Catching Monsters

Chapter 489 Chicken Soup
Then, he inquired with Qi Da, Dong Qiaofeng, and Zhu Zanyu about the casualties of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the operation a few days ago.

The Imperial Guards kept a distance and dared not approach easily, but more than twenty of them were injured by the flying bricks and tiles.

No one died, but more than two hundred civilians did.

No injuries...

In such a clash between the strong, ordinary people don't even have the right to get hurt.

In addition, another batch of people will soon be recruited into the Eastern Garrison Command, and this matter will naturally be fully handled by Qi Da.

Although Jiang Yun was the garrison commander, he could not personally handle many minor matters.

After chatting with the three for a while, a servant from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion soon came to report: "My lord, the eldest prince has arrived and wishes to see you."

Well, Jiang Yun gave a wry smile. He had just woken up, and there were already quite a few people who wanted to see him.

"Let His Highness the First Prince come over," Jiang Yun said, waving to Qi Da and the others, "You all go back first."

Soon, a slightly overweight figure followed the servants of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to the outside of the courtyard.

Xiao Jingzhi has been very annoyed lately, extremely annoyed.

Seeing that his fourth brother had died and his father's health had recovered, but after so much time, his father still showed no intention of summoning him.

But that fellow, the Eighth Prince, keeps running into the palace every few days.

Xiao Jingzhi was naturally anxious and went to the palace in person to see his father, the Emperor. However, the Emperor said that he was very busy and told him to come back when he had time...

But he clearly heard that the Eighth Prince had just left the palace.

He knew that if he didn't take some action, the position of crown prince would be snatched away by the eighth prince again.

He was clearly the eldest prince!

The fourth and eighth sons took turns being favored.

There was also a sixth brother who was outside raising a rebellious flag and rebelling.

damned.

Even when my father ascended the throne, it wasn't this difficult.

In fact, Xiao Jingzhi had also inquired about the opinions of some court officials, both openly and secretly.

However, the advice given to him by the vast majority of civil and high-ranking officials was simply to be obedient and filial to His Majesty. Succession by the legitimate son was the rule that had been in place for thousands of years, and His Majesty would eventually give him the throne.

But now Xiao Jingzhi no longer trusts these civil officials.

At that time, the fourth prince was so rebellious that he ordered the imperial guards to surround the palace, and these civil officials didn't dare to utter a word, they were all obsequious.

If the emperor had passed away at that time and the fourth prince had claimed the throne, Xiao Jingzhi had no doubt that these guys would have immediately turned around and supported the fourth prince.

We still need to find a way to win over those with real power.

Jiang Yun was someone Xiao Jingzhi highly regarded.

He was a high-ranking official in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with a promising future, and his wife's family was from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Xiao Jingzhi walked in with a smile on his face. Looking at Jiang Yun, whose face was slightly pale, he took out a wooden box, placed it on the table, and said, "Brother Jiang, I heard that you have been feeling a bit weak lately."

"This is a century-old ginseng that my father bestowed upon me a few years ago. Make a soup with it and nourish your body."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun quickly stood up: "Your Highness, this is unacceptable. I am not worthy of the gifts bestowed upon you by His Majesty the Emperor."

"Brother Jiang, you're too kind. Everything I own was a gift from my father, including the money I carry. Does that mean I can't even spend money when I go out?"

"Besides, look at me..." Xiao Jingzhi said, patting his large belly and chuckling, "If I keep taking supplements like this, won't I get even fatter?"

Xu Suwen quickly interjected, "Your Highness, this is something His Majesty gave you, how can you..."

He then handed the items to Xu Suwen, saying, "Here's what we'll do, sister-in-law. You go to the kitchen and make a pot of soup. I'll drink it with you. Is that alright?"

"Go! Go! Go."

Xu Suwen glanced at Jiang Yun subconsciously. Naturally, such a matter required the approval of the head of the household.

Seeing Jiang Yun nod, Xu Suwen took the ginseng to the kitchen: "Then I'll have the servants kill an old chicken and make a soup."

"That's more like it." Xiao Jingzhi sat down next to Jiang Yun with a smile. Seeing that Jiang Yun had accepted his gift, he said directly, "Brother Jiang, although I am a scholar, I am also a straightforward person. In the current court, both I and the Eighth Prince are qualified to inherit the position of Crown Prince. In your opinion, who is more suitable?" Jiang Yun was slightly taken aback. He did not expect Xiao Jingzhi to ask such a direct and sensitive question.

Without hesitation or second thought, he replied, "Of course it's you, Your Highness. Our Great Zhou Dynasty has had the rule of establishing the heir apparent since ancient times..."

