"Old, Master!!"
The waiter's eyes trembled, his face stricken with fear. He had truly run into the Taisui Lord this time. No one had expected his master to personally appear here.
"Leave!"
Yao Guang Yi waved his sleeve and indifferently said.
"Yes, Master. This lowly one will arrange a room for Master! "
The waiter hurriedly left, a panicked expression on his face.
Yao Guang Yi waved his hand, not bothering to argue with him. Stepping over the threshold, he began to head up the stairs to the second floor.
"I've finally returned!"
Yao Guang Yi's expression was calm as he stared at the familiar scenery, but his mind was slightly disturbed. The conflict between the militarists and Confucians was a major event that surpassed any faction. Yao Guang Yi had originally planned to stay in the capital to assist King Qi. After all, King Qi seemed to be extremely concerned about this matter.
However, the Old Master of the Yao Clan, who was in the Four Quarters Embassy, immediately sent Yao Guang Yi out of the capital to the distant borders. Based on what the Old Master had said, the conflict between the militarists and Confucians was a place where blades and axes cut one's body. If one was not careful, one could easily invite trouble and become the common enemy. It would have been fine if the Yao Clan was purely a scholarly clan, but all great clans were involved in both the civil and the military.
Helping the Confucians break the militarists was tantamount to cutting off one's arm. This was no different from committing suicide. It was better to just leave.
However, this conflict between the militarists and Confucians had reached its most critical moment, especially with the publication of 'Might Makes Right' and 'Benevolence and Righteousness'. These two books had pushed the matter to its peak, and there was also the incident at the Penal Court. King Qi's defeat by Wang Chong was viewed by King Qi as a great humiliation. For this reason, he had disregarded everything else and forcibly transferred Yao Guang Yi back from the border so that he could concentrate his strength on suppressing Wang Chong.
But even though he had returned to the capital, Yao Guang Yi still abided by the Old Master's words. 'If possible, try not to say anything. For some insignificant matters, support King Qi with all his might.' Thus, he had been able to remain uninvolved.
Bang!
The moment he set foot on the second floor, he heard a massive wave of noise. It was like he had stepped into another world. Yao Guang Yi looked up and saw that the entire second floor was filled with the nobles and clans of the capital. With just a quick glance, Yao Guang Yi could already see a few officials from the imperial court.
"Lord Yao!"
"Lord Yao!"
Seeing Yao Guang Yi come up, everyone on the second floor felt their hearts skip a beat as they turned around to greet him. A starving camel was still bigger than a horse. The Yao Clan was a hundred-year-old tree. Although this generation could not be compared to the previous generation, it was not as prosperous as the Wang Clan. However, as long as Old Master Yao was around, the Yao Family's influence was unparalleled.
"Yes."
Yao Guang Yi nodded slightly. Without putting on airs, he greeted everyone one by one. On the second floor, the manager of the Vast Crane Pavilion had already stepped forward. Bending his back, he led Yao Guang Yi to a room where he could overlook the pedestal. Hua, Yao Guang Yi stepped in. Just as he reached the railing, he was immediately stunned.
On the other side of the street, in another restaurant, a familiar figure immediately leaped into view.
"Grand Tutor!"
Yao Guang Yi's heart thumped in shock at the sight of this familiar figure. Even though Grand Tutor Chen Yong had used a black curtain to hide his face, Yao Guang Yi still recognized him.
Grand Tutor Chen Yong was the Emperor's tutor, and he usually spent his time in the depths of the palace, rarely appearing outside. The Holy Emperor had even built a residence for him in the palace. Other than the affairs of the princes and princesses, Chen Yong had no interest in anything else.
Yao Guang Yi had not expected that this conflict of ideals between the militarists and the Confucians would draw this Grand Tutor out of the palace.
But before all this could begin, Yao Guang Yi turned his gaze and saw another figure. His body was straight and motionless, as if he was a spear plunged into the ground.
The Crown Prince's Junior Guardian, Wang Zhongsi!
Yao Guang Yi was getting more and more alarmed. There were not many people of Yao Guang Yi's level who could surprise him. But the Grand Tutor and the Crown Prince's Junior Guardian, Wang Zhongsi, were definitely among them. The former had a lofty status, almost on par with the Grand Preceptor, and from a certain perspective, as the Emperor's teacher, he was even higher.
As for the Crown Prince's Junior Guardian, Wang Zhongsi!
This person was a true war hero of the Tang Dynasty. If he had not retreated in the face of danger, his status would have been on par with the War God So Jung-son of Taizong's era. In the Tang Dynasty, he was a true and uncrowned king, and countless astonishing feats of his had been spread around the world. Not even the King of Foreign Lands, who had been personally conferred the title of King of Foreign Lands by the Son of Heaven, could compare to the Crown Prince's Junior Guardian, Wang Zhongsi, at his peak.
Neither of these people would casually appear!
