Catching Monsters

Chapter 269 Seizing Power
"The scenery in the north is really beautiful."

A team approached Mushan City, led by Duke Chengguo Duan Xing, who had just been appointed as the new general of the Zhenchi Army.

He rode at the front of the team, looking at the Mushan City faintly visible in the distance, feeling very happy. Since receiving the transfer order from His Majesty the Emperor, he has led a group of servants and relatives and rushed here day and night.

But I didn't feel tired, instead I felt refreshed.

Liu Muyun, who followed him, said with a smile: "Duke Chengguo, His Majesty has entrusted you with an important task on this trip. You must not let His Majesty down."

Hearing this, Duan Xing quickly turned his head to look at Liu Muyun and said respectfully: "This matter is also thanks to the military supervisor. If I can make great contributions in Mushan City, I will never forget the kindness of Eunuch Liu."

The two men knew each other, and on the way Liu Muyun added fuel to the fire, telling the story of how he had secured for Duke Chengguo the opportunity to lead the Zhenchi Army from His Majesty.

Along the way, Duan Xing was naturally filled with gratitude. For many years, three generations ago, their Duke Chengguo had not led troops outside.

Although he had been appointed to an official position in the capital by His Majesty based on the merits of his ancestors, as a noble, he could not lead troops outside, and his words had no weight in the court.

Liu Muyun looked serious and said slowly, "When we arrive in Mushan City this time, we must first investigate the military pay and who embezzled the food. The Zhenchi Army has always been led by the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion. I'm afraid this matter is also related to the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion."

Hearing this, Duan Xing also looked serious, nodded heavily, and looked back at the many relatives and friends who followed him.

There are his nephews, distant cousins, etc.

It is said that when a person attains enlightenment, chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.

It is still your own relatives who are trustworthy. When you get there, you have to find some excuses to replace important positions with your own relatives.

Then we will start investigating the embezzlement of military pay and food.

Your Majesty attaches great importance to this matter.

As for Jianchi Pass.

Jianchi Pass was not lost by him, so the responsibility has nothing to do with him.

Soon, the group arrived at the foot of Mushan City. The city gate was wide open and the group marched towards the general's mansion in a mighty manner.

The atmosphere in the main hall of the general's mansion was extremely tense. Jiang Yubo and other generals of the Zhenchi Army were all there.

Xu Xiaogang knew that Liu Muyun and Duan Xing were on their way, so he had already ordered an attack on Jianchi Pass six days ago. However, Jianchi Pass was easy to defend but difficult to attack.

Six days have passed, and they still haven't been able to recapture it.

Xu Xiaogang's eyes were bloodshot, he had not slept well in the past few days. He and a group of generals sat in front of the sand table in front of them, discussing whether to send troops from the east, the direction guarded by Marquis Weiwu, and detour to the north of Jianchi Pass to encircle it.

But if we do that, it will be too late.

At this moment, a soldier rushed in and reported: "General, there is a group of people outside the door, claiming to be Duke Chengguo Duan Xing and Supervisor Liu Muyun."

Xu Xiaogang slowly raised his head, and all the generals in the room frowned.

"Please come in." Xu Xiaogang said in a deep voice.

Soon, Duke Chengguo Duan Xing and Liu Muyun, as well as a group of relatives and friends, walked in from outside the house.

Duan Xing frowned slightly, feeling somewhat dissatisfied. After all, he was a new general, but no one came out to greet him.

Of course, although he thought so in his heart, his face was full of smiles. Seeing Xu Xiaogang and more than 20 generals were there, he said with a smile: "Everyone, I am here to take over the Zhenchi Army in accordance with the order of His Majesty."

"We in the Chengguo Mansion are also military generals. We are all in the military, so don't be polite..."

Duan Xing grew up in the capital and had never been to a military camp. He said that everyone was in the military, but it was just to get closer to these generals.

But I didn't expect that even though he said everyone is welcome.

These generals are really rude.

No one looked at him straight in the eye. Instead, they all looked at Xu Xiaogang.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became a little strange.

Seeing this, Liu Muyun frowned slightly, and hurriedly took out the imperial edict from his arms, and said in a deep voice: "The Emperor of Heaven and the Mandate of Heaven decrees: Duke Xu Xiaogang of Zhenguo has made contributions in repelling the Hu army and defending the border, and is promoted to the Minister of War. Duke Duan Xing of Chengguo is sent to take over the post of Zhenchi Army. This is my decree."

After reading the imperial edict, Liu Muyun raised his chin slightly, his eyes fell on Xu Xiaogang, and said in a deep voice: "Duke Zhenguo, why don't you accept the edict and thank me? Also, take out the seal of the Zhenchi Army!"

Xu Xiaogang took a deep breath and knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness!"

After that, Liu Muyun took over the imperial edict. After handing it to Xu Xiaogang, he said with a smile, "My Lord, congratulations. You are so young, in your early twenties, and you have already been promoted to the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of War. There has been no precedent in the Zhou Dynasty for more than 300 years. His Majesty really loves you."

"According to His Majesty's order, the Duke of Zhenguo will return to the capital to take up his post immediately. His Majesty has also prepared a celebration banquet for you."

Xu Xiaogang could only bite the bullet and nodded, then reluctantly handed the seal to Duke Cheng, then turned his head and glanced at the sand table: "Duke Duan, now is the critical time to attack Jianchi Pass, it's okay for me to leave."

