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

Chapter 146

When Yan Song arrived at the Zhou residence, he was greeted by Chunlan.

"Please wait a moment, sir. My young master has other guests at the moment."

As Chunlan spoke, she had someone bring tea and fruit to Yan Song. Upon hearing this, Yan Song was not in a hurry at all, and waited while drinking his tea.

At that moment, Han Jie was in the study next door.

"I wonder why Lord Zhou has summoned me here?"

Han Jie sipped his tea and smiled.

"It takes real courage for Lord Han to come to my residence at this time."

Zhou Chu did not answer his question, but said something intriguing.

"What are you saying, Lord Zhou? How could I be the kind of person who flatters the powerful and belittles the weak? I have wasted half my life, only regretting that the officials of the Ming Dynasty do not think of serving the country. I alone am naturally unable to make any achievements. Now that there are Lord Zhou and His Majesty, I will naturally live up to this official robe."

Han Jie said with a serious expression.

Zhou Chu smiled when he heard this. He didn't take Han Jie's words completely seriously, but whether they were true or not didn't matter. To judge a person, one should observe their actions rather than listen to their words. As long as Han Jie's actions were loyal to the emperor and patriotic, then he was naturally a loyal and patriotic person.

As the saying goes, one should judge by actions, not intentions, because no one is perfect when it comes to intentions.

"I won't be in this position for long. If anything happens to me, I hope Lord Han will stand on His Majesty's side."

Zhou Chu looked at Han Jie and said expressionlessly.

Han Jie was shocked when he heard this. Although he had expected it, he did not expect it to happen so quickly. The commander in front of him had only been in the position for less than a month, but he had done things that other commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard could not do in ten years.

Han Jie pondered for a moment before finally giving his opinion.

"Commander, rest assured, I will stand by His Majesty no matter what. If I wanted to take sides, I would have done so long ago. Why wait until today?"

Zhou Chu remained noncommittal upon hearing this.

"If you have any questions, you can go to Master Baoyi Shouzheng. He is currently in the palace and will remain in the capital in the future."

Upon hearing this, Han Jie immediately perked up and sat up straight.

"When did my great-uncle arrive in the capital?"

Han Jie held his great-uncle in the highest esteem, but Fei Xiazi was always traveling the world, and Han Jie had sent people to deliver messages to him countless times, but to no avail.

Unexpectedly, the first person to know about his great-uncle's arrival in the capital was Zhou Chu. This made Han Jie feel somewhat sad, but at the same time, he was extremely excited. As the saying goes, "An elder in the family is a treasure." With his great-uncle's level of understanding and knowledge, it was always right to consult him when he was unsure about something.

Moreover, during the Zhengde era, the grand-uncle's status was already quite extraordinary, and it certainly wouldn't be any worse now. With the grand-uncle around, the Han family would also benefit from his status.

"Thank you for your guidance, Lord Zhou."

Han Jie rose and bowed, a bow that was sincere.

Zhou Chu held Han Jie's elbow and smiled.

"If Lord Han can serve the country and its people, then all that I have done will not have been in vain."

Han Jie was deeply moved upon hearing this, thinking to himself, "Among all the officials in the court, who can compare to the young man before me?"

"Please wait a moment, Lord Han. I have another guest."

Zhou Chu stood up and bowed.

"It's time for Mr. Han to take his leave."

Upon hearing this, Han Jie immediately got up to take his leave.

"Chunlan, see Lord Han off."

Zhou Chu greeted Chunlan outside the door.

After saying this, Zhou Chu went to the main hall next door and met Yan Song, who was waiting there.

"I've kept Lord Yan waiting."

Zhou Chu smiled.

Yan Song perked up immediately upon seeing Zhou Chu.

"Lord Zhou, you are too kind. I am also new here."

Yan Song also smiled broadly.

At this moment, Yan Song made no mention of his previous relationship with Zhou Chu. In terms of both official position and real power, Zhou Chu completely overwhelmed Yan Song. Although Zhou Chu was only fifteen years old, Yan Song dared not underestimate the young man in front of him.

