In the main hall, Wang Chong’s Big Uncle Wang Gen, Big Aunt Wang Ru Shuang, Uncle Li Lin, and Cousin Wang Zhu Yan’s bodies trembled. Even astonishment was reflected on Wang Chong’s mother’s face. Clearly, this was the first time they were hearing of the ‘truth’ behind Wang Chong’s matter.
Yao Feng had sent Ma Zhou to deal with Wang Chong, and Wang Chong was furious at him for that, so he ran over to look for Yao Feng to question him. But while doing so, he unintentionally overheard the shocking secret of the Yao Clan wanting to deal with the Wang Clan. This was a rational explanation that everyone here could accept.
If the Yao Clan had fallen because of this, it was truly the decree of fate. Yao Guang Yi’s loss wasn’t really that surprising anymore.
Taking their reactions into sight, Wang Chong nodded his head with satisfaction within. This was the excuse that he had squeezed his brain juice out to come up with.
If he had said that he had heard the news from some other scion that he hanged out with, big uncle would only think that it was luck on his part and that it had nothing to do with his own abilities.
However, if he had headed over to exact vengeance on Yao Feng and overheard the Yao Clan’s plan, this made the entire event different. ——At the very least, this was the result of ‘diligence’ on his part rather than sheer luck.
“… Yao Guang Yi is a cunning person, it was impossible for him to have any good intention at heart inviting father for a gathering. I knew that I had to mess up their meeting no matter what, but the Vast Crane Pavilion was tightly guarded by the experts of the Yao Residence. It was nearly impossible for outsiders to get in. Thus, considering that it was a nearly impossible task for me to barge in, I decided to work on Ma Zhou instead.”
Then, Wang Chong recounted what that had happened between him and Ma Zhou after that. Everyone knew of the matter with Ma Zhou, so there was no need for him to lie on that aspect.
“That makes sense. For you to be able to think of making use of that Ma Zhou, seems like you have some wits.”
Big Uncle Wang Gen nodded his head and offered a rare praise to Wang Chong.
Bizarre expressions appeared on the faces of Wang Chong’s big aunt, uncle, and cousin. On the other hand, Wang Chong’s mother was delighted.
Everyone knew that big uncle was an austere man who rarely smiled, needless to say, compliment others. Having married into the Wang Clan for so many years, this was the first time Madam Wang was hearing him compliment her own son.
Clearly, Wang Chong’s actions in the Vast Crane Pavilion had received his approval.
“Such a weird feeling!”
Wang Chong saw his cousin Wang Zhu Yan winking at him. He couldn’t help but find this situation amazing. From a long time ago, he and his big uncle shared a mutual dislike for one another and listening to the compliments of someone you dislike was a bizarre feeling.
Regardless, blood is thicker than water. They came from the same bloodline, and Wang Chong was still delighted to receive the approval of an elder. However, before Wang Chong could relish in the sensation, big uncle’s authoritative voice sounded once more:
“I won’t ask you about the matter in the Vast Crane Pavilion then. Since you were able to overhear about the matter in the Vast Crane Pavilion from Yao Feng, I reckon that it should have been the same for the matter of King Song summoning your father. However, what about the incident by the borders? Did you overhear that as well?”
“I have known Yao Guang Yi for many years, and I have crossed blows with him in the royal court multiple times. I understand his means and personality very well. Vast Crane Pavilion and King Song are both in the capital, and Yao Feng often walked to and fro the Vast Crane Pavilion, so it wasn’t really bizarre for you to happen to overhear a few things from him.”
“However, the matter at the border was completely different. The fewer the people who know of the matter, the more likely it would succeed. Given Yao Guang Yi’s personality, he might not have even told his closest aide about the plan, needless to say, his son. So how could you have possibly known that he would use such a method to set your father up and have him retreat 50 li in advance?”
Yao Guang Yi wasn’t any ordinary man. Wang Gen knew this fact better than anyone else, even more so than Wang Chong. His plans were often crafted very carefully and secretly, and he did all preparations to prevent anything from going awry.
