Zhang Jing has fallen, the new governor has not yet been appointed, and the military affairs in Jiangnan have once again returned to a state of being leaderless.
The great victory at Wangjiangjing was originally a good opportunity to exterminate the Japanese pirates in Tuolin, but now because of the leaderless state, it can only be wasted in vain, giving the Japanese pirates a chance to catch their breath. Now the Japanese pirates have welcomed six thousand genuine Japanese reinforcements, the window of opportunity to exterminate the Tuolin Japanese pirates is slowly closing, and the chance is fleeting.
Although Zhu Ping’an is unwilling, the Tuolin Japanese pirates’ lair is located in Songjiang Prefecture, and Songjiang Prefecture belongs to Southern Zhili.
Zhu Ping’an, as the Governor of Zhejiang, cannot arbitrarily cross the border, it is beyond his reach.
With no other choice, Zhu Ping’an has no option but to devote his energy to the training of the Zhejiang army on one hand, while closely monitoring the Tuolin Japanese pirates on the other, waiting for the right moment.
The temporary camp of the Zhejiang army is a scene of bustling activity.
Suddenly, while Zhu Ping’an is inspecting the training of the Zhejiang army, a commotion of noise, clamour, and cursing comes from outside the camp gate.
“Report, there is someone outside claiming to be a Hanlin academician and an inspector from the Ministry of Works, saying they want to see Your Excellency. Without waiting for us to report, they tried to force their way through the camp gate and were stopped by us outside. They are unwilling to be stopped and are making a racket at the gate.”
A Zhejiang army soldier runs over to report.
“Well done in stopping them. All the soldiers guarding the camp gate will have an extra meal at noon.” Zhu Ping’an nods in satisfaction upon hearing this and praises them.
As for the person outside the gate claiming to be a Hanlin academician and an inspector from the Ministry of Works, Zhu Ping’an has already guessed who it is.
His teacher Xu has sent a letter reminding him.
Sure enough, upon arriving at the camp gate, he sees that arrogant yet frantic horse-like face outside the gate.
Luo Longwen!
His face is full of intent to cause trouble!
He has the air of someone who comes with ill intent.
Luo Longwen has brought more than thirty people with him, some in official robes, some in casual clothes, all crowding around Luo Longwen. There are also twenty well-equipped soldiers as escorts, led by a middle-aged hundred household officer.
At this moment, the leading middle-aged hundred household officer is pushing and shoving with the Zhejiang army soldiers guarding the gate, along with his subordinates!
The middle-aged hundred household officer is cursing foully in his mouth, and the soldiers he brought are all arrogant.
Although they are blustering fiercely and putting on a strong front, their skills are clearly inferior to the Zhejiang army soldiers and they are firmly blocked outside the gate.
“Zhu Ping’an, you have arrived just in time. Your soldiers are simply audacious and courting death. I am an inspector from the Ministry of Works on imperial orders, yet they dare to block me outside the gate! You must immediately order them to be severely beaten with planks!”
Upon seeing Zhu Ping’an, Luo Longwen lectures him haughtily, demanding that Zhu Ping’an order the punishment of the gate-guarding Zhejiang army soldiers.
Although Luo Longwen’s official rank is not high, he is a favourite in front of Yan Shifan and one of the famous members of the Yan faction.
When travelling outside, he represents Yan Shifan and the Yan faction. Since leaving the capital, wherever he goes, he receives flattery and sycophancy. Along the way, he has been so flattered that he has become conceited and feels superior to others.
This time, facing Zhu Ping’an whose rank is much higher than his, his sense of superiority remains undiminished.
You, Zhu Ping’an, offended our Yan faction and were demoted to Jiangnan, where you have suffered plenty, haven’t you? Do you still dare to offend the Yan faction again?!
Moreover, Zhao Wenhua is in Jiaxing. Zhao Wenhua has vouched for me. Zhao Wenhua has just brought down the Jiangnan governor Zhang Jing. Now Zhao Wenhua is the big boss in Jiangnan. Who doesn’t give him face?!
