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

Chapter 654

Zhou Chu smiled.

"What Lord Zhou said is absolutely right."

Meng Qingyan echoed.

"I'll have Zuixianlou send some vegetarian dishes over every day."

Zhou Chu looked at Shen Lian behind him and said.

"Yes, my lord."

Shen Lian accepted the order.

“Sir, this is not appropriate. The food at Zuixianlou is too expensive. If we keep eating like this, my brother and I may not be able to afford it.”

Meng Qingyan said somewhat awkwardly.

"There's no need to worry about the price. Zuixianlou is my property, and the cost of these dishes is minimal. You don't need to pay. This is also His Majesty's intention. His Majesty instructed me to take good care of you two brothers."

Zhou Chu waved his hand dismissively.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."

Meng Qingyan and the other person hurriedly bowed.

"His Majesty spared Said Khan's life. Are you two brothers dissatisfied with this?"

Zhou Chu looked at the two brothers and said.

This was Zhou Chu's true purpose in coming here, and it was also what Jiajing specifically instructed Zhou Chu to do. Jiajing was afraid of mistreating Meng Ji's family, and if the Meng family was dissatisfied because of Saidhan, this was definitely not what Jiajing wanted to see.

“My lord, you are too kind. My father’s mission to the Yarkand Khanate was precisely to secure a legitimate reason for the Ming Dynasty to bring the Yarkand Khanate into its territory. If Said Khan is killed, the Mongols within Yarkand will likely become restless, which is something my father would never want to see.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Qingyan hurriedly bowed.

"Yes, my lord. Although I also want to kill Said Khan, if my father's efforts are in vain, wouldn't we become unfilial descendants? We have no complaints about His Majesty's decision."

Meng Qingyuan hurriedly expressed his opinion.

Zhou Chu nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this.

"You members of the Meng family are all sensible and understanding. His Majesty will not treat you unfairly. You two brothers should observe the mourning period properly. After the mourning period ends, there will be much for you to accomplish."

Zhou Chu patted the two of them on the shoulders and said.

This made Meng Qingyuan and his companion feel flattered.

"Alright, I originally wanted to come and see you two brothers. Now that things are settled, I should head back. By the way, if you have any requests for dishes, you can tell the person who delivers them. Zuixianlou has a wide variety of dishes, including both those you've tried and those you haven't."

Zhou Chu looked at Meng Qingyuan and the other two and gave them instructions.

After Zhou Chu left, the Meng brothers, Meng Qingyan and Meng Qingyuan, exchanged a glance, both feeling as if they were in a dream.

How could they not be moved that Zhou Chu, a powerful figure with immense influence, had just shown them such care and concern, much like an elder in their family?

The two brothers were not at peace at this moment.

"Lord Zhou is somewhat different from the rumors; he is not at all as fierce and menacing as they say."

Meng Qingyan couldn't help but sigh.

"Those are all rumors. I have met you many times, and you are always so kind. As the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, you have handled too many cases and offended too many people. It is normal for you to be slandered."

Meng Qingyuan couldn't help but defend Zhou Chu.

"I do envy you a bit, being able to serve in the Southern Garrison Command. I imagine Lord Zhou will take good care of you in the future. I also want to work under someone like Lord Zhou."

Meng Qingyan said with some envy.

Hearing this, Meng Qingyuan did not reply. He took it as his younger brother talking nonsense. Meng Qingyuan even thought to himself, "If I really wanted to switch places with you, you wouldn't be willing." But he only thought about it. Meng Qingyuan and Meng Qingyan had only recently become a little more familiar with each other, but they were not close enough to joke around.

Moreover, Meng Qingyan is the eldest son, and his status in the Meng family is higher than that of Meng Qingyuan. Meng Qingyuan has no right to joke with him.

.......

The construction of the Zhenwu Hall was initiated by an imperial decree issued by the Jiajing Emperor, with the Grand Secretariat approving the project, the Ministry of Revenue allocating funds, and the Ministry of Works responsible for commencing construction.

The Ministry of Revenue budgeted one million taels for the Zhenwu Hall and even had the Ministry of Works provide detailed design drawings and the materials to be used in every part. Originally, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works did not need to be so meticulous in their work; they were used to exaggerating their figures in the past.