Catching Monsters

Chapter 294 How many do you have?

Upon hearing Jiang Yun's words, Qin Shujian was slightly taken aback, but he still stood up and obeyed his master's instructions.

After Qin Shujian left, Jiang Yun smiled and extended his hand, saying, "Brother Zhao, Madam Zhao, please have some food first."

Zhao Gongcheng did not try to dissuade him. In fact, he had mentioned to his wife many times before that Qin Shujian had a promising future.

However, his wife was not very knowledgeable and had come from a respectable family in her early years.

Although I often associate with the wives of high-ranking officials and dignitaries, my knowledge and experience remain somewhat limited.

Zhao Gongcheng's wife, whose given name was Qian Shi, couldn't help but mutter, "Commander Jiang, it's not that I'm materialistic, but what parent doesn't want their daughter to marry better? That makes sense, doesn't it?"

Jiang Yun smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "Madam Zhao, Qin Shujian has now joined the Eastern Garrison Command and holds the rank of ninth grade official. In all his respects, he is considered a court official."

Upon hearing this, Qian Shi frowned slightly and couldn't help but say, "Qin Shujian has only just started working for the Embroidered Uniform Guard, yet he already has an official position?"

Zhao Gongcheng didn't know much about this either, and looked at Jiang Yun with curiosity.

Jiang Yun patiently explained, "The Eastern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is different from other departments. Once you enter the Eastern Garrison, you will have an official position."

Qian Shi pursed her lips and asked, "Then how many people does he manage?"

It should be noted that although Xu Yichang was only a deputy commander, he actually had many subordinates under his command.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun said nothing more and simply told the two to eat.

Not long after, footsteps sounded outside again, the door was pushed open, and Qin Shujian returned with a man who looked to be about twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old.

The man was dressed in the uniform of a deputy commander of the Five Cities Garrison, and his face was quite handsome.

Xu Yichang was also a little dazed at this moment. His family had spent money and pulled a lot of strings to buy him a deputy commander position in the South City Military Command.

He was usually diligent and conscientious, and had never offended anyone.

They were just trying to collect some tribute from the merchants entering the city...

Today, his subordinates suddenly told him that the Imperial Guards had come to his door, which startled him and left him momentarily stunned.

Could it be that my embezzlement and bribery have been discovered?

I've heard that recently His Majesty has been cracking down on corruption with great intensity, and many officials have been investigated and imprisoned.

Logically speaking, given his official position, it shouldn't warrant a high-ranking member of the Imperial Guard personally coming to his door...

The Ministry of Justice can send someone.

Upon seeing Qin Shujian, Qin Shujian remained calm and simply told him to come with him, as Commander Jiang wanted to see him.

Throughout the journey, Xu Yichang was on tenterhooks, trying to build a relationship with Qin Shujian, offering him some money, and asking if he had really done something wrong.

But Qin Shujian neither accepted money nor answered his questions; he simply told him to come along.

Xu Yichang had endured a long and arduous journey. Finally, upon arriving at the room, he quickly and respectfully asked, "May I ask which one of you is Commander Jiang Yun?"

“That’s me.” Jiang Yun smiled.

Xu Yichang swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and sweat beaded on his forehead.

How could he not have heard of Jiang Yun's reputation, both inside and outside the capital?

Upon arriving in the capital, he solved several major cases. He even went on a rampage, arresting dozens of the sons of powerful and wealthy families in the capital and imprisoning them, yet he emerged unscathed.

It is also said that Jiang Yun has a close relationship with the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Not to mention the commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who already wielded immense power.

Could Xu Yichang feel at ease knowing that someone like this had come to him? He forced a smile and said, "Commander Jiang, you've asked me to come here because..."

Jiang Yun's gaze fell on Qian Shi, and he said, "It's like this, my apprentice and Miss Zhao Qin are childhood sweethearts and in love. However, I heard that you also seem to be interested in proposing to Miss Zhao, so I invited you here to ask."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yichang subconsciously looked at Zhao Qin, his mind filled with questions. What?

Zhao Qin?

He vaguely remembered his aunt mentioning that a merchant woman wanted to introduce him to someone.

However, Xu Yichang, despite his young age, managed to buy the position of deputy commander of a thousand households through his family's efforts, and his future prospects are still very promising.

How could she possibly be interested in a merchant's daughter?
The matter was dropped, and he didn't care about it at all.

Is it because of this?
Xu Yichang breathed a sigh of relief and was about to explain that he had never been interested in the merchant's daughter.

But then he became nervous. He couldn't say that. If he didn't handle it well and offended Commander Jiang, it would be a huge loss.

