The King of Song was a member of the imperial family and possessed enormous influence in the capital, and behind Yang Zhao stood Consort Tai Zhen. With Consort Tai Zhen's influence and favor in the palace, it was far too easy for her to investigate a eunuch. Even though Bian Lingcheng was a General of the Palace Gates appointed by the Holy Emperor, he was still insignificant in front of the Empress Consort Tai Zhen.
Wang Chong was confident that, whether in the court or on the border, someone as greedy as Bian Lingcheng would definitely leave behind many clues.
Yang Hongchang's news came much faster than he had imagined. Three days later, Wang Chong obtained the information he wanted.
Ten days later, Wang Chong also received news from The King of Song and Yang Zhao. The King of Song did not ask a single question and delivered a detailed pile of information to Wang Chong. As Yang Zhao delivered the information, he also asked a few questions out of curiosity. As for why Wang Chong would investigate a eunuch, Yang Zhao was rather curious. But even so, the information he provided was more detailed than anyone else.
… …
"Milord, spare me! Milord, spare me!"
When Wang Chong slammed the pile of information in front of Bian Lingcheng, the third most treacherous eunuch in the history of the Tang Dynasty immediately turned ashen and kneeled on the ground, banging his head on the ground.
According to the rules of the Imperial Court, he should have left Khorasan long ago after announcing the imperial decree. But because of his greed, Bian Lingcheng had been unable to obtain the eighty million taels of gold he wanted, so he had delayed his departure by ten-some days. He had originally believed that when he received the news, Gao Xianzhi had figured something out. He had never imagined that this would be the result.
Looking at the pile of documents on the ground, Bian Lingcheng was terrified. He was on the verge of breaking down. Cold sweat immediately dripped from his forehead like rainwater. The information on it was all about his corruption and bribery, as well as his buying and selling of official positions. Some of the information was even clearer than Bian Lingcheng himself. It was only when he saw the information that he was jolted awake and began to memorize it.
"Bian Lingcheng, you're a trifling eunuch, but you're relying on the token His Majesty gave you to commit crimes in the army, wantonly amassing wealth, and even daring to threaten an important official of the empire like the Anxi Protector-General. Do you know that this alone is enough to cut you into a thousand pieces?! His death is not to be regretted! "
Wang Chong looked down from above with his hands behind his back. He looked coldly at Bian Lingcheng, who was kneeling in front of him.
"Spare my life, Lord! Spare my life!"
Bian Lingcheng was sweating profusely. He banged his head against the ground so hard that he didn't even realize that his forehead was bleeding. At this moment, he felt a terrible fear. The evidence that Wang Chong had gathered was far too complete. Bian Lingcheng couldn't even find the words to refute or defend himself.
Given Wang Chong's status, if he handed over this information, he would be doomed.
"Hmph, on account of the fact that you once secretly assisted Lord Gao, I'll spare your dog life for now. If I find out that you're still using that matter to threaten Lord Gao, still extorting and extorting, buying and selling official positions, the only thing left for you is death. Given my abilities, you should know that no matter where you run, I will know where you are. "
Wang Chong coldly said.
"This lowly one understands, this lowly one understands! Milord, be at ease. Even if this lowly one had a hundred thousand guts, this lowly one would never dare to threaten Lord Gao. "
Bian Lingcheng's face was covered in fear and cold sweat.
"Very good. Take these things!"
Wang Chong pointed at a wooden box at the side. Bian Lingcheng raised his head in shock.
"This lowly one wouldn't dare, this lowly one wouldn't dare!"
How could Bian Lingcheng dare to take Wang Chong's things at this time?
"If I tell you to take them, then take them!"
Wang Chong coldly said, a faint chill in his eyes.
Bian Lingcheng's heart trembled. How could he dare to say anything else? He walked to the side, lowered his head, and took the wooden box from the table.
"Aren't you going to open it and take a look?"
Wang Chong indifferently said, staring at Bian Lingcheng.
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Bian Lingcheng opened the wooden box with a clap. When he saw what was inside, he was struck dumb.
"This …"
The wooden box contained nothing but a thick stack of gold yuan certificates. Each gold yuan certificate had an extremely large denomination. A rough estimate was that there were at least five or six million taels of gold yuan certificates inside.
Bian Lingcheng raised his head and looked at Wang Chong, dumbfounded.
"This is six million taels of gold. Take it. I saw that you once helped Lord Gao and performed a meritorious service for the country. This money will be enough for you to eat for a very long time. If you dare to stretch out your hand and ask for more, you will definitely be beheaded. "
Wang Chong coldly said.
Bian Lingcheng broke out in a cold sweat. What else would he dare to say?
"Many thanks, Milord!"
"Go!"
Wang Chong waved his hand.
Bian Lingcheng had believed that he would die, but not only had he not died, he had even obtained such a great benefit. He instantly felt like he had escaped from death and did not dare to linger. But after taking a few steps, Bian Lingcheng hesitated for a moment and suddenly stopped.
"What, is there something else?"
