Catching Monsters

Chapter 745 Selling Out the Country
"You!" Upon hearing this, Fang Tianzong glared at Chu Qinghe with hostility in his eyes.

Chu Qinghe: "What's wrong? Now that your darling and the person have run away, you still want to fight me?"

"Hmph." Fang Tianzong snorted coldly and said in a deep voice, "Where can he run to? At most, he can escape back to the capital."

"Once we return to the capital, with the two of us working together, are we really going to be afraid of not finding him? Or being unable to snatch that treasure back from him?"

Chu Qinghe chuckled and said slowly, "Then we'll have to see who finds Jiang Yun first. If I find him first, I'll take the treasure."

Upon hearing this, Fang Tianzong snorted coldly and turned to leave.

Chu Qinghe's eyes gleamed, and he glanced at the underground river: "That kid's luck is indeed extraordinary. Even though he was trapped here, he still managed to escape through the underground river."

"I want all of that kid's treasures and luck!"

……

Soon, in the Zhou Kingdom's imperial palace, in the imperial study, Xiao Jingzhi and Jiang Xing looked extremely grim.

Sitting in front of them were Chu Qinghe and Fang Tianzong.

"What? You two want me to issue a proclamation to remove Jiang Yun from his post, and then order all the Embroidered Uniform Guards to issue a nationwide warrant for his arrest?" Xiao Jingzhi's face was extremely ugly as he stared at the two emperors in front of him, unable to help but clench his fists slightly.

"What? Is His Majesty in a difficult position?" Chu Qinghe looked calmly at Xiao Jingzhi and said, "Your Zhou Kingdom has quite a few members in the royal family. You don't want to change the emperor, do you?"

The threat was blatant, though spoken in a nonchalant tone, it carried a strong sense of undeniable authority.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Xing quickly said from the side, "His Majesty has agreed to the requests of the two sages."

Jiang Xing quickly placed his hand on Xiao Jingzhi's shoulder, signaling that he must not go against these two saints.

Do you really think they're joking?
Even if these two kill Xiao Jingzhi, who would dare to oppose them?

They could easily control the court by simply choosing a member of the royal family to support.

Xiao Jingzhi understood this principle as well. After taking a deep breath, he gritted his teeth slightly and said, "Do as the two sages say..."

"Then, what's the charge?" Jiang Xing swallowed hard.

Fang Tianzong calmly said, "Let's deal with it as a case of treason and collusion with the state."

"Yes, yes, yes." Jiang Xing quickly agreed on behalf of Xiao Jingzhi.

Fang Tianzong slowly said, "Your Majesty Xiao Jingzhi, I will give you three days. If you cannot find Jiang Yun in three days, I will replace him with someone else as emperor."

It was obvious that Fang Tianzong knew that Jiang Yun and Xiao Jingzhi had a close relationship.

Without this condition, Xiao Jingzhi probably wouldn't have allowed his Imperial Guards to work diligently for him.

Jiang Xing, standing beside him, said respectfully, "Sage Fang, isn't three days too short...?"

Before he could finish speaking, Fang Tianzong suddenly raised his hand and slapped Jiang Xing in the chest. In an instant, Jiang Xing's internal organs shattered, and he died instantly.

Jiang Xing's eyes widened, and he fell heavily to the ground.

"Jiang Xing!" Upon seeing this, Xiao Jingzhi hurriedly stood up. Jiang Xing was his personal eunuch, and they had grown up together since childhood. Although they were master and servant, their relationship was extraordinary.

Xiao Jingzhi never expected that Fang Tianzong would kill Jiang Xing in his own study.

"Your Majesty, I said three days, and that's it. If Jiang Yun isn't found, then a new emperor will be appointed." Fang Tianzong said coldly before leaving.

After watching Fang Tianzong leave, Chu Qinghe smiled and whispered in Xiao Jingzhi's ear, "If you find Jiang Yun, inform me first, and I will ensure the stability of your throne."

"Remember."

After saying that, Chu Qinghe chuckled and slowly walked out.

boom!
After the two left, Xiao Jingzhi smashed the writing implements in front of him onto the ground.

Although angry, Xiao Jingzhi was also somewhat helpless.

Soon, he summoned Qin Hong. After Qin Hong entered the imperial study, he saw Jiang Xing's body lying on the ground.

His expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly asked, "Your Majesty, what's going on?"

"Who did it?"

“Fang Tianzong.” Xiao Jingzhi glanced at Qin Hong.

Qin Hong's slightly open mouth stopped, and he was unable to speak.

Soon, Xiao Jingzhi told Qin Hong what had happened.

