The rise of the poor

Chapter 2318 Again 1 Again 2 No More 3

The maids of the Zhao family were well-trained and came and went silently. While Zhu Pingan and Hu Zongxian were fawning over Zhao Wenhua, they quietly entered, poured tea and water for the three of them, and replaced the dishes with new pastries and fruit platters.

"Zihou, did you not expect Zhou Chong to step down so quickly? I told you long ago that he couldn't handle the governorship; he wasn't capable." Zhao Wenhua picked up his teacup, looked at Zhu Ping'an with a smug smile, and said.

Zhu Pingan smiled slightly, put down his teacup, and slowly said, "Zhou Chong's quick downfall was within my expectations. I wonder if Teacher Zhao still remembers what I said at Zui Qiufeng: I believed that as long as Teacher Zhao dealt with him, he would definitely be able to take him down, and it wouldn't even take a month or two for Governor Zhou to be removed by Teacher Zhao. With Teacher Zhao taking action, Zhou Chong's quick downfall was an inevitable result, and it was exactly as I expected."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wenhua recalled for a moment, then smiled and nodded, "Hmm, I remember now, there seems to be such a thing."

“Zhou Chong is incompetent. His presence in power is a disaster. His early removal from office is a great benefit to the overall situation of eliminating Japanese pirates in Jiangnan. What Lord Zhao has done is a great achievement for the present and a great benefit for future generations. It is a great achievement for the country and for the people.”

Hu Zongxian's voice also rang out at the opportune moment.

"That's right, that makes sense. Zhou Chong stepping down is a great thing. Do you agree, Zihou?"

Zhao Wenhua nodded in satisfaction and looked at Zhu Pingan.

Zhu Pingan nodded frankly, "Indeed, Zhou Chong's resignation is a good thing for the overall situation of eliminating Japanese pirates in Jiangnan."

Zhao Wenhua was even more satisfied.

"Then we really are of the same mind," Hu Zongxian chuckled, raising his teacup to toast Zhao Wenhua and Zhu Pingan.

Zhao Wenhua burst into laughter, and as he laughed, he recalled a past event. He looked at Zhu Ping'an and asked, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Zihou, you have a unique perspective on the current situation. Last time Zhang Jing stepped down, you said I wouldn't be the successor to the governorship. When the imperial edict came down, it was indeed not me; Zhou Chong succeeded him. Now that Zhou Chong has stepped down, do you think I will be the successor?"

Are you the successor?!

of course not.

Your number is still one row ahead; your number is next.

Zhu Pingan looked at Zhao Wenhua's face, which was even more confident than before, and at his eyes, which seemed to regard the position of Governor of Jiangnan as something he had already secured. He couldn't help but twitch his lips. "I know you really want to be the Governor of Jiangnan, but you should wait a bit."

"Master Zhao, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?" Zhu Ping'an cupped his hands and posed a question to Zhao Wenhua.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wenhua's smile faded slightly. The implication in your words was already clear. "Just tell the truth. Why should I listen to your lies?"

Zhu Pingan cupped his hands and said, "Teacher Zhao, in my opinion, the position of governor will once again fall to someone else."

"what?!"

Although Zhao Wenhua had some expectations, he still found it hard to believe what Zhu Pingan said.

"Lord Zhu, how can you hold such a view? Is there anyone more suitable for the position of Governor-General of Jiangnan than Lord Zhao?"

Hu Zongxian found it just as unbelievable.

If last time Zhao Wenhua impeached Zhang Jing and removed him from office, causing Zhou Chong to take the governorship, it was understandable, even though they found it hard to accept. But this time, Zhao Wenhua impeached Zhou Chong again. Who else could possibly take the governorship but Zhao Wenhua?! How could it have fallen to someone else again?! It doesn't make sense.

"Why?" Zhao Wenhua and Hu Zongxian asked Zhu Pingan almost simultaneously.

why? !

Because I know history. In history, the one who succeeded you this time was not Zhao Wenhua, but Yang Yi.

However, Zhu Pingan couldn't say that, so he gave a cryptic answer, saying, "What was the reason last time? The reason will be the same this time."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wenhua frowned. The last time Zhou Chong succeeded as Governor-General of Jiangnan, the reasons were nothing more than some balance of power and some trivial matters. Could it be that this time it would happen again?

This is something Zhao Wenhua cannot accept. "I've already taken my pants off twice, and the people I slept with were all other people. Who can accept this?"

"No matter who succeeds him, I believe that this governor-general will listen to Zhao Shiyan's advice."

Zhu Pingan said with a confident expression.

The previous two were impeached by Zhao Wenhua, so how could the successor not listen to his advice? This is a lesson from the past.

Zhao Wenhua continued to frown. What use is it for me to obey him? Even if he obeys me, it's not as good as me sitting in that position and holding all the power.

Hu Zongxian chuckled and picked up his teacup. "This is merely Lord Zhu's speculation. The imperial edict has not yet been issued, so everything is still uncertain. In my opinion, Lord Zhao is the only one suitable to succeed as governor-general. Who else is more suitable than Lord Zhao?!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wenhua nodded. Yes, this was just Zhu Ping'an's opinion. Was there anyone more suitable than me to succeed as Governor-General of Jiangnan? This time, it was time for me to take the position.

"If we follow Lord Zhu's logic, then even if the governorship is changed several times, it won't be Lord Zhao's turn," Hu Zongxian asked Zhu Ping'an.

You said that this time, the successor to the governorship isn't Lord Zhao, for the same reason as last time. So, will the next time, and the time after that, also have the same reason?

If things continue like this, it'll never be Lord Zhao's turn, will it?!

“No, if the next governor steps down, the next governor will be Zhao Shi!” Zhu Pingan shook his head and said with a resolute expression.

“You said that the person who will succeed as governor this time is me,” Zhao Wenhua said, looking at Zhu Pingan.

“It must be Master Zhao! Without a doubt!” Zhu Pingan nodded with certainty.

Zhao Wenhua narrowed his eyes. If it wasn't me this time, it would definitely be me next time.

"Why is it that it's not Lord Zhao this time, but it will definitely be Lord Zhao next time?" Hu Zongxian asked, disagreeing.

Zhu Pingan took a sip of tea and slowly said, "Since ancient times, changing commanders in the midst of battle has been a major taboo. The overall situation of resisting Japanese pirates in Jiangnan is urgent and cannot withstand frequent changes of commanders. Once or twice is acceptable, but not three or four times. After two consecutive failed changes of commanders, the higher-ups naturally realized that only Lord Zhao is capable of taking on the important task of Governor-General of Jiangnan."

"Then why is it unclear from above that only Lord Zhao is qualified to take on the important position of Governor-General of Jiangnan?"

Hu Zongxian asked.

"Because it's only once or twice, but not a third time, so the higher-ups aren't aware of it yet," Zhu Pingan replied.

Hu Zongxian squinted his eyes.

Zhang Jing stepped down, and the higher authorities, in their choice between Zhao Wenhua and Zhou Chong, chose Zhou Chong instead—this was yet another instance.

With Zhou Chong stepping down, those in power are once again facing a choice. If they don't choose Zhao Wenhua this time, it will be a second time.

Only after this did they try again and again. (End of Chapter)