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

Chapter 178

When Zhou Chu arrived at the Tang residence, Tang Bohu was chatting and drinking with someone. This person looked much older than Tang Bohu, but his appearance was rather unpleasant, and he had six fingers on his right hand.

“Hengqi, come here quickly. This is my old friend Zhu Xizhe. Xizhe, this is my student Zhou Hengqi.”

Tang Bohu introduced the two.

Zhou Chu suddenly realized that this was the famous Zhu Zhishan. Zhu Zhishan's surname was Zhu, his given name was Yunming, and his courtesy name was Xizhe. Because of his peculiar appearance and ugly appearance, and because he had an extra finger on his right hand, he called himself Zhishan to mock himself. People called him Zhu Jingzhao. His calligraphy was unmatched by anyone in the world.

Zhu Zhishan was a name he used to mock himself, so outsiders naturally called him Zhu Xizhe or Zhu Jingzhao.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhishan looked enlightened.

"So it's Lord Zhou. I've heard so much about Lord Zhou's deeds."

Zhu Zhishan smiled.

"Mr. Jingzhao, there's no need for such formality. Just address your student, Weighing Instrument, as you would a teacher."

Zhou Chu gave a student's salute.

Zhu Zhishan was taken aback when he heard this.

In his view, Zhou Chu had become famous at a young age and held a high position, so it was inevitable that he would be arrogant. But at this moment, he appeared humble, polite, and knew how to behave appropriately.

"With such a magnanimous spirit, it's no wonder that Hengqi has accomplished so many remarkable things at such a young age."

Zhu Zhishan nodded.

"Teacher, the weather is cold and gloomy. I brought some fine charcoal, which is perfect for brewing wine."

After Zhou Chu finished speaking, Chunlan and the others following behind him each carried a basket of charcoal and came over.

Tang Bohu's eyes lit up when he saw the charcoal.

The charcoal that Zhou Chu could obtain was naturally the best, with virtually no smoke. This type of charcoal was produced in very small quantities, and it was said that the production process was very complicated. Ordinary people couldn't buy it even if they had the money; it was exclusively supplied to high-ranking officials and nobles.

Tang Bohu immediately picked up a piece of charcoal and put it into the stove for boiling wine.

"Weighing instrument, try this freshly brewed wine, it tastes excellent."

As he spoke, Tang Bohu pushed the wine pot in front of Zhou Chu.

Zhou Chu poured himself a glass, took a small sip, his eyes lit up, and then he drank it all in one gulp.

"It certainly has a unique flavor."

Boiling wine is not just for heating; it's to remove aldehydes from the wine. Whether it's rice wine or yellow wine, although the alcohol content is low, it contains a lot of aldehydes, which are very harmful to the body.

Although the ancients did not know what aldehydes were, they were able to figure out the patterns. Wine that had been boiled was not only warming to the stomach, but also tasted excellent, and was not harmful to the body and less likely to cause intoxication.

The reason why rice wine and huangjiu (yellow wine) are easy to get drunk, despite their low alcohol content, lies in these aldehydes.

When brewing wine, some ingredients are usually added, such as shredded ginger, preserved plums, or green plums. This helps to better absorb aldehydes and adds a special flavor to the wine.

For example, the wine that Tang Bohu was brewing at this moment contained dried plums and dried hawthorns, so Zhou Chu felt that it tasted excellent.

"Teacher, I recently heard about a child prodigy with a pitiful background. I want to bring him over to be your son so you can take care of him in your old age."

Zhou Chu said while drinking.

Upon hearing this, Yunniang's eyes lit up. Tang Bohu was getting old, and she was not young either. She wanted to leave a child for Tang Bohu, but Tang Bohu was afraid that she would have a difficult childbirth. After all, childbirth in this era was like walking through the gates of hell, not to mention that Yunniang was almost forty years old.

When Yunniang first met Zhou Chu, she was already in her early thirties. Now, nearly seven years have passed. Zhou Chu has grown from nine to sixteen years old, and Yun Jin, the little girl, is almost twelve. Not to mention Yunniang.

Despite Yunniang's repeated requests, Tang Bohu refused each time.

As the saying goes, of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is to have no offspring. Therefore, Yunniang always felt sorry for Tang Bohu and the Tang family, and had always thought about whether to adopt a son for Tang Bohu. Now that she heard Zhou Chu say this, she was the happiest.

Tang Bohu naturally noticed Yunniang's expression. He knew that this matter was becoming a source of great distress for Yunniang, and even his own student was worried about her. Although Tang Bohu was unrestrained and unconventional, he couldn't bear to refuse.

No matter what, he was already over fifty years old. Although he had no worries about food and clothing, was in a good mood, and was still in good health, Tang Bohu knew that he would basically pass away before Yunniang. Even if he didn't plan for himself, he had to plan for Yunniang.

"In that case, I will follow your arrangements."

Tang Bohu laughed.

"Bohu, you really have a good student. He thinks of you in everything."

Zhu Zhishan said with a face full of envy.

"That's right, how could my discerning eye be compared to that of ordinary people?"

Tang Bohu said proudly.

Zhou Chu drank with Tang Bohu and Zhu Zhishan for a while longer before getting up to say goodbye.

At this moment, only Shen Lian and Lin Lu followed behind Zhou Chu. After Fang Hong went to the south with Yun Jin, Lin Lu took her place and became one of Zhou Chu's guards. As for Chunlan and the others, they delivered the charcoal and then went back.

Zhou Chu wasn't in a hurry, and rode his black horse leisurely through the streets of Suzhou Prefecture.

As the three were strolling along, a woman suddenly appeared on horseback galloping down the street, acting arrogantly and causing chaos wherever she went. She was about to reach Zhou Chu, but she showed no sign of slowing down.

Shen Lian immediately accelerated his horse, and with a charge, he grabbed the woman from the horse. Lin Lu, who was beside him, rode up and pulled the galloping horse back down quickly.

"Get your filthy hands off me! You mere Imperial Guard, how dare you block my way? I think you have a death wish."

The woman broke free from Shen Lian's grasp, her face full of arrogance.

"Who are you? How dare you be so arrogant?"

Zhou Chu rode his black horse and strolled up to the woman, asking her a question.

"You dare to ask who I am?"

At this moment, Zhou Chu was wearing ordinary clothes, not the uniform of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. However, even if he were wearing the uniform of a centurion, the woman in front of him would not seem to take him seriously.

"In that case, come with me."

After Zhou Chu finished speaking, he gave Shen Lian a look. Shen Lian understood and stepped forward to grab the woman.

"How dare you! Governor Cui Wenkui is my uncle. Who among you dares to arrest me?"

The woman flew into a rage.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chu's eyes lit up immediately.