Rise From the Humble

In winter, the days are short and the nights are long, and it gets dark quickly. When Zhu Ping'an said goodbye to Zhao Wenhua and left the Imperial Envoy's Yamen, it was already the moonlight above the willow trees.

"Young master, Zhao didn't make things difficult for you, right?"

Liu Dadao and others had been waiting outside the Yamen. When they saw Zhu Ping'an coming out, Liu Dadao and others hurriedly led their horses to greet him and asked with concern.

They knew that Zhao Wenhua was a big shot in the Yan Party. When he was in the capital, the young master offended the Yan Party by helping them to redress the grievances of Zhuangzi. Then in the capital, he helped Yang Jisheng revise the memorial to impeach Yan Song, which completely offended the Yan Party. The Yan Party demoted him to Daonan. The county magistrate, fortunately, the young master is talented, worked hard in Jingnan, and made great achievements in destroying the Japanese army, so he was promoted again. But now that Zhao Wenhua is here again, they are worried about Zhao Wenhua's trouble looking for Zhu Ping'an.

When they learned that Zhu Pingan was left alone by Zhao Wenhua after the banquet, they became even more worried.

At this moment, they felt a little relieved when they saw that Zhu Ping'an came out intact.

"It's okay. We've already negotiated and there won't be any big trouble in the future. Thank you for waiting outside for so long. Come on, let's go back to the office and let's make a mutton pot to warm ourselves up."

"Let's go, let's cook the mutton..."

Zhu Ping'an got on his horse, and the group of people smiled and rode towards the Yamen of the Provost and Inspector General's Office.

After Zhu Pingan and his entourage disappeared into the street, a man walked out of a small alley and looked at the back of Zhu Pingan and his entourage as they left.

It was Hu Zongxian.

He had been nearby a long time ago, but knowing that Zhu Pingan was left at the Imperial Envoy Yamen, he waited in the alley until Zhu Pingan left the Imperial Envoy Yamen before quietly coming out of the alley.

His visit to Zhao Wenhua tonight is the most difficult decision he has ever made in his life, and it is also the most important decision in his life, bar none! He doesn't want anyone to know about it before it is done. If the negotiation succeeds, it doesn't hurt to be known; if the negotiation fails, it is best for no one to know.

After today's banquet, he returned to his house, locked himself in his study, meditated hard, and struggled with his thoughts.

Now he faces a life choice, a key choice that can determine his life!

In fact, instead of him, all Jiangnan officials are facing such a life choice! However, this choice has not come yet, or it has already come, but everyone has not realized it yet, but they will realize it sooner or later. Arrived.

The choice is whether to listen to Zhao Wenhua or Zhang Jing.

Before Zhao Wenhua arrived, the military command in Jiangnan was apparently made by three people, namely Jiangnan Governor Zhang Jing, Zhejiang Governor Li Tianchong, and Zhejiang Inspector and Supervisory Censor, who was himself. As for the eunuchs who guard Yingtian and the Duke of Wei who guards Yingtian, although they have high and powerful positions, they are all local officials in Yingtian and cannot control other places other than Yingtian.

However, in fact, the military command in Jiangnan was left to Zhang Jing alone. Although he, the inspector and censor of Zhejiang Province, was specially appointed by the emperor, compared with Zhang Jing, the governor of Jiangnan who was specially appointed by the emperor, he was still not good enough. Moreover, his main duties were also in the direction of supervision such as rectification of military discipline, and he did not take charge of the government. , The experience and resume of the main army are relatively thin, and all local officials only listen to Zhang Jing.

In addition, Li Tianchong, the governor of Zhejiang, was also a special commission from the Holy One to supervise Zhejiang's military affairs. His official position was higher than his own. Even in terms of supervision such as rectifying military discipline, officials were more inclined to listen to Li Tianchong.

In addition, Zhang Jing once helped Li Tianchong, and Li Tianchong respected Zhang Jing and only followed Zhang Jing's orders.

Therefore, the entire military aspect of Jiangnan was actually decided by Zhang Jing, who had the final say.

In other words, before Zhao Wenhua came, Jiangnan Military only had Zhang Jing with one brain.

However, after Zhao Wenhua arrived, things were different.