If Wang Chong had heard of the matter of the Vast Crane Pavilion from Yao Feng, that was still understandable. However, it was definitely impossible for Wang Chong to overhear the fact that Yao Guang Yi intended to head to the border to set Wang Yan up.
Being a powerful official in the royal court, Wang Gen had many eyes and ears in the capital, so rarely could news hide from his notice. However, he had not heard of a single word on this matter.
Similarly, the old acquaintances and students of the Old Master in the military hadn’t heard anything as well.
Where could Wang Chong hear of news that even the two of them didn’t know of?
“Here it comes!”
A strike of lightning flashed across Wang Chong’s head. This was the climax of the show today. Big uncle, big aunt, uncle, father, and the others, they may not know exactly what Yao Guang Yi would do, but they understood his personality.
Even big uncle who was well-informed of the affairs in the capital did not know that Yao Guang Yi was going to deal with Wang Chong’s father by the borders, yet an useless ‘failure’ of the Wang Clan was able to know of it in advance. This was probably the main issue that left many people, including Wang Chong’s grandfather, perplexed.
Regardless of whether it was his father who was still by the borders, his grandfather who was in the Four Quarters Embassy, or the big uncle before him, this was probably the main issue that they were interested in. Whether he would be able to convince them, change their impression of him, and become an highly regarded member of the clan would depend on this.
“I didn’t hear of this matter, I guessed it!”
Wang Chong said.
“Guessed?”
Other than Wang Chong’s mother, everyone else was flabbergasted. Big Uncle Wang Gen’s thick eyebrows twitched violently, as though this was the first time he was meeting the true self of the ‘failure’ of the Wang Clan.
“How did you guess it?”
Big Uncle Wang Gen asked. This answer that Wang Chong just provided was even more shocking than if he had said that he had overheard it from Yao Feng.
“Yao Guang Yi was always thorough in the things he did. Even though his action of scheming against father seemed like a grudge between the Wang Clan and the Yao Clan, it was, in fact, a political struggle between King Song and King Qi. This was a huge affair with far-reaching implications.”
“The matter in the Vast Crane Pavilion had been foiled by me and my little sister, but Yao Guang Yi wasn’t the type of person to give up that easily. That would be underestimating his means. Back then, I was sure that he would have some other plans.”
“Since his plan in the capital had failed, it was unlikely that he would pull anything here anymore. Thus, the best way for him to deal with my father was outside the capital, and of which, the only place where Yao Guang Yi could pull his schemes at was at my father’s deployment site.”
“I have studied the map carefully and I realized that Yao Guang Yi’s deployment site and my father’s deployment site weren’t too far away from one another. Thus, I concluded that it was the best place, as well as the most probable one, for Yao Guang Yi to launch his moves!”
The moment Wang Chong’s finished his sentence, the entire main hall plunged into complete silence. If a pin were to drop now, the sound would surely be deafening. Everyone looked at Wang Chong in astonishment and for a long moment, they couldn’t find a word to say.
Wang Chong’s words were logical. If it were Wang Chong’s elder brothers or some other intelligent young talent who said such words, the crowd wouldn’t be surprised at
all.
But Wang Chong——
This was too shocking!
At this moment, even Wang Chong’s big uncle forgot to speak!
Chapter 40: An Act of Wonderment
“Good child, good child, you have truly grown mature! …”
Wang Chong’s mother was surprised and delighted. She was so agitated that she had to keep on wiping away the tears that were streaming down her face. Without even looking, she could tell that her son’s performance had won the approval of all members of the Wang Clan.
She had four children, three sons and a daughter, and of which, she worried the most for her youngest son.
Which mother doesn’t wish for their own son to become accomplished? Isn’t this what all mothers dream of?
At this very moment, her child had finally grown up and matured. This was something she felt relieved and delighted over.
“After that?”
Big Uncle Wang Gen asked. His voice was no longer as stern as before
Clearly, Wang Chong’s words had moved him, and the impression of the useless Wang Chong in his mind had changed completely.
