"Young Master Wang Chong has returned! … "
As he spoke, a shrill and resounding voice came from the distance. A sharp-eyed figure on the city gate saw Wang Chong's group and immediately called out.
"Boom!"
The quiet capital was instantly thrown into an uproar by this shrill voice.
"Young Master Chong has returned!"
"Hurry and set off the firecrackers!"
"Everyone, hurry and go to the city gate!"
"The young hero of the south has returned!"
"Big Brother Chong is mine! Don't fight with me for him!"
… …
The entire capital was in an uproar, accompanied by the crackling of firecrackers. Not only that, as if they had received a signal, countless people surged out of the city gate like carps crossing the river. Their faces were flushed and they were in high spirits.
"Wang Chong!"
"Wang Chong!"
"Wang Chong!"
… …
Wang Chong's shouts echoed through the heavens, mixed in with the shrill cries of quite a few girls. Let alone Bai Siling and Zhao Yatong, even Wang Chong was dumbstruck.
"I didn't think that you would have so many girls to like!"
Behind him, a cold and jealous voice could be heard. Huang Qian-er carried a large sword on her back as she coldly stared at Wang Chong.
"Haha, I also didn't know that I was so popular."
Wang Chong chuckled.
These words were met with a cold snort from the three girls at his side.
Although they had always maintained a relationship that was neither too close nor too distant with Wang Chong, and even they themselves didn't know what this was, sometimes like friends and sometimes more than friends, there was one thing that was clear: after the war of the southwest, the three of them had all treated Wang Chong as their exclusive property.
Of the three, any one of them could get close to Wang Chong, but the other girls could not.
Wang Chong gave an awkward smile and quickly fell silent.
"Young Master, over here!"
Suddenly, a familiar voice caught Wang Chong's attention. Wang Chong's heart skipped a beat. He turned his head and saw two figures galloping towards him on horseback.
"Brother Guo, Brother Chai! Why are you here? "
Wang Chong's eyes lit up in surprise. He immediately spurred his horse forward to meet him. They were none other than Guo Feng and Chai Zhiyi, whom he had met in the Kunwu Training Camp.
Both the Guo and Chai families were the founding families of the Tang dynasty and held great power. Guo Feng and Chai Zhiyi were the direct descendants of their families. It was impossible for ordinary people to meet them, let alone meet them.
Wang Chong did not expect that they would be waiting for him at the city gate.
"Hahaha, I heard that Young Master Chong was returning to the capital, so Brother Chai and I have been waiting here for a long time."
Guo Feng clasped his hands together and smiled.
"Young Master Chong has made great contributions in the southwest. There are countless people in the capital who wish to meet Young Master Chong. We also wanted to be the first, so we specifically waited at the city gate. "
Chai Zhiyi also faintly smiled.
"Dear brothers, you're too polite."
Wang Chong clasped his hands in return, believing that the two were just being polite. But Wang Chong quickly realized that this was not the case.
"Young Master Wang! Look, Young Master Wang is here! — — "
Suddenly, a loud shout came from the city gate. By the time Wang Chong turned his head, he saw a large crowd surging out. The Zhang Clan, the Lu Clan, the Huang Clan, and the Cheng Clan had all come out.
But before Wang Chong could react, another wave of shouts could be heard.
"Young Master Chong has returned! Young Master Chong has returned! "
Behind the Cheng, Huang, Lu, and Zhang Clans, countless members of the capital's great clans also came out. Most of these people were unfamiliar to Wang Chong, but when he saw the emblems of their clans on their clothes, Wang Chong immediately recognized them.
These were the great clans that had provided guards to him in exchange for WuZi Steel weapons before the southwest war.
The victory in the southwest had apparently involved these great clans, all of them rushing over to welcome him.
"Young Master Chong, our patriarch invites you. He hopes that Young Master Chong can pay a visit to our residence. "
"Young Master Chong, this is a small token of our clan's appreciation. We hope that Young Master will accept it."
"We know that Young Master must be tired and in need of rest. This is an invitation from our patriarch. When Young Master is free, please come to our residence for a chat. Our patriarch will be sure to welcome you. "
"Young Master Chong, we are from the capital's Wei Clan. Does Young Master require any guards? We have brought ten-some people with us this time. If Young Master likes them, please accept them. Young Master has made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty, so this is a token of our patriarch's appreciation. "
"And us! And us! "
… …
The patriarchs, young masters, and stewards of countless great clans began to gather around, some offering gold and silver, some offering powerful guards. Some great clans even brought their adult daughters, hoping to marry them to Wang Chong and form a good relationship with the Wang Clan.
Even though Wang Chong had experienced the war in the northwest and defeated opponents like Dalun Ruozan and Huoshu Huizang, he had developed an incomparably powerful heart. But when he saw those beautiful and alluring young ladies of the great clans raise the curtains and disembark from their carriages, he couldn't help but blush.
Behind Wang Chong, Bai Siling, Huang Qian-er, and Zhao Yatong all had frosty expressions, their eyes spitting fire as they viciously glared at the clan patriarchs who had brought their young ladies.