As soon as Zhao Wenhua arrived, the military command in Jiangnan was officially changed from three people making the decision to four people making the decision: Jiangnan Governor Zhang Jing, Imperial Envoy Zhao Wenhua, Zhejiang Army Governor Li Tianchong and himself.

If Zhao Wenhua and Zhang Jing get along harmoniously, think in the same place, and work hard in the same place, it will not matter. It will just strengthen their brains, but the fact is that it is such wishful thinking.

He and Li Tianchong can listen to Zhang Jing, but can Zhao Wenhua listen to Zhang Jing honestly?

Zhao Wenhua was an imperial envoy with a higher official position than himself, and he was also a senior member of the Yan Party. He had the support of Mr. Lige behind him. He was willing to let Zhang Jing make the decision. Moreover, based on Hu Zongxian's own considerations, the Yan Party must have pushed Zhao Wenhua to the south of the Yangtze River at this time. their thoughts and intentions.

If what is expected is true, Party Yan should want to get involved in the military power.

Nowadays, the Strict Party's power is spread throughout the government and the public. It is relatively weak in the civil, criminal, industrial, ritual, and official fields, that is, in the military power.

Now that the Japanese pirates are raging in Jiangnan, it just gives the Yan Party an opportunity to intervene in the military power, and they will definitely not let it go. Because only Zhao Wenhua took over the military power in Jiangnan, the Yan Party was able to get involved in the military in a legitimate and obedient manner.

Therefore, Zhao Wenhua will definitely not listen to Zhang Jing, but will actively compete with Zhang Jing for military power in the south of the Yangtze River.

Zhao Wenhua and Zhang Jing are destined not to pee in the same pot. They are not the same people, and fighting for power is inevitable.

Today, the harmony between Zhao Wenhua and Zhang Jing at first was just an illusion. In the end, Zhang Jing walked away, which was clear evidence of the breakup. However, most officials were still fantasizing about peace between the generals, and they saw the breakup between Zhao Wenhua and Zhang Jing earlier than they did.

Once Zhao Wenhua and Zhang Jing break up, everyone will have to face the choice of side with Zhang Jing or Zhao Wenhua. Officials at the bottom can just pay it back, but for officials above the fifth rank, due to their status, it is difficult for them not to take sides.

Now that I have joined the team early, I will gain the greatest benefit. Take the first step and step forward. Whether it is buying horse bones with a lot of money or providing help in times of need, this time I join the team, I will definitely be set as an example.

As for whether to side with Zhang Jing, the governor of Jiangnan, or Zhao Wenhua, the imperial envoy, this is no small issue.

It is not only related to whether he can successfully complete his mission of patrolling Zhejiang, but also related to how his life and official career will proceed in the future.

This is the most difficult and important decision he has ever faced in his life, bar none.

One is the imperial envoy sent by the Holy Emperor to worship the sea and supervise the army, and the other is the military governor of the Jiangnan provinces.

No matter which side you take, there are both benefits and risks, and no one is the best choice.

Behind Zhang Jing lies an invisible party that is no different from forming a party on the surface - the Qing Party. If he takes sides with Zhang Jing, his reputation among scholars will greatly increase, and there is a high probability that he will be able to leave his name in the history books in the future. He is not afraid of the powerful and powerful celebrities of the Yan Party, but the price is that he will offend the Yan Party and be controlled by the Yan Party. Taking the center of governance offends the strict party, which means that in the future, you will be far away from the political center. Every word and deed will be caught by the strict party. It is difficult to find faults in the egg, and it will be attacked by both open and covert forces. No matter what the road is, it is destined to be bumpy, and it is difficult to have ambitions. Stretching out, the grand ambitions of establishing achievements and eradicating Japanese pirates will be wasted in the waste...

Behind Zhao Wenhua stands the Yan Party. If you choose Zhao Wenhua, it means you have to bend your waist to serve the powerful and become a member of the Yan Party. You will be scolded by the scholars and your evaluation in the history books will not be good, but you can get Yan's reliable support. Then get a stage to make achievements and display your ambitions.

This is a difficult choice.

Now, Hu Zongxian's appearance outside Zhao Wenhua's imperial envoy's office means that he has made his choice - to side with Zhao Wenhua!