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

Chapter 175

"Lord Yan, there's no need to worry. I have a plan for the dam. I'll build an unbreakable, century-old project for you."

As Zhou Chu spoke, he picked up a piece of charcoal and put it into the brazier.

Yan Song was overjoyed upon hearing this. He had never doubted Zhou Chu's words. This young man never made promises lightly, and once he did, he never failed to keep them.

"In that case, I thank Lord Zhou."

Yan Song said with a hint of flattery.

The scene was rather comical. Yan Song and Zhang Cong, one a third-rank vice minister and the other a fourth-rank prefect, addressed each other as "your subordinate" to a mere centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, their words filled with flattery.

However, none of the three people present felt that there was anything wrong with it.

"Why is Xia Gongjin so well-behaved?"

Zhou Chu looked at Zhang Cong and said.

"He may want to cause trouble, but I've been keeping a close eye on him, so it won't be so easy for him to do whatever he wants."

Zhang Cong sneered.

"This humble official is willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty and Your Excellency. As long as this humble official is here, I will not allow Xia Yan to harm Your Excellency."

Zhang Cong flattered him.

Zhou Chu smiled when he heard this.

"Both Lord Zhang and Lord Yan are men of great talent for governing the country, and their future is limitless."

Yan Song and Zhang Cong's eyes lit up when they heard this. What were they here for? Ostensibly, it was to discuss official business, but in reality, they were both thinking about how to flatter Zhou Chu.

Both of them knew that although Zhou Chu was only a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, his importance in the Emperor's heart was unparalleled.

Without reading a single word from Zhou Chu, was Yan Song transferred to the position of prefect of Suzhou simply because of the reduction of redundant staff?

The Jiajing Emperor sent Yan Song to Suzhou Prefecture to help Zhou Chu, a fact that both Zhang Cong and Yan Song clearly understood.

On the other side, Ouyang Bijin's delegation, after nearly two months of arduous travel, finally arrived at the capital of Annam.

At this time, Annam was ruled by the Le Dynasty. However, the situation in the Le Dynasty was somewhat strange. The powerful minister, Mo Dengyong, had almost completely sidelined the Le Dynasty's emperor, Le Cong Hoang. All that was needed was an opportunity for Le Cong Hoang to abdicate.

However, this opportunity was not easy to come by. Even Mo Dengyong dared not defy public opinion and forcibly seize the throne. He could only wait for the right moment to act.

Regardless of the political situation in the Le Dynasty, Mo Dengyong and Le Conghuang were surprisingly in agreement regarding the Ming delegation led by Ouyang Bijin. The entire court was mobilized to welcome the Ming delegation, as they did not want to give the Ming Dynasty any excuse to send troops.

“The Ming Dynasty envoy Ouyang Bijin greets the Emperor of the Le Dynasty.”

Ouyang Bijin merely gave a perfunctory bow, his attitude extremely arrogant, clearly showing that he did not take Li Gonghuang and Li Chao seriously.

Even so, despite their anger, none of the officials in the Lê Dynasty came forward to criticize Ouyang Bijin.

No one can bear the responsibility for this.

Moreover, the emperor is now a figurehead, so respect or disrespect is of little significance to them.

Li Gonghuang showed no anger whatsoever, and even approached Ouyang Bijin with a humble demeanor.

The current King Le Cong Hoang is only in his early twenties, yet he has not yet assumed personal rule. The government is completely controlled by Mạc Dăn Dung, which makes King Le Cong Hoang unwilling.

Seeing Ouyang Bijin, Le Cong Huang immediately saw hope. If he could unite with the Ming envoys and capture Mo Dengyong, he would be willing to annex the Le Dynasty into the Ming Dynasty.

"Li Chun has met with the envoy from the superior country. Please accompany me to the palace for a discussion. I have ordered a song and dance performance to be prepared."

Li Chun lowered his head and said meekly.

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Bijin raised an eyebrow, glanced at the somewhat strange situation around him, and realized that his opportunity had arrived.

Before his mission to Annam, Ouyang Bijin had done his homework thoroughly and was well aware of the situation in the Le Dynasty.

Seeing Li Gonghuang's attitude, he instantly understood the thoughts of this powerless emperor. However, Ouyang Bijin understood that if he could see through it, how could Mo Dengyong not? In the end, Li Gonghuang was still a bit naive.

However, for Ouyang Bijin, cooperating with Li Chun was a good option. If it succeeded, all the better. If it failed, and Mo Dengyong turned against him, whether he killed him or imprisoned him, the Ming Dynasty would have a reason to send troops.

Of course, Ouyang Bijin felt he could go even further, such as sleeping with Mo Dengyong's wife.

The thought that the Ouyang family would soon be granted a title because of him filled Ouyang Bijin with immense excitement.