You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 112 Sell them for a good price~
Wu Sangui took the soft cloth handed to him by his attendant, wiped his sword, twirled it with a flourish, and without even looking, smoothly sheathed the sword.

“My lord, I am a general who commands troops, and I only know how to speak directly.”

"Your Highness, please speak. I am all ears."

"These brothers under my command have risked their lives for the court, and each of them has been seriously wounded and forced to leave the army. They must have a way to make a living, right? Guangxi is barren, and there isn't much profit to be made as a county magistrate. Is that too much to ask?"

“Not at all.”

Liu Zhengzong gritted his teeth and raised his right hand.

"Ji, the Director of the Selection Department, is a confidant of Feng Shuan, the Minister of Personnel. He won't budge, and I, the Right Vice Minister, can't do anything about it. However, this time, with Jiang Qingyun brought down, Feng Shuan is finished."

Wu Sangui keenly realized the problem.

What is the relationship between these two?

"Colluding with each other in evil deeds."

"Is Jiang Qingyun one of Feng Shuan's men?"

"No, Your Highness, the truth may be a bit far-fetched, but Minister Feng is Jiang Qingyun's dog."

……

Not only was Wu Sangui stunned, but Wu Yingxiong and Liu Xuanchu, who were listening behind the scenes, were also stunned.

"My lord, do you think I'm so easily fooled?"

"I had no such intention whatsoever. I swear to God, it is absolutely true."

"Why should the Minister of Personnel be his dog, given that he, Jiang Qingyun, is just a lowly censor?"

"Your Highness, do you still remember the court struggle between the eunuch faction and the Donglin faction during the Tianqi era?"

“I remember that back then, Feng Shuan was affiliated with the eunuch faction and curried favor with Wei Zhongxian. Later, when the Donglin Party came to power, he was dismissed and sent home.”

"The eunuch faction has been reborn."

"Is Jiang Qingyun a member of the eunuch faction?"

"The people weren't castrated, but their styles of doing things were quite similar. Backed by imperial power, they were arrogant and domineering, harming loyal and good people, using any means necessary, and winning over all sorts of treacherous and wicked people."

"A petty person has gotten ahead."

"Yes, Your Highness, please lend us a hand and help us impeach Jiang Qingyun in court. We will be richly rewarded afterwards."

……

Wu Sangui sat back in his chair and scratched his head.

"My lord, do you intend to use me as cannon fodder?"

"No, no, Your Highness misunderstands. The matter of that day will certainly not be mentioned in relation to the Crown Prince. All the blame lies with Jiang Qingyun. The Crown Prince returned to the capital simply wanting to have a quiet meal, but ended up having a dispute with the black market inn. The female manager of the inn, taking advantage of being Jiang Qingyun's lover, actually mobilized the city patrol soldiers."

"It sounds like the Vice Minister is very well prepared."

Everything is ready except for the east wind.

When will impeachment take place?

"To be determined."

Who are the people on your side?

"Your Highness, please forgive me, but I cannot speak for the time being. In short, Prince Li, Prince Jingjin, Prince Duanzhong, and Grand Secretary Fan Wencheng are all on our side."

After Liu Zhengzong finished speaking, he stared at Wu Sangui with anticipation.

After a while~
Wu Sangui picked up his teacup.

"Ten county magistrates and two prefectural magistrates."

"Thank you, Your Highness. I'll take my leave now."

……

Wu Yingxiong and Liu Xuanchu then emerged from behind the scenes.

"Father~"

"I'm starting to admire Jiang Qingyun a bit now. He's quite audacious and bold."

"How does Your Highness plan to respond?"

"Of course, we support Chiang Kai-shek."

"Your Majesty is wise."

"Ying Xiong, go visit Jiang Qingyun tonight. Be careful to keep your whereabouts hidden. Tell him what happened today and get a good price for Liu Zhengzong."

Before the words were even finished...
A guard rushed in to report.

"Your Highness, someone requests an audience."

Wu Sangui accepted the visiting card and laughed heartily.

"Look at them, what do these idiots have to trip up Jiang Qingyun with?"

