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

Chapter 247

Several months ago, Zhou Chu sent a letter to the Embroidered Uniform Guard in Shanxi, asking them to investigate the matter thoroughly. They didn't need to find out everything; finding out a few of the merchants would be enough.

Although the emperor was far away in Shanxi, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard there did not dare to directly disobey the orders of Zhou Chu, his superior.

Although the investigation wasn't very thorough, the Imperial Guards in various prefectures of Shanxi still managed to find some merchants who traded with the Mongols.

With these people, finding Anda's tribe will be much easier.

However, this matter is still in the planning stage. At present, the most important thing is not this matter, but the affairs in Jiangnan and the lifting of the sea ban.

Everything has its priorities and urgency.

In the capital city, within the imperial palace, Zhu Houcong was enjoying the flowers with his empress, Chen. At this time of year, even in the capital, the midday sun was extremely warm, and many precious flowers were in bloom in the imperial garden.

Zhu Houcong and Chen Shi enjoyed the sunshine and flowers, feeling quite relaxed.

Chen was from Yuancheng County, Daming Prefecture, Beizhili. Her father, Chen Wanyan, was an old scholar in the area, ambitious but lacking in talent. Now over fifty years old, he had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations.

However, Zhu Houcong was very fond of Chen and showered her with affection. After making Chen Empress, he directly promoted Chen Wanyan to Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, granted him a residence in Huanghuafang, and soon after, he was promoted to Assistant Commander of the Central Military Commission, a first-rank official position, which can be described as a meteoric rise.

This shows how much Zhu Houcong liked Lady Chen.

"Your Majesty, good news from Suzhou Prefecture! Great news, Your Majesty!"

Huang Jin, holding a memorial in his right hand, jogged up to Zhu Houcong.

A hint of displeasure flashed in Chen's eyes at Huang Jin for spoiling her and the emperor's enjoyment, but she knew that this was a matter of national importance and she shouldn't cause trouble, so she composed herself.

"Quickly! Let me see it."

Upon hearing the good news from Suzhou Prefecture, Zhu Houcong immediately thought of Zhou Chu's suppression of the rebellion. Others might not know, but he was very clear about the fighting strength of Zhou Chu's Tiger Army, not to mention the guns and cannons that Zhou Chu had made.

In Zhu Houcong's eyes, those rebels were nothing more than live targets, targets to establish the authority of the court.

Zhu Houcong took the good news from Huang Jin and hurriedly opened it.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Zhu Houcong was overjoyed after reading it and said "good" three times.

"Send word to all court officials that there will be an emergency court meeting first thing tomorrow morning."

Zhu Houcong had no interest in appreciating the flowers at this moment and immediately stood up and said...

"Your Majesty, the Grand Secretary has been on sick leave for the past few days and did not attend yesterday's morning court session."

Huang Jin couldn't help but remind him.

"Hmph, this old fellow, isn't he just afraid that I'll keep putting him through the wringer? Isn't he faking illness? Go, send the imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital to his residence to examine him."

Jiajing sneered.

Upon hearing this, Huang Jin immediately knew what to do and ran off to make arrangements.

"Your Majesty, I have long heard that the Grand Secretary is highly respected and indeed quite old. It is normal for him to be in poor health. Since the Grand Secretary has claimed illness, why should Your Majesty make things difficult for him?"

Relying on Jiajing's favor, Chen Shi, standing to the side, had become somewhat blind to her own limitations. In her view, speaking well of Yang Yiqing would help her father get on the good side of the Grand Secretary in the future, which would be good for both herself and the Chen family.

Little did Jiajing know that upon hearing these words, the joy in his eyes instantly cooled by three points, and when he looked at Chen Shi beside him, the previous affection was gone.

In Jiajing's eyes, the empress dowager must not interfere in politics; this was a red line. Especially with the example of Empress Dowager Zhang, Jiajing could not tolerate any connection between the empress dowager and officials of the court.

He may promote Chen Wanyan because he likes him, but that does not mean that Chen can give him advice.

Jiajing said nothing, snorted coldly, and turned to leave.

Chen immediately realized she had said the wrong thing and looked very flustered.