Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales
Dusong Mangpoje and Fomonlința had fought countless times on the Ouzan Plateau, with neither side able to gain the upper hand. But in the battle of the triangular gap, Dusong Mangpoje had abandoned his army and fled. To these Qixi generals who viewed Dusong Mangpoje and the Ouzan Plateau as their greatest foes, this was like an earthquake.
All of them clearly remembered how terrifying the auras of those two elders, one black and one white, had been when Wang Chong had walked out of that miniature steel fortress. If those two terrifying elders were still here, none of them would have dared to attack.
Hiss!
Fomonlința took in a deep breath, his eyes subconsciously glancing at the walls behind Wang Chong, a deep apprehension in his eyes as he finally came to his senses.
Correct!
Now truly was not the time to move against this brat. Since everything had been investigated, a gentleman's revenge was never too late even after ten years. Let him live for now, and there would always be a time for revenge in the future.
"Wang Chong, I won't kill you today, but don't get happy too early. I'll remember this matter. Once I return from the capital, there will come a day when I will have you and your Wang Clan pay the price. "
With these final words, Fomonlința gave Wang Chong a fierce glare, as if trying to carve his image into his mind, and then he turned his horse around and rode back toward the capital.
"Let's go!"
At the last moment, Fomonlința waved his hand, and his army flew away.
"Hiss!"
As Fomonlința's figure disappeared, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"That was too dangerous!"
"Milord, you can't take such risks in the future. Fomonlința is too powerful. That was equivalent to putting your life in his hands. "
"That's right, Milord. If Fomonlința knew that your master and Chief Wushang weren't here, we would have truly been in danger."
… …
Everyone said with lingering fear on their faces. When Fomonlința unsheathed his sword, everyone could smell the strong stench of death. The feeling of facing an Imperial Great General was difficult to imagine unless one had personally experienced it.
"Haha, don't worry. Whether Fomonlința sees through it or not, he won't make a move. "
Contrary to everyone else's expression, Wang Chong appeared to be quite calm, without a hint of nervousness.
"Marquis, I also think that you were too rash in this matter. Fomonlința is too strong, we should be more cautious. "
Li Siye suddenly said.
"Ah, Siye, don't worry."
Wang Chong smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
"Since Fomonlința appeared here, he naturally guessed that it was me. If he really wanted to make a move, do you think he would have endured until now and said so much to us? "
Wang Chong's words left everyone speechless. That was right. Given Fomonlința's personality, if he had confirmed that it was Wang Chong, he would not have endured until now.
"If Fomonlința enters the capital now, as long as he clearly explains himself, there is still hope for him to return to the Qixi Protectorate. But if he kills me now, no matter how the Xueyang Palace incident progresses, he will still be dead. The great clans aren't as simple as he imagines, and besides, I'm the Son of Heaven's disciple. Fomonlința is a shrewd and astute person, so there's no way he wouldn't understand this. Thus, he never intended to make a move today. This is why I met with him. "
Wang Chong confidently said, exposing the mystery.
"But Fomonlința's thinking is still too simple. He believes that he still has a chance to make a comeback, but he has no idea … that I won't give him this chance! "
With these final words, Wang Chong shook his head. As he gazed in the direction that Fomonlința had left, a sharp light flashed through his eyes. When the devil grew one foot, the dao grew ten. Fomonlința believed that he could still rely on his past achievements, but Wang Chong would not let him have his way.
"Neigh!"
Wang Chong turned his horse around and quickly left.
… …
The Holy Emperor's rage was no small matter. Moreover, Fomonlința's pledge of allegiance to the Fourth Prince had already spread throughout the court. Eight or nine days later, Fomonlința traveled day and night, finally arriving at the capital with unprecedented speed.
"I've finally returned!"
As Fomonlința gazed at the majestic Imperial City that soared into the clouds, his heart filled with complex emotions. As a border guard, he could not casually enter the capital without an imperial summons. Countless times, Fomonlința had imagined what it would be like when he entered the capital, took the position of Prime Minister, and ruled over the world.
But Fomonlința had never imagined that he would appear here in this state.
Wang Chong, just you wait! Once I explain myself to the Holy Emperor, I'll definitely make you and your Wang Clan pay a price for what you've done!
Fomonlința seethed in his mind.
"Is it Protector-General? The Holy Emperor has ordered us to escort you into the court for an audience! "
As Fomonlința's mind was spinning, a cold and callous voice rang out in his ear, and two expressionless imperial guards appeared on either side of the gate.
"There's no need. I'll go myself!"
With a wave of his sleeve, Fomonlința pushed aside the two approaching imperial guards, passed through them, and began walking toward the Imperial City.
"This lowly subject Fomonlința kowtows in salute to Your Majesty!"
A few moments later, in the depths of the Imperial Palace, in Taiji Palace, in front of all the civil and military officials, Fomonlința, dressed in martial attire, heavily prostrated himself on the floor of the Imperial Court.
… …
"Haha, Marquis is too interesting."
