Catching Monsters

Chapter 611 Promotion (Part 1)

The news of the change of emperor quickly spread throughout the capital. Of course, although most people paid attention, in fact, it didn't make much difference to them who became emperor.

Instead, it was the eldest prince who ran out to oppose the crown prince's succession, and then during the sacrificial ceremony, a legendary sage suddenly descended from the sky and killed Xiao Jingqing, which became a popular topic of conversation.

The common people are all simple and honest. It was a grand ceremony to worship Heaven, and suddenly a saint descended and killed Crown Prince Xiao Jingqing. Doesn't that mean that Heaven did not agree with him becoming emperor?

In other words, Xiao Jingzhi's ascension to the throne was ordained by Heaven.

This is what most people thought after hearing about it.

The most shocked were the experts inside and outside the capital. The arrival of the Demon Saint to kill Xiao Jingqing was the most explosive news. Wasn't it said that the Demon Saint had been sleeping for a thousand years?
Fortunately, the transition of power in the court was extremely stable, since most of those in charge of court affairs were civil officials, and these civil officials were Xiao Jingzhi's supporters.

That evening, many servants and attendants in the Jiang residence, including the steward Yun Pingchuan, were released from the Imperial Guard prison.

Yun Pingchuan was leading his servants to quickly tidy up and organize the Jiang residence.

After the situation in the capital was stabilized, Xu Suwen, Jiang Qiaoqiao, Tao Yuelan, Wu Chi, and others were brought back to the capital.

However, given the magnitude of the incident at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Wu Chi returned there first to clean up the bloodstains and recruit a new batch of servants from the Zhenchi Army.

During this period, Tao Yuelan temporarily resided at the Jiang residence.

"Sir, we're rich now!"

In the living room, Zidane, with a look of delight on his face, looked at Dong Qiaofeng beside him and said, "What do you call this? It's like helping the dragon rise from the ashes."

Then, Zidane frowned and said, "What I don't understand is why His Highness the Crown Prince, no, why His Majesty the Emperor still relies on that fellow Qi Lang."

"It's already a favor not to kill him, yet he was even granted a title."

Jiang Yun rolled her eyes at Qi Da and said, "His Majesty's move is truly brilliant..."

It must be said that Xiao Jingzhi was raised like an emperor from childhood, and compared to someone like Xiao Jingqing who suddenly rose to power, he was much more reliable.

Furthermore, Xiao Jingzhi was kind-hearted and disliked killing.

However, Jiang Yun was sitting in the living room at this moment, but he wasn't thinking about these things. He was pondering a question.

What about the saints of the human race?

It should be noted that Qu Wushang once tried to break through to the Saint Realm, but was crippled by someone.

Qu Wushang was already the number one person below the Saint Realm back then, so the only one who could cripple him was naturally a Saint Realm expert.

However, Tiger Saint had not yet awakened at that time, and this was not done by Dragon Saint.

So, who did it?

If he is a saint of the human race, why does he remain so inconspicuous?

Furthermore, there is another issue: the founders of the two dynasties preceding the Zhou state were both people who had attained sainthood.

Once one reaches the Saint Realm, one has completely transcended the realm of mortals and it is absolutely impossible for one to live for only a few hundred years.

Why were the previous two dynasties overthrown?

Were those two saints dead? Or...?

Jiang Yun frowned slightly. He had a vague feeling that there might be some secret behind this that he was unaware of.

It's no wonder Jiang Yun is thinking so much; after all, the scene of Tiger Saint killing Xiao Jingqing today is still fresh in his mind.

What if a Saint Realm expert wants to kill me?
Furthermore, the day when Bai Wuchang said his lifespan would run out is probably only two or three years away.

Can I break through to the Saint Realm within two or three years?

Judging from Qu Wushang's experience, if I were to break through to the Saint Realm, would there also be Saints coming to stop me?

After much thought, it seems more reliable to collect all seven meteorites.

Seeing Jiang Yun sitting on the wooden chair, holding a cup of tea and lost in thought, Xu Suwen said softly, "Husband, His Majesty Xiao Jingzhi has ascended the throne, why are you still so worried?"

