The sedan chair began to proceed forward once more. Around it, the vanished Imperial Army soldiers once more appeared, acting as if nothing had happened.
Inside the sedan chair, however, Wang Chong had a heavy heart.
Has the situation in the place gotten this serious?
For Wang Chong, the appearance of the First Prince had been a minor interlude. What he was really worried about was about what this situation implied.
A prince privately meeting an important subject was forbidden, and the First Prince would only dare to do such a thing if the situation in the palace was sufficiently chaotic.
It all depends on the Sage Emperor!
Wang Chong took in a deep breath and calmed back down.
In this storm at the heart of the empire, the most important thing was always the Sage Emperor’s stance. Moreover, after such a long time, Wang Chong dearly wanted to know just what the Sage Emperor’s condition was.
The sedan chair rapidly proceeded through the various layers of the palace, getting closer and closer to the political core of the empire.
A few moments later, it stopped in front of a staircase consisting of thousands of steps carved from white jade. Wang Chong emerged from the sedan chair and was greeted by a vast multitude of Golden Guards, lining the white jade staircase from the bottom all the way to the top.
And in front of that dazzling and golden hall, countless experts stood arrayed, their energies soaring into the sky in a dreadful display.
Thump!
At this moment, the crack of a whip came from high above.
“Reporting! Young Marquis Wang Chong has arrived for his audience!”
The firm and shrill voice echoed ceaselessly above the palace.
Wang Chong tidied his robes and began to ascend the steps of white jade. This was not his first time climbing this stairway, but it gave him a different feeling from any time before. There were no spectating officials, no music or rituals. All this indicated that this audience was different from normal.
Wang Chong quickly arrived in front of the great hall.
“Young Marquis, enter. His Majesty is waiting for you within,” the directing eunuch holding the whip softly said, his attitude toward Wang Chong one of respect. At this point, there was no one who did not know the reputation of Wang Chong, the new War God of the Great Tang. Even these eunuchs within the palace had heard of his thunderous reputation.
“Many thanks, Sir Eunuch!”
Wang Chong bowed and passed the eunuch to enter the palace.
Bzzz! Wang Chong stopped in front of the open doors into the palace, gazing into its dazzling interior with his mind in great turmoil. He had countless questions, countless grievances, but as he stood in front of this enormous palace, all these thoughts began to slowly fade away, and suddenly, Wang Chong became incredibly calm.
At this moment, a mellow, genial, and rich voice came from within. “Wang Chong, enter!” Wang Chong instantly recognized this as the voice of Gao Lishi.
Wang Chong stepped over the threshold, and the moment he did, he seemed to enter an entirely different world. All other sound vanished, and familiar streams of energy washed over him like a vast sea of fog.
This was not the first time Wang Chong had entered this hall to have an audience with the Sage Emperor. On his last audience, Wang Chong had felt like an insignificant ant before the Sage Emperor.
But after half a year, Wang Chong had a completely different sensation. He was now on the verge of entering the Subtle realm, and he could now even look upon this mysterious realm. He had even managed to kill Qutaybah. Great Generals that were supreme existences to ordinary people weren’t even worth thinking about in his eyes.
Upon entering the hall this time, Wang Chong had not expected to still feel that deep awe and respect in his heart, like a child before a giant, meek and insignificant.
If Wang Chong was a giant standing at the peak of a mountain, then the supreme and revered figure in the upper reaches of this hall was a god looking down upon the world from the heavens.
The higher his cultivation level became, the more Wang Chong realized just how terrifyingly powerful the Sage Emperor was.
Divine Martial realm!
This thought suddenly emerged in Wang Chong’s mind. The Subtle realm was already a mysterious existence, and Wang Chong knew just how powerful the energy of that realm was. But the Divine Martial realm was even further above the Subtle realm. The Sage Emperor from back then was an existence who was infinitesimally close to reaching the Divine Martial realm, and Wang Chong had never imagined that the Sage Emperor had been this powerful back then.
