The Ming Dynasty officialdom was most particular about etiquette.

There is a strict hierarchy between superiors and subordinates, and every action must be done in accordance with etiquette. This is what is meant by following the rules.

County Magistrate Zhao put a lot of thought into preparing this welcoming banquet.

Not to mention booking the entire restaurant, even the head chef was invited from Suzhou Prefecture.

There was no other way. Dinghai County was remote and far less prosperous than major cities like Suzhou and Hangzhou. Governor Zhu was from Changshu County in Suzhou Prefecture, and County Magistrate Zhao had finally had the opportunity to show off in front of the governor. He felt justified in spending some money to let the governor enjoy the delicacies of his hometown.

It was almost dusk when Governor Zhu, who had taken a short rest, came to the Lanyue Tower surrounded by his entourage. He climbed the stairs and stopped at the top of the third floor.

The reason for holding the welcoming banquet on the third floor was because it offered the best view; opening the windows one could gaze upon the vast ocean. Those who attended the banquet were either Governor Zhu's personal entourage, civil and military officials from Dinghai County, or representatives of the local gentry.

Everyone looked at Governor Zhu eagerly, until he waved his hand calmly and said, "Please take your seats." Then everyone sat around the table.

Although Xu Yan was allowed to attend the banquet, he was not qualified to sit at the same table with the governor. He glanced sideways and saw that even the seat of County Magistrate Zhao Ruohai was very far back at the table.

The person sitting at the head of the table was naturally Governor Zhu Wan.

Xu Yan watched from afar as Governor Zhu sat upright, his crimson official robes framing him as a striking figure. Zhu Wan, born in the seventh year of the Hongzhi reign, would have been fifty-three years old. But aside from his somewhat thin frame, he looked anything but fifty.

When later generations discuss heroes fighting against the Japanese pirates, they often think of Zhang Jing, Hu Zongxian, Yu Dayou, and Qi Jiguang, but few recall Zhu Wan. However, Xu Yan, a scholar of the Jiajing period, will never forget this man. Apart from anything else, the fact that he led his troops to destroy Shuangyu Island and annihilate over 800 Portuguese pirates is worthy of admiration.

Of course, Zhu Wan had just taken office and was still figuring out everything. However, Xu Yan believed that with such a hardworking leader, the coastal defense of Fujian and Zhejiang would become increasingly stable.

It can be seen that Zhu Wan looks a little tired at this time.

Not surprisingly, in June, Emperor Jiajing issued an edict reinstating the post of Governor of Zhejiang and appointed Zhu Wan to the position. Upon receiving the order, Zhu Wan immediately left Ganzhou Prefecture with his family, braving the scorching June heat and rushing to Zhejiang. After more than two weeks of travel, Zhu Wan finally arrived in Zhejiang in early July. After only a few days' rest, he set out again to inspect the prefectures and counties of Zhejiang.

By the time they reached Dinghai County, Zhu Wan must have been exhausted. However, he tried his best to appear relaxed, raising his glass and saying, "Everyone, the southeast is in great trouble right now, with Japanese pirates rampant. I have been appointed Governor of Zhejiang and Commander-in-Chief of the coastal defenses of Fujian and Zhejiang. To improve the coastal defenses, I cannot do it alone; I must rely on all of you, my colleagues."

Zhu Wan spoke, and all the officials present raised their glasses, expressing that they would follow the governor's orders.

After a series of meaningless formalities, Zhu Wan put down his wine glass and sighed, "This time, the pirates are wreaking havoc, and Ningbo, Shaoxing, and Taizhou Prefectures have suffered the most serious damage. I think you all know about what happened to Lord Xie's family. The emperor is furious, and the master humiliates the ministers and they die. If we can't share his worries, how can we, as his subjects, have the face to eat his salary?"

After a brief pause, Zhu Wan continued, "However, from what I understand, Dinghai County's coastal defenses are quite good. Not only did they not lose any territory, they also killed three Japanese pirates."

