Liver into a martial arts legend: starting with Embroidered Spring Blade

Chapter 177 When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked.

Qianqing Palace.

The candlelight was bright, and it was already past midnight. Zhu Youjian was still reviewing memorials when he suddenly heard footsteps. He looked up and saw Wang Chengen hurrying in, saying cautiously, "Your Majesty, Commander Jiang of the Embroidered Uniform Guard requests an audience."

"Jiang Xuan? He's back?"

Zhu Youjian was taken aback for a moment, then his eyes flashed, and after a moment of contemplation, he waved his hand and said, "Let him in."

"Yes." Wang Chengen left.

Soon, Jiang Xuan, dressed in a bright yellow flying fish robe, with a tall crown and wide belt, strode in and stepped forward to pay his respects: "Your subject, Jiang Xuan, greets Your Majesty."

"It's been several months since I last saw you, and you've become even more elegant and charming."

Zhu Youjian glanced at Jiang Xuan casually, then waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Jiang Xuan stood up, his expression calm, and said, "I returned to the capital as soon as I finished my business and reported to Your Majesty. I apologize for disturbing you so late at night."

Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "I wonder what mission you are on this trip, my dear minister? You left without even informing me, and have been delayed for so long?"

As expected, he was dissatisfied because of this matter...

Jiang Xuan sighed inwardly and casually made up an excuse, saying, "Your Majesty, something has happened in Suzhou, Jiangnan. It's a conflict between martial arts practitioners that has affected the common people and even wiped out one of our Jinyiwei's secret agents in Suzhou. Because this matter involves a wide range of martial arts forces, I went there personally to handle it."

As he spoke, Jiang Xuan explained the Jianghu incidents such as the "Six-Finger Qin Demon" and the "Golden Money Gang" one by one. These incidents caused a great stir in the Jianghu, and indeed affected some ordinary people. It was easy to find out about them with a simple inquiry, so he could use this as an excuse.

As expected, Zhu Youjian had no doubts after hearing this, but he was clearly not interested in these martial arts battles. He nodded lightly and said, "Your actions are understandable, but as the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it is inevitable that people will have doubts if you leave the capital for several months without informing me. In recent days, some people in the court have impeached you for dereliction of duty and neglect of your duties, but I have suppressed them all."

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your trust," Jiang Xuan said, bowing with his hands clasped in gratitude.

Zhu Youjian changed the subject, saying, "However, since you are interested in matters of the martial world, I will entrust you with all cases concerning the martial world from now on. I can grant you the authority to execute first and report later in cases concerning the martial world. As for matters involving the court, you need not trouble yourself with them."

Jiang Xuan's gaze sharpened, and he asked, "What does Your Majesty mean?"

Zhu Youjian said calmly, "Since I ascended the throne, you have always been my right-hand man. However, as the number of cases increases, you are often not by my side. I always feel that we don't have enough manpower. Although we have the Eastern Depot, it is still far from enough. So recently I have reactivated the Western Depot to be by my side to receive my summons. You should have heard about this, right?"

"I have heard that Yu Huatian, the head of the Western Depot, went to the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters today and met with me." Jiang Xuan nodded, not hiding the fact that he had met with Yu Huatian that evening.

"You've seen him? That would be wonderful."

Zhu Youjian was somewhat surprised, then nodded and said, "This Yu Huatian is a talented person and is also very much in my favor. In the future, he will be in charge of the Western Depot, together with the Eastern Depot and the Northern Garrison, to monitor the officials and handle cases in the capital region for me. What do you think, my dear minister?"

Jiang Xuan calmly cupped his hands in greeting: "Since there is an imperial decree, I dare not speak recklessly."

Zhu Youjian smiled and nodded, saying, "Then you should cooperate with Yu Huatian to transfer the intelligence about the capital and the civil and military officials to the Western Depot. From now on, the Embroidered Uniform Guard can focus on guarding the capital and handling cases in the Jianghu."

"Your subject obeys the decree," Jiang Xuan said.

Zhu Youjian stared intently at Jiang Xuan, as if trying to discern whether Jiang Xuan would express any dissatisfaction. However, he was disappointed. Jiang Xuan remained remarkably calm, showing neither surprise nor anger, and simply accepted his 'decentralization' with equanimity.

It's important to understand that his words effectively sidelined the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

By relinquishing control over the capital and its officials, he also lost the right to handle cases, effectively cutting off any future opportunities for advancement.

Although the imperial court has the authority to enforce laws over the martial arts world, the two have always kept to themselves.

Large cases are too broad to handle, while small cases offer little reward or benefit, making it a thankless task.

Zhu Youjian was well aware of this. But why did Jiang Xuan remain so calm?

"Does my dear minister have nothing to say?" Zhu Youjian couldn't help but ask, continuing to probe Jiang Xuan's reaction.

"I have nothing to say," Jiang Xuan said, bowing.

Zhu Youjian nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand, saying, "I am very pleased that you understand my good intentions. Go now."

"Yes, I will retire."

Jiang Xuan bowed again, then turned and left.

He remained remarkably calm throughout.

But as soon as he stepped out of the palace gate, his expression turned cold.

Unsurprisingly, the same thing happened to me – I was betrayed after using someone else's services.

Previously, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was not only responsible for palace ceremonies and street patrols, but also had the power to gather intelligence, patrol and arrest criminals.

But now, the powers of intelligence gathering and arrest have been abolished.

If the Embroidered Uniform Guard loses its law enforcement power, can it still be called the Embroidered Uniform Guard?
From now on, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was no different from other imperial guards; it was no longer the dreaded secret service.

Although it still retains the power to enforce laws against martial arts sects, and even the power to act first and report later, this power is practically useless.

Matters of the martial world should be settled within the martial world itself; this has been the rule since ancient times.

In the martial arts world, as long as the disputes do not involve the imperial court and ordinary people, such as cases of indiscriminate killing of innocent people or rebellion, the imperial court has always ignored them.

Moreover, even if a case involves the underworld, it is usually very difficult to handle. Most cases are eventually resolved by minimizing the severity of the situation and avoiding trouble altogether. The goal is not to gain merit, but to avoid making mistakes.

How could he not know this?

Zhu Youjian's move was practically equivalent to abolishing the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked... Indeed, this has always been the way of those in power."

Jiang Xuan murmured, then chuckled softly, feeling as if a knot in his heart had suddenly been untied.

I owe my success to my own hard work, but it is undeniable that Zhu Youjian's appreciation and promotion also played a role.

But from today onwards, this favor of promotion ends here.

Neither of us owes the other anything.

From now on, I will live only for myself!

Jiang Xuan turned his head and took a deep look at the still-lit Qianqing Palace. Then, without looking back, he turned and strode away.

……

The following day, a large number of Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) personnel were transferred to the Western Depot.

Along with the documents, a large amount of intelligence files and information about hidden informants buried in various places were also sent.

The entire capital city was shaken!
(End of this chapter)