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

Chapter 348

According to Zhou Chu's original understanding of history, Hu Zongxian was a figure with both a good reputation and a bad one.

During the Jiajing reign, Hu Zongxian was a famous general who fought against Japanese pirates and served as the Governor-General of Zhejiang and Zhili. However, his rise to power was not honorable. In order to gain power, he joined Yan Song, who was then the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, and became a member of Yan's faction. He also helped Yan's faction frame loyal officials.

Of course, from Zhou Chu's current perspective, the loyal officials that Hu Zongxian framed may not have been so loyal. However, history is multifaceted and multi-dimensional, and in the end, Hu Zongxian was still purged by Jiajing.

Hu Zongxian has ability, but as for conscience, it depends on who you're dealing with. Right and wrong are always based on one's stance; without a stance, how can there be right or wrong?

For the Ming Dynasty and the imperial court, Hu Zongxian, leading generals such as Qi Jiguang, made a great contribution in completely quelling the Japanese pirate threat in the southeast.

In official circles, Hu Zongxian might be cunning and ruthless, but to Zhou Chu, the young Hu Zongxian at this time was definitely a promising talent.

"Go and call those two over there, but don't reveal our identities."

Zhou Chu looked at Yan Shifan and said.

Yan Shifan felt somewhat helpless upon hearing this. He dared not disobey Zhou Chu. He had heard all sorts of legends about this commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, many of which were so powerful that they could even stop a child from crying. Yan Shifan was genuinely afraid of Zhou Chu.

Yan Shifan got up and went to Hu Zongxian and the young man in fine clothes who had called him earlier.

"My husband wants you to come over for a moment."

Yan Shifan said with slight impatience.

If Yan Shifan had spoken politely, Hu Zongxian and the richly dressed young man might have come with him, but he chose to act this way.

This is understandable. Given Yan Shifan's current status and his own cleverness, he naturally looks down on Hu Zongxian and the other man. In addition, he actually has some resistance to Zhou Chu's arrangements, but he doesn't dare to show it openly, which is why he acts this way.

Zhou Chu knew that Yan Shifan was dissatisfied with his arrangements. After all, life here was not as carefree as it was in Suzhou. Zhou Chu wanted to take this opportunity, through Hu Zongxian, to teach Yan Shifan a lesson, so that he would know that there are always people more capable than him.

The boy next to Hu Zongxian looked to be thirteen or fourteen years old and was much taller than Hu Zongxian and Yan Shifan. Upon hearing this, he immediately looked displeased.

Hu Zongxian appeared somewhat frightened.

"Brother Zhao, why don't we go with him? This guy looks so fierce, if it really comes down to a fight, you might not be a match for him."

Hu Zongxian provoked.

These words might not be of much use to adults, but they are just right for this thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy in front of me.

Sure enough, the boy next to him got carried away the moment he heard this.

"Him? A short, fat, dark-skinned guy? And he's blind!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Shifan immediately became agitated, as he hated being called "Little Black Fatty."

"Who are you calling 'little chubby black guy'?"

As Yan Shifan spoke, he rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight the boy in front of him.

Zhou Chu watched as Yan Shifan was beaten so badly by the boy that he cried for his parents, but he didn't step forward to help.

Shen Lian watched with great interest as Yan Shifan was beaten up. He didn't have much affection for Yan Shifan, this spoiled brat, and it was quite amusing to see him being taught a lesson.

Seeing Yan Shifan beaten black and blue, Zhou Chu got up and came to the group, grabbing the boy's fist.

"Just teach this kid a lesson. If you really hurt him, you'll end up in the authorities."

Zhou Chu smiled.

Yan Shifan looked aggrieved upon hearing this, as he hadn't expected Zhou Chu to refuse to avenge him.

"What? You want me to avenge you? If you're a man, fight back yourself."

Looking at Yan Shifan's expression, Zhou Chu knew what he was thinking and said disdainfully.

"I will definitely fight back myself."

Yan Shifan instinctively wanted to say, "Who asked you to help me get revenge?" But just as the words were about to leave his mouth, he realized Zhou Chu's identity and trembled with fear. He thought to himself, "Luckily I didn't say it, otherwise Shen Lian probably wouldn't let me off the hook."

The boy had had enough of fighting and went down the steps.

"Your name is Hu Zongxian. What about you? What's your name?"

Zhou Chu looked at Hu Zongxian and the young man in front of him and said.

"I will not change my name or surname. I am Zhao Zhenji, a disciple of Master Xinzhai. If you want revenge, come at me."

Zhao Zhenji said.

Mr. Xinzhai's real name was Wang Gen, his courtesy name was Ruzhi, and his pen name was Xinzhai. He was one of Wang Yangming's students.

Zhao Zhenji came to Yuyao to study on Wang Gen's recommendation.

"Zhao Zhenji, Hu Zongxian."

Zhou Chu looked at the two of them with some surprise, not expecting to encounter two historical figures at once.

Zhao Zhenji was a staunch hawk and advocate for war. In the original history, the Gengxu Incident caused by Altan Khan terrified the civil officials of the Ming Dynasty, who advocated for peace talks and even paid tribute to the Mongols. Only Zhao Zhenji stood against the majority and resolutely advocated for war, which was praised by Emperor Jiajing.

Later, during the Longqing era, Altan Khan's grandson led his people to surrender to the Ming Dynasty. It was Zhao Zhenji who overruled the objections of the majority and accepted his surrender, thus facilitating the Longqing Peace Treaty.

However, after Zhao Zhenji entered the cabinet, he was ousted by Gao Gong, who was extremely powerful during the Longqing era, and was eventually forced to retire and return to his hometown.

In short, in Zhou Chu's eyes, both Zhao Zhenji and Hu Zongxian were pillars of the future Ming Dynasty, the kind of pillars who would serve the country and its people.

“I do know Mr. Yangming, so it is quite a coincidence.”

Zhou Chu smiled.

"You know Master Yangming?"

Zhao Zhenji looked on with disbelief.

Zhao Zhenji's idol was Wang Yangming, his teacher.

"This is Shen Chunfu. You should call him your senior uncle."

Zhou Chu pointed to Shen Lian beside him.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhenji glanced at the tall and imposing Shen Lian and was immediately alarmed.

He had heard of Shen Lian's name from his teacher, Wang Gen, who had specifically instructed him that if he met Shen Lian, he must not be disrespectful, given their seniority.

"Zhao Zhenji greets his martial uncle."

Zhao Zhenji bowed respectfully.

Shen Lian never expected to meet his junior brother here. He had never met Wang Gen before, but he had heard his teacher Wang Yangming mention him.

"No need for formalities, please greet Lord Zhou first."

Shen Lian said.

"Master Zhou?"

Zhao Zhenji and Hu Zongxian were both puzzled upon hearing this.

Zhao Zhenji only knew that he had such a junior uncle, but he did not know that Shen Lian had already joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"This is Zhou Hengqi, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Shen Lian explained.

These words were naturally spoken only after Zhou Chu's approval; otherwise, how could Shen Lian have dared to easily reveal Zhou Chu's identity?

Upon hearing this, Hu Zongxian and his companion were greatly alarmed and hurriedly bowed in respect.

"This student greets Lord Zhou."