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

Chapter 316 Spring Festival Eve

On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the mansion was decorated festively inside and out. Zhang Jingwei wrote couplets and blessing characters all day long until he got tired of it.

Spring stickers were not popular in this era, and there were no door gods. People passing by would stop and watch for a while when they saw the couplets posted in the marquis' mansion and the portraits of two generals on the door.

……

Huangfu Ling looked at the beautifully written couplet in front of her with delight, and couldn't help but exclaimed: "Husband, your handwriting is really good! Sister Juanjuan will definitely like it very much when she sees it! I'll send it to her right away." After that, she carefully picked up the couplet and prepared to turn around and leave.

Zhang Jingwei quickly stopped her: "Slow down, Ling'er, this is really the last one! I really can't write anymore, my hands are about to cramp!" He rubbed his wrist and said to Huangfu Ling with a wry smile.

Upon hearing this, Huangfu Ling hurriedly put down the scroll in her hand, walked quickly to Zhang Jingwei, gently held his hand, and said with a distressed look on her face: "I know, I know, thank you for your hard work, husband!" As she spoke, she gently massaged Zhang Jingwei's wrists and fingers.

Zhang Jingwei felt Huangfu Ling's gentle movements, and his heart was filled with emotion. Suddenly, Huangfu Ling raised her head, looked at him lovingly, and then quickly kissed him on the cheek, saying coquettishly: "Hehe, will this make my husband feel better?"

Zhang Jingwei smiled and said, "Well, Madam is so considerate!"

Zhang Jingwei hadn't had a morning run recently, and he felt a bit uncomfortable. The stone locks in the yard were a good place for him to practice. His physical fitness was much better than before, and Huangfu Changshui wanted to teach him some boxing skills when he saw his physique. He had practiced boxing for a while in his past life, and he had no problem hitting sandbags, but hitting wooden stakes, his hands were swollen like pig's trotters after just one morning.

At that moment, Wang Ergou quickly walked up to Zhang Jingwei, bowed, and said, "Young Master, the rewards for all the secret agents have been distributed. As you know, during the New Year and other festivals, all kinds of intelligence pours in like snowflakes. This is the most critical and intensive period. Therefore, our brothers will do their utmost to collect information and strive to help you get the latest news about the 'Lost Son' as soon as possible!"

Zhang Jingwei nodded slightly, smiling at the loyal Wang Ergou before him. He patted his shoulder and said, "Gouzi, you've been really hard-working lately. But there's nothing we can do about it. Your status is so special, so it's inconvenient for you to take a day off during the holidays. But don't worry, once this 'Operation Abandoned Son' is successfully concluded, this young master will definitely not treat you unfairly. When the time comes, I will definitely reward you with a considerable sum of money, at least a thousand taels of silver, so that you can all take a long and happy vacation, relax and enjoy a leisurely life."

Wang Ergou was deeply moved upon hearing this. He quickly clasped his fists and bowed again, saying, "Thank you so much, Young Master, for your kindness! I, Ergou, truly cannot repay you! But... I wonder what your plans are now that you've found your son? Will you help him ascend to the throne, or use him as a bargaining chip to exchange for favorable treatment from other factions?"

Zhang Jingwei pondered for a moment, then shook his head and replied, "Actually, I haven't really thought too deeply about this matter yet. Let's wait until the son is found before we can discuss anything. As for the specific arrangements for the future, I think it's best to leave it to my father-in-law. After all, given my current rank and position, I'm probably not yet qualified to participate in such a major and complex decision. This kind of thing is not something I can casually interfere with!"

Wang Ergou quickly responded, "Yes! I understand! I'll go down and continue to urge the brothers to inquire about the news!"

Zhang Jingwei frowned slightly and asked, "By the way, is there any news from Rongdi?"

Wang Ergou quickly bowed and replied, "Master, those tribes have been gathering outside Wuzhou for a long time before the beginning of spring, but there has been no movement in Yunzhou yet."

Zhang Jingwei nodded thoughtfully and then instructed, "Send Li Yi out after New Year's Eve. After the spring, it will be difficult to find the dying old cow again! Also, my honey shop has some backlog of goods recently, and sales are not very optimistic. You can let him take a batch to see how it sells."

After hearing this, Wang Ergou quickly responded, "I understand!" However, his expression gradually became solemn.

Zhang Jingwei seemed to notice his anomaly and said comfortingly, "You can't blame yourself for what happened to Li Yi. After all, he meant no harm. And he's still under your control. I'll have to rely on you two to do things for me in the future!"

Wang Ergou quickly bowed and respectfully replied, "Thank you for your trust, Master! I will do my best!"

……

Zhang Jingwei immediately informed Huangfu Changshui of his plan to leave his son behind. He glared at his son-in-law with anger and said sternly, "Why won't you listen to my advice?!"

Zhang Jingwei looked at his father-in-law, Huangfu Changshui, with a determined expression. He clasped his fists and bowed, saying, "Father-in-law, please forgive me. I only want to clear my father's name. Once this is accomplished, I will live peacefully with Ling'er and will never get involved in anything else."

Huangfu Changshui narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a heavy tone, "Since the restoration of the Sixteen Prefectures of Northern Cloud, no commander-in-chief has been appointed. Do you know the reason?"

Zhang Jingwei answered without hesitation, "Because the Sixteen Prefectures of Northern Yun could be abandoned at any time, their sole purpose is to use them to contain the powerful vassal kings in the north."

Huangfu Changshui nodded and continued, "Yes, you are quite capable of understanding this. But you should also know that I am already the most powerful military commander in the sixteen states. In other words, if I am willing, I am fully capable of breaking the current situation of checks and balances among the prime ministers and vassal states in one fell swoop!"

Zhang Jingwei's heart trembled, but his face showed no sign of panic. He calmly analyzed, "I know what my father-in-law is trying to say. That prince, living among the common people, will probably become a huge variable. If he can rise to power in the future, the situation may eventually evolve into a three-way confrontation."

Huangfu Changshui took a deep breath and said slowly, "With our current strength, we are simply unable to contend with those behemoths. Therefore, we must act with caution and do what we can. After all, this delicate balance is what the court needs right now."

Zhang Jingwei responded respectfully: "I understand!"