Wang Chong coldly said.
"This lowly one would not dare!"
Bian Lingcheng trembled, fear in his eyes.
"But this lowly one has remembered something else that I do not know if I should say. It has to do with Marquis."
Bian Lingcheng emphasized the last sentence.
"Speak!"
Wang Chong waved his hand, unconcerned.
"When this lowly one was in the capital, I heard a few things. Although Marquis has rendered great service in the Western Regions, and the entire Imperial Court is discussing how to reward Marquis, the Confucians have some complaints about Marquis. "
Bian Lingcheng said.
"Oh?"
Wang Chong's eyebrows rose, but he quickly relaxed. In the Battle of Talas, the civil officials and generals had fought fiercely, and the Confucian civil officials, led by the Grand Preceptor, had fiercely opposed the war. Moreover, for Wang Chong's sake, his grandfather had even personally stepped forward to clash with the Grand Preceptor in the court. Now that the Imperial Court was going to wantonly reward the Wang Clan, it was normal for the Confucians to object.
"I understand. You were kind enough to tell me about this matter. You may leave!"
Wang Chong waved his hand.
Whether or not the information provided by a treacherous official like Bian Lingcheng was useful, the fact that he was willing to tell him about this matter showed that he had not spent six million taels of gold in vain.
"Yes!"
Bian Lingcheng bowed and quickly withdrew, leaving only Wang Chong in the hall.
"Lord Protector-General, why did you still give him six million taels of gold when you clearly had something to use against him?"
A voice suddenly rang out from behind, followed by a series of footsteps. Feng Changqing and Go Seonji walked out from behind a curtain at the back of the hall. The two of them looked in the direction that Bian Lingcheng had left in, their eyes flashing with light.
The two of them had clearly seen the entire conversation between Wang Chong and Bian Lingcheng, and they had originally believed that given Wang Chong's personality, Bian Lingcheng was doomed. They hadn't expected that Wang Chong would not only overturn Bian Lingcheng, but also give him a sum of money. This was completely different from the impression they had of Wang Chong.
"Treacherous officials have their uses. Although Bian Lingcheng is greedy beyond measure, there's no need to doubt his abilities. As long as we can intimidate his ambitions, we can make use of him. Who knows when he might be of use? Besides, I have a plan that requires his use."
Wang Chong indifferently said.
No matter how greedy Bian Lingcheng was, he had still created Gao Xianzhi. If not for him, the empire would have lost an Anxi War God. From this point of view, Bian Lingcheng was still somewhat useful. At the very least, he had been able to recognize Gao Xianzhi among so many people, and even resist the threat of Fomonlința to recommend him to the Holy Emperor.
This was also one of the reasons Wang Chong had spared his life.
Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing were silent. Wang Chong had not said what the plan was, and Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing had tacitly agreed not to ask.
Time passed in the blink of an eye, and Bian Lingcheng left with the six million taels of gold yuan certificates. All of Khorasan returned to normal, and Feng Changqing and Wang Chong's plans were carried out in an orderly manner. In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.
"Reporting!"
In the early morning, a heaven-shaking roar came from outside Khorasan. In the distance, a cloud of dust could be seen as a horseman rode over a bridge over the Tigris River and into Khorasan.
"Reporting to Milord! An Arab army has been discovered thirty li from the city. There are more than five hundred thousand of them, and they are currently approaching Khorasan! "
The messenger entered the hall and immediately kneeled on the ground, panting.
"What? The Arabs are coming again!"
When they heard the news, the Rebel Army leaders in the great hall all stood up, all of them extremely excited.
From the Battle of Talas to the Battle of Khorasan, the Arabian Empire had lost more than one million soldiers. No one had expected that once the ice and snow had melted, the Arabs would return so quickly.
"Milord, I will immediately gather the men. Let's give them another vicious lesson!"
"Milord, I request to attack and deal with the Arabs!"
The rebel leaders turned to Wang Chong, the leader of the coalition army, who was seated on the throne.
"There's no need!"
Wang Chong faintly smiled and slightly waved his hand under the flabbergasted gazes of the crowd.
"It's just a few hundred thousand Arab soldiers. I've already taken care of everything! Bahram, is it ready? "
"Milord, everything has been prepared. All soldiers can enter combat readiness at any time to annihilate the invading enemy!"
A deep voice resounded through the hall. Bahram stood nearby like a statue of a god, his body exuding a powerful aura.
"Very good! Then let's begin! "
Wang Chong's eyes flashed with an intimidating light as he placed his hands on the armrests of his throne and slowly stood up. At that moment, the earth quaked and the mountains swayed as a majestic energy erupted from his body.
War could break out at any moment.
… …
All was quiet outside Khorasan, the only sounds being the gurgling of the Tigris River and the whispering of the wind. After some time, rumbling could be heard in the distance. It was barely noticeable at the start, but it only took a few moments for it to reach an astonishing level.
"Look over there!"
A voice suddenly came from the walls of Talas, shattering the silence. A moment later, a black tide surged toward the city from the horizon.
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