The Prince of Qi's selfishness was too heavy. When considering matters, he would never consider the state, always putting his own interests first. His current influence was enough to give others a headache. If he were to add Ge Huan to the mix, who knew what state the Imperial Court would be in?
Most importantly, other than Wang Chong, only The King of Song could oppose him and ruin his plans.
"Ridiculous! This is utter nonsense!"
King Qi hurriedly retorted upon hearing The King of Song's objection, his expression agitated.
"Which member of the Imperial Court has any experience? Didn't they all start from nothing and climb up step by step? If we don't give others a chance, how can we raise new talents? Ge Huan's achievements are outstanding, and this king believes that he can definitely do it! "
King Qi was doing all he could to get his own man into the Imperial Court.
"But this king believes that this cannot be done!"
A voice suddenly came from below. Wang Chong sneered at this sight and walked out. King Qi wanted to use this chance to insert his own man into the Imperial Court, but this could not be done. Ge Huan might be good, but there were many people in the Tang Dynasty who were stronger than him!
"Wang Chong!"
King Qi angrily roared, his eyes going red. This was already the second time Wang Chong had ruined his plans.
"This subject also feels that Ge Huan is not the best candidate!"
Minister of War Zhangchou Jianqiong suddenly stepped forward and spoke. The matter of Minister of Light He Qingrong's departure from the capital was already set in stone. All they could do now was do their utmost to prevent King Qi's men from occupying He Qingrong's position.
"This subject agrees!"
"This subject also agrees!"
… …
In a flash, the generals and King Song's subordinates all excitedly agreed. King Qi's expression instantly turned extremely ugly.
"Your Highness, if Ge Huan is not good enough, this old subject has someone to recommend!"
As the two sides faced off and the atmosphere in the Imperial Court was at its most tense, another elderly voice resounded through the hall. The Grand Preceptor spoke once more.
"This old official has interacted with him. In this old official's eyes, his ability is completely capable of entering the Hall of Governmental Affairs and replacing He Qingrong's position to handle state affairs."
The Grand Preceptor's words once more left everyone dumbfounded. Even the King of Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong were dumbfounded. On the other side, Wang Chong suddenly had an extremely ill foreboding.
Ever since his conflict with Wang Chong in the Imperial Court, the Grand Preceptor had not attended court for a very long time, much less participate in court discussions. Moreover, from the Grand Preceptor's questions about He Qingrong's situation, it was clear that he had come prepared for this court session. Wang Chong did not believe that the Grand Preceptor was just speaking thoughtlessly.
"Who is it?"
King Qi's eyes went red, and before he realized that it was the Grand Preceptor who had spoken, he immediately bellowed. But before King Qi could think too much, a thunderous voice came from outside the hall. "What are you waiting for?
"Me!"
It was a simple word, but it was brimming with confidence. Even in the face of all the important officials of the Imperial Court, he would still be fearless. With this word, a flurry of footsteps came from outside the Hall of Taihe, instantly attracting everyone's attention. Whoosh! All the civil and military officials, including Wang Chong, turned to the source of the voice.
A moment later, there was a flash of light at the entrance to the hall, and a figure, dressed in snow-white robes, strode into the hall, his head held high and his chest puffed out.
His steps were relaxed and his bearing elegant, giving off the feeling of an orchid in a deep valley.
At least half of the civil officials in the hall lowered their heads at the sight of this figure, a look of respect appearing in their eyes.
Wang Chong had not cared at the start, but when he saw this person's appearance, Wang Chong's body trembled like he had been struck by a lightning bolt!
Li Junxian!
Wang Chong stared in disbelief at this familiar figure. He had never imagined that the person the Grand Preceptor was recommending was none other than the leader of the Confucian Sect that he had met in Drunken Moon Pavilion, Li Junxian!
At that moment, an intense sense of conspiracy surged out of Wang Chong's mind.
From the irrigation project to He Qingrong's departure, to King Qi's recommendation of Ge Huan, to the Grand Preceptor's recommendation of Li Junxian … all of this flashed through his mind with astonishing speed. And when he thought about how the The King of Song's spy had learned from King Qi that the structure of the Imperial Court was about to be completely changed, Wang Chong suddenly understood.
At the same time, Li Junxian stood at the entrance of the hall, his eyes sweeping over the crowd of officials before finally settling on Wang Chong.
"King of Foreign Lands, we meet again!"
"Buzz!"
The hall fell into an uproar, countless generals turning to look at the white-robed young man. From the way the white-robed young man spoke, it was clear that he knew Wang Chong, but there was clearly a hint of hostility between the two. This was definitely not a friend, not a foe. The Grand Preceptor's recommendation and the fact that he could make an enemy of someone like the King of Foreign Lands meant that this white-robed man at the entrance of the hall had an extraordinary background.
