CHAPTER 1780: CHAPTER 1780: EXPOSED

The old Minister Tian and his crowd stared wide-eyed, from the bottom of their hearts, they didn’t place women in equal positions, yet hypocritically displayed respect to their married wives.

Zhou Shuren, "My eyes aren’t that big, Minister Tian, no need to stare, you’ve won."

Minister Tian’s hand trembled slightly, "How dare you!"

Zhou Shuren’s tone was sarcastic, "I indeed dare, Minister Tian is so opposed, must be scared inside!"

Afraid of women’s awakening, afraid they can no longer remain as mere wives.

Minister Tian’s pupils shrank, "You speak nonsense."

Zhou Shuren laughed, with a mix of disdain and amusement, "Don’t get worked up, it’s as if there’s no silver here worth Three hundred taels."

Minister Tian took a deep breath, "Marquis Zhou, don’t be irrational, I won’t talk to you."

Zhou Shuren sneered, "Old sir is scared, but I’m not, I respect my wife, tsk tsk, some people."

Minister Tian’s face turned red with anger, tsk tsk, what’s this? He became ’some people’?

Zhou Shuren looked at the ministers in the study, his expression serious, "From human resource utilization, women can also create economic benefits. There are many areas where women are needed, a simple example is female doctors; I assume each family has gone to great lengths to find one, right? I have always believed that the Imperial court’s comprehensive development does not solely rely on men."

The Emperor spoke, "Only newspapers approved by me dare to publish, as Marquis Zhou said, the court needs comprehensive development."

So, in matters decided by the Emperor, arguing is futile, other than venting dissatisfaction, it only draws the Emperor’s displeasure without gaining anything.

Everyone in the study left, the Emperor singularly left Zhou Shuren behind, his tone was mocking, "I thought a few would retire home in anger, what a pity."

Listening to quarrels for so long!

Zhou Shuren, "..."

So this was the Emperor’s purpose in bringing people back to the study? Oh, he actually hoped he’d anger a few away, truly overestimating me!

The Emperor’s tone was filled with regret, "Previously thought Minister Tian was quite stubborn."

"Haha."

The Emperor suddenly laughed, "Your ’haha’ is quite interesting."

Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes inwardly, "Outside, the complaints are even louder."

The Emperor was unconcerned, "All are people with outdated thinking, other than gossiping, what meaningful thing have they done?"

Zhou Shuren entirely agreed, "However, the louder the voices the better, sufficient buzz can make more people aware, it’s also a form of publicity."

The Crown Prince pricked his ears and silently remembered the word ’buzz’, immediately thought of promoting the recruitment at the pharmacy.

Lizhou Province Prefecture City, Chang Zhi finally arrived, seeing Wu Chun from afar before reaching the city gate, he was somewhat excited, "Make the carriage faster."

Wu Chun was dressed in a military general’s attire, with two Guards following behind, failed to recognize Chang Zhi’s carriage, the carriage was too understated.

As the carriage approached, Chang Zhi opened the carriage door, "Cousin."

Wu Chun laughed heartily, "I was wondering whose carriage is rushing so eagerly, come let me have a good look, haven’t seen each other for years."

Without orders, military generals cannot leave their garrison; visiting the capital is difficult.

Chang Zhi had changed significantly, the result of years of precipitation in the Hanlin Academy, he scrutinized his cousin, "Cousin hasn’t changed much."

Wu Chun dismounted and walked to his cousin’s side, "Other than practicing martial arts, what can change? Let’s return to the residence, the old man has been sending people daily to wait at the city gate, if I hadn’t intercepted, he’d already be with me."

Chang Zhi felt embarrassed, "I came to Chuanzhou earlier, but was busy with errands."

Wu Chun knew what he needed to know, "You’re quite skillful, even qualified to preside over the exam this time."

He didn’t ask why his cousin went to Chuanzhou ahead of time, it wasn’t his place to know.

Chang Zhi smiled, "All thanks to the Emperor’s trust."

Wu Chun prepared to sit with his cousin in the carriage, just as they boarded, someone shouted, "Ziyu?"

Chang Zhi turned to see, it was over, couldn’t hide it now, "Brother Qian? Didn’t you go to your maternal grandfather’s house?"

Qianjiang’s carriage parked in the distance for quite a while, he saw everything clearly, knew by Yang General’s acquaintance with Ziyu, he had been fooled.

Qianjiang’s face was not good, but he had to endure, the Yang family was not only reliant on General Yang but also on the Duke Zhou Residence in the capital.

Qianjiang had a sardonic smile, "Brother Zhou wasn’t returning to the capital to prepare for Qiu Wei?"

Chang Zhi thought to himself, this was what his mother called shedding the guise, "Ziyu is indeed my courtesy name, there’s a secret here, I apologize to Brother Qian."

Qianjiang’s anger still hadn’t subsided, "You are?"

Chang Zhi spoke seriously, "Zhou Changzhi, indeed preparing for Qiu Wei, the chief examiner of this year’s Chuanzhou Qiu Wei."

Qianjiang was dumbfounded, "Zhou, Mr. Zhou?"

Wu Chun found it amusing, said to Chang Zhi, "Who is this?"

Chang Zhi introduced him, "A friend met in Chuanzhou."

Qianjiang felt dizzy, unknowingly became friends with Mr. Zhou?

Chang Zhi chuckled lightly, "I have matters to attend to, we’ll chat when I return to Chuanzhou."

Qianjiang absentmindedly responded, watched the horse carriage enter the city, said to the young servant, "I wasn’t dreaming?"

The young servant was also excited, "No, it is indeed Mr. Zhou, the fourth master of Duke Zhou Residence."

Since the chief examiner was decided, Chuanzhou talked most about Mr. Zhou, turns out Mr. Zhou arrived early in Chuanzhou, indeed surprising.

Qianjiang realized too, Mr. Zhou’s arrival was too early, recalled the questions Mr. Zhou asked him, broke into a cold sweat, told the young servant, "Make sure anyone who knows Mr. Zhou keeps their mouth shut tightly."

The young servant’s mind was nimble, the thought brought him fear, "Yes."

In the carriage, Wu Chun asked, "Anyone else in Chuanzhou who recognizes you?"

Chang Zhi knew his cousin was worried, smiled and said, "If recognized, no problem, I want them anxious anyway, anything needing investigation has mostly been investigated, they dare not easily make a move on me, my father is in the capital."

The An family was also somewhat restrained, the only successful member went to the capital, if they dared move against him, his father could easily deal with Mr. An, the An family should be afraid.

Wu Chun frowned, "Uncle wrote a letter asking me to select some men, I have already selected twenty, now seems not enough, during the days you stay, I’ll choose some more for you to take."

Chang Zhi, "When did my father write the letter?"

Wu Chun, "Few days ago, Uncle worried about you."

Chang Zhi’s nose tingled with emotion, "I have the Emperor’s men by my side, not just the few outwardly visible."

Wu Chun laughed, "Uncle knows, only afraid you might create trouble."

Chang Zhi, "..."

Wu Chun laughed even louder seeing this, "Thought you were a bookworm back then, only now realize I misjudged."

If really honest, the Emperor wouldn’t send his cousin to Chuanzhou.

Chang Zhi felt embarrassed and rubbed his nose, he sent the urgent letter requesting permission back to the capital, felt a bit guilty, wondering if the Emperor might inform his father!

Wu Chun sighed emotionally, "Separated for years, haven’t seen Uncle and Aunt in ages."

He wished to see Uncle and Aunt but couldn’t leave, Uncle’s position now made it impossible to leave the capital either.