"What?!"
Wang Chong's body trembled in shock at these words.
"Now that I think about it, many things had been wrong since the morning court session. Usually, regardless of whether the court session was in session or not, I would have received news early in the morning, but I didn't receive any news that day. It wasn't until noon that someone came to inform me to prepare for the morning court session, and it wasn't the usual eunuch of the palace either. By the time I arrived, the court was in a hubbub. The session had already been going on for quite some time. Only then did I realize that other than myself, all the other officials were doing as usual. "
Zhangchou Jianqiong continued, his head slightly raised, his breathing ragged, a complicated look in his eyes.
Even after half a month had passed, some things were still very strange in retrospect. It was as if there was an invisible hand controlling everything, making it hard for them to breathe.
The Minister of War was the center of authority in the military, his status even above that of a Great General on the border. He controlled all the soldiers in the world and was a true titan of the empire. Even the officials had to be wary of him. Zhangchou Jianqiong had never imagined that anyone, or any faction, would be so bold as to play tricks on this matter!
"… There was something strange about the court session that day. If I hadn't been in the court, I wouldn't have been able to sense it. "
A look of reminiscence appeared on Zhangchou Jianqiong's face as he continued to speak. He had hidden these matters in his heart this entire time, not telling anyone. If the person he was listening to hadn't been Wang Chong, he would never have said a single word.
"By the time I arrived at the court, the decision had already begun, and the court was in an uproar. At the start, just like everyone else, I felt that the matter was absurd and impossible to pass. But the development of the matter was completely different from what I imagined.
"In the past, I would discuss this matter with your big uncle. Your big uncle and I wouldn't even need to discuss this matter. Sometimes, we could understand each other's intentions with a single glance. But I quickly realized that your big uncle wasn't present. Moreover, the direction of the discussion was completely wrong, as if it was being controlled by an invisible hand. The originally impossible matter suddenly became more and more likely to pass. The King of Song and I immediately sensed that something was wrong. After all, our three sides had formed an alliance for quite some time. Since there is such a proposal, we are not too worried. Because the possibility of passing was still very low. But when it came time for the final vote, something that the King of Song and I didn't expect happened … "
Zhangchou Jianqiong sighed deeply.
Sometimes, there were some things that didn't need to be said in detail. Just a long sigh was enough to reveal too much. Even though Wang Chong hadn't participated in the court assembly that day, from the few words that Zhangchou Jianqiong had said, Wang Chong could already sense the intense emotions that had gripped him that day.
"What the hell happened?"
Wang Chong could not help but ask.
"The King of Song and I anticipated everything, but we didn't foresee that the civil officials in the court who had always been on good terms with us, our own people, would all betray us at the critical moment!"
Zhangchou Jianqiong said.
"Boom!"
Hearing this, Wang Chong's body shook violently, and his eyes finally revealed an extremely shocked expression.
Zhangchou Jianqiong didn't say anything, and neither did Wang Chong. The entire hall immediately fell into a deathly stillness. Zhangchou Jianqiong's words caught Wang Chong by surprise. A civil official, and one who had always been on good terms with the King of Song, the Wang Clan, and Zhangchou Jianqiong at that. Wang Chong could already empathize with how Zhangchou Jianqiong felt that day. He also understood why the atmosphere in the capital was so treacherous, and why Zhangchou Jianqiong had to meet him in such a manner.
The two of them fell into deep thought.
"Actually, if that's all, it would be fine. But that's not what I'm worried about. "
After a long while, Zhangchou Jianqiong's voice sounded once more, breaking the silence.
"Even though the situation that day was strange, even if all the civil officials who had been on our side betrayed us, it still wouldn't have been enough to pass such a resolution. What I'm truly worried about is still the Holy Emperor! "
"What!"
Hearing these words, Wang Chong's face warped. He abruptly raised his head.
"Lord Zhangchou, what do you mean by this?"
"Wang Chong, you don't understand. It doesn't matter who is pulling the strings behind the scenes, what they want to do, even if they mobilize all the civil officials to betray us, it doesn't matter at all. Because what is truly important will always be His Majesty alone! Without His Majesty's approval, no resolution will be passed! "
Zhangchou Jianqiong gave a long sigh.
"The affairs of the Imperial Court have always been filled with storms and storms. Although this matter is disadvantageous to our militarists, it's only a momentary setback. In truth, even if it were ten times worse, I wouldn't be too flustered. But the Holy Emperor … he is the one who makes me the most uneasy.
"In all of the Central Plains, His Majesty is the greatest sovereign that I have ever known and met. It is precisely his lofty aspirations and determination that united the strength of all the people and allowed him to pacify the world and sweep through the lands, bringing the Central Plains to an unprecedented level of prosperity! It is precisely because of him that we Imperial Great Generals can wholeheartedly fight on the border, vowing to repay him with our lives!
