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

Zhang Jingwei and his companions trudged through the bustling streets of Taiyuan City without a backward glance, leaving behind the complicated gazes of Li Can and Cui Yi. The air was filled with a cold, betrayed air, a stark contrast to the bustling city life around them.

Huangfu Ling followed Zhang Jingwei closely, clearly sensing the anger clenched in his body and the disappointment of being concealed and exploited by his friend. She gently grasped his cold hand and whispered, "Husband, don't let your anger get you sick. Everyone has their own aspirations. Since we're not on the same page, it's better to see things clearly sooner rather than later."

Zhang Jingwei gripped her tightly with his backhand, a bit too firm, as if drawing strength from her. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his turbulent emotions. His voice was hoarse, "I'm not angry at them for siding with the Prince of Jin. The world is in turmoil, all for profit. I understand that. I'm angry at Li Can... I considered him someone I could befriend, but he's been playing me in a chess game from the beginning. He may seem to be helping me, but in reality, I'm afraid every move is part of the Prince of Jin's calculations."

Yuan Liang, listening from the side, also had a solemn expression on his face. He added, "Your Excellency is absolutely right. Looking back now, I'm afraid we've been in the King of Jin's sights since we entered Jinzhou. This includes our successful search for General Gao, our subsequent confrontation with the Crown Prince on the street, and ultimately our arrival on that ship... Each of these events, without Li Can's cooperation and guidance, would have been impossible to achieve."

Liang Dahai spat, "Bah! Young Master still thinks he's a friend! You really can't judge a person by his appearance!"

Qian Ming quickly returned from the canal with his men, his expression not looking good. "Master, the horses have been found and are being well taken care of. However... the people at the canal are being ambiguous, as if they had already arranged it. The money has already been paid by Master Cui."

"That's all right." Zhang Jingwei had completely calmed down by now, his eyes regaining their usual sharpness and clarity. "Now that we've laid our cards on the table, it's actually easier. We should leave the city immediately and return to Yunzhou. Since the King of Jin wants to march, he'll definitely come knocking on our door again. Before that, we must be fully prepared."

Without further delay, they mounted their horses and galloped towards the north gate. This time, no one tried to stop them. The gate guards even seemed to have received instructions in advance, and upon seeing them from afar, they voluntarily gave way. This omnipresent "attention" made Zhang Jingwei's heart even more alarmed.

……

Leaving Taiyuan City and embarking on the official road back to Yunzhou, the atmosphere remained heavy. The loss of trust in Li Can cast a shadow over the return journey. Zhang Jingwei was no longer as anxious to travel as he had been on the way there. Instead, he ordered his troops to remain vigilant, advance at a steady pace, and send out scouts more frequently to scout ahead and on the flanks.

At night, the team camped on a flat area near a stream.

The crackling bonfire illuminated Zhang Jingwei's pensive face. Huangfu Ling leaned beside him, a look of lingering worry on her face.

"Husband," she said softly, breaking the silence, "are you really... going to hand over the military expedition to the King of Jin? This is the fruit of your years of hard work, and it's the hope of many people in Gaoyang and even Yunzhou. For me... is it worth it?"

Zhang Jingwei turned his head and stared at her profile which looked particularly soft in the firelight. He reached out and gently brushed away a strand of hair on her forehead. His tone was firm and gentle: "Ling'er, remember, nothing in this world is more important than your life. Junxing is gone, I can start over again, it may be much more difficult, but not impossible. But if I lose you..." He didn't say anything else, but the heaviness in the unfinished words made Huangfu Ling's eyes wet in an instant.

"But," she choked, "that Qilin blood... is ultimately illusory. If it's all in vain..."

"Then I accept it!" Zhang Jingwei said firmly, "At least I tried my best. I fought for every possible opportunity for you. If it is God's will, I, Zhang Jingwei, will bear it with you! So what if we have no children? As long as we are together, that's enough."

He held her tightly in his arms, as if to pass on his faith and strength to her. Huangfu Ling nestled against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. Her fear and anxiety seemed to be somewhat dispelled by this unwavering warmth. She knew she had married the right person in her life.

