CHAPTER 1777: CHAPTER 1777: ZIYU

During dinner in the evening, Zhulan suddenly remembered what she had forgotten, and asked Rongchuan, "Has Lu Jia Qing not returned yet?"

That child left on horseback, he should have returned by now given his speed.

Rongchuan replied, "He sent a message saying something came up and he was delayed, so it will still be some time before he returns."

Xue Han chimed in, "Mother, has Fourth Brother sent any messages recently?"

Zhulan gave some food to Xiaxia with the communal chopsticks and said, "A few days ago, he sent a letter back. He’s in Chuanzhou City and intends to go to Lizhou City before detouring back to Chuanzhou for the Qiu Wei."

Xue Han asked, "Is Fourth Brother going to visit our uncles?"

"Yes, it’s rare that he’s nearby, so he should visit, or else he won’t have time once he’s busy again."

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard and added, "I wrote to your cousin Wu Chun, asking him to select some skilled retired soldiers from the barracks so Fourth Brother can bring them back."

The children have grown, and the guards we have are not enough. Looking at it this way, we’ve already hired quite a few people in the Hou Residence. All of this costs silver, and it’s not something we can save on!

Rongchuan offered, "Father, if you need guards, just let me know. I can find some who are even more skilled for you."

Zhou Shuren waved his hand, "The ones you find won’t have trouble finding work, but Wu Chun’s selected soldiers need opportunities, and the Hou Residence is a good opportunity for them."

Moreover, Wu Chun will choose those with clear backgrounds, which can’t be guaranteed in the capital.

In Chuanzhou City, Chang Zhi and Qianjiang were enjoying a drink in a tavern. The two didn’t enter a private room; Qianjiang said wistfully, "It’s really hard to get Brother Zhou to come out for a drink."

Chang Zhi explained, "I’m getting ready for the Qiu Wei."

He didn’t say he was going to take the exam, but he was telling the truth, not lying.

Qianjiang squinted his eyes, "Brother Zhou, aren’t you about to set off?"

Chang Zhi curled his lips, "Yes, I am indeed about to set off."

Qianjiang took a sip of his drink, "The capital is a mix of good and bad; here’s wishing Brother Zhou success in all your endeavors."

Chang Zhi raised his glass, "Thank you for your kind words, Brother Qian."

Chang Zhi and Qianjiang were acquaintances, always using the name Ziyu, so Qianjiang didn’t know his real name.

Qianjiang wanted to say more, but in the end he sighed, understanding everyone has their own ambitions. Considering that the capital is under the Emperor’s feet, it could never be as chaotic as Chuanzhou.

Chang Zhi suddenly looked down, and after careful recognition, he confirmed he was not mistaken. The young man who entered was Lu Jia Qing. The child sat in a corner, exuding a chill that could freeze someone to death.

Chang Zhi hadn’t received any letters from home. Since he left the capital, he was the one writing letters back. How did Lu Jia Qing end up in Chuanzhou?

Qianjiang called out again, "Brother Zhou."

Chang Zhi came back to his senses, "I got a little distracted just now. What were you saying, Brother Qian?"

Qianjiang said, "I said I have to visit my maternal grandfather, so I can’t see you off, Brother Zhou."

Chang Zhi replied, "Okay."

Then the two chatted about other topics. When Chang Zhi went downstairs, he couldn’t help but glance at Lu Jia Qing’s table and ended up locking eyes with the child.

Lu Jia Qing paused in the middle of reaching for food. When he left the capital, he still didn’t understand which lord Mrs. Hou was referring to as being in danger. It wasn’t until he heard that Fourth Lord was in charge of the Qiu Wei in Chuanzhou that he realized. So Fourth Lord’s visit to Chuanzhou wasn’t just for the Qiu Wei.

After recalling and pondering, everything became clear. Fourth Lord had been out of the capital for some time. Lu Jia Qing had considered the possibility of encountering him in Chuanzhou, but didn’t expect to meet him just as he was about to leave.

Since Fourth Lord’s intentions in Chuanzhou were not simple, should he still deliver the things he was supposed to? Should he secretly meet Fourth Lord?

