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

Chapter 529

While it cannot be said with absolute certainty that Genghis Khan was a descendant of Emperor Gaozu of Han, there is a probability of over 99%.

After all, the number of people with the surname Liu before Liu Bang and the number after Liu Bang were completely different.

"His Majesty wishes to reopen the Protectorate of the Western Regions. The territory from Datong to the west and Wuhai to the east is the territory of the Protectorate of the Western Regions. Of course, it will be expanded westward in the future. Dada Buhua, obey my command."

Zhou Chu looked at Dada Buhua and said with a serious expression.

"Your subordinate will obey your orders."

Dada Buhua knelt down directly in front of Zhou Chu, prostrating himself on the ground.

"On behalf of His Majesty, I hereby appoint Dada Buhua as the acting Deputy Protector-General of the Western Regions Protectorate, to jointly govern the Western Regions Protectorate with the Protector-General."

Zhou Chu shouted.

"This humble official thanks you for your guidance, sir."

Dada Buhua's eyes lit up instantly when she heard this.

He was called the Deputy Protector-General of the Western Regions Protectorate, but Dada Buhua understood that he was put in charge of managing the Mongols of the entire grassland. The future Protector-General appointed by the court would mainly be responsible for supervising him and other Han Chinese doing business on the grassland.

This power is considerable; for Dada Buhua, it's like rising to the top in one fell swoop.

"You're only acting now. Whether you can become the deputy protector in the future depends on your performance. If you don't do a good job, there are plenty of people who can."

Zhou Chu looked at Dada Buhua and gave him a warning.

"Rest assured, my lord, I will certainly not disappoint you."

Dada Buhua hurriedly assured him.

After Dada Buhua left, Zhou Chu wrote a secret edict and had it sent to the capital by express courier.

In the capital, the Jiajing Emperor had just finished the palace examination. The top three candidates in this imperial examination were Yao Lai, Wang Jiao, and Xu Jie. As Zhou Chu had predicted, Xu Jie became the third-ranked scholar. Many people in the court were extremely optimistic about Xu Jie, after all, Xu Jie was only in his early twenties at the time and had already achieved the highest rank of third-ranked scholar.

It should be noted that the top three candidates are potential heirs to the throne, and Xu Jie's future prospects are limitless.

For a time, countless high-ranking officials and nobles wanted to recruit Xu Jie as their son-in-law.

The first place in the second division was unexpected; it was Wen Zhengming.

However, although it was unexpected, no one was dissatisfied. After all, Wen Zhengming's name had long been known throughout the Ming Dynasty. Countless scholars who wanted to learn calligraphy had imitated Wen Zhengming's calligraphy. Now, Wen Zhengming was over fifty years old. After so many imperial examinations, he won first place in the second class. Not only was no one dissatisfied, but it also gave other older scholars hope.

"Gentlemen, with Hengqi guarding Datong, we will annihilate all the invading Mongol cavalry, leaving not a single one alive. The grasslands will be free from any threat to our Great Ming for the next twenty years."

In the imperial court, Jiajing spoke loudly.

"Your Majesty, may Heaven bless the Ming Dynasty."

Han Jie stepped forward.

"Yes, Your Majesty, Heaven blesses the Ming Dynasty. Now Your Majesty has recovered Annam and the grasslands. The territory of our Ming Dynasty is about to be restored to its former glory."

Yang Shen couldn't help but flatter Jiajing at this moment.

Both Han Jie and Yang Shen spoke skillfully, both claiming that Heaven had blessed the Ming Dynasty. Yang Shen even attributed all the credit for the recovery of Annam and the grasslands to Jiajing, which seemed to weaken Zhou Chu's achievements but actually protected Zhou Chu in secret.

Everyone understands the principle that merit can overshadow the emperor. Jiajing could give this merit to Zhou Chu, but if his ministers praised Zhou Chu, the emperor would definitely feel uncomfortable.

"Your Majesty, this old minister never expected to live to see such a scene. Your Majesty is surely the restorer of our Great Ming Dynasty. It is truly my good fortune to have met such a wise ruler as Your Majesty."

Xie Qian's flattery was far more direct than Yang Shen's. Yang Shen was more subtle, but Xie Qian, being a seasoned and shrewd man, was incredibly smooth and nauseatingly obsequious in his flattery. He was truly going all out for his son Xie Pi's future.

Even Yang Yiqing couldn't help but turn around and glance at Xie Qian when he heard this, as if he didn't recognize him. The two had served in the same court for decades, and this was the first time Yang Yiqing had seen Xie Qian like this. Xie Qian used to be known for his maturity and prudence.