Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 110 Burden
Zhu Shenzhui's question made Zhou Anmin sigh. He shook his head and told Zhu Shenzhui that it was almost like that.

In such a big event, he was just a mere captain. Even the general flag above him couldn't do anything, let alone him?
"No way! Isn't this bullying my brother-in-law because you have no one behind you? Your contribution deserves not only a small flag, but even a general flag for my brother-in-law. How can you just let it go like this?" Zhu Shenzhui was filled with rage. He and Zhou Anmin risked their lives to kill Jiang Shuishan and solved a major rebellion case. Even if it was due to the emperor's death, it was still a credit and they should be rewarded accordingly.

Moreover, they had already shared a lot of this great achievement. Zhu Shenzhui didn't believe that those people in the upper echelons of the Jinyiwei also didn't get rewards because of the national mourning? Although he stayed in Pingyang, he still heard some news, especially the two consecutive national mournings. He also heard some of the chats with so many clan members and officials who came to mourn in the general's mansion.

After the death of Emperor Wanli, all the vacant positions in the court were filled within a few days, and even the cabinet that originally consisted of only Fang Congzhe was supplemented in a short time.

Such a speed is really amazing. Does it mean that their official positions are official positions, but my brother-in-law's official position is not an official position? Moreover, this merit is real. National mourning is national mourning, and official business is official business. How can people be convinced if a small flag position is delayed by finding excuses?

"Forget it, forget it. It's good to have it, but can't we live the same without it? Besides, the general flag officer told me the truth in private. He really can't do anything about it. Although I can't be promoted to a minor flag directly now, the general flag officer gave me a position of a minor flag for my merits, which is considered reluctant."

"Quan Xiaoqi?" Zhu Shenzhui almost cursed. The so-called Quan means temporary, which means Zhou Anmin was given the title of temporary Xiaoqi. Moreover, this temporary title did not even have a formal title. In terms of rank, Zhou Anmin was still an inferior official.

What is the difference between such routine and empty promises? It just sounds better. Who will recognize whether you have power or not? If you don't have an official position, they can just take you away without any way to stop you. Isn't this just fooling people?
But looking at Zhou Anmin's bitter smile, Zhu Shenzhu finally suppressed the anger in his heart. Zhou Anmin was not stupid, he was not only a Jinyiwei, but also the postmaster of the post station.

There is no need to talk about the former, let’s just talk about the latter, the position of postmaster.

The post of postmaster is equivalent to the director of the official guesthouse in the later generations. Is it easy to be in this position? The postmaster is responsible for welcoming and picking up officials and their families, providing accommodation, and also undertakes postal and express delivery work. Therefore, the postmasters are all very versatile and smart. Zhou Anmin has been able to be the postmaster for so many years. How can he be an ordinary person?

Zhou Anmin said this, but he understood it better than anyone else. It's not that he didn't understand this, but as a low-ranking official, what could he do in this situation? Could he break up with his superiors? Make a scene with them? What would be the consequences? Would Zhou Anmin not know?

Since this has come to this, Zhou Anmin can only comfort himself in this way. This can be considered a way to balance his psychology.

Zhu Shenzhui let out a long sigh and shook his head. He felt sorry for his brother-in-law, but he couldn't help but feel angry.

"Okay, little brother, there's no need to mention this anymore. Just pretend it never happened. Thinking this way will make you feel better." Zhou Anmin comforted Zhu Shenzhui and laughed in front of him.

"Brother-in-law, there will always be a time to ride the wind and waves. Today, I will use tea instead of wine to toast you!"

Zhou Anmin's magnanimity calmed Zhu Shenzhui down. He picked up the teapot and filled two cups with tea, then raised his own cup and said solemnly to Zhou Anmin.

"Hahaha, thanks for your good words, then wait for your brother-in-law to set sail and cross the vast ocean?"

"cheers!"

"Dry!"

They clinked their glasses, drank the tea in one gulp, put down their cups, looked at each other, and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

That night, although we couldn't get drunk because of the national mourning, the food at home lacked meat. Apart from vegetables, there were only things like pickles and tofu.

However, the dinner was still very enjoyable. Zhu Shenzhui and Zhou Anmin talked a lot over tea instead of wine. Even after dark, they still felt a little unsatisfied.

Considering that Zhou Anmin has just arrived in Pingyang after a long journey, it is better to let him have a good rest today. He will still stay in Pingyang for a few days anyway, so there will still be time to continue chatting tomorrow.

Just like that, they went back to their rooms to rest early. Zhou Anmin temporarily slept in Wang Hai's room. After settling Zhou Anmin down, Zhu Shenzhui returned to his room and got on the kang. He didn't turn on the lights and couldn't fall asleep for a while. He looked at the night outside the window and the brilliant Milky Way in the dark sky.

With the light pollution of later generations, it is impossible to see the Milky Way in the city, even in the countryside, unless you go to the deep mountains and forests, away from civilization.

Now, when I look up, I can see the Milky Way hanging in the sky and countless stars filling the entire sky.

Looking at this scene, Zhu Shenzui had a feeling of floating, as if he had merged with the Milky Way in the sky and was in the starry sky.

The same was true of the bright moon, hanging high in the sky. The Moon Palace and the osmanthus tree could be vaguely seen in the moon. A line of poetry suddenly emerged in Zhu Shenzui's mind.

