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

At noon, the sun shone brightly, and dust billowed along the official road. Zhang Jingwei rode a donkey in front, with a string of people tied behind him with hemp ropes. Qian Ming, Fang Yue, and others were tied tightly and staggered behind the donkey, being dragged every few steps.

"Master," Qian Ming said with a trembling voice, his face mournful. "Just now, I did bring the villagers here to demand their wages. Fang Yue said he could handle it, so these thieves took advantage of the situation..."

Zhang Jingwei didn't even turn his head, and the reins in his hand didn't move at all.

Seeing that his plea for mercy was fruitless, Qian Ming's voice became even more mournful: "Master! My wife and children are all watching us from behind. Please...at least...don't judge me when we get to Gaoyang. My wife will be upset if she sees me!"

The figure on the donkey's back remained motionless.

"Master... Sir!" Qian Ming suddenly knelt on the ground and was dragged a few steps. "I really know I was wrong!"

Mu Tou couldn't bear to watch any longer and quickly stepped forward: "Master, are you really going to take Lao Qian to the county government office?"

Zhang Jingwei finally spoke, his voice cold and hard: "Go pick up the madam first. We must get to Gaoyang before tonight!"

"Master!" Mu Tou suddenly rushed in front of the donkey and opened his arms to block its way. "What Old Qian said just now was the truth! This matter...this matter really can't be blamed entirely on him!"

"Get out of the way!" Zhang Jingwei shouted sternly.

Mu Tou wanted to explain to Qian Ming, "Young Master..."

Zhang Jingwei suddenly jumped up and shouted angrily: "I told you to get out of the way!"

At this moment, Qian Ming's family members suddenly knelt in the middle of the road: "Master Zhang!"

Zhang Jingwei then pulled the reins, dismounted, and quickly stepped forward to help the white-haired Qian's father stand up. He said, "Uncle Qian, as the county magistrate, I must govern impartially. Please don't make things difficult for me."

Qian's father burst into tears and trembled as he said, "Everyone knows that your Excellency loves the people like his own children. Ah Ming was confused for a moment, but he is usually very kind-hearted. The neighbors all praise him..."

"This incident involves deceiving the people and embezzling money," Zhang Jingwei interrupted. "If I had selfish motives, how could I convince the public in the future?"

Qian's father suddenly knelt down and kowtowed: "In the final analysis, it's all because of me, as a father, who failed to discipline him well. Scholars say that 'if a son is not taught well, it is the fault of the father'. Let an old man like me take the punishment for him! He is still young, and you can still use him if you keep him..."

Zhang Jingwei was silent for a long time. Finally, he sighed softly and turned to Qian Ming: "Speak!"

Qian Ming burst into tears: "Sir, my father is old, his words can not be taken seriously... I accept the punishment, I only ask that you do not embarrass my family..."

"You've been a bit cocky lately," Zhang Jingwei suddenly sneered. "Do the people at the military camp call you 'Master Qian'?"

Qian Ming lowered his head in shame: "In front of my family, I just wanted to...save some face."

"I'll untie you," Zhang Jingwei suddenly changed the subject. "Carry your father on your back and follow me to Gaoyang. If you get tired, just let me know and I'll stop and wait for you."

Qian Ming was stunned, and it took him a while to react: "Yes!"

"Mutou," Zhang Jingwei turned around and ordered, "Go and invite Madam and the others. I can't take these prisoners to Jia Village, lest they be beaten to death by the angry villagers."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yue and his gang turned pale and didn't even dare to breathe.

Mu Tou hesitated and said, "Master, you are holding so many people by yourself..."

"Hahaha!" Zhang Jingwei suddenly laughed. "Your young master is no longer the same as he was before! Look at this group of people, who of them looks like they can beat me?"

Mu Tou also laughed: "That's right, the young master has become much stronger in the past six months."

"Go ahead," Zhang Jingwei waved his hand, "Tell the young lady a message and tell her I'll walk slowly and wait for her."

Qian Ming had already carried his father on his back and was following silently behind the donkey. Fang Yue and the others were led along by the ropes, their heads bowed in dejection, their former arrogance gone.

……

Mu Tou was very fast. Although he was carrying a 68-jin axe, he only took half an hour to cover the ten miles and catch up with Huangfu Ling and his party.

Huangfu Ling saw Qian Ming carrying his father from afar and couldn't help wondering, "Why is Qian Ming carrying his father?"

Zhang Jingwei replied casually, "I am a local official after all. It is normal for me to educate my own servants."

Huangfu Ling looked at the sky and frowned, saying, "We're still thirty miles away from Gaoyang. If we keep going like this, it will be dark by then."

