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

Chapter 715

After a period of confusion, Wei Zhengxian quickly sorted out his thoughts. He knew very well that the only option now was to seek Wang Zhi's forgiveness. Otherwise, not only in Shexian County, but in the entire Huizhou Prefecture, no one could stand up for them.

This is a high-ranking official of the second rank in the imperial court! What does that mean? The governor of Southern Zhili is only a second-rank official, a powerful regional governor. Wei Zhengxian couldn't even imagine the power that an official of that rank wields.

But he knew very well that it would be easier for Wang to crush them than to crush an ant.

At this moment, Wei Zhengxian felt extremely dark. He didn't even dare to think about what the consequences would be for the Wei family and him if Wang Zhi didn't forgive them. He didn't even dare to run away with the Wei family.

This is within the territory of the Ming Dynasty. No matter how fast you run, can you outrun the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Didn't you hear the steward say that Wang Zhi is now always escorted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

What kind of pomp and circumstance is this? What kind of status is this?

Wei Zhengxian dared not think about it, and was even less willing to think about it.

On the other side, when the other branches of the Wang family learned that Wang Zhi had returned home in glory and become a commander, they were filled with disbelief, followed by great joy.

When Wang Zhi and his son left their hometown, although the Wang family had fallen on hard times, their various branches still managed to scrape together enough money for their journey. Otherwise, Wang Zhi and his son would not have made it to the Fujian coast and would probably have starved to death on the way.

Wang Zhi has always been grateful to his elders. When his father was alive, he always told Wang Zhi that if the two of them became successful in the future, they must not forget their family members.

Wang Zhi returned to his hometown for two reasons: first, to allow his father to return to his roots, and second, for the sake of his clansmen.

Is it Heiwa?

A man who looked a few years older than Wang Zhi looked at Wang Zhi sitting on the horse and said in a trembling voice.

Heiwa was Wang Zhi's childhood nickname. Wang Zhi was born with dark skin, so the Wang family called him Heiwa.

This person was Wang Zhi's cousin. When Wang Zhi was young, the two had a very good relationship.

"You're calling me 'Blackie'? Call me 'Master'!"

A middle-aged man standing next to this person was startled when he heard this. He slapped the man on the back of the head and said...

This man was Wang Zhi's uncle, Wang Zhen.

Before the Wang family fell from grace, Wang Zhen was full of vigor and ambition. To put it bluntly, the Wang family's downfall was due to a scheme. Wang Zhen's father, Wang Zhi's grandfather, was tricked into losing all the family's assets at a casino, and thus hanged himself. Once the Wang family fell from grace, no one could stop it.

Over the years, Wang Zhen has experienced the fickleness of human relationships and is well aware of how easily people's hearts can change. Moreover, his young nephew was very young when he left Shexian County, and it is unknown how much he still remembers him and the Wang family.

Now his nephew holds a high position, a second-rank official in the imperial court. Wang Zhen never dares to dream that his descendants could produce such a high-ranking official. At most, he dreams that his grandson will become the magistrate of Shexian County.

"Uncle, elder brother, just call me Heiwa, there's no need to be so formal."

Just as Wang Zhen was about to bow in respect, Wang Zhi quickly dismounted and helped Wang Zhen up.

When Wang Zhi left his hometown, he was already old enough to remember things. Although his memories of Wang Zhen and his son were from a long time ago, they became clear the moment he saw them.

“You can’t be called Heiwa anymore. Your status is different now. You can’t be called Heiwa anymore.”

Looking at his nephew and sensing Wang Zhi's tone, Wang Zhen felt a sense of relief. He knew that his nephew was still the same nephew he had always been, and his character had not changed.

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhi smiled noncommittally. Given his current status, it was indeed inappropriate for him to call Heiwa "Blackie." He had only been being polite earlier.

"Where's your dad?"

Wang Zhen looked at Wang Zhi and asked.

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhi's expression darkened.

"My father tried to make something of himself back then, doing business everywhere, but he ended up encountering bad people..."

Wang stopped mid-sentence.

Wang Zhen and his son naturally understood the meaning behind Wang Zhi's words, and Wang Zhen's eyes instantly turned red.

He never imagined that his parting with his younger brother years ago would be their last.

Given Wang Zhi's current status, he naturally wouldn't mention that his father became a pirate. If people back home found out, even if they wouldn't dare say anything openly, they'd probably say something behind his back.

The Wang family's reputation will probably suffer then.

So Wang Zhi made up a past story for his father.

“I was young back then and we couldn’t find my father’s remains. I’ve kept some of his clothes so that one day I can come back and let him return to his roots.”

Wang Zhi said sadly.

"If I had known it would turn out this way, I should never have let him leave Shexian County in the first place."

Wang Zhen was already in tears at this moment, and this was not an act; it was completely genuine.

Looking at Wang Zhen, Wang Zhi was deeply moved. He had always known that when he and his father left their hometown, his uncle had given them all the money the family had.

“A person’s fate is determined by heaven. Uncle, there’s no need to be too sad. The most urgent thing right now is to build a cenotaph for my father. This should be done in a grand way so that everyone in the surrounding area knows about it.”

Wang Zhi said.

“Yes, we must hold a grand funeral for your father. I will take care of it. As for the Wei family, they were the ones who forced you and your father to leave. If it weren’t for the Wei family, your father wouldn’t have ended up like this.”

Wang Zhen gritted his teeth and said.

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhi immediately gave a cold laugh.

"Don't worry, Uncle. None of the Wei family members will escape."