Chapter 118: Setting Off for the Capital

Chapter 118: Chapter 118: Setting Off for the Capital ???? Important Note : For the continuity of this story consider to Support us on Pãtreon/Flokixy to access advance Chapters and To Support The Daily Update Approaching noon, Han Shi first led a contingent of troops back to the city. "Your Highness! A great victory!" As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Jun Mo and Su Li drinking tea there. Jun Mo poured Han Shi a cup of tea and handed it to him. "I couldn’t possibly, I couldn’t possibly! How dare I trouble Your Highness?" Han Shi took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "The Princess Consort’s medicine is truly miraculous! This battle was fought too easily. In future battles, I’ll have to ask the Princess Consort for more medicine!" In his excitement, "Miss Su" directly became "Princess Consort." Su Li smiled. "The reason this medicine was effective is because you were facing a disorderly mob. I believe that group of people hadn’t even begun training; their vigilance and physical condition were all weak, which allowed us to exploit an opening." Han Shi nodded in agreement. "Indeed. They were all still sound asleep even as dawn was breaking, each one as weak as a little chick. This battle wasn’t satisfying at all." A smile hung on Jun Mo’s face as he said, "You were injured and still not satisfied? Those weapons will be temporarily stored in your Hui Prefecture. Next spring, they will be transported back to the capital and handed over to the Ministry of War. As for those soldiers, those willing to return home should be registered and sent back. Those unwilling to return home, you take them in for now, and wait for the imperial court to incorporate them." Han Shi nodded. "Rest assured, Your Highness." Remembering the black-robed figure, Han Shi frowned. "We let the Jiang family’s Second Master escape. The secret guards by his side were too formidable. We only managed to capture the Commandery Governor’s nephew." Jun Mo drank his tea and said calmly, "No matter. He botched the job. When he returns to the Jiang family, even if he doesn’t die, he’ll lose half his life." After speaking, he put down his teacup, looked at Su Li, and said, "Let’s go." Han Shi asked, "Where is Your Highness going?" "Since he threw out a scapegoat, how could this Prince not conveniently resolve it?" When the Commandery Governor’s residence was being searched and his property confiscated, the Commandery Governor was still pondering which of his daughters to send to Jun Mo. "P-Prince... Your Highness, what are you doing?" Seeing so many officials and soldiers, the Commandery Governor was so frightened that cold sweat poured down his face. "Lord Commandery Governor, maintaining troops and hoarding weapons, corruption and perverting the law, treating human lives as grass, collusion between officials and merchants – any one of these is a crime warranting property confiscation and clan extermination. And you still ask this Prince what he’s doing?" Jun Mo still had that calm and indifferent demeanor, as if he were merely commenting on the fine weather. But just this one sentence made the Commandery Governor collapse to the ground. Jun Mo only arrested the Commandery Governor and his family first, and confiscated the property of the Commandery Governor’s residence, but he didn’t touch the Meng family. The people were first imprisoned in the prefectural yamen, which was also temporarily taken over by Han Shi. The Commandery Governor was thrown into the main prison, and several large sheets detailing his crimes were posted outside the prefectural yamen. At the same time, a three-year exemption from taxes was announced; this was an imperial decree issued by the Emperor before Jun Mo set out. Excess taxes previously paid could be refunded. Upon hearing these various decrees, the commoners of Shu Capital naturally celebrated with great joy. For a time, both the outside of the courtyard where Jun Mo was staying and the front of the prefectural yamen were filled with commoners. "His Highness Prince Jing, thank you, Your Highness Prince Jing! You saved us!" "His Highness Prince Jing and Princess Consort Jing are both kind-hearted people!" "The corrupt official has finally received his retribution! Serves him right!" ... "How is it?" In the study, Jun Mo was writing a memorial. Han Shi shook his head. "He hasn’t confessed, and I haven’t seen through him. This Commandery Governor is quite a tough nut to crack." Su Li frowned. "Was the hallucinogen ineffective?" "Ineffective." Su Li was surprised for a moment. This Commandery Governor was indeed strong-willed; no wonder he was chosen by the Jiang family. Jun Mo didn’t stop writing and said without looking up, "Keep him under strict guard. The Jiang family hasn’t made a move yet." Han Shi nodded. "Rest assured, Your Highness. I’m also worried the Meng family might kill him to silence him, so I’ve already made thorough arrangements. As long as they come, they won’t be able to return!" Sure enough, as they had expected, several groups of people were captured one after another within a day. There were three groups in just one night. Han Shi also lived up to his word; no one succeeded in rescuing anyone or silencing them by murder. But every time someone was caught, they would bite down on the poison hidden in their mouths. This went on repeatedly for two days, and the Jiang family still hadn’t made a major move. On the night of the third day, Han Shi came to report that the Commandery Governor had died in prison; it was ruled a suicide. Su Li once again marveled at the Jiang family’s methods. At night, Su Li, carrying her medicine box, continued to administer acupuncture to Jun Mo as usual. "Tomorrow, we must set off to return to the capital." Su Li looked up. "So soon?" "We’ve been in Shu Capital for almost half a month. The disaster relief has also gone smoothly. There’s no point in delaying further." Su Li nodded. "Alright. I’m actually a little homesick." This trip to Shu Capital had progressed more smoothly than imagined. Her and Jun Mo’s prestige among the commoners had already reached a height that ordinary people would find difficult to attain. Jun Hui’s plans had also come to naught. She had also ruined Jun Hui’s years of planning, causing all his efforts to go down the drain. Even if they hadn’t managed to bring down the Jiang family this time, Jun Hui now had little capital to fight them with. Once back in the capital, she would plan carefully again. With Jun Mo as an ally, she believed that one day, Jun Hui would fall from the clouds into hell! The next day, Jun Mo arranged all matters. The task of guarding the granary was handed over to Han Shi. The disaster situation was already under control; all that was needed was to distribute grain on time at the beginning of each month. Those merchants who had hoarded grain and driven up prices had also been "invited for tea" by Han Shi one by one, and they became well-behaved afterwards. The Commandery Governor’s house was confiscated, and the silver was returned to the commoners as overpaid taxes. The position of President of the Shu Capital Chamber of Commerce was no longer held by a Jiang family member but by someone chosen by Han Shi. The Jiang family’s future development would also be suppressed. It was said that the imperial court’s newly appointed Commandery Governor of Shu Capital was already on his way and would arrive in a few days. Approaching the si hour, the group finished their preparations and set off. Many commoners came to see them off spontaneously, following them for more than ten li outside the city. Jun Mo got out of the carriage and cupped his hands. "Everyone, please return. There’s no need to see us off further." "Take care, Your Highness!" "Your Highness, after the disaster passes, bring the Princess Consort to visit next year!" "Yes, yes, our Shu Capital has extremely beautiful scenery. The Princess Consort will definitely like it." ... Jun Mo smiled and agreed to each one, "Definitely, definitely." He glanced at the carriage and thought to himself: She has already seen it. Amidst the reluctant gazes of the commoners, the group officially set off, heading towards the capital city.