The rise of the poor

Chapter 1980 Hot Spots in Beijing
"Ping'an has been away from the capital for a long time. I wonder if there are any hot spots in the capital recently?" Zhu Ping'an asked Eunuch Wang casually at the table.

"Hotspot?" Eunuch Wang and others were stunned for a moment, their faces full of question marks. Hotspot, what is a hotspot?

"Oh, it means the hot topics and things that attract public attention." Zhu Ping'an then realized that he sometimes habitually used modern tones, which people of this era did not understand, so he explained it again.

"Master Xiao Zhu is indeed the top scholar. You used the word 'hotspot' very well. It's very accurate, insightful and vivid." Eunuch Wang praised him and then said with a laugh, "Haha, although Master Xiao Zhu has been away from the capital for a long time, if we talk about the hot spots in the capital recently, it's still you, Master Xiao Zhu."

"Me?" Zhu Ping'an was a little surprised.

"Master Xiao Zhu led the Zhejiang Army to a brilliant victory in the defense of Suzhou. Almost everyone in the capital knows Master Xiao Zhu's name. Storytellers in teahouses and restaurants in the capital are all telling stories about how Master Xiao Zhu used his wisdom to defeat the Japanese pirates."

"They say that Master Xiao Zhu, you have a plan if you blink your eyes and a plan if you touch your chin."

"There is even a storyteller who said that you learned a set of martial arts secrets from the Four Books and Five Classics and mastered peerless magic skills. Those vicious Japanese pirates are no match for you. You can kill them with just one finger."

Eunuch Wang laughed and told Zhu Ping'an a few of the rumors about him in the capital.

He discovered the secrets of martial arts from the Four Books and Five Classics.
Zhu Ping'an's mouth twitched when he heard this.

"Apart from these, are there any other hot spots?" Zhu Ping'an asked again.

"Some time ago, the northern barbarian Altan Khan invaded the northern border again. He attacked Xuanfu, Jizhou, Datong and other places several times and killed many generals. The emperor was furious and offered a reward for the northern barbarian Altan Khan's head. The reward was set as follows: whoever presents Altan Khan's head will be awarded 10,000 taels of silver and be granted the title of earl." Eunuch Wang also talked about a hot topic in the capital recently.

After hearing this, Zhu Ping'an's first impression was that the Jiajing Emperor was a bit stingy. The Northern Barbarians problem was one of the two major problems that plagued the Jiajing Dynasty, even worse than the Japanese invasion, and took up most of the court's military expenditures. He could offer Altan's head, which meant that the Northern Barbarians were annihilated and the court's biggest problem was solved, but he only gave 10,000 taels of silver and the lowest rank of earl as a reward? !

However, Zhu Ping'an soon felt that Emperor Jiajing was quite generous this time. After all, if you think about it carefully, Emperor Jiajing was extremely cautious about conferring titles and could not be more cautious.

Zhu Ping'an remembered that there was an old man in this dynasty named Zhou Shangwen, who served as the general of Datong for a long time. During his tenure in Datong, he repelled the invasion of the northern barbarian Altan several times and made outstanding military achievements. He was promoted to the position of Left General, the highest rank of military officer, and was also granted the title of Taibao and Prince Taifu. However, he did not receive the title until the old man died in office five years ago.

After Mr. Zhou passed away, there was a secretary named Shen Shu who submitted a memorial to Emperor Jiajing, requesting that Mr. Zhou be posthumously conferred a title. This angered Emperor Jiajing, who not only said that Zhou Shangwen had repeatedly requested for titles and made many complaints when he was alive, but that he had not punished him because of his leniency, but also handed Shen Shu over to the Jinyiwei for questioning, who imprisoned him in jail, where he is still being held.

In comparison, Emperor Jiajing's reward this time can be considered quite generous.

Of course, comparing myself to him, I feel that Emperor Jiajing was quite generous to me this time. Being able to serve as the Right Vice Minister of the Yingtian Ministry of War and Governor of Zhejiang was definitely an extraordinary promotion among extraordinary promotions.

"Oh, by the way, let's calculate the time. Today, the capital is holding the Wumen Prisoner Presentation Ceremony. I heard that the Japanese pirates will be executed by slow slicing. I guess there should be a huge crowd of people at Caishikou right now, and the common people are watching the execution."

Eunuch Wang thought of the ceremony of presenting prisoners at the Meridian Gate, took a sip of tea, and spoke slowly.

"Lingchi is what they deserve." Zhu Ping'an did not think that Lingchi was too cruel and inhumane.

Why didn’t these Japanese pirates think about humanity when they were burning, killing and looting? They were like beasts, slaughtering civilians. They were extremely cruel!
They deserve to be tortured to death!
"The reward for the Northern Tartar leader Altan has been raised. I think the rewards for the Japanese chieftains Wang Zhi, Xu Hai and others will also be raised. With Lord Zhu's ability, it will be just a matter of time before he is awarded a title." Eunuch Wang complimented Zhu Ping'an.

"Haha, you are too kind, Eunuch Wang." Zhu Ping'an shook his head modestly, and then said firmly, "However, in order to repay the emperor's kindness, I will do my best to wipe out the Japanese pirates."

"I wish Master Xiao Zhu immediate success. It is getting late, so I will take my leave and return to the capital to report."

Eunuch Wang clasped his fists and stood up to take his leave.

The others also stood up and said goodbye.

"Eunuch Wang, and everyone else, you have traveled a long way and are exhausted. It won't be too late to rest for two days before returning to the capital to report."

Zhu Ping'an politely tried to persuade him to stay.

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Xiao Zhu, but the governor told us to leave as soon as possible and come back soon, so we dare not delay."

Eunuch Wang explained.

"This is too hard." Zhu Pingan sighed.

"Haha, the governor said that we will be given a ten-day holiday after we return. We can have a good rest then."

Eunuch Wang said.

Having said that, Zhu Ping'an couldn't force them to stay anymore, so he had to send them out of the house and set off.

Li Shu had already asked people to prepare some local specialties and gave them to Eunuch Wang and others. Eunuch Wang and others declined at first but finally accepted them.

"I almost forgot, Lord Zhu, please come over here and talk." Eunuch Wang pulled Zhu Ping'an aside before leaving.

Zhu Ping'an followed Eunuch Wang to the roadside.

"It's not a big deal. I just want to remind Lord Zhu that the emperor has been considering the issue of appointing a crown prince recently. He has repeatedly asked Lord Yan, Lord Xu, Lord Li and some ministers about this issue. When Lord Zhu returns to the capital in the future, he may also face this question from the emperor. Lord Zhu should prepare early to avoid being caught off guard." Eunuch Wang reminded Zhu Ping'an in a low voice. Since the matter involved Emperor Jiajing, Eunuch Wang pulled Zhu Ping'an to a secluded place on the side of the road to remind him.

"Thank you, Eunuch Wang." Zhu Ping'an bowed to express his gratitude.

"Thank you, Lord Xiao Zhu. I'll take my leave now." Eunuch Wang said with a smile, clasped his fists and left.

Appoint a crown prince.

This is indeed a difficult question to answer.

Not only is it difficult to answer, it's also life-threatening.

To appoint a crown prince, between Prince Jing and Prince Yu, who should be appointed as the crown prince?

If you recommend Prince Jing as the crown prince, you will offend Prince Yu; but if you recommend Prince Yu as the crown prince, you will also offend Prince Jing. You still expect to get away with offending the only two heirs to the Ming Dynasty!
But if no one recommends it, it would be difficult for me to pass the test of Emperor Jiajing, and my impression in Emperor Jiajing's mind would be greatly reduced.

(End of this chapter)