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

Chapter 328: Mr. Zhang is crying

Zhang Jingwei stood outside the government office, looking down at his neatly dressed official uniform. Something felt off. He frowned, muttering to himself, "Why does it feel like my official certificate is missing a few pieces of clothing?" He recalled the official certificates from Lu Hui and his father-in-law, Huangfu Changshui. They contained several large packages, not only official uniforms, but also various formal attire, court robes, and even accessories. His own package, however, seemed remarkably simple.

Just as he was puzzled, Liu Yanzhi slowly walked out of the government office with a faint smile on his face. Zhang Jingwei saw this and hurriedly stepped forward to salute: "Teacher!"

Liu Yanzhi nodded and said gently, "It's rare that you didn't get carried away."

Zhang Jingwei lowered his head in shame: "Teacher, I'm really sorry for making you worry these days."

Liu Yanzhi waved his hand and said in a relaxed tone: "It's okay, everything is okay. Young people like to make trouble, as long as they are safe."

Zhang Jingwei felt a surge of warmth in his heart. Just as he was about to say something else, Liu Yanzhi suddenly interrupted him and said with a smile, "Wish me a happy new year. I have prepared a red envelope today."

Zhang Jingwei was stunned, then asked in confusion: "Teacher prepared the red envelope, why did you have to suffer that injustice? Why did you give it to that governor?"

Liu Yanzhi did not answer directly, but took out a brocade red envelope from his sleeve and handed it to Zhang Jingwei. The red envelope was made of red brocade cloth, embroidered with lifelike patterns, and was obviously carefully made.

Liu Yanzhi smiled and said, "My red envelope is for my most talented student. Congratulations on your successful career so soon. I wish you a bright future!"

Zhang Jingwei accepted the red envelope, a mixture of emotions welling up in his heart. He lowered his head to examine it carefully, noting the exquisite embroidery, presumably done by his master's wife, Meng. He then looked up at Liu Yanzhi, only to see that his old official robes had been washed white, their knees stained with dust, and the patches on his cotton trousers had shed lint, making him look particularly shabby.

At this moment, Zhang Jingwei couldn't hold it in any longer. His eyes instantly moistened, and an indescribable sadness welled up in his heart. He knelt heavily on the ground, kowtowed to Liu Yanzhi, and shouted in a trembling voice: "I wish you a happy Lantern Festival and a happy New Year!"

He didn't raise his head, but his body was trembling, as if he was trying hard to suppress his inner emotions. Seeing this, Liu Yanzhi sighed softly, reached out and patted his back, and said in a gentle and loving tone: "Okay, get up. I should also go and say goodbye to Lord Lu. Before you go home, go to the stolen goods room to redeem a gift for your wife. Some of the items from foreign merchants are very popular with young girls."

Zhang Jingwei still lowered his head and replied with a choked voice: "Hmm..."

Liu Yanzhi didn't say anything else, just patted his shoulder gently, then turned and left. Zhang Jingwei knelt on the ground for a long time before getting up, the red seal in his hand tightly clenched.

……

The few days that Zhang Jingwei was missing did bring about some positive effects. First, the government conducted strict investigations and captured several wanted criminals, and found a large number of contraband in every household. Then, all the foreign businessmen who evaded taxes were arrested by the government and their property was confiscated. Huangfu Changshui basically wiped out all the gangs and strongholds. For at least a year, Yunzhou's caravans could travel on the mountain roads without any worries.

Walking down the street, Zhang Jingwei, leading a donkey, wore a brand-new official uniform, a black gauze hat, and black boots. His attire contrasted sharply with the animal he held. Passersby couldn't help but stare at him, puzzled: Why was this official leading the donkey himself? However, once they saw it was Zhang Jingwei, their faces relaxed, their smiles widening. After all, Zhang Jingwei was a notorious "eccentric" in Yunzhou City. He was usually unconcerned with small matters, and even now, as an official, he retained that casual demeanor.

The neighbors greeted him one after another, their tone filled with warmth and familiarity: "Master Zhang, you're back!"

"Master Zhang, you look so smart in this official uniform!"

Zhang Jingwei also responded one by one with a smile on his face, without any lack of enthusiasm.

Just as he turned a corner, a slightly older child suddenly jumped out of the alley and shouted, "Master Zhang is home!" This shout was like a signal, instantly attracting a group of children. They ran over from all directions, surrounded Zhang Jingwei, and chattered non-stop.

A little baby, just learning to speak, tugged at the corner of Zhang Jingwei's clothes and said in a baby voice, "Candy, candy..." Another child, blowing snot bubbles, looked up at him eagerly, "Master, you've grown up now. Do we still have candy to eat?"

Zhang Jingwei was amused by the children and smiled, calling out to Qian Ming, who was following behind him: "Qian Ming, take out the honey from the donkey's back and share it with the children." Qian Ming responded by taking out a bag of honey from the bag on the donkey's back and distributing it to the children who gathered around. The children were all grinning from ear to ear when they received the candy, and they kept shouting, "Thank you, Master Zhang!"

Zhang Jingwei looked at the older boy and said with a deliberately stern face, "Little Sanzi, you actually ambushed me here! You little brat, you're quite brave!"

This third son lived in a deep alley in the East Market, very close to the Marquis' Mansion. He often "sneak-attacked" Zhang Jingwei. His surname was Shang and he was the third child, so everyone called him "the third son."

Xiao Sanzi puffed out his chest and looked proud: "Hmph, this general has already figured out where Lord Zhang is going! My spies just saw you crying!" As he spoke, he pointed to a little kid not far away. The child was hiding in the corner, peeking over here curiously.

Zhang Jingwei laughed heartily and patted Xiao Sanzi on the shoulder: "Hahaha, listen to this, a talent for a great general! Do you want to join the army when you grow up?"

The third son raised his head, his face full of pride: "That's right! This general will become a man of great stature, defending our country with dignity and majesty!"

As he was speaking, a woman hurried out from the alley, holding a rolling pin in her hand, and yelled, "Sanzi! You didn't even eat lunch, and you're not going back to me!" She grabbed Sanzi's ear and dragged him home, turning back to apologize to Zhang Jingwei with a smile as she walked, "Master Zhang, please don't be offended by my child's ignorance!"

Zhang Jingwei smiled and waved his hands: "It's okay, it's okay, the kids are just playing around."

He looked at the back of the little third child being dragged away by his mother by the ear, and couldn't help but jokingly said, "Oh no, our general was taken back by his mother to be dealt with."

The children burst into laughter and followed suit, saying, "General Shang has been captured!"

"General Shang was defeated by his mother!"

As the youngest was being dragged away by his mother, he turned back and shouted, "Just wait, the general will be back!"

Zhang Jingwei felt a surge of warmth as he watched these innocent children. He led his donkey and continued walking home, the children's laughter still ringing in his ears.