Rise From the Humble

After Zhu Pingan received the "sponsorship" of two hundred taels of silver from the "kind" and "helpful" Chu Xiong, Zhang Chufeng, and Zhuo Yan, or more precisely from Chu Xiong, he went straight back home and called Liu Mu Four people, Liu Dadao, Liu Dachui and Liu Dagang, borrowed a carriage from the Tixing Yamen and headed straight to the Yingtian War Department Yamen without stopping.

Without further ado, since we have received the approval from the court, we should cash in the approval as soon as possible, collect troops from the Yingtian War Department Yamen, prepare food and pay, and form a militia group for training as quickly as possible.

Nowadays, time is money, and time is life. The earlier the regiment is formed and the earlier the training is carried out, the earlier the army can be formed and the earlier it can play its role in this era of increasingly serious Japanese invasion.

Zhu Ping'an considered that what the Ministry of War Yamen paid him was not necessarily a bank note, but probably money.

How much does five thousand taels of silver weigh? ! The "measurement" adopted in the Ming Dynasty was sixteen digits per catty, which is the hexadecimal system, that is, "Don't think about a hundred taels, six catties and forty taels, don't think about a thousand taels, sixty-two and a half catties!", five thousand taels. That is 312.5 pounds. It was more than three hundred kilograms. Zhu Pingan could not carry so much money by himself, so Zhu Pingan called Liu Mu and four others to help move the troops, prepare wages, and provide road security.

The Yamen of the Ministry of War in Yingtian is not far from the Yamen of the Provost and Inspector General's Office, and it's time for Zhu Ping'an and his party to have tea.

"I am Zhu Ping'an, the envoy of Jiangsu and Zhejiang Province, and I have been ordered to take charge of military preparations. Now that I have received the approval from the imperial court, I have come to your office to collect the approved five thousand taels of silver."

Zhu Ping'an wore the uniform of a fifth-grade official, showed his token and successfully entered the Yamen of the Ministry of War, explaining his intention to the officer on duty.

"Master Zhu, the withdrawal of five thousand taels of silver is a very important matter. No one other than the Minister can make the decision. Please wait and allow me to report to the Master later." The little official on duty did not dare to neglect and immediately passed the message to the inside.

"Please report it to Zhang Shangshu." Zhu Pingan nodded.

The Minister of War at this time was Zhang Jingzhang, a famous figure in history and a respected figure. Zhu Pingan knew a lot about modern times and was quite looking forward to meeting this historical figure. According to historical records, Mr. Zhang was transferred from the capital to Yingtian at the beginning of the year to serve as the Shangshu of the Hubu Department of Yingtian. Three months ago, he was transferred from the Shangshu of the Hubu Department of Yingtian to the Shangshu of the Military Department of Yingtian.

"Master Zhu, Master Shangshu invites you."

Soon the clerk trotted back and took Zhu Pingan to visit Zhang Jing, the Minister of War in Yingtian.

"The lower official Zhu Pingan pays homage to Zhang Shangshu." Zhu Pingan met Zhang Jing and bowed his hands in greeting.

This is the first time Zhu Pingan has seen Zhang Jing. Zhang Jing is tall and tall in his field of vision, and he also carries an air of elegance. At first glance, he gives people the impression that he has both the temperament of a Confucian general and his literary and military talents.

After Zhang Jing greeted Zhu Pingan, he looked at Zhu Pingan up and down with burning eyes for three seconds.

Is there something wrong with my dress and appearance?

When Zhang Jing looked at Zhu Ping'an, he began to wonder if there was something inappropriate about his clothing and appearance.

"I heard someone reported that you have to withdraw five thousand taels of silver." Zhang Jing looked at Zhu Pingan for three seconds before speaking slowly.

"Exactly. The lower official was ordered to take on the responsibility of organizing military preparations for the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Prosecutions, Prosecutions, Envoys and Envoys, and to lead the militia. In order to facilitate the work, he specially applied to the imperial court for 10,000 taels of military preparation silver. Now the imperial court has approved 5,000 taels of salary silver. I order my officials to come to your office to collect it. This is an official document approved by the imperial court, and I ask your lord to review it."

