"The countries are reducing their armies? How could this be! "
"Did I hear wrong? Ouzan is reducing their armies by one hundred and fifty thousand, the Western Turks by two hundred thousand, and Goguryeo by two hundred and eighty thousand … how could such a thing be possible! "
"These countries have always covetously eyed the Central Plains with wild ambitions. Even when we negotiated with them to maintain good neighborly relations and stop fighting, it was impossible. How could they possibly agree to reduce their armies!"
… …
Prime Minister Li Linfu's words were like a stone thrown into a ripple. Everyone was stunned by Prime Minister Li Linfu's words. If these countries agreed to reduce their armies, this would be an unprecedented piece of good news. The threat that the surrounding barbarians posed to the Tang Dynasty would be greatly weakened, especially when one considered that these countries were primarily cavalry, which would be even more advantageous to the Tang Dynasty.
"… In addition, in order to express the Tang Dynasty's resolve to maintain good neighborly relations and never fight again, all the empires have decided to withdraw their armies by three hundred li."
While the officials were chattering, Li Linfu's voice once more resounded through the hall. Bzzz! The people in the hall had already been shaken by Li Linfu's announcement, and Li Linfu's words pushed their emotions to a new peak.
"Lord Prime Minister, is what Sir says true?"
Countless officials turned to Li Linfu, and a few of them who were closest to him moved closer to him. If not for his status as Prime Minister, they would have long ago reached out to ask him about this matter.
"There is no doubt about this matter. The Hall of Governmental Affairs has documents from all the countries as proof, all of them stamped with the seals of their emperors."
Li Linfu sternly said. As he spoke, he turned his head to look at the First Prince in the main hall. The latter slightly nodded from his throne. It was clear that there was no doubt about this matter.
"Boom!"
In an instant, the entire hall was in an uproar. All the generals were stunned.
To have the countries bordering the Tang Dynasty reduce their armies by two hundred thousand, perhaps even three hundred thousand was something that not even they had dared to imagine. This was truly subduing the enemy without a fight. To have the countries bordering the Tang Dynasty lose nearly one million soldiers in the blink of an eye was undoubtedly a major achievement. It was no less than Wang Chong's western expedition. No matter what Li Junxian's background was, this was enough for him to enter the Imperial Court and participate in politics.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Wang Chong was even more shocked than Jiang Yunrang and the others. Even Wang Chong was caught unprepared by the news that the countries around the Tang dynasty had reduced their armies to a million soldiers at the same time.
"How is this possible?!"
Wang Chong muttered to himself. His heart was in turmoil, and almost subconsciously, Wang Chong turned to look at The King of Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong. In their eyes, Wang Chong saw the same shock. Obviously, they hadn't received any news beforehand.
This was a real heavy bomb!
However, after the initial shock, Wang Chong's heart slowly cooled down. The Grand Preceptor, the Grand Preceptor, Li Linfu, and all the most illustrious figures of the Imperial Court began to stand up for Li Junxian. Li Junxian and the Confucian Sect were clearly determined to obtain He Qingrong's vacant seat.
"Your Highness …"
Wang Chong wanted to say more, but a moment later, a familiar and soft voice rang out at his ear.
"Wang Chong, forget it! The Grand Preceptor, Li Linfu, King Qi, and perhaps the First Prince … from the moment the irrigation works began, they had been planning for this moment. If what they said just now is true, then Li Junxian and the Confucian Sect have performed an enormous deed by reducing the armies of the countries. Although I don't like the idea of the Confucian Sect taking over, I have to admit that their actions have been beneficial to the Great Tang, beneficial to the country, and beneficial to the common people. This contribution alone is enough for them to enter the central government. This is not something we can stop! "
? The King of Song's voice was tinged with complex emotions. Public was public, and private was private. Although he was still deeply wary of the Confucian Sect, Li Junxian and the Confucian Sect had truly done a good deed by reducing the armies of the countries.
Even though not even The King of Song knew how they had done it.
"Impossible! Given the personalities of the countries, how could they be willing to reduce their armies!? "
Wang Chong messaged back.
"But the documents of the various countries have already been delivered to the Imperial Court. This matter is set in stone and cannot be faked. At the very least, Li Junxian and that Confucian Sect truly did their best, and they even tried to do things that benefited the country and the people. This cannot be denied! Merit must be rewarded and mistakes must be punished. This is the rule of the Imperial Court, and it is also the law of using people. With this ability and the recommendations of the Grand Preceptor, King Qi, and the Prime Minister … he is already qualified to enter the Imperial Court and participate in politics. … We are powerless to reverse the situation! "
The King of Song gave a long sigh, his voice tinged with helplessness.
Today's defeat had been decided from the moment he had agreed to the irrigation works in Jiangnan. It was too late to make up for it later. Failure to win was not the fault of soldiers. This had nothing to do with Wang Chong.
Wang Chong could hear the helplessness in The King of Song's voice and instantly fell silent.
"Li Junxian! Come forward! "
Just at this moment, the First Prince, who had been standing at the top of the hall like a towering mountain, spoke up.
"This lowly subject will go!"
Li Junxian faintly smiled, his sleeves fluttering in the wind, and he immediately walked forward.
