If it had been the Wang Gen of the past, there would have been no doubt that he would have stood up for this matter. This was because the Tang Dynasty had enough strength to deal with any side, whether it was Mengshe Zhao, Ouzan, the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganates, Goguryeo, or Arabia.
Without this strength, the Tang Dynasty would never have reached its current level of power.
This was a point that every person of the Great Tang firmly believed.
But this time, Wang Gen was silent. Wang Gen's mind was filled with the words Wang Chong had sent to him through The Eagle.
"No matter what happens, Big Uncle should not lightly express his opinion!"
These words had been spoken several days ago, and Wang Chong had apparently predicted something.
"Chong-er, just what did you see? Just what is it about the Imperial Court that has you so worried about this matter? "
Wang Gen's eyes were dazed, his mind in turmoil.
Wang Chong's recent state had been far too strange, but no one dared to say that he had gone mad. At the very least, he had long ago learned of the news from the southwest, much faster than the Imperial Court had.
It was hard to say whether this nephew of his had already predicted something.
After experiencing so many things, Wang Gen no longer dared to underestimate his nephew's opinion.
"Lord Wang? Lord Wang? … "
A faintly discernible voice rang out. Everyone in the hall glanced at Wang Gen in dismay. The Lord Wang of the past had always been astute, wise, decisive, and decisive, but today, he had appeared to be in a daze twice, refusing to answer.
The officials of the pro-war faction were even more perplexed by this.
Wang Gen and The King of Song were unswervingly 'pro-war'. To be more precise, they were the 'standard bearers' of the pro-war faction in the court. Although Wang Gen was a civil official, the Wang Clan was undoubtedly a clan of ministers and generals, possessing enormous prestige in the court.
In this sort of situation, Wang Gen had no reason to hesitate.
"This matter …"
"Court dismissed! — — "
Before Wang Gen could finish, a sharp voice came from the upper reaches of the hall. Bzzz! Weng, almost at the same time, an enormous pressure appeared in everyone's perception. Everyone was startled, and they hurriedly lowered their heads.
However, before anyone could react, the huge pressure immediately disappeared from everyone's perception without a trace.
Raising his head, he saw that the bead curtain above the main hall had moved, and that imposing figure had already disappeared.
"This is …"
"What happened to His Majesty?"
…
Everyone felt a sense of loss. The Holy Emperor rarely left without listening to his ministers' arguments. For a moment, no one could grasp His Majesty's intentions, and they were at a loss for what to do.
"Luckily, I managed to escape!"
On the other hand, Wang Gen heaved a sigh of relief. His Majesty's attitude was unpredictable, but no matter what, at least he did not have to make his attitude clear.
"It's time to see Chong-er!"
Seeing the frowns on the faces of the warmongering ministers, Wang Gen flung his sleeves and hurriedly left the hall.
This morning's court meeting was very uncomfortable. He had to figure out as soon as possible why Wang Chong told him not to express any attitude.
… …
The pressure from the Court of Judicial Review and the Chamberlain of Dependencies was unimaginable. Although he knew that it would not be easy for his big uncle to enter, it would be several days before Wang Chong was able to meet his big uncle.
In the hidden prison, the candles flickered.
Wang Gen was dressed in casual black clothes, his bearing calm and composed, but the worry on his brow could not be concealed.
"Big Uncle!"
Upon seeing his big uncle, Wang Chong's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly stood up. After so many days, this was his first time seeing his big uncle.
"Chong-er."
Wang Gen nodded. As his gaze swept over Wang Chong's gaunt figure, a hint of heartache flitted across his brow.
Of the descendants of the Wang Clan, the one that Wang Gen cared the most about was not his own son, nor was it Wang Chong's two brothers. Rather, it was this nephew that he had disliked the most in the past, Wang Chong.
Seeing his haggard appearance, Wang Gen found it very hard to bear. But he clenched his teeth and hardened his heart, quickly regaining his composure.
The matter of Wang Chong killing a large number of Hu in Drunken Sparrow restaurant, attacking the Youzhou soldiers, and killing Zhang Shougui's subordinates in front of him had caused far too much of a ruckus. Even Beiting Vice Protector-General An Sishun had been dragged in.
Although An Sishun was Vice Protector-General, the Protector-General of Beiting had always been an empty position. It had always been held by members of the royal family. In other words, An Sishun was already the most authoritative figure in Beiting.
Although Wang Chong had stirred up trouble in the past, none of it had been as big as this.
The Old Master had already sent word that no one was allowed to interfere in this matter. Wang Chong had done something wrong, so he had to be punished.
If not for this, Wang Chong would not still be imprisoned in the Imperial Army, Chamberlain of Dependencies, and Court of Judicial Review.
"Relax. After a while, when this storm has passed, no matter what the Old Master says, I will think of a way to get you out. … My words are useless in front of your grandfather. But the words of The King of Song won't go unheeded. " In the end, Wang Chong was still his nephew, and he couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him.
