Catching Monsters

Chapter 312 Let's save ourselves trouble

Upon hearing Jiang Yun's words, Xiao Yuqing's pupils constricted slightly in the imperial study.

Rebels, military pay?
"Don't make baseless accusations without evidence!" Xiao Yuqing retorted without hesitation.

I have to argue back!

In particular, Xiao Yuqing's status as a prince is extremely sensitive. If he were to get involved with these rebels and traitors, he would be in great trouble.

Xiao Yuzheng, who had been relaxed, gradually became serious after hearing Jiang Yun's words. He looked at Jiang Yun and asked, "Do you have any evidence for what you said?"

Jiang Yun shook his head decisively: "No! It's all based on some secret rumors!"

No evidence?

Jiang Yun wasn't worried about such things. For an experienced emperor like Xiao Yuzheng, he would rather believe it than not if it came up with words like "traitor" or "rebellion."

As expected, Xiao Yuzheng's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't say anything, after all, he had to save face for Prince Yi.

So he took a sip of the ginseng soup in his hand and praised, "Not bad, this ginseng soup tastes quite good, Feng Yu."

“This servant is here,” Feng Yu hurriedly replied.

"This ginseng soup didn't have star anise in it, did it? You know I don't like having that in my ginseng soup."

Feng Yu respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured, there was definitely no addition. The chefs in the Imperial Kitchen..."

Xiao Yuzheng said calmly, "You say you didn't add it? Why does it taste like star anise to me? Go to the Imperial Kitchen and find out later. Everything needs to be investigated thoroughly before you can feel at ease."

These words clearly had ulterior motives.

Although Prince Yi was short-tempered and straightforward, he was not stupid and could understand the meaning behind Xiao Yuzheng's words.

Xiao Yuqing quickly clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I also believe that this matter needs to be thoroughly investigated. If it really involves traitors, it will also prove my innocence."

“Prince Yi, you are overthinking it. We have known each other for so many years. How could I not worry about you?” Xiao Yuzheng smiled and then said to Jiang Yun, “Investigate.”

"Yes." Jiang Yun nodded.

Prince Yi glanced at Jiang Yun with a complicated expression before bowing to Xiao Yuzheng and turning to leave.

Watching Prince Yi's departing figure, Jiang Yun then turned to Xiao Yuzheng and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, there is another matter I wish to report to you."

"explain."

"This is something I heard from rumors," Jiang Yun paused, then said in a deep voice, "I heard that the 400,000-strong army that is suppressing the bandits in the southwest has been besieging the area without attacking, but is constantly demanding military pay and provisions from the imperial court..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuzheng's expression instantly turned serious, and Feng Yu's face also changed. He reminded Jiang Yun, "Jiang Yun, such an important matter cannot be spoken carelessly..."

Jiang Yun said in a deep voice, "This humble servant has only heard rumors, but I have also vaguely heard some information about the banditry in the southwest."

"Logically speaking, with an army of 400,000, any bandits should have been wiped out long ago."

Xiao Yuzheng took a deep breath and slowly said, "I will send the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate this matter. If what you said is true, Jiang Yun, I will remember your merit."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xiao Yuzheng then looked at Feng Yu and said, "I remember Yang Liunian has been in the position of commander of a thousand households for quite a few years?"

"Your Majesty, Lord Yang, the commander of the Eastern Garrison, has indeed been in office for more than five years."

Xiao Yuzheng slowly said, "Have Yang Liunian personally lead a team to investigate the matter. If he can find out the truth, the position of the Commander of the Eastern Garrison will be his."

"Once he finishes this task, Jiang Yun will be promoted to commander of a thousand households."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Jiang Yun said repeatedly.

After leaving the palace, Jiang Yun hurried back towards the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Back at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, it was nearly midnight. Jiang Yun went to the courtyard where Jiang Qiaoqiao lived. She was still unconscious. Now, all they could do was wait for Master Miaode of Puji Temple to cure Xiao Hei as soon as possible.

Then Xiao Hei cured Qiao Qiao.

Back in the house, Jiang Yun calmed himself down, sat cross-legged on the bed, and began to meditate.

Now that I've reached the third-grade Celestial Master realm, using the Five Elements Formation to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is no longer very effective.

After reaching the third rank, the improvement in strength is not simply a matter of continuously increasing the amount of spiritual energy stored in the body.

Especially if you want to reach the second rank.

What is needed is enlightenment.

Understanding the Tao.

The same principle applies to every subsequent breakthrough.

However, Jiang Yun has recently lost the habit of sleeping and has made meditation and cultivation to consolidate his cultivation a habit.

The next morning, Jiang Yun was still meditating when suddenly a clear knock sounded at the door.

Jiang Yun stepped forward and opened the door. Xu Suwen, holding some breakfast she had made herself, brought it in: "What happened yesterday? Didn't you initially refuse to give the meteorite to those people? How come..."

Jiang Yun gave a wry smile and slowly said, "I have no choice but to give it to you..."

Afterwards, Jiang Yun told Xu Suwen everything that had happened the night before.

