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

Who is Zhou Chu? He is the Duke of Dingguo, the Left Pillar of State, the Grand Master of the Palace, and the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Of all Zhou Chu's official positions and titles, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was the least noteworthy.

The appearance of such an important figure in Shexian County quickly caused a sensation.

In particular, the merchants and gentry of Shexian County were all eager to establish a relationship with Zhou Chu.

But this was destined to be a pipe dream. Zhou Chu was on a much higher level than them. Let alone meeting Zhou Chu, it was another matter whether they could even meet Shen Lian and Da Zhu.

Suddenly, a large number of people appeared around the official post station in Shexian County. These people were all heading towards Zhou Chu.

But Zhou Chu had changed into casual clothes, as had Shen Lian and Da Zhu. The three of them were followed by many secret agents from the Imperial Guards, and they appeared on the streets of Shexian County without being recognized.

The reason Zhou Chu did this was that he had basically confirmed the safety of Shexian County. Shexian County belonged to Huizhou Prefecture, which in turn belonged to Southern Zhili. Wang Yangming, as the governor of Southern Zhili, had governed Southern Zhili very well over the years.

Since Wang Yangming knew that Zhou Chu was going to Shexian on behalf of the emperor, he naturally would not leave it unattended. Wang Yangming arranged for people to search the area around Shexian more than once, all to ensure Zhou Chu's safety.

Wang Yangming was well aware that the most important thing for the Ming Dynasty at present was the safety of Zhou Chu. Zhou Hengqi had made great contributions to the Ming Dynasty's current situation. In fact, Wang Yangming dared not even imagine what the Ming Dynasty would be like without Zhou Hengqi.

The person accompanying Zhou Chu was none other than Wang Zhi, dressed in casual clothes.

"I am unworthy of your presence, sir, and I am deeply grateful for your personal visit."

Wang Zhi said with a face full of shame.

"No need to be modest. You are very important to the Ming Dynasty and His Majesty. Japan is extremely important to the Ming Dynasty. I only trust you."

Zhou Chu sat at a roadside breakfast stall, eating steamed buns as he spoke.

Shen Lian had already inspected the food here. Although he wasn't very good at concocting poisons, he had a basic understanding of pharmacology and could tell whether something had been poisoned.

The so-called colorless and odorless poison only exists in novels and stories. With the current level of technology in the Ming Dynasty, such a poison basically does not exist.

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhi became even more obsequious, but inwardly he couldn't help but feel smug.

"Do you think His Majesty can't live without you?"

What Wang Zhi was thinking could not be hidden from Zhou Chu. Zhou Chu took a sip of soup and looked at Wang Zhi.

"My subordinates dare not."

Wang Zhi hurriedly lowered his head and said.

"You may not dare, but you are now extremely powerful in Shexian County. In the future, your Wang family members will inevitably take advantage of your influence to do whatever they want. If it were His Majesty, he might tolerate your Wang family members doing such things. His Majesty dotes on you to the extreme. But you know my temperament. I can't stand those who prey on the people, nor can I stand seeing the people suffer."

As Zhou Chu spoke, he peeled open a tea egg.

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhi felt a chill run down his spine. The slight smugness that had just risen in his heart vanished instantly, replaced by unease.

He hadn't really thought about these issues in detail. Yes, he was practically all-powerful in Shexian County now, so if someone in the Wang family were to prey on the people in the future, who would dare to judge them?

Before Zhou Chu arrived, Wang Zhi had thought about this matter carefully, but he chose to ignore it. After all, in Wang Zhi's view, he had finally made a name for himself and brought honor to his ancestors. If his clansmen could not have some privileges, wouldn't that be a waste?

But Zhou Chu's words at this moment made Wang Zhi feel uneasy.

"Are you thinking that you've worked so hard to bring honor to your family, and if your Wang family doesn't get some special privileges, then all your efforts have been in vain?"

Zhou Chu looked at Wang Zhi and pressed for an answer.

"Your Excellency's insight is truly remarkable; I am ashamed of my shortcomings."

Facing Zhou Chu, Wang Zhi dared not lie and hurriedly replied.

"Do you want your Wang family to prey on the people and run rampant in the countryside, or do you want the Wang family to continue to be wealthy and powerful?"

Zhou Chu smiled.

"Of course, we want the Wang family to continue to be wealthy and prosperous."

Wang Zhi hurriedly said.

"It seems you're not completely senile. If you want your wealth and status to continue, you must restrain your clansmen. They should do what they should do and not do what they shouldn't. With the power of your Wang family, as long as they don't break the law, the Wang family members can enjoy what they deserve, and no one will stop them. Later, we'll send some people from your Wang family to do business at sea. Once they're busy, they won't have the mind to cause trouble."

Zhou Chu said.

"Your Excellency's consideration for your subordinates is so thorough, I have no way to repay you."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhi stood up respectfully and bowed.

Wang Zhi spoke these words from the bottom of his heart. Although he could bring silver from Japan, it was ultimately his own money. The Wang family needed to have its own businesses and sources of income to ensure the family's continued prosperity.

Lord Zhou's words were essentially offering the Wang family a business opportunity: maritime trade. Countless people in the Ming Dynasty want to do this, but the vetting process for maritime merchants is becoming increasingly stringent. Merchants in the Ming Dynasty now know that the profits from maritime trade are extremely high, and with the Ming Navy providing escort, who wouldn't want to do it?

However, the number of maritime merchants is limited. In the entire Ming Dynasty, only a few more maritime merchants are added each year. These maritime merchants are all high-ranking officials, nobles, or even princes and nobles.

Wang Zhi never imagined that his Wang family would one day be able to go overseas to do business.

"If your Wang family is going to sea, go to the Frankish side. After all, you are in charge of things in Japan. If your clansmen ask you to do private things, you will be in a difficult position."

Zhou Chu looked at Wang Zhidao.

"As it should be."

Wang Zhi said.

“From now on, the business of making icing in Huizhou Prefecture can also be allocated to your Wang family.”

Zhou Chu thought for a moment and then said.

Chu Li now dominates most of the icing market in the Ming Dynasty, which can be described as a monopoly. Zhou Chu doesn't know who was originally in charge of the icing business in Huizhou Prefecture, but he knows that it's not a difficult task for Chu Li.

Since the business is going to be done with anyone, it's better to do it with the Wang family. That way, we can keep Wang Zhi firmly under our control.

The Wang family members will be kept under constant surveillance by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who will not allow them to take the opportunity to go to sea with them. Even if the Wang family engages in maritime business, they can only send some servants to do it, not the Wang family members themselves.

This icing business is what truly keeps the Wang family busy.

Except for Wang Zhi, all members of the Wang family were forbidden from going to sea.

"My lord, your subordinate..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhi was deeply moved and felt an urge to kowtow to Zhou Chu.

"There's no need to act like a daughter. If you serve His Majesty and the Ming Dynasty in the future, then my arrangements today will not have been in vain."

Zhou Chu wiped his mouth as he spoke, then got up and left.

Wang Zhi and the others hurriedly followed.