“This lowly subject pays respects to the Sage Emperor! May the Sage Emperor live ten thousand years!”
Wang Chong quickly raised his robe, got down on his knees, and lowered his head.
The hall was absolutely silent as those majestic waves of energy continued to surge through the hall. After a long while, that dignified and divine voice finally spoke.
“Rise!”
The entire hall seemed to tremble.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Wang Chong bowed his head again and stood up.
Wang Chong stood around seventy meters away from the upper reaches of the hall, as the regulations of the Imperial Palace strictly forbade him from stepping any farther without explicit orders. Wang Chong stood there and shot a glance above. Unlike the outside, the palace was rather empty and not heavily guarded at all. There was only the supreme figure of the ruler of the world and the silk-robed Eunuch Gao. There were not even any maids or guards inside this hall.
Wang Chong couldn’t help but find this strange. But Wang Chong quickly turned his gaze once more to the legendary sovereign of the Great Tang.
Whether then or now, that person would always be the person that Wang Chong respected and admired the most. This was not because of his supreme status and power, but because he had led the empire from chaos into order, bringing it to unprecedented levels of power.
This was the true Sage Emperor!
Buzz!
Wang Chong’s mind was in turmoil. In the upper reaches of the hall, the Sage Emperor, dressed in his dragon robe and seated on the enormous dragon throne, lightly moved the index finger of his right hand, which was resting on a carved dragon armrest. Gao Lishi understood, opened the imperial decree, and stepped forward.
“Wang Chong, hear the decree!”
“Subject Wang Chong hears the decree!”
Wang Chong quickly lowered his head and bowed.
“Acceding to the will of the heavens, the Emperor declares!
“Young Marquis Wang Chong has protected the country. Young and full of potential, in the battles of Talas and Khorasan, he rendered great service and achieved incredible feats, raising the prestige of my Great Tang. Thus, with the Sage Emperor’s approval, the Six Bureaus have agreed to confer upon Young Marquis Wang Chong the title of the Great Tang’s King of Foreign Lands! This rank enjoys the salary of a King and has the same status as a member of the imperial household. In addition, the Bureau of Rites and Bureau of Personnel have drafted documents to announce this matter to the world so that all subjects may learn by example! Thus is the Emperor’s decision!”
Gao Lishi put away the imperial decree and gave a gratified look to Wang Chong. He had watched as this child matured. During the Regional Commanders Incident, when Wang Chong was censured by all the Hu and jailed within the imperial prison, Gao Lishi had come personally to see him and had even sent him medicine. From that moment, Gao Lishi had known that the Sage Emperor had high regard and favor for this youth.
And Wang Chong had not let down the Sage Emperor’s trust. In a little more than half a year, he had used a string of dazzling and astounding achievements to prove that the Sage Emperor was correct.
“Wang Chong, come forward and receive the decree!”
The hall was quiet, and surprisingly, Wang Chong stood there and did not move. It was like someone had
frozen him in place. If it had only been a moment, Gao Lishi might have believed that Wang Chong had not heard him clearly. But Wang Chong was standing there clearly without any intent to come up.
“Young Marquis!”
Gao Lishi’s face grimaced and his voice became somewhat louder.
“Your Majesty! This subject would like to speak on a matter!”
Wang Chong bowed, his loud voice resounding through the hall.
“Wang Chong, you dare!”
Gao Lishi paled at this sight. The Sage Emperor had already announced Wang Chong’s new title, and yet Wang Chong dared to refuse to receive the decree and even wanted to speak on a matter. He was clearly using this chance to arouse the Sage Emperor’s doubts and suspicions. This was a major crime!
“Subject Wang Chong has a matter he wishes to speak on with His Majesty!”
To Gao Lishi’s surprise, Wang Chong acted like he did not hear. He spoke once more, his voice even louder than before.
This time, Gao Lishi’s face was in a full grimace. It was obvious that Wang Chong was set on this course of action and no longer cared for the consequences.