Several days later, while Wang Chong was in his room inspecting a map of the kingdoms of the Western Regions, Xu Keyi was so excited that his face was red. Holding a letter, he strode over the threshold, his mouth unable to close.
"A letter from The King of Song?"
Wang Chong chuckled as he moved his gaze away from the map to Xu Keyi.
Wang Chong's focus was increasingly placed on the Western Regions and Arabia, and Wang Chong was beginning to let go of many of the trivial matters. For example, when Fomonlința entered the capital, Wang Chong had left the follow-up matters, including those concerning The King of Song, to Xu Keyi, essentially giving him full authority to manage them.
This could also be considered a kind of tempering experience that Wang Chong had given him. Xu Keyi was beginning to display a leadership ability that was not just his strength. This was also why Wang Chong had chosen him.
"Mm, Marquis is wise. He truly is The King of Song."
An excited expression on his face, Xu Keyi firmly nodded his head and immediately relayed the news from the Song Dynasty. It turned out that the moment Fomonlința entered the capital, he had been summoned to the Imperial Court. In front of all the officials, Fomonlința had wept bitterly and confessed to the Holy Emperor all his mistakes.
Fomonlința had repeatedly emphasized his loyalty to the Tang Dynasty. Although he had colluded with the Fourth Prince, he had only wanted to get closer to the Holy Emperor. He had no intention of rebelling. In addition, in front of all the officials, Fomonlința had spoken of many old matters to the Holy Emperor. He had spoken of his first meeting with the Holy Emperor and the many years of friendship between him and the Holy Emperor.
As he spoke, Fomonlința wept bitterly, and those who heard it would grieve for him.
And in the Imperial Court, Fomonlința had repeatedly emphasized his identity as a Hu, emphasizing that he was different from the Han who had received the teachings of the Confucian school. The Hu naturally liked to be straightforward, but they had no evil intentions.
As for the matter of his loyalty, Fomonlința had only said that he had been blinded by greed and that he had only been sitting on the border, unable to enter the Imperial Court for several decades, which was why he had been tempted by the Fourth Prince.
There were many other reasons for this. One could say that Fomonlința had put on a bitter performance in front of all the officials. He had turned a normal court discussion into a one-man show for him.
It had to be said that when Wang Chong heard all this, he was truly filled with admiration for Fomonlința. As the Qixi Protector-General and the oldest Hu Great General of the Tang dynasty, Fomonlința truly lived up to his reputation as a cunning and astute old fox. The tactics and methods he had employed were truly exquisite. Even in Wang Chong's eyes, they were flawless.
"Ginger is spicier with age. As expected of an old fox!"
Wang Chong sighed.
In the Tang dynasty, the Hu had always been a very special group. For Fomonlința to use emotion to emphasize his loyalty to the Tang dynasty despite being a Hu was truly a brilliant tactic.
"What did His Majesty say? Did he just let him go?"
Wang Chong indifferently said.
"No. His Majesty still hasn't made his stance clear."
Xu Keyi hurriedly said.
"Oh."
Wang Chong smiled, his eyes flashing. He was not at all surprised by this result.
"Fomonlința truly is very smart, but the heart of a monarch is unfathomable. The Fourth Prince is His Majesty's flesh and blood, a member of the imperial household, but even the Fourth Prince has been imprisoned in the imperial prison. Does Fomonlința think that his words will make His Majesty let him go?"
There were no small matters in the Imperial Court, and this was the most dangerous War of the Princes. No matter what methods Fomonlința used, this matter would not be easily concluded. A prince colluding with a border general, and an Imperial Great General at that, had always been a major taboo. If this taboo had not been so taboo, the Holy Emperor would not have been so angry.
"How is the Imperial Court doing? What have they said about Fomonlința's punishment? "
Wang Chong asked as he sat on the spacious armchair.
"Marquis is wise. Just as you predicted, Fomonlința truly did use a pitiful ruse. There is now a voice in the Imperial Court that believes that Fomonlința has a special status, that he has rendered great service, and that Qixi needs an Imperial Great General like him to guard it. Thus, some people have suggested that Fomonlința be stripped of his rank and title of Protector-General and Imperial Great General. However, he will continue to command Qixi under observation so that he can atone for his crimes. And there are quite a few people who hold this view. "
Cheng Sanyuan bowed.
"Haha."
Wang Chong's eyes flashed as he suddenly laughed.
"Fomonlința spent so much effort to put on a pitiful performance in front of all the officials for this reason. But there's no way this matter is that simple. Xu Keyi, what else did The King of Song say? "
"Marquis is wise. This matter truly isn't that simple. Fomonlința colluded with the Fourth Prince in order to become Prime Minister. That letter was spread throughout the Imperial Court, and no one could tolerate him. There are even more voices in the Imperial Court calling for Fomonlința to be severely punished, with some even suggesting that Fomonlința be executed to uphold the law. Zhangchou Jianqiong, Zhang Shougui, Wang Zhongsi, and even King Qi and the Prime Minister cannot tolerate him. "
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