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

Chapter 702

Wang Zhi had thought about this more than once.

Wang Zhi boarded a silver-carrying ship and sailed across the ocean, finally arriving at the Tianjin dock.

"I have met General Wang Zhi."

At the Tianjin docks, Imperial Guards were already waiting for Wang Zhi. These guards recognized Wang Zhi's identity at a glance from his attire and bowed to him.

"You don't have to be polite."

Wang Zhi was somewhat flattered.

"His Majesty and Lord Zhou instructed us to wait here for you, and to bring you back to the capital with us."

The head of the Imperial Guards, a centurion, spoke respectfully.

"Then I'll have to trouble you all."

Wang Zhi nodded upon hearing this.

Having spent most of his life at sea, Wang Zhi felt no discomfort despite the long journey by boat. After a short while, he felt no different from being on land. He took the horse from the Imperial Guards, mounted it, and followed them toward the capital.

Soon, Wang Zhi arrived at the official post station in the capital.

"My lord, please rest and recuperate first, and then go to the palace to see His Majesty tomorrow."

The leading Jinyiwei commander bowed and said.

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhi nodded. After such a long journey by boat, they definitely needed to rest. At the very least, taking a good bath was essential.

"Thank you for your help."

Wang Zhi returned the greeting.

After the Imperial Guards left, Wang Zhi took a refreshing bath at the official post station. Bathing on a ship is difficult, as fresh water resources are very limited. At sea, it's even more impossible to bathe in the sea. After being on the ship for so long, Wang Zhi was almost rotten.

In the past, no one would have cared about such a problem. After all, everyone was a soldier, and a little stench and staleness didn't matter. But since he was going to meet His Majesty tomorrow, Wang Zhi was naturally extremely excited and wanted to enter the palace in the best possible condition.

After taking a shower, Wang Zhi ate a meal and then slept soundly.

The next morning, the Imperial Guards returned and led Wang Zhi to the palace.

This was Wang Zhi's first time in the capital. He couldn't help but look around. Especially when he arrived at the palace gate, Wang Zhi felt extremely uneasy.

Even though Wang Zhi was the absolute ruler in Japan, holding the power of life and death over countless Japanese people, he was now as excited as an ordinary citizen.

A few years ago, he would never have dared to imagine that he would one day be able to enter the palace and meet the emperor.

Once inside the palace, the Imperial Guards withdrew, and a eunuch led the way for Wang Zhi. Wang Zhi followed behind the eunuch, heading towards the Imperial Study. Along the way, Wang Zhi felt lightheaded, as if everything before him was unreal.

"Is that General Wang?"

Wang Zhi didn't dare to look up or look around, but kept his eyes on the eunuch's heels and followed him. Soon he arrived at the door of the Imperial Study and heard a soft voice.

Wang Zhi then looked up and saw a eunuch who was a little older than him looking at him. This person was none other than Huang Jin.

"This humble general is none other than Wang Zhi."

Wang Zhi hurriedly bowed and said.

"General Wang, there's no need for such formalities. My name is Huang Jin. His Majesty instructed me to wait for you here. Please come with me."

Huang Jin turned and went into the Imperial Study, and Wang Zhi hurriedly followed him in.

Upon arriving at the Imperial Study, Wang Zhi dared not raise his head and went directly to Jiajing's desk, bowing respectfully.

"Your subject Wang Zhi greets Your Majesty."

These etiquette rules were taught to him by Lin Zhi on short notice; otherwise, he wouldn't have known them at all.

Seeing Wang Zhi's awkward bow, Jiajing smiled. Jiajing knew about Wang Zhi's background and also knew that Wang Zhi had spent many years in the military and was not very familiar with these etiquettes.

Before Wang Zhi entered the palace, officials from the Ministry of Rites should have been responsible for teaching him these etiquette rules. However, that was for ordinary people. Now that Wang Zhi is a general with a maximum troop capacity of 50,000, and has made great contributions to the Ming Dynasty, Jiajing naturally would not allow those people from the Ministry of Rites to give Wang Zhi any more pointers.