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

Chapter 569

"Shi Cong, what brings you to me?"

In the Imperial Study, Jiajing was somewhat surprised to see Yang Yiqing. In his memory, this Grand Secretary had been slacking off ever since Chen Wanyan had almost purged his cronies.

He rarely comes to the palace to see me unless there is some important matter that I absolutely must attend.

“Your Majesty, the Vice Minister of Works, Li Zongqi, is my student. In the past two years, he has embezzled a lot of money from the court in the Ministry of Works. He deserves to die. I have often reminded him to curb his greed, but he will not listen. The embezzlement of the people in the Ministry of Works has gone too far. Lord Zhou could not stand it anymore, so he ordered the Northern Garrison to arrest them all.”

Yang Yiqing organized his thoughts and said.

Both were seasoned foxes, and Yang Yiqing knew very well that if he uttered even a single falsehood, his student would be beyond saving.

Once they reached their position, the only way to save Li Zan was to be truly sincere and to evoke even a shred of pity from the emperor for his old age.

When Jiajing heard this, he was stunned.

He hadn't expected Yang Yiqing to be so frank, not hiding anything about Li Zan's crimes. He looked at the old minister in front of him. Yang Yiqing was now over seventy years old, and in recent years he had done his best for the court and for the Ming Dynasty.

During the two years that Zhou Chu was not in the capital, Jiajing was actually keeping a close eye on Yang Yiqing. If Yang Yiqing did not behave himself, Jiajing would suppress him immediately.

But Yang Yiqing seemed to have resigned himself to his fate, and did not make any inappropriate moves in the past two years.

At this moment, Yang Yiqing said these words, ostensibly to denounce Li Zan's crimes, but in reality, he was there to plead for a way out for his student.

Looking at the old minister before him, Jiajing knew that if Yang Yiqing continued to be greedy and engage in factional strife in recent years, Jiajing would reject him without hesitation.

Unfortunately, this old minister was truly devoted to himself and the court, and even contributed greatly to the Mao Ji case. Now, few of Yang Yiqing's original students remain in the court, and Li Zan is one of them.

Perhaps it was for this reason that Yang Yiqing was determined to save Li Zan even though he ignored her advice.

The older people get, the more they cherish old feelings and the people they used to know.

"I understand. For your sake, Shi Cong, I will have Heng Qi deal with Li Zongqi leniently. However, the money he embezzled must be handed over."

In the end, Jiajing could not bear to refuse Yang Yiqing.

Upon hearing this, Yang Yiqing immediately tried to kneel down to express his gratitude to the Emperor, but at Jiajing's signal, Huang Jin helped him up.

"You're already so old, there's no need for these formalities. You've had a tough life."

Jiajing sighed.

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty."

Yang Yiqing said with a face full of emotion.

Zhou Chu was reading at home when Huang Jin suddenly arrived, which surprised Zhou Chu.

"Lord Zhou, this is His Majesty's oral decree."

Huang Jin said after seeing Zhou Chu.

"Your subject Zhou Chu receives the imperial decree."

Zhou Chu bowed and said.

"Yang Yingning came to me for help. Li Zongqi is one of his few remaining students. Yang Yingning is old, and I can't refuse him. You should treat Li Zongqi leniently, but he must return every penny of the money he embezzled."

Huang Jin imitated Jiajing's tone as he spoke.

"I accept the decree."

Zhou Chu said.

Huang Jin then returned to his original appearance, his face full of smiles.

"Lord Zhou, these are all fine things sent from Southeast Asia and the West. His Majesty didn't reward you properly before."

After Huang Jin finished speaking, the group of people behind him put down the boxes they were carrying.

Zhou Chu knew without even looking at the boxes that they contained some exotic items from Southeast Asia and Europe.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward."

As Zhou Chu spoke, he opened the box, casually took out one of the agate pieces, and placed it in Huang Jin's hand.