The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun.

After this incident, Zhu Houzhao dared not let Jiang Ning stay too far away from him, so he arranged for Jiang Ning to stay in the next room.

The next morning, an official submitted a memorial to the palace.

News of the fire in the Qianqing Palace yesterday has spread outside, and many officials have already learned of it. They have written memorials to the palace, some concerned about Zhu Houzhao's safety, while others have angered him.

For example, one of the memorials stated that the fire in the Qianqing Palace was due to Zhu Houzhao's persecution of loyal officials, which prompted Heaven to issue a warning, urging Zhu Houzhao to release the Minister of War, otherwise Heaven would punish him.

Even more outrageous claims are that this year's floods in Shaanxi were caused by Zhu Houzhao's favoritism towards eunuchs and his persecution of ministers, which brought down divine punishment.

These memorials made Zhu Houzhao laugh in anger, and he immediately ordered Gu Dayong to arrest the two men and throw them into the Eastern Depot's prison on charges of slandering the emperor.

Although Gu Dayong dared not confront the civil service group, he was still willing to do things for Zhu Houzhao.

However, Zhu Houzhao's move also angered the civil official group, and more memorials were sent to the palace.

"Humph!"

Zhu Houzhao angrily threw a memorial on the table and then closed his eyes.

Liu Jin cautiously asked from the side, "Your Majesty, did these civil officials anger you?"

"I don't know what Gu Dayong does, and we still haven't gotten any results after all this time."

Zhu Houzhao frowned.

Now Gu Dayong is increasingly disappointing him. In the past ten days or so, Gu Dayong has made no progress in interrogating the Minister of War. Zhu Houzhao knows that Gu Dayong dares not torture the Minister of War. After all, the Minister of War is a veteran official who has served four emperors. Many people in the court are his students, and his connections are all over the court, making Gu Dayong hesitant to act against him.

"Unfortunately, there's no one else I can rely on."

Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but say those words again.

Upon hearing this, Liu Jin's heart stirred.

"Your Majesty, do you intend to find someone to deal with these civil officials?"

Zhu Hou glanced at him.

"What? You have an idea?"

"I dare not speak of my own ideas, but I do have someone in mind who can deal with these despicable officials."

Liu Jin said.

"Ok?"

Zhu Houzhao looked at him upon hearing this.

Liu Jin whispered a few words in Zhu Houzhao's ear, and Zhu Houzhao looked surprised.

"He's still alive?"

Liu Jin nodded and said, "This servant learned about this by chance. This person disappeared after twenty years of Chenghua. There are rumors that Emperor Xianzong killed him, but Emperor Xianzong did not kill him. Instead, he sent him to Nanjing to live out his old age."

Zhu Houzhao's eyes flickered repeatedly after hearing this.

Upon seeing this, Liu Jin added another sentence.

"Your Majesty, this man is very capable and knows how to deal with these civil officials. Why not summon him back to the capital?"

Zhu Houzhao did not speak upon hearing this, but he was clearly thinking. After a moment, Zhu Houzhao spoke.

"Bring me records of his life and all the major and minor events that occurred during the reign of Emperor Xianzong."

"Yes."

Liu Jin withdrew and carried out Zhu Houzhao's instructions.

More than ten days later.

A special person has arrived in Beijing.

At this moment, a person was standing in front of Zhu Houzhao.

"Your subject Wang Zhi greets Your Majesty."

Chapter 662: The Dragon Protector Clan

Zhu Houzhao narrowed his eyes as he looked at the person standing not far in front of him.

He was fair-skinned and beardless, with a full head of black hair that made it impossible to tell his exact age. He was slender and had a somewhat feminine appearance.

If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, it would be hard to imagine that this person had once stirred up such a huge wave during the reign of Emperor Xianzong.

The man before me is Wang Zhi, the first director of the Western Depot. His first act upon taking office was to confiscate the property of Yang Rong, one of the Three Yangs. He subsequently did a series of shocking things that terrified the civil officials.

Of course, what was more important was his military ability, which interested Zhu Houzhao even more.

"You know martial arts?"

Zhu Houzhao keenly noticed that Wang Zhi seemed to know kung fu.

Having had contact with Jiang Ning, Zhu Houzhao could distinguish between ordinary people and martial arts masters. When Wang Zhi entered, his steps were steady, his voice was soft but powerful, and his aura was restrained, clearly indicating that he was not an ordinary person.