"Oh right, the Fox Clan hasn't delivered my meteorite yet." Jiang Yun frowned as he thought of this, then quickly got up to write a letter to Hu Yi to ask what was going on. They said their Fox Clan Chief was a man of his word and had absolute integrity, but how come he's just like him, always breaking his promises?

……

Outside the imperial study, many people were waiting. With the new emperor's ascension to the throne, many things needed to be sorted out and handled properly.

Xiao Jingzhi sat at his desk. It was already evening outside, but there was a thick stack of memorials on the desk. He kept flipping through them, and when he saw the officials mentioned in the memorials, he asked his personal eunuch Jiang Xing to inform them.

Jiang Xing is around thirty years old, but his strength is not low; he has already reached the third rank of cultivation.

Within the eunuch system, there are some who receive special training, such as Feng Yu and this Jiang Xing, who served the princes from a young age and were given ample resources for their cultivation.

If the prince ascends the throne, he will be the person he trusts most.

Jiang Xing, with his fair skin, had just seen a minister out when he quickly entered and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, Eunuch Qin has arrived and claims to have something important to tell you."

"Please let him in." Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingzhi quickly stood up to greet him. As Qin Hong slowly walked in, he smiled and said, "Eunuch Qin, please have a seat."

Qin Hong slowly raised his hand, shook his head, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, this servant has come to resign. This servant is old and I am afraid that I no longer have the energy to take charge of the Tongyou Guard. I beg Your Majesty to find another wise and capable person."

Xiao Jingzhi frowned and quickly grasped Qin Hong's hand: "Eunuch, look at what you're saying. You have been in charge of Tongyou Guard for so many years, working tirelessly. I have just ascended the throne, and I have to rely on you for many things."

Qin Hong knew very well that Xiao Jingzhi was kind and benevolent, but he couldn't be tactless, since he had previously sided with Xiao Jingqing.

It's fine that Xiao Jingzhi doesn't blame me now, and I continue to lead the strongest forces in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Xiao Jingzhi is alright now, but will he be able to feel at ease in the long run?
"This servant's mind is made up; I am willing to go to the late emperor's mausoleum to guard the spirit and devote myself to cultivation."

Seeing Qin Hong's attitude, Xiao Jingzhi secretly felt it was a pity. He then nodded and said, "Since Eunuch Qin has said so, then in your opinion, who should be in charge of the Tongyou Guard?"

“This servant does have someone in mind,” Qin Hong paused, then said, “Eunuch Feng Yu.”

"Eunuch Feng Yu was loyal to the late emperor, possessed considerable strength and exceptional talent. However, he was always preoccupied with state affairs while serving the late emperor. Now that he has taken charge of the Tongyou Guard, he will have more time to cultivate properly. Perhaps he will be able to break through to the first rank."

"Eunuch Feng." Xiao Jingzhi murmured these three words and nodded, but still subconsciously asked, "How is Jiang Yun?" Qin Hong's heart sank upon hearing this, and he slowly said, "To be honest, Jiang Yun's strength and intelligence are enough to make him a good leader of the Tongyou Guard."

“But he is not a eunuch. If he were willing to become a eunuch, he could be put in charge of the Tongyou Guard.”

This was the last group of powerful experts that the Zhou royal family relied on, and only eunuchs could be put in charge. At least, the eunuchs would not have any intention of rebelling.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingzhi nodded slightly and sat on the dragon throne: "Let's do as Eunuch Qin said. Tomorrow, please invite Eunuch Feng to come and see me."

"In addition, I need to summon the two experts, Black Shadow and White Shadow, to protect me."

Qin Hong nodded: "Of course."

"If there are no other important matters, this old servant will take his leave." Qin Hong took a deep breath and turned to leave.

Xiao Jingzhi said, "Eunuch Qin, you have worked hard for our royal family all your life. Even if you don't want to take charge of the Tongyou Guard anymore, you can stay in the palace and I will take care of you in your old age and see you off in your final days."

Qin Hong paused, slowly turned around and glanced at Xiao Jingzhi, saying, "Your Majesty, you have just ascended the throne and have not yet seen through many things. Although this imperial city is vast, there is no place for servants to retire."

After Qin Hong left, Xiao Jingzhi also regained his composure and soon his gaze fell on a memorial. This memorial was for the posthumous title chosen for his father, Emperor Xiao Yuzheng, as well as the reign title for the new emperor after his ascension to the throne.

