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

In the corner of the east yard, Liang Dahai built a donkey shed. There was an old man working inside. It was Zhang Shiyi who was trimming the donkey's hooves.

Zhang Jingwei excitedly shared his newfound knowledge: "I finally figured out one thing this morning: donkeys don't need iron shoes! All you need to do is trim their hooves every once in a while!"

After saying that, he pointed behind him and introduced, "This is Zhang Shiyi. He used to work with the groom, but now he's my personal groom!"

Zhang Shiyi bowed slightly, then said with a genial smile, "Don't worry, young master. Leave all the little things like raising horses and protecting donkeys to me! I promise to take good care of them!"

At this time, Qian Ming hurriedly stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Zhang Shiyi, and shouted, "Hello, Uncle Shiyi!"

Zhang Shiyi looked Qian Ming up and down and asked curiously, "Young Master, your servant looks... a little older, doesn't he?"

Qian Ming scratched his head sheepishly and replied, "I'm so ashamed. I'm already twenty-three this year!"

Zhang Shiyi smiled and nodded after hearing this, saying comfortingly, "It's okay, it's okay. As long as you're strong and healthy, you can earn money to support yourself no matter where you work!"

As the two chatted, Zhang Jingwei spoke again, "Liu Guanjin is now at the rice shop helping to move goods. And Wang Ergou and Mu Tou, they are my capable guards! I'll find a chance for you to meet them later!"

……

After introducing Qian Ming to the people in the courtyard, Zhang Jingwei returned to the kitchen and ate a whole jar of millet porridge and two fried eggs by himself.

Qian Ming looked at Zhang Jingwei with concern and asked softly, "Master, do you want anything else to eat?"

Zhang Jingwei waved his hand, touched his round belly, and said, "Oh, no, I'm too full! I have to go to the bed and lie down to rest for a while." As he said that, he prepared to stand up.

Seeing this, Qian Ming quickly stepped forward, held Zhang Jingwei with his hand, and said, "Master, let me help you back to your room."

However, Zhang Jingwei gently pushed Qian Ming's hand away and replied with a smile: "No need, just go and do your own thing. If there is anything I need help with, I will call you." After that, he staggered towards the room.

Qian Ming stood there, watching Zhang Jingwei's departing figure, feeling extremely puzzled. He and his colleagues were often summoned by officers to their homes to do odd jobs, but this young master's behavior was the first time they had seen him.

What exactly was different? Qian Ming thought about it carefully, but he couldn't pinpoint it. He just had a vague feeling that Zhang Jingwei seemed to have some mental issues. Otherwise, why would he overeat so much? And he was eating so much at breakfast. What if he really broke his stomach? That would be a big problem!

If it wasn't for the purpose of gaining weight, who would have thought of this way of eating? Although the effect has not been very good in the past few days, as long as he persists, the meat will definitely grow. Moreover, he has a more favorable condition for him, that is, there is no toilet. He really can't relieve himself, which leads to severe constipation. Now his belly looks bigger, but in fact it is full of stool.

……

"Swish, swish, swish." It was the sound of clothes on the washboard. After autumn, the well water began to get cold, and Qian Ming's hands were frozen red.

Zhang Jingwei looked at Qian Ming, who was busy doing housework, with curiosity, and couldn't help asking, "Qian Ming, why are you so skilled at doing these housework? Is it because you are afraid of your powerful wife at home?"

Hearing this, Qian Ming paused for a moment, then revealed a simple smile and replied, "Young Master, you're joking. How could I be afraid of my humble wife? I just feel sorry for her. Back then, when I was just a small yamen runner, she resolutely married me. Later, when I joined the army, she accompanied me all the way, enduring all the hardships. Just last year, she gave birth to a big, white and chubby son for me. So I usually do more housework, just to help her share some of the fatigue and let her relax a little."

After hearing this, Zhang Jingwei couldn't help but give Qian Ming a thumbs up and praised him, "Your idea is really novel and avant-garde!"

Qian Ming felt a little embarrassed by the compliment. He scratched his head and said, "Master, I don't quite understand what you mean by 'avant-garde', but it sounds like a compliment, right?"

Zhang Jingwei laughed heartily, patted Qian Ming on the shoulder and said affirmatively: "Yes, that's certainly a good word! Just based on how much you love your wife, I have to respect you as a real man!"

Qian Ming's smile faltered. He wanted to use Zhang Jingwei's identity to say something about himself: "Actually, I don't want to be in the military camp at all. The officers there just like to order their subordinates around. Today I move house for them, tomorrow I hoe the fields for them. It was fine at first, but later on they became less and less like human beings. Not only do they not pay me, but if I don't complete the task, I won't be allowed to eat and they even beat me."

Zhang Jingwei frowned, stared at Qian Ming in front of him with a sharp gaze, and asked coldly: "Are you here to complain on purpose?" There was a hint of displeasure and suspicion in his voice.

Qian Ming was so frightened that his whole body trembled. He quickly bowed and said in fear and trepidation: "Master... please forgive me! I really didn't mean to offend you. I was just anxious at the moment and said too much. Please don't blame me!" As he spoke, a thin layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Zhang Jingwei looked at Qian Ming's trembling expression, and his anger subsided a little, but his face still looked bad. After a moment's silence, he slowly said, "Well, since things have come to this, you might as well tell me. But let me be frank, this is your only chance. Since you usually love your wife, maybe I can try to help you."

Hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Qian Ming's eyes, and he quickly responded: "Yes... Thank you for your mercy, young master! This is what happened..." Then, he began to tell Zhang Jingwei in detail how he and his colleagues were exploited, how his land was occupied, and how the government acted as an accomplice.

Zhang Jingwei stared at Qian Ming sharply and said loudly, "Hmph, the reason you are so sensitive about these lands and family properties is because you have made sufficient preparations a long time ago!" There was a hint of questioning and dissatisfaction in his voice.

Qian Ming didn't dare to look Zhang Jingwei in the eye. He lowered his head slightly and replied softly, "Yes, Master."

Zhang Jingwei sneered and pressed, "So, from the moment you approached me, you were planning on telling me all this in one breath today, right?"

Qian Ming's forehead was covered with sweat, and his body began to tremble unconsciously, but he still answered with a stiff upper lip: "... Please forgive me, Master! I do have this thought."

Zhang Jingwei suddenly raised his voice and shouted, "Answer me, yes or no!"

Qian Ming was frightened and nodded quickly, saying, "Yes, Master... I know I was wrong. Please punish me."

However, what Qian Ming didn't expect was that Zhang Jingwei suddenly changed his tone and said slowly: "Well, but I like honest people. Go and bring my donkey over."

Qian Ming was stunned for a moment, somewhat confused, and asked cautiously, "Master...Master, where are you going?"

Zhang Jingwei raised the corner of his mouth slightly, revealing a sly smile, and said loudly: "Garrison Camp! I want to go and avenge my servant in person!"