"Hehe, it's not much of a business deal. I want to buy a plot of land in Jiannan. "
Wang Chong chuckled.
"Where?"
Zhangchou Jianqiong asked curiously.
"Lion Rock Hill!"
Wang Chong said.
Hearing Wang Chong's words, Zhangchou Jianqiong, Xianyu Zhongtong, and the other generals stared at one another in bewilderment. They thought that Wang Chong wanted to buy a plot of land in the flourishing area of Annan. But to think that it would actually be there.
"Wang gongzi, are you certain? Lion Rock Hill is a barren land. Only those who are on their way to Erhai would pass through the area. On normal days, not a single person can be found in a radius of several dozen li! "
Xianyu Zhongtong said.
They were from the Annan Protectorate Manor, so they couldn't be any more familiar with the situation south of Jiannan. The so-called Lion Rock Mountain sounded grand, but in fact, it was just a small, obscure mountain.
Given that it was so close to the borders of the Annan Protectorate Manor's territory, it could be said to be completely worthless.
Xianyu Zhongtong couldn't understand why a scion of a general clan would want to buy such a small hill.
"Hehe, I heard from a friend that the Tea Horse Road's business is quite good, and he intends to build a base there to rest and stock up his goods. This way, it would be more convenient for him to interfere in the business of the Tea Horse Road."
Wang Chong said.
"I see, so that's the case. The Tea Horse Road is indeed a profitable business. It's no wonder that gongzi would want to interfere. "
Zhangchou Jianqiong nodded in understanding. In truth, the Tea Horse Road was a trade in Erhai tea and Ü-Tsang horses, and there was a huge profit to be made from this trade.
Of the ten major clans in Jiannan, at least seven or eight of them had such businesses. It wasn't surprising that the Wang Clan would want to interfere in this matter.
"Zhongtong, I need you to help Wang gongzi settle this matter after we return."
Zhangchou Jianqiong turned to Xianyu Zhongtong and instructed.
"Yes, I'll get it done after we return."
Xianyu Zhongtong said respectfully.
A Lion Rock Mountain was not worth much money. Xianyu Zhongtong also understood that the Protector-General had taken the initiative to pull strings with the Wang Clan.
In order to succeed the Southern Protector-General position, he needed the help of the Wang Clan.
"Hehe, Chong gongzi, this token is for you. If you want to go to Annan in the future, this token may be of great convenience to you. "
After instructing Xianyu Zhongtong, Zhangchou Jianqiong flicked a golden token toward Wang Chong.
"Thank you, my lord!"
Wang Chong was overjoyed. This was an unexpected harvest. Not only did he subdue the Lion Rock Massif, he also obtained a personal token from Zhangchou Jianqiong.
During this trip to the Ten Sun Restaurant, Wang Chong had obtained the two things he wanted the most. It could be said to be perfect.
"Whoosh! I've done all I can. I'll do my best. The rest is up to luck. "
Wang Chong heaved a long sigh of relief, and he felt much more at ease.
Lion Rock Massif was a small mountain located at the southern border of the Tang dynasty.
Naturally, Wang Chong didn't intend to purchase the mountain for business. Even though the profits from the Tea Horse Road were decent, it wasn't attractive to Wang Chong.
No matter how great the profits from the tea leaves were, it couldn't compare to the profits from the Hyderabad ores, not to mention, there were so many people who wanted a share of the profits.
The reason why Wang Chong wanted the Lion Rock Massif was due to its geographical location.
To the west of the Lion Rock Massif was a vast expanse of flat land. That was where the southwest battlefield of the empire would be located. Wang Chong had checked the map of the Bureau of Military Personnel, and the entire region spanning several hundred li was devoid of any natural defenses.
And the Lion Rock Massif... was the only obstacle in that region.
The reason why Wang Chong bought the Lion Rock Massif wasn't to build a base. Instead, he wanted to build a city, an unprecedentedly huge city!
A barrier that could protect the 180,000 elites of the Tang dynasty at the most crucial moment when the situation was dire!
Such a barrier would surely cost a huge sum of money. It wasn't ten thousand, tens of thousands, or even a hundred thousand gold taels, but millions of gold taels. In fact, it might not even be enough.
But regardless of how much it would cost in the future, Wang Chong didn't care at all.
Wang Chong didn't accumulate gold for no reason. The future Lion Rock Massif was the only thing he could do for the future battlefield.
The Goguryeons served the dishes swiftly. Perhaps it was because they were holding a knife to their necks, or perhaps they knew that with a single word from Zhangchou Jianqiong, everyone in the vicinity would be beheaded.
In any case, it didn't take long for a table full of appetizing dishes to be served. When the serving maids were served, their heads were lowered, and their shoulders and arms were trembling uncontrollably.
However, regardless of whether it was the generals of the southwest or Wang Chong, none of them treated them as ordinary maids.
"Hehe, I heard that Chong gongzi is interested in Governor Zhang Wentuo?"
While they were eating, Zhangchou Jianqiong suddenly brought up a matter.
"Yes."
Wang Chong didn't deny it. Instead, he shot a glance at Yang Zhao. The latter smiled awkwardly and hurriedly turned his head to the side.
Needless to say, Wang Chong knew that it was due to Yang Zhao's capability. He had only mentioned this matter to him before.
"Hehe, that person over there is Wentuo!"
Zhangchou Jianqiong suddenly pointed to a burly man at the end of the long banquet table. His head was lowered, and it was clear that he was out of place.
"Lord Protector-General!"
That man raised his head and looked at Zhangchou Jianqiong with a dazed expression. Clearly, he hadn't heard what Zhangchou Jianqiong had just said.
