Catching Monsters

Chapter 581 has nothing to do with these traitors?

Miao Yuanxing was quickly surrounded by a large number of Imperial Guards and pinned to the ground. Miao Yuanxing shouted loudly, "Let me go! I did this for the Great Zhou!"

"I want to see His Majesty!"

Jiang Yun glanced at him coldly and said indifferently, "Lord Miao, you can deceive others, but don't deceive yourself. No matter how you try to beautify your actions, it is still plotting against His Majesty, a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of your family."

At this point, he slowly squatted down in front of Miao Yuanxing, who was being pinned to the ground: "You lot are just afraid of being discovered by His Majesty's thorough investigation into corruption, so you took the initiative to strike first."

"Would you really do such corrupt and embezzling things for the sake of the Great Zhou?"

Jiang Yun was not fooled by Miao Yuanxing's appearance. He quickly stood up and waved his hand: "Arrest everyone in the Miao family. Imprison all people with the surname Miao in the imperial prison. Arrest the other servants and maids and send them to the Jingzhao Prefecture for detention."

There was no other way; the imperial prison couldn't hold all the people we needed to arrest today. Less important people would have to be temporarily kept under the care of the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Soon, chaos erupted inside the Miao residence. These people, of course, were completely unaware of what Miao Yuanxing had done.

When they saw the Imperial Guards coming to arrest people, they were even prepared to use Miao Yuanxing's status as Minister of Rites to intimidate them.

When they heard that Miao Yuanxing was suspected of poisoning His Majesty, they were all dumbfounded, especially many members of the Miao family. They had been enjoying wealth and honor because of Miao Yuanxing's status and position, but now they were about to become prisoners and probably even be executed.

The family members, both men and women, were all weeping uncontrollably.

The Imperial Guards had seen this scene many times before, and soon they found many house deeds and real gold and silver in the Miao mansion, totaling 30,000 taels.

Jiang Yun also led his men to search Miao Yuanxing's study. They quickly found many secret letters and ledgers showing bribes received.

Not to mention that Miao Yuanxing committed the heinous crime of attempting to poison His Majesty, the amount of money he embezzled alone was enough to cost him his head several times over.

The same scene also occurred in the homes of many ministers in the capital.

Under the cover of a torrential downpour, groups of Imperial Guards swiftly marched through the streets of the capital, braving the heavy rain to escort numerous criminals back to their offices.

Soon, news of the Embroidered Uniform Guard arresting people throughout the city spread, and many ministers were filled with unease that night.

After all, most people don't know why the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrests people in the middle of the night; what if it's because of corruption?

Of all the officials in the capital, how many are truly clean?
Jiang Yun led his team to capture Miao Yuanxing and returned to the government office. Just then, Tang Yizhi, the Minister of Works, was also captured.

Today, the Eastern Garrison Command was bustling with activity, as they captured all the people on the list provided by You Guangcheng in one fell swoop.

Among them, Miao Yuanxing and Tang Yizhi, both of whom were high-ranking officials of the second rank, need no further introduction. There were also two other officials of the second rank.

Four people of the third rank, six people of the fourth rank, four people of the fifth rank...

There were exactly eighteen people.

It covers a wide range of departments, all of which are civil servants.

After arresting all eighteen people, Jiang Yun also instructed Qi Da to conduct interrogations as soon as possible to see if there were any accomplices who had not yet been uncovered.

Meanwhile, outside the study, Xiao Jingzhi, having somehow received the news, rushed to the Eastern Garrison Command. He arrived at Jiang Yun's study, knocked on the door, and entered.

"Brother Jiang, what exactly happened?"

Xiao Jingzhi's expression was no longer as relaxed as before; instead, it was serious and unpleasant.

Upon seeing Xiao Jingzhi arrive, Jiang Yun remained silent for a moment before saying, "Why has Your Highness the Crown Prince come again?"

"Since you arrested Minister Miao and Minister Tang, I naturally have to come and question them." Xiao Jingzhi frowned. He was naturally the first to know about the Embroidered Uniform Guard's major operation.

Jiang Yun remained silent for a moment before saying, "Miao Yuanxing and Tang Yizhi are suspected of treason and have been arrested."

Jiang Yun quickly gave a brief overview of the situation.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingzhi's face turned pale instantly. He knew that the two had been captured and rushed over immediately to try to rescue them.

Miao Yuanxing, of course, needs no introduction; he was a staunch supporter of his becoming the crown prince.

Tang Yizhi was also the Minister of Works whom Xiao Jingzhi arranged to succeed him.

