Catching Monsters

Chapter 475 Lord Jiang, please save me!

Upon hearing this reward, both Feng Yu and Xu Xiaogang showed expressions of surprise.

The nobility system in the Zhou state was divided into five ranks: Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron.

The title of marquis is extremely difficult to obtain.

Becoming a marquis meant completely escaping the ranks of commoners, something many civil officials dreamed of.

It should be understood that once a noble title is conferred, one is guaranteed a position unless one commits a heinous crime such as treason or the dynasty is destroyed.

They can basically guarantee wealth and prosperity for their descendants.

Although there are many descendants of fallen nobles in the capital today, their decline is relative.

Unable to obtain an important position in the army and lead troops into battle, he could only indulge in extravagant eating and drinking in the capital, relying on his noble status, and constantly clamoring to restore the glory of his ancestors...

This is a life that most ordinary people can only dream of in their entire lives.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun was not particularly moved; he didn't value this item much.

But he still quickly knelt down to express his gratitude: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

Xiao Yuzheng looked at Jiang Yun with a smile, then his gaze fell on Xu Xiaogang: "Xu Xiaogang, after you go back, set off immediately for the front line."

"Temporarily appointed as the commander of the Tianqi Army."

Upon hearing Xiao Yuzheng's words, Xu Xiaogang's face also showed surprise.

Is His Majesty planning to temporarily hand over the Tianqi Army to him as well?

This trust is incredibly profound, especially considering that currently, within the country, apart from the border troops in the north...

Zhen Chijun was originally Xu Xiaogang's loyal old subordinate.

The Tianqi Army, on the other hand, is the elite of the elite.

"Your subject obeys the decree." Xu Xiaogang's face was solemn, and he did not show any joy.

Although he was in the capital during this time, he kept a close eye on the battle at the front and knew that it was going to be a tough fight.

Currently, the Zhenchi Army and the Tianqi Army at the front lines together number only about 300,000.

The rebel army consisted of 400,000 regular troops and over 200,000 rebel soldiers, totaling 600,000 men.

Furthermore, Xu Xiaogang had analyzed the opponent's tactics and strategies, and the person commanding the battlefield situation was no ordinary individual.

At that moment, Jiang Yun also spoke up and asked, "Your Majesty, there is another matter I would like to ask for your help with."

"Speak," Xiao Yuzheng said with a broad smile.

Jiang Yun asked in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, could you please invite a few more experts from the Tongyou Guard to accompany me on this trip to the Demon Kingdom?"

"While I was on the Immortal Island, I managed to obtain the elixir for Your Majesty, but I also agreed to some of their conditions. Now, in Dragon Crystal City, within the Demon Emperor's Palace, are imprisoning the companions of the people from the Immortal Island."

"I must find a way to rescue them."

Hearing Jiang Yun's words, Xiao Yuzheng's expression turned serious. He hadn't expected Jiang Yun to make such a request.

"Involving the Demon Emperor's Palace?" After pondering for a while, Xiao Yuzheng said to Jiang Yun, "The Zhou Kingdom is currently going through a turbulent time, and this matter involves the Demon Emperor's Palace."

"If we send someone to offend the Demon Emperor, it will be extremely detrimental to the situation of our Zhou Kingdom."

Xiao Yuzheng paused for a moment, then said, "This matter should not be rushed."

Seeing that Xiao Yuzheng refused, Jiang Yun didn't say anything more...

"You guys go out first."

"Yes."

After Jiang Yun and Xu Xiaogang were led out of the Imperial Study by Feng Yu, Xiao Yuzheng slowly spoke: "Bai Ying".

"You and the shadowy figure go to the Demon Emperor's Palace to investigate whether two people are being held there."

"Find a way to rescue them."

From a corner of the imperial study, a white-clad figure's voice rang out: "Didn't you say..."

Xiao Yuzheng sat on the dragon throne, his eyes fixed on the memorial: "The whole world knows that Jiang Yun is my man. If he goes to save people, the Demon Emperor will naturally blame me for it."

"You and the Shadow will handle this matter."

"No one in the world knows your identities except for me and Eunuch Qin."

The white figure pondered for a moment, then said, "Yes."

The white-clad figure was not verbose, even though he and the black-clad figure stayed by Xiao Yuzheng's side almost every hour of the day, protecting his safety.

But since Xiao Yuzheng has made such arrangements, he must have also arranged for others to protect his safety.

Inside the Imperial Study, people came and went, and many officials came to pay their respects.

Most civil officials were able to meet Xiao Yuzheng without difficulty, because they did not have a deep relationship with Xiao Jingfu.

Many military officers, especially those close to Xiao Jingfu, could not even see Xiao Yuzheng.

They couldn't even step through the palace gates. They were already on the list of those whose property would be confiscated.

Busy until evening, the eldest prince, Xiao Jingzhi, finally arrived with a bowl of ginseng soup. He had been waiting in the palace all day.