Yuan Liang, watching this scene from the sidelines, was filled with emotion. He had originally joined Zhang Jingwei because he saw his ability and potential, hoping to fulfill his ambitions. Now, it seemed that this young lord was not only capable, but also loyal and responsible, which further strengthened his determination to follow him. However, how could he resolve the current dilemma?

"Sir," Yuan Liang couldn't help but speak, "even if we're willing to hand over the military bank, this matter requires careful consideration. The military bank isn't just yours alone; it also involves numerous workshops, farmers, merchants, and even partners in Gaoyang. A sudden change of ownership, especially to the Prince of Jin, whose intentions are unclear, could lead to major changes, potentially even triggering economic turmoil in Yunzhou and affecting countless civilians. I'm afraid the imperial court won't sit idly by."

Zhang Jingwei nodded, his brow furrowed. "What Tang Jing said is exactly what I'm worried about. The Prince of Jin doesn't want just an empty shell; he wants the complete operational system and influence of the military camp. How to ensure a smooth handover, how to resettle the people who depend on the military camp for survival, how to respond to potential inquiries from the court... these are all difficult problems. Moreover, I suspect the Prince of Jin's purpose in wanting the military camp is far more than simply making money."

Qian Ming interrupted, "Master, does he really want to use the military's financial and material resources... Does he really want to 'raise troops and march north'?"

As soon as these words were spoken, a chill ran down the spines of the people gathered around the campfire. If this were true, then Zhang Jingwei, by handing over the military plan, would be tantamount to aiding and abetting the evil, and he would likely bear the eternal infamy of aiding and abetting the evil.

Zhang Jingwei's eyes were sharp. "It's possible. Therefore, we can't surrender so easily. Even if we have to surrender in the end, we must plant some obstacles and leave a backup plan. We must not let him use his military power to commit treasonous acts so easily!"

For the rest of the journey, Zhang Jingwei, Yuan Liang, Qian Ming, and others spent nearly every day on horseback and in camp discussing countermeasures. They meticulously combed through the military's core structure, key personnel, accounting records, and technical secrets, attempting to find a solution that would satisfy the King of Jin's demands while maximizing their own safety and preventing the military from being used to cause chaos. This process was fraught with difficulty and struggle, and every decision felt like a sacrifice.

Although Huangfu Ling didn't understand the complex political intrigues and economic operations, she remained quietly by Zhang Jingwei's side, silently supporting him. Her physical condition seemed to have stabilized somewhat due to the relief of her emotional problems, but her occasional furrowed brow and pale face still reminded Zhang Jingwei of the urgency of time.

……

Two days later, Yunzhou City.

The closer he got to home, the heavier Zhang Jingwei's heart grew. He knew that returning to Yunzhou would mean the actual negotiation with the King of Jin would begin, and that he would have to face his father-in-law, Huangfu Changshui, and the Yunzhou governor, Liu Yanzhi. Explaining all this to them was another huge challenge.

Sure enough, as soon as he entered the city, before he returned to the county government office, a servant from the Marquis's mansion came to wait for him, saying that the Marquis invited his son-in-law and daughter to return to his mansion for a chat.

Zhang Jingwei and Huangfu Ling looked at each other and saw seriousness in each other's eyes.

Marquis's Mansion, Study.

Huangfu Changshui dismissed his attendants, leaving only Zhang Jingwei and Huangfu Ling. He sat upright on the imperial chair, his face calm and imposing, his gaze sweeping across his daughter's slightly haggard face, finally settling on Zhang Jingwei.

"Tell me," Huangfu Changshui's voice was steady, yet filled with undeniable pressure. "What exactly happened in Jinzhou? Why did Ling'er return alone, and why were you so late? Also, why did news come from Jinzhou? You humiliated the Crown Prince."

