Far too many changes had taken place in the Imperial Court, and all the soldiers in the military were under extreme pressure. As for Wang Chong, he was the new Young Marquis and had won several battles to the west of the Cong Mountains, making him their number one target. The military was on the decline, and as the disciple favored by the Holy Emperor, Wang Chong had even been stripped of his military authority.
The Confucians had actually come at a time like this to add insult to injury, to suppress and humiliate him. This was something that none of the commanders in the military could tolerate.
Under the watchful eyes of so many people, Zhou Taiqin and Zheng Chengli couldn't help but blush and stare blankly, unable to say a word.
"Lord Zhou, Lord Zheng, the Young Marquis has traveled a long way. Let him rest!"
In this awkward atmosphere, an elderly voice rang out. Grand Scribe Yan Wenzhang had suddenly spoken.
After all, they were both officials and civil officials. Yan Wenzhang finally couldn't help but step forward and give them a way out of this embarrassing situation by rebuking Wang Chong.
"Young Marquis, this old man is old and cannot compare to youths like you. Since I have met with the Young Marquis, this old man will go and rest. Many of the Young Marquis's thoughts are truly rather interesting. In the future, this old man will personally pay a visit."
"Farewell, Lord Yan."
Wang Chong did not mind and immediately bowed.
On the other side, Zhou Taiqin and Zheng Chengli breathed long sighs of relief. Wang Chong's return from Khorasan had caused a stir in the capital, and Zhou Taiqin and Zheng Chengli had taken it upon themselves to go with the others to see Wang Chong. At the same time, they wanted to kill some of Wang Chong's prestige and break his spirit, but they hadn't expected …
Grand Scribe Yan Wenzhang quickly left, and Zhou Taiqin and Zheng Chengli followed him.
With the three gone, the city gate returned to normal. Those who had come were guests, and the majority of those who had appeared at the city gate had come with good intentions. Wang Chong did not refuse, handing them over to Zhang Que and recording their names so that he could return them in the future.
"Lord Wang!"
As Zhang Que was recording down the names, a young minor official appeared in front of Wang Chong and gave him a deep bow, appearing to be extremely courteous and respectful.
"May I ask which family it is? I want to record it down. "
Zhang Que said. But the young official pretended not to hear. He stared at Wang Chong, ignoring Zhang Que. He slowly raised his head, a strange smile on his face.
"I was entrusted by someone to ask you a question. Sir, how does it feel to kill over ten thousand people? "
Boom!
Hearing this, Wang Chong's pupils constricted. His expression changed abruptly as he stared at the young official in front of him.
Almost at the same time, the bustling crowd fell into a dead silence. "Hiss!" Countless people who heard this gasped as they looked at the two people in the field.
Zhang Que had been preparing to register this minor official, but when he heard these words, he flew into a rage, his gaze icy.
"You're seeking death!"
Zhang Que was infuriated, and without even thinking, he sent a palm strike at the minor official.
In the minds of Zhang Que and all the other Anxi and Qixi officers, Wang Chong was a true god. He had led the Tang Dynasty to one glorious victory after another, and Zhang Que and the others would not allow anyone to insult Wang Chong.
Anyone who dared to do so, even if they had to put their lives on the line, would pay the price.
Pa, a loud and clear slap resounded at the city gate. Half of the young minor official's face immediately swelled up.
"Old imperial censor!"
Seeing the person who slapped him, the young official covered half of his swollen face and was completely stunned.
The one who had slapped him was not Zhang Que, one of Wang Chong's subordinates, but the old imperial censor, Deng Chang.
At first, the old censor was still a few steps away, but when the young official said these words, he suddenly shot forward, with a speed that did not match his age, he fiercely slapped him across the face.
"Bastard thing, you're just a minor official who hasn't made a single contribution to the Imperial Court, yet you dare to insult a minister who has rendered meritorious service to the Tang Dynasty? How arrogant! Just who gave you such courage? Today, this old man will rip your mouth apart!"
Deng Chang's hair stood on end, his entire body seething with rage.
Everything had to have a limit. He and Duan Cao had been watching from the rear, and the moment this minor official had appeared, they had sensed that something was wrong. They had been in court for many years and had seen countless people, so they could tell at a glance if there was a problem.
Zhou Taiqin, Zheng Chengli, and the others were only arguing with Wang Chong. Regardless of whether their actions were right or wrong, they were still reasonable people. However, the words of this young official were pure provocation and humiliation.
Wang Chong's return to the capital had attracted the attention of all sorts of people, including various factions with ulterior motives. The three of them would not allow anyone to use this opportunity to make trouble for them.
The minor official's face alternated between green and white, but he quickly regained his composure. His body had been bent, but it was gradually straightening, as if he were a spear nailed to the ground. Even in front of the old imperial censor, he showed no fear.
"Hah, Young Marquis, you have three old imperial censors helping you this time, but even if you kill me, I will still say the same thing. Those who kill will be killed. Marquis, Young Marquis, your era is over!"
