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

Chapter 494

Although Jiajing said this, he handed the calligraphy he had written to Huang Jin, who carefully put it away.

"What your Majesty said is absolutely true."

Zhou Chu said respectfully.

"A new batch of ambergris has been sent as tribute from Southeast Asia. I think the one I gave you last time should be almost used up. Take this one. Let me know if you run out."

As Jiajing spoke, he pushed a box made of golden nanmu wood in front of Zhou Chu. Zhou Chu knew very well that what was inside was none other than ambergris.

Although ambergris is rare, it was still available along the entire coast of the Ming Dynasty. Since ancient times, ambergris has been reserved for the royal family. Occasionally, a piece or two would fall into the hands of ordinary people, and they would use it secretly, not daring to let anyone know.

"By the way, these are the pills that I had Daoist Feixiazi refine. I have been weak and sickly since I was a child, but thanks to the pills refined by the Daoists of the Xingwang Mansion, my health is getting better and better. I also added ambergris and other precious medicinal materials to these pills."

As Jiajing spoke, he took another box from the bookshelf behind him and placed it in front of Zhou Chu.

“Your health is excellent, so you don’t need to take any for now. There are two pills here. Please take them to Wenfu’s parents for me.”

Since Lu Wei's wedding, Lu Bing has been sent out of the capital to escort the princes and princesses of various vassal kings with a group of Imperial Guards. These people coming to the capital is never a small matter. If a prince gets into trouble near the capital, it will become very serious.

Therefore, whether it was the Lu family, Jiajing, or Zhou Chu, they all took this matter very seriously. These people were originally there to attend the Lu family's wedding, so it was most appropriate for Lord Lu Bing to escort them.

Zhou Chu picked up the box and smelled the aroma of the pills inside. Zhou Chu and Fei Xiazi had specifically researched the formulas for these pills, and they were actually similar to what Zhou Chu had originally thought. Starting from the Song Dynasty, the Taoist priests who refined pills for the emperor basically did not use heavy metals.

After all, no emperor who consumed elixirs made from heavy metals lived long; everyone knew there was something wrong with them.

Starting from the Song Dynasty, after these Taoist priests refined the elixirs, they would test the medicine on the emperor first. Even if it was for their own life or death, there was no need to continue adding heavy metals.

The pill refined by Feixiazi contains no heavy metals at all; it is a pure tonic, and a mild, neutral one at that, not a very hot tonic.

This kind of elixir is suitable for the vast majority of people.

No wonder that in the original history, the Taoist priests who tested the medicine for Jiajing lived to be around ninety years old, and the cabinet ministers who took Jiajing's elixirs, such as Yan Song and Xu Jie, all lived longer than the last.

Who wouldn't want to take this kind of tonic?

"Your Majesty, my health isn't that good. If there's any extra, I can eat it too."

Zhou Chu said with some reluctance.

Upon hearing this, Jiajing immediately smiled.

“You’re so young. Unlike me, who has been in poor health since childhood, you’re as strong as an ox.”

Jiajing glanced at Zhou Chu and said.

"That was before. I was assassinated in Yuyao. I was covered in wounds and my strength was greatly depleted. My health is not what it used to be."

As Zhou Chu spoke, he even coughed in a mock manner.

Zhou Chu really wanted this pill. He couldn't even imagine how powerful its effects would be if he used it in conjunction with his martial arts training.

"Alright, next time I'll have Daoist Feixiazi refine more and save some for you."

Jiajing said with a hint of helplessness.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chu was immediately satisfied.

"What is the matter that Your Majesty has summoned me for?"

Zhou Chu then got to the point.

Upon hearing this, Jiajing straightened his expression.

"Wouldn't it be too harsh to exile Mao Weizhi? Cabinet members of his age usually retire."

Jiajing felt a pang of pity.

"Your Majesty, since the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, how lenient have we been towards our cabinet members? Have those cabinet members ever been grateful for the Emperor's grace? Have they ever repaid the Emperor's favor? Have they ever thought about seeking the well-being of the people?"