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

Chapter 559

Zhou Chu didn't quite understand the specifics of how to modify it, but he believed that with the abilities of Hai Rui and Yang Shengzhai, they would definitely be able to adjust the structure to a level suitable for trains.

"Send it to the Southern Garrison Command."

After Zhou Chu finished working on the steam engine, a maid brought over a basin of water. Zhou Chu washed his hands and then spoke.

"Young Master, General Lin Zhixin requests an audience."

Chunlan came to Zhou Chu and said.

"Zhixin, take him to my study."

As Zhou Chu spoke, he strolled toward the study.

"Your subordinate greets Your Excellency."

After Lin Lu entered the study, he spoke respectfully.

"There's no need to be so polite. You're a marquis now, and with your achievements, you could easily be granted the title of duke. There's no need to be so courteous."

Zhou Chu smiled.

"You flatter me, sir. Lin Lu will always be your soldier. Compared to you, I am but a firefly."

Lin Lu subtly flattered him.

"Stop flattering me. I know you too well."

Zhou Chu said irritably.

Lin Lu chuckled upon hearing this.

Lin Lu returned to the capital half a year ago. In just one year, he completely subjugated the Nurgan Regional Military Commission. The Jurchens who were originally there had barely recovered some strength after the Chenghua Emperor's purge, and Lin Lu almost wiped them all out.

After Lin Lu's sweeping victory, the Jurchens will not be able to recover their strength for at least a hundred or two hundred years.

The smaller the population base, the more difficult it is to expand the population of a race and the longer it takes.

Lin Lu's battle report was also included in Jiajing's previous memorials, and Zhou Chu also read it, so he was naturally aware of Lin Lu's achievements.

Not counting the Jurchens hiding deep in the mountains and forests, there are hardly any left on the surface. Although they are not extinct, it is almost impossible for them to develop further.

Lin Lu's military achievements in recapturing the Nurgan Regional Military Commission were considerable, but Jiajing did not grant him the title of Duke.

On the one hand, it is indeed a bit of a stretch to be granted the title of Duke of Nurgan Regional Military Commission. After all, Nurgan Regional Military Commission was abandoned by the Ming Dynasty. It is a harsh and cold place, and the benefits that the court can see at this stage are very small, or almost non-existent.

On the other hand, both Jiajing and Lin Lu knew that Lin Lu's military achievements were simply picked up from Zhou Chu. Including the previous northern expedition against the Mongols, Zhou Chu had done all the preparations for him. As long as Lin Lu wasn't too stupid, these achievements would have been easy to obtain.

Furthermore, since Lin Lu was Jiajing's cousin, Jiajing did not grant him the title of Duke.

However, other rewards were naturally indispensable. Lin Lu is now a general with a title, and was appointed by Jiajing as the General Who Pacifies the Distant Regions.

Besides these, there were many other honors and rewards, too numerous to mention.

Lin Lu is now twenty-four or twenty-five years old and has started growing a beard, making him look much more mature than before.

"These credits I have received are all thanks to you, sir. You have done all the preparations. Whoever did the work would have been credited. It's really nothing."

Lin Lu said sincerely.

"You also need to have the ability to lead troops into battle. Why did I choose you instead of someone else? Was it just because you are the princess's legitimate son? If you didn't have that ability, I would have chosen someone else long ago."

Zhou Chu wasn't lying. Lin Lu had followed Zhou Chu for a long time, practically since Zhou Chu started building the Tiger Legion and the Black Tortoise Army.

While in Jiangnan, especially during the suppression of Japanese pirates, Lin Lu constantly learned military tactics from Zhou Chu. Zhou Chu did not hold back his knowledge, so Lin Lu's ability to lead troops was among the best in the entire Tiger Legion.

Given Lin Lu's similar leadership skills, his previous role as the deputy commander of the Tiger Legion, and his status, Zhou Chu couldn't think of any reason not to choose Lin Lu.

"You've had a pretty relaxed six months."

Zhou Chu looked at Lin Lu in front of him and teased her.

"This is all thanks to you, sir. Originally, I was supposed to be guarding Datong, but you completely crushed the Mongols. In the past two years, the wool business of the Western Regions Protectorate has grown bigger and bigger. The Western Regions Protectorate is even expanding westward to Wuhai. After those Mongol elites died, the Mongols had no will to resist. They either joined the Ming Dynasty or continued to retreat westward."

Lin Lu said.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chu glanced at the map of the Ming Dynasty hanging in his study. This map was drawn by someone specially appointed by the palace. The map of the Ming Dynasty was updated every so often in the past two years, and this was the latest map of the Ming Dynasty. Every so often, Jiajing would send a new map to the Zhou residence, and Chunlan would naturally hang the new map in Zhou Chu's study.

The current territory of the Ming Dynasty extends northeast to the north of Nurgan Regional Military Commission and west to the west of Wuhai. Tibet and Nanyue are all within the territory of the Ming Dynasty, and these are all territories under actual control, not just nominal control.

To the north lies another group of Mongols, but these Mongols do not have a strong desire to attack the Ming Dynasty, nor have they colluded with the merchants in Shanxi. They can no longer form an effective fighting force. It is only a matter of time before they advance northward, or rather, they need a suitable pretext.

Looking at the map of the Ming Dynasty before him, Zhou Chu couldn't help but sigh. Unbeknownst to him, the Ming Dynasty's territory was almost comparable to that of the Tang Dynasty at its peak.

The Ming Dynasty today is frighteningly strong in every aspect. In terms of finances, the national treasury is incredibly full. Putting aside the money that Jiajing put into the national treasury after the previous confiscation of property, the maritime taxes alone in the past two years constitute an extremely terrifying amount of fiscal revenue.

Not to mention that a 10% commercial tax has already been implemented in the Jiangnan region and the vicinity of the capital.

Where's your second child?

Zhou Chu looked at Lin Lu and asked.

Currently, Qi Liang is on duty in Japan, while Lin Zhi is retired in the capital.

"I'm at home. What are your orders, sir?"

Lin Lu said respectfully.

"Call him and let's go to the brothel together."

Zhou Chu smiled.

Lin Lu felt a little embarrassed upon hearing this, as he always adhered to etiquette and had never been to the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment venue).

"What, are you too embarrassed to go?"

Seeing Lin Lu's appearance, Zhou Chu teased her.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. I'll go get the second brother right away."

Lin Lu forced himself to remain calm.