The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Yan Song sighed upon hearing this.

At this moment, Zhou Chu's tea was served. The waiter filled Zhou Chu's bowl to the brim and then placed a whole pot of tea on the table.

"Sir, please use it slowly."

Then he went to greet the other guests.

Zhou Chu picked up the teapot and refilled Yan Song's empty teacup.

Yan Song picked up his teacup, took a sip, and sighed.

"Back then, because I was inflexible in my actions, I offended Liu Jin and had to resign and return to my hometown. Now that I have heard that Liu Jin is dead, I thought of coming to the capital to see my old friend."

Yan Song said somewhat embarrassedly.

That's a euphemistic way of putting it.

To put it bluntly, Yan Song saw that Liu Jin had fallen and the mountain that had been weighing on him was gone, so he thought he would come to the capital to make connections and see if there was any possibility of returning to the court as an official.

After all, although Yan Song was retired at home, he still held official rank and reputation. As long as he had friends in the court to recommend him, it would not be difficult for him to be reinstated.

"Mr. Jiexi should come to the capital for a visit."

Zhou Chu didn't say many things.

When Yan Song resigned, Zhu Houzhao had not yet ascended the throne, but the powerful eunuch Liu Jin served as regent for two reigns.

When Liu Jin was alive, he wielded immense power, granting him absolute authority.

Even if he were dead now, since Zhu Houzhao had given Liu Jin a high position, it was unlikely that he would admit that Liu Jin had made a mistake back then.

This is politics.

Many things are not about right or wrong, but about perspective.

Even if Liu Jin was wrong, Zhu Houzhao had no choice but to accept it.

Although Zhu Houzhao purged Liu Jin.

But it's just a matter of settling accounts and giving an attitude.

In reality, Emperor Zhengde would not correct Liu Jin on many matters, such as the matter concerning Yan Song.

Moreover, Emperor Wuzong, Zhu Houzhao, was known for his eccentric and unreliable behavior.

At this time, Yan Song was still very rigid and tried his best to advise the emperor.

He was a junior official in the Hanlin Academy, a proper candidate for the position of prime minister.

It is certain that he will return to the court as an official.

Even if he were to become an official, given Yan Song's somewhat pedantic nature, he would still suffer immensely.

However, I have only just met Yan Song, and there is no need to speak too deeply about our shallow acquaintance.

Speak only three-tenths of what you know to people, and leave seven-tenths for ghosts to hear.

Saying it now won't have any good effect; it will only dampen Yan Song's enthusiasm and displease him.

"Mr. Jiexi was a junior official in the past. He was only in mourning for his parents a few years ago. His filial piety is known to everyone in the Ming Dynasty. He can naturally be reinstated and has a bright future."

Zhou Chu was very good at using flowery words, as the saying goes, "Many people carry a flowery sedan chair."

After all, I've been in business for three years.

After the new emperor ascends the throne, Yan Song could become a right-hand man to the new emperor in the court.

After all, Yan Song now only had the desire to rectify corruption and bring peace to the Ming Dynasty.

Many people don't distinguish between loyalty and treachery. Loyalty and treachery are relative to different positions, different times, and different people.

Whether he is loyal or disloyal, virtuous or not, is not up to him.

Use the virtuous when they are capable, and dismiss the incompetent; this has been the way of employing people since ancient times.

Yan Song was even more pleased upon hearing this.

"I've heard that Mr. Jiexi and Mr. Yangming were friends in the past?"

Zhou Chu changed the subject.

When the topic turned to Wang Yangming, Yan Song had even more to say, and he and Zhou Chu had a very pleasant conversation.

The two chatted for most of the day at the tea stall. As darkness fell, Yan Song's steward couldn't help but remind them.

"Master, it's getting late, we need to find lodging at the inn ahead."

Yan Song only then realized the truth of his dream.

"I hit it off immediately with the weighing instrument and we had a very pleasant conversation. Will the weighing instrument accompany me?"

Yan Song knew that Zhou Chu was walking, so he invited him to ride in his carriage.

Seeing that it was getting dark, Zhou Chu did not refuse.

The two continued their conversation inside the carriage.

Although it was called a conversation, in reality, Yan Song did most of the talking while Zhou Chu listened.

Yan Song's fervent patriotism continuously inspired Zhou Chu.

This gradually filled Zhou Chu's somewhat empty heart.

Upon arriving at the post station, Yan Song ordered some dishes and wine, and the two continued to drink and chat merrily.