I embezzled 100,000 taels at the beginning, and the empress begged me to be more greedy

Jiang Zuo walked through the busy crowd and took in everything in Jiankang City.

After more than ten days of finishing work, the situation in Jiankang City was finally stabilized.

At this time, a confidant sent a message to Jiang Zuo: "Sir Jiang, the emperor sent someone here."

After waiting for so many days, I finally received a reply from the capital.

Jiang Zuo desperately hoped that the emperor would not exploit him again this time. At this moment, Jiang Zuo only wanted to return to Yan State and return to Jiangzhou City to do great things.

With a sense of inexplicable nervousness, Jiang Zuo returned to the military camp, where Chen Xiu was already waiting.

Zhang Huan of the Thousand Cavalry Division has already brought the empress's oral order.

"The southern expedition to the State of Chen went smoothly. I am very pleased. All the soldiers on the front line have been rewarded. I hope you will continue to work hard and completely destroy the State of Chen. In this war, Jiang Zuo and the Ninth Prince have made great contributions. After receiving my oral order, return to the capital as soon as possible to receive rewards to commend your outstanding contributions..."

Only after hearing the emperor's oral order did Jiang Zuo finally breathe a sigh of relief.

This time, there was finally no more drudgery.

The southern expedition has come to an end.

It’s just that the emperor summoned him to the palace to reward him, and he didn’t know whether he should go or not.

Jiang Zuo felt more conflicted.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Chen Xiu knelt down and thanked him.

Jiang Zuo could only follow suit and express his gratitude, feeling quite hesitant.

If he returned to Beijing now, he would be able to see Siyue earlier, but when he thought about going to Beijing to see the empress, he felt inexplicably bored.

Before this, the empress had summoned Jiang Zuo to the palace many times, saying that she had some important official position to give him, and this time might be no exception.

Jiang Zuo was not willing to accept the emperor's reward at all. He now only wanted to return to Jiangzhou City and complete his unfinished great business.

Zhang Huan added: "The emperor has ordered that you two should set off as soon as possible and return to Yan State. The officials sent by the court have already arrived in Jiankang City. The follow-up work will be handed over to them."

This sentence also means that Jiang Zuo can completely put aside the matters at hand.

After seeing Zhang Huan leave, Jiang Zuo was quite happy and said, "Finally, we can leave. Jiu Ye and the brothers of the Yan army have worked hard to defeat the Chen Kingdom this time."

But Chen Xiu on the side still had a calm expression. He knew very well that most of the credit for the success of this campaign against the State of Chen should be attributed to Jiangzuo.

"Let's prepare now and leave Jiankang City. Let others take care of all the affairs here."

Jiang Zuo said, feeling relaxed all over.

Chen Xiu nodded slightly and said, "How do we deal with the old forces of the Chen Kingdom?"

He was only worried that if these old forces were not completely eliminated, they would definitely bring trouble to the State of Yan in the future.

Jiang Zuo said: "It doesn't matter. They can't cause any trouble now. Now the only one left in Chen State is the King of Liang in the southwest. He won't pose much of a threat to us. As for the other noble families in the old land of Chen State, most of them have surrendered to Yan State. As long as we give them more benefits, these people will not regret rebelling."

As for the old forces of the Chen State, they are no longer within Jiang Zuo's scope of concern.

Now, there is only one thing in his mind, and that is to leave Jiankang City.

Chen Xiu nodded slightly. He originally wanted to stay in Jiankang City and continue to command the troops on the front line, but since His Majesty summoned him back to the capital this time, Chen Xiu had no choice but to put down what he was doing and follow the Thousand Cavalry Division back to the capital.

Two days later, Jiang Zuo had arranged all matters and was ready to leave Jiankang City at any time.

Under the escort of the Thousand Cavalry Division, Jiang Zuo and Chen Xiu began to head north and return to the State of Yan.

The Anding Army under his command also returned with him.

It took them nearly seven days to reach the border.

Jiang Zuo looked towards the northeast and said, "Let's go back to Jiangzhou City first."

Zhang Huan at the side asked in confusion: "Jiangzhou City? Sir, we are going to Changzhou, which is a shorter distance."

"Master Jiu, do you want to go back to Jiangzhou City first?"

Jiang Zuo turned around and asked Chen Xiu.

Chen Xiu hesitated for a moment, then suddenly remembered something and said, "Then let's do as Inspector Jiang said. The journey is not much different anyway."

"This……"

Seeing that the Ninth Prince said so, Zhang Huan didn't know what to say.

The group began to slowly cross the Ling River and arrived at the outskirts of Jiangzhou.

From afar, one can see several shipyards building ships at the port outside Jiangzhou City.

The port that Jiangzuo had previously planned to build on the edge of Jiangzhou City is now almost completed.

After not seeing you for several months, I wonder how much changes have taken place inside Jiangzhou City.

In the carriage, Jiang Zuo said again: "I will rest in Jiangzhou City for a while, and then go to the capital to meet the emperor. Please report to the emperor, Master Zhang."

Zhang Huan frowned and said, "But Lord Jiang, the emperor has ordered you to go to the capital to receive your reward now."

Jiang Zuo said calmly, "I know. There's no rush anyway. Just tell the emperor that I have important matters to deal with in Jiangzhou City."

Jiang Zuo now does not want to go to Beijing to meet the emperor for the time being. Although he is quite curious about who the empress in the capital is and what she looks like, he feels annoyed when he thinks that he might stay in the capital to be an official in the future.

After all, being an official is not Jiang Zuo's ultimate goal.

"I'm sorry, sir, this matter must be reported to the emperor first."

Zhang Huan didn't dare to make the decision on his own, but thinking that Jiang Zuo was now a great contributor to the court, he didn't dare to go against his wishes.

Jiang Zuo said: "No problem, then I'll have to trouble you to inform the emperor."

Jiangzhou City is several days' journey away from the capital, and it only takes about ten days to go back and forth. By then, Jiang Zuo will have enough time to handle the affairs of Jiangzhou City.

Since the emperor wants him to return to the capital so much, Jiang Zuo can only use his unique skill, the tactic of delaying.

"Master Jiu, let's go back to Jiangzhou and have a drink first."

Jiang Zuo suggested.

Chen Xiu did not answer, but his silence already told the answer.

The group continued to move towards Jiangzhou City, and half an hour later, they finally arrived at Jiangzhou City.

At this moment, Jiangzhou City inside and out looks brand new.

Various buildings stand side by side, creating a prosperous scene.

Outside the city, smooth and wide roads were built, and new houses and factories were everywhere.

The new city of Jiangzhou that Jiang Zuo envisioned a few months ago has now been realized.

Looking at the rapidly developing Jiangzhou City, Jiang Zuo felt happy.

After all, 70% of Jiangzhou City is his personal property.

If Jiangzhou can develop vigorously, Jiangzuo will definitely be able to reap huge wealth.

"Is this really Jiangzhou City?"

Chen Xiu was stunned.

A few months ago, Jiangzhou was still a small town.

But looking at it today, its prosperity is in no way inferior to that of the capital.

Due to the special geographical location of Jiangzhou City, merchants coming from the south and the north were attracted by the new policies of Jiangzuo and came to do business.

This original border town has become a new hub city of Yan State.

With some surprise, Chen Xiu followed Jiang Zuo and slowly walked into Jiangzhou City.

As soon as he entered the city, the scene before him shocked Chen Xiu even more.