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

Zhang Jingwei returned home, opened the door, and lay straight on the bed. Zhang Liu made him a cup of scented tea. Just as he was about to drink it, Wang Ergou rushed forward anxiously, grabbed Zhang Jingwei's sleeve tightly, and said in a trembling voice, "Master! Where have you been all day? There has been no news from you all day. I was so worried! I almost mobilized all the spies I could to look for you!"

Zhang Jingwei, however, appeared remarkably calm. He gently patted Wang Ergou's hand and said soothingly, "Don't panic, Ergou. I just went to the death row."

Hearing this, Wang Ergou's eyes widened and he asked in surprise, "Is it because of that Li Laolang?"

Zhang Jingwei nodded slightly in affirmation, and asked curiously, "Why? You actually know him?"

Wang Ergou quickly explained, "Master, I've noticed this guy before. He's considered a top figure in Fenzhou. It's said he's been working for the Salt Gang, and the Marquis has dealt with him in some of his salt and tea business."

Zhang Jingwei nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "So, this salt gang should be a smuggling ring, right?"

Wang Ergou quickly shook his head in denial, "Master, that's not right. Although the goods they're shipping might be a little irregular, they're still operating through a trading company. As for the specific operating procedures, I'm not very clear."

At this time, Zhang Jingwei lowered his voice and said to Wang Ergou, "Gouzi, to be honest, after I risked my life to rescue him from the execution ground today, I got an important piece of information from him - the Xinxue school has also set its sights on that batch of gunpowder."

Wang Ergou was even more astonished when he heard this, blurting out, "Salt? That stuff isn't a prohibited item for sale. Why would they go to such great lengths, even taking such a risk, to snatch it from the soldiers?"

Zhang Jingwei analyzed with a serious look, "This shows that this batch of gunpowder must be extraordinary! Otherwise, why would all the forces mobilize so many troops?"

Wang Ergou said with a worried look on his face, "This batch of gunpowder is currently stored at the military supply department, but after the explosion, there is very little left."

Zhang Jingwei, standing nearby, frowned and complained irritably, "Oh, this is so annoying! It's just a small amount of stuff, and yet someone still wants it. I really want to just set it on fire and burn it all to ashes!"

Wang Ergou quickly advised, "Young Master, please don't be impulsive! Keeping this batch of saltpeter is a temporary solution that the Marquis has carefully considered. If the Prince of Jin causes trouble, we can use this remaining saltpeter to deal with it."

Zhang Jingwei curled his lips and said disdainfully, "Humph! My father-in-law usually looks quite vigorous, but why is he as limp as a chicken in front of these so-called bigwigs?"

Wang Ergou quickly explained, "Young Master, you don't know. It's precisely because you're facing those powerful figures that the Marquis chose to show weakness temporarily!"

Zhang Jingwei disagreed and muttered, "I don't think so. In my opinion, he's not showing weakness at all, but is truly weak and incompetent!"

Wang Ergou shook his head and patiently analyzed, "Young Master, if you think the Marquis looks weak, it just shows that he's been very successful in keeping a low profile these past few years! Back then, the imperial court sent out an army of 200,000, but couldn't defeat those brutal Rong people. Yet, the Marquis, with only a few thousand men, successfully drove the Chahar tribe back outside the Great Wall. After years of fighting, there are now countless people in the army who admire the Marquis!"

Zhang Jingwei's eyes widened, and he said with disdain, "Humph! If he really had such ability, why would he just be a mere general? In my opinion, he should lead his army straight to Chang'an, sit on the supreme dragon throne, and experience what it's like to be an emperor. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Wang Ergou, who was standing by, couldn't help but laugh when he heard this. He shook his head and said, "Young Master, you're talking nonsense again! This kind of thing is not something we can discuss casually."

Zhang Jingwei, however, didn't take it seriously. He sat down heavily on the bed, crossed his arms, and continued confidently, "I'm not just talking nonsense! When he passes away, I'll lead his elite troops and generals all the way to the Imperial City and pull that emperor, who spends his days enjoying singing and dancing, off the throne!"

At this moment, a cold and sarcastic voice suddenly rang out from outside the door: "What a shameless fellow! Even if you can really pull the emperor down, then what? Could it be that you yourself have also wanted to experience the fantasy of being an emperor?"

Zhang Jingwei was startled by this sudden question, but quickly composed himself and replied with a stiff neck, "Of course not! I, Zhang, don't have such grand ambitions. After deposing the emperor, it is natural for the people of the world to jointly elect a great and virtuous person who is truly capable of governing the country and maintaining peace to sit on the throne! Only in this way can we ensure the eternal stability of our country and the well-being of the people!"

When Wang Ergou heard this, his face turned pale and he cried out in shock, "My Lord...My Lord!"

Zhang Jingwei looked at Huangfu Changshui in astonishment and stammered, "Father-in-law! Why...why are you still eavesdropping here? I was just joking. Please don't take it seriously!"

Huangfu Changshui straightened up, glared, and cursed angrily: "You stinky boy, haven't you farted enough in my place?"

Zhang Jingwei scratched his head, revealed a flattering smile, and after a few dry laughs, asked, "Hey, father-in-law, I wonder why you came to see me, your son-in-law?"

Huangfu Changshui folded his arms across his chest, looked at him playfully, and asked, "Oh, now you know how to call me father-in-law? How can my emperor be so polite!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jingwei quickly bowed his head and admitted his mistake, muttering to himself, "I was wrong. I really know I was wrong! Father-in-law, please stop making fun of me."

At this moment, Huangfu Changshui suddenly turned his head, glanced sharply at Wang Ergou who was standing beside him, and shouted loudly: "Wang Ergou, what are you still standing there for? Close the door and don't touch my ears!"

Wang Ergou was so frightened that he trembled all over and quickly responded, "Yes! I'll take my leave now." After that, he ran out in a hurry, and did not forget to close the door after leaving.

"Father-in-law, this is..." Zhang Jingwei was a little panicked. He was not sure whether Huangfu Changshui was going to beat him up.

Huangfu Changshui walked slowly to the chair and drank the scented tea that had been brewed on the table but had not yet been drunk. After taking a sip, he closed his eyes and savored the taste.