After listening, Qin Hong frowned: "Jiang Yun stole these two's treasures? How is that possible? Jiang Yun's abilities are such that he couldn't even withstand a single move from them, let alone steal their treasures?"

"Besides, Jiang Yun is no fool. How could he possibly snatch the treasures of two sages? Wouldn't that be courting death?"

"There's probably something fishy about this."

Xiao Jingzhi took a deep breath and said, "No matter what's strange about it, right now..."

"In short, first, according to their wishes, issue a notice announcing that Brother Jiang is a traitor to the country, and then send the Embroidered Uniform Guard to find him."

"Also, before issuing the notice," Xiao Jingzhi whispered to Qin Hong.

Qin Hong nodded repeatedly, indicating that he understood.

……

In the Jiang residence, Xu Suwen was sitting in the backyard, with many silks laid out in front of her. She was looking through them, preparing to make a few more winter clothes for Qiaoqiao and Jiang Yun.

Suddenly, Yun Pingchuan strode in from outside the courtyard, his face showing some anxiety. He said, "Madam, Madam, something terrible has happened! Eunuch Qin is here..."

Qin Hong followed behind Yun Pingchuan.

"Eunuch Qin is here. Is there news about my husband?" Xu Suwen's eyes lit up slightly when she saw Qin Hong arrive, and she quickly stood up to ask.

Qin Hong shook his head, his face grim, and said to Yun Pingchuan behind him, "Butler Yun, please go outside first."

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, Yun Pingchuan quickly withdrew from the courtyard.

After Qin Hong and Xu Suwen were left alone in the courtyard, he said, "I have already sent someone to Renyi Academy to pick up Jiang Qiaoqiao. You two need to go to Sanqing Temple for a while. Dongfang Yao is in Sanqing Temple, so you will be fine for the time being."

This was also Xiao Jingzhi's arrangement. The two saints, Fang Tianzong and Chu Qinghe, clearly harbored deep resentment towards Jiang Yun. No one knew what they would do if they wanted to force Jiang Yun to show himself.

What if they capture Jiang Qiaoqiao and Xu Suwen, forcing Jiang Yun to show himself?

Xiao Jing knew that given the current situation, he probably couldn't help Jiang Yun with anything else, so he could only try to take care of the women in the Jiang family first.

"What happened?" Xu Suwen's expression changed.

Qin Hong remained silent for a long time before saying in a deep voice, "Immediately, a notice will be issued throughout the capital announcing that Jiang Yun has treasoned the country."

“Treason and collusion with the nation?” Xu Suwen was stunned for a moment, then frowned. “Impossible. I know very well what kind of person my husband is. He would never do such a thing.”

"Alright, this isn't the place to talk. Let's go to the Sanqing Temple first. If those two saints realize what's going on and try to capture you and Jiang Qiaoqiao, it'll be troublesome," Qin Hong said in a deep voice.

After a moment's thought, Xu Suwen quickly followed Qin Hong out the door. A carriage had already been prepared outside, and it sped off towards the Sanqing Temple.

Inside the carriage, Xu Suwen asked in a deep voice, "Eunuch Qin, my husband could not possibly be that kind of person. Why don't you let me into the palace so I can explain to His Majesty in person?"

“I am willing to risk my life to vouch for my husband.” “If my husband does anything that constitutes treason, I will immediately commit suicide.”

Qin Hong listened to Xu Suwen's strong personality and said with distress, "Of course I know that it is the two saints, Fang Tianzong and Chu Qinghe, who want Jiang Yun's life."

Soon, Qin Hong told Xu Suwen the whole story.

After listening, Xu Suwen breathed a slight sigh of relief. Sure enough, she knew Jiang Yun best.

My husband would never do such a thing.

But then, her expression stiffened slightly. Had she offended two saints?
The two sages pressured His Majesty the Emperor to take his life.

That sounds really scary...

It would be better to actually betray the country...

Soon, the carriage slowly arrived at the entrance of the Sanqing Temple, where Jiang Qiaoqiao had already been brought by the Tongyou Guards.

Wen Chen also heard the news and quickly arrived at the scene.

"Master's wife, what brings you here?" Wen Chen asked curiously.

Qin Hong glanced around and said, "Let's go inside and talk. Is Miss Dongfang here?"

Wen Chen: "Yes, we're here. Duke Xu and Miss Dongfang are chatting in the back."

"That's just right."

Soon, Qin Hong, along with Jiang Qiaoqiao and Xu Suwen, found the two people in the back courtyard.

Xu Xiaogang and Dongfang Yao were chatting inside when they saw everyone arrive. Xu Xiaogang smiled and asked, "Sister, what brings you here?"

