The sun was setting, the withered vines on Fengqiao were covered with crows returning to their nests, and Zhu Ping'an, along with his uncle Zhu Shouren, Hu Wei and Xia Qiang, rushed out of Suzhou before the city gates closed at nightfall, and arrived at the gate of Fengqiao camp when it was half dark.
"Uncle, Mr. Xia and Mr. Hu, this is the Fengqiao Camp where our Zhejiang Army is stationed. The military camp is an important place, different from other places. Once you enter the camp, you must strictly abide by military laws and disciplines, no one is exempt, and I am no exception. Uncle, are you sure you want to follow me into the camp?"
Before leading his uncle and the others into the camp, Zhu Ping'an confirmed this with his uncle Zhu Shouren and the other three with a serious face.
Uncle Zhu Shouren looked at Hu Wei and Xia Qiang, and they all nodded eagerly.
What were the two of them trying so hard and willingly to curry favor with Zhu Shouren for? They just wanted to get close to Zhu Ping'an through him, so naturally they had to follow him into the camp.
Uncle Zhu Shouren was no exception. If he didn't follow Zhu Ping'an into the camp, how could he fleece Zhu Ping'an and use his willingness and connections? Asking Hu Wei and Xia Qiang for their opinions was just to let them remember his favor, so he laughed and said, "Nephew, what you said is unnecessary. The three of us came all the way here just to lend a helping hand to you. Of course, we have to follow you into the camp, otherwise how can we help you?"
"Uncle, if you enter the camp, you must strictly abide by the military laws and discipline of our Zhejiang Army." Zhu Ping'an reminded again.
"Of course, don't worry, nephew. I dare not say anything else, but we are all like this when it comes to abiding by the law."
Uncle Zhu Shouren raised his thumb, pointed at himself, Hu Wei and Xia Qiang, and boasted without any modesty.
"Don't worry, Master Zhu. We will abide by military law and discipline and will never cause any trouble for Master Zhu."
Hu Wei and Xia Qiang also made repeated assurances.
"Okay, then follow me into the camp. I will have someone build a big tent next to the general's tent. You can prepare for the exam in the tent, and you can have three meals a day with us." Zhu Ping'an nodded.
"Thank you, my dear nephew, Mr. Zhu." Uncle Zhu Shouren, Hu Wei and Xia Qiang couldn't help but bow and express their gratitude with joy.
This was their first step towards clinging to Zhu Ping'an. They did it and were very happy.
After entering Fengqiao Camp, Uncle Zhu Shouren looked around the camp as he walked. Seeing the situation in the camp, he couldn't help but blinked in confusion, pulled Zhu Ping'an's sleeve, and asked in confusion, "My dear nephew, this camp looks quite large. Isn't it said that there are 2,000 people? Why is it so quiet? Except for the sentries every five steps and ten steps, and the patrolling soldiers, there is no other person to be seen, and no other sound can be heard. These tents are all dark, and there is no sound inside. Could they be empty? Why does it feel like there are not even 200 people in the camp?"
"Yeah, why does the camp feel so quiet?"
Hu Wei and Xia Qiang also had similar feelings, mainly because the Zhejiang Army camp was too quiet and there was no crowd at all.
"Oh, that's because after the central army beats the drum at night, all the soldiers put out their fires and lights, forbid noise, and cut off pedestrians, so the camp seems quiet."
Zhu Pingan explained softly.
"So that's how it is." Uncle Zhu Shouren, Hu Wei and Xia Qiang suddenly realized.
When they arrived at the commander's tent, Zhu Ping'an asked someone to get three waist badges, engraved the names of his uncle and the other three, and gave them to them.
"Uncle, you must wear your badges at all times. You cannot take them off for even a moment. Even when you go to the toilet at night, you must wear them with you. Otherwise, you will be unable to move around the camp. Those who disobey will be punished with a military stick at the least, or be killed on the spot at the worst."
Zhu Pingan said to them with a serious face.
"Ah?! We have to wear a badge when going to the toilet?!" Uncle Zhu Shouren, Hu Wei and Xia Qiang were stunned for a moment and hurriedly tied the badges around their waists.
"My dear nephew, this is too harsh. It is totally unnecessary. Why do you need to wear a badge when going to the toilet?" Uncle Zhu Shouren said disapprovingly.
"To use the toilet, you have to go to the designated toilet area in the military camp. Officers are guarding the toilet area and checking the badges. This is to prevent scoundrels and spies from sneaking into the military camp to cause damage. There are always people in the military camp checking the badges, just in case."
Zhu Pingan explained.
"ah... "
After hearing this, Dabo and the others still didn't take it seriously. What kind of scoundrel or spy would sneak into the camp just to use the toilet? !
Zhu Ping'an saw the disapproval on his uncle's faces, but he didn't explain too much. Instead, he took out a book of military discipline and law from the bookshelf and handed it to his uncle Zhu Shouren, and told them, "Uncle, Mr. Hu, Mr. Xia, this is the military law and discipline of the Zhejiang Army. You should memorize it well and follow it carefully."
"Okay, ah, so many..."
Uncle Zhu Shouren took the book of military law and discipline and was dumbfounded as soon as he finished answering. The book in his hand was a thick one with many pages. There must be hundreds of articles of military law and discipline. He was stunned for a moment.
"Uncle, it's getting late. You've been traveling all the way and must be tired. Your tent has been set up. This is a tent for ten people, which is more than enough for the three of you. However, the conditions in the barracks are limited and are definitely not as comfortable as at home. You have to try to overcome it. If you really can't stand it, don't be embarrassed, just tell me and I will take you out of the camp and resettle you." Zhu Ping'an said to them.
"How can we not bear it? Don't worry, sir. We have been through hardships all the way here, sleeping in the open air and experiencing all kinds of sufferings. It is great to have a tent." Hu Wei said with a bow.
"That's right, that's right." Xia Qiang also bowed in response.
"Well, then I'm relieved. We've also prepared two sets of Zhejiang Army uniforms for you. It's more convenient to wear them in the camp. Tomorrow morning, the drum will be beaten at five o'clock, and all the soldiers will get up for training. Uncle, you should also get up. The army will train in the morning, and you can also train with them. If you don't want to train, you can do morning reading and homework."
Zhu Pingan said to them.
"Yes, sir." Hu Wei and Xia Qiang bowed in response, then looked at Zhu Shouren and gave him a wink.
Zhu Shouren understood immediately, and he smiled and pulled Zhu Ping'an, "My dear nephew, we are here to lend a hand. Whether you are preparing for the exam or not, you can prepare for the exam when we are free to help you, such as at night. On weekdays, we will focus on helping you. Don't worry, my two good friends are knowledgeable in astronomy, geography, and both civil and military affairs. You can entrust them with important tasks, and they will be able to accomplish them. Of course, the same goes for your uncle. Just give us the important tasks, and we will ensure that they will be done well for you."
"Well, there's no rush. You guys should have a good rest tonight and make arrangements tomorrow." Zhu Ping'an replied calmly.
"Well, fine then, let's arrange it tomorrow. Nephew, you don't have to be polite to us." Uncle Zhu Shouren took advantage of the situation.