“I’ve studied the lands by the borders and there weren’t too few things that Yao Guang Yi could manipulate to his advantage. For one, my father could simply ignore his moves, and that would render his helpless. At the same time, it was nearly impossible for Yao Guang Yi to make a move on his campsite as well. Thus, the most probable possibility was through the Hu.”
Wang Chong said. His gaze was bright and calm, and as he spoke, he exuded the aura of a sage. Seeing this sight, those who were familiar with him were astonished.
They had watched Wang Chong as he grew up, and they had never seen such a quality on him.
“This child has finally grown up.”
Big Aunt Wang Ru Shuang thought as she nodded her head in approval within. She was delighted with his changes. Previously, when she heard that Wang Chong had caused a huge trouble in the Vast Crane Pavilion, she was extremely infuriated. She felt that this child was too immature and would never grow up.
But now, she did not dare to harbor such thoughts anymore.
“They said that even the most mischievous and unworthy boys would awaken one day. Looks like Chong-er had finally woken up.”
Big aunt was overjoyed.
Even though she had married into another family and she could only be considered as half a Wang Clan member, she and her husband shared a fate with the Wang Clan.
The youngest and most unworthy son of the Wang Clan had suddenly awoken, and furthermore, he showed outstanding talents. This was something for the Wang Clan to celebrate over.
“I have analyzed the matter carefully, and this was the most possible tactic Yao Guang Yi would use. If I guessed wrongly… I won’t talk about that. But if I guessed correctly, Yao Guang Yi would surely leave the capital soon to head for the borders, and facts had proven that my conjecture is right!”
At this moment, he should have passed their test. Looking at big uncle’s expression, it seemed like he was satisfied with the results of this interrogation. This way, he would be able to explain the situation to grandfather as well.
However, Wang Chong knew that this level of contribution wasn’t sufficient to receive the approval of all members of the clan. In fact, it wasn’t even enough for him to enter the core of the clan.
At the very most, he had only reversed the impression big uncle, big aunt, uncle, father, and the rest had of him. If he wanted them to respect his opinion, he still needed to display his talent openly and show more of his capabilities!
“Big uncle, the incident by the border has already ended. Even though Yao Guang Yi had suffered two consecutive defeats, the Yao Clan’s foundations are far from being rattled. If I’m not wrong, Yao Clan’s Old Master Yao would soon head to grandfather to request for a truce.”
Wang Chong said.
“What? Old Master Yao would request for a truce with our Old Master? How is that possible!”
Upon hearing Wang Chong’s words, shock appeared on everyone’s faces.
“Wang Chong, you must be joking! Old Master Yao is an old wily fox, and given his standing and identity, how could he possibly request for a truce with your grandfather? Isn’t that admitting defeat before grandfather? He would never do such a thing!”
Wang Chong’s cousin, Wang Zhu Yan, was the first to question his words. After which, the eyes in the entire room shot toward Wang Chong. They were unable to comprehend why he was so sure that Old Master Yao would request for a truce.
It was true that the Yao Clan had been made a laughingstock, but this didn’t hinder their authority and influence. At the very most, they just failed in an operation to do the Wang Clan in.
Yet, Wang Chong claimed that the old retired wily fox of the Yao Clan, a figure whose stomp would tremor the entire capital, would request a truce with their own Old Master. This was something inconceivable to them!
However, Wang Chong’s grim expression showed how serious he was on this matter. Thus, everyone waited quietly for his explanation.
“Heh, cousin, you didn’t think sufficiently deep into the matter. If we just consider the fact that the Yao Clan had lost to the Wang Clan in this battle, it wouldn’t count as anything much, and Old Master Yao wouldn’t need to come out personally to settle the matter! However, did you all forget? Old Master Yao had recently reported our Wang Clan up to the emperor!”
Wang Chong sneered coldly.
Weng!
It was as though a strike of lightning had flashed across the main hall and everyone’s eyes lit up. They suddenly understood the meaning behind Wang Chong’s words.
