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

**The next day, the county government office**

As soon as the sun rose, Yuan Liang, who had been sent to Taiyuan on business, rushed back exhausted. His face showed fatigue from the long journey, but his eyes were filled with pride at having accomplished something great.

Zhang Jingwei was thinking about something in front of the map. When he heard footsteps, he asked without raising his head, "Tang Jing, how is it? Is it done?" There was obvious expectation in his tone.

Yuan Liang straightened his wrinkled collar, cleared his throat, and resumed his famous lawyer's demeanor: "Don't worry, sir! This is just a small matter, much simpler than arguing with others in court! With my reputation as Yuan Tangjing, even the military governor would have to be polite and serve me tea and speak nicely when he sees me!" He raised his chin slightly and began to brag as usual.

The man behind Zhang Jingwei was already fuming over Yuan Liang's "I'm the best in the world" attitude, and upon hearing this, the anger shot up his forehead. He took a half step forward, his thick neck erect, his face flushed, and pointed at Yuan Liang's nose and roared, "What a boast! Young Master asked you if you got the job done! Yes or no, you should just fart loudly! Why are you talking nonsense!" His spit almost sprayed Yuan Liang's face.

Yuan Liang was startled by this sudden rudeness, then turned into anger and pointed at Mu Tou, scolding, "Vulgar! Absolutely vulgar! I, Yuan Tang Jing, work hard for you, my lord, and you, a servant, dare to yell at me like that? How dare you!"

"Alright! Shut up, everyone!" Zhang Jingwei slammed the table. His voice was quiet, yet it carried an undeniable pressure. He frowned, turned sharply to Yuan Liang, and cut straight to the point: "Let me ask you, do they agree with the military's construction in Yunzhou?" This was what he cared about most.

Yuan Liang was intimidated by Zhang Jingwei's gaze and no longer dared to put on airs. He quickly bowed, a flattering smile on his face, and his voice became a little higher: "Reporting to you, my lord! It's more than just agreement! The Military Governor's Office has not only readily agreed to all of our military construction in Yunzhou, but also..." He paused deliberately to keep it a secret. Seeing Zhang Jingwei's brows raised slightly, he proudly announced, "Even the construction of all our military garrisons in Hedong has been approved! My lord, great joy! Congratulations!"

"Fuck!" Zhang Jingwei blurted out, his previous majesty was instantly replaced by ecstasy. He slammed his fist on the table, shaking the teacup, "Awesome! Junxing is really going to make a fortune this time!" He rubbed his hands excitedly, paced back and forth in the room, his face full of undisguised excitement.

Mu Tou stood behind Zhang Jingwei, and seeing his young master so happy about the news Yuan Liang brought back, the jealousy in his heart became even stronger. He glared at Yuan Liang as if he wanted to eat him alive.

Yuan Liang saw that Zhang Jingwei was in a good mood and took the opportunity to cautiously test him: "Sir, do you think... this mission was done quite well? And what about the house arrest order I mentioned earlier... do you think it is..."

Zhang Jingwei stopped and looked at Yuan Liang, his smile subsiding. His tone was inviting: "Yuan Liang, you do have some skills. So, why don't you think about leaving? How about staying and becoming my retainer? From now on, if you do things for me, I'll give you a commission according to the rules! As for your status," he pointed to Mu Tou, Qian Ming and others behind him, "it's higher than my confidants!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Liang's face showed an embarrassment. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Excellency is too kind! Tang Jing... Tang Jing is used to being unrestrained. I prefer to be free and be a wandering wanderer..."

"You bastard!" Mu Tou couldn't hold it in any longer, and his pent-up anger exploded! Like an enraged bull, he suddenly rushed out from behind Zhang Jingwei, pointed at Yuan Liang's nose and cursed: "Shameless thing! You have done so many bad things. If it weren't for the kindness of the young master who pitied you, you would have been thrown to the bottom of Gaoyang Tower to feed those living dead! And you dare to complain and find fault here!" He turned to Zhang Jingwei, his eyes red, and his voice was full of fierceness: "Young master! I really can't stand it! I'm going to beat him! I'm going to beat the shit out of him today! I accept all the beatings and punishments you want!"

