Catching Monsters

Chapter 584 Please punish Jiang Yun severely!

"He went to the Jiang residence? The Jiang Yun family?" Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingqing frowned and said in a deep voice, "He has already been banished from the capital by the Emperor, what else could he possibly be thinking about?"

Gu Zhengyu slowly approached Xiao Jingqing's side and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, you have not yet ascended the throne, and many things are still unknown."

"Throughout history, there have been some crown princes who ultimately failed to ascend the throne..."

Gu Zhengyu is now closely tied to Xiao Jingqing, and he naturally hopes that Xiao Jingqing can succeed to the throne smoothly and does not want to see any accidents happen.

Xiao Jingqing asked, "Can you find out what they talked about?"

“It’s a bit difficult.” Gu Zhengyu shook his head and said, “Jiang Yun is a big shot in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The people in his mansion are all veterans of the Zhenchi Army and the border army. It won’t be easy to place people in there.”

"However, the people our Imperial Guards sent to follow Xiao Jingzhi said that Xiao Jingzhi entered the Jiang residence for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, and the two of them must have talked for quite a while."

"After the conversation, Xiao Jingzhi led many people away from the capital."

Xiao Jingqing listened to these words with a thoughtful expression, and slowly asked, "Back then, Jiang Yun was unwilling to give me even a mere cannon retrieval, yet he had such a deep relationship with my elder brother."

"How can I possibly sleep like this?"

Gu Zhengyu, who was standing to the side, lowered his head and said slowly, "Your Highness, perhaps we should think of a way?"

As he spoke, Gu Zhengyu made a beheading gesture.

Xiao Jingqing shook his head and glared at Gu Zhengyu: "Jiang Yun is the commander of the Eastern Garrison Command and is deeply trusted by my father. He is also quite powerful. Where are we going to find an expert who can kill him?"

"Even if there were such a master, could he have killed Jiang Yun without saying a word?"

Gu Zhengyu's eyes lit up, and he suggested, "I heard that back in the Holy Tomb, Master Hongguang of the Western Buddhist Kingdom died at the hands of Jiang Yun. Why don't we contact the Western Buddhist Kingdom?"

"They would definitely be willing to avenge Master Hongguang."

"Shut up." Xiao Jingqing glared at Gu Zhengyu: "My father was greatly angered by Master Hongguang back then. Do you think I'm going to collude with the Buddhist kingdom in the Western Regions because of this? Do you think I'm too comfortable sitting in the position of Crown Prince?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Zhengyu lowered his head and stopped speaking, having no other options.

Xiao Jingqing tapped his finger lightly on the table and slowly said, "Tell me, why is Jiang Yun able to act so recklessly in the capital?"

Gu Zhengyu replied, "Is Jiang Yun the son-in-law of the Duke of Zhenguo's family?"

Xiao Jingqing shook his head: "In terms of family background, is there anyone in the capital more powerful than the Duke of Zhenguo's family?"

Gu Zhengyu pondered, "Jiang Yun is incredibly strong? He's reached the Second Grade True Monarch Realm at such a young age?"

Xiao Jingqing shook his head again before saying, "It's because my father trusts and likes him. If we really want to deal with Jiang Yun, we have to find a way through my father."

“My father hates corrupt people the most. Since Jiang Yun became the commander of the Eastern Garrison, he has embezzled an unknown amount of money. You have someone secretly investigate and find out the truth, and then find a way to have an official who speaks out against Jiang Yun in court.”

"As for the selection of censors, Jiang Yun wields considerable power now, and few of those censors dare to offend him."

Don't be fooled by those officials who are usually outspoken and critical; they know how to treat people differently. They won't offend those who are truly powerful and influential.

Xiao Jingqing slowly uttered three words: "Liu Bufu".

Upon hearing this, Gu Zhengyu nodded repeatedly: "This person is capable; he even scolds His Majesty."

