was the only way for the Japanese pirates to invade Changmen by water. Therefore, Shang Zhifu said that the Zhejiang Army had a heavy responsibility on its shoulders.
"Don't worry, Lord Shang. Only with responsibility and pressure can we have motivation. With our Zhejiang army stationed here, we will not let any Japanese pirates pass through Fengqiao and will keep the western gate of Suzhou city safe." Zhu Ping'an said with a firm face.
"Very good. The western gate of Suzhou is entrusted to your army." Prefect Shang nodded vigorously.