Catching Monsters

Chapter 592 Western Region Monk
Inside the Imperial Physician's Office, Xiao Jingqing had woken up early, but remained lying on his sickbed without getting up.

Finally, after hearing Feng Yu outside the door call out that His Majesty had arrived, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.

The hospital bed was in a separate small room, which was not luxurious and simply furnished.

After all, if His Majesty's concubines fall ill, the imperial physicians will personally go to their palaces to treat them, and generally will not come here.

Only the eunuchs and palace maids in the palace would sometimes go to the Imperial Physician's Office for treatment when they were unwell.

"Father." Upon seeing Xiao Yuzheng and Feng Yu enter, Xiao Jingqing's face showed a bitter expression, and he slowly said, "Your subject only wants to command the Imperial Guards and does not wish to serve in the Six Ministries."

Seeing this, Feng Yu quickly whispered, "Your Highness, His Majesty has already approved this matter. After you recover, you will have to take up your post in the Ministry of Personnel."

"Alright, stop playing the victim." Xiao Yuzheng glared at Xiao Jingqing and said in a deep voice, "Is the punishment for mobilizing the Imperial Guards without authorization considered severe?"

"In addition, if you go to the Ministry of Personnel, you can also get along well with civil officials such as Minister Yan."

"The entire court, from top to bottom, all the civil officials dislike you. How can this be allowed? What kind of civil officials oppose the Crown Prince every day?"

Normally, civil officials are all staunch supporters of the crown prince, but Xiao Jingqing is not the legitimate son.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingqing knew that the matter was already settled and could not be changed. He then asked in a low voice, "Father, what about Commander Gu?"

Xiao Yuzheng sat down next to the sickbed: "He was responsible for mobilizing the Imperial Guards without authorization. As the commander of the Imperial Guards, he cannot escape blame. He should be dismissed from his post."

"Yes." Xiao Jingqing dared not object and could only nod in agreement.

“You’re too hasty,” Xiao Yuzheng said calmly, looking at Xiao Jingqing. “When dealing with matters of the court, one must have methods, strategies, and means, rather than acting recklessly just because of one’s status.”

Hopefully, this will teach you a lesson.

After saying that, Xiao Yuzheng flicked his hand and strode away.

Xiao Jingqing quickly reached out to stop Feng Yu, who was about to follow them out: "Eunuch Feng, what about Jiang Yun? What punishment has she received?"

Feng Yu gave an awkward laugh and said, "After deliberation in court, it was determined that Lord Jiang was not at fault in this matter..."

"Your Highness, please rest well. This servant will take his leave now."

Xiao Jingqing's eyes widened: "No wrongdoing? No wrongdoing."

As he spoke, he clutched his chest, feeling as if he couldn't catch his breath.

……

"Are you all okay?"

In a shop within the Eastern Garrison Command, Jiang Yun was visiting the twenty-odd people who were temporarily recuperating there.

These people were all lying in bed, their bodies wrapped in bandages.

There were also renowned doctors specially invited to the room.

Afterwards, Jiang Yun carefully checked everyone's condition and instructed them to take good care of their injuries during this time. He told them not to worry about their families and to let him know if they needed money.

After finishing all that, Jiang Yun went outside, where Qi Da was waiting.

"What's wrong?" Jiang Yun glanced at Qi Da, then said, "Alright, take off this bandage..."

This guy still has that tattered bandage wrapped around his hand.

While removing the bandage, Qi Da said, "Sir, there is some serious business. According to news from our people in the northwest of the Eastern Garrison Command, a group of monks from the Western Regions are heading towards the capital. We don't know what their purpose is."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun frowned slightly. Was he here to avenge Master Hongguang?
Jiang Yun's expression turned serious. He said, "Qi Da, have our Eastern Garrison investigate their background and see if we can find out their strength and exact number of people."

"How much longer until we reach the capital?"

"Yes." Zidane nodded.

After Qi Da left, Jiang Yun returned to his study. After sitting down, he touched the calligraphy brush on his desk, his face showing a thoughtful expression.

