Rise From the Humble

The rising sun was rising in the east, the sun was shining, and everything was shining brightly. The south gate of Suzhou City opened. The chief of the military hall and the chief of the ceremonial hall of Suzhou Mansion, escorted by more than a thousand elite soldiers, drove more than a hundred fully loaded carriages out of the city.

The carriage was filled with slaughtered pigs, sheep and other meats, as well as various fruits and vegetables, as well as delicacies cooked in restaurants. These were given by Suzhou officials, wealthy businessmen and ordinary people to show their condolences and express their gratitude to the Zhejiang Army. What follows Several wagons carried gunpowder and supplies such as sulfur, saltpeter, and charcoal.

Of course, the city's condolences and rewards to the Zhejiang Army were far more than these.

When they heard the news that the government was going out of the city to express their condolences and reward the Zhejiang Army, the common people helped the elderly and young children, carried chickens, ducks and various agricultural and sideline products. The people here were even more enthusiastic. They were all grateful to Zhu Pingan for escorting them into the city.

However, considering that the Japanese pirate army was still outside the city and had only retreated ten miles without retreating, Master Shang, the prefect of Suzhou, earnestly dissuaded the enthusiastic people. He only selected some condolences, loaded them into more than a hundred carriages, and escorted them out of the city by officers and soldiers. To express condolences, the rest of the people are not allowed to leave the city.

Originally, Master Shang, the prefect, wanted to lead a team out of the city to express condolences, but the subordinate officials tried hard to persuade him for various necessary and sufficient reasons, so he had to appoint the director of the military room and the director of the ceremonial room to go out of the city to express condolences to the Zhejiang army on his behalf.

In order to prevent Japanese pirates from attacking the city, the city gate was immediately closed as soon as the military convoy left the city.

"Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up, the Japanese pirates are still ahead, let's go early and come back early." The hostess of the military room kept urging.

"It makes sense, hurry up. It's not that we are afraid of Japanese pirates, but we don't want to cause trouble to Mr. Zhu and the Zhejiang Army."

The hostess of the reception room immediately nodded repeatedly, urging the team to speed up while explaining to everyone.

"That's right, that's right. It's not that we are afraid of Japanese pirates. The main reason is that we don't want to cause trouble to Mr. Zhu and others."

The officer in charge of the barracks was convinced.

The group of people drove faster and faster, and soon arrived in front of the Zhejiang Army's Fengqiao camp.

Zhu Ping'an had already noticed the troops coming from the city, and sent people to greet them and welcome them into the Fengqiao camp.

"Master Zhu, generals, on behalf of the prefect Shang and everyone in the city, we would like to thank Master Zhu and the officers and soldiers of the Zhejiang Army for sticking to their positions, defeating the Japanese pirates, and protecting Suzhou. We congratulate Master Zhu and the Zhejiang Army on their brilliant victory. This is This is a small gesture of gratitude from the whole city of Suzhou. Twenty of the cars were sent to us by your wife, and I ask Master Zhu not to refuse."

The ministers of the ceremonial room and the military room came forward to pay homage to Zhu Ping'an and presented them with the gift list of condolences.

Zhu Ping'an glanced at the gift list and saw that it was full of meat, vegetables, fruits and other condolences. In addition to the meat, the twenty carts of things Li Shu had sent included gunpowder and gunpowder raw materials that were in urgent need, so he was not polite. Received everything according to the order.

"Thank you, Magistrate Shang, thank you all the folks in the city, thank you two adults and all the brothers for taking the risk to send us condolences. We're not welcome." Zhu Ping'an thanked him and asked people to accept the condolences.

Seeing Zhu Ping'an accepting the condolences, the hostess of the military room and the hostel of the hostel couldn't wait any longer. From time to time they looked at the direction of the Japanese pirate army in the distance, worried that the Japanese pirates who had retreated ten miles would come back.

"Master Zhu is busy with military affairs, so we won't disturb him."