Zhu Wan kept his eyes fixed on Magistrate Zhao as he spoke. Zhao Ruohai, feeling somewhat intimidated by the stare, quickly bowed and replied, "Your Excellency, Governor, are greatly honored. I, too, wish to do my utmost to suppress the bandits, but the military preparations of the various garrisons are now so lax that I am powerless."

Zhu Wan nodded and said, "I understand what Magistrate Zhao said. Strengthening coastal defenses is not a one-day job, and wiping out pirates is even more impossible to do with the efforts of one person or one place. It is my responsibility to coordinate and integrate the troops and defend the borders."

"Master Futai is wise!"

Everyone flattered him very appropriately.

Upon hearing this, Xu Yan couldn't help but feel a little more favorable towards the Zhejiang Governor. If everyone in the Ming Dynasty could be as responsible as Zhu Wan, there would be no need to worry about the stability of coastal defense.

"County Magistrate Zhao, I have heard that a local gentry has voluntarily donated 3,000 dan of grain to the government to provide relief to the people. Is this true?"

Zhu Wan drank another glass of wine, then changed the subject and stroked his beard lightly.

"Ah, to answer the governor, it is true."

Magistrate Zhao quickly stood up, pointed with one arm at Xu Yan at the next table, and said with a smile: "Look, Governor, it's this young master Xu who donated the grain."

Upon seeing this, Xu Yan quickly stood up and stepped out of the line. He took a few steps forward, saluted, and said to Zhu Wan, "I, Xu Yan, greet the Governor."

Zhu Wan looked Xu Yan up and down, then nodded slightly, saying, "You are quite remarkable for being so young and yet understanding such a noble cause."

Xu Yan took a deep breath and said, "Every man has his share of responsibility for the fate of his country. Although I am not very talented, I know that Dinghai County in Ningbo Prefecture is where I was born and raised. A country is a country, and only with a country can you have a home. My act of donating grain does not deserve such praise from the governor."

This time Zhu Wan was really shocked.

He was heard muttering to himself, "Every man has his share of responsibility for the fate of his country... What a wonderful saying! Every man has his share of responsibility for the fate of his country! I never thought you could possess such vision and insight at such a young age. I am truly comforted, truly comforted!"

Everyone's eyes fell on Xu Yan, and there was a hint of approval in their eyes.

County Magistrate Zhao was naturally very proud. The Governor was praising Xu Yan, but in reality, he was praising himself. After all, he was the father and mother of Dinghai County. If such a knowledgeable and capable young man could emerge from among the young people of Dinghai County, wasn't it because of his good education?

Seeing that the atmosphere was almost settled, Xu Yan raised his wine glass and toasted Zhu Wan, saying, "What I did was insignificant. The stability of the Ming Dynasty's coastal defense still depends on the Governor. Since I have nothing to offer, I will compose a poem to express my aspirations."

Zhu Wan found it more and more amusing, and stroked his beard lightly and said, "Good, good!"

Xu Yan drank the wine in one gulp, then walked slowly with his hands behind his back.

After walking a few steps, his face flushed slightly, and he chanted under the influence of alcohol:

"The island barbarians have been sailing every year, invading the Three Wus and Zhejiang provinces.

How many of them are heading towards the sandbar? The general is stationed at the oil tower.

A seven-foot dragon-wrapped black silk belt, a Japanese sword hanging on the Han waist.

From whose hands can I personally deliver it? I can charge and roll the sea dragon a hundred times."

After the poem was finished, the room fell silent.

After a long pause, Zhu Wan clapped his hands and praised, "What a wonderful song! A seven-foot dragon coiled around a black silk ribbon, a Japanese sword hanging from a Han waist. What a wonderful song! Who can I personally send this to? A hundred times of charging and rolling sea dragons. If all the people of the Ming Dynasty were like you, there would be no need to worry about the instability of our coastal defenses!"

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