"Buzz!"
As soon as Wang Chong's words fell, it was as if a boulder had been dropped into a lake, stirring up huge waves. In the great hall, Gao Lishi's expression had become extremely ugly. In the entire Tang dynasty, nothing was more turbulent than the conflict between militarists and Confucians. Now, the Confucians had the upper hand in the court. Gao Lishi had been most worried that Wang Chong would bring up this matter during this audience, but it had still happened.
"I understand!"
The Holy Emperor's voice came again from the great hall, without the slightest ripple of emotion.
"Your Majesty, the military is a matter of great importance to the country. It is the power of life and death, the principle of survival, and it cannot be ignored! The military is an important barrier for the Tang Dynasty to defend against the surrounding barbarians. Once it is reduced, it will cause great chaos. I hope that Your Majesty will consider it clearly! "
Wang Chong said again.
The great hall was quiet. Gao Lishi could no longer hold it in.
"Wang Chong! What are you doing?! A ruler's orders are like a mountain, and a ruler cannot go back on his words. Since His Majesty has made a decision, it cannot be changed. Are you going against your superiors and blackmailing the Holy Emperor?! "
Gao Lishi's expression was livid, and he was furious.
In the entire Tang dynasty, from top to bottom, for decades, no one had ever dared to speak to the Holy Emperor in this way, and no one had dared to blackmail the Holy Emperor like Wang Chong. This was treason. Just this alone was enough for him to be sentenced to death!
This was a great crime of disrespect!
"Your Majesty, your humble servant would not dare!"
Wang Chong said loudly, but there was no hint of retreat in his voice. The person before him was no ordinary ruler. His open-mindedness and wisdom were admired by the people of the world. His ambition and strategy were admired by the people of the world. His governance and martial arts were praised by the people of the world. More importantly, he had single-handedly created the current prosperous and powerful Tang dynasty.
Back then, the Holy Emperor was able to make his grandfather do his best to assist him. Wang Chong believed that the current Holy Emperor was still the same king who cherished the world, who was wise and mighty, and who was also worthy of him following.
"Wang Chong, hurry up and get up!"
Gao Lishi was already trembling with anger because of Wang Chong. He had thought highly of Wang Chong just now, thinking that he was the most talented young man he had ever seen and that he did not disappoint the Holy Emperor's love for him. He did not expect that in such a short time, he would become so muddle-headed. Wasn't this going against his career prospects?
"Enough!"
At this moment, a calm voice came from the side. The Holy Emperor waved his hand slightly and stopped Gao Lishi.
"Your Majesty."
Gao Lishi quickly fell silent and lowered his head.
"Wang Chong, I have my own plans for this matter."
The Holy Emperor looked down at Wang Chong and indifferently said. His voice naturally exuded an unquestionable tone.
"But, Your Majesty …"
Wang Chong lowered his head and still wanted to argue, but Gao Lishi could no longer watch.
"Wang Chong! You're impudent! "
He had always had a favorable impression of Wang Chong, but no matter what reason Wang Chong had, no matter how talented he was, or how much he had contributed to the empire, the Holy Emperor had clearly expressed his intentions. For Wang Chong to still dare to contradict him was simply audacious and deserved death!
"King of Foreign Lands, receive the decree!"
At this moment, the Holy Emperor's voice resounded in Wang Chong's ear, dignified, decisive, and unquestionable. These words ended the conversation and cut off all of Wang Chong's thoughts.
Wang Chong stood there in a daze, his face as pale as a sheet of paper.
On his way here, Wang Chong had thought of all sorts of possibilities. No matter what method he had to use, he had to find a way to change the Holy Emperor's mind. But he hadn't imagined that the Holy Emperor's attitude would be even more resolute than he had imagined. With just a few words, he had utterly destroyed all of Wang Chong's hopes.
Wang Chong's face alternated between green and white, and he was speechless for a long time. Suddenly, at this moment, a clear and melodious sound of a bell resounded in the hall.
Wang Chong had never heard such a sound before. It was sharp and thin, like strands of string. Moreover, although it sounded like a bell, it was also completely different.
More importantly, this was the Imperial Palace's holy land, where the Holy Emperor resided. Wang Chong could not think of anyone who would dare to disturb the Holy Emperor's hearing in this place. But what surprised Wang Chong the most was the reaction of the Holy Emperor and Gao Lishi in the hall. When the bell rang, Wang Chong could clearly see that Gao Lishi's face had paled, and he seemed rather flustered. And the Holy Emperor's aura had also begun to ripple. At this moment, Wang Chong could clearly sense that the Holy Emperor's aura had become somewhat disordered.
However, in an instant, that aura disappeared without a trace, as if it had been suppressed by something.
"Your Majesty …"
Wang Chong's heart chilled, and his face paled as he thought of something.
"King of Foreign Lands, let's end things here for today. The Holy Emperor is also rather tired. If you have any questions, we can talk about them next time."
Gao Lishi suddenly said. Although he tried his best to remain calm, his voice still unconsciously revealed a sense of urgency and anxiousness. He was no longer as calm as he was before.
The mood in the Imperial Court suddenly became rather strange, completely different from before. Wang Chong froze, countless thoughts flitting through his mind. Wang Chong still wanted to say something, but the Holy Emperor lightly waved his finger, indicating that he should leave.