Chang Zhi thought Lu Jia Qing would seek him out late at night, but he waited until the wee hours, without even a dog’s bark to be heard. He awoke the next morning with dark circles, clearly having not slept.

Ding Jue noticed this, "Sir, did you not sleep well?"

Chang Zhi ground his teeth, "Hmm."

Ding Jue, "..."

So it wasn’t lack of sleep; someone must have angered him.

Outside Chuanzhou City, Lu Jia Qing patted the things in his arms. After much thought, he decided it was best not to meet, and that giving them to Prince Qin would allow the Emperor to see them faster. Delivering them to Fourth Lord would mean more waiting, so he resolved to sleep well before setting off back to the capital.

A couple of days later, Zhou Shuren was meticulously calculating to free up enough silver coins to set up a pharmaceutical factory. Just as he was midway through, a shadow blocked his light, causing him to look up in silence.

The Emperor squinted, "Tell me, how much more wealth have you tucked away, your Excellency?"

Zhou Shuren replied, "Emperor, are you trying to scare me to death? People can be frightened to death, you know?"

The Emperor thought to himself that Zhou Shuren was rather bold, pointing to the list on the table, "First, explain this?"

Zhou Shuren wasn’t the least bit guilty, "The title deeds to the estates are indeed gone, and the list records some investment-grade antiques."

During times of chaos, gold is treasured; in prosperous times, antiques are. With stable national conditions and rapid economic development, the appreciation potential of antiques is good.

The Emperor thought, this old man is really good at hiding things. He couldn’t possibly compare each item to the registry; he believed Marquis Zhou would not be corrupt. Yet the old man clearly had assets, but every time he made a proposal, Zhou Shuren would claim no funds!

Zhou Shuren felt his luck was terrible today; these were his last hidden assets. "Truly, there’s no more."

The Emperor’s tone was skeptical, "Really?"

"Absolutely, more than the sun rises in the east. In my dreams, I’m calculating the national treasury’s silver; my heart is bitter. I can only create greater value on a limited basis. Do you think it’s easy for me?"

The Emperor coughed, "I know you’ve worked hard."

Zhou Shuren picked up the accounts book, "I am stingy, but I haven’t shortchanged a single coin of what needs to be given. Setting up a pharmaceutical factory in the Medical Department is a matter of national importance. After you, the Emperor, mentioned it, I’ve been calculating the silver every day. I even brought out my deepest reserves. Look at the half-completed calculations on the abacus!"

Bah, everyone thinks it’s easy for him. Without him trading silver coins, ha, the Emperor’s many policies would be nothing but dreams!

The Emperor was really afraid that Marquis Zhou would abdicate everything and retire, "I’ve watched you for a while and acknowledge your hard work."

Zhou Shuren was satisfied, as he just wanted the Emperor to understand his difficulties, not thinking him to be omnipotent like a deity, "Does the Emperor want to see the list? It can be at market price."

The Emperor, "..."

No, the treasures within the palace are countless; he truly doesn’t care for these!

Zhou Shuren continued, "The Emperor sought me for an important matter?"

The Emperor was in a bad mood, "I want to visit the royal manor. Last time I said I’d invite you along, so I came to the Ministry of Revenue to ask if you’d join me."

Zhou Shuren wasn’t in the mood to calculate accounts anymore; he too wanted to get out and stretch, "Emperor, wait for me."

As he spoke, Zhou Shuren noted down the calculations on the abacus and then marked the list. Only then did he get up to change into casual attire.

When the Emperor waited for Zhou Shuren to leave, he picked up the recorded book and idly fiddled with the abacus in thought. The Emperor also felt troubled; both he and his father had been spoiled by Marquis Zhou’s efficiency. With Zhou overseeing the Ministry of Revenue, he had nothing to worry about; financial matters never bothered him.

He also realized Marquis Zhou was aging and would eventually undertake the education of the Imperial Grandson. But whom to put in charge of the Ministry of Revenue?

The Emperor had considered others before, but after comparing with Marquis Zhou, the Emperor wished that Zhou Shuren could live to a ripe old age.

Zhou Shuren came out in casual attire only to find the Emperor browsing through the ledgers on the shelf. The shelves were neatly categorized and all of them were Zhou Shuren’s records.