Zhang Jingwei knew he couldn't hide it, and he didn't intend to. He took a deep breath and told the whole story, starting with Huangfu Ling's journey to Jinzhou alone due to illness and psychological pressure, how he was harassed by Sima Qi, how he chased her, how he faced life-threatening threats on the Jin prince's ship, and the deal. He omitted Sima Qi's unbearable thoughts about Huangfu Ling, simply saying that the prince was making things difficult for him because of an old grudge.

As he narrated, Huangfu Changshui's face became more and more gloomy, especially when he heard that Zhang Jingwei actually used the entire army as a bargaining chip in exchange for the illusory news of "Qilin Blood". He slammed the table and stood up suddenly!

"Stupid!" Huangfu Changshui's voice echoed through the study like thunder. "Zhang Jingwei! Do you know what that military operation means? It's not just your property, it's also crucial for stabilizing Yunzhou and maintaining the northern border's logistics! How dare you use it for such a frivolous transaction! Prince Sima Xuan of Jin has wicked ambitions, and the imperial court has long been on alert! What's the difference between your actions and aiding the enemy?!"

Faced with his father-in-law's wrath, Zhang Jingwei didn't flinch. He straightened his back, met Huangfu Changshui's sharp gaze, and said in a deep voice, "Father-in-law, please calm down! I know that this military operation is of great importance and is no joke! But Ling'er's life is in danger. As long as there is a glimmer of hope, I will never give up! This is the first reason."

He paused and continued, "Secondly, the King of Jin is very powerful. Our lives on the boat at that time depended on his will. If we didn't agree, I'm afraid neither my son-in-law nor Ling'er would be able to return to Yunzhou safely. Agreeing to the deal was a helpless move and a delaying tactic."

"Thirdly," Zhang Jingwei said with a firm look, "I'm not handing over the military without any preparation. The military is complex, and its core technology and personnel are all under my control. Even if the Prince of Jin is given a title, it will be difficult for him to take over and use it for illicit purposes. I've already spent a long time discussing with my staff on my way back, and have devised several countermeasures that can greatly restrict the Prince of Jin and seize opportunities for countermeasures. I might even take this opportunity to discover the Prince of Jin's true intentions and eliminate this hidden danger for the court!"

Huangfu Changshui listened to his son-in-law's clear analysis, the anger in his eyes gradually giving way to solemnity. He slowly sat back in his chair, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table, lost in thought. For a moment, the only sound in the study was the faint flickering of the candlelight.

After a long moment, Huangfu Changshui finally let out a long sigh. He looked at Zhang Jingwei with a complicated expression, then at his pale daughter nestled beside him. His tone softened considerably, "Is Ling'er's condition...really that serious? Even Sun Yaolang is helpless?"

Huangfu Ling lowered his head and said "hmm" softly.

A trace of pain flashed in Huangfu Changshui's eyes. He had spent half his life in the military, decisive in killing, but for this daughter, he was filled with guilt and love. He understood Zhang Jingwei's choice. To some extent, if it were him, he might also make a similar crazy decision to save his daughter.

"Forget it..." Huangfu Changshui waved his hand, looking a little tired. "It's come to this, there's no point in saying more. Jingwei, since you've already made a plan, just go for it. I'll help you stabilize the situation in Yunzhou... But you must remember, this matter is extremely dangerous. King Jin is definitely not someone you can easily deal with. One wrong step will lead to eternal damnation! Be extremely cautious!"

"I understand! Thank you, father-in-law!" Zhang Jingwei felt relieved and bowed quickly. With his father-in-law's support, it would be much easier for him to get around Yunzhou.

After leaving the Marquis' Mansion and returning to the County Magistrate's Mansion which he had not seen for a long time, Zhang Jingwei immediately summoned all the core members of the army.

He explained his trip to Jinzhou and the deal with the King of Jin to everyone again, causing an uproar in the hall. The shopkeeper at the military bank was especially upset. Upon hearing that the bank might change hands, veins throbbed in his forehead.

"Silence!" Zhang Jingwei shouted solemnly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "It's already happened. Complaining and panicking are pointless. The most important thing right now is how to respond! We must complete the following tasks before the Prince of Jin's men officially take over..."