Catching Monsters

Chapter 633 Helping the General Defeat the Enemy

Do they need something from me?
Jiang Yun was somewhat surprised, but she quickly invited Xiao Jingzhi into the courtyard.

Jiang Yun originally intended to invite Xiao Jingzhi into the hall specifically used for receiving guests, but Xiao Jingzhi was not polite and said directly, "I haven't eaten yet."

Jiang Yun then awkwardly invited him into the dining room.

After Xiao Jingzhi sat down in the seat of honor, he said with a smile, "Brother Jiang, the reason I came to see you this time is because I have a favor to ask."

"Here's the thing, Mr. Ye has returned."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun's eyelids twitched slightly, while Xu Suwen's eyebrows furrowed beside her.

She had also heard Jiang Yun mention that the trouble she encountered on her trip to Yanzhou City was because of Ye Xiuyuan.

Ye Xiuyuan returned to the capital at this time, wouldn't that mean...?

Xu Suwen glanced at Jiang Yun subconsciously, but just kept eating her meal without saying anything.

Jiang Yun could only force a bitter smile and said in a deep voice, "Is what His Majesty wants to discuss with me related to Ye Xiuyuan?"

"That's why I say Brother Jiang is a smart man." Xiao Jingzhi said slowly, "It's like this, Brother Jiang, you may have heard that the battle at the front is not going well."

"Mr. Ye claims to have a way to defeat the enemy and invade the three southwestern provinces, but the only condition is..."

"Once we conquer the three southwestern provinces, we need Brother Jiang to give him the meteorite you obtained."

After saying that, Xiao Jingzhi was a little embarrassed. He touched his nose and then said, "Of course, Brother Jiang, don't misunderstand. I'm not forcing you. If you're not willing, I will simply refuse Mr. Ye's suggestion."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun fell silent.

How could he be willing to give away the meteorite he had gone through so much trouble to obtain, which almost brought him to the wrath of the Xiang family?

However, Jiang Yun is also a smart man. Xiao Jingzhi, as the emperor, came in person and discussed things in such a polite manner.

You shouldn't force yourself to keep talking.

But the fact that he came in person already made his attitude very clear.

Seeing the troubled look on Jiang Yun's face, Xiao Jingzhi chuckled and said, "I know it wasn't easy for Brother Jiang to obtain this meteorite."

"But the battle in the three southwestern provinces is becoming increasingly fierce. If the three southwestern provinces are not captured, the soldiers on the front will continue to bleed and sacrifice themselves."

"Brother, you should think it over carefully."

"Eat, eat."

Jiang Yun took a deep breath and looked at Xiao Jingzhi, saying, "No need to consider it. Since His Majesty is interested, it's just a meteorite."

"If Ye Xiuyuan can truly help Xiaogang conquer the three southwestern provinces, I will give him this meteorite."

Upon seeing Jiang Yun agree, Xiao Jingzhi's face lit up with joy. He laughed heartily and said, "Thank you, Brother Jiang."

"Alright, I will send someone to inform Mr. Ye to go to the front line in the three southwestern provinces immediately."

"I won't eat."

It was clear that Xiao Jingzhi was quite happy, and he hurriedly set off to leave the Jiang residence.

Jiang Yun and Xu Suwen quickly set off to see Xiao Jingzhi off.

After Xiao Jingzhi left, Xu Suwen frowned deeply and hurriedly said to Jiang Yun, "Husband, you went through so much trouble to get this meteorite, and you just gave it to Ye Xiuyuan like that?"

Jiang Yun took a deep breath and slowly said, "Ye Xiuyuan went to the front line to help Xiaogang defeat the enemy. I am Xiaogang's brother-in-law, so this doesn't count as helping others."

"Besides, His Majesty has come in person; how can our family refuse?"

Xu Suwen also grew up in the Duke's mansion, so she naturally understood this principle.

She nodded slowly.

Jiang Yun narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking to himself, "It seems that Ye Xiuyuan doesn't know that he has two meteorites in his possession."

According to what I just learned from Eunuch Feng, these seven meteorites only have an effect when they are gathered together.

Whether you hold one or six in your hand, it doesn't really matter.

If even one meteorite is missing, these meteorites would be nothing but broken rocks.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yun felt much more at ease.

……

"Miss, she's back! Miss is back!"

At dusk in the Marquis of Weiwu's mansion, suddenly, shouts from the servants rang out.

Upon hearing the shouts, Feng Huan immediately rushed out and ran to the door, where he saw Feng Beier standing outside.

"Sister!" Feng Huan rushed to Feng Beier's side anxiously and grabbed her hand tightly: "Where have you been? Do you know how worried our parents were while you were gone?"

“My mother cries every day; she’s almost ruined her eyes from crying.”

"Mother also said that as long as you are willing to come back, you can like whoever you want, and our family will no longer stop you."

"As long as you are safe and sound, that's all that matters."

Hearing her brother's words, Feng Beier almost burst into tears, but she forced them back. She took a deep breath and forced a smile before saying, "Take me to see Mother quickly."

When Feng Beier returned to the Marquis of Weiwu's residence, she naturally gave the same explanation: she had gone out to clear her mind for a while.

The family members of the Marquis of Weiwu's mansion didn't think much of it, after all, it was already a good thing that Feng Beier was able to come back.