The two men played a crucial role in whether he would become the crown prince and inherit the throne.

Since they got into trouble, Xiao Jingzhi naturally had to step in and find a solution...

Can……

Have those two bastards gone mad? Attempting to assassinate the Emperor.

"Those two bastards deserve to die! How dare they do this!" Xiao Jingzhi slammed his hand on the table, his face flushed red.

Seeing this, Jiang Yun couldn't help but remind him, "If Your Highness has time, you should go to the palace first and meet His Majesty. You are close to these two... don't let His Majesty misunderstand anything."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingzhi's heart sank even further. Yes, if his father believed that he was involved in this matter, then everything would be over.

Xiao Jingzhi didn't care about anything else. Braving the heavy rain, he quickly left the East Garrison and headed towards the palace.

Jiang Yun watched Xiao Jingzhi's retreating figure and shook her head slightly.

……

In the pouring rain, Xiao Jingzhi arrived alone at the outskirts of the imperial city, intending to enter the palace to see his father, the emperor.

However, they were stopped by the Imperial Guards.

"Your Highness, the order has been issued that ordinary people are not allowed to enter or leave the palace at will."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingzhi rebuked in a stern voice, "Am I an ordinary person?"

"Go and inform your superior, and tell him to come see me!"

Soon, a figure slowly appeared.

"Brother, what brings you here in the middle of the night?" Xiao Jingqing's figure quickly appeared.

Xiao Jingqing, dressed in the armor of the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards, walked briskly with his hand on the sword at his waist.

He then reprimanded the imperial guards who were blocking Xiao Jingzhi: "Who gave you permission to block my elder brother?"

The Imperial Guard soldiers bowed their heads and said respectfully, "Deputy Commander, it was your order that anyone entering or leaving the palace must get your approval."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingqing said to Xiao Jingzhi, "Brother, you may not know this, but something has happened in the palace recently. It's a special time, so please forgive us. However, Father has already gone to bed. If you really have something to say, why don't you wait until tomorrow morning to see him?"

"I must enter the palace now." Xiao Jingzhi took a deep breath, knowing the matter was of great importance. Seeing this, Xiao Jingqing could no longer stop him. He gestured for the imperial guards to make way and said, "Then I will inform Father that you wish to see him, elder brother?"

Xiao Jingzhi shook his head again: "No need. Since Father has already gone to bed to rest, I will wait outside the Imperial Study."

After saying this, Xiao Jingzhi quickly went to the outside of the Imperial Study and knelt down. Upon hearing this, Feng Yu sent a eunuch to hold an umbrella for the Crown Prince.

But Xiao Jingzhi was forced to retreat, and he knelt in the rain, motionless.

Xiao Jingqing, who had followed from a distance, narrowed his eyes and frowned when he saw this scene. He thought to himself, "It seems that I underestimated this older brother."

The next morning, the rain had stopped, and a ray of sunlight shone through as Feng Yu carried a basin of hot water into Xiao Yuzheng's bedroom.

After waking up, Xiao Yuzheng stretched and slowly asked, "How's Jiang Yun's case going?"

“We arrested quite a few people last night. Lord Jiang should be coming to the palace to report to His Majesty soon,” Feng Yu said respectfully. After a pause, he added, “Also, His Highness the First Prince came last night, but His Majesty had already gone to bed, so he did not disturb him.”

"Instead, he knelt outside the Imperial Study and wouldn't get up no matter who tried to persuade him."

"Yesterday it rained heavily. Your Majesty, do you think I should send a bowl of ginger soup to His Highness the First Prince, in case he catches a cold?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuzheng frowned but did not reply. He simply said, "I will go and take a look."

Xiao Jingzhi's legs were already numb from kneeling, and he was somewhat dazed.

Soon, he heard footsteps, turned around and saw Xiao Yuzheng wearing a dragon robe, and Feng Yu beside him.

Unexpectedly, when Xiao Yuzheng passed by, he didn't even glance at Xiao Jingzhi and went straight into the Imperial Study.

Feng Yu stopped and reached out to help Xiao Jingzhi up: "Your Highness, please get up and go into the Imperial Study to have some ginger soup so you don't catch a cold."

"Father has not yet told me to get up." Xiao Jingzhi shook his head upon hearing this.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Yuzheng's voice came from inside the Imperial Study: "Who are you kneeling outside putting on an act for? Get in here."

