One had to know when to stop. Wang Chong was certain that based on his previous performance, even if he didn't do anything, his grandfather would surely value and groom him, just like his big brother and second brother.
However, what happened next exceeded Wang Chong's expectations.
"Gen-er, what's the discussion going on in the royal court right now?"
The old master was chatting with his old subordinates when he suddenly asked about Big Uncle Wang Gen. 'Those who reside high in the imperial court worry about the people; those who reside far away from the pugilistic world worry about the sovereign'. Even though his old subordinates had already relinquished their authority, they were still concerned about the affairs of the royal court.
Wang Gen's lips moved slightly, as though he wanted to say something. However, after a moment of hesitation, he changed his mind.
"There's nothing much going on recently, but the royal court is currently discussing the matter of changing Protector-Generals to Regional Commanders and establishing ten Great Regional Commanders!"
Weng!
Hearing the words' Regional Commanders', Wang Chong's body jolted. He abruptly raised his head, and a storm seemed to have swept through his heart.
Regional Commanders!
Wang Chong didn't expect to hear these three words here. This was the 'source of chaos' for the empire. Wang Chong had always known of this matter, but he didn't know when it started.
Because by the time Wang Chong realized this, it was already too late, the disaster already upon them. Just like everyone else, Wang Chong only knew of the results, but he didn't know the ins and outs of the matter.
Yet, Wang Chong didn't expect to hear the words' Regional Commanders' in this private room. Furthermore, judging from Big Uncle Wang Gen's words, this matter had already begun to sprout.
"Regional Commanders, Regional Commanders, it's actually Regional Commanders …"
Wang Chong inwardly muttered. A storm raged in his mind. The matter of "Consort Tai Zhen" had attracted the attention of the entire court. Wang Chong was sure that what First Uncle wanted to say just now was definitely the matter of Consort Tai Zhen.
However, the clamor on the surface concealed the real crisis. When everyone's attention was drawn to the matter of 'Consort Tai Zhen', no one noticed that the root of the empire's trouble had sprouted.
Just like Wang Chong, if not for his eldest uncle mentioning it, he would not have noticed a major event that could destroy the Empire in the future.
Wang Chong was well aware that the matter of 'Consort Tai Zhen' was a big deal, but compared to the matter of the 'Regional Commanders', it paled in comparison and could not be calculated with logic.
The Consort Tai Zhen incident only affected the fate of King Qi and the Wang Clan, but the regional commanders incident affected the fate of the entire Central Plains!
Even so, Wang Chong's gaze swept across the room. Big uncle, grandfather, Elder Ye, Duke of Hu, Elder Ma … Clearly, none of them had realized the severity of the matter.
Even his Big Uncle Wang Gen, as an influential official of the royal court, was the one who had the deepest understanding of this matter. Even so, when he spoke of this matter, he was only slightly moved. He had yet to truly understand the severity and danger of this matter!
"First gongzi, what's the matter with the regional commanders?"
In the conference hall, Elder Ye asked with a slight frown on his forehead.
"This is the latest news from the royal court. The Xi, Khitan, and Goguryeo in the northeast, the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganates in the north, the Ouzan in the west, the Six Zhao in the south, the Abbasid Caliphate and Charax Spasinu in the west have been rising swiftly in the past few years. Every single one of them is growing stronger, more and more restless, and more and more aggressive."
Hearing Elder Ye's words, Wang Gen revealed the matter regarding the regional commanders without any hesitation.
"The empire is facing enemies from all sides, and the pressure it is facing is only increasing. Thus, they are considering removing the Protector-General and appointing regional commanders. Other than their original responsibilities as Protector-Generals, they will also be given the authority to govern two additional provinces. This will be done as they see fit, and the priority will be to fend off the enemies! "
"Right now, the prime minister is doing his best to push for this matter. On top of that, the prime minister is proposing to break away from the usual practice of promoting the Hu based on talent to fend off the border invaders! "
Boom!
Hearing the last sentence, Wang Chong felt as though a magnitude 12 earthquake had occurred in his heart. The true danger was always hidden beneath a calm facade.
His eldest uncle was an extremely sensitive person when it came to politics, but even he probably failed to notice the true motive behind the prime minister's proposal.
'Break away from the usual practice of promoting the Hu based on talent to fend off the border invaders', there was another saying behind these nineteen words, 'Putting an End to Border Generals Becoming Ministers'!
Blessings never come in pairs, and misfortunes never come alone. The regional commanders policy and the Hu based on talent to fend off the border invaders' became the two sharp blades that stabbed into the heart of the empire.
They also became the two main reasons for the empire's swift collapse!
"I'm afraid this plan is a little inappropriate. The empire has never placed Hu border generals in such an important position before. Furthermore, there is no precedent in the previous dynasties for a border general to be in charge of administration, "Elder Zhao said.
He used to be in charge of logistics and military affairs, so he instinctively felt that there was a problem with this matter. However, he only felt that it was inappropriate for the Hu to be in charge of administration, but he didn't think too much about it.
"This is also the intention of the Holy Emperor."
Big Uncle Wang Gen said helplessly.
