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

Chapter 457

Mao Ji and Xia Yan felt a chill run down their spines upon hearing this. Wasn't this like daring to touch a tiger's tail? What was the difference between this and courting death? However, they quickly reconsidered. After all, they weren't the ones touching the tiger's tail. Since Yang Lian wanted to do it, let him do it. Perhaps Yang Lian was right? Perhaps Zhou Chu was truly terrified by this assassination attempt?

"I am getting old and somewhat frail. You may all leave now."

Mao Ji yawned and waved his hand as he spoke.

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances and rose to take their leave.

"Fang Zhen, what exactly does the teacher mean?"

Just as they left Mao's residence, another official looked at Yang Lian with a puzzled expression.

Yang Lian smiled confidently upon hearing this.

"What else could the teacher mean? If the teacher did not agree with my idea, he would have stopped me at the time. Since the teacher did not stop me, it means he agrees. However, as a teacher, he naturally cannot say this outright. Otherwise, if the Northern Garrison finds out anything in the future, the teacher will be implicated."

As soon as Yang Lian spoke, the eyes of the other officials lit up.

"Fang Zhen, let's make some careful plans."

As the saying goes, secrets lead to success, while leaks lead to failure. With so many people knowing about Yang Lian's scheme, it would be incredibly difficult to keep it from Zhou Chu's eyes and ears. In fact, there were members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the residences of these officials, including Yang Lian's residence and even Mao's residence.

The news of Yang Lian and his group's plot reached Zhou Chu's ears that very day.

Upon receiving this news, Zhou Chu sneered.

Now that we know, we need to plan ahead. These people want to test us, right? Then we'll give them the results they want. That way, they'll jump even higher, and others will flock to us.

Zhou Chu was well aware that many officials were still observing and waiting to see his attitude, hesitating. If he appeared hesitant, many would think he was afraid.

Zhou Chu has been staying in Zhangjia Village for so long to create this kind of atmosphere. Now is the time to cast the net. The deeper the net is cast, the more will be harvested later.

However, this would mean that Yang Ran would have to make some sacrifices. Zhou Chu needed to make arrangements in advance to ensure that Yang Ran's safety was guaranteed.

Yang Ran is, after all, an unmarried young woman. Zhou Chu cannot rashly summon her to his presence. Moreover, even if he could, it would easily alert her. It would be better for him to visit her himself.

To be honest, it's been many years since I last saw this teacher. I did hear from Wenxin that the teacher has aged a lot in recent years. As a student, it's time to pay him a visit. After all, if it weren't for Teacher Yang, I wouldn't have been able to become Tang Bohu's student.

Although Tang Bohu didn't actually help Zhou Chu much, Zhou Chu had been doing business with Shen Qing since he was ten years old, and he was completely unsure of himself. Many times, people need confidence to do things. Thinking about something is one thing, but actually having the courage to do it is another.

At that time, Tang Bohu was Zhou Chu's source of confidence. It seemed that Tang Bohu was always intentionally or unintentionally conveying a message to Zhou Chu: go for it, no matter what, your teacher will always be there for you.

In those years, Tang Bohu had talked to Zhou Chu about Master Yang. According to Tang Bohu, Master Yang was old-fashioned and conservative, and afraid of causing trouble. His implication was that Zhou Chu should not take it to heart.

In fact, Zhou Chu didn't need Tang Bohu's persuasion at all. He had always been very clear about what kind of person should say what and what kind of person should do.

Just like Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya, when Bao Shuya recommended Guan Zhong to Duke Huan of Qi, he knew very well what kind of person Guan Zhong was and what kind of personality he had. Before, when he partnered with Guan Zhong in business, Guan Zhong took advantage of him time and time again.

Many people advised Bao Shuya to stay away from Guan Zhong, but Bao Shuya always understood what kind of person Guan Zhong was. He helped Guan Zhong because he knew that Guan Zhong was a great talent. When he helped Guan Zhong, he never thought about what kind of reward he would get from Guan Zhong.

Even when Guan Zhong was dying, Duke Huan of Qi asked him to recommend a prime minister. Guan Zhong did not recommend Bao Shuya because he knew very well that Bao Shuya did not have the talent to be a prime minister. Bao Shuya never resented Guan Zhong for this.

Bao Shuya always had a clear understanding of himself, Guan Zhong, and even others. He would think things through before helping someone, and he would not hold a grudge no matter how that person treated him in the future. This is true humility.

Zhou Chu has always adhered to this principle. Just like when Zhou Chu trained Hu Zongxian and Zhao Zhenji, he was well aware that these people might not be able to stick with him for the long term. But even so, Zhou Chu would spare no effort to train them.

Zhou Chu understood that the Ming Dynasty could not have only one voice. Even if these people did not follow the same path as him in the future, as long as they were there, the Ming Dynasty would not be too badly off.

Zhou Chu understood Yang Fuzi's situation perfectly, so there was no resentment involved. Zhou Chu had been too busy all these years, and Yang Fuzi genuinely felt ashamed to face Zhou Chu. Therefore, even though his student had become the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Yang Fuzi had never mentioned him in front of outsiders.

"Chunlan, prepare the gift. I'm going to visit Master Yang."

Zhou Chu looked at Chunlan and said.

Upon hearing this, Chunlan hurriedly began preparations. She always knew exactly who Zhou Chu was going to meet and what gifts to prepare.

Chunlan was naturally aware of the relationship and story between Zhou Chu and Master Yang. She also knew that Master Yang's attitude towards her young master was mostly one of guilt, so Chunlan would not prepare any overly expensive gifts. If the gifts were too expensive, Master Yang would only feel more ashamed.

Moreover, Master Yang came from a scholarly family and possessed the refined elegance of a learned man.

Chunlan had someone prepare writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. These were all of the highest quality and, although quite valuable, were insignificant to Zhou Chu. For Master Yang, however, these items were more acceptable than other gifts, since Master Yang was Zhou Chu's first teacher. Giving a teacher writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones was the most appropriate thing to do.

Zhou Chu was very satisfied with the gift Chunlan brought. Chunlan was doing things more and more to his liking. There were many things that Zhou Chu didn't even need to explain, as Chunlan could handle them very well.

This time, Zhou Chu did not ride a horse but traveled by carriage. After all, he was visiting Zhou Chu's teacher, and it would be somewhat disrespectful to go on horseback; a carriage was more appropriate.

Shen Lian and Da Zhu followed behind on horseback. After Da Zhu joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard, his position was the same as Shen Lian's, and he also became Zhou Chu's bodyguard. Zhou Chu wanted to keep Da Zhu by his side and train him well.

When they went to the brothel before, Zhou Chu was afraid that Da Zhu would be blinded by the brothel, so he didn't take him with him.

"Young master, may I ask your esteemed name and what brings you here?"

Upon seeing Zhou Chu's attire and the two men, Shen Lian and Da Zhu, who were following behind him, the gatekeeper of the Yang residence realized that Zhou Chu was no ordinary person and greeted him respectfully.

"My name is Zhou Chu, and I have come to pay my respects to my teacher."

Zhou Chu smiled.