"King of Foreign Lands, let's go. Zajia will send you off!"
At the same time, Gao Lishi, dressed in embroidered robes, walked out of the hall.
Wang Chong mentally gave a long sigh. No matter how unwilling he was, he could only leave the hall. If he continued, he would be disobeying his superior. Not only would he be of no help, he would only end up making things worse.
"This lowly subject receives the decree!"
Wang Chong gave a deep bow.
"King of Foreign Lands, Zajia can understand your feelings, but the present is different from the past. You are now the King of Foreign Lands of the Tang Dynasty, the first true King of the Tang Dynasty with a different surname. Whether in the open or in the shadows, many people will be watching you. I hope that the King of Foreign Lands will be careful with his words and actions and protect himself. As for His Majesty, His Majesty has his own reasons for doing this. In the future, the King of Foreign Lands will understand! "
After leaving the hall, Gao Lishi stopped and gave Wang Chong a long sigh. There seemed to be more to his words.
Wang Chong wanted to ask more, but Gao Lishi had already turned and stepped into the hall behind him. After a few moments of silence, Wang Chong composed himself and quickly descended the Imperial Stairway of white jade.
Not long after Wang Chong left, Gao Lishi returned to the Holy Emperor's side.
"Your Majesty, this matter has been a major blow to him. Is there really no need to tell him?"
Gao Lishi asked hesitantly in the hall.
"There's no need!"
The Holy Emperor waved his hand, his expression indifferent.
"My body will find it very difficult to last for too long. Even if this matter is corrected, it will happen again in the future. It is better to treat it as a test for him and see what level he can reach in the end. "
"This old servant … understands."
Gao Lishi lowered his head and bowed.
"But Your Majesty's attitude has changed so much this time. In the Imperial Court … the ministers are probably not used to it!"
In the hall, the Holy Emperor leaned against his dragon throne, his eyes half-closed as he calmly waved his hand.
"Severe illnesses require fierce medicine, and troubled times require severe punishment! We have already spent twenty years guarding against them. If we do not reveal a flaw and give them a chance, how could we possibly draw them out! "
The Holy Emperor spoke in words that only the two of them could understand.
The word 'them' caused Gao Lishi to deeply sigh, a hint of worry in his eyes.
"This old servant understands!"
Cough, cough!
At this moment, he heard a series of coughs, and these light coughs immediately caused Gao Lishi to pale.
"Your Majesty!"
Gao Lishi quickly strode forward and supported the Holy Emperor. At the same time, a vigorous and heavy pure Yang energy surged from Gao Lishi's body into the Holy Emperor's.
The atmosphere in the hall was chaotic. It took a long time for everything to calm down.
…
Outside the palace, in a carriage, Wang Chong sat motionless, his mind in turmoil. During this meeting with the Holy Emperor, Wang Chong did not get the answer he wanted, even at the very last moment. The state of the Sage Emperor, the strange chime, and Gao Lishi's words as he left … all of this seemed to be abnormal. Wang Chong had thought that after meeting the Holy Emperor, the confusion and doubts in his heart would lessen, but now, the doubts that shrouded his heart had deepened.
"Wait, we're not going back to the residence. Take me to the south of the city!"
Wang Chong suddenly said. The next moment, the carriage immediately headed toward the south of the city.
On Green Dragon Street in the south of the city, there was a huge mansion that was dignified and solemn. Two stone lions stood erect, and above it hung a black gold plaque. Zhou Residence!
The two large words were written in flamboyant calligraphy. This was the residence of the Minister of Glory, Zhou Wenchen, of the Tang dynasty. Wang Chong raised his head and looked at the residence, his mind in turmoil. The Tang dynasty had 27 Ministers and 81 Ministers. Zhou Wenchen was one of the leaders of the 27 Ministers, as well as one of the most important civil officials of the King of Song and the Wang family.
When that incident happened, Zhou Wenchen had turned against the Tang dynasty at the last minute. He was one of the important civil officials who had suddenly turned against the Tang dynasty. Even the King of Song had not expected his betrayal.
Since he had not obtained the answer he wanted from the Holy Emperor, Wang Chong had almost immediately thought of Zhou Wenchen. If he could understand why this pillar of support at the King of Song's side had suddenly changed his attitude, he might be able to understand the entire matter.
"I'll have to trouble you to send a message that the King of Foreign Lands, Wang Chong, has come to pay his respects."
Standing at the gate of the Zhou Residence, Wang Chong made a gesture, upon which Zhang Que swiftly stepped forward and handed over a visiting card. A guard at the gate of the Zhou Residence had already stepped forward and taken the visiting card. After glancing at it, he immediately grimaced.
"Your Highness, please wait a moment. This one will go and send the message."
After saying that, the guard captain of the Zhou Mansion put away the visiting card and quickly entered the mansion.
Wang Chong stood in front of the gate of the Zhou Residence, his eyes slowly closed. The Zhou Residence had been calm at the start, but a few moments later, it was thrown into chaos, and one could even hear a woman's voice.
"Milord …"
Zhang Que turned his head, a hint of worry in his eyes as he gazed at Wang Chong. As a disciple of The Eagle and an important intelligence officer at Wang Chong's side, he was well aware of what had happened. Zhou Wenchen had turned against the Tang dynasty at the last minute and had been refusing visitors for many days. During the morning court session, he had claimed that he was ill.
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