In the early morning, Zhu Ping'an would run with the soldiers to exercise. When the soldiers were practicing formations, boxing, and firearms, Zhu Ping'an ended his morning exercise and inspected the training of the soldiers in each camp.
Morning jogging is mainly for exercising the body and improving physical fitness. When leading troops into battle in the future, although you don’t have to charge at the front line, you still have to keep up with the march. Not all terrains and situations can be ridden on horseback.
There are also arrangements to be made for Hu Wei and Xia Qiang today. After Zhu Ping'an finished his morning run and made an inspection, he arranged for Liu Mu and his inspection team to continue inspecting the training of soldiers from each camp, while he went to the parade ground to find Hu Wei and Xia Xian.
The two men were sitting on the edge of the parade ground at this time, their faces were very pale, listening to the continuous bang bang bang of muskets and the occasional sound of tiger squat cannons, their calves were shaking.
When Zhu Ping'an found them, he thought they were sick.
When Zhu Ping'an brought the two back to the general's tent, he found that his uncle Zhu Shouren had already started his morning reading in the tent.
"The Master said: 'To learn and to practise what one has learned from time to time is it not a pleasure? To have friends come from afar is it not a pleasure? To not be angry when people do not know one is not a gentleman?'"
The rhythmic voice of Uncle Zhu Shouren reading could be heard as soon as Zhu Ping'an and the others entered the door.
Zhu Ping'an's hearing was better than that of an average person. He could hear his uncle's reading voice only when he was about ten meters away from the general's tent. He probably saw him bringing Hu Wei and Xia Qiang into the tent, so he started reading in the morning...
"Oh, my dear nephew, you are back from your morning exercise. I have been doing morning reading for half a day. I have finished reading Mencius and even the opening chapter of The Analects of Confucius..." said uncle Zhu Shouren without blushing or panting.
In fact, when the Zhejiang Army began to practice firearms, he couldn't sleep because of the noise of the firearms, so he got up cursing. He had just entered the general's tent and even the chair was not warm yet.
As for the morning reading, it was just as Zhu Ping'an had thought. His uncle Zhu Shouren had just seen Zhu Ping'an and the others coming from afar through the window of the general's tent, and then he started pretending to read in the morning.
Zhu Ping'an did not expose his uncle, but simply tried his best, making his uncle very proud.
Why are you so proud? Don't forget that Hu Wei and Xia Qiang quickly gave their uncle Zhu Shouren a look.
Uncle Zhu Shouren received the looks from Hu Wei and Xia Cha, and then he reacted. He came close to Zhu Ping'an and said with concern, "Nephew, there is no rush to prepare for the exam. We can take time to prepare for the exam. The most urgent thing is to help you. You are in charge of such a large military camp alone, and there must be a lot of military affairs. I see it with my own eyes and it hurts my heart. I should have come earlier. If I had come earlier, you would have been relieved."
If you had come earlier, I would have felt relieved! Where does your confidence come from? Could it be that Fish Leong also came here
Zhu Pingan was speechless, but his expression remained calm. "Well, okay, I do have some official business to trouble you with."
"That's right, don't worry, nephew. Brother Hu and Xia Pin are both outstanding men of their time. They are both capable of both civil and military affairs, and have experience and knowledge. They are no less than me in every aspect. We promise to complete your work beautifully."
Uncle Zhu Shouren and Wang Po were bragging about their products, praising the three of them to the skies and patting their chests to make promises.
Zhu Ping'an was no longer surprised.
In fact, when Zhu Ping'an said that he was arranging work, it was not really an arrangement of work, but rather a test for them.
"I have some paperwork here and need your help."
Zhu Ping'an planned to test them for about ten days to see if they could take on basic clerical and military duties.
If they pass the test, we will arrange military duties suitable for them according to their abilities. The Zhejiang Army really needs a group of civilians. If they fail the test, then don't waste each other's time. The military camp does not keep idle people, and fighting is not playing house. There is no room for compromise. You should go home and prepare for the exam.
“No problem, nephew, I’ll arrange it. But…” Uncle Zhu Shouren rolled his eyes and said “but”.
"But what? Uncle, you can just speak frankly." Zhu Ping'an said calmly. He knew very well that his uncle had started to act up again.
"My dear nephew, as the saying goes, if the name is not right, the words will not be smooth. We work for you, nephew, so it would be legitimate for you to arrange some official positions for us." The uncle rubbed his hands and asked warmly.
Uh, you want an official?!
Zhu Ping'an was speechless. You haven't even done the job yet, but you're already asking for an official position. You're too impatient.
"Uncle, all official positions are appointed by the court, but I have no right to arrange appointments. However, when you make contributions in the future, I will recommend you for merit. If your contributions are sufficient, the court will not be stingy with rewards. At present, I can only temporarily appoint you as temporary clerks of the Zhejiang Army."
Zhu Pingan smiled bitterly.
"A temporary clerk? If we can't arrange for a civil official, can't we arrange for a centurion, a general flag, or something like that?"
After hearing what Zhu Ping'an said, the uncle couldn't help but look disappointed, then looked at Zhu Ping'an eagerly and asked.
"Uncle, whether they are civil or military officials, they are all appointed by the court. What is an appointed by the court? As the name suggests, it means they are appointed by the court."
Zhu Ping'an shook his head and replied indifferently.
"But my dear nephew, how come those mountain hunters who followed you before became the chief flag officers?"
Uncle Zhu Shouren asked in disbelief.
"They followed me to defend the city, braved the sword rain, feared no life or death, and killed the Japanese. They were rewarded by the court as general flags for their merits. Now that the Japanese are causing serious trouble, there will be many opportunities to kill the enemy and make merit in the future. As long as you uncles have made enough merits, I will recommend you, and you can also be rewarded."
Zhu Ping'an looked at his uncle Zhu Shouren seriously and said slowly.
Hu Wei gently pulled on his uncle Zhu Shouren's sleeve and nodded, indicating that he was ready and should not miss the important task.
Xia Qiang also gave his uncle Zhu Shouren several looks, signaling him to be patient. As the saying goes, you can't eat hot tofu in a hurry. No one would ask for an official position as soon as he arrived. He should at least do some military work for a while. Even if he has no merits, he should have worked hard. Only then can he ask for an official position. In this way, people will remember your hard work and it will be difficult to refuse.
"Yes, my dear nephew, you are right. Then wait for my nephew to recommend us for merit." Uncle Zhu Shouren played a little trick and deliberately misinterpreted Zhu Ping'an's words.
"Of course, as long as you uncles have made contributions, I will recommend credit for you," Zhu Ping'an emphasized.
Only if you have made contributions can I recommend credit for you. If you have not made any contributions, I cannot recommend credit for you.
"Ahem, that's natural. With our abilities, it's only a matter of time before we achieve success."
Uncle Zhu Shouren coughed and said conceitedly.