Liu Xuanchu accepted the visiting card, which clearly read in the middle: Jiang Qingyun, Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, respectfully presents.

I was momentarily stunned.

……

"This humble official pays respects to Prince Pingxi and the Crown Prince."

"Please get up quickly."

Wu Sangui warmly took Jiang Qingyun's arm and led him into the flower hall. Anyone who didn't know them would think they were old acquaintances.

"I was presumptuous before and offended the Crown Prince. I have come here to apologize."

"Oh, Imperial Censor Jiang, you're too kind. We're both from Liaodong, it's just a small disagreement, nothing to worry about. What do you say, Your Highness?" "Father is right. I hit it off with Brother Jiang at first sight, I only regret that we can't become sworn brothers."

Jiang Qingyun was stunned.

"I would be more than happy to accept this offer, but I fear others will say I am climbing the social ladder."

"Most people in this world are fools, so why bother with them? Young master, find an auspicious day and a secluded place for you two to become sworn brothers. In the officialdom, the more brothers the better."

"Being respectful is worse than obeying orders."

Having said that, Jiang Qingyun was actually relieved.

……

But some things still need to be said.

"Your Highness, recently there have been people in the capital secretly plotting to impeach me."

"They just came by. Liu Zhengzong, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Prince Li, Prince Jingjin, Prince Duanzhong, and Fan Wencheng. These are the people I know of so far."

"Thank you for your righteousness, Your Highness."

"Sigh, I want to do something for the court, but I get criticized. Tell me, why is it so difficult to be an official?"

"Disaster."

Jiang Qingyun had a sudden inspiration and tentatively said, "Two fists can't beat four hands; there's strength in numbers."

Liu Xuanchu, who was standing to the side, immediately chimed in.

"In the future, if there are any matters concerning my prince in the court, I urge Imperial Censor Jiang to speak out for justice."

"I will handle it."

Both sides were delighted and discussed some details.

……

"Your Highness, you and Prince Sanshun?"

"I am not making excuses, but it is indeed inconvenient for me to come forward. To be frank, outsiders think that the four princes are one entity, but that is not the case. My relationship with the Third Prince is delicate. If I were to visit him rashly, I fear it would backfire and be undesirable."

"No problem, I have a way."

"Nephew, what's your opinion on the current war situation?"

"Hard to say."

"Oh?" Wu Sangui perked up instantly.

"The key lies with the Great Western Army, or to put it more bluntly, with Li Dingguo and Sun Kewang. If the two cooperate sincerely, the Southwest will be a tough nut to crack. If the two fight amongst themselves, the Southwest will be a complete mess."

Where is Zhu Youlang?

“This person is mediocre. I’m not afraid he will emulate Emperor Chongzhen, but I am afraid he will emulate Emperor Liu Shan.”

"My dear nephew, Shi is no ordinary man."

"Your Majesty is too modest."

"No, my dear nephew, you are the Zhang Liang and Xiao He of our time."

Wu Sangui stared intently at Jiang Qingyun; he had already made his point quite explicit.

Jiang Qingyun smiled.

"Your Highness, I have always believed that you possess the talents of Mu Ying and Zhao Tuo."

……

As Jiang Qingyun left the inn, he noticed a pair of eyes secretly watching him.

He paused, then suddenly turned, strode over and grabbed the innkeeper who hadn't had time to turn away.

His gaze was cold.

"This humble servant greets Your Excellency, the Imperial Censor."

"Do you recognize me?"

"Don't dare."

"Give me your waist tag!"

The minor official dared not refuse and removed his waist tag.

Jiang Qingyun weighed it in his hand and patted him on the shoulder.

"This waist token will be returned to you personally by the Minister of Rites."

The clerk was so frightened that he knelt down with a thud, trembling and not daring to look up. When he looked up again, there was no one there.

……

"parking."

A horse-drawn carriage stopped in the middle of the bustling street.

Four knights in black silently guarded the four corners of the carriage.

The endless stream of people walked around the "water-blocking stone" from both sides.

Inside the carriage, Jiang Qingyun closed his eyes and pondered for several breaths before opening them again.

"Go to Fan Wencheng's residence."

"Yes."

(End of this chapter)