From start to finish, this court debate had been completely under his control. Perhaps Wang Chong and the generals believed that this matter could still be done, that they could still stop him. But to Li Junxian, from the moment he stood outside the hall, everything had been decided.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Li Junxian's footsteps were relaxed, and his abyss-like demeanor and upright demeanor had left a deep impression on even the scholar-officials of the Imperial Court and made them feel admiration for him. Tap! When he was still several steps from Wang Chong, Li Junxian suddenly stopped.
"King of Foreign Lands, it seems like your prejudice against me is too deep!"
Li Junxian glanced at Wang Chong, a smirk on his face. But before Wang Chong could say anything, Li Junxian had already flung his sleeve and brushed past Wang Chong.
Behind him, Wang Chong stared at Li Junxian's back, his eyes as cold as ice.
He had lost this round. At least on the surface. But Wang Chong was well aware that this was far from being so simple.
The Tang Dynasty was reducing the armies of the barbarians!
If the Ouzan and the Western Turks had sincerely wanted to reduce their armies and maintain peace with the Tang Dynasty, and if they had not used any tricks in their negotiations, Wang Chong would have been sincerely happy. But wolves were wolves and tigers were tigers. Even if they retracted their claws, they could not change their nature to drink blood and eat meat. Wang Chong was keenly aware of this. If a peace treaty was useful, the Tang Dynasty would not be at war with the Ouzan and the other countries.
If the Western Turks and the other countries truly loved peace, Emperor Taizong and all the other wise sovereigns of the Central Plains would have long ago resolved this problem. The Tang Dynasty would have no need to expand its army or prepare for war.
Li Junxian had no idea what he was doing. He had underestimated these countries, underestimated the hearts of men.
"Li Junxian, hear the decree!
"Beloved subject has served the Tang dynasty and the people of the country in your diplomatic mission. Thus, you have been conferred the title of Secretariat Advisor and sent to the Secretariat to participate in politics. The Grand Preceptor will assist you in the affairs of the court. The Bureau of Personnel will draft a document and announce beloved subject's achievements to the world to demonstrate your achievements. "
The First Prince said in a loud voice,
"I have already submitted this conferment to Imperial Father and obtained Imperial Father's approval. I trust that all subjects have no objections."
At this point, the First Prince shot a profound glance at Wang Chong.
Wang Chong's heart sank. The First Prince's words were clearly directed at him. In the entire Imperial Court, he was probably the most vehement opponent of Li Junxian, but Wang Chong managed to restrain himself. If he lost one step, he would lose every step. The news of the various countries reducing their armies had rendered all of Wang Chong's words useless. In the hall, the First Prince quickly retracted his gaze.
"Li Junxian, the Grand Preceptor has high praise for you. Do not disappoint this king!"
"Many thanks, Your Highness! Li Junxian will do all he can to serve the empire! "
Li Junxian stepped forward, waved his sleeve, and bowed in a manner that was neither servile nor overbearing.
"Grand Preceptor, Li Junxian is your last disciple. You have also contributed greatly to his service to the empire by having the other countries reduce their armies. However, the Grand Preceptor is already a first-rank official and cannot be conferred any more titles. Thus, this king has decided to bestow upon the Grand Preceptor an imperial belt, ten thousand taels of gold, and an imperial token of the imperial household to show his service. “
"Many thanks, Your Highness!"
The Grand Preceptor turned around and respectfully bowed to the ceiling of the hall.
A few moments later, the court session concluded and everyone surged out of the hall.
"Your Highness! Qingrong has let Your Highness down in this matter! "
As Wang Chong and the King of Song walked out of Taihe Palace, the Minister of Light, He Qingrong, hurriedly rushed forward, his face covered in shame. For a moment, the atmosphere was deathly still.
"Brother He, in truth, whether you leave or stay, this king has no intention of blaming you. But just what happened? I remember that several days ago, when I met with Brother He, Brother He said that he wanted to apply for two months of leave from the court to return to his hometown to visit his mother. He said that he would return in two months and would not allow the Prince of Qi to take advantage of him. However … "
At this point, King Song paused and gave a deep sigh.
Victory and defeat were commonplace for soldiers. This was true on the battlefield, and it was also true in the Imperial Court. The King of Song did not care that he had lost this round to King Qi's faction. What he truly could not let go of was He Qingrong's attitude. When the Grand Preceptor asked He Qingrong, He Qingrong's answer had caught everyone off guard. If they knew that He Qingrong had already made his choice, they would not have panicked and would have taken other measures.
All was quiet. Wang Chong said nothing, only looked at He Qingrong. From a certain perspective, He Qingrong's attitude could already be considered a 'betrayal'. Compared to an enemy's attack, one's own side's' betrayal 'was far more troubling.
"Lord He, speak. Just what happened?"
Wang Chong straightforwardly said. A single person's attitude could not change so much. Wang Chong would never believe that the Grand Preceptor and the others had not played a trick in this matter.
"Haaa!"
He Qingrong raised his head and finally couldn't help but sigh, a look of reminiscence appearing in his eyes.
"To tell the truth, before the morning court session, I suddenly received a letter."
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