"It's him!"
Wang Chong was astonished.
In the Tang dynasty, the military and the government were separated. As the governor, Zhang Wentuo had great independence. Even though he was under the control of the Protectorate Manor, it wasn't that severe.
Wang Chong didn't expect the burly man seated at the end of the banquet table to be Zhang Wentuo. With a smile, Wang Chong quickly retracted his gaze.
"I'll talk to him another time."
Wang Chong thought.
Even though Wang Chong wanted to have a chat with him, he knew that this wasn't the right time, place, or occasion for a meeting.
After staying in the Ten Sun Tavern for a while longer, Wang Chong and Big Uncle Wang Gen left together.
"Chong-er, what are you thinking about? Didn't I tell you? You mustn't get too involved in Zhangchou Jianqiong's affairs. "
After leaving the Ten Sun Tavern, a deep frown appeared on Wang Gen's forehead. With so many people in the tavern, it was hard for him to say anything, but now that he was out of the tavern, he could no longer hold himself back.
Zhangchou Jianqiong was a Protector-General of the empire.
If he were to succeed, the Wang Clan wouldn't stand to benefit at all. If he failed, the Wang Family would be too deeply involved, and there would only be a hundred disadvantages and no advantages.
Politics was a dangerous place.
Those people wouldn't disregard Wang Chong just because he was a child. To outsiders, Wang Chong represented the entire Wang Clan.
"Big uncle, do you still remember my father?"
Wang Chong lifted his head.
"Zhengzhi?"
Wang Gen was taken aback. "This matter is related to him?"
"Un."
Wang Chong nodded. "Big uncle, do you still remember His Highness The King of Song recommending my father for the conferment of a marquis?"
Wang Gen nodded.
"Even though my father has been recommended by The King of Song, his qualifications are still too shallow. On top of that, the Bureau of Military Personnel has moved my father and big brother to the vicinity of Jiannan, which is very close to the Southern Protectorate Manor. If my father wishes to be conferred a marquis in the future, he will need Zhangchou Jianqiong's help. "
Wang Chong said.
Not too long ago, he received news that his father and big brother had already moved to the vicinity of Jiannan. Even though the process was a little complicated, and it took a little longer.
Nevertheless, The King of Song still managed to move his father and big brother over.
"I see!"
As expected, upon hearing Wang Chong's words, Wang Gen nodded thoughtfully. If it was for his third brother's conferment, it was still acceptable.
After boarding the carriage, Wang Gen and Wang Chong left.
Meanwhile, in the Ten Sun Tavern, after Wang Gen and Wang Chong bade farewell to the officials, only the generals of the southwest were left in the room.
"Zhi An, what do you think?"
Since there were no outsiders around, Zhangchou Jianqiong suddenly turned around and looked at the mustached middle-aged strategist by his elbow with a solemn expression.
"That lad is lying!"
The middle-aged strategist known as Zhi An chuckled as he picked up the wine cup on the table and drained it in a single gulp.
"Ah?"
Zhangchou Jianqiong was taken aback. He was intending to ask about Wang Gen, but he didn't expect Zhi An to bring up Wang Chong instead.
"Hehe, does Lord Zhangchou still think that the key figure of the Wang Clan is Wang Gen?"
Zhi An put down his wine cup and asked with an unfathomable smile.
"Isn't that the case?"
Zhangchou Jianqiong was taken aback.
"Lord Zhangchou is confused! Yang Zhao, Lord Yang, let me ask you. You have secretly approached Wang Gen before, right? Did he agree to stand up for you? "
Zhi An turned to look at Yang Zhao.
"That's not the case."
Yang Zhao replied honestly. He had stayed in Jiannan, so he knew the standing of the other party by Zhangchou Jianqiong's side.
"Then, when did Wang Gen step forward? Was it after you approached Chong gongzi? "
Zhi An stroked his beard and asked with a smile.
"This... It seems like it!"
Yang Zhao recalled the matter, but he still couldn't understand why the military advisor would ask such a question.
"Haha, do you still not understand? The key to this matter isn't Wang Gen but that fifteen-year-old child. "
Zhi An chuckled. There was an indescribable meaning in his smile.
"Also, didn't you see the banquet earlier? When Chong gongzi tried to curry favor with Lord Protector-General, Lord Wang Gen was clearly unwilling to do so. Yet, not only did he not stop him, he didn't even say a word. I've looked into it previously, and Lord Wang is known for his strictness. He clearly sensed that something was amiss, but he didn't stop him at all... Isn't that enough to prove that something is amiss? "
"You mean to say that that child is the core of the Wang Clan?"
Zhangchou Jianqiong couldn't conceal the shock in his eyes.
"Hehe, even if he isn't, it's not far from it. At the very least, that's what Lord Wang Gen thinks. If I'm not mistaken, that Chong gongzi is the future clan head of the Wang Clan. If Lord Protector-General wishes to stand firmly in the capital, it would be best for you to get closer to Chong gongzi. "
Zhi An said with a smile.
Throughout the entire banquet, he didn't speak much. In fact, his presence was even more inconspicuous than those minor officials invited to the banquet.
But after Wang Chong's departure, the hierarchy of authority in the room became clear. Other than Zhangchou Jianqiong, Zhi An was the true second in command of the Protectorate of the Southwest.
In fact, his standing was even higher than that of Xianyu Zhongtong.
"Didn't that Chong-er have a favor to ask of us? Lord, this is a great opportunity! "
Zhi An leaned back slightly and said with a lazy smile on his face.
"I understand, I understand what I should do."
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.
