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

Chapter 194

Upon receiving the news, Zhang Ziyi's expression changed drastically. He never expected that Zhou Chu would so openly come to ask him for money. He knew that he had only written the IOU under Zhou Chu's blackmail.

Zhang Ziyi originally thought that after so much time had passed, Zhou Chu should have forgotten about it, or that he wouldn't dare to ask for it back out of respect for the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce.

He never expected that this Jinyiwei centurion would be so arrogant, bringing people to collect a debt from him.

Upon receiving the news, Zhang Ziyi hurriedly rode his horse home. He wanted to run away, but he knew very well that if he did, his Zhang family would be finished.

Moreover, his assets are all at home. Asking him to abandon his assets and run away is less desirable than simply returning the money.

"Go and inform the officials immediately."

Zhang Ziyi said to the butler beside him.

He knew very well that, let alone suppressing Zhou Chu, he would be considered bold to even stand up straight and speak.

This guy is a real devil. Zhang Ziyi's legs went weak at the thought of facing him alone. The last experience was still fresh in his mind.

But he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go through with it, hoping that the officials would come quickly and speak on his behalf.

With a mix of trepidation and excitement, Zhang Ziyi felt as if he were walking on cotton, light and airy—a feeling he hadn't experienced in many years.

Zhou Chu led three or four hundred Imperial Guards, surrounding the Zhang residence in layers. Everyone inside trembled with fear, not understanding what was happening.

Zhou Chu didn't rush in with his men, but instead stood around and waited for Zhang Ziyi to arrive.

"Lord Zhou, what's going on? Why bring so many people with you all of a sudden?"

Zhang Ziyi looked at Zhou Chu sitting on his horse, his tone weak, as if afraid that if he spoke too forcefully, Zhou Chu would draw his sword and kill him.

"Zhang Toujia, you haven't forgotten something, have you? Or are you just pretending to be confused with me?"

Zhou Chu looked down at Zhang Ziyi and sneered.

Upon hearing Zhou Chu's words, Zhang Ziyi broke out in a cold sweat. He hadn't expected Zhou Chu to be so direct, leaving him no room to maneuver.

"How could I forget, sir? I've just been so busy. I've been keeping this matter in mind the whole time."

Zhang Ziyi smiled apologetically.

He dared not displease Zhou Chu at this moment. He knew very well that it would be easy for Zhou Chu to kill him. He didn't even need to find a reason; there was one readily available. After all, he had led people to besiege the Embroidered Uniform Guard last time. This matter could be big or small. If Zhou Chu really wanted to make an issue of it, he would have no way to deal with it.

"You must be quite busy, esteemed person. Since you're not keeping your promise, don't blame me for being ruthless. It was 20 million strings of cash before, and after all this time, considering the interest, 40 million strings of cash seems reasonable, doesn't it?"

Zhou Chu looked at Zhang Ziyi with a half-smile.

When Zhang Ziyi heard this, he almost cursed inwardly. Wasn't this just extortion?

But at this point he was at a loss, thinking about how to stall until the local officials arrived with their men, which might make things a little better.

“What you say, sir, is absolutely right, absolutely right.”

Zhang Ziyi wiped the sweat from his forehead and said.

At this moment, he couldn't help but recall the massacre at the Suzhou government office that day, and the extermination of the entire family of Prefect Wang Zan. He dared not utter a single defiant word.

Zhou Chu naturally knew what he was planning, and how could he let him succeed so easily?

"In that case, Mr. Zhang, sign and put your fingerprint on it."

As Zhou Chu spoke, he took out a new IOU that he had prepared beforehand and asked Shen Lian to hand it over to Zhang Ziyi.

Zhang Ziyi hadn't expected Zhou Chu to pull such a stunt. Looking at the IOU in his hand, he was momentarily constipated, caught in a dilemma—signing it or not signing it.

If he signs, even if their people come soon, he'll have to pay them back no matter what.

If we don't sign, we probably won't even get to see their people.

