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

Chapter 185

He remembered clearly that more than two months ago, a ship of unknown origin entered the sea from the dock in Suzhou Prefecture. Many people did not know whose ship it was, but Zhang Ziyi thought it was very likely Zhou Chu's.

“Where did Zhou Chu get the ship? Don’t push everything onto him. If this matter isn’t handled well, you won’t be able to continue as vice president.”

Cui Wenku looked at Zhang Ziyi expressionlessly.

Although the shipyard that Zhou Chu bought had been greatly expanded, it was still relatively remote. In addition, Zhou Chu's men were constantly on guard around the area, making it impossible for others to get close. Therefore, no one knew exactly what was going on inside.

All they knew was that a large ship had sailed out to sea more than two months ago, but no one knew whose ship it was.

Zhang Ziyi even had someone investigate, but to no avail. In his opinion, the only people in the entire Suzhou Prefecture who could keep it from him, besides Zhou Chu, were these officials.

Seeing Cui Wenkui say this, Zhang Ziyi immediately misunderstood and thought that the ship was Cui's private ship. Once he had this understanding, Zhang Ziyi dared not ask any more questions.

These officials all want to make more money, and it's common for them to occasionally build one or two private boats to go out to sea.

Xia Yan clearly understood the ins and outs of the matter. In fact, his Xia family owned several private boats at sea, so he didn't see anything wrong with what Cui Wenkui said.

After all, who could have imagined that Zhou Chu had arranged for the construction of ships before coming to Jiangnan? Could Zhou Chu have foreseen that he would be demoted?

Several days passed, and Cui Tingting, who was being held in the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) compound, finally realized that things were not as they seemed.

From beginning to end, no one came to rescue them.

"Father, what should we do?"

Cui Tingting said, somewhat devastated.

"What's the rush? No news right now is the best news."

Compared to Cui Tingting, Cui Wenshan was obviously much smarter. He knew very well that for them, no news was the best news. As for him and his daughter, they were just locked up. Before the Cui family rose to prominence, they had endured hardship. Moreover, the Embroidered Uniform Guard wouldn't make things too difficult for them. Although their food wasn't good, it wasn't bad either.

"But when can we get out?"

"I can't breathe," Cui Tingting said anxiously.

"Wait, we'll leave when it's time. We can't cause any more trouble for your second uncle."

Cui Wenshan used to be arrogant, but he still had his own judgment about the situation. He knew very well that the fate of him and his daughter depended on the struggle between his younger brother and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, or more accurately, the struggle between him and that young man.

At this moment, Cui Wenshan finally realized that the young man must have been sent from the capital, and was probably planning to take action against the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce and his younger brother.

Thinking of this, Cui Wenshan couldn't help but sneer, feeling that Zhou Chu was extremely ignorant and arrogant. Let alone a mere child like him, what about Emperor Wuzong Zhu Houzhao back then? Didn't he run into trouble as soon as he investigated Southern Zhili?

Jiangnan is their territory; no one can do anything about it.

These days, Zhou Chu received another piece of good news: the cement ratio has finally yielded preliminary results. It may not be the best ratio yet, but the concrete made from cement, sand, and gravel produced using this ratio is incredibly hard after it solidifies.

With cement, Zhou Chu gained confidence.

Meanwhile, in Annam, Ouyang Bijin was courting disaster, going in and out of the palace every day, seemingly plotting something with Le Cong Huang. In addition, he went to Mo Dengyong's residence and flirted with Mo Dengyong's wife in front of Mo Dengyong.

Mo Dengyong's face turned ashen every time, but Ouyang Bijin was completely oblivious, and his words became increasingly frivolous.

This continued for half a month. Mo Dengyong endured it again and again until he discovered that Ouyang Bijin was sleeping with his wife. He was so enraged that he could no longer hold back. He drew his sword and killed Ouyang Bijin on the spot.