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

After arriving in Southern Zhili, Zhou Chu did not immediately head to Huizhou Prefecture, but instead visited Wang Yangming in Yuyao, Jiangnan.

Zhou Chu knew very well that Wang Yangming had died of lung disease before the age of sixty in the original history, which was around this year. Therefore, many years ago, Zhou Chu had specifically instructed Wang Yangming to pay more attention to his health.

When Wang Yangming went to the capital before, he sought out Feixiazi for treatment because of this matter. During this time, Jiajing also bestowed one or two pills upon Wang Yangming. Wang Yangming's health is still fine, so he did not need to use the pills bestowed by Jiajing.

“Weighing instrument, it’s been several years since we last met in Yuyao.”

Wang Yangming was very pleased to see Zhou Chu arrive.

"Yes, it's been a few years. Time really flies."

Zhou Chu couldn't help but sigh.

"How is Mr. Yangming's health?"

This was Zhou Chu's biggest concern. Lung diseases are generally difficult to cure completely and can only be managed through continuous treatment.

"Thanks to your reminder back then, Master Feixiazi said that my lung disease had already started to spread from the surface to the inside. If it had been delayed any longer, it would have been difficult to cure. In the past two years, Master Feixiazi has kept me in mind and asked his disciple to come and treat me every now and then. Now I have almost recovered."

Wang Yangming smiled.

Zhou Chu breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

"How are Brother Bohu and Brother Zhengming doing in the capital? I heard that Brother Zhengming has made great contributions to the court and has even been granted a marquisate."

Wang Yangming looked at Zhou Chu and asked.

"Both teachers are very good. Mr. Wen has indeed made great contributions to the imperial court."

Zhou Chu took a sip of tea and said.

"As long as they are doing well, that's fine. At my age, there are not many old friends left to remember. In a while, I will go to the capital to report on my work and have a good drink with them. Last time I went to the capital to report on my work, I wanted to see you, Hengqi, but I did not expect that you had already gone to Tibet."

Wang Yangming sighed.

After saying this, Wang Yangming looked at Shen Lian, who was standing behind Zhou Chu.

“Chunfu has become more and more mature over the years.”

"Teacher, you flatter me. I have learned a lot from following Lord Zhou for so many years."

Hearing Wang Yangming's praise, Shen Lian said somewhat shyly.

“Chunfu is an extraordinary person; otherwise, I would not have specifically asked you for him back then.”

Zhou Chu smiled.

“You are truly a remarkable person, or perhaps someone born with innate knowledge. Chunfu once thought of entering officialdom through the imperial examinations. Although I didn’t quite agree with it, I knew that everyone has their own path to take. I tried to persuade him, but he wouldn’t listen. If he had insisted on taking the imperial examinations, he would probably be a county magistrate somewhere now. Although being a county magistrate is not bad, as one can benefit the people in one’s jurisdiction, it is still far inferior to what he is doing for the Ming Dynasty and the court now.”

Wang Yangming remarked with some emotion.

Both Wang Yangming and Zhou Chu were well aware that, given Shen Lian's meticulous nature, he would find it difficult to make any progress once he entered officialdom.

"We haven't seen each other for many years. Today, I've specially prepared some fine wine. Let's drink until we're drunk!"

After saying this, Wang Yangming turned around and asked his servants to fetch his treasured wine, which he had kept for many years.

Soon, a jar of wine was placed in front of Wang Yangming and Zhou Chu by a servant.

Wang Yangming looked at the jar of wine in front of him with a carefree expression.

"This jar of wine is a fine wine that I have treasured for more than 20 years. Apart from the jar of Nu'er Hong that I buried back then, this jar of wine is the best."

Wang Yangming said.

Hearing this, Zhou Chu smiled. Wang Yangming did have a daughter. When his daughter was born, he must have buried a jar of "Daughter's Red" wine. When his daughter got married, he took it out and drank it. No matter how good other wines were, in Mr. Yangming's eyes, they could not compare to that jar of "Daughter's Red" wine, after all, it had its special significance.

"Then let's drink until we drop!"

Zhou Chu didn't stand on ceremony; he simply picked up the wine jar, broke the clay seal, and poured wine for Wang Yangming.

As Wang Yangming's student and Zhou Chu's bodyguard, Shen Lian was not allowed to drink alcohol by Wang Yangming. Wang Yangming knew very well that Shen Lian's primary responsibility was always to protect Zhou Hengqi's safety. If Zhou Hengqi drank too much and his student also drank too much, it would be too dangerous.

The Ming Dynasty may seem peaceful now, but Wang Yangming knew that countless people hated the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard with a passion that seethed in their teeth.

These people will definitely have some ideas about Zhou Chu's trip, and they certainly won't let the opportunity pass them by.

Wang Yangming understood this, and so did Zhou Chu. Zhou Chu knew that arriving in Nanjing was only the beginning, and the journey to Huizhou Prefecture and Shexian County would likely be fraught with danger.

Zhou Chu, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, had finally left the capital and the headquarters of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He was without any troops by his side, although he had many Embroidered Uniform Guard guards. It was a rare opportunity for him after many years.

In the present Ming Dynasty, countless people are watching Zhou Chu closely. In the eyes of many, the biggest faction in the court is Zhou Chu's faction. Yan Song, Han Jie, and Zhang Cong, these high-ranking officials, were all promoted by Zhou Chu.

Although Zhou Chu had no intention of forming a faction, Yan Song never shied away from such matters. Back in Jiangnan, countless officials under Yan Song had tried to curry favor with him. Although Zhang Cong was much stronger than Yan Song, he also had quite a few officials under him.

After all, if you want to truly gain power, you must have capable people under your command.

Even Han Jie, after years of cultivating his influence in the Ministry of Personnel, now has the final say in the entire ministry.

Therefore, even if Zhou Chu did not want to, the Zhou faction had unknowingly spread throughout the court and the country.

Such things are unavoidable. As the saying goes, it's good to take shelter under a big tree. Everyone understands this principle, but while some people can curry favor with the likes of Yan Song and Zhang Cong, many others cannot, or disdain, curry favor with them.

Therefore, in their view, as long as Zhou's faction is not eliminated, they will never have a chance to rise in the world.

Of course, it's only a beginning right now, and the Zhou faction is only just starting out; it hasn't really taken off yet.

Zhou Chu was also aware of this problem, but he didn't have a good solution. He could only let it develop for the time being and deal with it when the time was right.

However, if we want to solve this problem, we will have to rely on external forces.

Zhou Chu and Wang Yangming drank to their hearts' content, just like when they first drank at Zuixianlou in the capital. They began to speak freely and without restraint.

After Zhou Chu got drunk, Shen Lian and Da Zhu helped him to a guest room in the Prince's mansion. At this time, Shen Lian and Da Zhu didn't even trust the maids here. After helping Zhou Chu to sleep, they came to the door of the guest room and looked at the Imperial Guards on duty.

"Open your eyes wider."

Shen Lian said with a serious expression.

Shen Lian knew very well that the adult was not drunk. The reason he pretended to be drunk was simply to lure out some rats hiding in the shadows.

"Yes, my lord."

The Imperial Guard on duty, seeing Shen Lian's serious expression, immediately felt a chill and hurriedly said something.