Catching Monsters

Chapter 425 These people are strange!

"That's true." Xu Xiaogang nodded in agreement, based on his understanding of Jiang Yun.

Although his brother-in-law could be incredibly despicable at times, he was generally reliable, based on his understanding of Jiang Yun.

"Would Wu Hanting dare to kill Prince Fu?" Xu Xiaogang smiled, then shook his head, before asking Jiang Yun, "Who's the mastermind behind this?"

Jiang Yun sat down at the stone table. He had come here specifically to talk to Xu Xiaogang about this matter.

He uttered three words: "Crown Prince".

Upon hearing these three words, Xu Xiaogang's pupils contracted slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "The First Prince did this?"

Jiang Yun sat in the courtyard and slowly recounted the whole story, including how the eldest prince, Xiao Jingzhi, tried to win her over afterwards.

After hearing what had happened, Xu Xiaogang's expression became extremely solemn. After pondering for a long time, he slowly said, "Brother-in-law, you did the right thing."

"In fact, our Zhenguo Duke's Mansion has never easily taken sides in public over the years."

"Many powerful families and officials who do not have a strong foundation hope to advance their families by choosing the right emperor."

"But our Zhenguo Duke's Mansion doesn't need such methods."

When Xu Xiaogang said this, there was a hint of arrogance in his voice. Of course, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion had the right not to take sides.

Regardless of which prince ascends to the throne, in the end, he can only try to win over the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Xu Xiaogang said slowly, "There's always a time when you lose when you choose a side."

"If you don't take sides, you'll never lose."

Hearing Xu Xiaogang's words, Jiang Yun nodded to indicate that he understood. Then, his gaze fell on the attack map on the stone table, and he asked, "You've just come back and rested for a few days. Are you getting ready to set off?"

"Hmm." Xu Xiaogang nodded and said in a deep voice, "Now that these coastal pirates have not yet established a firm foothold, it is the best time to attack."

"Dragging it out any further will not do any good for the war."

“Right now, the Zhenchi Army has already marched to the south, and I’m just taking advantage of the troops’ march to return to the capital for a few days to rest.” Xu Xiaogang said, turning to Jiang Yun, “I will set off after I meet His Majesty later.”

"I'm leaving now. I'll leave things at home to my brother-in-law."

Jiang Yun nodded and said with a smile, "Don't worry."

Xu Xiaogang seemed preoccupied. He quickly packed his things, bid farewell to Tao Yuelan and Xu Suwen, and headed to the palace to say goodbye to Xiao Yuzheng. Without further ado, he left the capital immediately.

Soon, the Zhenchi Army marched to the southwestern coastal area. Sure enough, as expected, in the northern border, the Zhenchi Army, which had been fighting against the Hu people for many years, was akin to a dimensional reduction attack for these rebels.

Within half a month, they swiftly and decisively cut off the rebel territory along the coast.

And they began to reclaim lost territory from the middle.

These rebels were mostly made up of refugees and had little to no military training, even though Chen Honghao wanted to train them like the regular army of the imperial court.

It's too hard; these people simply can't endure such hardship.

On the contrary, in the eyes of these rebels, they had worked hard to rebel.

Having finally conquered such a large territory, wouldn't it be a shame not to enjoy it to the fullest?
Qinglin City, located in the southern part of the Zhou Kingdom, was the first major city captured by the rebels, so it was considered the rebels' 'capital'.

This city is rich in resources and extremely prosperous.

In the very center of Qinglin City, in a government office that the rebels had used as a temporary palace, the rebel leader Liu Yu, dressed in a rather cheap dragon robe, sat on a dragon throne in the main hall.

His expression was somewhat strange as he said, "Strategist, the situation at the front is getting worse and worse. If we continue fighting like this, I'm afraid we'll reach our Qinglin City in another month."

He thought about his fate when the city fell.

Liu Yu's face turned extremely ugly, while Chen Honghao said helplessly, "Your Majesty, the Zhenchi Army lives up to its reputation. Our rebel army below will find it difficult to resist. But don't worry, I have already contacted the Demon Spirit Sect."

"I've also come to report good news to His Majesty."

As he spoke, Chen Honghao looked towards the door.

Outside, a boy who looked to be eleven or twelve years old walked in. However, the boy was wearing a black robe, and his appearance did not seem as mature as one would expect for his age.

"Who is this?" Liu Yu asked in a deep voice when he saw the little boy who came in.

"Elder Lu Yuling of the Demon Spirit Sect."

Although Lu Yuling looks like a child, upon closer inspection, she appears to be an elderly woman in her seventies or eighties.

It looks extremely strange.

Elder Lu Yuling's gaze fell on Liu Yu, and she slowly said, "Is this the person Sun Wuji chose?"

Lu Yuling's gaze towards Liu Yu clearly carried a hint of dissatisfaction.

Upon hearing that the other party was an elder of the Demon Spirit Sect, Liu Yu quickly stood up and respectfully said, "Elder Lu, I am truly sorry for not welcoming you sooner."

Then, Liu Yu said impatiently, "The war is going badly now. This situation is, after all, the result of the Demon Spirit Sect's hard work. I hope Elder Lu can help us think of a solution."

