If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

This time, Zhou Wu had a clear advantage in numbers. Because it was a shady deal, the other party didn't bring many people to avoid being exposed.

After the enemy suffered more than half casualties, Chen Xinrong's men were the first to surrender, dropping their weapons, kneeling on the ground, and raising their hands. Meanwhile, the pirates on Scarface's side were still fighting to the death, because they knew that for the wicked pirates, death would be the best outcome if they fell into the hands of the government.

"Sir, the other party is determined to die, so capturing him alive might be a bit troublesome."

Seeing the momentum of the enemy, Madam Lin knew that capturing them alive was no longer an option.

"Then let's kill them all."

Zhou Wu also saw through the other party's attitude. In order to avoid too much loss to his brothers, Zhou Wu gave up on capturing Scarface and his gang alive and immediately ordered them to be shot on the spot.

"Yes."

Madam Lin immediately ordered her men to take out their crossbows, and then they fired all at once. The once arrogant Scarface and his gang were instantly riddled with bullets.

"You...you cheat..."

Scarface had hoped to use his skills to find a way to break through, but he didn't expect his opponent to pull out a crossbow. His unwillingness before death made him widen his eyes.

When Chen Xinrong saw that Scarface, who used to be so arrogant and domineering in front of him, was now a cold corpse, he was so frightened that he trembled all over.

Zhou Wu ordered that these people be bound and escorted back to Qingzhou City.

Qingzhou City.

As dawn broke, everyone was busy with their respective tasks in an orderly manner. The people of Qingzhou, who had just experienced a major disaster, were now slowly regaining their hope for life in the process of reconstruction.

As usual, Ji Yongfeng was preparing to inspect the docks and drying yards outside the city when he bumped into Zhou Wu, who was returning, just as he reached the city gate.

"My lord, didn't you return to the capital?"

Ji Yongfeng's first reaction upon seeing Zhou Wu was excitement and exhilaration, followed by confusion: wasn't he supposed to be returning to the capital?

"Sorry, Lao Ji, I ran into some pirates and traitors on the way, so I just packed some up and brought it back for you."

Upon hearing Zhou Wu's words, Ji Yongfeng was stunned and looked towards the back of the group. The man there looked somewhat familiar.

"The Great Philanthropist Chen???"

"That's right, it was Chen Xinrong who colluded with pirates for years, helping them sell stolen goods and aiding and abetting evil. I caught him on the spot. The pirate resisted and was executed on the spot."

Looking back, Ji Yongfeng saw several carriages carrying more than a dozen pirate corpses riddled with bullets. He felt as if the sky had fallen. The benevolent Chen he had always protected was actually a member of the pirates.

On the same day, Zhou Wu convened a public trial in Qingzhou City, listing dozens of charges against him. Only then did the people of Qingzhou realize that this once-great philanthropist had committed so many crimes, and they were immediately filled with indignation.

Finally, Chen Xinrong was escorted back to the capital along with Zhou Wu, and then his family property in Qingzhou was confiscated, including the money and goods traded between the two parties that night. After a rough count, Zhou Wu was shocked; robbery was indeed a risk-free business.

. . . . . .

"Old Ji, I've left you some of the money that was confiscated."

Zhou Wu was really leaving this time, and Ji Yongfeng came to see him off.

"My lord, this is against the rules."

He knew Zhou Wu meant well; Qingzhou City was being rebuilt, and money was needed everywhere. However, he didn't want Zhou Wu to make a mistake and be punished.

"If you don't tell me and I don't tell you, who will know? Besides, everything in Qingzhou costs money. Without money, you can't do anything."

"..."

Ji Yongfeng was so moved that he didn't know what to say to express his feelings at that moment.

"Hurry up and build the dock. Then Qingzhou will no longer be poor."

Yes. Definitely.

As one of only two deep-water wharves in Dalong, Zhou Wu believed that once the Qingzhou wharf was completed, it would attract many merchant ships engaged in maritime trade to dock there, because Qingzhou was closer to the capital by land, and most merchants' ultimate goal was the capital.

However, the prosperity of Qingzhou Wharf will not affect the wharf in Niujia Town, because Niujia Town is geographically close to Southeast Asia, making it more suitable as a transit and supply hub, which is also indispensable.

When Zhou Wu left Qingzhou, all the people in the city came to see him off. The people of this era were actually very simple; they knew very well who was good to them.

. . . . . .

The capital city, the Crown Prince's residence.

As the Crown Prince's tutor, Zhou Wu went to the Crown Prince's residence as soon as he returned to the capital.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Zhou Wu is back. You must be tired from your journey. Please have a seat."

Li Junren hadn't seen Zhou Wu for some time. In the past few days, Su Jing had been writing to the Crown Prince to report on the situation, so Li Junren was well aware of Zhou Wu's performance in Qingzhou and was very satisfied with it.

Because Zhou Wu's official position was the Crown Prince's tutor, he represented the Crown Prince's residence and the Crown Prince to outsiders. If he performed well, Li Junren would naturally be pleased.

"Your Highness, the reconstruction of Qingzhou City is on track, and I have returned to the capital to report."

"Very good, very good. I have heard about your performance in Qingzhou, Zhou Wu. You did a great job and did not disgrace the Crown Prince's residence. I will definitely ask the Emperor to give you credit."

“Your Highness, there is another matter. While I was in Qingzhou City, I also uncovered a case of collusion with pirates to sell stolen goods. I have brought the criminals back to the capital for trial and seized money and goods worth approximately 100,000 strings of cash.”

"what!"

Pirates and criminals are not important. What matters is that Zhou Wu brought back 100,000 strings of cash. Li Junren knows better than anyone how difficult the imperial court has been these past two years.

Ten thousand strings of cash would be nothing to the Great Dragon Empire under normal circumstances, but for the Great Dragon Empire now, it is a godsend.

"Zhou Wu, immediately send more men to accompany me into the palace."

"promise."

If he didn't show it now, when would he? The Crown Prince could no longer suppress the joy on his face and led Zhou Wu directly into the palace.

royal palace.

"My son, I will meet my father."

"I see your Majesty."

"Zhou Wu is back. How was your trip to Qingzhou?"

Li Tiancheng was reviewing memorials when he saw the Crown Prince and Zhou Wu arrive. He put down the memorials in his hand and prepared to take a break.

"Your Majesty, the reconstruction of Qingzhou is on track, and it is estimated that it will be restored to about 70-80% within a month at most."

Zhou Wu gave Li Tiancheng a general report on the situation. Li Tiancheng also received secret reports every day, so he naturally had a general understanding of the situation in Qingzhou.

"I heard you even found a job for Qingzhou?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wu naturally realized that the emperor must have planted spies in Qingzhou, and possibly not just in Qingzhou, but anywhere within the Great Dragon's territory.

"Your Majesty was referring to kelp and laver, but it was just a coincidence. As Your Majesty knows, I have some knowledge of food and happened to discover that the sea around Qingzhou was full of these two things, so I told the magistrate of Qingzhou."

"That's good, Qingzhou is really too poor."