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

Chapter 167

Wang Zan knew very well that those surrounding the Suzhou government office could not possibly be Japanese pirates, leaving only one possibility: Zhou Chu.

Upon realizing this, Wang Zan felt a chill run down his spine and the hairs on the back of his head stand on end, as if he had seen a ghost. He had heard about Zhou Chu's actions in the capital before, but he had never expected the current situation.

First of all, Suzhou Prefecture was his territory, the capital was the capital, and Suzhou Prefecture was Suzhou Prefecture. As the saying goes, even a powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake. Moreover, he never expected that Inoue Saburo's men would be completely helpless against Zhou Chu.

It should be noted that these 800-plus Japanese pirates, backed by a hundred-mile stretch of water, were capable of both offense and defense, and their combat strength was far superior to that of ordinary private armies. Even the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) of Suzhou Prefecture suffered heavy losses at the hands of these pirates.

Wang Zan was in a state of utter confusion and unable to calm down and think things through. The situation he was facing was simply too terrifying. He had originally thought that Zhou Chu, this living devil, would be more restrained once he arrived in Suzhou Prefecture, but he hadn't expected that not only would he not be restrained, but he would become even more ruthless.

Wang Zan knew very well that since Zhou Chu had come, he must be doing so under the guise of the Japanese pirates. He would never show himself at this time, and his so-called status as the prefect was of no deterrent power. He wouldn't even have a chance to talk to him.

Wang Zan had never experienced such a terrifying situation before. In his panic, all he could think of was to escape through the back door of the government office immediately.

Thinking of this, Wang Zan dared not linger for a moment and ran wildly towards the back gate of the government office. However, as soon as he arrived at the back gate, he was devastated to find that soldiers of unknown origin were pouring into the back gate.

The leader was none other than Lin Lu. Lin Lu knew very well that Wang Zan definitely wanted to escape through the back gate of the government office as soon as possible, and had been lying in wait for him.

Seeing that these people were all wearing masks with blue faces and fangs, Wang Zan became increasingly desperate, which meant there was no point in negotiating.

Even so, Wang Zan still wanted to make one last struggle.

"I want to see Lord Zhou. As long as you don't kill me, I will do whatever you ask."

Wang Zan shouted.

Upon hearing this, Lin Lu exchanged a glance with Shen Lian beside her, but ignored Wang Zan.

Before entering the government office, Zhou Chu had specifically instructed the two men to kill Wang Zan immediately, no matter what he said.

Although the living Wang Zan was important to Zhou Chu, the dead Wang Zan was even more indispensable. Wang Zan's body had to appear at the Suzhou government office because only after Wang Zan died could a new Suzhou prefect be appointed.

Only the death of Wang Zan can deter enough people, and only then can the chaos caused by the Japanese pirates in Suzhou Prefecture arouse the court's anger and attention. In this way, the situation in Suzhou Prefecture will change drastically, and the waters of Suzhou Prefecture will become muddy.

The living Wang Zan could only provide some details that Zhou Chu was not clear about, which were not important to Zhou Chu. The dead Wang Zan was very important to Zhou Chu.

Without saying a word, Shen Lian and Lin Lu drew their swords and charged at the desperate Wang Zan.

That day, news that shocked the entire Suzhou Prefecture spread.

Hidden in the marshland, a group of Japanese pirates stormed into Suzhou City and brazenly besieged the Suzhou Prefectural Government Office. Prefect Wang Zan was killed in the office. The pirates then marched on Prefect Wang Zan's home, looting all the wealthy families they passed along the way. Wang Zan's entire family was also wiped out.

Strangely enough, these Japanese pirates didn't attack ordinary people.

Upon receiving the news, Chen Zhao, a commander of the Imperial Guards, led his men in a fierce battle against the Japanese pirates for half a day. Commander Chen Zhao was eventually wounded and defeated. The Japanese pirates did not linger in the fight and quickly disappeared into the marshland.

This news not only shook Suzhou Prefecture, but also the entire Jiangnan Province and even Southern Zhili.