Nonsense, the person is sitting right in front of Jiang Yun, how could he say that the throne should be passed on to the Eighth Prince?
However, Jiang Yun couldn't help but frown. With the Crown Prince's impatience and scheming nature, it seemed unlikely he would succeed to the throne...

Did being around Confucian teachers since childhood corrupt your mind?
"Really?" Xiao Jingzhi's eyes lit up slightly.

Jiang Yun smiled and said, "Your Highness, have you forgotten that although I am a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, I also earned my degree as a scholar through my own hard work?"

Xiao Jingzhi held Jiang Yun's hand and said, "It's best that you think this way. Your thoughts probably represent the thoughts of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."

“That’s different, Your Highness. Now that I have been granted the title of Marquis of Weinan by His Majesty, what I say only represents my own thoughts,” Jiang Yun said, shaking his head.

Xiao Jingzhi smiled and said, "By the way, Lord Qian Buchou has already been transferred to the Ministry of Personnel. I heard from others that he is your fellow townsman. The Ministry of Personnel's Bureau of Personnel was previously short of a clerk."

Hearing this, Jiang Yun was somewhat surprised and stared at Xiao Jingzhi, saying, "Your Highness, the First Prince..."

"No need for thanks. Li Wangxin is still young and strong. I can't be of much help to you in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. If there are other better departments later, I will arrange for you to go there."

Jiang Yun stared at Xiao Jingzhi and realized that this Crown Prince was not stupid.

smart.

After making himself state his position directly, he even arranged a promotion for Qian Buchou ahead of time.

He kept tying himself to his ship.

When the time comes, even if I say that I am not with him, will others believe me?

If the Eighth Prince ascends the throne, will he not treat me as the First Prince's confidant?
Ironically, everything the other person did was for his own good, and he always had a smile on his face, calling each other brothers.

What else could Jiang Yun say?
Jiang Yun took a deep breath and said with a smile, "Your Highness, you've gone to so much trouble."

Soon, Xu Suwen brought over a pot of fragrant chicken soup.

Xu Suwen smiled and put down the chicken soup. She first served a bowl to Xiao Jingzhi, and then served soup to Jiang Yun, saying, "Your Highness, I rarely cook, so please don't be offended if the taste doesn't suit your palate."

After taking a sip, Xiao Jingzhi couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh my, Miss Xu's soup is absolutely amazing!"

Xiao Jingzhi wolfed down the soup in an exaggerated manner, then ladled out another bowl before sighing, "You and Miss Xu are a perfect match, a match made in heaven. It's a pity that Xu Xiaogang is fighting on the front lines. According to custom, you can only get married after Xu Xiaogang finishes his battle."

"How about this, I suggest to my father that he issue an imperial decree to arrange the marriage, then it won't be considered breaking the rules."

Upon hearing this, Xu Suwen's eyes lit up, but she still couldn't help but say, "It's probably not appropriate for His Majesty to issue an edict on such a matter..."

"It's alright, I'll discuss it with the Ministers of Personnel and Rites, and they can submit a memorial. There will be absolutely no problem with the procedure," Xiao Jingzhi said with a smile.

Xu Suwen was immediately tempted, and she couldn't help but glance at Jiang Yun.

Although Xu Suwen was still relatively young in Jiang Yun's eyes, at that age, many women in the Zhou Kingdom would already have several children.

Jiang Yun couldn't help but think to himself that Xiao Jingzhi was quite extraordinary. Although it was only a few words, his methods of winning people's hearts were quite clever.

He knew very well what Xu Suwen wanted...

Seeing the expectant look in Xu Suwen's eyes, Jiang Yun could only ask, "If this matter is not too troublesome, then I will trouble Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Hey, there's no need for such formalities between brothers." Xiao Jingzhi, having achieved his purpose, decided not to linger any longer. He wiped the soup from the corner of his mouth and said, "I won't disturb Brother Jiang's rest any longer. I'll be going now."

After saying that, Xiao Jingzhi quickly left.

Watching Xiao Jingzhi's retreating figure, Jiang Yun narrowed her eyes slightly.

Xu Suwen couldn't help but sigh, "Actually, it wouldn't be bad if the eldest prince became emperor, right, Jiang Yun?"

Jiang Yun smiled and said, "This is not something we can discuss lightly."

Upon hearing this, Xu Suwen pinched Jiang Yun's thigh: "It's just the two of us, chatting about everyday matters, what are you talking about?"

"Ouch, be gentle, be gentle..." Jiang Yun said with a smile, "Shall we go and take a look at that house tomorrow?"

"Let's get everything ready as soon as possible so we can get married, right?"

(End of this chapter)