Yao Guang Yi had not expected that the conflict between the militarists and the Confucians represented by Wang Chong and Li Junxian would also attract them. He continued to look around, from near to far, the supervising censor, the Duke of Qi, the Duke of Zhao, the Duke of Wei, the Head of the Secretariat, the Minister of Purple and Green, the Minister of Honor … As far as the eye could see, it was unknown how many important officials of the imperial court were hidden in the nearby restaurants, teahouses, and taverns.
Although none of them said anything, there was no doubt that they were all paying close attention to this matter.
Hiss!
Even though he had mentally prepared himself, Yao Guang Yi still couldn't help but gasp. When he had first received the news, he had believed that he was the highest-ranking official here, but now, Yao Guang Yi realized that he was wrong. This conflict had long ago drawn in the entire court, even the entire Tang Dynasty!
This was no longer a struggle of ideals, but a struggle for the fate of the country. This dispute was likely to decide the fate of the Tang Dynasty for the next several hundred years. Only this could explain why so many people had appeared here.
… …
Putting aside the activity in Vast Crane Pavilion, on the other side: Bang! On the other side, with a flash of light, on the opposite side of the workbench, a white robe, like frost or snow, crossed the threshold like a stream of water.
"Young Master, everything has been taken care of!"
The moment Li Junxian appeared, a disciple of the Confucian Sect appeared and led him to the top floor.
The Confucian Sect had operated for one thousand years and had deep roots in the Central Plains. Although it usually did not show itself, a considerable portion of the capital's businesses belonged to the Confucian Sect.
"Mm."
Li Junxian's expression was indifferent as he nodded and ascended the wooden stairs to the highest floor. Tea had already been prepared there, a pot of jasmine, a white porcelain cup, and nothing else.
With a wave of his sleeve, Li Junxian quickly sat down in front of the table, his every movement exuding an air of elegance.
"Has it begun?"
"Young Master, based on their progress, it should be about time in another incense stick or so."
A gray-robed elder bowed and replied. Judging from the black insignia on his wrist, he was clearly another member of the Confucian Sect.
Li Junxian nodded and said no more.
… …
On the street, the banging of the piles could be heard as the craftsmen busied themselves. In a little more than an hour, the entire platform was almost complete. Thanks to Zhang Shouzhi's reputation as a master of architecture and his reputation as a master of steel, Wang Chong had gathered a large group of top-class craftsmen. One could easily imagine the ability, skill, and efficiency of these people.
Boom!
When the last corner was completed, it was like a gust of wind had swept through Azure Dragon Street, causing it to fall deathly still. The vast crowd stared in a daze at the same place, making no sound. In the restaurants, Li Junxian, Yao Wenyi, Grand Tutor Chen Yong, and the Crown Prince's Junior Guardian Wang Zhongsi all looked over.
No one said anything, but everyone's expression became incomparably solemn in that instant.
… …
Whoosh!
In the howling winds, a massive golden dragon banner flapped in the wind at the edge of the Imperial Palace. But no one noticed that a figure exuding a majestic aura had appeared on the high walls of the Imperial Palace.
"Haha, what a lively scene! Hu Dequan, what do you think the King of Foreign Lands wants to do by setting up a platform on Azure Dragon Street? "
The First Prince, dressed in his imperial robe, was seated on the wall with his hands held behind his back. A breeze blew past, causing the hair at the First Prince's temples and his robes to dance in the wind. Even though he stood on the same side as Li Junxian and the Confucian Sect behind him, the First Prince had always been a bystander in this battle of ideals.
Unlike the affairs of the Imperial Court, the conflict between Wang Chong and Li Junxian had a profound effect on the empire, but it had no effect on the First Prince's status in the Imperial Court. On the contrary, as the future heir apparent of the empire, the First Prince was more than happy to see this sort of ideological struggle! This was proof that everyone was doing their best to pledge loyalty to the empire.
"Your Highness, this old servant is too kind. This old servant would never dare to speculate on the affairs of the Imperial Court! "
A voice rang out from beside the First Prince. It came from a tall but frail old eunuch dressed in embroidered robes, who was bowing. The old eunuch's eyes were as bright as a sword, but his palms were always hidden in his sleeves. If one looked closely, they would discover that his hands were as black as ink, incomparably black. They looked extremely dangerous, and it was clear that he had cultivated an extremely special and powerful cultivation technique.
"Heh!"
The First Prince only chuckled. The harem could not interfere in politics, so the eunuchs naturally could not interfere either. However, the First Prince still had a great deal of trust in this old eunuch. This old eunuch had grown up with him, so the First Prince had a great deal of trust in him.
"It's begun!"
The First Prince suddenly said as he looked ahead. His words instantly attracted the attention of everyone around him, including the old eunuch Hu Dequan. Everyone turned to look at him.
The Imperial Palace was still some distance from Azure Dragon Street, but the First Prince could rely on the high walls of the Imperial Palace to look down on the majority of the capital, let alone Azure Dragon Street. Although he couldn't see too clearly and couldn't see the officials gathered in the restaurants and tea houses, he could clearly see the high platform the King of Foreign Lands had set up. Moreover, there were countless mounted scouts ready to report back at any time.
I can't miss out on this excitement!
The First Prince inwardly smiled.
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