“Right now, not only did the Yao Clan need to resolve the displeasure of the Wang Clan, they had to settle the displeasure of His Majesty. Everyone could tell what the Yao Clan was up to after what Yao Guang Yi did by the border. Given His Majesty’s wisdom, did you all think that he wouldn’t be able to tell what was going on?”
“At this moment, the old wily fox Yao had to come out regardless of whether he was willing to or not. Yao Guang Yi’s standing had yet to reach that kind of level, so the old wily fox had no choice.
“Hmph, they truly did themselves in this done. That old wily fox was looking for it!”
Wang Chong sneered coldly.
Wang Chong wasn’t speaking nonsense. Right after he heard that Yao Guang Yi’s ploy had failed, he had been thinking about this matter. Currently, Yao Guang Yi wasn’t capable of placating the wrath of the emperor. In the entire Yao Clan, only Old Master Yao wielded such capability.
Unless the Yao Clan decided to discard their honor and riches, otherwise, Old Master Yao had no choice on the matter. On this matter, he paying a visit to grandfather and requesting for a truce was the best solution.
Even though the Yao Clan’s Old Master might not utter a single word of apology, he had little choice but to pay a visit to Wang Chong’s grandfather at the Four Quarters Embassy. He also had to enter the royal palace to admit his faults and beg for forgiveness with the emperor.
This was something he had no choice but to do.
“If I’m not wrong, the Yao Clan’s Old Master would probably start making a move within these two days.”
Wang Chong smirked.
Initially, everyone thought that Wang Chong was spouting nonsense and they were unmoved by their words. However, as they listened on, their eyes slowly brightened and eventually, they became agitated.
“Chong-er, I realized that you have really changed!”
Big Aunt Wang Ru Shuang scanned Wang Chong from top to bottom with a curious gaze, as though this was the first time she was meeting with the real Wang Chong:
“It was impossible for you to say such words in the past. Looks like the incident with Ma Zhou was a blessing in disguise. At the very least, you have matured from it.”
“Hehe, Ru Shuang, no matter what, Chong-er is from the Old Master’s bloodline. Even though he might have his moments of folly, there
is no way he could be lacking. I think that the current him is the true him. Perhaps, in the past, he might have just placed his thoughts elsewhere.”
Wang Chong’s uncle, Li Lin, was a bearded tough man. Even when seated, his back was entirely upright. With a single look, it was clear that he was from the military.
In reality, his uncle Li Lin was truly a military man. However, different from Wang Chong’s father, Wang Yan, he was a member of the Imperial Army. He was an extremely masculine man and perhaps due to his job scope, he tended to be reticent and spoke few words.
Different from big aunt and big uncle, Uncle Li Lin did not hold any bias against Wang Chong. As the saying goes, it is impossible for a great man to bore a meek son. In his perspective, the current Wang Chong was the true Wang Chong.
“Hehe, uncle, you shouldn’t praise him too much. He’ll get complacent!”
Even though Madam Wang said so, she was actually overjoyed.
No one disliked their own children being praised. Wang Chong’s performance this time had impressed everyone, such that even his big uncle who didn’t like him didn’t say anything about it.
He had truly made his mother proud today.
“Father, if it is truly as Little Brother Chong had said, grandfather would definitely be overjoyed.”
Wang Zhu Yan chuckled behind her hands.
Wang Chong’s grandfather was a nemesis of the Yao Clan’s Old Master, and from very long ago, they had been fighting against one another. Neither side was willing to submit to the other.
If the Yao Clan’s Old Master went over to grandfather to apologize for his son and request for a truce, grandfather would surely be over the moon.
Wang Chong’s big uncle, Wang Gen, sat there quietly, neither agreeing or disagreeing to Wang Zhu Yan’s words.
Even though Wang Chong’s words were only speculation on his part, Wang Gen knew that there was a high possibility that things would unfold as Wang Chong said. Yao Guang Yi had suffered a setback at the border due to Wang Yan, and the first thing he thought of was to come to the Wang Family to ask about the matter.
The Human Emperor c1-2382 Page 40
