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

After entering the room, Huangfu Changshui put on a coat and wrote furiously at the desk.

Zhang Jingwei went over and tore the paper into pieces. He really didn't know how a general could be so cautious.

"You..." Huangfu Changshui frowned, feeling helpless as he watched Zhang Jingwei's actions.

Zhang Jingwei pointed at the closed door and said, "Just say what you want to say. Your guard is standing guard outside. Don't you trust him?"

"Alas... that's all!" Huangfu Changshui let out a long sigh, then continued, "The northern part of the country encompasses the east and west parts of the Yellow River. The King of Jin is in the east, while the other princes and county kings are in the west. Although they are relatives, they fight openly and secretly against each other, consuming each other."

Zhang Jingwei had listened to the argument between Liu Yanzhi and Wang Zhen earlier and remembered that there was another indispensable figure in this struggle between the court and the people. He asked, "What about the prime minister?"

Huangfu Changshui commented impartially, "The Prime Minister has made invaluable contributions in assisting the young emperor in stabilizing the situation. However, he is too impatient. If he continues to press the issue, the vassal kings will surely rebel!"

"I understand. You don't dare to kill Han Ye because you are also looking at the situation. If Prince Jin becomes the emperor, the Huangfu family will not be 'liquidated'." Zhang Jingwei suddenly realized that the Huangfu family is not Prince Jin's people, but they are not the so-called "Prime Minister's party."

As a bystander, you can change your stance and curry favor with the powerful when necessary.

"You are half right. You still underestimate the current situation. There is more than just civil unrest in the Celestial Empire right now." Huangfu said solemnly, clasping his fingers together and twisting his thumbs as he continued.

"According to reliable information, the Rong people will soon move south again. Many merchants will quickly convert their granaries into silver and move south. After the autumn, grain prices in the north will plummet."

Zhang Jingwei was shocked and broke out in a cold sweat. He muttered in his heart: If it's as expected, this should be military intelligence. How the hell can I listen to this?

Huangfu Changshui looked disgusted and shouted, "Look how scared you are! I'm not dead yet! Back then, Chahar was driven back to the grassland by a few thousand of my men. Now, with over ten thousand of my men, would I still be afraid of him?"

"So you don't kill Han Ye, but want him to resist the Rong people? Seeing how terrible he is, why don't you let Gao Fei guard the water defense camp?" Zhang Jingwei felt so disgusted at this moment. He really couldn't imagine how that lewd Han Ye could fight.

Huangfu Changshui smiled playfully and said, "Are you planning to promote your confidants, my dear son-in-law?"

Zhang Jingwei quickly waved his hands and explained, "Not really. You acknowledge his martial arts skills, so why shouldn't you support him?"

Huangfu Changshui said helplessly: "This is not my decision alone. I am only a county marquis and a fifth-rank garrison commander. Above me is a fourth-rank lieutenant general."

Zhang Jingwei was now a little frightened and asked, "Ah! Will Gao Fei's teaching that lieutenant general a lesson have any impact on you?"

Huangfu Changshui received this inexplicable concern and smiled happily: "Hahaha, I have him above me, and he has people above him too!"

"Alas, you are so powerful that you can even protect me, the son of a traitor. It seems that you are not afraid of killing my entire clan."

"This matter has come to an end. Now we just have to wait for the government officials to close the case as soon as possible and report it to the court. Those who deserve rewards will be rewarded, and those who deserve death will be killed!" Huangfu Changshui's face changed. He looked at Zhang Jingwei unhappily and said, "But remember, you are the son-in-law of my Huangfu family. Whether it was a casual affair or love at first sight, the past must be let go. If you have let Ling'er down, I will personally help you settle the matter."

Zhang Jingwei felt a little embarrassed. Even his father-in-law knew about this little thing, so he pretended to be serious and said, "Ah? You mean Xiao Cui? This woman is already a married woman. If you still covet her beauty, you are reading those sage books in vain."

Huangfu Changshui nodded in satisfaction, walked leisurely with his hands behind his back, and approached Zhang Jingwei and said softly, "That's good to know. This woman is not simple. Wang Ergou probably has already found out her background."

Zhang Jingwei exclaimed, "You even knew Wang Ergou was a spy!"

"Speak softly, no one else can know about this!" Although he said to speak softly, his voice was obviously louder than Zhang Jingwei's.

"Ergou is Han Ye's adopted son, did you know that?"

"Of course I know. Wang Ergou is a spy I carefully trained. I deliberately arranged him to be next to Han Ye. The false information Han Ye received before was all provided by him. Otherwise, how could you enter the Water Defense Camp so easily?"

Zhang Jingwei took a deep breath. At this moment, he felt that his father-in-law should not be just a fifth-rank general. He must be a big shot to have such means!

It's terrifying to think about it. Recalling Mu Tou's careful care and risking his life to save him, he now has reason to suspect that this was also arranged by his father-in-law.

He asked, "What about the wood? Was that also... arranged by you?"

He didn't want to hear a positive answer and was struggling inside.

"Wood?" Huangfu Changshui frowned slightly. "That wood wasn't arranged by me. But I think he's not as innocent towards you as I thought. Maybe he has his own unspeakable secrets."

Zhang Jingwei felt a little relieved after hearing this, but he still decided to find an opportunity to have a good chat with Mu Tou.

Huangfu Changshui patted Zhang Jingwei on the shoulder and said earnestly, "No matter what, we must be cautious. The road ahead is still long and full of variables."

Zhang Jingwei nodded to show that he understood.

Huangfu Changshui looked out the window and saw that it was getting dark.

"Okay, let's stop here for today. I'll have dinner delivered to your room later. Go to bed early. I expect the government officials will be looking for you tomorrow and keep you busy."

After saying that, Huangfu Changshui left the study, leaving Zhang Jingwei alone in deep thought.

The amount of information today was a bit overwhelming, and Zhang Jingwei had a hard time digesting it. However, there was one piece of information that although not very relevant, it always made him very curious: why was Xiao Cui so good at singing and dancing, and still so calm and clear-headed?

He walked quickly to the small courtyard.

In the yard, Zhang Shiyi was mixing horse feed, Liang Dahai was arguing with Liu Guanjin about who would take care of Zhang Liu tomorrow, and Wang Ergou was nowhere to be seen.

After some questioning, we learned that Wang Ergou went to the backyard to defecate, and Zhang Jingwei went to the backyard without stopping.

When Zhang Jingwei saw Wang Ergou squatting by the wall and struggling, he just watched with an expressionless face.

Wang Ergou looked silly and shouted, "Master, I can't poop if you're watching me like that!"

Zhang Jingwei said coldly: "I'll go to the lake to wait for you, as soon as possible!"

……

The small lake was right at the gate of Chaiyuan. It was not very big, about ten hectares in area. There was a small pavilion beside the lake. Zhang Jingwei waited there for a while. It was getting dark. He turned around and was about to look for Wang Ergou, but that silly face really scared him.

"when did you come?!"

Wang Ergou put away his silly look, revealed a serious face, and said: "I have been here for a while, but the young master was looking at the lake and didn't notice me."

Even the tone became so unfamiliar.

Zhang Jingwei said: "I already know about your affairs, you..."

Before he finished speaking, Wang Ergou had already guessed what Zhang Jingwei was going to say, so he said, "Tian Xiaocui, whose original name was Tian Manying, was the granddaughter of Tian Ping, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy. During the reign of the previous emperor, Tian Ping was given the title of Junior Tutor of the Eastern Palace. Now that the Fourth Prince has passed away, all officials of the Eastern Palace, including their clans, will be implicated!"