Chapter 1640: Chapter 1640: A Calm Mind
Zhulan quickly browsed through the letter, written by her third son, “Ming Teng is very popular in Ningzhou.”
Old Zhou, “Huh?”
“See for yourself.”
Old Zhou took the letter and flipped through it, concerned, “Mom, Ming Teng wouldn’t come back with a marriage proposal, would he?”
Zhulan sipping tea, “No, Ming Teng is very shrewd!”
She had confidence in the children she taught, truly her stories were not told in vain.
Old Zhou put down the letter, “From the letter, being the prefectural magistrate of Ningzhou isn’t easy for the third one.”
If truly afraid of the third one, they wouldn’t keep scheming against his son.
Zhulan put down her teacup, “The Emperor is far, which is one reason; the second is that the power center of Marquis Zhou’s residence is in the capital. For the noble families of Ningzhou, Marquis Zhou’s residence represents interests.”
But they are not too afraid of Marquis Zhou’s residence; Zhou Shuren’s good reputation is related. As long as major mistakes are not made, Marquis Zhou’s residence cannot go too far.
Old Zhou displeased, “So they’ll let Ming Teng be schemed against?”
Zhulan was not worried, “With your third brother around, Ming Teng will not suffer losses.”
Old Zhou felt relaxed, “Ah, still the son is useless, can’t help the third one.”
Zhulan, “Everyone says Ming Teng wins without effort, you are the real winner in life.”
Above is the father’s support, below are several good sons, plus gained a marquis title, tut tut, as a mother, she was truly envious!
In the evening, Zhou Shuren returned somewhat late, Zhulan asked concernedly, “Is the confiscation over?”
Zhou Shuren appeared exhausted, calculating account books all day today, thinking about the books his face grew darker, “Not finished, continuing the confiscation overnight.”
Zhulan, “… How much was embezzled?”
Zhou Shuren changed clothes and slapped the table, “A Navy general of fifth rank, guess how much Silver was embezzled?”
Zhulan understood her husband, the amount must be huge, “Tens of thousands of taels?”
Zhou Shuren hummed, “Found account books during confiscation today, this fifth-rank general embezzled eighteen thousand taels, countless antiques and calligraphy, without finding the account books, unable to discover hidden silver coins.”
Zhulan, “…”
No wonder corrupt officials can’t be eradicated; wealth moves human hearts, even listening to it was tempting.
Zhou Shuren, looking at account books, was infuriated, “I tirelessly compile Silver for the national treasury, ha, these corrupt officials have it easy.”
Zhulan gently replied, “Now it all belongs to you.”
Zhou Shuren’s face improved, “Can accomplish many things.”
Zhulan, “The Emperor must be furious.”
Zhou Shuren nodded, “Corruption always exists, the Emperor is not angry about corruption, the Emperor is furious about the Navy being corroded. You also know the investments the Retired Emperor and the Emperor put into the Navy. This time, it’s time for a cleanup.”
Zhulan, “It should have been cleaned up long ago, need to cut a few knives well.”
Talking with his wife after returning, Zhou Shuren’s annoyance dissipated considerably, “Let’s not mention them, let’s eat.”
The dishes were served, Zhulan said, “Fourth Uncle’s health has deteriorated, won’t live long.”
Zhou Shuren’s chopsticks froze, “How has his health suddenly declined?”
Zhulan repeated the Imperial Physician’s words, “Fourth Uncle’s age speaks for itself.”
Zhou Shuren felt bitter, “I’ll go see Fourth Uncle later.”
“It’s the right thing to do, the old man will be happy to see you.”
Zhou Shuren originally had no appetite, ate little, waiting for his wife to finish, then went together to see Fourth Uncle.
Rong Yushang happened to be eating, seeing Zhulan and her husband, he was indeed happy, “Why come at this hour?”
Zhou Shuren sat, “Why hide your unwell health?”
Rong Yushang, “Though unwilling, one must experience birth, aging, illness, and death, don’t be sad.”
