Chapter 2498: Chapter 2495: Entering the Palace to Meet the Emperor

Even the people of Jiangnan are unaware of this matter.

The capital is so far away that it’s impossible to inquire about this in such a short time.

So, there are two purposes for the other party to say this.

Either they really want to write more, hoping to win favor, and feeling indebted to the Left Vice Minister afterward.

Or they intentionally guide him to write more, while others also conceal things.

Very quickly, Third Master Zhou made a decision.

He doesn’t believe Chu Jin is someone who resorts to any means for fame and fortune, so he wouldn’t follow the hint from the Left Vice Minister to lie, even though writing less might lead to being exposed by Chu Jin.

Many things inside here he had no source of information on.

Judging from Chu Jin receiving royal favor, it seems he really presented valuable objects useful to Great Chu to Emperor Xuanming, who genuinely likes these rare items.

Pleasing the Emperor is always the wisest choice.

Third Master Zhou quickly picked up the pen, sorting out some lists, writing quite a few memorials until he finished.

After completing them, he went to see the Left Vice Minister, finding him engrossed in a play, with luxury in food and drink, apparently accustomed to such a lifestyle daily.

He felt more assured in his heart.

He first handed over the memorials, and after failing to keep the other party for a meal, placed banknotes in the pouch and handed it over.

The Left Vice Minister held the pouch, chuckled, and said, "Master Zhou, how can I accept this? The stitching of this pouch is indeed different from Great Chu’s, then I will not hold back."

Third Master Zhou sent the man away.

Seeing how easily he accepted several thousand taels without even thinking of a reason, he scoffed inwardly, realizing these officials are not as clean as they appear, accepting bribes naturally.

It remains unknown whether the Department of Commerce and Construction would also become as corrupt as other yamens.

But what the Left Vice Minister did had already disappointed Third Master Zhou.

At the same time, he pondered how to retreat safely from this situation.

In less than a day.

There were dozens of memorials on Emperor Xuanming’s desk.

Just the Maritime Merchants who came to the capital numbered over ten, each family wrote more than one memorial, so naturally, the quantity was large.

Emperor Xuanming slowly reviewed the contents above.

Soon, his gaze sharpened.

After reading the contents above. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

He laughed heartily twice: "Good, good, good! With all these overseas exchanges, how could we not earn silver?"

"Summon someone to bring Zhou Lin into the palace."

"Yes, this old servant will go right away."

By the time Third Master Zhou received the message, he was already dressed in clean silk attire, not considered extravagant, perfectly fitting for his merchant identity.

He immediately began to walk alongside the Eunuch coming from the palace.

Very soon, Third Master Zhou arrived outside the Imperial Study.

He was directly led inside.

He knelt down and saluted on the spot.

Emperor Xuanming sat at the top, scrutinizing him before slowly speaking: "Rise."

"Zhou Lin, what I instructed you to write about were the experiences of going to sea and the types of goods brought back, not how to conduct business. Your audacity in writing about maritime trade, do you plead guilty?"

Third Master Zhou immediately knelt down, knowing civilians cannot contend with officials, let alone the Emperor before him.

He certainly wouldn’t make a mistake in etiquette here, giving Emperor Xuanming a difficult impression, and he immediately kowtowed and said, "Forgive me, Emperor. This humble civilian was bold, wishing Great Chu improves further, hence daringly wrote these contents, all driven by personal motive."

"You are aware it was driven by personal motive." Emperor Xuanming snorted coldly, directly throwing the memorial down.