Since Zhao Wenhua has backed me, I now represent Zhao Wenhua. If you don’t give me face, you don’t give Zhao Wenhua face!
Zhao Wenhua’s anger is something even a noble governor like Zhang Jing cannot bear. Can you, Zhu Ping’an, bear it?!
Therefore, Luo Longwen looks at Zhu Ping’an with haughty arrogance and bossy commands.
“Men!”
Zhu Ping’an raises his right hand.
Seeing Zhu Ping’an summon men obediently after his order, intending to punish the gate guards, Luo Longwen cannot help but smile smugly and looks mockingly at the gate guards who blocked him, thinking they deserve it.
I already told you who I am, yet you dared to block this official, saying without Zhu Ping’an’s orders, no one is allowed to enter the camp. Heh, now you see, the person you desperately protected will, at this official’s command, order you to be beaten severely with planks. Hahaha, what are you thinking now?
And you, Zhu Ping’an!
Even if you obey me and give these soldiers a beating with planks, I won’t spare you! See how I deal with you!
You have humiliated me multiple times and offended the Grand Secretary and the Eastern Mansion. You deserve ten thousand deaths! Just wait! Your good days are over!
This time, I am on orders from the Eastern Mansion to properly discipline you. Wash your neck and wait!
Luo Longwen is smug and complacent, like a wolf that has jumped into a sheep pen, looking at Zhu Ping’an with the eyes of one eyeing prey.
With Zhu Ping’an’s shout of “Men!”, dozens of Zhejiang army soldiers immediately respond, lining up behind Zhu Ping’an and standing by.
“Take them down!”
Zhu Ping’an points indifferently at the hundred household officer and soldiers who charged the gate, his face expressionless as he gives the order.
Heh.
Taken down, eh.
Luo Longwen smugly curls the corner of his mouth, his smug smile growing even wider. He loves seeing that look of unwillingness yet forced obedience.
Dozens of Zhejiang army soldiers, at Zhu Ping’an’s order, charge out like fierce wolves. In a flash, with a few swift moves, they capture the foul-mouthed middle-aged hundred household officer and his twenty soldiers.
“Hey, hey, hey, mistake, mistake! You’ve got the wrong people, you bastards! Take them down? Are you blind?!” Luo Longwen’s smug smile on his face instantly withers, and he jumps up in frantic anger. “Zhu Ping’an, look at your soldiers! What are they doing? How did they take down my men!”
He thought Zhu Ping’an had ordered the capture of the blocking gate guards, but unexpectedly, it was his own men who were taken.
Luo Longwen cannot help but shout out in frantic anger.
“Those who intrude upon a military camp, the leader shall receive one hundred strokes of the staff, the rest eighty strokes!” Zhu Ping’an gives the order expressionlessly.
“Zhu Ping’an, you dare!” Luo Longwen turns pale with shock. “You must release them immediately, or don’t blame me for…”
“Drag them away! Execute on the spot!” Zhu Ping’an waves his hand.
The Zhejiang army soldiers drag the hundred household officer and the twenty soldiers to the side like fierce wolves, press them down on the spot, raise the military staffs in their hands, and begin beating with thuds and cracks. The victims cry out for their fathers and mothers, wailing incessantly!
“Zhu Ping’an, I’m talking to you. Didn’t you hear?” Seeing Zhu Ping’an give him no face at all, Luo Longwen jumps in rage. “I am an imperial inspector from the Ministry of Works. Your men blocked us outside the camp, and now you beat my men with military staffs. This is slapping the face of the court.”
“You, Luo Longwen, do not yet have the qualification to represent the court.” Zhu Ping’an glances at him disdainfully. “A military camp is a restricted area, not to be intruded upon at will! Have you heard of the story of Zhou Yafu’s strict discipline at the Weiyang camp? Even the esteemed Emperor Wen of Han, going to console Zhou Yafu’s Weiyang camp, could not enter without Zhou Yafu’s military tally! Let alone you!”
