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

The next morning, the sun was shining brightly. Zhang Jingwei and Huangfu Ling bid farewell at the gate of the mansion, their affectionate farewells like newlyweds lingering in the morning light, even the air tinged with sweetness. Both were in high spirits, one heading to the "women's school," the other to the government office.

Wang Ergou and Qian Ming were waiting on the side with their horses. Wang Ergou looked at his young master and young mistress, who were so inseparable, and smacked his lips: "Tsk tsk, the relationship between the young master and the young mistress is really as sweet as honey."

Qian Ming, speaking with the tone of someone who has experienced it, smiled and said, "It's normal for a newlywed couple to be very much in love."

Wang Ergou thought of last night and teased, "But Old Qian, you, the chief steward, were absent from the Young Madam's birthday party last night? That's really not nice!"

Qian Ming's face showed a trace of fatigue and helplessness. "Don't mention it! Something went wrong at the military bank! The head manager took a sudden leave, saying he was going to Beijing to visit relatives. He's been gone for two or three months! Young Master Ma is away, and the military bank is leaderless and in chaos! I rushed over overnight to deal with it, and I'm so exhausted that I haven't closed my eyes yet! I guess this matter will eventually fall on the young master's head, and he will have to come out and take charge..."

Wang Ergou shook his head sympathetically. "Alas, the life the young master has led... he's endured things he shouldn't have to endure at his age."

……

**Inside the public house**

The gentleness on Zhang Jingwei's face had long since faded, replaced by a solemn expression in the courtroom. He sat across from Yang Zhao, their desks piled with newly arrived files.

"Hasn't the source been found yet?" Zhang Jingwei tapped the table unconsciously with his fingers, his tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of anxiety.

Yang Zhao's face was filled with shame as he clasped his fists and said, "Forgive me, sir! I have done my best, dispatching all available personnel to investigate the supply channels of all the shops selling this stuff. However, the source is extremely secretive, changing hands several times, and the clues are cut off when we reach the caravan outside the city, making it difficult to trace back. These people... are cunning and ruthless!"

Zhang Jingwei frowned. "This 'Da Shi wine' costs two hundred coins a cup, it's as expensive as a bushel of rice! When did the people of Gaoyang become so wealthy and so eager to buy it? This doesn't make sense!"

"Oh! I've actually questioned some of the buyers," Yang Zhao added quickly. "An old man said that a while ago, a wandering Taoist priest was promoting this 'Da Shi Wine' on the streets, claiming it was made from a recipe from overseas, and that drinking it regularly could cure illness and prolong life, even...rejuvenate! Most of the buyers were elderly people in the city, drawn to the 'longevity' gimmick."

"Extending life? A Taoist priest?" Zhang Jingwei chuckled in anger. "And there are people who believe such nonsense?... But it's no wonder. Desperate and frail elderly people are easily seduced by such illusory 'immortal remedies'. But this stuff is so potent and stimulating, how can their fragile stomachs handle it? No wonder they're having diarrhea and vomiting!"

A fierce look flashed in Yang Zhao's eyes. "Sir! Since we've found out it's a deceptive and harmful thing, why not immediately order the closure of all shops selling it? Confiscate and destroy it!"

Zhang Jingwei pondered for a moment, a gleam in his eyes. "Of course we have to close it down. But the time has not come yet. We have to wait until..." A cold arc appeared on the corner of his mouth, "Wait until those people who have been cheated and drunk themselves to death, with nowhere to vent their anger, start smashing these unscrupulous shops! Then we will take action to 'close down and investigate'. Firstly, it will protect the evidence at the scene from being completely destroyed by the angry people. Secondly, it will be more logical for me to come forward to 'uphold justice' and 'calm public anger'. Wouldn't it be more logical? The people will even remember me as a good person." He looked at Yang Zhao, "Inspector Yang, do you understand? Sometimes, letting the fire burn for a while can actually help you see more clearly and gain more."

Yang Zhao understood and clasped his fists, saying, "I understand! I'll immediately arrange for personnel to closely monitor each sales point, waiting for the right moment!"

At this moment, a yamen runner hurried in to report: "Your Excellency, Captain Pang Lu Pang of the garrison camp wishes to see you and is waiting outside the ceremonial gate."

Zhang Jingwei and Yang Zhao exchanged a glance, and Yang Zhao understood and immediately stood up: "I'll take my leave and go to arrange the matters of 'Da Shi Jiu'." After saying that, he left quickly.

Zhang Jingwei straightened his clothes and regained his composure. "Captain Pang, please come to the back hall to chat."

back hall

Pang Lu was dressed in military uniform and had a burly figure. When he saw Zhang Jingwei coming in, he immediately stood up, clasped his fists, and smiled: "Master Zhang!"

"Captain Pang." Zhang Jingwei sat down in the main seat, raised his hand to signal the other party to sit down as well, and said in a flat tone, "I wonder what instructions Captain Pang has brought you here today?" He deliberately used the official title to create distance.

