In the afternoon, Doctor Jia, Secretary Liu and others from Taicang were wandering outside the yard where Zhu Ping'an was checking the accounts, keeping an eye on the movements in the yard to make sure that they would be the first to know as soon as Zhu Ping'an came out.
They also tried to enter the yard, but the people from the East Factory were too dedicated in their duty. Not to mention them, not even a bird could fly into the yard, so they could only wait outside for Zhu Ping'an to come out.
Wait and wait.
The sun gradually set, and the sunset slowly dyed most of the sky red. The soldiers in the warehouse were released from office and returned home one after another. However, there was still no movement in the courtyard where Zhu Ping'an was checking the accounts. Zhu Ping'an showed no sign of being released from office and returning home.
Half an hour later, the last ray of sunset reluctantly disappeared over the horizon, and the gloomy dusk gradually spread over the earth.
"It's almost dark, how can that damn Zhu Ping'an, with his sharp eyes, still see? Could he have fallen asleep in the room again?" Doctor Zhao stamped his feet, squinted his eyes to glance at the courtyard immersed in the dusk, pouted his lips, and cursed in a low voice.
"It's possible. When we went to see him yesterday, he was sleeping like a pig on that small bed, drooling all over his body..." The treasurer, who was familiar with Doctor Zhao, also laughed in a low voice.
But just as they finished speaking, they saw that the room in the courtyard where Zhu Ping'an was checking the accounts suddenly lit up, and a dim candlelight shone through the window.
"Why did this damn guy light a candle?" Doctor Zhao suddenly widened his eyes, rubbed his hands, and gritted his teeth in hatred.
After the sun set, the sky quickly darkened. By this time, Zhu Ping'an had almost finished checking the account books in the fifth box, with only a dozen or so left, so Zhu Ping'an lit two candles and prepared to finish checking these dozen or so account books before going home.
More than half an hour later, the sky became darker and darker, as if a basin of clear water had been splashed with half a bottle of ink.
When Doctor Zhao and others were getting impatient, they heard the sound of a door opening. Then they looked into the courtyard and saw Zhu Ping'an walking out of the room into the courtyard and thanking the Bloody Sword and others who were on duty.
"Master Zhu, don't worry. We will be here tonight to ensure the account books are safe." Zhang Guyi, the Bloody Sword, said with a bow.
The guards of the East Factory who were on duty in the courtyard also followed suit and saluted Zhu Ping'an. Zhu Ping'an's figure, who stayed at home and read books diligently today, left a deep impression on them. They were responsible for monitoring officials, celebrities, and scholars in the capital, and it was rare to find an official as dedicated to his duties as Zhu Ping'an.
"Thank you very much, Captain Zhang and all the other officers. When the inspection of Taicang is completed, Ping An will commend Captain Zhang and all the other officers for their achievements."
Zhu Ping'an bowed his hands to express his gratitude to Zhang Guyi and the Dongchang guards on duty in the courtyard one by one, and promised to report their merits after the inspection and commend them.
As long as the account books are checked smoothly, this audit will be half successful. However, to check the account books successfully, it is inseparable from the people from the East Factory who are on duty to protect the account books.
Zhu Ping'an is not a person who seeks credit, and reporting their achievements on duty is just a matter of convenience.
Why not do a favor that can be easily done
Moreover, this will also make the people in the East Factory more dedicated, killing two birds with one stone. Why not do it
Zhu Ping'an's words were effective.
Captain Zhang did not care about this little credit, but when the other Dongchang men heard Zhu Ping'an say that he would recommend credit for them, their eyes lit up and they couldn't help but feel excited.
They are now the lowest-ranking guards in the East Factory, also known as guards. Although they usually have many ways to make money privately when they are outside the imperial guards, there is a saying that "a soldier who does not want to be a general is not a good soldier", and similarly, a guard who does not want to be promoted is not a good guard. They want to be promoted from guards to guard chiefs, which is the so-called "head of the guard", which will give them more power and more money after the promotion.
Think about it, although it is just the merit of being on duty, it is related to the inspection of Taicang, so it is a great achievement.
With such achievements, if you spend some money to find some connections, promotion will be a piece of cake.
Therefore, the Dongchang guards on duty became more excited and more attentive. Their eyes were bright and they seemed to have installed radars to ensure that not even an ant could get close to the room where the account book was located.
After saying goodbye to Captain Zhang and others, Zhu Ping'an walked out of the yard.
"Oh, my Lord Zhu, you are so hardworking checking the accounts, working from early morning to late night. You are really a role model for our generation. I see it with my own eyes and feel pain in my heart. I wish I could check the accounts for Lord Zhu."
"That's right. Lord Zhu is so dedicated to his duties. He is truly a role model for people like us in Taicang to learn from."
"This is really a daydream..."
Doctor Jia, Doctor Zhao and others who had been waiting outside the yard for half a day came forward to greet them immediately. They were all very warm and enthusiastic. Even Doctor Zhao, who had just been cursing, was now smiling like a sunflower.
"No, no, thank you for your praise, gentlemen. I am unworthy of it." Zhu Ping'an was aware of the enthusiasm of the people in Taicang and replied politely.
"Zihou, don't be modest. If all the officials of our Ming Dynasty are as dedicated to their duties as Zihou, then the people of our Ming Dynasty will be blessed." Doctor Jia said with a smile. After that, he pulled Zhu Ping'an's sleeve and invited him warmly, "Zihou has checked the accounts for our Taicang for a day. We are very grateful. We have prepared some light wine and snacks. Zihou, please don't refuse."
"No reward without merit. Lord Jia, Lord Zhao and all the others, you are too polite. I am just doing my job." Zhu Ping'an smiled slightly and declined.
Just kidding, a gentleman does not stand on a dangerous wall. Judging from your abnormal behavior today, I must be suspicious. Who knows if you have tampered with the food? I don't want to take this risk.
"Zihou, are you looking down on us by refusing like this?" Doctor Zhao glared at us and acted angry.
"What is Lord Zhao talking about? How could Zihou look down on us, right, Zihou?" Doctor Jia scolded Doctor Zhao, then looked at Zhu Ping'an, his eyes full of expectation.
"Ahem, what Lord Zhao said is true. But the situation is this. Just now when I was looking through the account book, I felt a little hungry, so I ate dinner in my room. It's a pity that Ping An only has one stomach, so he really can't eat it. Otherwise, why would Ping An refuse?"
Zhu Ping'an coughed and explained to Doctor Jia and others with an apologetic look.
Oh, sorry, I've already eaten.
After Zhu Ping'an finished explaining, he looked at Doctor Jia and the others with a frank expression, as if to say "I want to but I can't".
"No problem, let's do it next time." Doctor Jia seemed to have thought of it a long time ago. He smiled nonchalantly and continued to pull Zhu Ping'an's sleeve and said, "It was also us who forgot. When Zihou checked the accounts today, we remembered that there are some Taicang 'routines' that we haven't told Zihou yet. These 'routines' are related to the daily income and expenditure of Taicang, so it is necessary to tell Zihou in detail."