Catching Monsters

Chapter 614 Mr. Di Fei
After becoming the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jiang Yun's social engagements suddenly increased.

The heads of the six ministries and other major government offices of the imperial court all vied to host banquets for Jiang Yun, and of course, generous gifts to congratulate him on his promotion were also indispensable.

What did the Embroidered Uniform Guard do? They were there to monitor all officials.

How many of these officials in the Zhou court can withstand scrutiny?

If Jiang Yun wanted to, these guys could have stacks and stacks of dirt on them.

Of course, after Jiang Yun became the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he also understood that it was impossible to bring any dirt on an official to the emperor and punish him.

This does not conform to the rules of the Zhou state's officialdom; if the water is too clear, there will be no fish.

Jiang Yun only needs to produce dirt on an official when the emperor needs it, and that's enough.

For the next ten days, Jiang Yun would generally wake up and then go to the Beizhenfusi Yamen (Northern Garrison Office) for a stroll. Then, around noon, he would be invited to the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) to sit, listen to music, and drink wine.

They drank until it got dark and then went home.

They were living a comfortable and pleasant life.

Although Yang Liunian and Zhou Yi were appointed as deputy commanders, they rarely went to the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters anymore; their monthly salaries were simply delivered to them.

Ten days later, at dawn, Jiang Yun had just arrived at the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters and sat down to check what major events had recently occurred when suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Enter."

"Commander." A commander of a thousand men stood outside the door.

Jiang Yun recognized him; his name was Hua Zhongqian. Although the name sounded refined, he was a rough man in his thirties with an exaggerated beard.

This man was also one of Zidane's confidants and often followed Zidane around doing things.

Hua Zhongqian, his face filled with anxiety, sat down in front of Jiang Yun: "Lord Jiang, something terrible has happened! Lord Qi is in trouble."

"I went to Yanzhou with Lord Qi to carry out the task you assigned, but we were discovered by the Xiang family and they arrested Lord Qi and his accomplices. I managed to escape back in the chaos."

Upon hearing Hua Zhongqian's words, Jiang Yun's pupils constricted slightly in surprise. He asked in a deep voice, "Are the Xiang family members crazy? They dare to arrest our Embroidered Uniform Guards?"

"Moreover, Qi Da is now the Commander of the Northern Garrison. When the Xiang family arrested him, he didn't identify himself?"

Hua Zhongqian said with some helplessness, "The Xiang family is quite arrogant and unreasonable..."

Jiang Yun's heart sank. The fact that the Xiang family in the north would do this was somewhat unexpected.

After pondering for a while, he said, "Send word that all the Imperial Guards near Yanzhou who do not have urgent matters to attend to should rush to Yanzhou to assemble and see if there is any chance to rescue Qi Da."

"I am going to the palace."

Jiang Yun could vaguely sense that the Xiang family was somewhat unusual, and that they had invested in the initial shares when the Zhou Kingdom was founded.

Regarding the Xiang family matter, we still need to consult with His Majesty the Emperor first.

During this period, Xiao Jingzhi was very busy. There were too many things, big and small, that required him to make decisions, so much so that he had not summoned Jiang Yun for the past ten days.

At this moment, Xiao Jingzhi was sitting on the dragon throne, reviewing memorials. Soon, Jiang Xing walked over from outside the door and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, Lord Jiang has arrived."

"Jiang Yun is here?"

"Let him in."

After entering the room, Jiang Yun respectfully knelt down and said, "This humble servant greets Your Majesty."

“Brother Jiang, there’s no need for such formality between you and me.” Xiao Jingzhi quickly stepped forward and helped Jiang Yun up. “I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t had a chance to ask about the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Please sit down.”

After Jiang Yun sat down, he briefly explained the recent situation of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Xiao Jingzhi listened, smiled, and nodded, then asked, "You've come to see me not just to discuss this, have you?"

"Your Majesty, I have come here today for a matter," Jiang Yun said in a deep voice. "Recently, Qi Da, the garrison commander of the Northern Garrison, went to Yanzhou due to some matters and fell out with the Xiang family. Unexpectedly, the Xiang family sent people to arrest Qi Da directly."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingzhi frowned deeply and asked, "The Xiang family actually dared to arrest members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

"As far as I know, the Xiang family has existed for quite some time," Jiang Yun asked in a deep voice. "And I've also heard that the Xiang family contributed to the founding of the empire by the founding emperor."

Xiao Jingzhi instantly understood Jiang Yun's purpose. He chuckled and said to Jiang Yun, "So that's why you came, Brother Jiang."

"Speaking of which, the Xiang family is indeed quite remarkable. Back when my father was still alive, the head of the Xiang family would come to the palace every year. It is said that he would chat with my father until late at night. My father has always treated the Xiang family with great courtesy."

Jiang Yun frowned slightly. Back then, even the late Emperor treated the Xiang family with great courtesy.

This is rather strange. No matter how powerful the Xiang family is in the area, even such a prominent family should not receive such treatment.

“Go to Yanzhou and ask them to release Lord Qi,” Xiao Jingzhi said slowly. “My father died suddenly, and there are many things I didn’t have time to understand. I only know that there are quite a few experts in the Xiang family.”

"Go see Eunuch Feng and ask a first-rank expert from the Tongyou Guard to protect you, so that nothing goes wrong."

"Yes." Jiang Yun nodded emphatically upon hearing this.

Soon, Jiang Yun arrived at Qin Hong's former residence, which was now occupied by Feng Yu.

Jiang Yun stepped forward and knocked on the door. Soon, the door was opened, and to Jiang Yun's surprise, it was Linglong who opened it.

"Linglong, what are you doing here?" Jiang Yun asked, somewhat surprised.

Soon, Feng Yu came out of the courtyard and said with a smile, "His Majesty treats Princess Ningyi well, unlike the late Emperor who required Princess Ningyi to learn etiquette and culture every day. Knowing that the princess likes to practice martial arts, he specially arranged for experts from the Tongyou Guard to teach the princess martial arts in my courtyard."

Linglong seemed to be in a good mood. She really liked her older brother Xiao Jingzhi. At least he wasn't like her father, who forced her to learn etiquette every day.

Linglong smiled and said to Jiang Yun, "You've come at the perfect time. Mr. Di Fei just taught me a lot of skills, and I was just worried that no one would practice with me. Come quickly."

Di Fei?

Jiang Yun's gaze followed the direction into the courtyard, where a man in his forties, refined and easy-going, who looked like a Confucian scholar, was standing.

"And who is this?" Jiang Yun asked.

“Mr. Di Fei, a top expert from the academy, is also one of our Tongyou Guards.” Feng Yu introduced him to Jiang Yun with a smile: “Mr. Di Fei’s Confucianism skills and abilities are quite remarkable.”

Jiang Yun's eyes lit up slightly: "That's perfect. I came here because I have something I'd like to trouble Eunuch Feng with."

……

In Yanzhou, which is located in the north and just after the Lunar New Year, the snow on both sides of the official road is quite deep.

A caravan slowly headed towards Yanzhou.

In the middle of the caravan, there was a carriage where Jiang Yun and Linglong were chatting.

“Jiang Yun, is the Xiang family really so bold as to capture the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?” Linglong’s eyes flashed with an unusual light: “When I was traveling the martial world, I did have dealings with some members of the Xiang family.”

"These members of the Xiang family are quite arrogant."

"They look down on people as if they're looking down on them."

Linglong had been traveling the world for many years, so Jiang Yun quickly asked her about the Xiang family.

The two chatted animatedly, while Mr. Di Fei, standing nearby, closed his eyes to rest.

(End of this chapter)