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

Chapter 658

Having served as an official for many years, Zhang Cong naturally understood the intricacies of the matter and was not in a hurry to speak.

"You don't need to worry about this. I'll just make some arrangements and get back to you later."

As he spoke, Zhang Cong stood up, put on his robe, walked out of the Ministry of Revenue, got into a sedan chair, and returned home.

"Go and deliver a visiting card to the Zhou residence."

After returning home, Zhang Cong looked at his housekeeper and said...

Unless it's something extremely urgent, it's necessary to send a visiting card in advance. Otherwise, it's considered very impolite to visit someone directly. Putting aside whether the other party has guests at home or is even home, if you're turned away, someone of Zhang Cong's status cares about his reputation.

Upon hearing this, the steward hurriedly took Zhang Cong's visiting card and went to the Zhou residence.

Zhou Chu was watching Liu Sisi dance at home when Chunlan quietly walked up to him.

"what happened?"

Zhou Chu looked at Liu Sisi without turning his head.

"Sir, Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Revenue has sent a visiting card."

As Chunlan spoke, she handed Zhang Cong's visiting card to Zhou Chu.

Zhou Chu opened it, looked at it, and then placed it on the table next to him.

"Send a reply saying you can come anytime."

This time, Zhou Chu didn't put on airs. After all, Zhou Chu could see that Zhang Cong, as the Minister of Revenue, genuinely wanted to serve the Ming Dynasty, but his methods were just not quite right.

Upon hearing this, Chunlan immediately knew what to do and quietly left.

Soon, Liu Sisi finished her dance and came to Zhou Chu, beginning to massage his shoulders and back.

"My lord, has my dancing improved?"

Liu Sisi's voice was gentle and soothing, making Zhou Chu feel very comfortable.

"not bad."

Zhou Chu nodded.

Liu Sisi was very happy to hear this. She had practiced dancing so hard for so long, all for Zhou Chu's comment that it was "not bad".

"Do you have any plans to bring your family back?"

Zhou Chu pinched Liu Sisi's chin and asked.

Liu Sisi has been with Zhou Chu for so long, and she has never made any demands on him, which makes Zhou Chu very satisfied.

“I don’t want to. If I bring them back, they will regain their former status and look down on me. Unlike now, they all have to fawn over me.”

Liu Sisi thought for a moment and then said.

Zhou Chu nodded upon hearing this, but said nothing more.

Everyone has their own choices. Since Liu Sisi has made this choice, Zhou Chu is too lazy to bother. The most comfortable relationship between people is one where you never think about interfering with the other person's thoughts and choices.

A few days ago, someone from Liu Sisi's family secretly ran back to the capital and found Liu Sisi. They somehow got the information that Liu Sisi had now become involved with Zhou Chu, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, so they had a plan to get Liu Sisi to say a few good words for them to Zhou Chu.

As long as Zhou Chu agrees, their family's fate can be completely changed.

But Liu Sisi rejected him.

“You have no worries about food and clothing now. Although Lingnan is a bit tough, I will provide you with enough money. You know what kind of person Lord Zhou is. He has always hated evil as if it were his enemy. No case he has investigated has ever been overturned. To Lord Zhou, I am nothing but a toy. If you don’t know your place, Lord Zhou won’t even give me a second glance. When that happens, your source of income will be cut off.”

Liu Sisi's words were very skillful; she rejected them without making them resent her. After thinking about Liu Sisi's words carefully, these people found them very reasonable and gave up on the idea.

Zhou Chu casually took out a few silver notes from his pocket and handed them to Liu Sisi.

“You have given me a lot of money before, so you don’t need to keep giving it to me.”

Liu Sisi looked at the silver note but did not reach out to take it.

"Take it if I give it to you. As the saying goes, 'A poor family needs to be rich on the road.' Having money in hand gives you confidence at any time."

Zhou Chu said.

Liu Sisi was deeply moved upon hearing this and accepted the silver note.

"Master, Lord Zhang has arrived."

As the two were talking, Chunlan came in again.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chu waved his hand, and Liu Sisi bowed and withdrew.

"This humble official greets Lord Zhou."

When Zhang Cong entered, he smelled the scent of cosmetics in the room and knew that Zhou Chu must have been having fun. It was no secret that the brothel was keeping a woman for Zhou Chu, and Zhang Cong naturally knew this.

This has never been a bad thing for Zhou Chu. If Zhou Chu had no desires or wants, it would be worse. Now that he is like this, many people feel that Zhou Chu is more approachable.

"Lord Zhang, there's no need for such formalities. Chunlan, please have some tea."

Zhou Chu looked at Chunlan beside him and said.

Zhang Cong picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"May I ask what brings you here, Lord Zhang?"

Zhou Chu looked at Zhang Cong and asked.

"It's all because of the construction of the Zhenwu Hall. The Ministry of Revenue submitted a cost estimate to His Majesty, but His Majesty thought it was too high and sent it back for us to recalculate. Lord Zhou knows this. I have always been loyal to His Majesty and to you, sir."

Zhang Cong subtly expressed his loyalty.

"Because of this matter, I gave those officials in the Ministry of Revenue a severe scolding. They were all jolted awake by my scolding and submitted their reports after recalculating. It has been several days now, and His Majesty has neither returned the reports nor given any instructions. This has left me completely baffled."

Zhang Cong knew very well that if anyone knew His Majesty's thoughts, Lord Zhou was definitely one of them, which was why he came to visit Zhou Chu.

"I have read both of Lord Zhang's memorials, and it is clear that Lord Zhang is truly sincere in his desire to serve the court."

Zhou Chu took a sip of tea and spoke calmly.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cong's eyes lit up, which meant that his trip had not been in vain.

"I hope you can enlighten me."

Zhang Cong bowed and said.