He was just worrying about how to deal with Xiao Jingqing when this group of monks came to make things worse.

Xiao Jingqing has only been transferred to the Ministry of Personnel, which is not enough.

The enmity between the two sides has become too deep, and Jiang Yun cannot pin his hopes on Xiao Jingqing's leniency after ascending the throne.

However, the other party was of noble status, being the current crown prince; killing him would be a last resort. Just then, Jiang Yun's eyes lit up slightly—it was this group of monks from the Western Regions.

What if Xiao Jingqing is colluding with this group of foreign monks?

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

With the Spring Festival approaching, Xiao Jingqing hadn't caused any trouble in the past few days.

Instead, he went to work in the Ministry of Personnel, but Jiang Yun also heard that he was not very well received there.

The fact that he was disliked within the Ministry of Personnel was, of course, at Yan Hua's behest; otherwise, how could ordinary officials dare to dislike His Highness the Crown Prince?

Jiang Yun enjoyed a period of peace.

During this period, although it was close to the Spring Festival and there was a lot of work to be done at the Eastern Garrison, Jiang Yun was not busy, and Qi Da was able to handle many things.

Only when something important happens would he bring documents and files to the Jiang residence to ask for Jiang Yun's opinion.

Jiang Yun accompanied Xu Suwen and Jiang Qiaoqiao as they prepared for the New Year. According to Xu Suwen, this was the first Spring Festival for the Jiang family, so it had to be celebrated in a grand manner.

She and Jiang Qiaoqiao personally cut spring flowers, bustling about busily.

Jiang Yun sat in the backyard, looking at the Beijing Daily, which recorded some trivial matters that happened in the capital.

"Master Jiang."

Zidane's voice rang out from outside the courtyard. He was carrying some gifts and said with a smile, "It's almost Chinese New Year, so I brought you some New Year's goods."

"These are all local specialties sent from my hometown, they're not worth much."

Jiang Yun took it, lifted it, and felt that the weight was a bit off. When she opened it, she found that there were gold bars inside the small box.

“This thing is too valuable, you should take it back yourself.” Jiang Yun smiled faintly: “I’m not that interested in money.”

Zidane: "..."

"Sir, we're not strangers, why are you pretending?"

As he spoke, Zidane turned around and shouted, "Uncle Yun, hurry up and accept these New Year's goods. I have some important business to discuss with Lord Jiang."

"okay."

After Uncle Yun took the gifts away, Qi Da squatted down next to Jiang Yun, rubbed his hands, and said with a smile, "Lord Jiang, it's like this, I have a few distant nephews who also want to join the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"A few nephews?" Jiang Yun was taken aback.

Zidane gave an awkward smile and said, "A dozen or so, I guess..."

“My family was poor when I was young, and my neighbors took good care of me. They pooled their money to help me learn martial arts, which is how I became a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”

"Now that people are asking me to arrange for their children to join the Embroidered Uniform Guard, I have no choice but to agree."

If it were just about assigning one or two people, Zidane would have made the arrangements himself.

With so many people involved, Jiang Yun, their immediate supervisor, had to give his approval.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Yun said, "You can decide for yourself."

"Alright, alright." Zidane breathed a slight sigh of relief before continuing, "There's one more thing."

As Qi Da spoke, he took out a list: "The group of monks from the Western Regions entered the capital last night. There were more than twenty of them in total. They were all disguised as monks begging for food from other places. Many of them were taken away by the major temples in the capital."

Jiang Yun took the list and glanced at it: "The five major Buddhist temples have accepted quite a few. Where are the leaders?"

"The leader's alias is Huang Fan, his real name is unknown, and he is currently living at Bailong Temple."

"These monks are acting strangely; I wonder what they're up to."

"Sir, should I send men to capture them all tonight?"

Jiang Yun pondered for a moment and said in a low voice, "No need. You think of a way to let His Highness the Crown Prince know about this."

(End of this chapter)