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

Early in the morning, Ningxiang was carried away by two pimps. The tea girl in the brothel helped Zhang Jingwei wash up. After a night of romance, he felt refreshed.

When he went downstairs, he happened to meet Ma Tianmao.

Ma Tianmao also stayed in the brothel last night, but he looked haggard, his legs were shaking, and he had to hold the handrail to go down the stairs.

Zhang Jingwei looked at Ma Tianmao's exhausted face and couldn't help but said, "Tianmao, what's wrong with you? You look very haggard."

Ma Tianmao smiled awkwardly and replied, "I'm sorry to have made fun of you, Brother Jingwei. I was so embarrassed that I wanted to go home early, but I didn't expect you to get up so early today."

Zhang Jingwei sarcastically said, "I'm afraid even if you suck my milk, your strength won't be enough."

Ma Tianmao quickly shook his head and explained, "I got a secret medicine from Southeast Asia. I tried it last night and never thought it would be so effective!"

Zhang Jingwei shook his head helplessly after hearing this and said, "You, how old are you? You're already ruining your body like this. You should pay more attention to your health in the future and don't ruin your body."

Ma Tianmao nodded, indicating he understood. Suddenly remembering something, he said to Zhang Jingwei, "Brother Jingwei, I've heard some gossip lately. It's said that the officials from Taiyuan Prefecture are coming to Yunzhou to oversee the execution of the criminals..." He suddenly lowered his voice and continued, "That's a great opportunity. The provincial examination is coming up soon! I have to perform well. Maybe I'll even be appreciated by the officials."

Zhang Jingwei feigned shock and encouraged, "Really?! Then you better work harder!"

Ma Tianmao fantasized about this and hugged Zhang Jingwei and said, "If I become a juren, Brother Jingwei must write a poem for me."

Zhang Jingwei also responded with a smile: "Of course!"

……

After parting with Ma Tianmao, Zhang Jingwei came to the inn where Mu Tou was. Just as he was about to enter the room, he heard the sound of fighting coming from inside. Looking through the crack in the door, he saw Wang Ergou confronting Mu Tou.

Wang Ergou pointed at Mu Tou angrily and said, "You idiot, why can't you listen to me?"

Mu Tou, however, looked disdainful and snorted coldly, "Humph, the young master said you were a 'spy'. I don't know what a 'spy' is, but anyway, you're not a good person!"

Wang Ergou explained helplessly, "I came to see the young master for something important. Can you please stop making trouble?"

However, Mu Tou didn't listen to his explanation at all. He just waved his fist and threatened, "I'll beat you to pieces."

Zhang Jingwei pushed the door open and the two of them looked at him at the same time.

Mu Tou said nervously, "Young Master, it's extremely dangerous here. Please take shelter in the side room first." His voice was filled with a hint of anxiety and worry.

At this moment, Wang Ergou suddenly appeared and shouted excitedly: "Master, I have the latest news from Jinzhou!"

However, Mu Tou glared at Wang Ergou and shouted, "You thief, how could you call me Young Master?"

Wang Ergou was enraged by Mu Tou's rebuke and was about to retort, but Zhang Jingwei stopped their quarrel in time and said sternly, "Okay, Mu Tou, you are too rude. Stop being unreasonable and get out of the way!"

Although Mu Tou was somewhat unwilling to accept it, he still stepped aside obediently.

Zhang Jingwei sat on the couch and called Wang Ergou over to him, "Tell me!"

Wang Ergou detailed the intelligence: "The Chief Secretary of the Prince of Jin's Palace has personally come to Yunzhou, bringing with him troops. Although they are small, they have two lieutenant generals and some lieutenants. They are quite powerful, and they have no good intentions!"

Zhang Jingwei chuckled and asked, "If the government office doesn't release them, will they try to rob them?"

Wang Ergou nodded slightly.

"Also, Wang Huang has been found. The brothers were a bit too harsh on him, and he died halfway through. His body can be transported back to the Yunzhou mortuary today!"

"Also... what the young master did in the brothel last night... the servants in the Marquis's mansion have already informed the Marquis, and he's furious!" Wang Ergou hesitated, but still spoke. "Miss Huangfu also knows about this..."

Zhang Jingwei closed his eyes and asked, "Did she say anything after she found out..."

Wang Ergou answered truthfully: "I didn't say anything, but I felt a little disappointed."

Zhang Jingwei sighed softly, then asked, "What did Gao Fei do when he left the city? Is there any news?"

Wang Ergou fell to his knees and said, "Master, please forgive me. The brothers who were chasing Gao Fei have lost him. We have already sent more people to follow him!"

Zhang Jingwei helped him up and said with a smile, "Don't waste your time. You and Gao Fei are not on the same level. He must be going to settle Yi Feiyu and the others. This man is loyal and righteous. He is a real man!"

Wang Ergou said cautiously, "But the government's arrest warrant includes many of Gao Fei's former subordinates. If he insists on shielding them, he might be implicated."

Zhang Jingwei replied nonchalantly: "It's okay, he knows his limits!"

Wang Ergou felt relieved after hearing this and said, "Then I will withdraw the people right away. I will take my leave."

Zhang Jingwei suddenly stopped him: "Wait."

Wang Ergou hurriedly stopped and said respectfully, "Please give your orders, Master."

Zhang Jingwei looked at him with a half-smile and asked, "Shouldn't you go and report to the Marquis?"

Wang Ergou quickly lowered his head and explained sincerely, "You are Ergou's master. If the master needs to report to the Marquis, Ergou will report. If the master doesn't say anything, Ergou dare not act on his own."

Zhang Jingwei's eyes widened as he asked doubtfully, "Master? Could it be that Huangfu Changshui also gave you some poison?"

Wang Ergou sighed and explained, "Young Master, you're probably talking about the Wushisan (Five Stone Powder) that the Water Defense Battalion's death squads took. It's not poison, but a painkiller dispensed by a palace alchemist. While it's incredibly effective at relieving pain, once you become addicted, you'll be hooked for life. If you don't take it in time, you'll suffer excruciating pain like a thousand ants biting you."

Zhang Jingwei frowned and continued to ask, "Then how does the Marquis control you?"

Wang Ergou was silent for a moment and then replied, "Although there are only more than a hundred spies under the Marquis, each of them is loyal. The reason why they are loyal to the Marquis is not for anything else, but because of the Marquis's upbringing." His tone revealed a hint of helplessness and emotion.

Zhang Jingwei smiled bitterly. After all, he was just like Han Ye, adopting the children of his subordinates who died in battle and training them to be his own minions.

Zhang Jingwei suddenly had an idea and asked, "Can you get any intelligence?"

Wang Ergou said confidently, "Brothers are spread across the northern states, so general information can indeed be found. If you want to check their personal records and historical records, it will take some time to find them."

Zhang Jingwei took a deep breath and said, "Since that's the case, I'm not afraid of any scandals at home anymore... Huangfu Ling has a lover outside. Go and investigate secretly. Don't make it public, but be quick."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ergou and Mu Tou were both surprised.

Wang Ergou said quickly, "Ah? Why would Miss do such a thing? I'm afraid there's some misunderstanding."

Mu Tou also echoed, "Yes, the young mistress treats the young master very differently, like a son-in-law, and is very polite to him. On the contrary, the young master..."

Zhang Jingwei looked at them with a hint of anger and said, "Go ahead and investigate if I ask you to. Your reputation is the most important thing, so don't make it public!"