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

Chapter 615

Explosives in this era were not as powerful as those in later times. If you could feel the vibrations from thirty miles away, that was already considered to be a great power.

With that kind of commotion, it would be virtually impossible to hide it from the patrol officers, unless they killed the patrol officers nearby after the explosion.

But thinking about it, it's something that just happens to be convenient.

Zhou Chu waited in the study for about half an hour before Shen Lian came to him.

Shen Lian was in full command of this operation. As for Da Zhu, one of them had to stay by Zhou Chu's side, since their primary responsibility was to protect Zhou Chu's safety.

"Sir, all those who bombed the railway tracks have been arrested."

Shen Lian said respectfully.

"Hand them over to the Northern Garrison Command and tell Lu Wanshan that I need to get what I'm owed before dawn tomorrow."

Zhou Chu, the deity, said coldly.

"Yes!"

After bowing, Shen Lian left the Zhou residence and took the arrested people directly to the Zhao Prison.

"Brother Shen, what are the magistrate's instructions?"

Lu Wanshan knew there was a big operation going on tonight, so he had been waiting at the Northern Garrison Command. Seeing Shen Lian leading these people, he immediately perked up.

"The master said that no matter what means you use, he wants to get the list he's entitled to first thing tomorrow morning."

Shen Lian looked at Lu Wanshan and said.

"Don't worry, Brother Shen. It's just a matter of getting these people to talk. It's easy. We don't need to wait until dawn. Just give me an hour."

Upon hearing this, Lu Wanshan rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

When he was a captain, he was known for his torture in the Northern Garrison. After he became a commander of a thousand men, and later the garrison commander of the Northern Garrison, Lu Wanshan rarely used torture.

But at this moment, Zhou Chu gave the order, and Lu Wanshan prepared to return to his old ways.

"Then I'll leave it to Lord Lu."

Shen Lian smiled.

After Shen Lian left, Lu Wanshan immediately ordered the interrogation officers of the Northern Garrison to bring out all his interrogation tools. Lu Wanshan hadn't done this for many years, and the tools were long gone.

"Gentlemen, as long as I don't let you die, even the King of Hell won't dare to take you. At that time, it will be difficult for you to die even if you want to. Have you thought it through? Who wants to give an explanation?"

Lu Wanshan looked at the people who had blown up the railway tracks in the Zhao prison and said with a smile.

Those who were arrested couldn't help but shudder when they saw Lu Wanshan's bear-like physique and his eerie smile revealing a set of white teeth.

At this time, Jiajing was also awake. The actions of the Embroidered Uniform Guard could not be kept from Jiajing. Jiajing paced back and forth in the Imperial Study.

"Huang Jin, do you think I haven't treated those officials well enough?"

Jiajing looked at Huang Jin with some indignation and asked.

"His Majesty is kind-hearted and treats them very well. Their salaries are now much higher than during the reign of the late Emperor. It's just that some people are greedy. No matter how good you are to them, they will never be satisfied."

Huang Jin comforted her from the side.

When Jiajing heard this, he sighed.

"The officials in this court have been dealt with one after another, but those corrupt officials seem to be endless. As soon as one batch is killed, another batch pops up."

When he said this, Jiajing looked somewhat defeated.

"Your Majesty, throughout the Ming Dynasty, even during the most severe reign of Hongwu, corrupt officials could not be completely eradicated. Your Majesty need not worry about this. The salaries of officials in the Ming Dynasty have been greatly increased, and the proportion of corrupt officials has been significantly reduced. After all, those officials who colluded with the salt gang were only a minority. Your Majesty is wise and powerful. Today, the Ming Dynasty is rich and strong, and its territory has reached an unprecedented level. In the future, Your Majesty will be recorded in history books as having achievements comparable to Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty."

Huang Jin flattered him.

Huang Jin was very good at flattering Jiajing. He knew very well that Jiajing's idol had always been Emperor Wen of Han, so he would never say that Jiajing's achievements were comparable to those of Emperor Gaozu of Han or Emperor Taizong of Tang.

Sure enough, these words struck a chord with Jiajing, making him overjoyed.

“Comparing his achievements to those of Emperor Wen is a bit of an exaggeration.”

Jiajing's anger had long since dissipated, and Huang Jin's words made him feel as if he were floating on air. Although he said that what Huang Jin said was a bit excessive, his unspoken meaning was that he wanted Huang Jin to continue praising him.

Huang Jin naturally understood Jiajing's meaning.

"Where did you go too far? Emperor Wen was only outstanding in civil administration. In terms of civil administration alone, His Majesty has turned the Ming Dynasty's treasury from deficit to a state where there is so much money that we don't know what to do with it. Now, thanks to the construction of these three railways, His Majesty has also achieved the goal of enriching the people. The Ming Dynasty is now at its most prosperous."

Huang Jin spoke eloquently.

Upon hearing this, Jiajing could no longer suppress the urge to smile.

"But Emperor Wen only had civil achievements. Your Majesty's military achievements are comparable to those of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Emperor Wu conquered the Baiyue in the south, defeated the Xiongnu in the north, and conquered Dayuan in the west. Your Majesty has pacified South China, conquered the Mongols in the north, and completely recovered Tibet in the west. The territory of the Ming Dynasty is now comparable to that of the Tang Dynasty. Who can compare?"

As Huang Jin spoke, his tone became increasingly admiring.

"These are all thanks to the weighing instruments."

Although Jiajing said this, he was so happy about Huang Jin's praise that he was completely overjoyed.

"Your Majesty is mistaken. Emperor Xiaowu did not personally lead the expedition. The so-called 'knowing people and appointing them well' refers to Emperor Xiaowu's appointment of Huo Qubing and Wei Qing as generals without being bound by convention. This in itself requires courage. When Your Majesty first ascended the throne, Lord Zhou was only fourteen years old. Your Majesty had the courage to promote Lord Zhou from a mere cloth craftsman to the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Wasn't that also an astonishing courage?"

Huang Jin said earnestly.

"Alright, alright, you're so good at talking. It's getting late, I should retire for the night. I'm afraid there won't be any results tonight."

Jiajing glared at Huang Jin, then gave a fake yawn and walked towards his bedchamber.

"My lord, the list you requested has been successfully completed."

As expected of someone with a background in interrogation, Lu Wanshan meant exactly what he said: one hour. In less than an hour, Lu Wanshan came to Zhou Chu with a booklet in hand.

Zhou Chu was still awake at this time, waiting for this list.

Zhou Chu took the booklet, glanced at it, and then returned it to Lu Wanshan.

"Arrest people according to the list."