Hearing Xiao Yuzheng's words, Xiao Jingzhi finally breathed a sigh of relief. Feng Yu helped him slowly stand up, but his legs were already numb, and he almost stumbled and fell to the ground when he got up.

Thanks to Feng Yu's support, he was able to barely stand.

With Feng Yu's help, Xiao Jingzhi entered the imperial study and knelt down again, prostrating himself on the ground and saying, "Father, I have no relation whatsoever with Miao Yuanxing, Tang Yizhi, and other traitors."

"On ordinary days, I would occasionally exchange some Confucian insights with the two of them."

Sitting on the dragon throne, Xiao Yuzheng said with displeasure, "No relationship whatsoever? Do you think I don't know that you and Miao Yuanxing meet privately at your residence four or five times a month?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingzhi's heart skipped a beat...

He hadn't expected that Xiao Yuzheng would even know about this.

Xiao Yuzheng stared at him and slowly said, "Since you say you have no relationship, then tell me, what are you doing meeting with this traitor four or five times a month?"

"Tea?"

Xiao Jingzhi trembled all over, prostrated himself on the ground, and said respectfully, "Your subject truly did not know that this villain was so bold as to secretly poison Your Majesty."

"My meeting with him was also to discuss some political affairs of the Zhou state..."

Xiao Yuzheng's face was icy as he said in a deep voice, "You are just a prince. Since when did it become your place to discuss state affairs with the Minister of Rites?"

"You've become the crown prince, why are you in such a hurry?"

Xiao Jingzhi dared not answer, and Feng Yu inside the room also looked away. This matter had indeed crossed Xiao Yuzheng's bottom line.

After Xiao Yuzheng sat down and drank his tea, he said to Feng Yu, "Go and ask Jiang Yun how the case investigation is going."

"Yes." Feng Yu nodded.

Soon after receiving the notification, Jiang Yun rushed to the Imperial Study.

In Jiang Yun's hand, there was still a thick stack of confessions and documents.

It's no wonder that those civil officials hated the imperial prison so much; they really couldn't withstand the methods used there.

With just a little torture, they immediately confessed.

Looking at these people's testimonies, Jiang Yun was also somewhat shocked...

First of all, the amount of money embezzled by these eighteen people is so enormous that it is simply shocking. The total amount of money embezzled by these eighteen people over the years, roughly estimated, is probably more than 1.5 million taels of silver.

Furthermore, in order to suffer less, these civil officials went on a rampage, biting people like madmen. Regardless of whether it was true or false, they would reveal anyone they heard was corrupt.

More than fifty people have been added to the list of corrupt officials, and they all hold high-ranking positions.

Furthermore, when questioned about why they wanted to assassinate His Majesty, the testimonies of these people were all very similar.

Firstly, His Majesty's recent large-scale massacre of corrupt officials has frightened them.

Secondly, His Majesty's delay in appointing the eldest prince, Xiao Jingzhi, as crown prince violated the Confucian tradition of establishing the heir apparent. Therefore, they plotted to poison Xiao Yuzheng and then contacted many ministers to jointly recommend the eldest prince, Xiao Jingzhi, to succeed to the throne.

In the absence of an imperial edict, it is reasonable to establish the eldest son of the legitimate wife as the successor.

Upon entering the Imperial Study, Jiang Yun respectfully bowed to Xiao Yuzheng, glancing at Xiao Jingzhi, who was kneeling prostrate on the ground inside.

Jiang Yun quickly withdrew his gaze and said, "Your Majesty, according to my investigation, a total of eighteen officials were involved in this major treason case."

"Last night, all eighteen people, including their families, were successfully captured and imprisoned in the imperial prison. After being interrogated overnight, they all confessed to their crimes."

"This is the confession I obtained during interrogation."

Jiang Yun respectfully handed over the statement, and Xiao Yuzheng took it and slowly began to read it.

The more he looked, the uglier his expression became.

Because of Miao Yuanxing, Tang Yizhi and other officials, some of their words were quite unpleasant. For example, they said that Xiao Yuzheng himself had obtained the throne illegitimately, having seized the crown prince's throne, and that he was still unwilling to establish the eldest son as heir, which violated ancestral laws, etc.

Secondly, there's the matter mentioned above about preparing to poison himself and then recommending Xiao Jingzhi to ascend the throne.

Each and every one of them made Xiao Yuzheng feel like his lungs were about to explode with anger.

"You unfilial son, look for yourself!" Xiao Yuzheng threw the confession in front of him in front of Xiao Jingzhi: "Explain to me, is this what you said, that it has nothing to do with these traitors?"

(End of this chapter)