"Have you forgotten what he used to do?" Zhang Jingwei said with a smile, "The patrolman's legs and feet are very good, he won't be delayed for long!"

Huangfu Ling suddenly remembered something and took out a bill from his sleeve: "I just gave Uncle Jia two hundred strings of cash as a deposit. Remember to ask Junxing to pay me back later."

Zhang Jingwei was at a loss for words. "I'm not as rich as a nation, but I'm definitely one of the richest in my area. Why are you still so stingy?"

"Let's put it this way," Huangfu Ling rolled her eyes at him. "Did the money come from the wind? Besides, isn't my money your money?"

Zhang Jingwei could only nod repeatedly: "Ah, yes, yes!"

At the end of the team, Qian Ming, sweating profusely, struggled to move forward while carrying his elderly father on his back. Qian's father patted his son's shoulder with concern and said, "Take a break. I'll ask Xiuniang to stop the ox cart so we can have some water!"

Qian Ming shook his head stubbornly: "No, the young master is testing me! I can do it! Hehe!"

Father Qian was both angry and amused: "You little bastard, why are you laughing so foolishly?"

"Daddy has gained weight, and I'm happy!" Qian Ming said breathlessly.

Upon hearing this, Qian's father showed a guilty look on his face: "Really? If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have eaten so much in that kiln. Now I've caused you trouble."

Qian Ming did not stop walking, but became more determined: "I won't get into trouble. The more Dad eats, the more energetic I will be!"

"Silly child, you're talking nonsense!" Father Qian sighed. "Now that you're earning a lot of money following Master Zhang, don't follow those rich people and do things that harm the world and morality."

Qian Ming nodded heavily: "I understand, Dad, I won't do it again."

Along the way, Zhang Jingwei looked back frequently, genuinely shocked. Qian Ming had silently carried his father all the way from Yaoying to the outskirts of Gaoyang City. The setting sun cast its afterglow over the father and son, creating a moving scene.

……

Zhang Jingwei tightened the reins, turned around and looked at the panting Qian Ming, and said softly, "That's enough, old man. Is my son's back more comfortable than an ox cart?"

Father Qian quickly slid off his son's back and bowed, "Master Zhang, Ah Ming is exhausted. How about... punishing him later?"

Zhang Jingwei did not answer immediately. Instead, he walked over to Qian Ming, who was slumped on the ground, squatted down, and asked, "Are you tired?"

Qian Ming wiped the sweat from his face and forced himself to straighten his back: "No... not tired!"

"You are as tired as a donkey, but you are still being stubborn." Zhang Jingwei shook his head and laughed.

Qian Ming was panting, but his eyes were shining: "Master, you want to preach to me, right?"

"Well," Zhang Jingwei stood up, his hands behind his back, and looked at the distant city wall. "If you had complained of being tired along the way, I would have let you rest, given you a lecture, and let the matter be over. I didn't expect you to have such perseverance."

Hearing this, Qian Ming struggled to stand up: "I know the young master's character. You must have your own intentions when you punish me."

Zhang Jingwei reached out to help him, his tone suddenly becoming grave, "Punishment isn't the goal. You're exhausted just carrying your father, and how much more tiring would it be for me to carry tens of thousands of people?" He paused, "Being a parent official doesn't mean you should be a parent, but rather that you should have a responsibility to nurture the people."

Qian Ming was stunned for a moment, then he bowed deeply: "Yes, I understand. Young Master said I was floating, but the moment I carried my father on my back, I couldn't float anymore!"

A hint of relief flashed in Zhang Jingwei's eyes, and he patted Qian Ming on the shoulder: "You also taught me something today." He looked towards Gaoyang City and said in a low and firm voice, "Carrying the responsibility of 'parents', one should not complain of being tired."

After hearing Zhang Jingwei's righteous words, Qian's father stood aside and quietly wiped his eyes. Huangfu Ling also came over at some point and gently took Zhang Jingwei's arm.

Mu Tou grinned and said, "Master, shall we go into the city? I can smell the aroma of mutton!"

Zhang Jingwei laughed heartily: "Alright! Let's go into the city!"

He turned to Qian Mingdao and said, "Hold your father and let's walk slowly. I'll treat everyone tonight to welcome you all!"

Qian Ming helped his father up, his eyes full of gratitude: "Thank you, Master!"

A group of people walked towards the Gaoyang city gate. The setting sun stretched their shadows very long, as if they were really carrying the expectations of the people.

At the city gate, Xiao Zhubu, who had heard the news, arrived early with a group of yamen runners to greet them. Zhang Jingwei straightened his clothes, and the fatigue on his face was gone, replaced by the determination and responsibility of a parent official.