……

The next day, many ministers came to the court, including Jiang Yun.

After all, having issued the imperial edict yesterday, the matter of Xiao Jingqing becoming the crown prince still had to be announced again in the court today.

According to the Ministry of Rites' rules, one must then proceed to the imperial mausoleum to perform ancestral worship ceremonies.

Therefore, many ministers dressed very formally, wearing hair crowns.

Jiang Yun stood behind Li Wangxin. While the Emperor was still away, Li Wangxin whispered to Jiang Yun that there was a new batch of girls in the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution) who were proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He said he would take Jiang Yun to see them later.

Jiang Yun naturally nodded with a forced smile at her boss's kindness.

However, Jiang Yun felt a pair of eyes staring at him with ill intent. He turned his head and saw Liu Bufu behind him. Liu Bufu was dressed simply, his clothes patched in several places.

Of course, it wasn't uncommon for official robes to be patched; many civil officials did the same.

However, most officials did this to show their incorruptibility; the patches were for the emperor's benefit.

As for Liu Bufu, his family was so poor that they needed to patch their clothes.

Jiang Yun had a good impression of this honest official and even gave Liu Bufu a kind smile.

But Liu Bufu just snorted coldly, holding a stack of materials on Jiang Yun's embezzlement and bribery in his hand.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jingqing stood beside Gu Zhengyu and said in a very low voice, "Why did you give the materials to Liu Bufu today? Today is the important day for my investiture of the Crown Prince! What if Liu Bufu causes trouble?"

Gu Zhengyu hadn't expected this either. After listening to Xiao Jingqing's words yesterday, he went back and prepared the materials overnight.

The issue of whether Jiang Yun accepted bribes is easy or difficult to investigate.

After all, Jiang Yun always accepted money openly and honestly, as did the entire officialdom.

After collecting the materials, feeling quite pleased with himself, he had them delivered to Liu Bufu's doorstep.

Gu Zhengyu's face was grim. He said in a low voice, "Today is a big day. Liu Bufu shouldn't be that foolish. He's probably spoiled His Majesty's mood today."

"Hard to say." Xiao Jingqing turned around and saw Liu Bufu staring at Jiang Yun with a look that looked like he wanted to eat her alive, and his heart skipped a beat.

Soon, Feng Yu's voice rang out.

"Your Majesty has arrived."

"See Your Majesty!"

Everyone present knelt down.

Xiao Yuzheng was in high spirits. Looking at the court officials, he smiled. After the investigation and confiscation of Miao Yuanxing and others, he took the opportunity to let Xiao Jingzhi leave the capital.

The investiture of Xiao Jingqing proceeded without any resistance.

Normally, wouldn't those civil officials be furious?
The major issue that had been weighing on Xiao Yuzheng's mind has finally been resolved.

Xiao Yuzheng glanced at Feng Yu, signaling him to begin.

Feng Yu nodded slightly, stepped forward, took out an imperial edict, coughed, and said, "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."

Xiao Jingqing stood in front, silently praying, "Liu Bufu, please don't cause me any trouble, please don't, let me become the crown prince smoothly."

"His Majesty!"

Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out in the court.

Liu Bufu indeed stepped forward, holding a thick stack of documents in his hand, and said, "This morning, I received a document concerning Jiang Yun, the garrison commander of the Eastern Garrison, accepting bribes."

"His Majesty has always been intolerant of corruption! We urge you to severely punish Jiang Yun!"

After saying that, he knelt down with a thud.

Xiao Jingqing rolled his eyes, wishing he could kick Liu Bufu a couple of times, and glared fiercely at Gu Zhengyu.

Gu Zhengyu felt helpless and bitter...

The imperial court fell silent instantly, with many ministers staring at Liu Bufu in disbelief.

His Majesty is preparing to appoint a crown prince.

You, Liu, ran out jumping and hopping around.

Are you really not afraid of death?
(End of this chapter)