After making his selection, Xiao Jingzhi said, "Let's use Zhaoming as my father's posthumous title."

"And my reign title is Yong'an, hence I am the Yong'an Emperor."

Soon after, a proclamation was issued overnight to announce the new year's reign title to the world.

It happened to be the first day of the Lunar New Year, which marked the beginning of the Yong'an era.

Xiao Jingzhi did resemble Xiao Yuzheng somewhat, and he processed memorials until late at night, a very tedious process.

After all, abolishing exorbitant taxes and levies across the country is a huge undertaking, and even with a three-year tax exemption, the imperial court's expenses would not be small.

Where should we cut this small amount of money? Where should we save money? We need to carefully calculate and budget our expenses later.

Another matter is the list of those to be executed in the autumn. The Ministry of Justice has already decided who should be pardoned. Of course, many things are still unclear, such as those whose crimes are quite serious but not serious enough to be unpardonable.

The decision on how to proceed rests with Xiao Jingzhi.

As for the reshuffling of officials in the Ministry of Personnel, it was even more complicated.

He worked late into the night, and the next morning he got up early to prepare for court.

In the early morning, almost everyone in the capital who was qualified to attend court was present in the main hall of the palace.

After all, it was the new emperor's first time attending court, and Jiang Yun stood behind Li Wangxin as usual.

At this moment, Li Wangxin also felt a little regretful. If he had known that Xiao Jingzhi would eventually ascend the throne, he should have gone all in and done everything he could to help Xiao Jingzhi...

Regardless, Li Wangxin was Xiao Yuzheng's confidant, and he knew very well that he would eventually leave his position as commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Such an important position should be reserved for someone the emperor absolutely trusts.

Fortunately, the last hope lies with Jiang Yun.

Thinking of this, Li Wangxin couldn't help but turn around and glance at Jiang Yun a few times.

"Sir, what's wrong?"

"Do you want to be the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Jiang Yun's expression changed slightly, and he quickly waved his hand, "What are you joking about, sir?"

“I’ve helped you rise to power myself. Giving this position to you is better than giving it to an outsider.” Li Wangxin said to Jiang Yun in a low voice, “Boy, I’ll help you one last time.”

After saying that, Li Wangxin patted Jiang Yun's shoulder heavily.

Soon, Jiang Xing's voice rang out: "The Emperor has arrived."

All the officials knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

Xiao Jingzhi, dressed in a brand-new dragon robe, slowly walked out with a refined and amiable smile on his face. He then slowly sat down on the dragon throne.

He then said, "Today is my first time attending court. If there is anything I do not understand, I hope my esteemed ministers will guide me."

Soon, Yan Hua, the Minister of Personnel, stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Majesty, when Your Majesty ascended the throne yesterday, the northern provinces saw colorful clouds flying towards the capital, which is an auspicious omen."

Many officials reported auspicious omens occurring in various places.

Of course, everyone knows perfectly well whether these auspicious omens are true or not; they're just hoping for good luck.

Xiao Jingzhi smiled and then interrupted everyone, saying with a chuckle, "Alright, my dear ministers, let's get down to business."

"Your Majesty," Li Wangxin stepped forward slowly, coughed, and said, "I have been feeling unwell recently and am afraid that I am unable to serve as the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I hope Your Majesty will give such an important position to someone more suitable."

"Of course, I believe that Jiang Yun, the garrison commander, is quite capable and is qualified to take on this task."

"I humbly request Your Majesty's permission."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingzhi's eyes lit up slightly. He had been worrying about how to reward Jiang Yun for his great contribution.

However, each official position in the imperial court was a one-person-one-hole job; if Jiang Yun was to be promoted, someone else had to be demoted.

This matter put Xiao Jingzhi in a rather difficult position.

Jiang Yun has always been within the Embroidered Uniform Guard system, so it would be best if he could be promoted to commander.

Moreover, it was Commander Li Wangxin who stepped forward and took the initiative to resign, and Xiao Jingzhi was just about to agree.

Unexpectedly, someone in the crowd suddenly said loudly, "Your Majesty, the position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is so important, how can it be given to someone as young as Jiang Yun?"

"For Jiang Yun to be promoted to the Zhenfu Division at his age is already unprecedented..."

(End of this chapter)