At Zhang Rang's residence in Wen County, the powerful figures left happily to recruit men and organize caravans to travel to the Western Regions. Zhang Rang also brought his elder brother Zhang Zhong to his study for a talk.

Zhang Zhong looked at Zhang Rang with some confusion and asked, "This is a gift from His Majesty to our family, why share it with those greedy and insatiable people?"

Zhang Rang chuckled, "This is His Majesty's will. Those powerful clans oppress the people on a daily basis, which greatly damages His Majesty and the court's image in the hearts of the people. We must give them some favors to attract their attention elsewhere!"

Zhang Zhong couldn't help but nod. "Your Majesty is truly a divine being, capable of such profound foresight!"

Zhang Rang couldn't help but warn, "His Majesty's magnanimity and strategy are beyond our comprehension! Just do what His Majesty asks of you, and you'll be rewarded handsomely."

Zhang Zhong patted his chest and said, "Yes, yes, don't worry, His Majesty is the pillar of our Zhang family, and we will certainly do our best to share His Majesty's burdens!"

Zhang Rang nodded. "That's good. When you go to the Western Regions, bring back plenty of silk, spirits, and porcelain. These things can fetch high prices there!"

"No problem, we have plenty of these things in the warehouse!"

"Oh, by the way, remember to buy back more of these things, as well as the seeds and those glass artifacts! I noticed His Majesty really likes these things!"

As they spoke, Zhang Rang took out a wad of cotton from his pocket. Zhang Zhong took the cotton and examined it carefully. His eyes lit up. "Don't worry, even if we lose everything, we'll still buy a large quantity for His Majesty!"

Hearing his brother's words, Zhang Rang laughed with satisfaction and said, "That's more like it! What's money? As long as His Majesty is happy, we'll have everything!"

Soon, under Zhang Rang's leadership, the Zhang family and the powerful families of Wen County quickly formed a caravan of seven or eight hundred people, which set off for the Western Regions under the escort of the Imperial Guard.

At this time, Zhao Zhong's team also arrived in Hejian. Under the guidance of Uncle Fu, Zhao Zhong came to the mansion and met Dong Shi, who was waiting in the reception room.

Zhao Zhong hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, "This servant Zhao Zhong greets Your Majesty! His Majesty has specially sent this servant to visit you!"

"Alright, alright! No need for formalities!"

"Thank you, Holy Mother!"

Madam Dong looked at Zhao Zhong with a warm expression and asked gently, "Is Hong'er doing well in the palace?"

Zhao Zhonggong said respectfully, "Your Majesty, His Majesty is well and much stronger. The Empress Dowager is also very kind to His Majesty! His Majesty often thinks of you!"

Hearing this, Madam Dong was relieved and said with a smile, "Well, that's good, that's good! Since I'm not by Hong'er's side, his life depends entirely on your care!"

Zhao Zhong quickly replied, "Holy Mother, please rest assured, as His Majesty's servants, we will naturally be loyal to His Majesty!"

Zhao Zhong then had the palace maids brought in. "Holy Mother, these are specially selected by His Majesty from the palace to take care of your daily life!"

"Okay, okay!"

Looking at the several beautiful and well-behaved young palace maids, Madam Dong nodded with a smile. With her son not by her side, having a few maids around would keep her company and help her pass the time.

"Your Majesty, this cotton-padded coat was personally sewn for you by the Empress Dowager's lady-in-waiting. His Majesty specially instructed me to bring it to you. The cotton inside is brought back from the Western Regions, and it has excellent warmth and cold-proofing properties!"

As he spoke, Zhao Zhong took the silk-sewn cotton coat, held it in his hands, and came to Dong Shi.

Madam Dong asked incredulously, "You mean this was sewn for me by the Empress Dowager's lady-in-waiting?"

"Your Majesty, that is indeed the case!"

Madam Dong reached out and stroked the cotton-padded coat. It felt soft and gentle to the touch, and the needlework was clearly exquisite, showing that the maker had put in a lot of effort. Madam Dong nodded with gratitude, "After you go back, please go and thank the Empress Dowager on my behalf, and thank her for taking care of my son and me!"

"Don't worry, Holy Mother, I will definitely convey your message."

Then Lady Dong inquired about Liu Hong's recent situation. Most of her questions concerned trivial matters of daily life, such as how he ate and how he kept his routine. She did not ask about any matters of the court.

After Zhao Zhong respectfully left the Marquis's residence, he sent someone to find the powerful figure who had lent money to Liu Hong.

Ever since Liu Hong became emperor, the powerful man had burned the IOU immediately, but he was still filled with anxiety, fearing that the emperor might erase the stain at any time.

When the Imperial Guards soldiers sent by Zhao Zhong found him, he was so frightened that he went limp, thinking to himself that this time he was really done for!

The soldiers of the Imperial Guard frowned as they looked at the tyrant before them, whose eyes were vacant and who stood frozen in place. "Patriarch Zhang, you'd better come with me quickly! Don't keep Attendant Zhao waiting!"

"Ah? Oh, I'll go right away, I'll go right away!"

Hearing the Imperial Guards' reminder, Zhang Qian finally came to his senses. There was no way to escape this time. He could only hope that Zhao Changshi would show mercy and not implicate his family.

Led by the Imperial Guards, they arrived at their encampment and met Zhao Zhong, who had been waiting for them. Zhang Qian hurriedly stepped forward and bowed.

"This humble one, Zhang Qian, greets Attendant Zhao!"

"No need for such formalities!"

Seeing Zhang Rang's cautious demeanor, Zhao Zhong smiled, then looked at the others in the room, "You all go out first!"

"promise!"

At Zhao Zhong's signal, the eunuchs bowed and withdrew.

Zhao Zhong remained silent, simply smiling as he watched Zhang Qian quietly. Zhang Qian, with his head bowed, felt Zhao Zhong's gaze, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

After a moment, Zhang Qian finally couldn't help but ask cautiously in a trembling voice, "I wonder what orders you have given me, Attendant Zhao?"

Zhao Zhong chuckled and said slowly, "Heh~ His Majesty said that he borrowed money from you when we were in Hejian, so His Majesty specifically instructed us to return that money to you when we came here this time!"

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