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

Early in the morning.

In the public office.

Yang Zhao's fingers trembled slightly as he grasped the barely dry copy of "Chen's Prohibition of Five-Stone Powder and Strict Control of Stone-Based Medicines." He read through it word for word, then suddenly looked up, his eyes gleaming as he gazed at Zhang Jingwei with disbelief and shock. "This... this is what you wrote last night?!"

Zhang Jingwei, who was rubbing his brow, which was sore from staying up late, lowered his hand upon hearing this. His expression was calm, yet a hint of fatigue remained. "Excuse me, Inspector Yang. This is a hastily drafted document, and it's not yet mature. Could you please take a look at it and see if there's anything I need to add or delete?"

"Add or delete?!" Yang Zhao stood up suddenly, his voice rising with excitement, "If this memorial is heard by Your Majesty and implemented... it will be enough to eliminate the stone poisoning problem that has plagued our Heavenly Dynasty for a hundred years! Lord Zhang, this is a righteous act, and its contribution will last for thousands of years!" He solemnly clasped his fists and bowed deeply.

Zhang Jingwei quickly supported him and said, "Inspector Yang, you are too polite. As an official, you are supposed to govern a region and eliminate evils and promote benefits for the people. This is your duty. Why talk about righteousness?" He spoke sincerely, without any intention of taking credit for it.

At this moment, a yamen runner hurried in to report: "My lords, the Zhou family has arrived and is waiting in the back hall."

Zhang Jingwei frowned slightly and looked at Yang Zhao: "Inspector Yang, in your opinion, Zhou Jue is serving his sentence. According to this draft memorial, how should it be sentenced?"

Yang Zhao collected his thoughts and said sternly, "According to the 'Five Punishments' proposed in the memorial, first-time offenders should be punished with flogging as a warning to others. Depending on their repentance, they may be fined or given a short period of hard labor. However..." He changed the subject, his eyes sharp, "How to rule, how to impose the sentence, whether to be lenient or strict, all depends on the decision of Lord Zhang. You are the chief judge of this case, and you are the father of this county."

Zhang Jingwei nodded. "I understand. Inspector Yang, please go to the interrogation room first. If there's any progress with Shi Jincheng, please let me know immediately. I'll go to the back hall to meet the Zhou family first."

"I obey your command." Yang Zhao bowed, turned around and strode away with the heavy memorial.

Qian Ming, who had been standing by, now stepped forward with a worried look on his face and whispered, "Master, you haven't slept for two nights straight. The bloodshot eyes are almost bloodshot. How about... you go back home and rest for a while? I'll go and take care of the Zhou family."

Zhang Jingwei pressed his temples wearily, but shook his head firmly. "I don't want to avoid seeing the people when they need help, and that's not the way to be an official. Let's go."

Back hall.

The atmosphere in the back hall was deliberately calm. Wu Wenzheng rubbed his hands, smiling, and addressed a middle-aged man in his fifties, wearing a brocade cloud-patterned robe and a jade crown, who sat at the main seat. "Brother Lun, relax, relax! Lord Zhang is incredibly discerning and impartial! Jue'er is young and naive, so a light punishment will suffice. He'll be fine!"

The middle-aged man—Zhou Lun, patriarch of the Zhou family—had a calm expression, a slight nod, but a subtle hint of anxiety lurked deep within his eyes. Behind him stood two burly, dark-skinned guards, their eyes sharp and their stances unwavering, evidently veterans of martial arts. One of them, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead, held a large, gilded ebony chest about three feet long and one foot high. The chest looked small, but judging by the strain he was exerting, its weight was evident.

"Mr. Zhang is here!" the yamen runner at the door saluted.

Wu Wen quickly stood up, a smile plastered on his face: "Master Zhang!"

Zhou Lun also stood up calmly, bowed, and spoke in a steady voice with just the right amount of respect: "Master Zhang! My son Zhou Jue is young and ignorant, and has mistakenly made friends with bandits, causing trouble for you! He..."

