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

Chapter 444

Shen Lian looked at the Jinyiwei centurion, nodded, and didn't say anything more.

Although Shen Lian is only a centurion in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, there is a big difference between centurions. Shen Lian is Zhou Chu's personal bodyguard and confidant, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Whenever Zhou Chu has something to do, the first person he thinks of is Shen Lian.

Although Shen Lian is only a centurion now, in this capital city, even ordinary commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard have to respectfully call him Lord Shen.

Even Lu Wanshan, the commander of the Northern Garrison, had to address Shen Lian as Brother Shen.

Everyone knows that being a centurion is just the beginning for Shen Lian, but for most centurions, they can only ever be a centurion in their entire lives. That's the difference.

However, no one was dissatisfied. The Embroidered Uniform Guard had fought many tough battles with Zhou Chu, and Shen Lian's abilities and martial prowess were evident to all. Even Lu Wanshan greatly admired Zhou Chu's ability to recognize talent, as he had managed to find such a capable person.

Moreover, the fact that Shen Lian was seriously injured and nearly died in battle while protecting Zhou Chu during the assassination attempt was already an open secret within the Embroidered Uniform Guard. As a result, everyone knew that Shen Lian's future was limitless.

Of course, Zhou Chu would not mistreat those centurions who died protecting him. Each of them was given 10,000 taels of silver in his personal name, along with countless silks and other items.

It wasn't that Zhou Chu didn't want to give too much money, but rather that these centurions had all died in battle, and giving them too much money would not be a good thing, but only a disaster.

Zhou Chu exchanged more money for resources, such as silk, and each family received items worth about 100,000 taels of silver.

The sons of these centurions could directly inherit their positions, and Zhou Chu even sent people to their homes to help solve any problems they might have.

Zhou Chu's actions instantly amplified the loyalty of all the Imperial Guards to him and to the Imperial Guard itself. Not a single Imperial Guard felt sorry for the centurions who had died in battle, because as Imperial Guards, they were often in danger, which was a common occurrence.

If their deaths could bring so much, so much to their families, each of them would be willing to die for Zhou Chu.

Shen Lian led Da Zhu all the way to the depths of the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters, to Zhou Chu's government office.

"Master Shen."

Deng Yu saw Shen Lian and bowed respectfully.

Shen Lian nodded and looked at Da Zhu.

“Take him to complete the formalities and start him from the most basic strongman position.”

Upon hearing this, Deng Yu looked at Da Zhu beside him.

"Come with me."

Upon hearing this, Dazhu looked at Shen Lian somewhat nervously. Seeing Shen Lian nod, he then followed Deng Yu outside.

Shen Lian picked up the teacup beside him, poured himself a cup of tea, and savored it slowly.

Shen Lian had just finished two cups of tea when Lu Wanshan rushed in.

"Brother Shen, has the lord returned to the capital?"

Lu Wanshan looked at Shen Lian with a face full of surprise.

Upon hearing this, Shen Lian put down his teacup and nodded.

"Can't you change your impatient habit?"

Shen Lian looked at Lu Wanshan and said.

When facing Lu Wanshan, Shen Lian did not place himself below Lu Wanshan, because Shen Lian was very clear that he represented Lord Zhou. In this Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard), he was an extension of Lord Zhou's power. Although Shen Lian did not care about power, he cared about Zhou Chu's reputation. In Shen Lian's view, Lord Zhou was working for the country and the people, and everything he was doing now was only right and proper.

Upon hearing this, Lu Wanshan was not angry at all; instead, he scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly.

"Brother Shen, please don't make fun of me. I'm a rough man, unlike you, who has been studying since childhood and followed Master Yangming for so long."

Lu Wanshan looked at Shen Lian with some envy. Shen Lian's current appearance was exactly what Lu Wanshan had always dreamed of. He was exceptionally talented and had a famous teacher to guide him. This was something Lu Wanshan could only dream of.

Lu Wanshan's career path is now set, and it would be extremely difficult for him to take another step forward. However, he is well aware that Shen Lian's future achievements will only surpass his own. After he retires, the position of Commander of the Northern Garrison will most likely be given to Shen Lian.

Moreover, Lu Wanshan knew even better that the position of Zhenfu Envoy was not the end for this person; he was likely to become the Jinyiwei Tongzhi in the future.

"The lord has indeed returned to the capital. Although he did not announce it, it was impossible to hide it, nor did he deliberately conceal it."

Shen Lian took another sip of tea.

"That's great. I was terrified when you were attacked, sir. I wanted to rush to Jiangnan to find you, but I couldn't because of official duties."

Lu Wanshan's words were entirely a show of loyalty. He knew very well that in the officialdom, it wasn't enough to just do things; you also had to know how to talk. If you only did things and didn't talk about them, it was uncertain whether others would even notice. If you encountered some unscrupulous superiors, they would pretend not to see them even if they did.

Although Lu Wanshan knew that Zhou Chu was not that kind of person, and that Zhou Chu would definitely see what he had done, he still would not miss any opportunity to curry favor and show his loyalty.

"What's the point of you fawning over me, brother? Wouldn't it be better to just tell the official yourself when you see him later?"

Shen Lian smiled.

Lu Wanshan chuckled upon hearing this.

“Brother, you are mistaken. How could I be trying to curry favor? These words are from the bottom of my heart. At that time, I really wanted to go to Jiangnan to find you, sir.”

Lu Wanshan knew very well that fawning over Shen Lian was the same as fawning over Zhou Chu. There were many things that were inconvenient to say in front of Zhou Chu, as they would seem too mushy, but he didn't have such concerns in front of Shen Lian.

Shen Lian would naturally convey his words to the adults in detail.

Shen Lian shook his head helplessly at Lu Wanshan's cunning.

"However, I have recently heard some rumors that many officials in the capital are trying to curry favor with Mao Ji and Xia Yan. Compared with before, Mao Ji and Xia Yan's power has not only not weakened, but has become stronger. These people have ill intentions. They are currying favor with these two, and since you are blocking their way, they will definitely do something to harm you."

Lu Wanshan said with a serious expression.

Upon hearing this, Shen Lian also stopped joking and nodded.

"The adults know all that you're saying. They're planning how to teach these people a lesson they won't forget, otherwise they'll keep causing trouble."