"Milord, The King of Song's men will be arriving soon."
Su Shixuan bowed.
"Reporting!"
While the two of them were talking, a guard of the Wang Clan suddenly rushed into the room.
"Milord, the captain of the The King of Song Residence's guard, Luo Zhen, requests an audience."
"Let him in!"
Wang Chong's eyes flashed as he waved his hand. A few moments later, a black-bearded man more than 1.9 meters tall, armed with armor and wielding a spear, swiftly strode into the room.
"Your Highness, the King of Song has a letter for me to personally deliver to Your Highness!"
Luo Zhen bowed and presented the letter to Wang Chong with both hands.
"The King of Song said that this matter is extremely important, so he had me personally deliver it!"
Wang Chong took the letter and slid his finger across it, taking out the letter. With just a glance, Wang Chong's expression flickered. This letter was covered in a ghastly red stain. At that moment, Wang Chong vaguely thought of something, and his heart trembled.
Opening the letter, Wang Chong continued to read.
This letter was a routine report from the spy that The King of Song had placed at King Qi's side, reporting what he had seen of King Qi's daily life. Although King Qi had always been careful and left no trace, his efforts had paid off. In the end, he had managed to eavesdrop on the information he wanted. By chance, he had managed to eavesdrop on a conversation between King Qi and one of his close advisors and advisors.
The conversation had inadvertently brought up the topic of the Confucian Sect. The advisor had mentioned many times that King Qi was helping the Confucian Sect, that he was in a subordinate position, and that the officials of the court were likely to look down on him. But King Qi did not care. Moreover, the advisor had mentioned that the Confucian Sect had an enormous background and terrifying strength. It had many powerful opponents, even peak Saint Martial experts and Great Generals.
King Qi saw that the other party was very strong and could help deal with the Wang Clan and The King of Song, so he decided to cooperate with him.
Moreover, Prince Qi had mentioned in his conversation with his advisors that the Confucian Sect was actively making preparations. In the near future, they would make a major move in the Imperial Court. If they succeeded, they would completely alter the structure of the court!
"Buzz!"
Seeing this, Wang Chong's heart shook fiercely. The structure of the Imperial Court had undergone a massive transformation even before he had withdrawn from Khorasan. Many officials in The King of Song's faction, whether they were civil officials or military generals, either defected or were transferred out of the capital to various prefectures of the Tang dynasty. Many unfamiliar faces were transferred to the royal court.
From this point of view, the structure of the imperial court had undergone a great change. Wang Chong found it hard to imagine. If this wasn't a huge change, then what was? What was a "complete change in the structure of the imperial court"?
In a flash, Wang Chong felt an intense sense of danger.
Wang Chong continued to read, but the letter came to an abrupt end at this point.
Wang Chong stood in a daze, his mind in turmoil for a long time.
"What happened to the scout sent by The King of Song?"
After a long while, Wang Chong suddenly said.
"His whereabouts are unknown. The King of Song has already sent people to search for him," Luo Zhen said.
Luo Zhen said.
A hint of sadness flashed through Wang Chong's eyes. When he saw that mouthful of blood on the letter, he had already guessed at what had happened. Although King Qi was conceited, he was also paranoid, and he had many people at his side to assist him. The spy sent by The King of Song had probably already been discovered.
"Thank The King of Song for me. Su Shixuan, arrange for someone to send some money to his family, and then find some people to search for him. See if we can find him and rescue him. "
Wang Chong said. Although the chances were slim, as long as there was even a chance, they should not give up.
"This subordinate understands!"
… …
Su Shixuan and Luo Zhen quickly left.
As for Wang Chong, he stood in his study, lost in thought. He had originally believed that, with the assistance of The King of Song and his participation in the regency, there wouldn't be too many problems. At the very least, he would be able to veto any unreasonable proposals. But now, it seemed that things would not be so simple. At the very least, since King Qi and the Confucian Sect dared to act in such a way, daring to completely alter the structure of the Imperial Court, they were certain that they would succeed.
It seems that I can no longer remain uninvolved in the affairs of the Imperial Court! At the very least, I have to do my best to participate in the early stages! This way, The King of Song will have someone to look after in the Imperial Court!
Wang Chong quietly said to himself.
With this thought in mind, Wang Chong quickly left the study.
… …
Days passed. Three days later, Wang Chong bathed and changed into a crimson imperial robe. Under the attentions of his entourage, he walked out of the Wang Family Residence. Outside the residence, a magnificent carriage inlaid with gold was waiting.
Whoosh!
The sky was dark, the first rays of dawn spitting out from the east. At almost the same moment, a messenger pigeon flew through the air and landed in Wang Chong's hand. Wang Chong only glanced at it before crushing the letter into a ball.
"Is everything prepared?"
Wang Chong calmly asked.
"Your Highness, everything has been arranged! The King of Song's carriage is waiting at the palace gate. Once Your Highness arrives, we will head to the Imperial Court together. "
Su Shixuan bowed.
Wang Chong grunted and nodded. He raised the curtain and stepped into the carriage.
"Hyah!"
With a shout, the carriage rolled forward and immediately headed for the palace gate.