Yuan Liang was so frightened by his ferocious appearance that he shrank back and shouted in a timid voice, "Assaulting a scholar! This is against the law! You will be prosecuted!"

"I'm not afraid of a damn lawsuit!" Mu Tou roared, his fists as big as bowls were clenched so tightly that they made a creaking sound and his veins bulged.

Yuan Liang panicked, watching Mu Tou pressing forward while Zhang Jingwei stood beside him with his arms folded, his face expressionless, showing no intention of stopping him. He shouted in horror, "Sir! Sir! Why didn't you stop him? Are you just going to watch him commit the crime?!"

Zhang Jingwei glanced at Yuan Liang coldly, his eyes devoid of warmth, only a hint of subtle annoyance. "Looking at you, you've made up your mind to leave," he said in a flat voice. "A forced melon won't be sweet, so I won't keep you here. I have to report to the county office, so you... do whatever you want." With that, he actually turned around and made a move to leave!

"You...you guys...what do you want to do?! Ouch—!"

Yuan Liang's scream turned into a shrill howl!

Just as Zhang Jingwei turned around, the wood moved! He rushed forward, not giving Yuan Liang any time to react. His fist, as big as a casserole, made a whistling sound as it smashed fiercely into Yuan Liang's face, which had just been smug!

"Bang!" A muffled sound!

Yuan Liang felt as if his nose had been hit by a hammer. A sharp pain, accompanied by a numbness, instantly shot up his forehead. Stars flashed before his eyes, and tears and snot flowed uncontrollably. He screamed and stumbled backwards.

Mu Tou, completely unsatisfied, grabbed Yuan Liang's shirt by the chest! The fabric couldn't withstand his brute force, and with a "swish" sound, it was torn open. Mu Tou, like a chicken, used his waist and abdomen to exert force, growled, and swung Yuan Liang's entire body up! Then, he slammed him hard onto the hard tiles!

"Bang!" Yuan Liang's thin body hit the ground hard, and his internal organs seemed to be displaced. He curled up in pain and couldn't even scream. The only sound left was painful "ho ho" gasps.

"Mu Tou! Stop it!" Qian Ming and Wang Ergou finally reacted and rushed over to try to hold back the furious Mu Tou. Qian Ming held Mu Tou's waist tightly, while Wang Ergou grabbed his fist-throwing arm.

"Get out of the way! Don't stop me!" Mu Tou swung his arms like a mad beast, causing Qian Ming to stagger and almost fall. Wang Ergou grabbed his arm, but it felt like he was grabbing a red-hot iron rod, unable to move it at all!

"I'll let you be proud! I'll let you pretend! I'll let you be shameless!" Mu Tou roared, broke free from Wang Ergou's pull, raised his big feet wearing hard-soled soap boots, and kicked Yuan Liang who was curled up on the ground!

"Puff!" "Puff!" The dull sounds of kicking and beating echoed in the side hall, accompanied by Yuan Liang's intermittent wails. Yuan Liang rolled on the ground, holding his head. There was no trace of the dignity of a famous lawyer left. Only dust covered his body, torn clothes, gushing nosebleed, and terrified and desperate sobs.

Qian Ming and Wang Ergou used all their strength to finally catch Mu Tou again and drag him back. Mu Tou was panting heavily, staring at Yuan Liang, who was lying on the ground in a state of disgrace. His chest was heaving violently, and he was still cursing.

Zhang Jingwei had already reached the door, seemingly oblivious to the noise behind him. He only said, "After the beating, throw him out. Don't kill anyone." Then he disappeared through the door, leaving behind only the mess in the side hall and the miserable sight of Yuan Liang curled up on the ground, groaning in pain.