"Old Ancestor, wait a moment! Your body cannot compare to before. Let us support you!"
The old man had barely begun to move when the two youths behind him rushed forward, their faces beaded with sweat. They wanted to support the old man, but they were flung aside.
"Hahaha, so what if my body is not good? Today, the hero of my Tang Dynasty is returning in triumph. Even if this old man has to cripple his legs, I will stand here and wait for his return!"
The old man heartily laughed, his beard trembling as he laughed like a child.
At the sight of this figure, Wang Chong's heart warmed, the thick ice in his heart melting. He immediately strode forward to welcome the old man.
"Old Senior Duan, your words are too flattering for this junior. Let me support you."
Wang Chong shot forward to support the old man. The only person who could command such respect from Wang Chong was the staunch and incorruptible Imperial Censor Duan Cao, who could not tolerate even a grain of sand in his eyes.
In the war of the southwest, Wang Chong had returned victorious. Because Wang Chong was not a member of the army, many people had used this point to attack Wang Chong, with Duan Qian of the Duan Clan leading the charge. But at this time, no one had expected the old Imperial Censor Duan Cao to personally appear and place righteousness before family, slapping Duan Qian and paving the way for Wang Chong to finally be made the Young Marquis.
Right was right, wrong was wrong. Even if a member of his own family had done something wrong, the old Imperial Censor would not show the slightest mercy. This was also why Wang Chong deeply respected and admired him.
On his return to the capital, Wang Chong had not expected the old Imperial Censor Duan Cao to personally welcome him at the city gate.
"Hahaha, kid, Wang Chong, you're favoring one and discriminating against the other. I'm not any younger than Old Man Duan. Come, help me up. "
At this moment, another old voice came from behind. Wang Chong turned his head and saw another white-bearded old man striding over from behind.
"Senior Deng!"
Wang Chong laughed bitterly. He took a step forward and held Duan Cao and the old censor Deng Chang at the same time.
Deng Chang's age was not lower than Duan Cao's. Both of them were old, and they were both old ministers of the previous dynasty. They were upright and outspoken, and they had great prestige in the court. Moreover, they had also supported Wang Chong.
Wang Chong respected both of them very much.
"You two old men, you're not young anymore, yet you're still torturing the younger generation like this. This child risked his life on this western expedition and almost died outside. Do you still have the heart to torment him like this?"
While Wang Chong was feeling rather embarrassed by the two old censors, Imperial Censor Lu Ji looked at the two and shook his head.
A few moments later, three of the illustrious imperial censors of the Tang Dynasty had gathered together. Seeing the old censor Lu Ji appear, the two old censors, Duan Cao and Deng Chang, put away their smiles and became much more serious.
"Wang Chong, we old men were just teasing you just now. In the Battle of Talas, you did not tarnish the spirit and prestige of my Tang Dynasty. No matter what other people think of you, I, Old Duan Cao, will remember you! For my Tang Dynasty to have a child like you is the proudest thing for us old men. This old man has already said that you, Wang Chong, will be the eternal example of my Duan Clan. If there is any unfilial descendant who is incited by a rascal to make an enemy of you, I, Duan Cao, will expel him! "
Imperial Censor Duan Cao finally put away his smile and sternly said. Although he was saying these words in front of Wang Chong and to Wang Chong, he was fiercely glaring at the group of people behind him.
"Correct!"
At almost the same time, Imperial Censor Deng Chang vigorously nodded his head.
"Merit must be rewarded and mistakes must be punished. The Tang Dynasty will never forget those who have rendered meritorious service to the country. No matter what other people think of you, I, Deng Chang, will always support you, just like Old Man Duan. Young man, never be discouraged! "
As the old censor spoke, he patted Wang Chong on the shoulder.
"Haha, count me in as well!"
The old censor, Lu Ji, stroked his beard and said with a smile.
Wang Chong looked at the three white-haired men, his heart bursting with emotion. At this moment, he suddenly understood why they had appeared here.
"Three Seniors, thank you!"
Wang Chong said sincerely.
"Wang Chong does not feel that he has made any meritorious service, but Wang Chong will always remember what the three Seniors have said today. No matter what, I will never be discouraged, nor will I give up hope."
"Haha, good! It's enough for you to say these words today! It was not in vain for us three old men to embarrass ourselves by flaunting our seniority here at the city gates! "
In front of the many civil and military officials, the three old censors stroked their beards, their expressions filled with gratification.
Before the Holy Emperor, when the late Emperor was still around, the three old censors represented the noblest qualities in the world: integrity, fearlessness, and justice! In that turbulent era, the three old men straightened their backs and used their bodies to prop up the sky of the Tang Dynasty and the spirit of the people of the Tang Dynasty. Even today, they still influenced generations of people.
