Chapter 105 Kidnapping

As Cui Ying, she wielded immense influence among the daughters of prominent families.

As the Peach Blossom Heroine, she holds a strong heroic image in the hearts of the people.

To establish the Thousand Birds Guard, Qin Jinzhi needed to recruit all sorts of talented individuals.

When two figures with significant influence appear in the crowd, it obviously reduces the obstacles for Qin Jinzhi.

Similarly, Wei Lin's debates were also like that.

Cui Ying was somewhat incredulous. "You don't mean you're planning to recruit those noble ladies into the Thousand Bird Guard, do you?"

Qin Jinzhi popped a grape into her mouth. "Why not? There are plenty of talented women in the capital, not just you, Peach Blossom Heroine."

She never believed that women could only stay at home and suffer in obscurity.

Many things that men can do, women can also do, and may even do better than men.

It's just a matter of whether or not one dares to defy the rules of this world.

Cui Ying is a useful tool; her thoughts and identity saved Qin Jinzhi a lot of effort in her schemes.

She was the first from the aristocratic family to come to her side, but she would certainly not be the last!

Hearing her mocking her again, Cui Ying put her hands on her neck and said, "If you say that again, I'll make sure you lose everything!"

Qin Jinzhi laughed out loud, "Don't forget to eliminate evil and uphold justice tonight, heroine."

At this moment, Yun Ge unexpectedly appeared at Yong'an Tower.

Qin Jinzhi usually only takes Yun Que and Yun Jin with her when she goes out.

Yun Ge and Yun Shan stayed at the Prince's Mansion.

Qin Jinzhi asked, "What happened?"

Yunshan whispered, "Princess, the Seventh Prince requests permission to lead troops to suppress the bandits."

Qin Jinzhi raised an eyebrow. The Seventh Prince? Xiao Yin?

If Hu Aman were to hit him with an axe, his arm would be broken off and he'd be gone for months.

What's a prince doing getting involved in this?

"Did Grandfather agree?"

Spruce shook her head.

Qin Jinzhi understood.

Although the bandits outside the city were not a significant force, they were all true outlaws.

They don't care whether you're a prince or not.

If the prince dares to lead troops to besiege and suppress them, he will still dare to cut off your head.

These princes had always lived in the capital.

Although riding, archery and martial arts are both compulsory courses.

However, the princes, pampered and spoiled, had never even been to a military camp.

If something really happens, it will be too late.

Du Zhong, that old fellow, is quite sharp-minded.

Now that Old Master Wei has returned home, the Cui family's attitude is unclear, and problems have arisen with the Shen family.

The seventh prince's mother, Consort Du, was Du Zhong's youngest daughter.

The Du family and the Seventh Prince shared both glory and hardship.

If anything happens to the Du family, the Seventh Prince will no longer be qualified to sit at the table.

Regardless of the past, successfully suppressing the bandits is a great achievement.

If something is really found out about the Du family, the Seventh Prince can use this to ease His Majesty's attitude.

Du Zhong wouldn't actually send the Seventh Prince to suppress the bandits. The Seventh Prince's request was mainly to show the Du family's attitude.

This task will likely fall to Du Chong, who is the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards.

Du Chong has recently neglected his duties, which has angered His Majesty.

Once the bandits are defeated and the Emperor returns, he will no longer hold the previous events against him.

That would kill two birds with one stone.

Yunshan asked, "Won't this disrupt the princess's plans?"

Qin Jinzhi said, "Bring me paper and pen."

Yun Jin brought over paper and pen, and Qin Jinzhi wrote down several large characters in a flowing, elegant style.

He then said to Yun Jin, "Go to Qihuang Mountain and give this letter to Aman."

Yun Jin put the letter away, opened the window, and flew away.

The imperial decree was issued that same day, and Du Chong was arrested that night.

Hu Aman's eyes gleamed as she looked at Du Chong, who was tied up like a dead pig.

