Wang Chong did not bicker with King Qi. The present was different from the past. Wang Chong was flushed with success, like the sun at high noon. Moreover, as the first King of the Tang dynasty with a different surname, Wang Chong's status was not one bit lower than King Qi's, so there was no need for him to back down.
The Holy Emperor had not yet begun the court session, so Wang Chong's gaze left King Qi and began to look elsewhere. His big uncle was correct. There truly were many new faces in the hall. Wang Chong had 'wandered' through the capital for a period of time, and although he hadn't attended the morning court session, he had a basic understanding of the officials in the Imperial Court, their unique traits, and the way they spoke and did things. Moreover, he had been influenced by what he had seen and heard, and even though he had never entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony, he had a rough idea of who the people in the Imperial Court were.
But there were many faces in the Imperial Court that Wang Chong could not find the corresponding mark in his mind. Moreover, these people stood in the ranks with their backs straight and their eyes looking forward. They did not move at all, as if they were made of wood. Even their movements and postures were exactly the same. It was obvious that they were from the same group, which was very strange.
Moreover, the majority of them seemed to be around thirty, a rather young age in the Imperial Court.
These people had their eyes closed and were motionless, paying no attention to anyone else. In this situation, even if Wang Chong wanted to glean any information from them, he would find it very difficult to do so.
Wang Chong's gaze rested on these people for a few moments before moving away.
"Mm?"
Suddenly, a gaze attracted Wang Chong's attention. Wang Chong was standing at the door to the hall, so he could clearly see that The King of Song was standing by the coiling dragon pillar, seemingly preoccupied and absent-minded. However, Wang Chong noticed that the King of Song's gaze was constantly drifting in a certain direction.
Wang Chong followed his gaze and saw a tall and slender figure, who looked virtuous and respectable, staring motionlessly at the top of the hall. This person's aura did not appear to be particularly powerful. At the very least, in terms of martial arts, he was completely inferior to Wang Chong and Wang Chong. However, the power and prestige that he had accumulated over the years far surpassed that of the other ministers. Just by standing there, he was like a crane in a flock of chickens.
Although he had his hands behind his back and was motionless, the ministers around him would occasionally glance at him with respect.
Wang Chong immediately recognized it.
Li Genu!
The prime minister of the Tang dynasty had been a "virtuous prime minister" in the eyes of the public for more than a decade. He had won the respect of the civil and military officials in the imperial court with his achievements over the past decade. But to Wang Chong, he was a traitor!
"Chong-er, I'll go first. Your position is over there. Remember, this is your first court session. Talk less and observe more. "
At this moment, a voice rang in his ears, pulling Wang Chong back from his thoughts.
"Yes, Big … Lord Wang."
Wang Chong had originally wanted to call him Big Uncle, but he quickly changed his mind.
He quickly took his place, and Wang Chong also stopped at the end of the court shift.
Boom!
The moment Wang Chong took his place, a wave of laughter came from the court, and all eyes turned to look at Wang Chong with derision.
"What a fine Advisor-in-Waiting!"
Those malicious gazes were full of derision. When Wang Chong had first arrived, he had truly intimidated a large group of people, but in the end, he was just an Advisor-in-Waiting. His shift was even lower than that of some minor officials.
Wang Chong only faintly smiled. Standing at the back had its benefits, at least when it came to what he wanted to do. As for those gossipers, Wang Chong didn't even need to think to know that they were on King Qi's side. However, this kind of cold mockery and ridicule couldn't shake his state of mind at all. In fact, it didn't even cause a ripple.
Pah!
At this time, a white-haired eunuch in embroidered robes waved the whip in his hand high up in the hall. With the sound of the whip, the entire Imperial Court fell silent. All of the civil and military officials stood according to their ranks in an orderly manner, motionless.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
At the same time, the sound of chimes and musical instruments echoed in the air. Before the Holy Emperor even appeared, a majestic and powerful aura suddenly appeared out of nowhere, enveloping the entire hall like a tidal wave. The next moment, before the eyes of countless people, a golden figure appeared from the side hall, exuding the presence of a god from the heavens. Then, he sat down on the dragon throne at the very top of the hall.
The moment that figure sat down, the entire hall began to tremble, as if the entire world itself was trembling. Even Wang Chong couldn't help but feel an immense pressure bearing down on him. With a solemn heart, he lowered his head slightly.
"Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty!"
Amidst the shouts, all of the ministers and officials lowered their heads and bowed. The atmosphere in the hall was solemn and respectful.
"Ministers, if you have something to report, please raise the memorial. If not, the court is dismissed!"
To the right of the Holy Emperor, Eunuch Gao's face was ruddy, like a reincarnated Maitreya.
