Linhuai Hou took Zhu Ping'an to report to the commander's tent in Shazhou. Before they reached the tent, they heard a fierce quarrel coming from inside. One of them was more tough than the other and neither of them would give in. As soon as they heard the noise, they knew that the two parties quarreling were Zhao Wenhua and Zhang Jing.
"Governor Zhang and Lord Zhao are still so energetic." Linhuai Hou said with admiration.
Huh?!
Zhu Ping'an almost sprained his waist. Your focus is too shocking.
"Since yesterday, Governor Zhang and Lord Zhao have been arguing over the format, scale, and process of the sea sacrifice. It is really admirable that they can still argue so energetically today."
Linqiao Hou further said.
Well, from this perspective, it can indeed be said that it is full of energy...
Zhu Ping'an curled the corner of his mouth.
The arrival of Zhu Ping'an, who reported in, temporarily put an end to the fierce quarrel in the commander's tent.
However, Zhu Ping'an still has a headache.
The general's tent was clearly divided into two factions. One faction consisted of Zhao Wenhua and Hu Zongxian. Yes, only the two of them. The other faction consisted of Zhang Jing and the bigwigs in Jiangnan, including the heads of six ministries, including the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Works, as well as many military generals. To be precise, everyone except Zhao Wenhua and Hu Zongxian.
Marquis Linhuai walked into the commander's tent and naturally stood with the generals, standing behind Zhang Jing.
Damn it, what am I going to do if you leave
Zhu Ping'an suddenly felt a headache. If Linhuai Hou took sides, he would be left out and stand out.
Zhu Ping'an noticed that everyone's eyes were focused on him. Zhao Wenhua had an expectant look on his face. Although Zhang Jing's eyes were as calm as water, he was also looking at him, waiting for his choice.
Zhu Pingan felt that everyone's gazes were like high-temperature rays, and he felt like a roasted pig on a rack...
There is no time to hesitate. You must make a decision now, when Linhuai Hou just chooses his side. Otherwise, the longer you stay, the more embarrassing your situation will become. Zhu Ping'an knows this very well.
But, even though I understand, how should I stand on the side
Stand on Zhang Jing's team?!
Zhao Wenhua must be very angry. When he first came, he tried to win him over, but now he is directly on Zhang Jing's side. If the narrow-minded and vengeful Zhao Wenhua holds a grudge against him, there will be a lot of trouble in the future.
But you're on Zhao Wenhua's side
There were only four people in Zhao Wenhua's team, including him, Hu Zongxian, etc. The rest of the people in the general's tent stood behind Zhang Jing.
The reason is very simple. The county magistrate is not as good as the current manager. Even though the Yan Party behind Zhao Wenhua is the most powerful person in the court besides the emperor, Zhang Jing is now the most powerful person in Jiangnan. Those who make a living in the officialdom of Jiangnan have to rely on Zhang Jing. Even if they want to curry favor with Zhao Wenhua and the Yan Party, they dare not stand up openly. Otherwise, Zhang Jing will kill the Yan Party before they can get promoted and make money.
What if I don't stand with anyone, neither Zhang Jing nor Zhao Wenhua, but stand on my own team?!
Haha, this method seems smart, but it is actually a way to death. Those who are indecisive, opportunistic, and swaying will be disliked by both sides, and no one would mind slapping them in the face if they have the chance.
So, we can only...
"Master Zhao, my student Zhu Ping'an has come here to report with 800 elite Zhejiang troops." Zhu Ping'an first reported to Zhao Wenhua as a student. He was originally transferred here by Zhao Wenhua's order, and Zhao Wenhua was also the chief priest of this sea sacrifice, so it was nothing to report to him first.
When Zhao Wenhua saw Zhu Ping'an calling him Master Zhao, he was the first to report to him after entering the commander's tent. He couldn't help but smile with satisfaction and nodded, "Zihou, I suddenly decided to transfer your Zhejiang troops to assist in the sea sacrifice this morning. I didn't expect you to arrive at the sandbar so quickly. Thank you for your hard work along the way."
"It is the duty of a soldier to obey orders, so how can he complain about the hardship?"
Zhu Ping'an regarded himself as a soldier. He reached out and patted the cotton armor on his body, making a metallic collision sound, and replied loudly.
"Haha, what a good soldier, you take obeying orders as your bounden duty. Even with armor on, you can't hide your demeanor as a scholar-general. The Ming Dynasty needs young people like you who know the big picture." Zhao Wenhua nodded admiringly at Zhu Ping'an.
When Zhao Wenhua talked about being sensible, he also deliberately glanced at Zhang Jing, and his tone was somewhat ambiguous.
"Master Zhao, thank you for your praise. I am unworthy of it."
Zhu Pingan said modestly, then bowed and saluted, "Your humble servant Zhu Pingan greets the Governor."
Then, he saluted Zhang Nietai, the Chief Justice and the others behind Zhang Jing, and said, "Greetings, Lord Nietai."
After the greetings, Zhu Ping'an stood beside Zhang Neitai as a matter of course, and saluted the officials and generals beside him. I stand in the team at the table. I am the acting deputy envoy, and it is reasonable for me to stand next to the chief envoy.
Seeing Zhu Ping'an standing on Zhang Jing's side, Zhao Wenhua's face was a little uneasy, but he didn't say anything, and he didn't care too much in his heart. Zhu Ping'an just called him Master Zhao and was the first to report to him, which obviously respected his status as the chief priest. Unlike some people, they are proud of their status and always contradict me, and don't respect my position as the person in charge of the sea sacrifice! There are others who can't see the situation clearly!
However, these people are not unable to see the situation clearly, they are just afraid of Zhang Jing's position as governor.
In other words, they were not standing for Zhang Jing, but for the governor. If the governor was not Zhang Jing, but me, Zhao Wenhua, then everyone would submit to me, and the credit for suppressing the Japanese in Jiangnan would also belong to me, Zhao Wenhua. With this as a stepping stone to advancement, when that old fellow Li Ben retired and returned home, the cabinet would be vacant for a cabinet minister.
Please ask my adoptive father to speak well of me in front of His Majesty. With the merits of the General Political Department in Jiangnan and in suppressing the Japanese pirates, His Majesty will definitely agree to let me join the cabinet.
Entering the cabinet is the highest position among officials.
Speaking of which, I was born in the same year as that old guy Xu Jie. If he can enter the cabinet, then I, Zhao Wenhua, can also enter the cabinet.
My talents and abilities, Zhao Wenhua, are no less than his!
Well, my adoptive father is old, and although Donglou is extremely smart, he is not suitable to stand in the front, and Donglou's qualifications are not as good as mine. When my adoptive father retires from the court due to old age, I will be the number one in the Yan Party. If the entire Yan Party is used by me, the picture is too beautiful, I dare not imagine it.
When Zhao Wenhua thought of this, he couldn't help but breathe faster...
The boy is teachable. Zhang Jing saw Zhu Ping'an standing on his side and nodded slightly to show his satisfaction.
At the beginning, when Zhu Ping'an called Zhao Wenhua "Master Zhao" and reported to Zhao Wenhua, Zhang Jing felt it was impossible not to be disappointed. However, when he saw that Zhu Ping'an just reported to Zhao Wenhua, he stood on his side without hesitation, and he felt relieved.
You made the right choice.
I was not disappointed.