"Buzz!"
Wang Chong's pupils constricted at these words, and his expression instantly turned icy. As for the young official, he immediately turned around and began to walk away.
"This bastard!"
Zhang Que was unable to restrain his rage, and he raised his clenched fist to attack the minor official. But he had barely raised his arm when Wang Chong grabbed it.
"Let him go!"
As Wang Chong gazed at the young official's back, countless thoughts flitted through his eyes. No one could tell what he was thinking at this moment.
Wang Chong watched as the minor official slowly vanished into the crowd with the spirit of a suicidal soldier. After a long while, he turned to the three old imperial censors at his side.
"Three seniors, thank you very much!"
"There's no need!"
The three waved their hands, a hint of fatigue on their faces. They were all extremely old, and after persisting for so long, coupled with their agitated emotions, they immediately felt somewhat tired.
"Young Marquis, remember your words. We three old fellows will always be watching you. Don't disappoint us!"
Duan Cao, Deng Chang, and the other imperial censors quickly left. As they left, a stalwart figure slowly walked over.
"Lord Zhangchou!"
The sight of this stalwart figure caused Wang Chong's eyelids to twitch. This person was none other than Minister of War Zhangchou Jianqiong.
He had been standing motionlessly in the crowd for some time, and it was only when most of the people had left that he finally stepped forward.
"Lord Wang, congratulations on your return!"
Zhangchou Jianqiong took two steps forward and looked at Wang Chong, his face brimming with gratitude.
"The Bureau of Military Personnel is busy, and I can't stay here for long. When Lord Wang has the time, we can return to the restaurant we went to before. I will personally hold a welcoming dinner for you!"
"Lord Zhangchou is too polite."
Wang Chong returned the gesture.
After exchanging a few more words, Zhangchou Jianqiong quickly turned to leave. But as he turned to leave, no one noticed that a slip of paper had appeared in Wang Chong's hand. Wang Chong's eyebrows shot up as he looked in the direction that Zhangchou Jianqiong had left. Without saying a word, he tucked the slip of paper into his robe.
After Zhangchou Jianqiong's departure, more and more people arrived. A moment later, the sound of a carriage rumbling could be heard, and a familiar carriage appeared at the city gates.
Creak, the door of the carriage was pushed open, and a dignified figure wearing green casual clothes alighted from the carriage.
"Big Uncle!"
Seeing that familiar figure, Wang Chong felt a surge of warmth in his heart. Striding forward, Wang Chong led Zhang Que and the others forward to welcome the carriage.
At this moment, the surrounding officials, nobles, and aristocratic families all retreated to the sides. They looked at the figure that walked out of the carriage and continuously bowed to pay their respects.
"Lord Wang!"
"Lord Wang!"
The surrounding people bowed in greeting. Times had changed, and the Wang Clan was like the midday sun, wielding immense influence. And Wang Chong's big uncle, Wang Gen, was the representative of the Wang Clan and a low-rank official of the court, possessing an extremely illustrious status.
"Chong-er, it's been a long journey. You've worked hard! Let's go. I'll take you home! "
With a wave of his sleeve, Wang Gen stopped in front of Wang Chong. After more than half a year, Wang Chong had matured a great deal, and there was a hint of weathering on his brow, but his aura had only grown more determined.
Wang Gen took in all this and inwardly nodded. A scholar who had been away for three days had to be looked at in a new light. Wang Chong had been tempered by war, and his aura had become even more outstanding, gradually beginning to exude the air of a great general.
The Wang Clan finally has a successor!
For a moment, Wang Gen was extremely pleased.
After taking care of Zhang Que and the others, Wang Chong quickly boarded Wang Gen's carriage under the watchful eyes of countless nobles and clans.
The carriage door closed, and with a shout, the uncle and nephew began to make their way to the eastern part of the city, vanishing into the crowd. The crowd also began to disperse.
Without the clamor of the crowd, the surroundings gradually quieted down, and the carriage was even quieter. It was like a completely different world.
As Wang Chong and Wang Gen sat side by side, the mood in the carriage gradually turned strange.
"Is everything well in the clan?"
Wang Chong was the first to break the silence, his expression extremely solemn.
"Everything is fine. The Old Master is still here, and those people aren't bold enough to directly attack us!"
Wang Gen sternly said.
Now that there was no one else around, there was no need to hide anything, so the uncle and nephew went straight to the point.
Khorasan, Longxi, Beiting, Youzhou … all of the Great Tang was like an earthquake. All of this revealed far too much information.
The withdrawal of soldiers from Khorasan, the reduction of soldiers from the borders, the news that Big Dipper Great General Geshu Han had revealed, and the other news from the court … all of this was too unsettling.
On his return, Wang Chong was most worried about his grandfather, big uncle, big aunt, third uncle … and all the other members of the Wang Clan. Upon hearing Wang Gen's words, Wang Chong's heart finally relaxed a little.
"Is there still no news from The King of Song?"
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
