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

Zhang Jingwei continued running as usual, though his stamina wasn't quite up to par. The outer circle of the East Courtyard was less than two kilometers in circumference, and after two laps he was practically out of breath. However, the fatigue paid off; he could clearly feel his strength returning. He no longer looked like the drug addict he once was. He was now more alert, his eyes clear, his cheeks rosy and glowing. This was the northern sun, and while it was there, it wasn't very effective. If he were still at the high altitude of the south, he could still tan his skin back to its tan.

After a short rest of one minute, he trotted back to the courtyard. Unexpectedly, Liang Dahai had already taken out all the quilts to dry in the sun early in the morning. Just when he couldn't help but want to praise him, he appeared from behind with sleepy eyes.

The morning sun streamed through the window, illuminating the entire room. Liang Dahai rose from the bed, stretching and yawning. He walked slowly to the door and saluted Zhang Jingwei, who was about to leave. "Good morning, Master!"

Zhang Jingwei frowned, looking at the guy who had just woken up, and said unhappily, "Why are you up just now? Where's my breakfast? And who does all the housework in this house?"

Liang Dahai quickly smiled and said, "Master, don't be angry. This morning, a man named Qian Ming was brought to our house by Xiao Douya. He said he wanted to be your servant. He's very hardworking. Not only did he cook delicious porridge for you, he even took your quilt out to dry in the sun!"

Zhang Jingwei nodded after hearing this, a look of satisfaction on his face, but then he asked, "Oh? Where is he now?"

Liang Dahai scratched his head and said embarrassedly: "This... I don't know. Anyway, someone helped me with the work, so I took the opportunity to sleep a little longer. Hehe..."

Zhang Jingwei glared at him and scolded him, "You are so lazy!"

Liang Dahai didn't take it seriously and replied with a smile: "To answer your question, Master, everyone will die eventually. If I can die because of laziness, then I am willing to do it!"

Zhang Jingwei was so angry that he stamped his feet and pointed at Liang Dahai's nose and threatened: "Okay, if you dare to talk nonsense with me again, I will deduct your monthly salary!"

When Liang Dahai heard this, he turned pale with fear and begged for mercy: "Oh my, my dear young master, I know I'm wrong! That monthly salary is my lifeblood. If you really deduct it all, how can I live? Please spare me!"

Zhang Jingwei shouted at Liang Dahai with a serious face, "Go, go, go! Today, you must dig out that septic tank I told you about. Do you understand? If I don't see the toilet I mentioned tonight, don't blame me for being rude. I'm going to shit and pee right on your bed!"

Liang Dahai was startled and nodded hurriedly, "Oh, I see. I'll do it right away." He muttered to himself, this Zhang Jingwei usually looks quite easy-going, why is he so scary when he gets serious?

A so-called septic tank is actually composed of two interconnected manure pits. Toilet waste first enters the first sedimentation tank, typically with a U-shaped pipe in the center. Once the sewage accumulates and fills up to a certain level, the clearer water in the middle flows through the U-shaped pipe into the second tank—the clean water tank. Once the clean water tank is also full, this secondary sedimentation water is discharged into the sewer or into irrigation ditches.

"Master!" Qian Ming was seen carefully carrying a wooden basin filled with dirty clothes and stumbling towards them. When he came closer, he smiled and greeted Zhang Jingwei respectfully.

Zhang Jingwei was slightly startled and asked in confusion, "Huh? Didn't you say you wouldn't come until next month? Why are you here so early?"

Qian Ming made a bitter face and sighed, "Alas, Master, you don't know this. The night before last, I was careless and left my post without permission. When I was discovered, I was beaten with a military stick and finally kicked out of the barracks."

Zhang Jingwei frowned and asked, "Then you didn't mention my name to them? Maybe I can plead for you."

Qian Ming quickly waved his hands and explained, "Master, please don't think that. This time, I made the mistake entirely on my own, and I'm really embarrassed to ask you to come to my rescue. If others knew that I had to rely on you to intervene because of such a small matter, how could I face people in the future?"

After hearing this, Zhang Jingwei couldn't help but nodded and praised: "Well, not bad, not bad, you still have some backbone! Dahai, you should learn from him!"

Liang Dahai on the side responded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, the young master is right, I will go dig the shit pit now!" After that, he ran away.

After Liang Dahai walked away, Qian Ming looked at his departing figure and sighed, "This little brother Dahai is quite capable. He has such a wonderful skill, but he is willing to be a servant. It's really a pity."

Zhang Jingwei shook his head helplessly and sighed, "There's nothing I can do. After all, he was born a slave. He can't make the decisions on many things."

Qian Ming nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, everyone is just trying to make a living. Even though I'm not a slave, I still have to serve you, young master."

Zhang Jingwei took Qian Ming to meet the people in the yard.

They first visited Zhang Liu, who was recuperating in the ear house (a small room next to the main house).

Zhang Liu was half lying on the bed, his face slightly pale, but still exuding a sense of majesty.

Zhang Jingwei walked gently to the bedside and introduced Qian Ming, "This is Zhang Liu. Everyone in our courtyard calls him Master Liu. He used to be the steward of my Zhang family, and now he's my guardian! From now on, if I'm not home, you'll just have to follow his instructions."

Qian Ming hurriedly stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Zhang Liu, and said, "Hello, Master Liu! I'm new here, so please take care of me."

Zhang Liu raised his head slightly, looking Qian Ming up and down with a flicker of admiration in his eyes. He said, "Well, this servant of the young master, although his body doesn't look as strong and sturdy as a piece of wood, he looks much smarter and more intelligent than a piece of wood."

Qian Ming was secretly happy to receive Zhang Liu's praise. After saying goodbye to Zhang Liu, he followed Zhang Jingwei out of the ear room.

As they walked along, Qian Ming couldn't suppress his curiosity and asked softly, "Young Master, just now you said that Sixth Master is your guardian. What does it mean to be a guardian?"

Zhang Jingwei blinked and explained with a grin, "A guardian, to put it simply, is someone who takes care of your eating, drinking, defecating, urinating, and sleeping. Even though we're not blood relatives, they're still family and elders!"

Qian Ming nodded, not quite understanding what he meant.