In his father's generation, the Wang Clan had once been renowned throughout the world. They were known as the 'Duke Jiu of the Tang Dynasty' and even the 'Virtuous Prime Minister'. But Wang Gen and Wang Yan's generation had declined day by day, completely unable to compare to the glory of his father's generation.
This was a source of pain in Wang Gen's heart.
But now, the Wang Clan had finally produced a Wang Chong.
In the war of the southwest, not even Wang Gen dared to look at the dazzling light that had burst forth from Wang Chong's body, much less believe it!
After so long, there was finally hope for the Wang Clan's resurgence!
"Imperial Censor Duan …"
Wang Chong had not expected so many things to happen in the Imperial Court while he had been asleep. Wang Chong had some impression of that old Imperial Censor Duan Cao.
He was the clan head of the capital's Duan Clan. The Duan Clan was known as a clan of imperial censors and had an extremely high reputation.
But in Wang Chong's memory, Duan Cao had retired very early in his last life and paid no attention to worldly affairs. He had not expected that in this life, he would charge into the Imperial Court and argue with King Qi and the other officials for his sake.
"When the time is right, your nephew will personally pay him a visit to thank him!"
Wang Chong said.
"There's no need!"
To his surprise, Wang Gen shook his head, immediately rejecting Wang Chong's proposal. After taking a sip of tea, he calmly placed the tray back on the table and said, "The old Imperial Censor is a true loyal subject.
It is precisely because of this that the Duan Clan is known as a clan of imperial censors and was bestowed with an iron certificate and a golden edict by the previous emperor. Moreover, the old Imperial Censor's way of doing things is based on facts and not on people. The reason why he's helping you isn't because he's particularly fond of you, but because it's beneficial to the country. Thus, he could rebuke and educate his descendant in front of all the officials and strongly recommend and support you.
"If you go and thank him now, the old Imperial Censor will probably retract his decision and go before the Holy Emperor to impeach you! And even if you want to see him now, you won't be able to. The old Imperial Censor has already closed his doors to guests. Unless he wants to come out, no one will be able to. "
Wang Gen smiled as he stroked his beard.
Wang Chong was startled, and his heart was filled with deep respect.
The old imperial censor was a true honest official! Any kind of thanks would seem unnecessary.
"The friendship of a lowly person is as sweet as wine, and the friendship of a gentleman is as plain as water. Since the old censor is unwilling to see a guest, I will write a letter to express my gratitude."
Wang Chong said.
"En. That works too. "
Wang Gen pondered for a moment, but this time, he did not reject it. The old censor argued on the grounds of reason in court. Wang Chong thanked him by writing a letter. This could be considered as an exchange of books and gifts, forming a friendship that forgets the difference in age.
"Oh, that's right. Three days later, His Majesty will summon you to the palace to reward you. When it comes to the etiquette of the audience, you must not be negligent. Otherwise, even if you accept the reward, you will be criticized by the officials afterwards and be accused of disrespect. In the future, it will be extremely detrimental to your career. "
Wang Gen sternly said.
Wang Chong's reward this time was no small matter. This was a reward personally bestowed by the Holy Emperor, and it was completely different from ordinary rewards. This represented the favor of the imperial clan and was an enormous honor.
"I've already arranged for someone for you. When the time comes, he will tell you all the necessary etiquette. You can't get careless. "
"Haha, there's no need. The King of Song has already made arrangements for me. "
Wang Chong faintly smiled.
In this aspect, the King of Song truly did have foresight. Although he was not in the capital, he had already made arrangements, so there was no need for Wang Chong to worry about it.
"Oh? That's even better! "
A hint of surprise flashed through Wang Gen's eyes, and then he smiled and nodded.
When it came to the etiquette of the audience, he had not discussed it with the King of Song beforehand. Since the King of Song had made arrangements, nothing could be better.
Wang Gen quickly left the Wang Clan Residence.
Soon after, Wang Chong sent someone to fetch the old official from the Chamberlain of Dependencies that the King of Song had spoken of. In the next few days, Wang Chong remained in the residence and focused on learning the etiquette of the audience and rewards.
… …
Although Wang Chong had been back for several days, the celebratory mood in the capital had not lessened in the slightest. On the contrary, it was growing more and more fervent.
On the streets, in the restaurants and tea houses, everyone was talking about this young hero of the Tang dynasty. And the disputes in the court, as well as the grudges between the Wang Clan, the Yao Clan, and King Qi, were also being discussed.
Bits and pieces of Wang Chong's past, including how he had once abducted a commoner girl, were all dug up. His past profligacy was also treated as Wang Chong's deliberate concealment of his abilities.
And Wang Chong's battles in the southwest against Dalun Ruozan, Huoshu Huizang, and Mengshe Zhao's generals were also vividly described, becoming the talk of the storytellers on the streets.
In the mouths of these storytellers, Wang Chong had become a legend who could single-handedly fend off a thousand, who could turn stone into gold, who possessed the means of an immortal.
But in the end, all these legends converged on one point: Wang Chong's rewards. Even the foreign envoys and Hu merchants in the capital had gathered, wanting to know what the Holy Emperor had bestowed upon Wang Chong.
"… In my opinion, that Young Master Wang should at least be made a general for his great service."