With their harsh gazes, there was almost no one in the world that could satisfy them. There was no one in the past, no one in the past, and now … there was only one person, Wang Chong!
It was precisely because of this that the three of them could not tolerate anyone harming Wang Chong.
The three of them had put on an act in front of so many people, all for the sake of protecting Wang Chong.
Hearing the words of the three old censors, many people's faces turned extremely ugly.
"Three Old Censors, although I do not object to you forcefully occupying the Young Marquis, look behind us. Today is a rare day for the Young Marquis to return. Almost all the high officials and nobles of the capital have come to welcome him. You don't want them to be unable to even deliver the gifts in their hands, do you?"
At this moment, a clear voice came from the rear, attracting everyone's attention.
Wang Chong turned in the direction of the voice and saw a refined and scholarly elder dressed in an azure robe. He had a brush in one hand and a piece of paper in the other. As he walked toward the group, he began to rapidly write something with his brush.
This elder did not appear to be older than Duan Cao, Deng Chang, or Lu Ji, but he was at least seventy years old. Wang Chong did not believe that he had seen him before, but from his clothes, demeanor, and the brush in his hand, Wang Chong quickly thought of someone.
"Grand Scribe Yan Wenzhang!"
The Yan clan had been in charge of writing the history books for every dynasty, and no matter how the dynasty changed, this position was always hereditary. The Yan clan rarely produced any high-ranking officials, but there were very few people more qualified than them for the position of Grand Scribe and the writing of history books. This was why every dynasty would swiftly seek out the Yan clan and have them take charge of the work of Grand Scribe.
"Brat Yan, even if I take him for myself today, what can you do about it?"
The dignified Grand Scribe Yan Wenzhang, who wielded an iron brush and a red calligraphy brush, was feared by all the civil and military officials in the imperial court. A scholar did not need to use a sword to kill, but to Duan Cao, Deng Chang, and Lu Ji, he was merely a 'Yan brat'. Even so, the three of them still moved to the side.
Their mission had been accomplished, so there was no need to stop the others.
"Young Marquis!"
Yan Wenzhang walked out from the rear, his eyes flashing as he stared at Wang Chong.
"Although this old man has always opposed war, you truly have made a great contribution this time. Be at ease. I will definitely record your achievements in the annals of history and have them be passed down for generations to come!"
Cries of surprise came from the crowd at Yan Wenzhang's words. To receive such praise from the Grand Scribe and have it recorded in the annals of history was something that countless officials and generals dreamed of. Yan Wenzhang's words alone were enough for Wang Chong to be proud. All the sacrifices he had made on the western expedition had not been in vain.
"Sir Yan, there is one thing that you might be mistaken about!"
Wang Chong looked at Yan Wenzhang and suddenly said something that no one had expected.
"Wang Chong's expedition to Talas, his battle with the Arabs, his assault on Khorasan, and his threat to the Arab capital of Baghdad was never for the sake of leaving his name in the annals of history, nor was it for the glory of his alchemy."
"Buzz!"
Grand Scribe Yan Wenzhang was dumbfounded by Wang Chong's words, and the crowd fell deathly still. Even Duan Cao, Deng Chang, and Lu Ji were dumbfounded. The dense crowd of officials, generals, and nobles in front of the carriage were also silent, none of them able to speak.
No matter how powerful a general was, he was no match for a civil official's pen or a civil official's mouth. Generals went on expeditions to the borders and risked their lives for the sake of fame, wealth, and service to the country. What they hoped for the most was to leave their name in the annals of alchemy and be respected by their descendants. This had already surpassed any merit.
This was the reason why the Grand Scribe had such a special status and was so respected by all the officials. But for Wang Chong to say that he didn't care at all in front of all these officials left them dumbfounded.
"Young Marquis, forgive this old man for speaking out of turn, but what is the Young Marquis's goal?"
Yan Wenzhang sternly said, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
"To do my utmost and to have a clear conscience!"
Wang Chong indifferently said, only saying a few words.
Grand Scribe Yan Wenzhang was stunned, his brow slightly creasing as a pensive look appeared in his eyes. Wang Chong's simple words instantly plunged the crowd into silence, and even Deng Chang seemed to be thinking.
Wang Chong said nothing. Only he knew his own ambitions. Whether it was leaving his name in the annals of history or becoming a high official, he had never sought these things. He was keenly aware of the dangers this world was facing. After living two lives, Wang Chong had only done his utmost and never gave up.
This was the case in both the Nanzhao War and the Battle of Talas.
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