"But His Majesty, he … I don't know what happened, but I'm certain that there's something wrong with His Majesty. There's something wrong with the Holy Emperor, far too wrong! This is what I'm truly worried about! "
Zhangchou Jianqiong's brow deeply creased, his entire being burdened with worry. His Majesty the Holy Emperor was publicly acknowledged as the number one man in the world, whether it was in terms of governance or martial arts. Even now, Zhangchou Jianqiong had no idea what had happened to the Holy Emperor.
"Buzz!"
While Zhangchou Jianqiong was still perplexed, Wang Chong felt like a boulder weighing ten thousand tons had been thrown into his mind, sending massive waves surging through his body! Zhangchou Jianqiong didn't understand what had happened to the Holy Emperor, but Wang Chong knew all too well. That failure to break into the Divine Martial realm had affected the Holy Emperor and the entire Tang Dynasty.
"Don't tell me that thing … Don't tell me it started so soon?"
Wang Chong's heart was heavy.
Now that he thought about it, Wang Chong had actually sensed something from his first meeting with the Holy Emperor. Could it be that, while he was on the western expedition, the Holy Emperor's condition had worsened to this extent?
Wang Chong's heart instantly sank. As a subject, he could not criticize his sovereign, much less the Holy Emperor. Wang Chong was sure that Zhangchou Jianqiong had sensed something.
"Wang Chong, this matter is far from as simple as you think. The capital appears calm on the surface, but undercurrents are surging beneath the surface. Your transfer back from Khorasan and your apparent demotion are only the tip of the iceberg. Moreover, your edge is too sharp, and your battles with Arabia are practically unprecedented. Right now, the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganates, the Goguryeo Empire, Nanzhao, and even Ouzan have all received a massive shock and have once more developed a reverence for the Tang Dynasty. But it's precisely because of this that the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be blown down by the wind. You are currently the most dazzling existence in the military, and if they want to make an example of you against the militarists, they will definitely target you. I'm worried that the matter in Khorasan is only the beginning, so you must be extremely careful. "
Zhangchou Jianqiong's expression was extremely grave.
Throughout the Tang dynasty, Wang Chong could be said to be the youth that Zhangchou Jianqiong most admired. The character and spirit he exuded, as well as his outstanding skill in the art of war, were the most outstanding of all the people Zhangchou Jianqiong had ever seen. It was precisely for this reason that Zhangchou Jianqiong wanted nothing to happen to him. This was also why he had appeared at the city gate.
"Buzz!"
Hearing Zhangchou Jianqiong's words, Wang Chong's eyes narrowed, and his face warped. He had never imagined that Zhangchou Jianqiong would give him this note as a warning. He truly found it difficult to imagine what Zhangchou Jianqiong, the Minister of War, could have to be so cautious about.
"Lord Zhangchou, has the situation reached such a critical point?"
Wang Chong sternly said.
Zhangchou Jianqiong was known as the Tiger of the Empire, and this was a testament to his personality. Upon his return, Wang Chong had believed that Zhangchou Jianqiong would at least be able to oversee the situation. He had never imagined that the situation in the capital would be far more serious than he had imagined.
"The situation … might be even more serious than I said!"
Zhangchou Jianqiong gravely stared at Wang Chong.
Thumpthumpthump!
Just as Wang Chong was about to pursue the matter, a series of heavy knocks sounded from the door. Hearing the knocks, Zhangchou Jianqiong's face immediately warped, and Wang Chong also turned his head over.
"Who is it?"
Zhangchou Jianqiong suddenly bellowed, and the atmosphere in the hall immediately turned heavy.
"Lord, there are people from the Bureau of Military Personnel outside. They say that they have an urgent matter that requires your attention tonight."
The voice of an Annam Protectorate commander sounded from outside. Seated by the side, Wang Chong clearly saw Zhangchou Jianqiong's complexion change rapidly. Rage, fear, indignation, and finally, a deep sense of helplessness. Then, he slowly calmed down. In that instant, Wang Chong seemed to understand something, but he didn't say anything.
"Wang Chong, something has happened in the Bureau of Military Personnel. It seems like I won't be able to accompany you."
Zhangchou Jianqiong stood up, glanced at Wang Chong, and hesitated.
"It seems like we'll have to talk another time."
"Wang Chong understands. Lord, you may go."
Wang Chong also stood up. Some things didn't need to be said at all. Just a glance was enough to reveal too much information.
Zhangchou Jianqiong opened the door and left. Wang Chong watched as Zhangchou Jianqiong boarded a green carriage. Both sides of the carriage were officials from the Bureau of Military Personnel that Wang Chong had never seen before. After Zhangchou Jianqiong left, the two quickly boarded the carriage and left together with Zhangchou Jianqiong.
Wang Chong watched until Zhangchou Jianqiong disappeared into the distance before walking out of the Minister of War's residence. Raising his head, Wang Chong glanced at the sky. It was already dusk, and the lanterns were already lit.
"… Is he already so busy?"
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