"Hey, what's a general? In my opinion, he should be made a noble. Only a noble title can be passed down. "
"But it's been a long time since the Imperial Court has conferred a noble title, and a general title is hard to come by. The Bureau of Rites has even rejected the conferment of a viscount, let alone anything else."
"Haha, it's precisely because it's so few that it should be conferred. Young Master Wang's great service isn't something an ordinary person can accomplish. If he isn't conferred a noble title, how can he show His Majesty's favor? Right, if His Majesty were to confer a noble title, what kind of title do you think it would be? "
"In my opinion, it should be a viscount at the very least."
"How could a viscount be enough? At the very least, it should be a count, equivalent to those ministers in the court. "
… …
In the restaurants and tea houses, on the streets and in the alleys, everyone was talking. When the Tang dynasty had first been founded, it had lavishly conferred titles, but as time went on, the conferment of noble titles became more and more restricted.
By the time the current dynasty was established, it was already extremely cautious. Even many of the first-rank officials in the court were only conferred the title of count.
Thus, in the capital, 'Count' had become an invisible dividing line. It was relatively easy to bestow rewards to those below 'Count', but it was extremely difficult to bestow rewards above 'Count'. Compared to the founding of the dynasty several hundred years ago, the difficulty was incalculable.
Everyone speculated that Wang Chong would at least be conferred the title of count, but anything higher would not be so easy. The Bureau of Rites would probably be the first to object.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. With the arrival of Wang Chong's audience with the Holy Emperor, the festive atmosphere of the capital reached its peak.
"Boom!"
When the gate opened and Wang Chong walked out of the Wang Family Residence, dressed in a crimson ceremonial robe and a ceremonial hat, he was immediately greeted by a wave of cheers.
"Wang Chong! Wang Chong! Wang Chong! "
… …
Countless people of the capital had gathered outside the gate of the Wang Family Residence, men and women, young and old, merchants and servants. All of them were shouting, their faces red and their voices rising in waves.
Even the servants and maids of the Wang Family Residence were excited by the clamor outside.
But unlike the servants and maids of the Wang Family Residence, Bai Siling, Zhao Yatong, and Huang Qian-er were all focused on Wang Chong.
Wang Chong had returned victorious from the southwest and was now being conferred the title of the Holy Emperor. As his friends, Bai Siling, Zhao Yatong, and Huang Qian-er had come to the Wang Family Residence early in the morning to see him off.
Although this was not their first day meeting, when they saw Wang Chong's sword-like brows, starry eyes, upright posture, and his red ceremonial robe, they couldn't help but have their eyes brighten, a strange light flickering in their beautiful eyes.
The red-robed Wang Chong and the Wang Chong on the battlefield gave off a completely different feeling. If the Wang Chong on the battlefield was an invincible war god, then the Wang Chong before them had restrained his heroic spirit and hidden his edge, instantly exuding a completely different and refined aura of a scholar.
The different feeling only made him more and more attractive.
"Hmph, don't randomly look at girls on the side of the road. Be careful that you don't gouge out your eyes."
Bai Siling glared fiercely at Wang Chong and rudely said.
Bang!
On the side, Zhao Yatong said nothing. With a cold face, she turned the red-tasseled spear in her hand so that the tip was pointing down and the handle was pointing up. With a thump, the hard ground in front of the Wang Family Residence's gate cracked and splintered in a show of force.
Behind him, Huang Qian-er said nothing, her face expressionless. However, the silver sword on her back seemed to hum threateningly in its sheath.
"With all of you here, I wouldn't dare to act recklessly."
Wang Chong laughed.
"Okay, Chong-er, it's about time to leave. The meeting with His Majesty can't be delayed."
Madam Wang watched from the back, inwardly laughing. She had also been a young girl, so how could she not understand the thoughts of these three girls?
Rumble! An ornate carriage inlaid with golden threads stopped on the side of the street. This was a carriage sent by the Bureau of Rites to receive Wang Chong.
Wang Chong boarded the carriage and set off for the Imperial Palace.
After around fifteen minutes, Wang Chong finally entered the Imperial Palace. This was not Wang Chong's first time in the Imperial Palace, but the feeling this time was particularly different.
The golden palace walls were grand and magnificent, and beneath them were countless Imperial Soldiers and Palace Guards in shining armor, exuding a solemn and dignified aura. But unlike usual, they were wearing festive red ribbons on their left and right shoulders.
Moreover, there were many officials from the Bureau of Rites among the Imperial Soldiers and Palace Guards.
This audience was no small matter. Everyone knew that the Holy Emperor would assuredly reward Wang Chong handsomely. This could be seen from the solemnity of the ceremony this time.
The ornate carriage inlaid with golden threads stopped in front of the Inner Nine Gates.
As Wang Chong stepped off the carriage, he was greeted by a massive golden palace gate. Two officials from the Bureau of Rites, dressed in crimson ceremonial robes, stood on either side of the gate, their heads slightly lowered.
Although they seemed absent-minded, Wang Chong could clearly sense that their gazes were constantly on him.
"The King of Song was right."
Wang Chong smiled, but he didn't expose them.
During the process of the Holy Emperor's bestowal and audience, every step and every moment was watched by many eyes. The slightest bit of disrespect would be noted down by the onlookers, and it would become the reason for one's impeachment in the future.
Many of the scholars who were receiving the audience for the first time didn't know about this, and the Bureau of Rites had a handle on them, causing their efforts to go to waste.
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