After a few brief greetings, the two said goodbye to Zhu Ping'an, leaving a beautiful message at the end, "Master Shang said, if Master Zhu has any difficulties, please feel free to tell them, and we will try our best to satisfy you."

"Speaking of which, I really have a problem."

As soon as they finished speaking, Zhu Pingan spoke.

The hostess of the military room and the hostel room were stunned for a moment, but they didn't expect that Zhu Pingan was really not polite at all.

"I wonder what Mr. Zhu needs our cooperation for? But reinforcements? Speaking of reinforcements, there are actually not enough soldiers and horses in the city." The director of the military room was afraid that Zhu Pingan would ask for reinforcements, so he blocked the words first.

"We don't want reinforcements, we want oil." Zhu Pingan shook his head slightly and said before he could finish.

"You want oil?" The officer in the military room was stunned, with a confused look on his face. He didn't know what Zhu Ping'an wanted oil for? Is there no oil for cooking in the Zhejiang military camp? We have sent so much pork here, is it enough to refining the fat?

"That's right, we also ask the two adults to raise money for us as soon as possible after returning to the city. Whether it is sesame oil, rapeseed oil or lard, it will be at least one thousand kilograms. Of course, the more the better." Zhu Pingan nodded.

"What does Mr. Zhu need so much oil for?" the hostess of the military room asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"I'm of great use. It's confidential. Please forgive me. Your Excellency will understand in the future." Zhu Ping'an kept this secret.

Military affairs are secrets, and the fewer people know about secrets, the better.

"No problem, no problem. If you just need oil, there will be no problem. Let alone one thousand kilograms, even three thousand kilograms will be no problem."

The officer in charge of the barracks was just curious. As long as they were not allowed to send reinforcements, a mere three thousand kilograms of oil would be nothing.

"Thank you very much." Zhu Pingan thanked him with his hands.

"You're welcome, Mr. Zhu. If there is nothing else, we will not disturb Mr. Zhu and prepare for the war. We will return to the city right away, collect grease for you, and send someone to your camp as soon as possible." The military officer and the ceremonial room The boss couldn't wait to say goodbye to Zhu Pingan, fearing that the Japanese pirates would come back and they would not be able to go back.

"My two gentlemen, please wait a moment. My wife is in the city. I am afraid that she will miss you. I would like to say a few words. Please bring it to my wife."

Zhu Ping'an asked the two of them to wait a moment and fetched the pen and ink. Without stopping, he picked up the pen and wrote down lines of ink.

"Nian Qing"

I remember when I was young,

I love to talk and you love to laugh.

Once upon a time we were side by side under the peach tree,

The wind is blowing in the trees and the birds are chirping.

I don't know why I fell asleep,

How many flowers have fallen in dreams?

——Don’t think about it, I’m at peace. When the war is over, I will hold hands with you and appreciate the snow, and we will grow old together.

After Zhu Pingan finished writing, he dried the ink, folded it carefully, put it into a letter raft, and gave it to two people. They were asked to take it into the city and deliver it to Li Shu.

Li Shu is almost full term, and pregnant women tend to be nervous and anxious. I wrote this letter to comfort Li Shu and let her not worry about herself.

"In addition, I would also like to ask the two adults to remind Shang Zhifu that the Japanese pirates were frustrated at Fengqiao this time, or they may attack other city gates. I also ask Shang Zhifu to take precautions and not give the Japanese pirates an opportunity. If the Japanese pirates attack other cities Gate, our Zhejiang army will send troops to attack the rear of the Japanese pirates, and coordinate the defense in the city, so that the Japanese pirates will return without success."

Zhu Ping'an sent the two people out of the camp, and before leaving, he asked them to send a message to Magistrate Shang to prevent Japanese pirates from attacking him.

"Don't worry, sir, we will definitely bring the message." The hostess of the military room and the hostel room nodded repeatedly, fearing that Zhu Pingan would have other things to do, they couldn't wait to leave.

The short poem in the article is quoted from Lu Qian's "Capability", with slight adjustments.