"Big Uncle, I know that you want to help me, but I've never been worried about that."
"Big Uncle, I know that you want to help me, but that has never been what I'm worried about."
Wang Chong shook his head, a surge of warmth surging through his heart. Everything had a price, and when he had decided to deal with An Yaluoshan, Wang Chong had already known what sort of price he would have to pay.
Wang Chong had never regretted his decision. Wang Chong was now worried about something else.
"Big Uncle, tell me, is the situation in the Imperial Court very bad! … There's no need to hide it from me. I can guess. "
Wang Chong said, a hint of worry in his voice. In this period of time, he had been looking forward to news from his big uncle.
The tragedy of his last life was repeating itself in this one. Wang Chong could smell the thick scent of a storm in the wind.
"Haaah!"
Wang Chong sighed and nodded.
"Right now, the Imperial Court is full of voices calling for war. The voices coming from the Imperial Court and the people are too loud. Even many of the old officials who support peace can't withstand the pressure and have changed their stance. I can't last for much longer. Chong-er, you have to tell me, just why are you doing this? "
The clouds of war were thick over the capital, and in the few days that they had been preparing to meet with Wang Chong, countless officials had come knocking on the gates of the Wang Residence to seek an audience with Wang Chong.
All of them wanted Wang Chong to make his stance clear, but only Wang Chong himself knew just how much pressure he had been under in this period of time.
Wang Chong had always doted on this nephew of his, but this was no trifling matter!
Bang!
Wang Chong had barely finished speaking when he heard a massive bang. Under Wang Chong's flabbergasted gaze, Wang Chong's eyes reddened as he suddenly bent his knees and kneeled in front of Wang Chong.
"Chong-er, what are you doing?"
Wang Chong's eyes went wide in shock. There was no doubt that Wang Chong's performance had completely surpassed his expectations.
"Big Uncle, I know that you have many questions in your heart and that you are in a very difficult position. But only you can help me with this matter! "
Wang Chong's eyes were red and his expression was solemn as he heavily kneeled on the ground. From the memories of his last life, there was no question that this matter had already reached its most critical juncture.
In his last life, the Wang Clan had long since declined and was powerless to intervene in this war. But this time was different. If they wanted to avoid a repeat of the tragedy of his last life, they had to make a decision right now. They could not afford to make the slightest mistake.
"Chong-er, just what are you planning?"
Looking at his kneeling nephew, Wang Gen said grimly. His intuition, honed over several decades in the court, had allowed Wang Chong to sense that Wang Chong was plotting something.
"Big Uncle, when the time comes for the final decision, no matter what, you must oppose this war with The King of Song. The war with Mengshe Zhao cannot be carried out at this time! "
Wang Chong sternly said, his head deeply bowing.
"What?!"
For the first time, shock appeared on Wang Gen's face.
"Chong-er, do you know what you're saying? Jiange City has been reduced to rubble, and many civilians have died. This was not a simple resolution. If our Wang Clan opposes the attack at this time, we will be condemned by the entire world! "
Wang Gen was truly stunned by Wang Chong's request. He had always believed that Wang Chong had kept him from expressing his stance because he had something important to tell him. But this was definitely not the case.
Abstaining, remaining silent, and not expressing one's stance — these were two completely different concepts from opposing the war.
"… Moreover, our Wang Clan and The King of Song have always been the banner of the pro-war faction in the court, and everyone follows our lead. It is precisely because of this that we have been able to accumulate so many connections in the court. The Wang Clan can remain silent, can abstain, but we cannot side with Gelofeng and oppose the war. If I do as you say, the prestige that the Wang Clan has accumulated over the decades will vanish in a single day. No! I can't agree to this matter! "
Wang Gen flung his sleeves and said without hesitation. He could have never imagined that this was what Wang Chong wanted him to do.
If he were to do so, the Wang Clan would lose the prestige that it had accumulated over the past generations, and when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. No one would listen to the Wang Clan's orders or respond to its decisions.
If he were to do so, the Wang Clan's downfall would only be a matter of time.
It wasn't without reason that many of the 'pro-peace' faction were unable to hold on and changed their stance.
"Big Uncle, if we don't oppose the war, we might really be facing a calamity!"
Prostrating himself on the ground, Wang Chong said in agony.
"The Tang dynasty has existed for more than three hundred years, and its collapse will probably happen today!"
In the vast divine continent, of the billions of people, only he and the Wang Clan could have foreknowledge of this crisis and understand it. If even the Wang Clan couldn't take the appropriate measures, what hope did the Central Plains have?
Without a powerful Tang dynasty, when that calamity came, who in the world would be able to stop it?
He had already failed back then, and if he were to start all over again in this life, would he fail again?
"Chong-er, just what are you saying?"
Wang Gen stood there in a daze, completely stunned by Wang Chong's words.
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