When Wang Chong had learned of this matter, he had been extremely conflicted. In the history of the empire, Gao Xianzhi had made many mistakes, but he was loyal to the Tang Dynasty. No matter what, such a Great General should not have died at the hands of such a lowly person.
Moreover, Wang Chong only needed a glance to understand what was going on.
Not long ago, Wang Chong and Gao Xianzhi had worked together to obtain 1.2 billion taels of gold from the Caliph of Arabia. Together with the seven hundred million taels of gold that they had obtained from the Arabian Empire after their victory at Khorasan, the Tang Dynasty army now possessed an astronomical amount of wealth.
Someone of Bian Lingcheng's personality would assuredly be like a shark that had smelled blood. He had volunteered to take on a mission and run all the way to Khorasan.
"Young Marquis!"
As Wang Chong was thinking, Bian Lingcheng was all smiles as he walked up to greet Wang Chong. There was none of that arrogant attitude from before. If Wang Chong hadn't heard it before, he would have believed them to be two completely different people.
Slap!
Just as Bian Lingcheng was grinning from ear to ear, a slap suddenly landed on his face without warning. Wang Chong's slap had left Bian Lingcheng dumbfounded, and Gao Xianzhi, Feng Changqing, and the others in the hall were even more shocked. Bian Lingcheng was truly a eunuch, but he was one of the favored people of the Holy Emperor, and he also had the authority of a supervising envoy.
This was a power that the Holy Emperor had bestowed upon him so that he could oversee the world and understand the situation on the border. Gao Xianzhi had been restrained by Bian Lingcheng and treated him with such respect. Part of the reason was that Bian Lingcheng had been able to blackmail him, but the main reason was also because of this.
Bian Lingcheng was no ordinary eunuch.
"You, you hit me!"
Bian Lingcheng clutched his swollen face, his entire body stupefied as he stared at Wang Chong. Even Gao Xianzhi had to be polite to him and had never dared to treat him like this.
"Hehe, I heard a fly buzzing outside just now. I'm just swatting a fly for my lord. Is there a problem?"
Wang Chong smiled and pinched Bian Lingcheng's cheek.
Gao Xianzhi was a Hu and had no foundation in the capital, so he had always been patient and accommodating. But Wang Chong was different. He came from a clan of ministers and generals, had a solid foundation, and was also Qixi Protector-General, protected by the King of Song and Duke Jiu. At the same time, he was the Young Marquis personally appointed by the Holy Emperor, a true disciple of the Son of Heaven.
To be honest, Wang Chong wasn't really afraid of Bian Lingcheng.
The power in Bian Lingcheng's hands was completely useless in front of Wang Chong.
Bian Lingcheng's face alternated between green and red. No matter how slow he was, he could tell that Wang Chong was indirectly cursing the locust tree. It was obvious that Wang Chong had heard what he had said to Gao Xianzhi in the room.
Bian Lingcheng might have been arrogant and bossy in front of an important figure like Gao Xianzhi, but in front of the Young Marquis like Wang Chong, he couldn't muster up any of his authority.
"Hahaha, well beaten, well beaten!"
To everyone's surprise, just when everyone was worried that Bian Lingcheng would fly into a rage, a burst of laughter resounded through the air. Not only did Bian Lingcheng not get angry, he even bowed to Wang Chong.
"Now that you mention it, this one must thank the Young Marquis!"
Bian Lingcheng waved his sleeve, his expression relaxed and carefree. It was like he had not been the one who had been slapped just now, but someone else.
Even though Wang Chong knew that this was a treacherous eunuch who hid a dagger in his smile and had a benevolent face but a venomous heart, he couldn't help but feel some respect for him. With this sort of personality and methods, it was no wonder he had the ability to oppose Fomonlința and force the Anxi Protector-General Fomonlința to Qixi for ten-some years.
"Wang Chong …"
Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing felt even more uneasy at this sight. They had worked with Bian Lingcheng for ten-some years and were extremely familiar with him. The more respectful and submissive he was, the more difficult it was to deal with him.
"Marquis, this is Bian Lingcheng, Eunuch Bian! He is a favorite of His Majesty and holds the token of the Saint Emperor in his hands. His Majesty has personally appointed him as the General of the Palace Gates. At the same time, he is also the Chief Steward of the Palace Gates. Even Eunuch Gao favors him greatly.
Cheng Qianli couldn't help but interject.
A general's blood was always hot, and they were straightforward and reckless. Even if they crashed into a mountain, they wouldn't turn back. But one also had to see who their opponent was.
No one knew why Wang Chong was so hostile to Bian Lingcheng in their first meeting. Bian Lingcheng was no ordinary eunuch, and the fact that he had been conferred the title of Gate Supervisor by the Holy Emperor was enough to show how favored he was.
It was extremely rare for a eunuch to be conferred the title of general, and it was not without reason that the entire Anxi Protectorate army treated Bian Lingcheng with such respect.
Whether it was Gao Xianzhi, Feng Changqing, or Cheng Qianli, they were all worried that Wang Chong would offend such a great eunuch in his muddle-headedness.
But before Cheng Qianli could finish speaking, Wang Chong waved his hand and gave him a reassuring look.
It was one thing for Bian Lingcheng to be so arrogant in front of the Anxi Protectorate army, but if he still had such thoughts in front of Wang Chong, he would truly be seeking death.
