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

Chapter 486

When Sun Qiang led the two to the front of the Zhou residence, Wang Mu and his son Wang Ying realized who the young master Sun Qiang was talking about was.

Zhou Chu, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The Zhou family was very famous in the capital. Although Zhou Chu had always tried to keep a low profile, the story of Zhou Chu and the Lu family had already spread far and wide. The Lu family was right next to the Zhou family, and the two marquis families standing side by side had long been a popular topic of conversation.

Ten years ago, Wang Mu and his son purchased a small house in the capital, which is now the Wang family's residence. Therefore, the father and son are quite familiar with the Zhou family's residence.

Only then did Wang Mu realize that the Zuixianlou was actually backed by this Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. However, both Wang Mu and Wang Ying knew that Zhou Chu had long since stopped caring about Zuixianlou, and Zuixianlou was merely using the name of this Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Wang Mu never expected that his distant cousin could actually speak with such a powerful and influential figure.

Only then did Wang Mu realize why Sun Qiang had said that if this person didn't agree, no one in the entire capital would dare to do things for them.

That's right. This man is the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The Northern Garrison Command, which is currently causing panic throughout the capital, is under his command. If he doesn't give his approval, no one will dare to agree to their demands.

Upon realizing they were at the Zhou residence, Wang Mu and his son quickly lowered their heads, not daring to look too closely or even raise their heads, for fear of seeing something they shouldn't have.

At his age, this was the first time Wang Mu had met such an important person, and the pressure he felt was unimaginable. The sound of Sun Qiang's footsteps as he walked ahead was like drumbeats, striking his heart. It was as if the whole world had lost all other sounds, leaving only the sound of Sun Qiang's footsteps.

“Cousin, there’s no need to be nervous. Since the young master is willing to see you, it means he has agreed to your request. Your matter is not a big deal.”

Seeing Wang Mu covered in cold sweat behind him, Sun Qiang offered words of comfort.

Although Sun Qiang said that, Wang Mu's nervousness did not lessen at all. His nervousness was not because of their matter, but because of Zhou Chu's identity.

He was just a broker, and his son is now a scholar who passed the imperial examination. It's already a great honor for the Wang family. The highest-ranking person he had ever met before was only a fourth-rank official, and even then, he felt a lot of pressure.

Not to mention that the person they were about to meet was Zhou Chu, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a legendary figure who was like a living Yama.

Not only Wang Mu, but Wang Ying was even more nervous. If Wang Mu's nervousness in the face of the Zhou family stemmed from his nervousness about Zhou Chu's identity, then Wang Ying's nervousness came from his understanding of Zhou Chu.

Those who never enter officialdom will never understand how terrifying Zhou Chu, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, truly is. Only after entering officialdom and becoming an official themselves will they realize that their previous perception of him was completely wrong, and that this commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is far more complex than they had imagined.

The higher one's official rank, the more one can appreciate the terror of Zhou Chu.

Although Wang Ying had not yet entered officialdom, he had lived in the capital for many years and knew a great deal about many rumors about Zhou Chu, especially about this matter. If there was no one behind it, Wang Ying would never believe it even if he were beaten to death.

The officials were arrested without hesitation. Each of these officials was a big shot to them, someone they would never normally see, but in the eyes of this commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they were probably just fish in a net.

Wang Ying didn't even dare to think about it too much. The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became, feeling that the Zhou residence in front of him was a den of dragons and tigers.

The Zhou residence may not look particularly impressive from the outside, but it is quite large inside. The two followed Sun Qiang for a long time before finally arriving at Zhou Chu's study in the backyard.

Wang Mu and his son Wang Ying didn't dare to look up the entire time.

"Uncle, in the future, just tell me about these little things. As long as it's not about bullying men and women or causing public outrage, it's all a small matter."

Zhou Chu looked at Sun Qiang and said.

Zhou Chu said this in front of the two of them to save face for Sun Qiang.

The relationship between Wang Mu and Sun Qiang could not be kept secret from the Embroidered Uniform Guard. As long as Zhou Chu asked, someone would appear in front of him with all the files about Wang Mu and his son.

"Young Master, what are you saying? It's best not to cause you any trouble if we can avoid it, otherwise countless relatives and friends will come knocking on our door in the future."

Sun Qiang laughed.

Zhou Chu nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this.

Wang Mu and his son were utterly shocked. They never imagined that Sun Qiang and Zhou Chu had this kind of relationship. At the same time, they were overjoyed. With this relationship, what did their problems matter?

"I heard about your situation from Chu Liu."

Zhou Chu took the teacup from the maid beside him and took a sip of tea.

"I was ignorant and confused before, which is why I thought of using my son's connections. I hope you will forgive me."

Wang Mu lowered his head even further when he said this.

“I’ve looked at your file. You and your father haven’t done anything too bad, but you’ve taken a lot of land from the people. Have someone tell those people that anyone who wants their land back can return the land deeds to them. If they don’t want it back, you can keep it. Can you do that?”

Zhou Chu looked at Wang Mu and said.

Zhou Chu did not want to help Wang Mu and his son only to have them become new gentry, oppressing the people. This was never something Zhou Chu wanted to see.

This Wang Ying is indeed a promising talent; after passing the imperial examinations, she could be of service to the emperor.

Zhou Chu could investigate and punish one batch of officials after another, but if he couldn't find better replacements, it would all be in vain.

This is why Zhou Chu specifically called Wang Mu and his son over.

"I will go back and do it immediately, I will definitely do as you say."

Wang Mu hurriedly said.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chu nodded and looked at Wang Ying, who was standing to the side.

"Why do you study? Why do you take the imperial examinations?"

Zhou Chu asked.

Wang Ying was shocked when he heard this. If someone else had asked him this question, he might have given some high-sounding words, saying something about the Ming Dynasty and the people of the world.

But since it was Zhou Chu who asked the question, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Wang Ying didn't dare to hide anything from him.

"In reply to Your Excellency, I study and take the imperial examinations all for the purpose of bringing glory to my family and ancestors, and elevating the Wang family to a higher level."

Wang Ying answered truthfully.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chu looked at Wang Ying for a long time. In Wang Ying, Zhou Chu seemed to see all the scholars in the world.

"What did the Six Dynasties accomplish? They only served to pursue their own selfish interests!"

Zhou Chu sighed.

After saying this, Zhou Chu felt bored and waved his hand, signaling the others to leave.

Hearing this, Wang Ying felt a great sense of panic, because he could sense the disappointment the official had in him.

Wang Mu and his son followed Sun Qiang out of Zhou Chu's study.

"Our family's affairs..."

Wang Mu was completely bewildered.

"Your matter is nothing but a trivial matter to the young master. When the young master summoned you, you were already fine. The young master wanted to test Wenjin, but judging from his expression, he seems to be very dissatisfied with Wenjin."

Sun Qiang said helplessly.

Upon hearing this, Wang Mu felt a mixture of joy and worry.

Wang Ying was even more shocked when she heard this.