"This Emissary, could you request His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty to slightly alter the order and allow the Young Marquis to remain in Khorasan!"
Bahram also took a few steps forward and used a few words that he had just learned, mixed with the Khorasani language, to plead with the official surnamed Wen on his horse.
Bahram was not the sort to lose his composure, but everything had happened too suddenly. Wang Chong's appointment and transfer had thrown even an old official like Bahram into a panic, so much so that he had come up with the idea of negotiating with the Celestial Ambassador.
The official surnamed Wen looked down from his high vantage point, and upon hearing Bahram's words, he slightly creased his brow.
"Although I don't know what you're saying, the decree of the Imperial Court cannot be changed. The words of the sovereign cannot be taken lightly. Lord Wang, you should understand this principle!"
The first part of his words was directed at Bahram, but the second part was directed at Wang Chong, his expression harsh and harsh. It was clear that he was placing all the blame on Wang Chong.
"Enough!"
Wang Chong suddenly said.
"This is the decree of the Imperial Court, the order of the Holy Emperor. A military decree is like a mountain and cannot be changed. Great General, I know that you have good intentions, but the words of the sovereign cannot be taken lightly. The Tang Dynasty is different from the Sassanid Dynasty. Once a decree is made, it must be followed. As for Khorasan, we have already made ample preparations. With the coalition army and Lord Gao and Lord Feng presiding over the situation, even without me, it is still impregnable. Even if the Arabs attack again, there is nothing to worry about. Moreover, with fifty thousand Tang Dynasty ballistae, even if the Arabs wanted to, they wouldn't be able to break through. "
From the first day they broke through Khorasan, Wang Chong, Gao Xianzhi, and Feng Changqing had been thinking about how to establish a firm foothold in Khorasan so that even if they were not present, Khorasan would still be able to steadily develop and prevent it from falling into the hands of the Arabs. It would become the strongest fortress of the Tang Dynasty against the Arabian Empire.
After saying these words, Wang Chong turned around, parted the crowd, and headed toward the three Confucian ministers who had been appointed by the imperial edict to take over his military authority.
"Milords, Khorasan is the bridgehead of the Tang dynasty. As long as we properly utilize the strength of the coalition army and work together with the Sassanid rebel army, the Arabs are nothing to worry about! After I leave, I hope that the few of you will manage well. Do not let the merits that all the soldiers have exchanged their lives for go to waste. "
Wang Chong said in a deep voice.
"Milord …"
Behind him, Xue Qianjun looked at Wang Chong's back, his heart trembling. Wang Chong had maintained an extremely calm demeanor since the announcement of the imperial edict. All of his actions and words were in accordance with the rules and were extremely appropriate. However, Xue Qianjun, who had followed Wang Chong for so long, clearly noticed that Wang Chong's hands, hidden in his sleeves, were trembling ever so slightly.
Xue Qianjun was well aware that Wang Chong was feeling far more complicated than anyone else at this moment.
"Lord Wang, there's no need for you to worry about these things. We know what to do!"
The three of them looked down from their horses, their expressions devoid of emotion.
"Bastard!"
The surrounding officers clenched their fists, their minds seething with hatred.
Wang Chong was the Young Marquis that the Holy Emperor had personally conferred upon him, Qixi Protector-General. Even though he had been removed, he was still the new King of Foreign Lands, a true King of the Tang dynasty with a different surname. His status was above all the other nobles.
But these three people, including the official surnamed Wen, spoke to Wang Chong without the slightest respect, infuriating all the officers present.
"Lord Wang, please! The decree of the Imperial Court cannot be defied. Lord Wang, please hand over the jade seal as soon as possible and come with us! "
At this moment, several horsemen emerged from the crowd and galloped toward Wang Chong. The officials from the Bureau of Rites looked at Wang Chong and gestured for him to follow.
"Impudent!"
"Do you think that Marquis is a criminal? You dare to treat Marquis like this! "
With a harsh shout and the clanging of sabers, Li Siye and the others behind Wang Chong angrily glared at the officials from the Bureau of Rites. Everyone in the capital of the Tang dynasty knew that the officials from the Bureau of Rites were King Qi's men. The fact that the officials from the Bureau of Rites had accompanied Wang Chong to reward him clearly showed that they had ill intentions.
The red-robed officials from the Bureau of Rites paled at the sight of Li Siye and the others drawing their sabers.
"Marquis, we are only following orders. We hope that Marquis can understand our difficulties and not make things difficult for us."
Wang Chong said nothing, only coldly glared at the trio. Wang Chong had no idea what The King of Song had said to these officials from the Bureau of Rites, nor did he know why they were in such a rush to have him leave, but there was no doubt that they had ill intentions.
"Whether or not to leave and when to leave, I have my own plans."
Wang Chong stared at the officials from the Bureau of Rites and suddenly said.
"But, Marquis …"
The officials from the Bureau of Rites tried to argue.