Moreover, Wang Zhi looks to be only around forty years old, but his real age is definitely much older, which clearly indicates that he possesses internal strength.

In response to Zhu Houzhao's curiosity, Wang Zhi replied, "Yes."

"Oh?"

Zhu Houzhao became interested.

How good are your martial arts skills?

Wang Zhi said softly, "According to the classification of martial arts practitioners, I am a first-rate master."

Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

He was worried about the lack of martial arts masters to serve him, but he didn't expect that Wang Zhi would have the strength of a first-class master, and Wang Zhi's abilities were also very strong.

This is like a pillow delivered just when you're about to fall asleep.

How does your martial arts skill compare to that of a top-tier master?

Zhu Houzhao asked again.

Wang Zhi replied, "I have not fought anyone for a long time. I do not know how I would fare against the top masters of today, but ordinary first-rate masters are no match for me."

Hearing Wang Zhi say this, Zhu Houzhao became even more interested and asked, "How does your martial arts compare to someone else's?"

"Is Your Majesty referring to Jiangning?"

Wang Zhi countered with a question.

Zhu Houzhao asked in surprise, "How did you know?"

Wang Zhi smiled slightly and said, "Before I entered the capital, Eunuch Liu had already informed me of the matter, so I know that Jiang Ning is currently in the capital."

Zhu Houzhao did not refute this, and nodded, saying, "That's right, Jiang Ning is in the palace protecting me."

After giving a brief explanation, Zhu Houzhao asked, "How does your martial arts compare to his?"

"I am not as good as you."

Wang Zhi said.

"Jiang Ning's martial arts skills far surpass those of first-rate masters. There are only five people in the martial arts world who can defeat him, and I am not among them."

Zhu Houzhao was not surprised to hear Wang Zhi give Jiangning such a high evaluation; what surprised him even more was that Wang Zhi actually knew Jiangning.

Seemingly understanding Zhu Houzhao's doubts, Wang Zhi said before Zhu Houzhao could ask, "Although I am guarding the imperial tombs in Nanjing, I am quite familiar with this person."

At this point, Wang Zhi looked at Zhu Houzhao with surprise.

"I am surprised that this person is willing to serve Your Majesty."

Zhu Houzhao smiled upon hearing this. Wang Zhi's words made him somewhat proud, but he still explained, "He did not serve me. He is my friend. He came to the capital to protect me at my invitation. I'm sure Liu Daban has already told you that I was previously bewitched by a sorcerer, and it was Jiang Ning who saved me."

The Emperor's friend?

Wang Zhi was surprised by how Zhu Houzhao was addressed.

What an unfamiliar term! The emperor actually had friends?

Zhu Houzhao then asked another question.

How did you learn your martial arts?

Zhu Houzhao was very curious. Wang Zhi was the first eunuch he had ever met who knew martial arts, and he was very curious about where Wang Zhi had learned his martial arts.

"I learned from an old eunuch."

Wang Zhi replied.

He entered the palace at a young age and learned martial arts from an old eunuch. His martial arts talent was so great that the old eunuch was amazed. During the Chenghua era, he was already a first-class master.

Zhu Houzhao's eyes narrowed, and he pressed on, "What about the old eunuch?"

"died."

Wang Zhi replied softly.

Zhu Houzhao was somewhat disappointed and muttered to himself.

"pity."

If that old eunuch is still alive today, he must be an old monster, and protecting him would certainly not be a problem.

But the next second, Zhu Houzhao suddenly thought of a problem.

Since Wang Zhi knew martial arts, and the old eunuch who taught him also knew martial arts, it means that some of the palace eunuchs in the past knew martial arts. Why are all the eunuchs now just ordinary people who don't know martial arts?

Thinking of this, Zhu Houzhao asked directly, "Were there many eunuchs and palace guards who knew martial arts during the reign of Emperor Xianzong?"

"a lot of."

Upon hearing this answer, Zhu Houzhao was taken aback, and then asked, "You were the chief eunuch during the reign of Emperor Xianzong. Since there were so many eunuchs and palace masters who knew martial arts during Emperor Xianzong's time, why is there not a single master in the palace now?"

Upon hearing this question, Wang Zhi glanced at Zhu Houzhao with surprise.

Didn't the late emperor speak to His Majesty about this?

"The late emperor?"

Zhu Houzhao was taken aback.