The poorest member of the Imperial Guard, the Empress begged me to embezzle.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Li Jingtian said with a respectful expression.

"In addition, I have another matter that I need you to handle."

Chu Xiu pondered for a moment, then said to Li Jingtian, "You must get this matter settled before I return to the capital."

We can mobilize the entire Jinyiwei force, including the Seven Killings organization.

We will strive to get it done in the shortest possible time!

Upon hearing this, Li Jingtian's expression turned serious, and he listened attentively and respectfully.

"Investigate the water conservancy situation of our entire Great Zhou Dynasty, and make sure we understand the situation of every single river."

"We must find out exactly which river channel and which season is prone to flooding."

"Which local official has been negligent, lazy, or careless in his duties, and has failed in his duties in this regard?"

"Or if any local official embezzles funds intended for water conservancy projects, we must investigate them all!"

"It must be done in the most detailed possible way!"

"This is the task I'm assigning you."

Chu Xiu said in a deep and powerful voice.

Li Jingtian was stunned for a moment, a look of shock appearing on his face. He took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and said carefully, "My lord, this matter is too complicated. Should we ask His Majesty's opinion first?"

If a case involves local officials embezzling funds intended for water conservancy projects, then it is certainly not a matter for just one person.

Instead, it involved powerful and influential families from all over the Great Zhou Dynasty.

If these powerful and influential families hadn't been backing them up, would these local officials have dared to do such a thing?

In other words, if the Embroidered Uniform Guard were to take action against these people, it could very well cause a major upheaval throughout the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.

One wrong move and you could be uncovering a shocking case.

"I will go to the palace to meet with His Majesty and personally report this matter to him."

"However, for now, let's wait until you've investigated and found out the results."

"And it's not as serious as you think."

Chu Xiu smiled slightly and said, "I am not going to take action against the powerful families and clans in various parts of our Great Zhou Dynasty."

At most, they'll just take down a small number of local officials as a warning to others.

I will not touch any local officials whose problems are not too serious.

Their information will be temporarily stored in our Jinyiwei Records Department.

At the very least, before we possess absolute strength, they will not take action against the powerful clans and gentry throughout our Great Zhou Dynasty.

He naturally knew that moving one thing could have far-reaching consequences!

Let alone taking action against the powerful and wealthy families throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty who had embezzled funds for water conservancy projects.

Once he takes action against all the local officials in the Great Zhou Dynasty who were involved in embezzling funds for water conservancy projects, it will be enough to cause a tremendous earthquake in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.

This would incur the dissatisfaction of countless powerful families and clans, and cause them to panic and act rashly!

"My lord, and who are you?"

A huge weight was lifted from Li Jingtian's heart, and he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, revealing a look of great relief. He hesitated for a moment, then asked Chu Xiu.

As long as the target isn't the powerful families and local officials who embezzled funds for water conservancy projects throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty, but rather a small number of local officials are arrested as a warning to others, then the problem is minor.

He realized that Chu Xiu didn't intend to attack these people; he suddenly guessed what Chu Xiu's real purpose was.

"Dredging the river and building dikes."

"To solve the flood problems in various parts of our Great Zhou Dynasty."

"To ensure that farmland receives adequate irrigation and to increase grain production."

"To do something practical for the people of the world."

"Anyway, our Embroidered Uniform Guard has received a large sum of money recently, and we should make use of the money in the special fund for public welfare."

Chu Xiu remained calm and spoke casually.

"Lord Marquis is truly a saint!"

Li Jingtian's face showed admiration, and he said with deep emotion.

This is more than just a fact.

This is simply a momentous event that benefits millions of people throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty, and is of great importance to the country and its people!

Chu Xiu smiled and remained silent.

Fang Heng strode into the main hall of the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters and bowed respectfully to Chu Xiu, saying, "Reporting to Your Excellency, the Junior Supervisor of the Imperial Observatory, Lord Yan Qingfeng, has sent someone to invite Your Excellency to a banquet at the Imperial Observatory."

"Is the Imperial Observatory attending a banquet?"

"Lord Yan has invited me?"

Chu Xiu said, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, Lord Yan has sent someone to say that he has prepared a banquet for Your Excellency and is waiting for your arrival."

Fang Heng said respectfully.

"Invited by Lord Yan?"

"How could I keep Lord Yan waiting?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Xiu smiled and said, "You all go about your business. I'm going to the Imperial Observatory."

"Yes."

Li Jingtian and Fang Heng spoke with great respect.

Chu Xiu took a step and disappeared into the main hall of the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters.

"Congratulations, my lord."

Li Jingtian and Fang Heng bowed to each other and then left the hall.

After a while.

Qin Tianjian.

Chu Xiu appeared out of nowhere outside the Imperial Observatory.

"Greetings to the Marquis."

Upon seeing Chu Xiu appear, the Imperial Guard captain responsible for guarding the Imperial Observatory hurriedly saluted and said respectfully.

After all, only Chu Xiu, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who had just been conferred the title of Marquis of Champion, was qualified to wear the imperial flying fish robe and was so young.

"No need to be polite."

Chu Xiu waved his hand and said.

"Thank you, Lord Marquis."

"My lord, please come in. Lord Yan has already given instructions that once you arrive, he can lead you directly inside."

The Imperial Guard captain extended his hand to Chu Xiu in invitation.

"Okay, I'm sorry."

Chu Xiu smiled slightly and said.

"You're too kind, my lord. It is my honor to be able to lead you inside."

Upon hearing Chu Xiu's words, the Imperial Guard Captain spoke with trepidation.

As the news of Chu Xiu being conferred the title of Marquis of Champion spread throughout the capital after the imperial edict was posted, not only ordinary people, but even the most elite troops of the Great Zhou Dynasty, such as the Imperial Guard Captains, held him in the highest esteem.

Chu Xiu smiled and followed the Imperial Guard captain into the Imperial Observatory.

Not long after.

The Imperial Guard captain led Chu Xiu to a pavilion inside the Imperial Observatory.

At this moment, Yan Qingfeng was sitting in the pavilion reading a book. When he saw Chu Xiu coming over, he put down the book in his hand, slowly stood up, greeted him with a smile, cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations, Marquis."

"Lord Yan, you are too kind. Chu Xiu cannot accept such an honor."

Chu Xiu returned the greeting and said to Yan Qingfeng.

"What is it that Your Excellency cannot bear?"

"This time, when Murong Zhi rebelled, the Marquis almost single-handedly suppressed the entire rebellion."

"Your Excellency deserves this courtesy from me."

Yan Qingfeng shook his head and said with a serious expression, "It is the Marquis who has spared the people of Yizhou, and even the people of the world, from the suffering of war, so that they will not be displaced or separated from their families."

"Lord Yan, please don't say that. Chu Xiu is ashamed."

"I only did what a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard should do, and I only fulfilled my duty as a subject. It's nothing special."

Chu Xiu gave a wry smile and said.