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

Chapter 316

A centurion standing nearby said, completely unconcerned.

"It's best to find out the details first. If we kill someone we shouldn't, it might attract the attention of the capital, and that wouldn't be good."

Hu Duo, the prefect of Datong, said with a smile.

After several prefects of Datong died in succession, the imperial court had no choice but to promote one from among the local officials of Datong. This person was Hu Duo, a notorious smiling tiger.

"Lord Hu is right. It's best to find out the details first. There's no need to rush. Anyway, Datong Prefecture is our territory. They can't cause any trouble."

Lu Ying sneered.

"Send more brothers to investigate further."

Lu Ying looked at the centurion in front of her and said.

"Yes, my lord."

The man accepted the order and left.

As Zhou Chu walked the streets of Datong Prefecture, he was greeted by a scene completely different from the prosperity of the capital and even Suzhou Prefecture. Everywhere there were beggars shivering from the cold, and some had even frozen to death.

"I'll have Yu Hai organize some people to give these people some food later, and I'll pay for it."

Zhou Chu sighed.

Zhou Chu wouldn't do something like that himself. He was unfamiliar with the place and people, and it was not advisable to easily reveal his wealth; it would only attract unwanted attention.

It would be much better to have someone of Yu Hai's status represent the government.

Zhou Chu certainly understood that poverty alleviation only made people poorer, but he had to help these people get through the winter first, and then find a way to make a living for them.

If we can't even survive these two days, what's the point of talking about making a living?

"Yes, my lord."

After saying this, Shen Lian called over a centurion who had been secretly following him and asked him to deliver a message to Yu Hai.

Based on Yu Hai's observations over the past six months, only about half of the Imperial Guards in Datong Prefecture are reliable, about 20% are completely unreliable, and the remaining 30% are in a precarious position and can be won over.

Now that he had learned the basic facts, Zhou Chu no longer cared whether he concealed his identity or not. Since he had already attracted their attention, he had to take drastic measures to subdue them.

As Zhou Chu was walking, a gaunt, middle-aged man ran up in front of him. He wasn't even wearing shoes; his feet were covered in frostbite. Several men with fierce expressions chased after him.

"I'd like to see where you can run to? You'd better come back with me to mine, or I'll kill you right now."

The leader was a fat man with a fierce face, who kept cursing as he chased after them.

As Zhou Chu watched the group catch up to him, he subtly tripped the leader. The man was clearly a fool with an unstable footing and was instantly thrown face-first to the ground.

"You fucking want to die."

After getting up, the man looked at Zhou Chu, and it looked like he was about to make a move.

The Jinyiwei commanders who had been hiding in the shadows all appeared and surrounded them.

Upon seeing this display of force, the man panicked.

"Who exactly are you people? Do you even know who I am?"

The fat man said, his face contorted in a fierce but inwardly cowardly manner.

"I don't know, who are you?"

Zhou Chu looked at the fat man in front of him with great interest.

"I am a member of the Wang family. Let me tell you, if you know what's good for you, kowtow to me and admit your mistake, and this matter will be over. Otherwise, none of you will leave Datong Prefecture."

Although the fat man was surrounded, he was not afraid at all. He was used to being domineering in Datong Prefecture. He had never heard of anyone daring to touch the Wang family in the entire Datong Prefecture.

The Wang family is one of the largest Shanxi merchants in Datong. They own many coal mines and have close ties with the government. In Fatty's opinion, let alone Zhou Chu and these guys with unknown origins, even if it were the former prefect of Datong, so what?

Therefore, he was not afraid at all.

"Wang family?"

Zhou Chu said with some surprise.

"That's right, you're scared?"

The fat man glanced at Zhou Chu sideways and said disdainfully.

"I'm going to beat up the Wang family. Arrest them all."

Zhou Chu sneered.

"You are dead!"

Even after the fat man and the others were restrained, they still couldn't help but shout.

However, he soon stopped making noises because his mouth was gagged. To prevent it from becoming loose, Shen Lian even tied his mouth with strips of cloth.

"My lord, I am late."

At this moment, Yu Hai arrived with a number of Imperial Guards and respectfully greeted Zhou Chu.

"Imprison these people and send someone to notify all officials of Datong Prefecture to come to the military camp to see me."

Zhou Chu already had a plan, so he was too lazy to hide his identity any longer and looked at Yu Haidao.

"Yes, my lord."

Upon hearing this, Yu Hai was filled with excitement. Others might not know, but he used to work under Zhou Chu in Beijing.

He knew very well that the commander was about to make a big move, and someone was going to be in trouble.