Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

The next morning, Zhang Jingwei learned some basics of horse riding under the guidance of Zhang Shiyi and strolled in the yard for half a day. This was no easier than learning to drive. He couldn't control the speed or direction, and sometimes he had to get a little stubborn and jump a few times.

After an hour of hard work, Zhang Jingwei was already panting and sweating profusely. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his hand and muttered, "Oh my god, this horse riding is so hard to learn! It's harder than climbing to the sky!"

Zhang Shiyi, who was standing nearby, saw this and quickly smiled and comforted him, "Don't worry, young master. You'll be fine once you get used to it. In fact, riding a donkey is the same as riding a horse. Horses are very intelligent. As long as you spend enough time with them, you can become one with them and go wherever you want! Although this donkey is a bit stubborn, it will still obey its master's orders after just a few whippings, just like a little wife. If you don't beat it, it won't learn its lesson!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jingwei's face suddenly darkened, and he asked with a hint of dissatisfaction, "Oh? So, you often beat your wife, too?"

Zhang Shiyi was stunned at first, then quickly waved his hand and explained, "Hey, Master, look at what you're saying. I don't even have a wife. I've been a bachelor for forty or fifty years! If I could marry a wife, if she dared to disobey me, I would definitely teach her a lesson!"

After listening to this, Zhang Jingwei showed a hint of displeasure on his face, and said lightly: "Okay, let's practice here today!" After that, he turned around and left on his own.

Watching Zhang Jingwei's departing figure, Zhang Shiyi was filled with confusion. He turned to Wang Ergou beside him and asked, "Hey, Ergou, tell me, what's going on with the young master? Why is he suddenly unhappy?"

Wang Ergou rolled his eyes at Zhang Shiyi and lowered his voice, "Old Shiyi, you better be more careful! Our young master is not an illiterate person like us. You have to know when to say something and when not to say it!"

Zhang Shiyi was left standing there alone, still completely bewildered. He shook his head helplessly, looked down at the donkey beside him, and muttered to himself, "Alas, this donkey, if I don't hit it a few times, it really won't have the energy to run..."

……

In the north city of Yunzhou, Gao Fei's home.

Tian Cao slowly woke up, his head still a little groggy, but his consciousness gradually became clear. At this moment, he was shocked to find that the cloth gag in his mouth had been taken away without him knowing when.

His eyes widened in anger as he glared at the men in black before him, cursing, "You shameless bastards, are you being ordered by that bitch to come and kill me?"

One of the men in black heard this and his face darkened. He reached out and grabbed Tian Cao's neck, saying harshly, "My master will be here soon, so you'd better keep your mouth shut! My master is not as good-tempered as I am."

However, Tian Cao remained undaunted and continued to shout, "You are a bunch of bandits and reckless men! Once I escape, I will report you to the authorities and have you all apprehended! Do you know who I am?"

At this moment, a voice came from outside the barrier: "Aren't you the student of Yunzhou? I saw you having fun in that brothel with my own eyes!" The person who spoke was Zhang Jingwei.

Tian Cao looked over and saw Zhang Jingwei standing outside the barrier, gazing at him with disdain. He was startled, having never expected to see him there, but he refused to back down. "If you have the guts, let me out! I'll have the governor execute you and your entire family!"

Zhang Jingwei sneered and said sarcastically, "A coward? If I really let you go, you'd probably turn around and go bully those weak women again."

Tian Cao was furious and shouted, "So, you were really sent by that bitch to commit humiliation!"

Zhang Jingwei frowned, his face showing displeasure. He scolded, "You're calling her a bitch on the left and a bitch on the right. Your wife is not only beautiful, but also very caring towards you and filial to your parents. How come she becomes such a despicable bitch in your mouth?"

Tian Cao's eyes widened, glaring at the person behind the screen. He shouted, "I am a distinguished scholar from Yunzhou. How dare you arrest me so rudely? You know this is a capital crime! The government will not let you off easily!"

Zhang Jingwei, standing nearby, raised the corner of his mouth slightly, revealing a disdainful smile. He impatiently ordered the man in black beside him, "Tsk tsk tsk, this guy is simply answering the wrong question! First, strip him of his clothes. If he doesn't answer the question correctly again, immediately pour a basin of ice-cold water over him from head to toe."

After hearing the order, the men in black responded in unison: "Yes, master!" Then, they took off Tian Cao's clothes without hesitation.

With two loud splashes, two large basins of icy water suddenly poured down on Tian Cao like a torrential downpour. In an instant, Tian Cao was shivering from the cold, his teeth chattering, and he curled up in place, looking as pitiful as a frightened little animal.

However, despite his body being extremely cold, Tian Cao's eyes remained firm and unyielding. He gritted his teeth and said stubbornly, "A gentleman can be killed but not humiliated. You can kill me or chop me up, whatever you want! But don't expect to hear a single untruth from me!"

Zhang Jingwei frowned at this, thinking to himself: This man does have some integrity. He then slowly asked, "Since you are so righteous, let me ask you why you would be so cruel to your wife? Isn't she someone who has shared your joys and sorrows?"

Tian Cao snorted coldly and responded without showing any weakness: "Hmph, I don't want to bother you with the affairs of my humble concubine!"

Zhang Jingwei couldn't help but shake his head and sighed, "Alas, I gave you an opportunity but you didn't know how to cherish it. Come on, keep him tied to the bed tightly and don't let him make any sound. From now on, don't even bring him a bite of food. In my opinion, he must have eaten too much and too well every day, so he is so arrogant and ungrateful!"

The men in black responded in unison again: "Yes!" Then they acted quickly and tied Tian Cao tightly to the bed according to Zhang Jingwei's instructions.

……

In the Yunzhou government office, a woman was beating the drum to report news. The woman looked pretty, but her face was haggard and her clothes were in disarray. Seeing this, the government officials stepped forward to stop her.

The yamen runner frowned, his face filled with anger as he shouted at the woman in front of him, "Where did you come from, woman? How dare you beat the drum here to report a crime? Don't you know that once this drum is struck, it means there is a grievance among the people?"

The woman, upon hearing this, showed no fear at all. She straightened her body and replied, "I know the significance of the drum, and that is why I have come here to beat the drum and appeal for justice!"

Seeing this, the yamen runner couldn't help but sneer, waved his hand impatiently and said, "Go away, stop talking nonsense! How can a woman come here alone to complain? Go back and call your husband!"

However, the woman refused to give in at all. She gritted her teeth and said loudly: "My lord, please understand! I have come here to sue my husband! I hope the prefect of Yunzhou can help me!" After that, she fell to her knees with a thud, her eyes filled with tears and grief.