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

Wang Cai and Zhou Chu discussed many details, such as the code words for making contact after arriving in Jiangnan, and where to meet with whom.

He even entrusted Zhou Chu to deliver the silver notes in his package to his family.

At this moment, Wang Cai's consciousness was somewhat blurred, and he had no idea how strange it was that Zhou Chu suddenly appeared here. He had no other way out and could only grasp at this last straw.

The reason Zhou Chu didn't let Lu Song kill Wang Cai directly was because of this information.

Letters and tokens alone are not enough; anyone who intercepts and kills Wang Cai can obtain both of these items.

Taking only these two items and rushing off, not to mention whether you'll even find the person, even if you do, you'll most likely be arrested and severely tortured.

"Brother, you'd better hurry, or it will be too late if the Imperial Guards come soon."

Wang Cai couldn't care less about anything else at this moment. What he cared about wasn't anything else, but whether the silver notes in the package could be delivered to his home.

He came out to do this business that could cost him his head or even his entire family, so the reward must have been extremely high; otherwise, he wouldn't have taken such a risk.

When Wang Cai was in the capital, he was so generous that someone always paid for his daily gambling.

Moreover, if he succeeds in this endeavor and returns to Jiangnan, he will be able to earn even more money.

In short, there are many benefits.

But the prerequisite is that you have to be alive.

Judging from the current situation, Wang Cai didn't think he could escape, and he didn't want to fall into the hands of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Once they fall into the hands of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, their entire family will be in danger, and those people in Jiangnan will not spare their families.

"Don't worry, brother."

Zhou Chu turned and left after saying that.

Wang Cai was left alone, growing weaker and weaker.

Hearing the sound of horses' hooves not far away, the weak Wang Cai mustered his strength, took out a pill, and swallowed it without hesitation.

"Sir, this man is dead."

Lu Song's imperial guards dismounted, touched Wang Cai's neck, and found no breath.

"Let's burn it on the spot."

Lu Song recalled Zhou Chu's arrangements and said.

"Yes."

The Imperial Guards dared not question Lu Song's orders in the slightest.

Within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the hierarchy was extremely strict; a higher rank meant absolute power. Some Embroidered Uniform Guards, in order to climb the ranks, went to great lengths to flatter and fawn.

No one dared to question Shangguan's decision unless he didn't want to stay in the Embroidered Uniform Guard system anymore.

Here, only absolute obedience prevails.

Soon, the Imperial Guards cut down a lot of wood on the spot, placed Wang Cai on it, and lit it with the tinderbox they carried with them.

These pieces of wood couldn't burn Wang Cai to ashes, but they could burn him beyond recognition.

This is enough.

Zhou Chu wanted to keep those people from knowing that Wang Cai was dead for a short period of time. As for how to proceed, he would have to act according to circumstances.

Once those people learn of Wang Cai's death, they will likely alert the enemy.

As for capturing Wang Cai alive? Don't be ridiculous. As long as Wang Cai is alive, Yang Tinghe and the others have plenty of ways to rescue him. Moreover, once Wang Cai comes to his senses, he will quickly understand some things.

For example, why did Zhou Chu suddenly appear here?

Many things simply cannot withstand scrutiny. Zhou Chu only achieved this effect by driving Wang Cai into a corner and seriously injuring him.

After the fire was completely extinguished, Lu Song ordered his men to bury Wang Cai's body on the spot.

"This matter must not be told to anyone, or I will cut out your tongues."

Lu Song brought only five or six Imperial Guards with him today, all of whom he considered extremely reliable.

As a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Lu Song certainly had the ability to judge people.

Although Lu Song didn't tell them about Wang Cai, he knew that Wang Cai had been in the capital for so long and was behaving so strangely that he had probably already come under the watchful eye of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Yes."

The Imperial Guards remained silent, trembling with fear.

Zhou Chu wasn't actually too worried about these people leaking secrets; of course, it would be better if they didn't.

It was only a matter of time.

After Zhu Houcong takes control of the capital in a few days, his uncle Lu Song will at least be a deputy commander of a thousand men.

By then, any of these people with a modicum of sense would have to keep what happened today a secret.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was always the emperor's man, and it was not an ordinary organization. It was virtually impossible for Yang Tinghe and others to infiltrate the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Upon returning to the capital, Zhou Chu summoned Jin Youcai.

“Go to Jiangnan and give these things to Chu Huizu.”

In addition to the things Wang Cai had given him, Zhou Chu also wrote an encrypted letter explaining how to do it. As for how to decipher the letter, Zhou Chu had already taught Chu Huizu before he went to Jiangnan.

"it is good."

Without saying a word, Jin Youcai took the things and went out.

The experiences of the past six months have made Jin Youcai realize that the young man he serves has grand ambitions, and sometimes Jin Youcai feels his scalp tingle just thinking about it.

I dared not think about it too much, nor did I dare to ask a single question.

He was afraid that if he asked any more questions, he would be silenced.

However, Jin Youcai did not regret it. He had given the knife to Zhou Chu because he recognized Zhou Chu's extraordinary talent.

Perhaps only someone like that would be willing to avenge Xiaodao's father.

In fact, Jin Youcai had been searching for a suitable candidate for Xiaodao in the capital for a long time, but he couldn't find one.

Those with ability and status wouldn't care about a nobody like Xiao Dao, much less seek revenge for Xiao Dao's father.

Jin Youcai naturally wouldn't be interested in someone who lacks ability.

It wasn't until Jin Youcai stumbled upon Zhou Chu fighting with someone and conducted a detailed investigation that he realized Zhou Chu was probably the only person he was looking for.

Of course, it's only a possibility.

In reality, Jin Youcai didn't have high expectations at that time. He mainly believed that Zhou Chu was loyal and righteous and would not mistreat Xiaodao in the future.

Now, the hope of avenging Xiao Dao's father is growing stronger, but Jin Youcai is becoming increasingly terrified.

Jin Youcai knew very well that since he had already boarded this ship, he had no choice but to go all the way down this path.

However, Jin Youcai never asked questions he shouldn't have.

After dealing with these matters, Zhou Chu breathed a sigh of relief. After so much planning, he had finally achieved the result he wanted.

Once Chu Huizu infiltrates those people, he can gradually place more people in.

If Zhou Chu can drive in one nail, he can drive in many more.

Of course, this also requires Chu Li's cooperation.

To gain a higher status within the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce, one must earn more money.

This was never a difficult task for either Chu Li or Zhou Chu himself.

After Zhu Houzhao's death, Empress Dowager Zhang ordered the cabinet ministers to select a successor from among the imperial clan members.

Grand Secretary Yang Tinghe proposed that "the succession should be made by younger brothers after the death of an elder brother, and the succession should be made in accordance with the proper order."

Empress Dowager Zhang naturally had no objection and immediately issued an edict to enthrone Zhu Houcong as emperor.

Soon, the imperial procession heading to Hubei set off in a grand procession.