Rise From the Humble

After cleaning the place and replacing it with scallion pancakes, millet porridge, and various side dishes, everyone who was vomiting could finally enjoy a midnight snack.

While everyone was enjoying supper, Magistrate Shang came to Zihou and whispered, "Zihou, can you lend me a moment to speak."

"Of course, Sir Shang, please." Zhu Ping'an nodded and followed Magistrate Shang to a secluded part of the venue.

Zhu Ping'an probably understood in his heart that Magistrate Shang probably wanted to ask him if he had any unspeakable questions.

At the current stage, nine out of ten are military exploits.

"Haha, congratulations to Zihou. In this battle to defend Suzhou City, Zihou and you all took the greatest credit. Zihou, you led the Zhejiang Army officers and soldiers to annihilate more than 30,000 Japanese pirates, destroyed more than 100 Japanese ships, and captured a total of 10,000 More than 6,000 Japanese pirate heads were captured, and numerous Japanese weapons were seized. This was the first achievement since the Japanese invasion in Jiangnan, and it was enough to boost the morale of the people in the world to fight against the Japanese. With this achievement, it is not a problem for you, Zihou, to be promoted to an official position. I guess it won’t be long before I respect you, Zihou, as Shangguan.”

After arriving at a secluded place, Magistrate Shang congratulated Zhu Pingan greatly and joked that Zhu Pingan's rank would be higher than him in a short time.

"This is not only the credit of our Zhejiang Army, but also the credit of all the people in Suzhou, including Prefect Shang. The victory of the defense battle of Suzhou is the result of the intensive cooperation and full cooperation between Prefect Shang and you inside the city and our Zhejiang Army outside the city. As a result, one cannot exist without the other, and the credit naturally belongs to both of us.”

Zhu Ping'an had no idea of ​​taking the credit as his own, and expressed his willingness to share the military exploits with Magistrate Shang and the others.

Zhu Ping'an not only said it verbally, but also really thought so in his heart, and was willing to share his military exploits with Magistrate Shang and the others.

After all, the credit this time is really too great.

In my impression, about a year later in history, Governor Zhang Jing arrived with spearmen from Shandong, wolf soldiers from Guangxi, and native soldiers from the southwest. The victory he organized at Wangjiangjing only captured about 2,000 Japanese pirate heads, and killed several Japanese pirates. thousand.

In the "History of the Ming Dynasty", Zhang Jing and his team's victory at Wangjiangjing was already called "the greatest military exploits in the southeast."

The result he achieved by chance was nearly ten times that of Wang Jiangjing's victory.

Such a great achievement, even if shared with Magistrate Shang and the others, would be enough for everyone.

"No, no, no, these captures are all due to you, Zihou, and the head of a Japanese pirate in our Suzhou city is also due. We are self-aware. We in Suzhou have not even taken a step out of the city gate, so how can we capture the head of a Japanese pirate? . Ahem, the only one who left the city surrendered to the Japanese pirates, and almost surrendered our Suzhou city to the Japanese pirates. Thanks to Zihou’s timely appearance and rescued Suzhou city, otherwise the consequences would have been disastrous." Magistrate Shang shook his head vigorously, not at all. There is no intention to be greedy for merit.

Zhu Ping'an was a little surprised. At first, he thought that Magistrate Shang asked him to lend a hand to speak because he wanted to share some of his military exploits.

Unexpectedly, Magistrate Shang was so insistent that he would not even spare a Japanese pirate's head.

This can't help but make Zhu Pingan a little surprised.

Zhu Pingan thought that Magistrate Shang was embarrassed, so he said sincerely again, "Sir Shang, although you have not left the city, the role you played in the defense of Suzhou cannot be underestimated, not to mention giving us The Zhejiang Army’s supplies of gunpowder, grain, mules, horses, ordnance, etc., only mean that you stick to the city, deplete the morale of the Japanese pirates, involve the Japanese pirates’ strength, and share the Japanese pirates’ firepower.”

"Zihou, thank you for your kindness, but I don't need to say more about Fenrun's military exploits in wiping out the Japanese pirates. As I said before, people need to be self-aware. The role played by us in Suzhou in this Japanese pirate offensive is extremely limited. , and it's really holding you back. If it weren't for Zihou and your Zhejiang army to turn the tide, our city of Suzhou would have fallen into the hands of the Japanese pirates long ago. Hundreds of thousands of people in the city were harmed and ravaged by the Japanese pirates, and I would have become a sinner of the Ming Dynasty if I were still alive. The human heart is not enough for snakes to swallow, and everything in this world is like a mantis catching a cicada. If we continue to shamelessly share your military merits, then are we still human beings? What kind of shame do we have to live in this world? We will also be punished by God in the future."

Magistrate Shang waved his hands repeatedly with a look of persistence, firmly declining Zhu Pingan's kindness.

"Master Shang, what I said is true." Zhu Pingan said with a wry smile.

"Zihou, thank you for your kindness. What I said is true." Magistrate Shang insisted on declining Zhu Pingan's kindness.

It seemed that Magistrate Shang was serious, which surprised Zhu Ping'an.

Magistrate Shang noticed Zhu Ping'an's surprise and explained to Zhu Ping'an with a frank look, "Zihou, if the Japanese pirates such as Xu Hai and others gathered more than 40,000 people and invaded in large numbers, the city of Suzhou could not be lost. For us Suzhou officials , especially for me, it is a blessing among misfortunes. The success of defending the city without losing it is enough for us. We all in Suzhou have the responsibility to defend the land. If Suzhou City can not be lost, it is already a blessing for us. This is a great achievement. Of course, Zihou and your Zhejiang Army deserve the most credit for defending the city. There is no doubt about this."

After hearing this, Zhu Ping'an couldn't help but feel a little confused. If he really refused to share the merits of the war, why did he have to take a step to talk to him? ! It's totally unnecessary.

"Zihou, don't think too much. The reason I'm asking you to speak is because the king is cheating the city."

Magistrate Shang noticed Zhu Pingan's doubts, so he frankly stated the reason for asking Zhu Pingan to speak.

Are you here to defraud the city because of the king's thief?

Zhu Ping'an was thoughtful, and he had a rough idea of ​​Magistrate Shang's intentions.

"I feel ashamed to say that the bandit king came out of the city to surrender to the Japanese pirates, but I failed to see through it, and even let the bandit king lure some of the Japanese bandits into the city. If Zihou hadn't led the Zhejiang army to turn the tide in time, the city of Suzhou would have been destroyed at that time."

Magistrate Shang said with an embarrassed look.

"This is not Sir Shang's fault, but the fault of the king's thief. He did not listen to the warnings and did not respect Sir's orders. He went out of the city to pursue the Japanese. He fell into the Japanese pirates' treacherous plan and was captured by the Japanese pirates. He was greedy for life and feared death. He was a servile servant and surrendered to the Japanese pirates. , to lure Japanese pirates into the city..." Zhu Pingan shook his head.

"Ahem, that's the case, but as the prefect of Suzhou, I failed to see through the king's traitor, and I am also responsible for the oversight." Prefect Shang coughed and said embarrassedly.

Zhu Ping'an touched his chin after hearing this. What Magistrate Shang said was true, but as far as this matter is concerned, Magistrate Shang is indeed responsible for oversight. Although the responsibility is not big, the stain is not small, and it has a big impact on Magistrate Shang's official career. Influence.

"Ahem, I'm asking Zihou to lend me a step to talk. It's a merciless request."

Magistrate Shang rubbed his hands in embarrassment, looked at Zhu Pingan and said.

"Master Shang, please speak." Zhu Ping'an already knew what Magistrate Shang wanted. (End of chapter)