"Your Majesty, this subject has something to report …"
As soon as Eunuch Gao finished speaking, a civil official strode forward, ceremonial tablet in hand. Thus began the day's court session.
Wang Chong stood at the very back of the hall, silently observing everything. Whether it was in his previous life or in his mind, this was the first time he had truly participated in a court session to discuss state affairs. Being personally involved was completely different from hearing the gossip of the common folk. The dynasties of the Central Plains had been changing for thousands of years. Generation after generation, all of the ministers would discuss state affairs in the court, forming a perfect process.
From the budget of the military and the allocation of funds to the various regions, to the minor cases of wrongful convictions, torrential rains, and mudslides, everything was within the scope of discussion in the court. In such a large country, the number of files and memorials accumulated every day numbered in the hundreds and thousands. This was also why the morning court session of the Tang dynasty began at the fifth watch of the night. A long time ago, the Holy Emperor had delegated a considerable portion of his authority to others. Other than the most important proposals, the Holy Emperor would not easily express his position and participate. "Last year, there was a flood in Ji County.
Sixty to seventy percent of the people drowned. Later, the court sent people to deal with it, but they found that nine out of ten households in Ji County were poor. More than ninety percent of the people could not even guarantee three meals a day. Their household's finances were only a table, a bed, and a suitcase. Their savings were no more than a dozen copper coins. They were extremely poor. The court removed the local officials and sent in six or seven young and promising officials who had performed meritorious deeds and were adept at governance. In the end, Ji County did not change at all. It remained extremely poor. "Later, the court made a painful decision. The Ministry of Revenue allocated funds to Ji County, but not long ago, the court sent an imperial censor to investigate. Not only did Ji County not become rich, it became even poorer than before. I heard that Advisor-in-Waiting Wang is extremely intelligent. What are your thoughts on this? "
Halfway through the court session, a discordant voice suddenly rang out in the court. In an instant, the atmosphere in the court suddenly changed, becoming strange. In an instant, countless gazes focused on Wang Chong from all directions.
Wang Chong had been listening from the side, but when he heard these words, he raised his head and looked in the direction of the voice. He saw a civil official wearing a green official's robe standing at the front of the ranks. He was currently looking back at him with a cold smile.
Around him, the other civil officials were also looking at him with mocking expressions, as if they were waiting to watch a good show.
Supervising Physician Lin Changxin!
Wang Chong immediately recognized this person. He was a staunch follower of King Qi. This was his first day of attending the morning court session, and Lin Changxin had used this kind of question to make things difficult for him. It was clear that he had ill intentions and wanted him to make a fool of himself.
On the other side, King Qi was leaning against the cinnabar coiling dragon pillar, laughing coldly in his heart. He rarely participated in these kinds of matters, but he had more or less understood a little from Lin Changxin and the others. The matter of Ji County had always been a headache for the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue. No matter what they did, it could not be resolved. And once the Imperial Court interfered, it became even worse, even worse. This was something that had never happened before.
To tell the truth, this was a dead knot that could not be resolved. Using this question to make things difficult was to embarrass Wang Chong.
Although Wang Chong's reputation as the King of Foreign Lands resounded through the world, the matters of the Imperial Court were completely different from the battles on the border.
One did not need a saber to kill in the Imperial Court.
"Foul brat, I'd like to see how you answer. If you keep your mouth shut, I'll send people to spread the word that you're a good-for-nothing who only knows how to kill, a brute, a demon. If your answer is wrong, I'll have everyone laugh at you, and then I'll repeat the story, saying that you don't know how to learn, that although you've rendered great service, you're still a profligate scion in your bones. If what you say is even the slightest bit useful and seems plausible, I'll have everyone add fuel to the fire and have them carry out your plan. If the problem of Ji County cannot be resolved, I'll say that you're an armchair strategist, babbling nonsense, hindering the affairs of the state, and that you're not suited to be an official of the Imperial Court. In any case, no matter what you do, I'll have you lose all standing and reputation! "
Prince Qi said nothing, but his eyes were brimming with pride. To deal with this brat, who was still wet behind the ears and had not even fully grown hair, he truly had thousands of methods. The Imperial Court was his territory, and it was up to him to decide how he wanted Wang Chong to die.
"Chong-er …"
On the other side, at the front of the class of civil officials, Wang Gen was also looking back at Wang Chong with a worried expression. King Qi's attack had caught everyone by surprise, but not even Wang Gen could do anything about it. In front of so many civil and military officials, he could not openly give Wang Chong pointers.
The entire hall was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Even the Holy Emperor and Eunuch Gao were looking at Wang Chong.
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