“Speak!” the Sage Emperor said in his dignified voice, indifferent and aloof. It was flat and emotionless; apparently, he had long ago predicted this request from Wang Chong.
“Arabia is a country of tigers and wolves, an eternal calamity for the Great Tang. The size of this threat is greater than that of any of the other foreign countries bordering the Great Tang. Khorasan is of extreme importance in opposing Arabia. This subject implores Your Majesty to retract the decree.”
After saying this, Wang Chong got down on both knees and prostrated.
More than a year of planning and more than half a year of campaigning, a massive investment of wealth, and the sacrifice of tens of thousands had finally resulted in the victory at Khorasan. No matter what, Wang Chong could not allow these sacrifices to be made in vain, nor could he give the Arabs a chance to rise again and once more bring calamity down on the Central Plains.
The Tang army had withdrawn, the coalition with the Khorasani had collapsed, and the entire military was being reduced. In this world, the only person who could change all this was the Sage Emperor.
As long as the Sage Emperor gave the word, there was still a chance to salvage everything!
Chapter 1232 - The Supreme Sage Emperor (II)
Chapter 1232: The Supreme Sage Emperor (II)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Buzz!
Wang Chong’s words immediately set off a shockwave in the hall, and on the high platform, Gao Lishi made an extremely unsightly grimace. In the Great Tang, there was no divide greater than that between the militarists and the Confucians. The Confucians now had the complete advantage in the court, and Gao Lishi was worried that Wang Chong would bring up this matter in the audience, but there was nothing that could be done.
“We understand!”
The Sage Emperor spoke once more, his voice emotionless.
“Your Majesty, military is a matter of utmost importance to the state, a matter of life or death, extinction or survival! The military is the Great Tang’s important defensive barrier against the foreigners on our borders. Reducing it is certain to bring down great disaster. Your Majesty, please consider this!” Wang Chong implored.
The hall was silent, and Gao Lishi finally couldn’t help but retort, “Wang Chong! Just what are you trying to do?! The sovereign’s orders are as immovable as a mountain and are to be taken seriously. Since His Majesty has already made his decision, it cannot be altered. Are you trying to make demands upon your superiors and extort the Sage Emperor?”
Gao Lishi’s face was ashen and suffused with rage.
For the last several decades, no one in all the Great Tang had ever dared to speak to the Sage Emperor like this, much less pressure him as Wang Chong had. This was a treasonous line, enough to have him executed!
This was criminal disrespect of the Emperor!
“Your Majesty, this lowly subject would not dare!” Wang Chong loudly proclaimed, but his voice showed no signs of backing down.
The person before him was no ordinary sovereign. His wisdom and intelligence had earned him the reverence of the people of the world, his ambitions and stratagems their admiration, and his administration and martial arts their praise. More importantly, he had singlehandedly created the prosperous and thriving Great Tang Empire.
The Sage Emperor back then had been capable of making Wang Chong’s grandfather do his utmost and serve faithfully. Wang Chong was confident that the current Sage Emperor was still that wise and divine sovereign who embraced the world, a sovereign that was still worth following.
“Wang Chong, hurry and rise!”
Gao Lishi was already trembling in rage, cursing the fact that he had just moments ago had such high regard for Wang Chong and thought him to be such a talented young man who had not let down the Sage Emperor’s hopes. He had never imagined that so shortly after, Wang Chong would engage in such a foolish course of action. Did he not understand how difficult this would make his career?
“Enough!”
At this moment, the Sage Emperor spoke in an indifferent tone, slightly waving his hand to stop Gao Lishi.
“Your Majesty.”
Gao Lishi immediately fell silent and lowered his head.
The Sage Emperor gazed down at Wang Chong and lightly said, “Wang Chong, on this matter, We have our own plans.” His voice was suffused with a tone that would brook no objection.
“But, Your Majesty…”
Wang Chong kept his head lowered, still wanting to argue, and Gao Lishi could watch no longer.
“Wang Chong! Such impudence!”