He had no secrets to hide from Xu Suwen.

After Jiang Yun finished speaking, he frowned and said, "This group of people has a rather mysterious background and considerable strength, but it seems that they are only interested in meteorites." Xu Suwen picked up a meat pie, and after making sure it was no longer too hot, handed it to Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun took the food and started eating. Xu Suwen wasn't interested in this group of people, but she expressed concern about the news of the bandits in the southwest: "The bandits in the southwest are led by Wang Longzhi, the Duke of Jingguo. His ancestors were founding heroes, and his influence in the capital is about the same as our Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, or even slightly higher."

"This Duke of Jingguo, Wang Longzhi, is only thirty years old, but in his earlier years, he was quite remarkable in leading troops into battle."

"At the age of twenty, he led troops to suppress bandits."

"Whenever the harvest is bad and famine strikes, many refugees who cannot afford to eat will form bandits, and he will lead the troops there."

Xu Suwen, puzzled, said, "Wang Longzhi is not short of money. Logically speaking, he should not need to embezzle military pay and supplies. What is he trying to do by constantly petitioning His Majesty for money, supplies, and military pay?"

Hearing this, Jiang Yun finished the meat pie in his hand, wiped the grease off his hands with the towel on the table, and then said, "Whatever, it has nothing to do with us anyway. This case is being handled personally by Lord Yang Liunian."

"His Majesty also said that after Yang Liunian is promoted, I will be promoted to commander of a thousand households."

"Mm." Xu Suwen nodded slightly, a smile appearing on her face. She was naturally happy that Jiang Yun had been promoted.

Just then, footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

"Master!"

"Master!"

Jiang Yun pushed open the door and saw Qin Shujian, who was carrying many bags and looked like he was about to embark on a long journey.

"What's wrong with you?" Jiang Yun asked.

Qin Shujian said excitedly, "Master, I'm about to go on a long trip to the southwest with Commander Yang."

Qin Shujian was naturally excited, and a little expectant. Since he took up his post as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he had never left the capital to carry out a mission.

In the capital, there were countless high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards held a high status in the capital, but it was still difficult for them to command the fear of others.

But when traveling, he is an imperial envoy.

Jiang Yun nodded slightly and reminded Qin Shujian, "When you're traveling, remember to stay with Lord Yang and never leave his side."

Qin Shujian nodded repeatedly and said, "I understand. This disciple will definitely perform well and not let you down, Master."

Jiang Yun rolled her eyes at him and said in a low voice, "Lord Yang has quite a few experts around him. He himself is also a formidable expert. If you follow him, your safety will be guaranteed."

"Disciple understands."

"be careful."

Watching Qin Shujian leave, Jiang Yun smiled, not too worried.

The Imperial Guards rarely encounter trouble when traveling, especially when they are accompanying Yang Liunian.

After Qin Shujian left, Jiang Yun and Xu Suwen went to Jiang Qiaoqiao's residence, where Jiang Qiaoqiao was still asleep.

Next, all we can do is wait for news from Puji Temple.

At noon that day, Dong Qiaofeng sent someone over to inform him that the man had confessed.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun hurried to the Eastern Garrison Command and arrived at the imperial prison.

At this moment, a middle-aged man was tied to an iron pillar in the imperial prison, his whole body covered in blood from being beaten.

After entering the prison, Dong Qiaofeng, who was standing next to Jiang Yun, said to him, "Lord Jiang, this man is named Qiao Ren, and his public identity is a grain merchant."

Qiao Ren was around forty years old. His hair was disheveled from the beating, and he was wearing prison clothes, panting heavily.

After Jiang Yun walked in with his hands behind his back, he looked at the man and asked, "Are you from the banditry in the southwest?"

"I am a man of the Daoist King! If you capture me, you will be punished by Heaven!" Qiao Ren roared, his eyes wide.

Daohua King?
Jiang Yun was somewhat puzzled, as he had never heard of this name in all his years in the capital.

Dong Qiaofeng, standing beside him, lowered his voice and said, "The rebel leader has already declared himself king in the three southwestern provinces. He claims to be an incarnation of the Daoist Master, sent to save the suffering people of the world, hence the name Daoist King."

Jiang Yun: "..."

Although Jiang Yun didn't believe in the Daoist Master, he couldn't help but feel sorry for him. What had the Daoist Master done to deserve this?
Every traitor must use the title of Daoist Master.

These three Taoist temples in the capital, dedicated to the Taoist deity, have survived to this day, which is truly remarkable...

Jiang Yun's expression hardened, and he said in a deep voice, "Alright, we've already come to this point, so stop shouting slogans and just tell us what you know."

Qiao Ren: "I've said everything I needed to say."

"I brought these things here to sell and exchange them for silver..."

Jiang Yun frowned and patiently said, "What happens after we exchange it for silver? Can't we use it to buy grain?"

"With such a large batch of grain, who would dare to sell it to you so easily without the intervention of officials?"

“There must be people like you in the officialdom.”

"Just tell the truth, it'll save you trouble, and it'll save us trouble too."

(End of this chapter)