Zhou Shuren showed respect to this elder, feeling bad inside, “You must take good care of your health. When I’m not busy, I’ll take you around.”
Rong Yushang chuckled, “Even going around can’t leave the capital, forget it, I went to all the places I should have when young. When not busy, just chat with me often.”
Zhou Shuren, “Alright.”
Rong Yushang, “You also take care of yourself.”
Zhou Shuren touched his face, “Is it obvious?”
“Obvious, your face is filled with exhaustion.”
Zhou Shuren indeed tired, seeing the old man still in good spirits, chatted a bit more then returned to rest.
Next day, Zhou Shuren left court, returning to the Ministry of Revenue with the Crown Prince, spotted Zhuo Guyu waiting at the government office, took a sidelong look at the Crown Prince.
Crown Prince raised an eyebrow, “Mr. Zhuo waiting for me?”
Zhuo Guyu ran errands for the Crown Prince all day yesterday, waited for him at the Ministry of Revenue, Crown Prince had long returned to the palace, leaving him frustrated, so today purposefully waited at the government office, “Yes.”
More words lead to more mistakes, better to respond simply.
Crown Prince said, “Confiscation didn’t stop overnight, Mr. Zhuo look again would you?”
Zhuo Guyu knew the Crown Prince was intentional, just not knowing whether it’s testing or for Marquis Zhou’s sake, remained composed, “Yes, I will go there now.”
Crown Prince waved entering the government office, Zhou Shuren thought, Crown Prince deliberate, “Crown Prince doesn’t like him?”
Crown Prince, “I do.”
Who doesn’t like obedient ones, just wanting to polish Zhuo Guyu a bit.
Zhou Shuren smiled, “If Crown Prince doesn’t understand anything, Mr. Zhang unable to answer, may gather and ask this old minister.”
Crown Prince laughed, “Mr. Zhang is very capable.”
Zhou Shuren thought, Zhang Jinghong also had contended as a Prince.
On the street, Gu Sheng had gotten up somewhat late today, rushed a painting last night, while thinking about the painting, the carriage stopped, “What’s wrong?”
The coachman said, “Master, someone stopped the carriage.”
Gu Sheng’s carriage wasn’t big, a simple single-person carriage, looked outside, saw Mr. Du and Ji Deming together, Gu Sheng somewhat worried about Mr. Du, Mr. Du was the Third Prince’s cousin, even if transparent, still a Prince.
Ji Deming, “Morning, I heard Zhuo Guyu is following the Crown Prince.”
Gu Sheng looked at Mr. Du, “I’m in a hurry.”
Ji Deming, “Zhuo Guyu got a task, still following the Crown Prince, do you have more news?”
Gu Sheng didn’t respond, someone else did for him, “Mr. Ji wants to know, why not ask the person involved?”
Ji Deming scratched his head, saw Zhuo Guyu’s carriage stop, became awkward, “Mr. Zhuo.”
Zhuo Guyu glanced at Gu Sheng, “I have business, I’ll go first.”
Mr. Du saw it wasn’t in the direction of the Hanlin Academy, squinting, signaled Ji Deming to leave.
Ji Deming looked again at Gu Sheng, Gu Sheng’s carriage still left, Ji Deming couldn’t help but say, “News was given to Zhuo Guyu, yet no news at all?”
Mr. Du sneered, “I said it wasn’t a test, Marquis Zhou wouldn’t choose a poor scholar as the Magistrate Anhe’s husband.”
Ji Deming’s smile grew slightly rigid, he still felt Gu Sheng was too familiar with Marquis Zhou.
At Hanlin Academy, upon entering, Gu Sheng saw Mr. Zhou, “Why didn’t you go in?”
Chang Zhi whispered, “I believe staying calm is important, don’t you think?”
Gu Sheng felt a stir, before understanding it, Mr. Zhou had already entered Hanlin Academy.
Chang Zhi mentally repeated, it’s all for his daughter, for his daughter.