"Let me ask you, did the imperial decree say that I should leave right now? Or is this a decree from His Divine Majesty? "
Wang Chong stared at them, his eyes intimidating.
The officials from the Bureau of Rites instantly grimaced at Wang Chong's words.
The imperial decree had naturally not specified a time to leave, and the Holy Emperor would never issue a decree for such a minor matter. Falsifying an imperial decree was no trifling matter. Not even someone as bold as the heavens would dare to do such a thing. Wang Chong ignored them, turning around and walking toward Gao Xianzhi and Bahram.
"Lord Gao, it seems like I must leave. I can only leave the matter of Khorasan to you."
"Understood. Be at ease. I will do my best to protect this place."
Gao Xianzhi gloomily said to Wang Chong. But while no one was paying attention, a tiny voice rang out in Wang Chong's ear.
"Wang Chong, something that we don't know about must have happened in the Imperial Court, or else it would have never been like this. You will have to investigate this matter on your own. In addition, if something happens and you need my help, please inform me. "
Wang Chong froze, a hint of shock in his eyes, and then he nodded.
"Many thanks, Milord."
Gao Xianzhi gazed at Wang Chong's determined and calm face and inwardly sighed. A trifling Advisor-in-Waiting was of little importance in the Imperial Court, and there was no precedent for this title of 'King of Foreign Lands'. This was clearly an empty title. He truly had no idea what sort of major change had happened in the Imperial Court for Wang Chong to be given this sort of apparent promotion while secretly demotion, dismantling his military authority.
If it was any other person, they would have long lost their composure out of anger. But Wang Chong had managed to restrain himself, maintaining his composure. This was not something a normal person could do.
Wang Chong had no idea what Gao Xianzhi was thinking, and he turned to Bahram. This mobilization had been far too sudden. Not only him, but even his father and big brother's soldiers had been mobilized. The ones who needed to be appeased the most were Bahram and the other rebel soldiers.
"Great General, this is an order from the Holy Emperor, and I cannot defy it. But please believe me. Since the empire has garrisoned troops here, it will definitely defend this place to the death. Also, I'm only leaving temporarily, it's not like I'm never coming back. Once I'm done with the matters at hand, I will naturally return to Khorasan. "
Wang Chong sincerely said.
"Milord, there's no need to explain."
Bahram gave a long sigh.
"I can completely understand, and this is not something Milord can resolve. I only wish to make one point clear: no matter the time or situation, Milord will always be a friend and ally of our Sassanid Empire. Although Milord is not present, as long as Milord's successor remains loyal to the alliance with our Sassanid Dynasty, the Sassanid Dynasty will remain loyal to the Tang Dynasty! We will become the staunchest ally of the Tang Dynasty in the west! "
"Thank you!"
Wang Chong nodded. He had been waiting for these words. With these words, it didn't matter if he remained in Khorasan or not.
"Lord Wang, is this enough?"
The leading official surnamed Wen held the reins of his horse with both hands. He had been staring at Wang Chong this entire time, watching as he exchanged orders with Gao Xianzhi and Bahram. Only when it was about time did he finally speak.
"Chong-er, the decree of the sovereign cannot be defied. After all, this is an order from the Imperial Court."
A mellow voice came from behind him. Wang Chong's father, Wang Yan, walked over and lightly patted Wang Chong's back in consolation.
"We've already won the war. That's the most important thing."
Wang Chong's big brother, Wang Fu, also walked over.
Wang Yan and Wang Fu both felt extremely gratified as they gazed at Wang Chong's youthful figure. The Wang Clan was a clan of ministers and generals, and for generations it had been their duty to serve the country with absolute loyalty. As a scion of the Wang Clan, Wang Chong had perfectly fulfilled this duty. As for the rest, it was no longer important.
"Father, your child understands!"
Wang Chong nodded. He took out the seal representing the authority of the Qixi Protector-General and handed it to the three middle-aged Confucian experts.
This small jade seal attracted the attention of countless people. All of them knew that this seal not only represented the authority of the Qixi Protector-General, but also the position of the leader of the coalition army. The seal in Wang Chong's hand possessed supreme authority and status.
"Lord Wang, there is no need to worry. We will properly manage it!"
The leading Confucian expert extended a hand and took the jade seal from Wang Chong's hand.
"Lord Wang, it's already daybreak. It's about time to move out. Please come with us!"
An official from the Bureau of Rites stepped forward and spoke.
As they spoke, they gestured to the back. Clop clop clop clop, a cloud of dust rose, and before everyone's eyes, a group of twenty Chamberlains of Insignia dressed in golden armor surrounded Wang Chong and the officials from the Bureau of Rites.
The Golden Guards.
These were the most revered guards of the Imperial Palace. As the protectors of the Son of Heaven, they represented the Son of Heaven of the Tang dynasty. These officials from the Bureau of Rites had brought the Golden Guards with them to Khorasan, clearly indicating that they had made ample preparations.
Clangclang!
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