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

Chapter 712

Nowadays, all the Ming Dynasty merchants who come to Japan to do business must go through Wang Zhi. All the goods sold to Wang Zhi are priced about 20% higher than the original price. Wang Zhi then resells them and makes a huge profit.

Those merchants with ulterior motives who wanted to bypass Wang Zhi and trade directly with the Japanese were not tolerated by the other merchants. The current situation was beneficial to all merchants. Wang Zhi's prices were higher than before, and no one wanted anyone to disrupt the market and cause prices to drop back to their original levels.

Everyone knew that once they went their separate ways, Japan would become a buyer's market, and they would lose their pricing power, which was something no merchant doing business in Japan wanted to see.

Therefore, once these merchants discovered someone smuggling, they would report it directly to Wang Zhi. Once discovered, these people would suffer a terrible fate. In Japan, Wang Zhi had the authority to act first and report later. Once smuggling was discovered, Wang Zhi would kill these people directly to deter other merchants.

.....

With such a grand procession, not only Shexian County, but also the prefect of Huizhou Prefecture and a host of officials, all came to welcome Wang Zhi back to his hometown.

In a short time, almost all the officials of Huizhou Prefecture appeared in the small county of Shexian.

"Your humble servant respectfully welcomes the Commander-in-Chief back to his hometown."

The prefect of Huizhou, accompanied by a group of officials, watched as Wang Zhi approached them and respectfully greeted them.

Wang Zhi's official position was Commander-in-Chief, a second-rank official. In terms of official rank, he was one level lower than Lin Lu and Yun Jin. After all, Lin Lu and Yun Jin were Grand Generals personally appointed by the Jiajing Emperor, while Wang Zhi was only a titled general. The difference between them was quite significant.

The prefect of Huizhou Prefecture was only a fourth-rank official. Although military officers were much lower in status than civil officials of the same rank, Wang Zhi was different from ordinary military officers. He was a general recently bestowed by the emperor, enjoying great favor. Naturally, the prefect of Huizhou did not dare to be negligent.

In fact, the news of Wang Zhi's return to his hometown was sent by Emperor Jiajing, who instructed the officials of Huizhou Prefecture to prepare for his arrival, in order to give Wang Zhi a grand welcome.

Jiajing knew all too well what Wang Zhi needed.

Sitting on his horse, Wang Zhi looked down at the group of officials who were respectfully addressing him. For a moment, he felt a little dazed. Not long ago, these were all high and mighty officials to him, but now they were all bowing and scraping before him.

In Wang Zhi's memory, not to mention these officials, even the clerks in the government were all fierce and ruthless. Back when Wang Zhi had no status, he was chased by those government clerks and had to flee in panic.

Wang Zhi never imagined that one day those high-ranking officials would be so respectful to him.

Only now did Wang Zhi truly understand the intoxicating feeling of power.

Wang Zhi dismounted and came before the group of officials.

"Gentlemen, there is no need for such formalities. I have been stationed in Japan for many years and have not returned home for a long time. I did not expect to disturb you all."

Wang Zhi returned the greeting.

"What are you saying, sir? Your honorable return to your hometown is a great honor, and we are here to welcome you with open arms. We have prepared a banquet to welcome you back and wash away the dust of your journey."

"That's what the prefect of Huizhou said."

"Then it's better to be respectful than to obey."

Wang Zhi had never felt so wonderful. He never imagined that one day these officials from Huizhou would host a welcome banquet for him. In the capital, when facing Jiajing and Zhou Chu, Wang Zhi had not directly felt the benefits that power brought him, but now he felt it completely.

This was also the result Jiajing wanted. Jiajing wanted Wang Zhi to become addicted to the feeling that power brought him. Jiajing wanted Wang Zhi to understand that only by serving as an official in the Ming Dynasty could he have this feeling. What difference would it make if he became king in Japan? No one in Japan knew Wang Zhi, there were no fellow countrymen of his, and no officials of the Ming Dynasty. Even if he became king, the experience would be completely different.

The common people who were blocked outside by the government officials and the Imperial Guards were all talking about Wang Zhi's grand entourage.

"Who is this? Such a grand display. I don't recognize any of these officials. I only recognize the county magistrate, but even the county magistrate doesn't rank among them."

One of the commoners stared at the scene before him, speechless.

This was the first time he had ever seen such a large scene in a small place like Shexian.

"You wouldn't know this, would you? My cousin works in the county government, and he told me that this is our Ming Dynasty's General Who Suppresses Japanese Pirates, a big shot who guards the East Sea. His hometown is our Shexian County. Let alone the county magistrate, what about the prefect? ​​He still has to bow and scrape."

A young man dressed in fine clothes stood nearby, looking smug.

"A general? Hasn't our Shexian County produced a great figure?"

The people nearby exclaimed in surprise.

"Of course! This general's surname is Wang, and he is from the Wang family of Shexian County, the same Wang family that fell into decline more than ten years ago."

The young man in traditional Chinese clothing continued.

Wang Zhi's identity is no secret. If his identity were kept secret, there would be no such thing as returning home in glory.

"The Wang family? This general wouldn't be named Wang Zhi, would he?"

One of the common people couldn't help but say.

"How dare you! How can you address Lord Wang by his name so casually?"

A nearby clerk, upon hearing this, shouted sternly.

Upon hearing this, the man hurriedly slapped himself several times.

"I was blind and did not recognize your greatness; I know I was wrong."

Seeing that the man was so sensible, the clerk did not pursue the matter further.

"It really is Lord Wang. I know about Lord Wang's story. Back then, the Wang family fell into decline, and Lord Wang was originally betrothed as a child, but the engagement was broken off. Lord Wang's father took him and went far away, and they were never heard from again. I never thought that more than ten years would pass, and the child from back then would become such a high-ranking official."

Seeing the inquisitive looks in the eyes of the others around him, he couldn't help but speak.

"I don't know who's blind enough to dare to break off the engagement with the Wang family."

Upon hearing this, some of the surrounding people gloated.

Everyone knew that this family was in trouble. Even if Wang Zhi didn't hold it against them, the officials below him wouldn't let them off the hook just to curry favor with him.

This family will likely face many difficulties in Shexian County from now on.

"Now that Lord Wang has achieved great success and returned to his hometown in glory, his family would probably be kicking themselves if they knew."

said another.