At the door of the hall, Li Junxian pretended not to see or hear anything, paying no attention to the gathered officials. His expression relaxed, he smiled, and his eyes met with Wang Chong's. At that moment, countless bolts of lightning flashed through the air. The hall was deathly still, and even the neutral officials seemed to realize something and sense the hostility between the two.
"It's him!"
Next to the coiling dragon pillar, The King of Song also seemed to sense something, his eyes widening as he stared at that snow-robed figure, his expression turning grave.
Although he had never seen Li Junxian before, based on Wang Chong's description, The King of Song had already ordered someone to make a portrait of Li Junxian. This young leader of the Confucian Sect had left an extremely deep impression on The King of Song, but not even The King of Song had expected that this leader of the Confucian Sect, who had always been hiding behind the scenes, would personally appear in the Imperial Court.
Nearby, Minister of War Zhangchou Jianqiong reacted a little slower, but he also realized something. His eyes wandered between Wang Chong and Li Junxian, a look of bewilderment on his face.
"Your Highness, this king objects! How important are the matters of the Hall of Governmental Affairs? Can anyone just enter? "
A moment later, Wang Chong spoke, his expression cold and aloof. No matter what the Confucian Sect was planning, he would not let them succeed.
But Li Junxian only faintly smiled and said nothing.
"Who said that he was just 'anyone'? This is our Junior Minister of Dependencies! "
Suddenly, a voice came from the other side of the hall. The Chamberlain of the Chamberlain of Dependencies, Fang Zhengqing, suddenly walked out from the ranks and said with a serious expression.
"So, as long as one receives foreign guests at the Chamberlain of Dependencies, one can handle the affairs of the Secretariat? When did the matters of the Imperial Court become so casual? "
Wang Chong coldly said.
The Chamberlain of Dependencies was under King Qi's faction, so it was probably the best place to place Li Junxian in. Although he didn't know what the Confucian Sect was planning, one would not visit a temple without a cause. The Imperial Court was the center of the entire Tang dynasty, the entire Central Plains. Li Junxian had done everything he could to enter the Imperial Court, even going so far as to remove He Qingrong.
"Of course not, the Chamberlain of Dependencies! I forgot to tell everyone that besides being the Junior Minister of Dependencies, he is also this old subject's last disciple. This old subject is untalented, but in his later years, he still hopes to do his best to serve the Imperial Court. Coupled with this child's outstanding talent, I took him in and devoted myself to teaching him. Every day, all the memorials in the Imperial Court will pass through this old subject's eyes. Over the years, this old subject has taught him everything he has learned. And this child has not let down this old subject's trust, surpassing the master. Right now, he is completely capable of participating in the affairs of the Imperial Court. "
"Your Highness, this old subject recommends that this child take over He Qingrong's position. With him participating in the affairs of the Secretariat, there will be no slip-ups. On this, this old subject can guarantee his reputation for the rest of his life! Your Highness, please consider! "
The Grand Preceptor stood in front of the Grand Preceptor's armchair and spoke at a leisurely pace. With a solemn expression, he gave a deep bow to the Imperial Court.
This was the third time he had taken action in today's Imperial Court. The words' this old subject's last disciple 'caused Wang Chong's heart to turn cold and sink to the bottom of a lake.
The Chamberlain of Dependencies' recommendation, the Grand Preceptor's guarantee, and the Grand Preceptor's disciple …
For the sake of recommending Li Junxian, the Grand Preceptor had even said that he would guarantee his reputation for the rest of his life. Wang Chong didn't know if Li Junxian had truly learned all the skills of the Grand Preceptor and possessed the ability to manage state affairs, but if what the Grand Preceptor said was true, then the Confucian Sect, the Grand Preceptor, and King Qi were planning so far ahead that anyone would be alarmed!
But the more this was the case, the more Wang Chong could not allow them to succeed.
"The Imperial Court has the rules of the Imperial Court, and everything must be done according to the rules. Without any merit, not even the Grand Preceptor's disciple can reach the heavens in a single bound and enter the Secretariat. I will still say the same thing: not! "
Wang Chong sternly said.
"The King of Foreign Lands has spoken well. This old man just so happens to have something to announce. Not long ago, Li Shaoqing, Li Junxian, as an emissary of the Tang Dynasty, reached an agreement with the other countries to have Ouzan, the Western Turks, and Goguryeo agree to reduce their armies. Because Ouzan suffered heavy losses in the previous war, it is reducing its army by one hundred and fifty thousand, the Western Turks by two hundred thousand, the Eastern Turks by two hundred and thirty thousand, the Goguryeo Empire by two hundred and eighty thousand, and the Mengshe Zhao Empire by three hundred thousand! Several days ago, the various countries formally notified the Imperial Court that all the reductions will be completed within ten days! "
Suddenly, a voice came from another direction behind the Grand Preceptor, Prime Minister Li Linfu of the Great Tang.
This caught everyone off guard. Li Linfu had not said a single word throughout the entire meeting, not even half a word. No one had expected him to interrupt at this time. What was even more shocking was the information revealed in his words.
"Boom!"
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