The rise of the poor

Chapter 2319 So That's How It Is

"Zihou, you said that I am not the one who will succeed as governor this time. Who is it then?" Zhao Wenhua asked Zhu Pingan.

I know it's Yang Yi, but I shouldn't know. The reason I know it's Yang Yi is entirely because I know history, and with the information I have now, I can't possibly deduce it. Of course, if it were in the power center of the capital, that would be a different story, but now I'm in Jiangnan, far from the decision-making center, and the information I have is far from enough to deduce it.

Even Zhao Wenhua, who is well-informed, still believes he is a shoo-in for the governorship, which shows that there is no definite news coming from the capital.

It is estimated that the capital city only finalized the candidate for the successor at the last minute, and then sent someone with great urgency to announce the decree. Therefore, Zhao Wenhua did not receive the news of the final candidate for the successor in advance.

Zhu Pingan shook his head. "I don't know."

"Hehe." Hu Zongxian chuckled upon hearing this. "In that case, Zhu Ping'an's speculation should be questioned."

Zhao Wenhua laughed too. Zhu Pingan doesn't know who the successor is, so how can he be sure that the final successor won't be me?

The dust has not yet settled, and it remains to be seen who will emerge victorious!

Moreover, I have the strong recommendation of my adoptive father, the recommendation of my colleagues, and even that old scoundrel Xu Jie recommended me.

Furthermore, I impeached two governors in succession!

The advantage lies with me!

Zhao Wenhua regained his confidence, took a sip of tea, and asked Zhu Pingan, "Zihou, how have the naval trainings been lately?"

"Master Zhao, with the help of Zhou Chong, the Zhejiang Navy has expanded from 3,000 to 10,000 troops, and the number of warships has doubled. In order to boost the morale of the navy, the military pay has been paid three months in advance."

Zhu Ping'an squeezed almost every last penny out of Zhou Chong, and after Zhou Chong took over, he used almost all the treasury funds for the navy.

Military pay was secondary; the main expense was the cost of warships. A large ocean-going warship cost seven thousand taels of silver just for materials, not including labor, equipment, or other hidden costs.

With all the cannons and other equipment fully equipped, a large ocean-going warship of 32 zhang (approximately 16.6 meters) would cost at least 40,000 taels of silver.

The cost of a medium-sized warship is halved, and a small warship can be purchased for four thousand taels of silver.

Warships are notorious money-devouring beasts. If it weren't for Zhou Chong's strong support in expanding the navy, Zhu Ping'an wouldn't have dared to increase the navy from three thousand to ten thousand, doubling the size of the warships. He simply didn't have the financial resources.

It was only because of the wealth and prosperity of Jiangnan that they were able to build such a large navy.

"Excellent, excellent. It has benefited Zihou's navy, and Zhou Chong has been put to good use. Very good."

Zhao Wenhua smiled with satisfaction.

Zhu Ping'an initially said he would make use of Zhou Chong's remaining influence, and now it seems that this is indeed the case, as he used Zhou Chong to expand the navy.

"In less than a month, the navy has expanded to 10,000 men, and the number of warships has doubled. As expected of Lord Zhu," Hu Zongxian said with admiration.

"Is the navy ready for battle now?" Zhao Wenhua asked.

Zhu Pingan shook his head frankly, "The navy has only set up the facade and recruited people, but it is not ready to fight yet. It will take at least three more months before the navy can fight."

"What does the navy still lack? Zhou Chong has stepped down, and I'm here. If you need anything, just ask."

Zhao Wenhua said with a generous air that he had received so many gifts these past two days that his hands were sore, and he was not short of money at all.

"It's not right to accept something for nothing," Zhu Ping'an said politely, his eyes lighting up.

Of course, Zhu Ping'an was just politely declining. If Zhao Wenhua said another word, Zhu Ping'an would go with the flow and say, "Oh, I can't argue with you, so I'll respectfully accept your offer. The navy is currently short of supplies."

Even if Zhao Wenhua retracts his order, Zhu Ping'an will still demand an exorbitant amount; he'd rather fleece this rich man than let him get away with it.

If Zhou Chong can take advantage of others, then what about you, Zhao Wenhua? You've received so many gifts; let's use them for good.

The light of righteousness shines upon the earth.

"You've done a great job, you've done a great job." Zhao Wenhua chuckled and gave Zhu Ping'an a thumbs up.

"Me? I've made a great contribution?!"

Now it was Zhu Ping'an's turn to be stunned, looking completely bewildered. What did this mean? When did I make such a great contribution?!

"Hehe, Zihou, when you came here, did you see the long line of carriages and people lining up to give me gifts outside my mansion?"

Zhao Wenhua smiled and pointed in the direction outside the door.

Zhu Pingan nodded. The line was so long, stretching for two miles. Anyone with eyes could see it. Your acceptance of this gift was far too blatant, too brazen, even too lawless.

"Did you see the accounting office I set up at the entrance?" Zhao Wenhua asked with a smile.

Zhu Pingan nodded again. "Your accountant is openly recording gift accounts at the main gate. Who can't see it?"

You accept gifts and then keep a record of them?! Are you afraid others won't see the evidence of your accepting gifts? You've even prepared incriminating evidence against you?!

Zhu Pingan didn't understand what Zhao Wenhua was doing.

"Hahaha, Zihou, do you remember when you posted notices about donations in Jingnan and Shaoxing?! I'm just following your example. They come to curry favor with me and offer gifts, but I refuse them all. I'm not a corrupt official, how could I accept their gifts! If you have a lot of money, you can donate to contribute to the cause of fighting the Japanese pirates in Jiangnan. Isn't it a coincidence that they all have a heart full of patriotism and love for the people, and they are all vying to donate money and materials to the cause of fighting the Japanese pirates in Jiangnan? I am happy to fulfill their patriotism and love for the people. I have accepted all their donations, recorded them in the donation list, and had them verify the donations and materials and sign their names. They also have them write down in their own hands, 'The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen. So-and-so voluntarily donates the above-mentioned materials for the cause of fighting the Japanese pirates.' Every evening, I have people copy the donation list onto the donation notice and post it on the outer wall of the mansion."

Zhao Wenhua smiled slightly and spoke slowly.

Zhu Pingan couldn't help but twitch his lips. "What I'm publishing isn't just the donation list, but also the expenditure list. It's a closed loop of income and expenditure."

You only publish the list of donors, but not the expenditures. You are just using donations to cover up your acceptance of gifts and bribes.

After you accepted the donated money and goods, did you use it for the overall cause of resisting Japanese pirates? How much of it was used for the overall cause of resisting Japanese pirates? If you received 10,000 taels of silver, did you use 10,000 taels of silver for the overall cause of resisting Japanese pirates, or did you use only 1 tael of silver for the overall cause of resisting Japanese pirates?

Donations that are not transparent in their accounting are simply dishonest!

No wonder Zhao Wenhua said I made a great contribution! You discovered a method to cover up accepting bribes and laundering money, didn't you?! Wouldn't it be better to use your intelligence for good?

Zhu Pingan was speechless. That rich bastard! It would be a disservice to the anti-Japanese war effort not to fleece him! (End of Chapter)