"Uncle Jiang and the others can also take back Jianchi Pass."

Duan Xing suddenly felt unhappy. After all, he was familiar with military books. Did he still need Xu Xiaogang to teach him how to fight?

Of course, he had a big smile on his face and said, "Don't worry, I know what's going on."

"Yeah." After Xu Xiaogang finished speaking, he turned around and looked at the many generals behind him.

Liu Muyun beside him urged: "Duke Zhenguo, let's set off."

"Uncle Jiang, I'm going back to Beijing first." Xu Xiaogang took a deep breath and said, "I'll have to rely on you guys from now on."

Jiang Yubo nodded, and many generals didn't know what to say, and watched Xu Xiaogang leave. After Xu Xiaogang left, Jiang Yubo said, "Okay, Liangchuan, the next main attack..."

"Wait." Duan Xing stepped forward with a serious face, took a look at the sand table, and then asked: "Now that I am the commander-in-chief, I must know what the situation is on the front line, right?"

"Didn't they say they had already repelled the Hu army? Why are they still fighting?"

Jiang Yubo explained in a deep voice: "Report to General Duan, although the Hu people have retreated, Jianchi Pass is still in their hands and must be recaptured as soon as possible."

"In the past six days, we have organized many attacks, with about 10,000 casualties, but we still can't take the city."

Duan Xing frowned when he heard this and said in a deep voice, "Who is the main attacking force?"

In the crowd, a general named Liangchuan stood up, clasped his fists and said, "I am leading the main attack."

"How many people do you have under your command?"

"Five thousand people."

"Okay, General Liang, take a break. Leave the main attack to my nephew." Duan Xing said, looking back.

"Duan Yuchun listens to orders."

Behind him, a young man who was obviously drained of alcohol and sex and had a pale face, was shocked, his eyes lit up, and he quickly knelt on the ground.

"Next, you will lead 5,000 troops to attack Jianchi Pass!"

"Yes, it's uncle."

"In the army, you have to call him General."

"It's the general!"

Duan Yuchun looked at his uncle with gratitude. He had been idle in the capital, but when he followed his uncle to the front line, he was able to command 5,000 troops. It was too glorious.

Jiang Yubo's face changed, and he tried to dissuade him, but Duan Xing asked again, "Who is the quartermaster in charge of food and fodder?"

"it's me."

"Okay, let my nephew be the quartermaster."

As the commander-in-chief of the Zhenchi Army, Duan Xing holds all the power. The only person who can check and balance him is the military supervisor Liu Muyun.

But these two people were in cahoots with each other, and Liu Muyun remained silent.

In Duan Xing's opinion, how could such a great achievement of attacking Jianchi Pass be handed over to these people? It should naturally be given to his dearest nephew.

The most lucrative quartermaster position naturally had to be given to the nephew.

Even if we can’t get back to Jianchi Pass in the end.

I didn't lose Jianchi Pass, so it's none of my business.

……

In the capital, in Sanqing Temple.

Jiang Yun was sitting on a chair in front of the statue of the Three Pure Ones, preaching to Wen Chen and Qin Shujian.

"Tao gave birth to one, one gave birth to two, two gave birth to three, and three gave birth to all things. Everything in the world is transformed by Tao."

"The way to be a human being is to follow the laws of nature, to follow the will of heaven, and not to go against it or be impatient. It is like the spring breeze and rain, moistening everything silently. It is like the autumn sky, clear and bright."

“Don’t go against morality for the sake of temporary gain. Don’t lose your original heart for the sake of worldly desires.”

Wen Chen, who was sitting below, was a little confused.

Instead, Qin Shujian was fascinated by what he heard.

Just then, there was a burst of hurried footsteps outside the house.

Jiang Yun looked up and saw that it was Qi Da. Qi Da had a nervous look on his face and hurried to Jiang Yun's side. He whispered, "Captain, we have a case. Captain Yang asked you to go quickly."

Listening to Qi Da's words, Jiang Yun nodded, then asked Wen Chen and Qin Shujian to figure it out on their own, then hurried out and headed towards the direction of the East Pacification Division.

Soon, the two rushed back to the East Pacification Office. Outside Yang Liunian's study, Jiang Yun walked up and knocked on the door.

"Enter."

Pushing open the door, Yang Liunian was wearing a Qianhu suit and had a solemn expression on his face.

There were many files and documents on his desk. After Jiang Yun came in, he waved to Qi Da, signaling him not to come in.

After Jiang Yun sat down, Yang Liunian carefully closed the door. He took a deep breath, his eyes fell on Jiang Yun, and then he whispered, "Brother Jiang, something happened."

"There have been evil spirits causing trouble in recent days."

Jiang Yun couldn't help but smile. Looking at Yang Liunian's nervous look, he couldn't help but roll his eyes at him and said, "Master Qianhu, isn't it just the evil ghosts causing trouble? Why are you so nervous?"

"Hey." Yang Liunian glanced out the window, then lowered his voice and whispered, "Brother Jiang, you don't know, the accident happened in the palace..."

Hearing this, Jiang Yun's face darkened. Is there a ghost in the palace?
Jiang Yun looked at Yang Liunian in disbelief: "Master Qianhu, are you kidding me?"

(End of this chapter)