Zhang Ziyi had never felt time pass so slowly; every minute and every second was torture for him.

"Does the Zhang family have any complaints?"

When Zhou Chu said this, his tone suddenly became serious, and the Imperial Guards behind him drew their Embroidered Spring Blades in perfect coordination.

Looking at the scene before him, Zhang Ziyi's heart skipped a beat, his legs went weak, and he almost fell, but the butler beside him caught him in time.

"Sir, I'll sign."

Zhang Ziyi took the inkpad from Shen Lian and pressed his fingerprint directly onto the IOU.

Zhou Chu took the IOU and nodded in satisfaction.

"Since that's the case, let's settle accounts with the Zhang family properly."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ziyi broke out in a cold sweat. He looked left and right and finally saw several familiar officials leading a group of clerks rushing over.

"Commander Chen, what are you doing?"

The leader was none other than Zhang Qinshun, the Vice Censor-in-Chief and Governor of Jiangnan Province.

Cui Wenkui was the governor of Jiangnan Province, whose full official title was Governor and Censor-in-Chief of Jiangnan Province. Zhang Qinshun was the second-in-command of the entire Jiangnan Province, holding the official rank of third grade.

Cui Wenkui is not suitable to get involved in this matter. Once Cui Wenkui faces Zhou Chu, there will be no room for maneuver. Xia Yan will not get involved either, as this matter has nothing to do with him. He is just a vice president, so replacing him is no big deal and will not cause him any loss.

The main reason was that Xia Yan was still somewhat wary of Zhou Chu and dared not face him alone. In his words, "A wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall."

For him, Zhou Chu was more than just a wall.

Zhang Qinshun knew of Zhou Chu, but had never met him. He was unsure who Zhou Chu was and could only mention Chen Zhao.

"With Lord Zhou here, I have no right to speak."

Chen Zhao didn't give him a chance to speak at all, and directly shifted the conversation to Zhou Chu.

"Are you kidding me? My superior is here. If I accept this, wouldn't that be tantamount to admitting that I'm the one in charge?" Chen Zhao wouldn't steal Zhou Chu's thunder.

"Who is this?"

Zhou Chu looked at Zhang Qinshun in front of him and asked in confusion.

"I am Zhang Qinshun, the Governor and Vice Censor-in-Chief, greetings to Lord Zhou."

Zhang Qinshun gave Zhou Chu a perfunctory bow, his words seemingly showing that he did not take Zhou Chu seriously.

After all, if you're too humble at the very first meeting, there's basically no point in talking later.

"What advice does Lord Zhang have for me?"

Zhou Chu looked at Zhang Qinshun in front of him without even dismounting.

Zhang Qinshun was also angered by Zhou Chu's attitude, but he could only endure it, since he was surrounded by Imperial Guards and the situation was beyond his control.

"What brings Lord Zhou with so many people surrounding Vice President Zhang's residence?"

Zhang Qinshun asked.

"I'm very curious, when did the Embroidered Uniform Guard need to report to Lord Zhang on our actions? Has Lord Zhang lost sight of his place? How dare he overstep his bounds like this?"

Zhou Chu was playing with flavor.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qinshun almost choked on his breath. In the entire Jiangnan Province, this was the first time he had ever encountered someone who dared to speak to him like that.

Zhang Qinshun took a deep breath and calmed himself down.

"Lord Zhou, this is Suzhou Prefecture, not the capital. The Imperial Guards of Suzhou Prefecture are not like the Northern Garrison Command. They can't just arrest whomever they want. There has to be some reason in everything, right?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chu immediately perked up.

"You want to reason with me? Fine, then I'll reason with you."

As Zhou Chu spoke, he took out two IOUs and asked Shen Lian to bring them to Zhang Qinshun for him to review.

"Lord Zhang, it is only right to pay back debts. Does Lord Zhang intend to use his power to oppress people?"

Upon hearing Zhou Chu's words, Zhang Qinshun almost couldn't help but curse.