"Rumble!"
Just when the crowd was at its most boisterous, the earth suddenly rumbled and the sky shook. Two groups of fully-armored cavalrymen suddenly rushed out of the city gate. Behind the cavalrymen were many guards. Finally, they escorted a few majestic and luxurious bronze carriages out of the city.
Although nothing could be seen, there was an enormous aura accompanied by a mountain-like pressure that was like a tidal wave bursting out from the carriage, boundless and boundless.
Everyone who sensed this aura felt their hearts tremble. Like mice encountering a cat, they all subconsciously retreated.
"Ah! The Bureau of Military Personnel! "
Seeing the leading carriage, especially the emblem on the carriage and that fluttering banner, even the clan patriarchs paled at the mere mention of it and began to retreat to the sides.
In the entire capital, there was only one person in the entire Tang dynasty who dared to wear such a carriage emblem and such a banner.
That person's identity and status was not something that the Patriarchs, Elders, and direct descendants of the aristocratic families could afford to offend.
"Boom!"
With a massive boom, the two groups of powerful Tang dynasty cavalry spread apart, flanking Wang Chong and his companions.
"Who goes there?!"
Next to Wang Chong, Bai Siling and Zhao Yatong paled at this sight and immediately urged their horses forward.
"Wait a moment!"
Wang Chong spread out his hands to stop them. The new emblem on this carriage had only appeared in the capital recently, so not many people knew about it. But Wang Chong had seen it in the southwest.
Bang!
As he was thinking, the carriage door opened and a pair of dazzling boots, suffused with the aura of authority, stepped out. Dressed in the crimson robe of a first-rank official and wearing a jade python belt, the moment Zhangchou Jianqiong's majestic figure appeared, everyone present couldn't help but lower their heads.
The Fierce Tiger of the Empire!
Even if one cast aside the important status of Minister of War, this person before them still possessed the status of an influential Imperial Great General. In the war of the southwest, Zhangchou Jianqiong's Annam Protectorate had lost more than one hundred thousand soldiers, and the southwest was in grave danger.
Everyone in the capital knew that the moment the southwest was lost would be the moment this new Minister of War would step down from his high horse. This was because if he had not left the southwest on his own accord for the sake of fame and given Mengshe – Ü-Tsang an opportunity, the southwest would never have ended up like this.
Moreover, the new Protector-General of the Southwest, Xianyu Zhongtong, had been recommended by him!
But no one had expected that Wang Chong's intervention in the southwest would not only prevent the Tang from losing a single inch of territory, but even turn defeat into victory, beheading more than four hundred thousand Mengshe – Ü-Tsang soldiers and achieving a major victory in the southwest!
Xianyu Zhongtong and the 180,000 soldiers of the Annam Protectorate were not only free of blame, they had even rendered meritorious service. Zhangchou Jianqiong had also been praised by the Holy Emperor for his ability to manage the army and his ability to judge people. His position as Minister of War was now as stable as a boulder.
No one had expected this.
From the sight of Zhangchou Jianqiong walking down from the carriage, his face glowing, one could tell that he was in the height of his success.
"Young Master Chong!"
Zhangchou Jianqiong walked down from the carriage and scanned the crowd. Before Wang Chong could walk over, he stepped forward and gave Wang Chong an extremely solemn and respectful bow.
"Zhangchou has been waiting for a long time. Please accept my bow!"
Whoooah!
Seeing Zhangchou Jianqiong bow to Wang Chong, the crowd fell into an uproar. No one had expected that Zhangchou Jianqiong, the Minister of War, would bow to Wang Chong in front of so many people.
Even Bai Siling and Zhao Yatong paled. They hurriedly dismounted and retreated to the sides of the road.
Zhangchou Jianqiong was the Minister of War, a fierce tiger of the empire, one of the few Great Generals of the Tang dynasty, and a first-rank official of the Imperial Court. No matter how he was related to the rebellion of the southwest, his status was unquestionable.
In terms of rank, Zhangchou Jianqiong was not one bit inferior to Mengshe – Ü-Tsang Great Generals like Dalun Ruozan, Huoshu Huizang, or Duan Gequan. Moreover, he was now the Minister of War, a true titan of the Tang dynasty. He was not someone that any of the great clans present could provoke.
Bai Siling and Zhao Yatong came from extremely ancient clans, but they still did not dare to act impudently in front of Zhangchou Jianqiong.
On this occasion, Zhangchou Jianqiong had clearly come for Wang Chong. This bow of his was not something that anyone else could accept.
"Lord Minister is too polite. Wang Chong cannot accept this!"
Wang Chong was also startled. He had not expected Zhangchou Jianqiong to bow to him in front of so many people. He hurriedly reached out to support Zhangchou Jianqiong's arm.
"In the war of the southwest, Young Master has rendered great service to the Tang dynasty, benefiting the people, and is the great benefactor of my Annam Protectorate. It is not excessive to accept Zhangchou Jianqiong's bow! "
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