The underlings stepped forward and asked, "Third Master, you're saying this can be exchanged for 100,000 taels of silver? Is that true?"

Hu Aman squatted down next to Du Chong, "This, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, a member of the Du family, do you think we can switch him?"

The younger brother's eyes immediately gleamed with the same sharp light as Hu Aman's!

A scion of a prominent family!

The aristocratic families are the richest!

I received a letter from Qin Jinzhi today.

There are only seven characters on it.

Plans suspended, hostages taken!

She was wondering who she had tied up when she heard someone from below come to report.

The imperial court has come to suppress the bandits!

Seeing Du Chong, who was as weak as a shrimp.

Hu Aman smiled.

Qin Jinzhi is letting her make one last fortune before she leaves!

Hu Aman walked to the other side of Du Chong, where a soldier lay unconscious.

Hu Aman slapped him across the face, "Wake up."

The soldier opened his eyes slightly, then fainted again.

The henchman quickly said, "Third Master! You're too strong! You knocked him out! No, you woke him up and then knocked him out again!"

Hu Aman scratched his face, thinking, "Why are they all like weaklings?"

The younger brother switched to another soldier and splashed water on his face.

The moment the man opened his eyes, he saw Hu Aman staring at him with a fierce expression.

The scar on his eye and his fierce expression almost made the man faint.

Hu Aman lowered his voice and said, "If you dare to faint, I'll twist your head off and use it as a football!"

The soldier immediately stared intently.

Help!

Seeing this, Hu Aman laughed loudly, "Go back and tell the Du family to bring 100,000 taels of silver to ransom them by 11 PM tomorrow. If they are even a moment late, I'll cut off one of their hands!"

She turned to look at the younger brother and said, "Throw him down the mountain."

News of Du Chong's capture reached the palace.

The emperor flew into a rage.

"A mere thousand or so bandits!"

Du Chong brought three thousand Imperial Guards with him!

Not only did he fail to suppress the bandits, but he was also captured and held hostage!

He's the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards!

"What will become of the imperial dignity after this!"

Du Zhong's face turned pale. The bandits on Qihuang Mountain were so rampant!

They simply kidnapped the person and used them as hostages!

This is the capital city!

How dare they be so insolent!

Du Chong is a good-for-nothing!

He led three thousand imperial guards and was still captured alive!

This is such a great achievement, and the fact that His Majesty hasn't punished you is already an act of divine grace!

The Emperor looked at Du Zhong and said, "Hong Dequan, draft an edict to remove Du Chong from his position as Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards and summon the Prince of Zhenbei to the palace!"

Du Zhong's face was gloomy. He thought it would have been better if Du Chong had just died on Qihuang Mountain!

This way, His Majesty might be able to soften his attitude towards the Du family because of his sense of indebtedness.

But we can't just leave this person unsaved.

The next day, the Du family, accompanied by a group of guards, went to deliver the ransom.

Even with three thousand imperial guards failing to suppress the bandits, the Du family wouldn't be foolish enough to bring their own men to rescue them. It's just a matter of 100,000 taels of silver, which the Du family can afford.

Du Chong was found hanging from a large tree with his mouth gagged, still unconscious.

The servant of the Du family placed the box containing the silver notes on the ground.

"We've brought the silver notes you wanted. Release our young master now!"

The bandits surrounding the big tree took the box, checked the silver notes, and said to the tree, "Third Master, exactly one hundred thousand taels!"

It was only then that the Du family discovered Hu Aman lying on the tree trunk.

Hu Aman sat up and whistled.

Suddenly, a large number of bandits emerged from all directions and surrounded the place.

"What are you trying to do? The ransom has been brought; you can't go back on your word and break your promise!"

Hu Aman's gruff voice rang out, "You keep your word with bandits?"

The surrounding bandits mocked the Du family with blatant jeers.

"Go back and tell your master that 100,000 taels was yesterday's price. Today, I want 200,000 taels. Tomorrow at the same time, if you're late, I'll chop him up and feed him to the dogs!"