"Haha, Lord Director has worked hard and performed many meritorious deeds, taking great care of the Anxi Protectorate army. Once I return to the capital and see Eunuch Gao, I will definitely give a good account of Lord Director's achievements to Lord Gao."
Wang Chong faintly smiled at Bian Lingcheng.
Whoosh!
Bian Lingcheng instantly paled at Wang Chong's words. The words' Eunuch Gao 'seemed to possess some sort of magical power. Although the generals in the outside world rarely interacted with him, and many had never even heard of him, in the Imperial Palace, especially among the eunuchs, this name had an extraordinary intimidating effect. This was because this was the true Minister of the Imperial Palace, the head of all the eunuchs.
Even someone like Bian Lingcheng would feel deep apprehension upon hearing this name.
Wang Chong was the Young Marquis personally appointed by the Holy Emperor, a true disciple of the Son of Heaven. But Bian Lingcheng had not expected him to be so capable. From what he said, it seemed like he could meet with First Minister of the Imperial Palace, Eunuch Gao, at any time.
More importantly, Gao Lishi was his direct superior.
"Milord, this lowly one did not mean that. Milord and Lord Gao have worked hard and performed great deeds for the empire. How could this lowly one dare to disrespect you!"
Bian Lingcheng's face was ashen, his head drooping even lower. He no longer dared to show any arrogance or disrespect.
"Lord Bian, didn't you bring an imperial edict? Hurry and announce it!"
Wang Chong stared at the imperial edict on Bian Lingcheng's back. A eunuch like Bian Lingcheng was assuredly a treacherous official, but just like Li Jingzhong at Fifth Prince Li Heng's side, after intimidating them, Wang Chong did not intend to immediately kill them. Whether it was Li Jingzhong, the future treacherous minister, or Bian Lingcheng, the Inspector-General, as long as they were used well, they could have positive effects. The only thing that needed to be done was to eliminate them before they could wreak havoc.
One's appearance came from one's heart, and one's heart was filled with gold. No one was set in stone, and it depended on how one used it. Thus, Feng Deyi was a treacherous official of the Sui Dynasty who deceived his superiors and subordinates, but after the Sui destroyed the Tang and established the Tang, he had become an illustrious and meritorious minister in the hands of the current Emperor Taizong.
"The Young Marquis speaks the truth. How could this one forget such an important matter?"
Bian Lingcheng's face was slightly pale as he glanced in Wang Chong's direction, a fearful expression on his face. This time, he was truly a little afraid.
Nearby, Gao Xianzhi, Feng Changqing, Cheng Qianli, and the other Anxi generals finally breathed a long sigh of relief at this sight. They had long ago noticed the imperial edict on Bian Lingcheng's back, but Bian Lingcheng had used it as a threat and refused to speak of the imperial edict, leaving Gao Xianzhi and the others helpless.
In addition, although Bian Lingcheng was greedy and loved money, he was still a benefactor to the Anxi Protectorate army. Moreover, Bian Lingcheng had a special status. Since ancient times, how many eunuchs had been conferred the title of Inspector-General by the Emperor? They were truly afraid that Wang Chong would not let this matter rest and shed all pretense of cordiality with Bian Lingcheng.
"Lord Bian, let me help you."
On the side, Feng Changqing saw the opportunity and shot forward, his hands reaching out to help Bian Lingcheng remove the imperial edict from his back. Such a small action immediately eased the atmosphere in the hall by a lot. Bian Lingcheng chuckled, instantly feeling much more natural.
"Everyone, heed my command!"
Bian Lingcheng didn't dare to look at Wang Chong as he unfurled the golden imperial edict in his hand. The five-clawed golden dragon on the imperial edict was faintly discernible, exuding a dignified and divine aura.
Upon seeing this imperial edict, Gao Xianzhi, Feng Changqing, Cheng Qianli, and the other Anxi generals bowed.
"By the will of the heavens, the Emperor decrees that Anxi Protector-General Gao Xianzhi has persisted at Talas for several months, defeated more than four hundred thousand Arab soldiers, killed Aybak, Huoshu Huizang, and Dalun Ruozan, and commanded the army to break into Khorasan, achieving great feats for the Tang Dynasty. Gao Xianzhi is specially promoted to Left Great General of the Golden Army and made the Duke of Qi. He will enjoy an annual salary of six thousand dan, be bestowed with the Amethyst Dragon Armor, five thousand bushels of pearls, countless agate ornaments, and be given a duke's residence. Announce this to the world for all to admire and revere, so as to inspire the people of my Tang Dynasty!
"Cheng Qianli is appointed Deputy Minister of the Imperial Censor with an annual salary of four thousand dan, a golden scale armor, and ten thousand taels of gold. Feng Changqing is appointed Minister of the Left Guanglu with an annual salary of four thousand dan and ten thousand bushels of pearls! End of Imperial Decree! "
Bian Lingcheng's expression was solemn, his somewhat shrill voice echoing through the hall.
As soon as he finished speaking, all the Anxi generals in the reception hall began to grow excited.
"Duke of Qi! His Divine Majesty has bestowed the title of Duke of Qi upon Lord Protector-General! "
"And Left Great General of the Golden Army! This is a glory that has never happened before! "
In a flash, everyone in the hall was in an uproar. Duke! What sort of honor was this! Before the Battle of Talas, Gao Xianzhi had been made the Prefectural Duke of Miyun.
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