Around an hour later, Wang Chong's carriage finally arrived at the gate of the Imperial City.
There, an ornately carved carriage was waiting. The image of an imperial dragon on the carriage clearly indicated the identity of its occupant.
Although all the kings of the Tang Dynasty used the image of an imperial dragon, each of them had a different design. Only The King of Song had this kind of golden embroidery.
"Milord!"
The moment Wang Chong's carriage appeared, a slightly bowed figure quickly stepped forward. It was none other than Luo Zhen, whom Wang Chong had met once before.
"The King of Song is already waiting for Your Highness!"
Wang Chong nodded and quickly entered The King of Song's carriage.
"Hyah!"
The moment Wang Chong entered, the carriage wheels began to move slowly toward Taihe Palace.
Only the King of Song, who had inherited a golden medallion from the previous King of Song, could ride his carriage to any place other than Taihe Palace and the imperial harem. This was something that only The King of Song could enjoy.
"Have you read the information I gave you?"
The King of Song suddenly asked, his back leaning against the carriage, his expression cold.
"I have!"
Wang Chong nodded and sat down across from The King of Song.
"This time, their target is He Qingrong. No matter what, we can't let them succeed!"
He Qingrong was a second-rank official of the Imperial Court and an important advisor at The King of Song's side. He had the authority to participate in politics in the Imperial Court.
The King of Song's influence in the Imperial Court had already been weakened by the Confucians, but after a brief period of silence, the Confucians had once more set their sights on the left and right arms of The King of Song.
"He Qingrong has been in the Imperial Court for many years. This time, they're using the excuse of preventing floods and irrigation in Jiangnan to transfer him out of the capital. Jiangnan is prone to floods, and every year during the rainy season, the floods become a disaster. The Imperial Court has always had the intention to control them, so not too long ago, a resolution was finally passed to invest three million taels of gold in the large-scale construction of canals and irrigation projects to divert the tributaries of the Jingchu River. At the time, I felt that this was a good thing for the country and the people, so I did not stop them. However, I didn't expect that they had ulterior motives. In the end, they set their sights on Bright Minister He Qingrong.
"He Qingrong was originally from Jiangnan, so they hoped to use this opportunity to transfer He Qingrong out of the capital. Today's court session was held to discuss this matter. "
The King of Song sternly said, a look of reminiscence in his eyes. From the construction of canals in Jiangnan to the transfer of He Qingrong out of the capital, these people had been closely interlocking and pressing forward step by step. Not even The King of Song had expected these people to be so thoughtful and farsighted.
"Any official should be able to take on the task of constructing canals and irrigation projects in Jiangnan. Even if He Qingrong was originally from Jiangnan, there's no need to send him out of the capital to manage the project."
Wang Chong sat upright and still, a stern expression on his face.
"In normal circumstances, there's naturally no need, so they sent some people from He Qingrong's hometown to request that He Qingrong be returned to his hometown and manage the irrigation project. They even helped him prepare the inscriptions on the stele. The He Clan has always been a major clan of Jiangnan, and many people have petitioned. King Qi is currently using this matter to get He Qingrong to leave.
"Although this matter is different from being demoted, and he can still be transferred back to the capital, the irrigation project will take a very long time, at least two to three years. By then, the Imperial Court will have already decided, and it will be too late."
The King of Song said with a solemn expression.
The intrigue, deceit, and schemes in the court were far more complicated than one could imagine. Even the King of Song, who had been in the court for decades, could not be sure that he would not fall into someone else's trap.
"Even if it's a request from a fellow villager, He Qingrong can still reject it. The country is the most important, and the feelings of one's fellow countrymen cannot be placed above the country. "
Wang Chong said in a deep voice.
"It's not that simple. If that's the case, He Qingrong can indeed refuse. But with the request from the townsfolk and He Qingrong's mother being seriously ill, everything is different. "
The King of Song said with a hint of worry between his brows.
"Buzz!"
Wang Chong's entire body trembled at these words. He truly had not expected this at all. The Central Plains was different from the barbarians. Filial piety was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, so of all virtues, filial piety came first. If the townsfolk wished, He Qingrong could choose not to return, but if he did not return from his mother's illness, he would be considered unfilial. In every dynasty, he would inevitably be attacked, and when the time came, He Qingrong might not even be able to hold an official position.
"He Qingrong is a second-rank official, a loyal official of the court. Why is his mother in Jiangnan when he's an official?"
Wang Chong asked.
"He Qingrong once tried to have his mother move to the capital, but the old woman missed her hometown and was unwilling to leave Jiangnan. Moreover, all her relatives were there, so He Qingrong couldn't do anything."
The King of Song couldn't help but sigh.
There was a moment of silence in the carriage. Neither of them said a word.
"You've investigated Jiangnan? Why is the timing so coincidental? Jiangnan is undergoing irrigation works, and He Qingrong's mother happens to be seriously ill? "
A few moments later, Wang Chong opened his eyes and said. He still felt that there was something fishy about this matter. The fact that He Qingrong's mother was seriously ill was far too 'coincidental'. Wang Chong instinctively sensed that this matter was man-made.
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.
