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

The lingering bloody odor of the execution ground had passed, leaving only the dust raised by the carriages and horses on the dirt road beside the post station. Cheng Cheng, an official from the Ministry of Justice, brushed off the dust from the hem of his crimson robe. A hint of weariness from "observing" the execution had not yet faded from his face. He looked at Zhang Jingwei, who frowned beside him, and asked casually:

"Zhang Xiannan, the case is closed and it's a done deal. Why do you look more gloomy than before the execution?" His tone carried a bit of the relaxation unique to Beijing officials, as if the beheading just now was just a not-so-exciting sideshow.

Zhang Jingwei came back to his senses and sighed, his expression so worrying it could be squeezed out of water. "Master Cheng, please be wise. The case is closed, and the criminals have been brought to justice. But those villagers who were turned into drugged people by Shen Kaiyang... hundreds and hundreds of them are still lying there, no different from the living dead! This humble official's heart is hanging in the balance, and he dare not relax for a moment. Looking at them is more heartbreaking than skinning Shen Kaiyang alive."

Cheng Cheng said "Oh," as if he had just remembered this, and wiped his nose with a handkerchief: "Just now, that... Sun Yaolang? Didn't she yell that the antidote was ready? I saw her running like the wind, so happy."

"We have some clues about the antidote," Zhang Jingwei smiled bitterly and shook his head, his fingers twisting unconsciously on his sleeves, "but think about it, sir, there are thousands of people! Even if Sun Yaolang, plus her limited staff, boils and delivers medicine day and night, it would still be a drop in the bucket! The consumption of medicinal materials is even more huge. A good cook cannot cook without rice." He raised his eyes to look at Cheng Cheng, his eyes full of anxiety.

Cheng Cheng narrowed his eyes, his instincts from his time in officialdom giving him a whiff of something. He paced a few steps, his hands behind his back, his boots creaking softly on the dirt road. "Well, this matter..." He drawled, appearing to be deeply considering the matter. "It's not impossible. The capital is home to many rare treasures, and the medicinal herb trade is even more well-connected. When I return to the capital, I'll help you sort things out and smooth over some connections. It's not impossible to get a large quantity of medicinal herbs."

He paused, turned sideways, and put on the shrewd smile that only merchants would wear when negotiating prices. "But as you know, County Master Zhang, good medicinal herbs are very expensive these days. Add to that the long-distance transportation, the carriages and horses, and the checkpoints... the price..."

Zhang Jingwei was mentally prepared, but his face showed a bit of "pain". Then he gritted his teeth and said firmly: "As long as we can save lives! The price is negotiable! I am willing to pay 30% more on the basis of the normal market price! All the shipping and handling costs will be covered!" He stretched out three fingers and shook them, showing his sincerity.

The smile on Cheng Cheng's face suddenly became more genuine, and the wrinkles on his face deepened: "Thirty percent? County Magistrate Zhang is indeed a straightforward man! He is sympathetic to the people and is willing to spend a lot of money. I admire you, I admire you!" He clapped his hands in praise, and in his heart he had already begun to calculate how much of the thirty percent profit would fall into his pocket.

"But..." Zhang Jingwei changed the subject, his tone filled with urgency that left no room for negotiation. "Master Cheng, saving lives is like putting out a fire! This delivery date must be fixed! The first batch of life-saving medicine must arrive in Gaoyang within five days!" He stared into Cheng Cheng's eyes and held up five fingers. "After five days, for every day of delay, I will deduct 10% from the extra 30% I added!"

Cheng Cheng's smile froze for a moment. "Five days? That... that's too fast, isn't it? The journey from the capital to Gaoyang is quite long, and we still need to gather medicinal materials..."