"Father, I have prepared a ginseng soup for you to nourish your body." Xiao Jingzhi carried the ginseng soup into the room.

Xiao Yuzheng glanced at the ginseng soup and couldn't help but think of the scene when Xiao Jingfu was preparing to give him arsenic.

His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he said, "You've been preparing in the palace for a whole day, haven't you?"

"Yes." Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingzhi was slightly pleased and quickly knelt on the ground, saying with a heavy expression, "Father has just recovered, so I thought of preparing some tonics for you."

"But since you are meeting with so many ministers, I dare not disturb you. So I can only bring you the ginseng soup when you have some free time."

"This is a token of my heartfelt gratitude."

Inside the Imperial Study, Feng Yu had returned early. Standing beside Xiao Yuzheng, he respectfully said, "Your Majesty, this is, after all, a token of the First Prince's goodwill."

As he spoke, Feng Yu first picked up the glass, took a sip, and after confirming that there was no poison, he handed it to Xiao Yuzheng.

Seeing this, Xiao Yuzheng took a sip with little interest and then criticized, "You should put more effort into reading articles. All you've done all day is brew a bowl of ginseng soup. You're not doing your job properly. If you really want to, you should learn from Lao Ba."

At this point, he turned to Feng Yu and asked, "By the way, where is Lao Ba? I haven't seen him all day."

Upon hearing this, Feng Yu's heart stirred slightly, and he said, "His Highness the Eighth Prince heard that His Majesty had recovered and went to the Buddhist temple to pray for you."

"Good." Xiao Yuzheng nodded with satisfaction upon hearing this, and couldn't help but sigh, "Old Eight is such a filial son."

The eldest prince, Xiao Jingzhi, kneeling on the ground, became somewhat embarrassed...

I personally brewed a ginseng soup...

However, his father criticized him for neglecting his duties, and the eighth prince was accused of being filial simply for going to the temple to pray for blessings.

You can't have double standards.

Xiao Jingzhi was extremely embarrassed, and then said, "Father, I have been praying for you at home every day these past few days..."

"Alright, what's the use of just praying for blessings?" Xiao Yuzheng waved his hand, somewhat dissatisfied, and said, "Let's go back."

Xiao Jingzhi walked out of the imperial study with a somewhat disappointed expression.

Xiao Yuzheng took a deep breath and slowly said, "Feng Yu, tell me, if the Eighth Prince ascends the throne..."

Feng Yu lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, this is your family matter. How dare this servant offer any advice?"

“Old Eight’s foundation is a bit weak.” Xiao Yuzheng said, then closed his eyes and said, “Transfer Old Eight to the Imperial Guard as the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, and let him reorganize the Imperial Guard.”

"In addition, it's time to settle the marriage of the Eighth Prince. Keep a close eye out for suitable women from military or noble families who are worthy of him."

Upon hearing this, Feng Yu quickly nodded in agreement.

……

"Ah, brother, our family has been granted a title of nobility?"

Inside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, after receiving the news, Jiang Qiaoqiao immediately went to get a lot of paper money for the dead. Then, in the courtyard, facing the direction of Nanzhou Prefecture, she actually started burning the paper money.

As she burned the paper money, Jiang Qiaoqiao couldn't help but burst into tears.

"Father, Mother, my brother has made something of himself; he's become a marquis."

"If your spirits in heaven knew this, you would surely be happy."

At this point, Jiang Qiaoqiao became even more heartbroken. You see, when her parents were seriously ill, they didn't even have the money to buy medicine.

He eventually succumbed to his illness and passed away, leaving behind only the two siblings.

The parents' greatest hope was that their older brother could pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, bringing honor to the family. If that could be achieved, it would be an incredible stroke of luck.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Yun has now become not only a high-ranking official, but also a marquis, and has become a true nobleman.

Jiang Yun also squatted down next to Jiang Qiaoqiao and patted her on the shoulder.

Jiang Qiaoqiao couldn't help but hug Jiang Yun, her eyes red and brimming with tears, and said, "Brother, Father and Mother died too young..."

Jiang Yun patted her back comfortingly.

After burning a lot of paper money for his deceased parents with Jiang Qiaoqiao, suddenly, footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

Wu Chi then led a middle-aged man over quickly.

As soon as he arrived, he hurriedly knelt down before Jiang Yun and said, "Lord Jiang, you must save me..."

Jiang Yun looked closely and saw that the person who came was Zhao Gongcheng, the father of Zhao, Qin Shujian's childhood sweetheart.

Seeing this, Jiang Yun frowned slightly and stepped forward to help him up: "Brother Zhao, what's wrong with you?"

“The Embroidered Uniform Guard wanted to raid our house, saying I was colluding with rebels.”

"I told them we were family, but they didn't believe me..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun's expression hardened: "Do you have a relationship with Zhang Yao of the Imperial Guard?"

(End of this chapter)