Meanwhile, in the small courtyard outside the city, Shan Tiangang and Fang Zhihong were enjoying the flowers and drinking tea.

Although Ye Xiuyuan had been away from this place for a long time, it was obvious that the flowers and plants in the courtyard were carefully tended by a specialist every day.

Ye Xiuyuan squatted in front of many flowers and plants, holding scissors and trimming them again. "Mr. Ye, didn't you say we'd be leaving soon for the three southwestern provinces? Why are you still trimming these flowers and plants?" Fang Zhihong said, somewhat puzzled, after seeing Ye Xiuyuan's actions.

Ye Xiuyuan smiled faintly but did not answer the question.

Dan Tiangang asked with doubt, "But if you let Feng Beier go back to the Feng family, do you think she'll still be willing to come with us again?"

Ye Xiuyuan chuckled softly, then said, "It's better for her not to leave the capital."

Dan Tiangang and Fang Zhihong exchanged a glance and then asked no more questions.

Sometimes they couldn't figure out what Ye Xiuyuan was trying to do.

Originally, Shan Tiangang and Fang Zhihong believed that they had secretly infiltrated the capital to ambush Jiang Yun and forcibly seize the meteorite from him.

But now it seems that this is not the plan.

Ye Xiuyuan, on the contrary, sought cooperation with the emperor of Zhou.

Their eyes held a look of incomprehension.

Ye Xiuyuan glanced at the sky and said, "Time waits for no one."

"If we can control the Tongyou Guard of the Zhou Kingdom, it will be of great use in the future."

Dan Tiangang and Fang Zhihong's expressions changed slightly. They were in control of the Tongyou Guard?
Mr. Ye must be crazy, right? Of course they know the great name of Tongyou Guard.

There are many experts in Tongyou Guard, and these experts are extremely loyal to the royal family.

Just then, there was a knock on the door outside the courtyard.

A smile appeared on Ye Xiuyuan's face as he slowly said, "It seems that His Majesty the Emperor has brought us good news."

After saying that, he slowly got up and personally went to open the door to the courtyard.

Xiao Jingzhi was outside the door, accompanied by Jiang Xing and other attendants, and slowly walked in.

“Mr. Ye, I have reached an agreement with Brother Jiang. As long as you can help the three southwestern provinces quickly defeat the rebels.”

"He would then be willing to give you that meteorite."

Upon hearing this, Ye Xiuyuan said, "I would like to trouble Your Majesty to prepare a few fast horses for me. We shall set off immediately for the three southwestern provinces."

"Forehead."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingzhi paused for a moment, then couldn't help but say, "Mr. Ye, why don't you rest for the night before setting off?"

"No need, there's no time to lose."

……

Inside the General's Mansion in Wuling Prefecture, Beihu Province.

Xu Xiaogang and many other soldiers on the front lines have been feeling heavy-hearted during this period.

During this period, Xu Xiaogang led his army in four major campaigns, not to mention countless smaller ones.

However, the key passes in the three southwestern provinces could not be captured at all.

The terrain of the three southwestern provinces is extremely convenient for defense.

The three southwestern provinces are vast, but the key passes are five: Cuiyue Pass, Sanmen Pass, Lintao Pass, Dongliang Pass, and Mogao Pass.

Wang Longzhi deployed heavy troops to defend all five major passes.

It was easy to defend and difficult to attack; even if the soldiers of Zhenchi were brave and fearless and charged to their deaths, they could not take it down.

"General, spring is just around the corner, and spring is the best time to attack. If we miss it, by summer, the mountains of the three southwestern provinces will be filled with poisonous miasma, and our soldiers will probably have an even harder time getting in."

Inside the hall, a huge sand table was displayed, showing a rough outline of the terrain.

Xu Xiaogang, with his rather long beard, stared at the five passes and said in a deep voice, "If all else fails, make preparations. Half a month later, I will lead my personal guards to attack the Dongliang Pass."

The Dongliang Pass was considered relatively easy to breach.

The soldiers present fell silent. Soon, one of them spoke up to persuade the general: "General, you must not act rashly. Although the Dongliang Pass is the easiest to breach, it is also extremely dangerous. If anything happens to you, it will greatly damage morale."

“I’ll go. I’m willing to sign a military pledge: if I fail to take Dongliang Pass, I will not come back alive.”

Many of the soldiers present were also quite helpless.

They also learned this from some inside intelligence.

Today, the five major passes are guarded by 100,000 elite troops.

There were also 200,000 rebel troops of mixed formations currently in the three southwestern provinces, where Wang Longzhi was intensifying their training.

If those 200,000 ragtag troops were trained, it would probably be even more disadvantageous for them.

Just as everyone was looking at each other in confusion, a soldier quickly ran in from outside the hall and respectfully said, "Reporting to General Xu, three people have arrived outside, claiming to be from the capital."

"It's to help the general defeat the enemy."

Upon hearing the soldier's report, the many generals present exchanged glances.

"Let him in."

Soon, Ye Xiuyuan led Shan Tiangang and Fang Zhihong in from outside the door.

Upon seeing Ye Xiuyuan, Xu Xiaogang's eyes lit up slightly: "Mr. Ye, it's you."

After saying that, Xu Xiaogang quickly stepped forward to greet him.

"I, Ye, have come to assist the general in defeating the enemy," Ye Xiuyuan said with a smile.

(End of this chapter)