Recalling past relationships is something only superiors can mention. If a subordinate brings it up, it's considered taboo, especially since the superior's status was vastly different then, making it even more inappropriate to bring it up.

Many people dislike bringing up their unpleasant past, unless it's someone in a position of power who actively recalls their past struggles.

During his year or so in the capital, Yan Song's political acumen improved significantly, and he naturally knew what should and shouldn't be mentioned.

"May I ask what brings Mr. Jiexi here?"

Zhou Chu sat down, took an empty cup, and poured himself a cup of tea.

Upon hearing this, Yan Song immediately realized that the real show was about to begin.

"All the officials in the court are impeaching Lord Zhou. I really can't stand it. Of all these officials, how many of them truly care about the court and the people of the Ming Dynasty? Only Lord Zhou! I admire what Lord Zhou has done these past few days. These are things I want to do but dare not."

Yan Song showered Zhou Chu with compliments.

Yan Song would never have said such flattery to any other fifteen-year-old boy; he wasn't thick-skinned enough yet. But Zhou Chu was different. What Yan Song said was the truth and came from the bottom of his heart, since Zhou Chu's actions were obvious to all.

The highest level of flattery is to say these things from the bottom of your heart; only then will your superiors feel like they're basking in a spring breeze.

Even Yan Song was very careful in his posture in front of Zhou Chu. From the moment Zhou Chu entered the room, he only sat on one side of his buttocks.

Zhou Chu had naturally seen Yan Song's actions. He hadn't expected that Yan Song would change so much in the past year or so. But this was inevitable. The officialdom was a big melting pot, and as long as one's mind wavered slightly, one would quickly fall.

Zhou Chu didn't bother to criticize him, after all, everyone has their own path, and at this time, Yan Song still had great value to both himself and the emperor.

"Mr. Jiexi, you flatter me."

Zhou Chu took a sip of tea and didn't respond to his words.

However, while Zhou Chu didn't respond, Yan Song was adept at finding topics to talk about.

"In previous court assemblies, I have wanted to stand up and speak up for you, but I am of low status and my words are not of much use."

Yan Song's words could no longer be considered a hint; they were practically an explicit statement.

"There is something that needs Mr. Jiexi to do, but I don't know if you have the courage."

Zhou Chu twirled the teacup in his hand, speaking with great interest.

Yan Song's eyes lit up when he heard this. What had he come to Zhou Chu's house for? Wasn't it for this? If he was afraid of making things difficult or offending people, he wouldn't have come today. Making things difficult meant having an opportunity.

"My lord, just give the order, and I will go through fire and water to relieve Your Majesty and my lord's worries and troubles."

Yan Song immediately stood up and bowed.

"I wonder if Mr. Jiexi can handle the task of reducing redundant officials for the imperial court?"

Zhou Chu looked at Yan Song and said.

Upon hearing this, Yan Song felt a chill run down his spine.

The elimination of redundant officials was something that Emperor Zhengde, Emperor Xiaozong, and Emperor Chenghua had all wanted to do for a long time.

However, too many people were involved. The officials of the Ming Dynasty were already intricately intertwined, forming a vast network where a single move could have far-reaching consequences.

Everyone knows that many officials in the Ming Dynasty are drawing salaries without working, and many departments and positions were created due to special needs or periods, and are now useless and should have been abolished long ago. If the redundant officials in the Ming Dynasty could be eliminated, the Ming Dynasty's fiscal expenditure would be greatly reduced.

However, the officials of the Ming Dynasty were not like the eunuchs of the Western Depot. The eunuchs of the Western Depot were completely obedient to the emperor, and Emperor Chenghua abolished the Western Depot with just a word.

Yan Song never expected that Zhou Chu had asked him to do this. If he accepted, he would offend a lot of people.

"Can't Mr. Jiexi do it?"

Zhou Chu pressed for an answer.

Yan Song took a deep breath upon hearing this.

"This humble official is willing to give it a try."