Zhu Ping'an cupped his hands and reported back. After saying this, he took out the imperial court's approval from his arms and handed it to Zhang Jing with both hands.

"No need for official documents, I also have one here." Zhang Jing waved his hand and did not accept the approval document from Zhu Pingan.

"This official is here to collect the approved five thousand taels of silver," Zhu Ping'an said with cupped hands.

"Master Zhu, are you weak?!" Zhang Jing did not answer Zhu Pingan's words and looked at Zhu Pingan and asked.

"The lower official is not weak yet." Zhu Pingan replied truthfully.

"Master Zhu, have you ever led an army?" Zhang Jing asked again after hearing this.

"Xiaguan took office as the magistrate of Jingnan a few months ago and organized soldiers and civilians to defend the city twice." Zhu Pingan replied.

"What I said is to formally lead the troops." Zhang Jing added.

"The officer has never officially commanded the troops." Zhu Ping'an heard the words and replied truthfully.

"Master Zhu, where do you want to recruit the militia?" Zhang Jing asked again.

"Local to Jiangsu and Zhejiang. The subordinates have been recruited," Zhu Ping'an replied truthfully, and then he would further explain his recruitment of bandits.

"Then Master Zhu, please come back."

Zhang Jing interrupted Zhu Pingan's words, said expressionlessly, and picked up the teacup as a sign of farewell.

What? ! Let me go back? ! When Zhu Ping'an heard this, he couldn't help being stunned. He raised his head and looked at Zhang Jing, "What does Master Shangshu mean?!"

"My meaning should be very clear, why should Mr. Zhu ask knowingly?" Zhang Jing said expressionlessly.

Indeed, Zhang Jing’s meaning is indeed very clear, reject! How could Zhu Pingan not see clearly? But why? ! I came here to withdraw silver with the approval of the imperial court. Does the imperial approval not work here? !

Zhu Ping'an understood, but did not accept it. He raised his head to look at Zhang Jing, cupped his hands again and said, "Sir Zhang, this official came to your office to collect five thousand silver in accordance with the approval of the imperial court. It is not out of thin air. I hope you will provide convenience."

"I have received the court's approval, but I have not received the silver taels approved by the court. I have unpaid silver for Mr. Zhu to withdraw, so Mr. Zhu, please take it back. When I receive the silver taels approved by the court, Mr. Zhu will come and withdraw it. Right." Zhang Jing looked at Zhu Ping'an and said lightly.

Well!

When Zhu Pingan heard this, he took a deep breath. He didn't expect that he would encounter obstacles when he came to Yingtian War Department Yamen to collect food and pay for troops. He didn't expect that Zhang Jing would reject him. It makes no sense. This is the first time that Zhang Jing and I have met. There is no possibility of offending Zhang Jing before. Moreover, Zhang Jing is not a strict party, and even Zhang Jing is against the strict party. Zhang Jing cannot hinder himself because he has offended the strict party. In addition, I received the approval of the imperial court to withdraw my response, which was reasonable and legal.

I can't figure it out, I really can't figure it out. Zhu Pingan can't figure out why Zhang Jing refused so firmly.

"Sir Zhang, your Yamen is the Yamen of the Ministry of War, and it represents the imperial court." Zhu Ping'an looked at Zhang Jing and said slowly.

What Zhu Pingan said is that your yamen is the Yamen of the Ministry of War in Yingtian and the Yamen of the Ministry of War in the capital. It is at the same level as the Yamen of the Ministry of War in Beijing. You represent the imperial court. The treasury silver in your yamen is the treasury silver of the imperial court. According to the approval document , your yamen can just give it to me directly. There is no need to wait for the yamen of the Ministry of War in the capital to give you the silver according to the approval.

"What Mr. Zhu said is absolutely true. However, the government's finances are tight. Our office is not as well-off as the Ministry of War in the capital. Our finances are even tighter. We have already been unable to make ends meet and have frequent deficits. Currently, there is no money left for Mr. Zhu to withdraw."

Zhang Jing said slowly, rejecting Zhu Pingan again.