"I heard that the prime minister privately suggested to His Majesty that civil officials are too cowardly, lacking the bravery of a general. It would be better to use those poor Hu instead. The Hu are brave by nature, and they are used to fighting. As long as His Majesty grants them some grace, they will surely die for the cause. After His Majesty heard of it, he felt that it made sense, so he is seriously considering it. "
Everyone glanced at one another. If that was the case, and His Majesty was implicated, then it would be hard to say. After all, anyone who opposed it was equivalent to opposing the Holy Emperor.
Furthermore, this plan wasn't necessarily wrong.
"Changing Protector-General to Regional Commander, using barbarians to control barbarians, isn't impossible. Furthermore, the Hu are brave and warlike. After so many years of the Tang dynasty, these Hu have already assimilated into the Central Plains. In the era of Emperor Taizong, there was Qibi Heli, Ashina, and She 'er. The current dynasty's Zhisili and Fomonlința are all loyal officials of the royal court. If we use them well, just like what the prime minister said, those Hu generals will surely die for the cause. "
Duke of Hu nodded.
As an old official, he had to learn not to go against the Emperor on unimportant matters. This was the way of an official, as well as the way of the bureaucracy.
Even though it was a problem to use the Hu, Duke of Hu didn't think that it was a huge problem.
"Un, as long as this plan is executed well, it's feasible."
"Un. The Six Great Protectorates have been around for nearly a hundred years now. It's about time for a reform! "
"Setting up regional commanders will make it easier for us to deal with foreign enemies first. This way, we won't have to waste time on documents. It's not entirely without merits. "
…
The other elders nodded in agreement.
Ever since the establishment of the Tang dynasty, there had been more and more Hu joining them. During Taizong's reign, Qibi Heli had probably killed more Hu than his own tribesmen.
Furthermore, under the influence of the Central Plains, many of the Hu had been influenced by the Han. In fact, they had even taken Han names. Take Bai Xiaode for example. If he didn't say it out loud, no one would know that he was the crown prince of Kucha. He was often summoned by the emperor to the royal palace to pay his respects.
Compared to their original tribes, these vassal Hu had undergone a great change.
In fact, there were even quite a few Hu who had joined the army by the borders. When they fought against the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganate, they didn't hold back at all.
Thus, the elders wouldn't be too prejudiced against them on this point.
Furthermore, factional strife had always been a great taboo in the previous dynasty. In the previous dynasty, Zhou Chang had even implicated the old King Song in prison for three months because he had formed a faction, suffering a great deal of physical pain.
All of them knew of this.
It wasn't impossible for His Majesty to put an end to factional strife and utilize the Hu.
The more Wang Chong heard, the more awful his complexion became. Eventually, his face warped.
Putting aside the people outside, everyone in the conference hall was an old official of the royal court. They had great foresight when it came to military affairs.
They could sense the threat from the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganate in the north, but none of them realized the dangers of the 'regional commanders' policy and the 'utilizing the Hu' policy.
Even grandfather's old subordinates couldn't do anything about it, needless to say, the people in the royal court.
Wang Chong finally understood how that policy had been passed in the royal court back then.
"Impossible! This was absolutely impossible! — — "
Wang Chong couldn't hold himself back any longer. If no one in this conference hall could realize the dangers of this matter, then no one in the entire royal court, no one in the world, would be able to do so.
By the time the deed was done, the outcome would be set. By then, it would be too late to say anything!
'Those who speak too much are bound to slip up'. Wang Chong had already made up his mind to not speak anymore. However, if he were to remain silent on such a matter, Wang Chong would never be able to forgive himself.
Weng!
With Wang Chong's interruption, the entire conference hall fell silent. Everyone turned to look at Wang Chong, who was seated quietly beside Elder Ye.
"Young Master Chong?!"
The elders in the room were astonished.
Wang Chong's sudden outburst left everyone in the room in shock. Even the nearby 'Elder Ye' turned his head to look at Wang Chong in shock.
The impression that Wang Chong had given him previously was excellent. He was polite and insightful, and he was extremely respectful to the elders. However, the other party's behavior at this moment was completely out of his expectations.
While the elders were chatting, and they had already reached an agreement on the matter regarding the regional commanders, Wang Chong's sudden appearance could be said to be extremely rash and impolite.
"Wang Chong, what are you doing? Do you have the right to speak before the elders? Hurry up and sit down! "
Wang Gen's complexion also darkened, and his face darkened.
It wasn't easy for him to leave a good impression on the elders. Wasn't Wang Chong ruining his own future?
The old master didn't say a word, but his thick white brows couldn't help but frown. This child of his third son, Wang Yan, had left a good impression on him.
But no matter how good he was, he had to have a good reason to offend the elders in such an occasion!
"Hahaha, why are you acting so serious? Young Master Chong, if you have anything to say, just say it!"
In the end, it was Elder Ye, who had come from the military and exuded a killing aura, who spoke up to ease the atmosphere. He had a good impression of Wang Chong.
Even though he was surprised by Wang Chong's abrupt action, Ye Dong believed that there must be a reason for this child to do so.
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