"Xiaoyao and I were discussing that during the lantern festival in a few days, we..."

At this point, Xu Xiaogang stopped speaking, noticing tears glistening in Xu Suwen's eyes.

"Sis, what's wrong? What happened?"

Qin Hong recounted the story once more, then said, "Miss Dongfang, in this vast capital city, only you are capable of sparring with those two sages. You will have to protect Xu Suwen and Jiang Qiaoqiao for a while."

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yao nodded and agreed without hesitation.

When Jiang Yun brought Li Chengdao to the capital, she also brought Li Chengdao and Uncle Tian San along, and even set up a shop for them.

I can say I did her a favor.

Moreover, given her connection with Xu Xiaogang, she naturally wouldn't refuse.

"Eunuch Qin, you brought Qiaoqiao and me here. If those two sages find out, won't you and His Majesty be in trouble?" Xu Suwen asked, frowning.

"I can't worry about that now." Qin Hong sighed, then said, "Alright, I still have to go to the Northern Garrison Command to personally convey His Majesty's decree and have the Embroidered Uniform Guards search for Jiang Yun."

"You and Qiaoqiao will stay by Dongfang's side during this time, and don't go anywhere else, understand?"

After saying that, Qin Hong left in a hurry.

Soon, notices began to be posted throughout the capital.

This notice has caused quite a stir.

Who is Jiang Yun?

The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who was also granted the title of Marquis by His Majesty, was a powerful figure in the capital who could practically control everything.

Unexpectedly, I suddenly became a traitor.

This notice had a huge impact and quickly spread throughout the capital.

In teahouses throughout the capital, and across the country, when people meet, the topic of conversation is almost always this matter.

At this moment, in a teahouse, a storyteller was recounting some legendary tales from ancient times.

Upon hearing this news, the storyteller slammed his gavel on the table and exclaimed, "Have you all heard? Jiang Yun of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is a traitor who has betrayed his country. You should know that Jiang Yun is a truly important figure."

"Within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who wield the power of life and death, why would such a person betray the country?"

"The reason is quite simple: this person is a Hu person."

Upon hearing this, the people drinking tea below immediately exclaimed in amazement.

"Sir, you are aware of this matter as well?"

"Tell me quickly, what exactly is going on with Jiang Yun?"

The old man coughed once, and soon everyone present took out coins to refill their tea.

The storyteller continued, "To be honest, Jiang Yun was very likely a barbarian. I saw him from afar, and he was incredibly ugly, with shifty eyes and a cunning look. Yet, he was also very eloquent..."

"It is said that this person was greedy and amassed wealth, which he then gave to corrupt officials, thus enabling him to rise rapidly in his career..."

To earn some tea money, the storyteller was now spouting nonsense, making up stories. Even the traitor Jiang Yun had been condemned as a traitor, and the proclamation had already been issued, so what was he afraid of?

However, some clueless people below asked, "Old sir, how come Jiang Yun, who looks like this, caught the eye of the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?"

"Ahem, today we'll only talk about Jiang Yun, nothing else."

This storyteller is quite clever; after all, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion hasn't been labeled as a rebel.

How could you talk nonsense about the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?

Just as the storyteller was about to continue his nonsense, two burly men stepped forward and showed their badges.

Jinyiwei!
Those present were slightly surprised, not expecting that there were two Imperial Guards officers drinking tea here.

"Come with us."

The storyteller paused for a moment, then mustered his courage and asked, "You two want to arrest me? May I ask, what law of our Great Zhou have I violated?"

"You have insulted Lord Jiang!"

"Hmph, this is a traitor designated by the imperial court. So what if I insulted him? This kind of traitor deserves to die..."

"I'll fuck your mother!" One of the Imperial Guards couldn't hold back any longer. He rushed forward and kicked the storyteller to the ground, then proceeded to beat him mercilessly. None of the people drinking tea below dared to step forward to stop him.

When the Imperial Guards beat people, who dares to stop them...

To put it another way, since we're just idly drinking tea anyway, having something else to watch makes the tea even more enjoyable, doesn't it?

The Jinyiwei who assaulted Jiang Yun was not one of Jiang Yun's confidants, and had barely even met Jiang Yun a few times; he was just an ordinary Jinyiwei from the Northern Garrison.

But a few months ago, his father fell seriously ill, and the cost of medicine was high, so he spent all his savings.

Unexpectedly, they met Jiang Yun, who would distribute money to the brothers below every few days.

This person is a man of great loyalty and affection, and he has always remembered Jiang Yun's kindness. He feels that he is just a nobody and can never repay the kindness of Lord Jiang.

But we cannot allow this person to slander Lord Jiang.

(End of this chapter)