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

Chapter 624

Meng Ji jogged all the way to his doorstep, afraid of neglecting Zhou Chu.

"This humble official greets Your Excellency."

Meng Ji approached Zhou Chu and bowed respectfully.

By this time, Zhou Chu had already dismounted and handed the horse over to the people of the Meng family.

"Lord Meng, there's no need for such formalities. I've come here on His Majesty's orders. His Majesty has sent me to help you with your funeral arrangements, and these are gifts from His Majesty."

Zhou Chu pointed to the boxes of money being carried off the carriage behind him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."

Meng Ji knelt down directly in the tunnel.

Zhou Chu was essentially conveying the emperor's decree, so Meng Ji naturally had to kneel and thank him.

"Lord Meng, please rise. His Majesty has instructed me to handle your affairs after your death. If there is anything you are worried about, or any regrets you may have, you can tell me. You know that even if you don't say anything, I can still find out."

Zhou Chu helped Meng Ji up and said.

Upon hearing this, Meng Ji looked troubled, as if hesitating whether to speak or not.

"Lord Zhou, please come in. Don't stand there and talk."

Meng Ji invited Zhou Chu directly into the living room in the backyard.

As Zhou Chu walked through the Meng residence, he noticed that everyone, from servants to others, looked sorrowful, especially Meng Ji's wife and children, who were silently wiping away tears.

Zhou Chu knew, of course, why they were crying. After all, Meng Ji's trip to the Yarkand Khanate was a one-way trip.

"Does Lord Meng have any unspeakable difficulties? Just tell me, and I will certainly handle it properly for you."

Zhou Chu noticed Meng Ji's hesitation and said...

Upon hearing this, Meng Ji stood up and solemnly bowed to Zhou Chu.

"Lord Zhou, to be honest, I have a moral failing. Years ago, before my wedding, I had a secret engagement with a woman, but I couldn't go against my parents' wishes and married my current wife. We are a loving couple, but that woman gave birth to a son for me. I feel guilty towards my wife, so I have been raising them outside all these years. I owe them too much, and I can't sleep at night whenever I think about it."

Meng Ji said with a face full of guilt.

"This is nothing serious. You and this woman made a secret engagement, and I know about it. I'll make a trip there later. How old is your son?"

Zhou Chu asked.

"My son is now fifteen years old."

Meng Ji dared not hide anything and told the truth.

"Fifteen years old, that's a very suitable age. I'll find him a sinecure in the Southern Garrison Command. He won't become rich and powerful, but he'll be set for life. Are you satisfied with this arrangement, Lord Meng?"

Zhou Chu looked at Meng Ji and asked.

"Thank you very much, sir. I am deeply grateful."

Upon hearing this, Meng Ji was filled with excitement.

Meng Ji knew very well that after his death, the court would grant his eldest son a high official rank and title, and even his second son would inherit a large share of the family property, ensuring a life of comfort and security.

His biggest worry was his adopted son, who was raised outside the marriage. Without his protection, the mother and son would likely struggle to survive. Moreover, Meng Ji knew that his wife had always been aware of the existence of this mistress, but had simply chosen to turn a blind eye. After his death, Meng Ji didn't know what his wife's attitude towards them would be, and he dared not gamble.

“Lord Meng, what are you saying? You have been willing to die for our Great Ming. If I cannot resolve such a small matter for you, I would be ashamed before the Emperor and Lord Meng.”

Zhou Chu waved his hand and said.

"Does Lord Meng have any other worries? I will take care of them all."

Zhou Chu looked at Meng Ji and pressed for an answer.

"Apart from them, mother and son, I have no other worries."

Meng Ji shook his head.

"In that case, I shall take my leave. There is not much time left, Lord Meng. Please spend some quality time with your family."

Zhou Chu bowed and said.

After the officials were sentenced at the court meeting, Lu Wanshan led the people of the Northern Garrison to begin confiscating their homes.

It must be said that these officials, who have embezzled salt transport revenue for so many years, are all incredibly wealthy.

More than thirty officials were arrested, and each family had at least 500,000 to 600,000 taels of silver confiscated, along with countless copper coins. This was only their assets in the capital; their assets back home would have been even greater.

Zhou Chu would naturally not let these people's hometowns go unpunished; he would make them return the government's assets they had embezzled.

When Lu Wanshan handed over the confessions of these people to Zhou Chu, Zhou Chu sent a secret letter to Yangzhou Prefecture and Yan Song, asking them to work together to control all the relevant personnel of the Salt Gang, so as to prevent these people from getting wind of the situation and running away.

As the de facto head of Jiangnan Province, Yan Song had no worries about Yangzhou, which, although under the jurisdiction of Southern Zhili, was very close to Suzhou. With Zhou Chu's secret letter, Yan Song acted without hesitation, directly leading his troops to surround the stronghold of the Yangzhou salt gang, and then sending the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) of Yangzhou Prefecture to arrest people.

Zhou Chu knew very well that these officials were only embezzling a small portion of the profits; the real big profits were all going to the salt gangs.

After confiscating all these people's homes, the Ming Dynasty's national treasury and Jiajing's private funds received a considerable sum of money, and Zhou Chu also took some of it.

It can be said that everyone is happy.

After dealing with these matters, Zhou Chu arrived at the door of a secluded house in the capital and knocked on the door.

"Who?"

A woman's voice came from inside.

"Lord Meng sent me."

Zhou Chu shouted.

"Qingyuan, go open the door."

The woman's voice rang out again.

Soon, the door was opened, and a boy who looked about fifteen or sixteen years old peeked out at Zhou Chu.

"Who are you?"

The boy looked at Zhou Chu and asked in confusion.