In the early morning, Zhu Ping’an would join the soldiers in running to exercise and improve his physical fitness. When the soldiers practiced formations, martial arts, and firearms, Zhu Ping’an would conclude his morning exercise and inspect the training of the soldiers in various camps.
The morning run was mainly to strengthen his body and enhance his physical condition. In the future, when leading troops into battle, although he wouldn’t need to charge at the front lines, he still had to keep up with the march. Not all terrains and situations would allow for horseback riding.
Today, Zhu Ping’an also had to arrange tasks for Hu Wei and Xia Qiang. After finishing his morning run and completing a round of inspections, he instructed Liu Mu and others from the inspection team to continue overseeing the soldiers’ training. Meanwhile, he went to the training ground to find Hu Wei and Xia Xian.
The two were sitting at the edge of the training ground, their faces pale. The continuous sound of gunfire and the occasional roar of the tiger crouching cannon made their legs tremble.
When Zhu Ping’an found them, he initially thought they might be ill.
Upon returning to the command tent with the two, Zhu Ping’an discovered that his uncle, Zhu Shouren, had already begun his morning reading.
“Confucius said, ‘Is it not a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned? Is it not delightful to have friends coming from afar? Is it not the mark of a gentleman to remain unruffled even when others do not understand you?'”
The rhythmic sound of his uncle’s reading echoed as soon as Zhu Ping’an and the others entered the tent.
Zhu Ping’an’s hearing was sharper than most, and he noticed that his uncle’s reading only started when they were about ten meters away from the tent. It seemed that his uncle had begun reading only after seeing Zhu Ping’an bring Hu Wei and Xia Qiang into the tent.
“Oh, nephew, you’re back from your morning exercise. I’ve been reading for quite a while now. I’ve already finished ‘Mencius’ and am almost done with the opening chapter of ‘The Analects’…” Uncle Zhu Shouren said without a hint of embarrassment, his face calm and composed.
In reality, he had been woken up by the sound of firearms during the Zhe army’s training and had only just entered the tent, not even warming his seat yet.
As for the morning reading, it was exactly as Zhu Ping’an had suspected. Uncle Zhu Shouren had only started pretending to read when he saw Zhu Ping’an and the others approaching through the tent window.
Zhu Ping’an didn’t expose his uncle’s act but instead offered some simple encouragement, which made his uncle quite pleased.
“What are you so proud of? Don’t forget the main matter,” Hu Wei and Xia Qiang quickly gave Uncle Zhu Shouren a meaningful look.
Receiving their glances, Uncle Zhu Shouren finally remembered the main issue and approached Zhu Ping’an with a concerned expression. “Nephew, preparing for the exams isn’t urgent. We can make time for that later. The most pressing matter now is to help you with your burdens. Managing such a large military camp alone must be overwhelming, and it pains me to see you so busy. I should have come earlier. If I had, you would have been relieved much sooner.”
“If you had come earlier, I would have been relieved sooner? Where does your confidence come from? Did Liang Jingru also time-travel here?” Zhu Ping’an thought to himself, feeling speechless, but he maintained a calm expression. “Well, alright. There are indeed a few official tasks I need your help with.”
“That’s more like it. Don’t worry, nephew. Brother Hu and Brother Xia are both exceptional talents, well-versed in both civil and military strategies, with ample experience. They are in no way inferior to me. We guarantee to handle the tasks flawlessly,” Uncle Zhu Shouren boasted, praising all three of them to the skies and confidently vouching for their abilities.
Zhu Ping’an was already used to this.
In truth, while Zhu Ping’an said he was assigning tasks, it was more of a test for them.
“I have some clerical work here that requires your assistance.”
Zhu Ping’an planned to test them for about ten days to see if they could handle basic military clerical duties.
If they passed the test, he would assign them suitable military tasks based on their abilities. The Zhe army indeed needed a group of administrative staff. If they failed the test, then there was no point in wasting each other’s time. The military camp wasn’t a place for idlers, and war wasn’t child’s play. There was no room for half-hearted efforts. They might as well return home to prepare for the exams.
“No problem, nephew. Just assign the tasks. However…” Uncle Zhu Shouren’s eyes shifted, and he added a “but.”
“But what? Please speak freely, Uncle,” Zhu Ping’an said calmly, knowing full well that his uncle was up to something again.
“Nephew, as the saying goes, ‘If the name is not correct, the words will not be heeded.’ Since we’re working for you, what official positions will you assign us? It would make things more legitimate,” Uncle Zhu Shouren rubbed his hands together, asking eagerly.
What? Asking for official positions already?
Zhu Ping’an was beyond speechless. They hadn’t even started working yet, and his uncle was already asking for an official title. He was too impatient.
“Uncle, official positions are appointed by the court. I have no authority to assign such titles. However, once you make contributions, I will recommend you for rewards. If your contributions are significant, the court will not be stingy with its rewards. For now, I can only appoint you as temporary clerks for the Zhe army,” Zhu Ping’an explained with a wry smile.
“Temporary clerks? You can’t assign civil positions, but can’t you at least give us roles like centurions or squad leaders?” Uncle Zhu Shouren looked disappointed and pressed Zhu Ping’an with hopeful eyes.
“Uncle, whether civil or military, all officials are appointed by the court. That’s what it means to be a court-appointed official,” Zhu Ping’an shook his head and replied calmly.
“But nephew, those hunters who followed you earlier, how did they become centurions?” Uncle Zhu Shouren questioned, unwilling to believe.
“They defended the city with me, braved the rain of swords and arrows, and fought the Japanese without fear of death. They were rewarded by the court for their merits. Now that the Japanese threat is severe, there will be plenty of opportunities to fight and earn merits. As long as you make significant contributions, I will recommend you for rewards, and you too can be honored,” Zhu Ping’an said earnestly, looking at his uncle.
Hu Wei gently tugged at Uncle Zhu Shouren’s sleeve, nodding to indicate that he should stop and not delay the main task.
Xia Qiang also gave Uncle Zhu Shouren several meaningful looks, signaling him to calm down. As the saying goes, “Haste makes waste.” It was inappropriate to ask for an official position right after arriving. At the very least, they should handle some military tasks for a while. Even if they didn’t achieve great merits, their hard work would make it harder for Zhu Ping’an to refuse their request.
“Alright, nephew, you’re right. We’ll wait for you to recommend us for rewards,” Uncle Zhu Shouren played a little trick, deliberately misinterpreting Zhu Ping’an’s words.
“Of course, as long as you make contributions, I will recommend you for rewards,” Zhu Ping’an emphasized.
Only if you make contributions can I recommend you for rewards. If you achieve nothing, I can’t recommend you.
“Ahem, of course. With our abilities, earning merits will be a piece of cake. It’s only a matter of time,” Uncle Zhu Shouren coughed and said with confidence.