"No, no, no, Master Cheng, please think about it!" Zhang Jingwei took a half step forward, lowered his voice, and spoke with a sincere and urgent voice, "Arriving one day earlier can save dozens or even hundreds of lives! This is a great merit for accumulating virtue and doing good deeds! Master, your return to Beijing to manage medicinal materials will save countless lives and save thousands of families! This is immeasurable merit, how can it be compared with mere gold and silver? Besides," he emphasized his tone meaningfully, "that 30% increase in price is no small amount."

Cheng Cheng twirled his beard, his eyes twinkling. Zhang Jingwei's words were like little hooks, hooking on one side for fame and honor, and on the other for real money. He was still weighing it when Zhang Jingwei threw in a heavier chip:

"Don't worry, Lord Cheng. If this is accomplished, I will personally write the final closing report of this case and submit it to the emperor. Your great help in raising life-saving medicinal materials and relieving Gaoyang's urgent needs will be described in detail in the case report, without missing a single word!" Zhang Jingwei bowed his hands, his posture very humble.

Cheng Cheng's heart skipped a beat! He knew the weight of Zhang Jingwei's pen! He'd earned a county baronship with just one memorial. If he included himself in his closing memorial, he could show his face before the emperor... This was much more tempting than the 30% silver! Officials in the capital were accumulating experience, but what they lacked was this kind of "real achievements" that could reach the emperor's ears!

"Ahem!" Cheng Cheng cleared his throat, his expression instantly stern as he put on a patriotic expression. "County Magistrate Zhang cares deeply about the people. His sincere heart is truly moving! How can I sit back and watch? I'll take care of the medicinal herbs! Five days means five days! I won't let the people wait even a single day longer!"

Zhang Jingwei's face lit up with a smile: "Lord Cheng, your generosity is immense! I am deeply grateful!"

"Qian Ming!" Zhang Jingwei beckoned. Qian Ming, who had been waiting not far away, trotted over, pulled out a blank deed and a fine-bristle brush dipped in ink, and presented them with both hands: "Master, the paper and brush are ready." His movements were so smooth, as if they had been rehearsed countless times.

Zhang Jingwei took the pen and, in Qian Ming's open palm, wrote with a swift, swift stroke the terms they had just agreed upon—a 30% price increase, a five-day delivery date, a 10% discount for each day of delay, and all shipping costs included. His handwriting was quick but powerful and neat.

"Sir Cheng, please take a look. If you have no objection, please sign it. I will make two copies, one for you and one for me as proof." Zhang Jingwei handed over the deed.

Cheng Cheng took the deed, read it carefully twice, and confirmed the words "three percent" and "five days". Without any hesitation on his face, he picked up the pen and wrote solemnly at the end: "Ministry of Justice Chief Judge, Zuo Zhonglang Cheng Cheng".

Zhang Jingwei carefully dried the ink, folded one copy carefully and put it into his sleeve pocket, and handed the other copy to Cheng Cheng: "Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Cheng! The people of Gaoyang will always be grateful for your kindness!"

Cheng Cheng also put away the receipt and straightened his clothes. "You are so polite, County Master Zhang. Without further ado, I will be leaving for the capital. I appreciate the banquet at Zuixianlou! Your Majesty's birthday is approaching, and the government office is swamped with activity. When you come to the capital to take up your position, I will host you and we'll have a nice drink!"

Zhang Jingwei bowed and smiled, "Of course! When we get to the capital, we won't be familiar with the place, so I'll have to rely on Cheng Zhonglang for guidance and care!"

Cheng Cheng laughed: "No problem, no problem! Goodbye!" He stopped being polite and turned around and got into the official sedan chair neatly.

"Farewell, Mr. Cheng!" Zhang Jingwei, Qian Ming and others bowed.

The official sedan started moving, and the accompanying officers from the Ministry of Justice jumped on their horses, raising a cloud of dust as they galloped away along the official road.

Only after the group completely disappeared in the smoke and dust at the end of the official road did Zhang Jingwei slowly stand up. He let out a long sigh, raised his hand to rub his swollen temple, turned around, and walked towards Gaoyang Tower, which was still filled with the melancholy atmosphere of the medicine man.