Zhang Jingwei sat down at the main seat and raised his hand to support him. "Master Zhou, don't worry. Your son has been quite cooperative with the inquiries in the yamen and his attitude is acceptable. As long as the facts of the case are thoroughly investigated, I will handle it impartially and will not deliberately make things difficult for him."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Lun showed a look of relief on his face, and he said repeatedly: "Thank you very much, sir, for your magnanimity! Thank you very much, sir!" He changed the subject and his tone became sincere, "I am ashamed to say that I was busy with trivial matters at home a few days ago and was unable to personally welcome you to your new post in Gaoyang. It is really rude of Zhou! Today I have come to visit you, sir, and prepared some local specialties as a token of my gratitude. I hope you will not refuse and be sure to accept them." As he spoke, he signaled to the guard holding the box.

The guard immediately stepped forward and carefully placed the heavy ebony box on the table in front of Zhang Jingwei. The box fell to the ground with a dull thud.

Zhang Jingwei glanced at the box and frowned slightly.

Wu Wen, who was standing by, quickly came closer, lowered his voice, and said with a familiar tone of "one of us," "Don't worry, sir. This is... a private gift. It doesn't involve official accounts. It's fine, it's fine."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jingwei turned his gaze to Wu Wen, a meaningful smile curling his lips. "Oh? It seems... Commander Wu underestimated my integrity?"

Wu Wen's smile froze, and he was suddenly speechless, with sweat on his forehead.

Zhou Lun remained expressionless, instead laughing heartily. "Master Zhang, you're too kind! Commander Wu meant well. But, Brother Lun," he turned to Wu Wen, his tone tinged with a subtle reproach, "you've certainly underestimated Master Zhang's vision." He looked back at Zhang Jingwei, his demeanor calm and confident. "Master, please take a look at the contents of the box first, and then make a final judgment."

At Zhou Lun's signal, the guard expertly unlocked the box and opened the lid. Inside was not the expected gold, silver, pearls, or jade, but several neatly stacked, beautifully bound documents.

Zhou Lun stepped forward and personally took out the top document, respectfully presenting it to Zhang Jingwei with both hands. "Please read this, sir. This is a certificate for a 10% stake in the Yunzhou 'Jun Xing' business." He then picked up the documents below. "These are three long-term contracts signed with the 'Jun Xing' business—100,000 catties of base material, 50,000 catties of chili peppers, and 3,000 bolts of high-quality Huzhou silk, with a total value of over one million guan."

Zhang Jingwei took the document and quickly scanned it, his eyes gradually sharpening. He put it down and looked up at Zhou Lun, his tone unremarkable. "This 'greeting gift' from Patriarch Zhou is quite unique. This is the first time I've seen someone come to pay a visit with shares and orders." He emphasized the words "pay a visit."

Zhou Lun still had the mellow smile typical of a businessman on his face, and he explained calmly: "Master Zhang, you have misunderstood! This is definitely not a bribe! To be honest, I went to Yunzhou in person a few years ago, and I was well aware of the strength and reputation of the 'Junxing' and I admired it very much! My Lord, you come from a military background, and you are in charge of the 'Junxing'. I am even more impressed by your ability and skills!" His tone was sincere, as if he was really talking about a serious business. "This is the Zhou family's sincere pursuit of cooperation and common development! By joining forces with the 'Junxing', the Zhou family can provide a stable source of raw materials and sales channels, and the 'Junxing' can make huge profits. Master Zhang, this is clearly a 'business' that is mutually beneficial and win-win! How can it be tarnished with the word 'bribery'?" He spread out his hands, looking frank and upright.

In the back hall, the scent of sandalwood curled in a hushed silence. Only the echo of Zhou Lun's "business mantra" echoed softly between the pillars. Zhang Jingwei's gaze shifted slowly between Zhou Lun's earnest face, the documents worth millions of guan (approximately US$1 million), and Wu Wen's nervous expression, finally returning to the heavy ebony chest. A profound silence fell. This silence, more than any harsh words, weighed on Zhou Lun and Wu Wen.