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

Upon returning home, Zhang Jingwei couldn't wait to tell his father-in-law, Huangfu Changshui, everything that had happened that day. Huangfu Changshui was immediately furious after hearing this. He slammed the table and stood up, shouting, "How arrogant! What do these lunatics want?" His face was filled with anger, and his eyes were flashing with sparks of anger.

Seeing this, Zhang Jingwei quickly said, "Father-in-law, please calm down. In my opinion, we should make this deal with them. After all, these saltpeter are just a hidden danger if they remain in our hands."

Huangfu Changshui frowned and said sternly, "Although the sale of this saltpeter isn't prohibited, it was confiscated. How can we buy and sell it at will?"

Zhang Jingwei refused to give in and retorted, "Father-in-law, you don't know why the Zhang family's property was openly sold by the government?"

Huangfu Changshui was speechless for a moment. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke: "The two situations are of course different..."

Before Huangfu Changshui could finish his words, Zhang Jingwei interrupted, "I understand. The government holds the relevant approval documents. As long as the fines and taxes are paid in full, the confiscated properties can be freely purchased and sold!"

Huangfu Changshui shook his head helplessly and sighed, "However, the amount of saltpeter stored at the military supply office is limited. It's really not worth the hassle."

At this moment, Zhang Jingwei's eyes suddenly lit up, and he said excitedly: "Father-in-law, I have a very bold idea in my mind - to buy the limestone kiln!"

Huangfu Changshui's face changed drastically when he heard this, and he exclaimed in shock, "Jingwei, do you know that the limestone kiln is the property of the King of Jin? By acting like this, aren't you openly provoking the King of Jin?"

Zhang Jingwei disagreed and responded confidently, "In fact, the King of Jin doesn't care about this small kiln at all. So many officials were killed in the smuggling case, and the King of Jin's power has been affected. He even wants to win over my father-in-law. This is enough to prove that some things are more important than armor and saltpeter."

Huangfu Changshui asked in astonishment, "What is that?!"

Zhang Jingwei replied solemnly, "The late emperor's secret decree was about 'me'!"

Huangfu Changshui couldn't help but sigh after hearing this: "Alas... I wonder if you still remember the words Han Ye shouted before he died?"

Zhang Jingwei nodded slightly and replied, "My Zhang family does possess the secret decree of the late emperor. Not only do you know about this secret decree, but Han Ye is also well aware of it!"

Huangfu Changshui stared at Zhang Jingwei sharply and asked, "If that's the case, why don't you come and ask me?"

A wry smile played on Zhang Jingwei's lips as he slowly spoke, "I've always been lazy and love nothing more than to play it safe. I simply don't have the interest to inquire about things that require thorough investigation. Besides, Zhang Liu once told me that when I'm truly capable of handling things on my own, he'll share the details with me. So, while I'm anxious to ask, I also don't really want to. All I want is to do my job well."

Huangfu Changshui was delighted when he heard this and said with emotion, "I really don't know how to put it into words. Letting Ling'er marry you was truly the wisest decision I've ever made in my life."

Zhang Jingwei hurriedly bowed and responded modestly, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, father-in-law."

In fact, Zhang Jingwei already knew whether the Zhang family had any secret decrees or not, and he seriously suspected that there was an illegitimate child of the previous emperor in the north, and his father had been looking for him during his lifetime!

……

The next day.

Zhang Jingwei went to the military bank early in the morning. As soon as he entered the lobby, the lobby manager ran over and said in a panic, "Boss! You're finally here. Yesterday, someone came to apply for the position of head manager. I checked his credentials and arranged for him to stay in the president's office on the top floor. I'll wait for you to make the final decision."

Zhang Jingwei's face showed joy, and he praised: "Well done, thank you for your hard work!"

The lobby manager was a relative of one of the owners of the military bank. He was a scholar who was over forty years old and had never passed the imperial examination. He came back and opened a restaurant in the county town. The business was not good and he was heavily in debt, so he simply came to Yunzhou to be the manager of a trading company.

In fact, the other shopkeepers in the military bank were also scholars who failed to pass the exam. Studying was a very expensive thing, and Zhang Jingwei's salary was quite generous, so they could prepare for the exam while working.

……

Zhang Jingwei took his time climbing up to the third floor. As soon as he appeared, a clever little servant jumped up from the stairs like a spring, smiling broadly. He bowed respectfully and asked, "Excuse me, is this Zhang Xiaolian from Yunzhou?"

Zhang Jingwei nodded slightly and replied with full energy, "That's right!"

When the little servant heard this, his smile grew even brighter. He quickly turned around and rushed into the house, shouting, "Sir, it's Zhang Xiaolian who's here!"

Zhang Jingwei had been standing there quietly, waiting for the owner to show up. But after a brief pause, a thought suddenly struck him, and he thought to himself, "Oh, this isn't right! This is clearly my office. Why am I standing here like an idiot, waiting for him to come out and see me?"

Thinking of this, Zhang Jingwei no longer hesitated. He strode forward with big strides and pushed open the door of his office without hesitation.

The door flung open, revealing the scene inside. A young scholar in a simple, elegant long gown was reclining leisurely on a large chair, a yellowed, ancient book in his hands, absorbed in his reading. His face was thin, with dark circles around his eyes, and he looked exhausted, as if he hadn't slept all night.

The scholar in plain clothes heard the noise and slowly raised his head. The moment his eyes met Zhang Jingwei's, he immediately showed joy. He quickly stood up, clasped his fists and saluted Zhang Jingwei, saying earnestly, "I have long heard of Zhang Xiaolian's great name. It is a great honor to meet him today! I have come here without permission to stay for one night. I hope Xiaolian will forgive me for any inconvenience I may have caused you!"

Zhang Jingwei smiled and waved his hand, responding, "Brother, you are too kind. It's just a trivial matter, not worth mentioning. May I know your name?"

The scholar in plain clothes bowed again and answered humbly and politely: "No need to tell me your surname, my given name is '靎' and my courtesy name is 'Zhaoxuan'. This is my business card, please accept it!" After that, he carefully took out an exquisite business card from his arms and presented it to Zhang Jingwei with both hands.

Zhang Jingwei took the name card and took a closer look. Suddenly, the list of successful candidates from Hedong Province that he had seen before flashed through his mind. He excitedly exclaimed, "Oh! So you are the top scholar from Hedong—Gao Jiong!"

Zhang Jingwei was shocked. The top scorer in the college entrance examination! He actually came to work for him!