He had always had a good impression of Wang Chong, but no matter how many reasons Wang Chong had, how talented he was, or how much he had contributed to the empire, the Sage Emperor had already expressed his will. For Wang Chong to still try and butt heads was simply audacious and deserved the death penalty!
“King of Foreign Lands, receive the decree!”
At this moment, the Sage Emperor spoke in a vast, majestic, and determined voice. These words ended this conversation, breaking off all of Wang Chong’s lines of thought.
Wang Chong was left stunned, his face as white as a sheet of paper.
Wang Chong had imagined this situation before, and he had imagined that as long as he tried every method possible, he would be able to change the Sage Emperor’s mind. But it turned out that the Sage Emperor was far more determined than he had imagined, and his words had completely extinguished any hope Wang Chong had.
Wang Chong’s face was green and white, and he was unable to say anything for a long time. Suddenly, the crisp bong of a bell echoed through the hall.
Wang Chong had never heard a sound like this before, sharp and precise, like the plucking of a zither. Although it sounded like a bell, it also seemed like it couldn’t have come from a bell at all.
More importantly, the Imperial Palace was a sacred ground, the home of the Sage Emperor. Wang Chong couldn’t think of anyone who would dare to use this method to disturb an audience in this place. But what Wang Chong expected the least was the reaction of the Sage Emperor and Gao Lishi. When the bell sounded, Wang Chong clearly noticed Gao Lishi pale and even appear somewhat panicked. As for the Sage Emperor, his aura suddenly pulsed. At that moment, Wang Chong clearly sensed a hint of disorder in the Sage Emperor’s energy.
But this lasted only for a moment. The disorder quickly vanished as if suppressed by something.
“Your Majesty…”
Wang Chong’s heart trembled and his face paled as he thought of something.
“King of Foreign Lands, let us end things here for today,” Gao Lishi suddenly said. “The Sage Emperor is rather tired. If there is a problem, bring it up next time.” Although he was doing his utmost to remain calm, his voice subconsciously spoke in an urgent and anxious tone.
The mood in the court became rather strange, completely different from what it was before. Wang Chong was dazed, countless thoughts rushing through his mind. He still wanted to say something more, but then the Sage Emperor waved his fingers, gesturing that he should leave.
“King of Foreign Lands, go! This servant will send you off!”
Gao Lishi was already coming down the steps.
Wang Chong mentally sighed. No matter how unwilling he was, he could only leave the hall. If he spoke any further, he would be committing a treasonous action, which would only hurt his cause, not help it.
“This lowly subject receives the decree!”
Wang Chong gave a deep bow.
Once they had left the hall, Gao Lishi stopped and turned to Wang Chong. “King of Foreign Lands, this servant can understand your mood, but today is different from yesterday. You are now the Great Tang’s King of Foreign Lands, the first King of the Great Tang of a different surname. Whether in the open or in the shadows, many people will be watching you. I hope that the King of Foreign Lands will be cautious with his words and actions and protect himself. As for His Majesty, he has his reasons for this matter. King of Foreign Lands, you will understand in the future!” He sighed as if he wanted to say more.
Wang Chong wanted to ask more questions, but then Gao Lishi turned around and strode back into the hall. After a few moments of silence, Wang Chong recollected his thoughts and began to descend the steps of white jade.
Not long after Wang Chong had left, Gao Lishi returned to the Sage Emperor’s side.
“Your Majesty, this matter has been a very bad blow to him. Is there really no need to tell him?” Gao Lishi hesitantly asked.
“There’s no need!”
The Sage Emperor waved his hand, his expression indifferent.
“My body cannot hold on for very much longer. Even if this matter is corrected, it is certain to happen in the future. It is better to simply treat it as a trial for him and see just how far he can go.”
“This old slave… understands.”
Gao Lishi lowered his head and bowed.
“But, Your Majesty, your shift in attitude was so great, the officials… they find it very discomfiting!”
The Human Emperor c1-2382 Page 775