Pang Lu sat down, his smile still radiating, and with a touch of deliberate intimacy: "I don't deserve your guidance! I came here today mainly to visit my young lady and son-in-law. Is the young lady well in the mansion? My son-in-law is busy with official duties, so he should also take care of his health!"

Zhang Jingwei smiled faintly, without a single leak: "Thank you Captain Pang for your concern. My wife is doing well, and I am doing fine too. If Captain Pang came here just for this, I appreciate your kindness. But the official business in the county office is piling up, and it is really inconvenient for me to keep you here for long. I'm sorry that I can't entertain you." He pretended to stand up to see the guest off, and his gesture was just right.

The smile on Pang Lu's face froze, and he waved his hands quickly: "No, no, no! Son-in-law, please stay! I... I have something else to ask for your help." He rubbed his hands, looking a little embarrassed.

"Oh? What's the matter?" Zhang Jingwei sat down again, picked up the teacup, and looked at Pang Lu through the misty hot air.

"It's like this..." Pang Lu lowered his voice, "My son-in-law is a new official. He has checked the military households and rectified the camp affairs. I understand and fully support him. But... is he checking these households... too frequently? The garrison camp is checked every few days, and the soldiers are uneasy. They all think that the superiors don't trust them... I am afraid. If I have done anything wrong in my daily life and offended my son-in-law, I hope you will be magnanimous and apologize to you here!" As he said this, he actually stood up and bowed to Zhang Jingwei with a very humble attitude.

Zhang Jingwei put down his teacup, a look of surprise and helplessness on his face. "Captain Pang, what are you talking about? Please stand up!" He gave Pang Lu a slight support, and when he sat down again, he said slowly, "It's not that I'm trying to make things difficult for you, nor do I distrust Captain Pang. It's just that as a new official, I have to let everyone know that I'm not someone who can be fooled, right? This is also for the long-term stability of Gaoyang's military affairs."

Pang Lu nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes! My son-in-law is far-sighted! I understand! But... I wonder if my son-in-law still has any concerns in his heart? You might as well tell me, so that I can share your worries and give you some advice?" He tried to find out Zhang Jingwei's bottom line.

"Concerns?" Zhang Jingwei chuckled, leaning forward slightly. His gaze suddenly became sharp as a knife, piercing Pang Lu's eyes. "It's not really concerns. It's just... a bit of panic, Captain Pang."

"Panic?" Pang Lu's heart trembled.

"Yes," Zhang Jingwei said in a low voice, but every word was weighted with weight. "According to our dynasty's military system, a county garrison can only have two thousand soldiers. Even in a major county, the maximum number is three thousand. The auxiliary defense battalion is even more scarce. But Gaoyang, a tiny place, reports to the Ministry of War that we are requesting military pay and fodder based on 'ten thousand people'!" He paused, looking at Pang Lu's face, which turned pale instantly, and his tone became even colder. "Captain Pang, tell me, if the Ministry of War and the court knew about this... what would they think? Would they think... that I, a seventh-rank county magistrate, am hoarding troops for my own benefit and plotting something illicit? If they put the label of 'rebellion' on me, I'm not strong enough!"

"This...this, this, this!" Pang Lu felt like he was struck by lightning. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead and his tongue seemed to be tied. "Son-in-law! This...this is pure nonsense! There is no such thing!" He explained in a panic, avoiding her eyes.

Zhang Jingwei leaned back in his chair, regaining his composure. He even put on a sympathetic smile. "So, Captain Pang, this officer is doing this for your own good, for the good of the garrison. Go back and cooperate fully with the verification, sorting out the accounts and troop numbers. If you can truly produce solid evidence to prove this '10,000-man' force..." He dragged out his words meaningfully. "Not only will I not pursue the matter, I will personally write to the Ministry of War to commend you, Captain Pang! A promotion is just around the corner! What do you think?"

Pang Lu felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight up to the top of his head! Zhang Jingwei's words, on the surface, were a promise, but in reality, they were a naked warning and a death warrant! The proof of "investment worth tens of thousands of people"? Where would he get it? It was all a black hole caused by layers of exploitation, ghost employees, and false claims! If they really investigated, it wouldn't be a reward, but a death sentence!

His face was pale, and he forced himself to squeeze out a smile that was uglier than crying. He stood up hurriedly and bowed deeply: "Well... well, I... thank you for your 'kindness'! There are still military duties in the camp... I have to attend to, so I... take my leave! Take my leave!" His voice was trembling, and he almost staggered out of the back hall, as if there was a ferocious beast chasing him.

Zhang Jingwei watched Pang Lu's hurriedly disappearing figure, then took a sip of his now-cold tea. The tea was bitter, but it couldn't suppress the cold glint in his eyes, a glint of insight and mastery over the game. The first step, striking the mountain to scare the tiger, had been successful. Now it depended on how the "tiger" would respond. He set down his teacup and cast his gaze outside the government office, where the demonic fog of "Da Shi Jiu" still lingered, waiting for him to dispel.