People today cannot see the moon of the past, but the moon of today once shone on the ancients. The ancients and people today are like flowing water, and they all look at the bright moon in the same way…

Not knowing how he came up with this poem, Zhu Shenzui couldn't help laughing in his heart. He shook his head, put these distracting thoughts aside, and continued to look at the Milky Way in the sky with an empty mind. Unconsciously, he gradually fell asleep...

Zhu Shenzui got up early the next day and practiced martial arts as usual. When he was practicing with great enthusiasm, Zhou Anmin also got up and went out.

Seeing Zhu Shenzhui doing boxing in the courtyard, he did not disturb him, but just stood aside and watched quietly. After a long while, when Zhu Shenzhui finished his boxing, Zhou Anmin praised him. "My martial arts are getting better and better. I am ashamed of myself."

"Haha, brother-in-law, you're joking. I'm just practicing farming skills casually. How can I compare to you, brother-in-law?" Zhu Shenzhui took the sweat towel handed to him by Zhou Anmin, wiped the sweat off his face and said with a smile.

Zhou Anmin naturally knew that Zhu Shenzhui was joking with him on purpose, so he immediately burst into laughter and pointed at him twice, indicating that it was okay for him to just say it in front of outsiders, but why was he being so falsely polite to his own brother-in-law?
After wiping the sweat off his face and chatting for a while, Zhu Shenzhui apologized and went back to his room to change clothes. After changing clothes, the two of them came to the main room to have breakfast. As usual, sister-in-law Zhang had already prepared breakfast. Today's breakfast was noodles with sesame oil sprinkled on them, which made people's appetites grow.

Zhang and her niece Qiao'er went straight to their room to have breakfast, leaving this room to the two of them.

After sitting down, Zhou Anmin didn't hesitate to pick up the chopsticks and started eating. After taking a bite of noodles, he couldn't help but praise Zhang's cooking skills. The noodles were not only chewy but also tasted good.

The man ate very quickly. In no time, he had finished two large bowls of noodles and even drank all the soup.

Putting down his bowl and chopsticks, Zhou Anmin wiped his mouth with his hand and praised the food for being so delicious.

"Brother-in-law, I forgot to ask you yesterday, how many days can you stay in Pingyang this time?"

"I won't be here for a few days. I'll be leaving tomorrow."

"Tomorrow..." Zhu Shenzhui thought for a moment and said to Zhou Anmin, "How about this, brother-in-law, if you can make it in time, you can leave as usual tomorrow. If not, how about you stay for one more day?"

"What's wrong?" Zhou Anmin asked puzzledly.

"Haha, don't be nervous, it's a good thing." Zhu Shenzhui smiled and continued, "Please let me keep you in suspense about what it is. I'll go out for a while and tell you when I come back."

"You kid, are you still keeping me in suspense? Tell me the truth, what are you planning?"

"Hahaha, you can't tell me this in advance. It won't work if you tell me in advance." Zhu Shenzui winked at Zhou Anmin and smiled. Seeing his strange look, Zhou Anmin thought that Zhu Shenzui was in a bad mood with the boy, and then he thought of his wife, who was Zhu Shenzui's sister, and perhaps he intended for him to bring something back to his sister.

Thinking of this, Zhou Anmin also laughed. He felt that his guess was correct. Since Zhu Shenzhui didn't say anything now, he would just cooperate with him and pretend that he didn't know. Anyway, it wouldn't take long to find out.

After having breakfast and taking a short rest, Zhou Anmin and Zhu Shenzhu left home.

Zhou Anmin came here on official business. The official letter had been delivered yesterday, but since he was here he had to do other things. Moreover, as a Jinyiwei, he also had to visit the Jinyiwei’s base in Pingyang City.

Zhu Shenzhui went to do his own thing, and the two parted ways at the street corner ahead.

After the breakup, Zhou Anmin went straight to the Jinyiwei base in Pingyang. After taking out his ivory card and registering, he found his colleagues and talked to them. He also inquired about the recent situation and asked if there was any news to be passed on to Pingshun so that he could take it back when he returned.

Zhou Anmin stayed in the camp until the afternoon, then he said goodbye and left. After leaving the camp, he strolled around on the way back and bought some gifts, some for Zhu Shenzhui, Zhang and Qiaoer, and some for Pingshun. It was a rare trip, so he had to bring some gifts for his wife and children.

When they returned to the courtyard, Zhu Shenzhui had not come back yet. Zhou Anmin didn't care. He handed the things he brought for them to Zhang, and then went to his temporary house to rest.

After resting for half an hour, as it was getting dark, I suddenly heard some noise in the yard. It should be Zhu Shenzhui coming back.

"Brother-in-law!" Just as Zhou Anmin was about to go out, Zhu Shenzhui pushed the door open first, greeted him as soon as he entered, and then smiled and invited Zhou Anmin to come in and talk.

After entering, Zhu Shenzhu went straight to the kang and without saying a word, he placed a bundle in front of Zhou Anmin.

Zhou Anmin was stunned. He then noticed that Zhu Shenzhui was carrying a bag in his hand when he came in. The bag was bulging and he didn't know what was inside. Now it was placed directly in front of him, which surprised him.

"what is this?"

"Why don't you open it and see for yourself?" Zhu Shenzhui said with a smile.

Zhou Anmin shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. He thought of what Zhu Shenzhui said this morning, and thought that the bundle probably contained something for Zhu Xiuer and the child. Thinking of this, he felt that it was very heavy when he lifted it, but he didn't pay much attention to it. When he opened the bundle and saw the things inside, Zhou Anmin, who had just been smiling, was stunned.

(End of this chapter)