Having navigated the officialdom for a while, he was a shrewd man. After hearing the whole story, he understood Jiang Yun's intention in summoning him. He quickly said, "Commander Jiang, you must be joking. In this world, who would turn down a son-in-law of the Embroidered Uniform Guard of the Eastern Garrison Command to choose me, a deputy commander of the Five Cities Garrison Command? That would be foolish."

"Moreover, this person is your apprentice, Commander Jiang. He has a bright future ahead of him, so who would look down on him?"

Jiang Yun understood that Xu Yichang was a shrewd person. He smiled faintly, glanced at him, and then stood up and said, "Come on, Shujian, come with me to order two more dishes."

"Uh." Qin Shujian glanced at his master in surprise, but still followed.

After the two left the room, Xu Yichang finally relaxed a bit. He looked at Zhao Gongcheng, Qian Shi, and Zhao Qin.

Qian Shi frowned and couldn't help but say, "You must be Yi Chang. Your aunt and I often go to the Buddhist temple to burn incense together, and we have a pretty good relationship. Last time, your aunt even..."

Xu Yichang frowned and lowered his voice, saying, "Oh dear, don't get me into trouble. Do you know what kind of person Commander Jiang is?"

"I... don't know." Qian Shi shook her head and glanced at Zhao Gongcheng beside her. "Isn't he just a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

“That’s just a facade.” Xu Yichang took a deep breath, knowing Jiang Yun’s intention to leave, and said in a deep voice, “Have you heard of the Duke of Zhenguo’s mansion?”

Qian Shi nodded and said, "Of course, I heard that the general who recently won a victory at the front is Xu Xiaogang from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion..."

"That's Jiang Yun, the centurion's brother-in-law. Jiang Yun and Xu Suwen from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion have received His Majesty's decree and are about to get married. If it weren't for the war at the front, they probably would have already done it."

Have you heard of Eunuch Feng from the palace?

Qian Shi shook her head. With so many people in the capital, how could she possibly care about a mere eunuch in the palace?

“That’s a favorite of His Majesty in the palace. I’ve heard that he has a close relationship with Jiang Yun.”

Hearing this, Qian Shi's eyes lit up slightly, and she subconsciously looked at Zhao Gongcheng, asking, "Master, you..."

Zhao Gongcheng took a deep breath and slowly said, "Didn't I tell you long ago that Jiang Yun is unfathomable?"

Qian Shiyi pouted: "I don't know any of this either."

Zhao Gongcheng: "Every time I try to talk to you about it, you just won't listen..."

Qian Shi frowned and muttered under her breath, "What does it mean that Commander Jiang called Xu Yichang over? Is he trying to intimidate us?"

Zhao Gongcheng glared at her: "That's just a woman's perspective. It's because Commander Jiang wants to become in-laws with us. There are many things that can't be said openly."

"Are you suggesting I look down on Qin Shujian and call him a snob?"

"Their approach was already quite tactful."

“My lady, you must not interfere in this matter any further.”

For ordinary wealthy merchants like them, Jiang Yun was indeed someone they couldn't afford to offend.

Xu Yichang realized that it was Qian Shi who had dragged him into this mess, and he quickly said, "Madam, you mustn't mention me again..."

Just then, the door opened again, and Jiang Yun led Qin Shujian back, asking with a smile, "How did the chat go?"

"Commander Jiang, I have already explained things to you both. This is just a misunderstanding," Xu Yichang said with a smile.

Jiang Yun nodded and said, "Thank you for your trouble. Please go back now."

"No need to trouble yourself. If Commander Jiang has any instructions, you can send someone to inform me at any time." After saying this, Xu Yichang finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly turned to leave.

After sitting down again, Jiang Yun brewed a cup of tea and slowly handed it to Zhao Gongcheng, saying, "Brother Zhao, can we talk about the marriage now?"

Inside the room, Qin Shujian and Zhao Qin couldn't help but exchange a glance, their joy barely concealed.

The marriage was quickly arranged, and after calculating the dates, it was found that the wedding would take place in about three months.

As for dowry and bride price, those are minor matters.

At this moment, Zhao Gongcheng coughed and said, "Brother Jiang, since we are now considered in-laws, I won't stand on ceremony. There's something I'd like to ask you for help with."

“I have a batch of goods that were seized by the Northern Garrison Command. I’ve tried many ways to get them out, but I haven’t been able to.”

Jiang Yun nodded slightly: "It's a small matter. I'll have someone ask about it later. But I also have something I'd like to ask Brother Zhao for help with."

Zhao Gongcheng's eyes lit up, and he smiled, "Go ahead."

"Lend me some money."

"That's easy, how much do you want?"

"how much do you have?"

(End of this chapter)