"Hmph." Lu Yuling said indifferently, "Now that I'm here, do you think I'll let you easily ruin this excellent situation?"

"The one leading the troops on the other side is named Xu Xiaogang, right?"

“That’s right,” Chen Honghao nodded in agreement. “The Duke of Zhou.”

Lu Yuling, with her hands behind her back, said calmly, "Rest assured, I will personally eliminate this brat. Furthermore, members of my Demon Spirit Sect have already headed to the capital. The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion will be utterly wiped out."

Upon hearing Lu Yuling's words, Chen Honghao's face lit up with joy, and he hurriedly said, "Elder Lu, please rest assured, I will never forget your great kindness!"

This is incredibly good news, not to mention that Elder Lu is going to personally kill Xu Xiaogang.

Simply killing all the people in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion in the capital would make Xu Xiaogang panic on the front line and unable to fully command the Zhenchi Army in battle.

……

Winter is approaching in the capital, and people are wearing thicker clothes.

That morning, Xu Suwen was strolling along the main street of the capital with Jiang Qiaoqiao. The two entered a fabric shop, intending to buy some fine fabric to make some winter clothes for Jiang Yun.

"Miss Xu, these fabrics are all made of the finest silk specially crafted in Western Sichuan," the shopkeeper enthusiastically introduced to Xu Suwen.

“The area of ​​Western Shu has been in turmoil lately, so it’s not easy to get these fine fabrics to the capital.”

The shopkeeper introduced Xu Suwen with a beaming smile. He knew very well that the young lady in front of him was the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and he could not be neglected in the slightest.

Xu Suwen, dressed in a long white dress, stroked several pieces of fabric in front of her and said, "These pieces of fabric are all quite nice, Qiaoqiao, what do you think?"

"I'll listen to Sister Suwen." Jiang Qiaoqiao said, eating a candied hawthorn.

During this time, everyone was in high spirits because they knew that Xu Xiaogang had won a series of victories on the front lines.

In just half a month, Xu Xiaogang won five battles in a row, and His Majesty's commendations were continuously sent to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

For a time, the entire Zhenguo Duke's Mansion enjoyed unparalleled prestige in the capital.

"Wrap them all up and send them to the best tailor shop to have the most skilled tailor make a few clothes," Xu Suwen said. "As for the size, have someone from the best tailor shop go to the East Garrison Office to have Garrison Commander Jiang take your measurements."

As he spoke, he put down a fifty-tael silver note.

Just a few bolts of cloth were enough to cover the expenses of an ordinary person for several years.

"Okay, Miss Xu, don't worry."

"Let's go." After Xu Suwen led Jiang Qiaoqiao out of the building, they walked down the street, and suddenly her eyebrows furrowed slightly.

She stopped and looked around at the crowd. Her heart sank. Three sharp-eyed people were secretly watching her and her companion.

Xu Suwen turned her head, smiled and said loudly to Jiang Qiaoqiao, "Didn't you forget something at the cloth shop? Oh right, the wooden comb you just bought. You forgetful thing."

Jiang Qiaoqiao was stunned when she heard Xu Suwen's words. They hadn't bought any wooden combs at all.

Fortunately, Jiang Qiaoqiao was no longer the naive and ignorant girl she was when she first arrived in the capital. She instantly realized that there was a deeper meaning in Xu Suwen's words.

She gently patted her forehead and said, "That's right, if Sister Suwen hadn't reminded me, I would have forgotten about it. I'll go back to the cloth shop to get the comb now."

"By the way, Sister Suwen, you wait for me here."

After saying that, Jiang Qiaoqiao quickly ran back to the cloth shop.

The shopkeeper, standing inside, quickly greeted her with a smile and asked, "Young lady, is there anything else Miss Xu needs?"

Jiang Qiaoqiao took a deep breath and asked, "Shopkeeper, do you have horses in your backyard?"

"Horses?" The shopkeeper was slightly taken aback, then quickly nodded: "Yes, we do have some."

"Quickly send a skilled horseman to the Eastern Garrison Command to inform my brother, Garrison Commander Jiang, that something bad is about to happen here."

"hurry up."

"Yes." Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper dared not delay and hurriedly ordered his men to ride away from the back street at full speed, heading towards the East Garrison Command.

Meanwhile, on the street, Xu Suwen waited for Jiang Qiaoqiao with apparent composure, her gaze occasionally glancing at the three of them.

She breathed a slight sigh of relief; thank goodness.

After Qiaoqiao left, the three of them did not chase after her, indicating that they were not after Qiaoqiao.

Then it must be aimed at me.

Thinking of this, Xu Suwen took a deep breath and waited there.

……

More than a dozen traveling merchants and laborers have also appeared near the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

These traveling merchants and laborers, carrying all sorts of goods, surrounded the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Standing at the door, Wu Chi, who was inspecting the area, yawned. He stretched at the door, glanced at the few guards outside, and immediately frowned.

These people are unfamiliar faces, no, that's not right.

The area around the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is mostly inhabited by high-ranking officials and nobles, and there aren't many pedestrians. So where did all these servants come from selling goods?

Moreover, these servants did not hawk their business; instead, they frequently glanced at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

There's something wrong with these people!

(End of this chapter)