Cheng Qianli’s appearance here was surprising enough, but for him to appear with Gao Xianzhi was abnormal to the extreme.
A Protector-General was a Great General existence. Their movements could set the entire world into motion.
Their prestige and status were linked to the safety of the border regions. In normal circumstances, unless specifically summoned by the sovereign, they would spend thirty to forty years without seeing the capital.
“Protector-General Gao, General Cheng, why are you here?”
Wang Chong rushed over to the pair, and at almost the same time, Gao Xianzhi and Cheng Qianli parted the crowd and walked over to Wang Chong.
“Wang Chong, you’re finally awake!”
A sincere look of joy appeared on the faces of the pair when they saw Wang Chong.
“Qianli and I paid a visit to your residence, but you were still unconscious then. We happened to hear that you had gotten better and were on our way to see how you were doing, but to think that we would run into you!”
A thousand cups of wine were not too much when friends met. As a Great General, Gao Xianzhi normally kept up a dignified and steady appearance. It was only in front of Wang Chong, the youngest King of the Great Tang, that Gao Xianzhi would show this sort of warmth.
But Wang Chong was in no mood to chat.
Wang Chong stared at them and asked, “Lord Gao, General Cheng, what’s going on here? Why aren’t you garrisoned in Anxi, instead showing up in the capital?”
Buzz!
Their smiles instantly vanished, their expressions turning somber.
“This…” After a few moments of silence, Gao Xianzhi revealed the truth. “Wang Chong, I won’t hide it from you. I’m actually no longer a Protector-General. The Imperial Court stripped me of my military authority. The Anxi Protectorate army is now under the command of several supervisors from the Confucian Sect.”
On the side, Cheng Qianli had become taciturn.
Boom!
Wang Chong’s eyes flew open in disbelief.
“In truth, we weren’t the only ones to be called back. Almost all the generals on the borders have been recalled. The fate of the military is set,” Cheng Qianli grimly said.
Wang Chong said nothing, but his heart was heavy and he felt like he couldn’t breathe.
“Your Highness, the Confucian Sect holds the Imperial Court and the entire empire. We’ve lost the ability to contend against them,” Cheng Qianli sorrowfully said.
As a general who had fought all his life, he was naturally unwilling to accept this conclusion, but the First Prince was serving as regent and was colluding with the immensely powerful faction that was the Confucian Sect. With this faction in control of the Imperial Court, no one could stop it.
Wang Chong felt extreme grief stabbing at his heart like a sharp needle. Although the pair had kept their words brief, he could naturally understand what they were feeling.
They had fought for Anxi for more than half their lives, but the turtledove had seized the nest of the magpie, driving them out.
“Let’s go! For this rare meeting, we should have some drinks until we’re good and drunk!”
Gao Xianzhi put his arm around Wang Chong’s shoulders and the three of them made their way to the closest tavern.
This gathering lasted from noon to nightfall and beyond. Wang Chong returned to the estate very late in the night.
Day after day went by, during which Wang Chong finally linked together the events that had taken place while he was unconscious.
At the same time, the news from the border was sent to his estate.
Whoosh!
This news came in the form of various messenger birds flying in.
‘The latest news from Ü-Tsang is that the Tsenpo is recruiting soldiers in Bariba Canyon and is secretly training them. Our estimates place these soldiers at six hundred thousand, and this number is only getting larger. Your Highness, please make a decision!’
‘On the seventeenth, we learned that the new king of Mengshe Zhao, Fengjiayi, has begun to recruit the Man tribes and is also training a large number of wild elephants to reestablish his military corps. Our scouts say that Mengshe Zhao has trained around fifty thousand elephants, ten times the size of the original White Elephant Corps. Your Highness, please give your instructions!’
‘On the fifteenth, the scouts sent a report. A group of scouts disguised as a Goguryeon merchant caravan managed to smoothly infiltrate the eleven southern cities of Goguryeo. After paying with the lives of ten scouts, they finally learned that Yeon Gaesomun’s southern navy is engaging in large-scale construction of warships and training of marines. More than four hundred thousand marines have been gathered and are preparing to attack the Great Tang by sea.’
‘We received a report from the northern border on the nineteenth. There have been no battles for several months, but not long ago, one of our supply caravans was ambushed by an unknown assailant. Two thousand peasants were killed and the escort force of one thousand cavalry was completely wiped out. All the weapons and foodstuffs with the caravan were plundered and have not been tracked down yet. Although there is no firm evidence, we are basically sure that it was the work of the Western Turkic Khaganate. Based on the information we’ve gathered, the various Hu have begun to adjust their tactics to work from the shadows, continuing to pose a major threat to us!
‘All the border armies have been strictly forbidden by the various army supervisors from investigating the attack, and the soldiers are extremely unhappy!’
The letters came flying into Wang Chong’s hand in a veritable snowstorm, and each piece of news jabbed at Wang Chong’s heart and made him even more worried. The Great Tang was surrounded by danger, but no one seemed aware.
Although Wang Chong had gathered all this information, with the Imperial Court under the control of the First Prince and Li Junxian, any countermeasure he took was meaningless.
No matter what, this can’t be allowed to continue! Wang Chong said to himself, his mind made up.
But at this moment, another matter completely upset Wang Chong’s plan.
“Chong-er, your mother has something to discuss with you.”
Three days later, Wang Chong’s mother appeared in his room, her expression unprecedentedly solemn.
“You’re no longer that young, and based on the customs of the capital’s nobility, you’re at the age where you can get married and start a family. Your mother was truly frightened over your recent spell of unconsciousness, and after a great deal of thought, your mother has decided that it’s time for you to start a family.
“Your mother sees that you have already developed feelings for the young lady of the Xu Clan, and while you were unconscious, she was taking care of you the entire time, staying by your side day and night, even losing weight. Of all the women of the capital, this child is the one your mother has taken the greatest liking to.
“Thus, while you were unconscious, your mother has decided if you woke up, I would let this child become the daughter-in-law of our Wang Family.”
“What?!”
Wang Chong was stunned by these words, completely caught off guard.
“What? Are you not willing?”
Madam Wang scowled, her voice tinged with displeasure.
“This… child would not dare.”
Wang Chong hastily lowered his head. He had always regarded his mother with extreme respect and did not dare to speak a word of argument. Madam Wang’s eyes softened.
“Thus, after you woke up, your mother went to the Xu Residence. The Xu Clan Patriarch has already agreed and Lady Xu has also given the nod of approval. This child is probably smitten with you.
“The start of the next month is an auspicious time to get married. Your mother has already invited a famous matchmaker of the capital and prepared for the ceremony, so the two of you can get married on that day. In this way, your mother can hold her grandson a little earlier. Your mother does not want to suffer such a fright again,�
� Madam Wang sternly said.
Wang Chong stood in a daze, and it took some time for him to break out of the stupor. This was far too surprising. Wang Chong had never imagined that his mother would mention this matter to him. He was still too young and could still fight for a few more years.
But when he saw his mother’s expression, he knew that his bout of unconsciousness had had a major effect on his mother, resulting in this proposal. It was evident that his mother was extremely serious.
Chapter 1456 - Wang Chong’s Wedding!
Chapter 1456: Wang Chong’s Wedding!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
“Since Mother has already decided, let us do as Mother has planned!”
Wang Chong lowered his head and complied.
Although he was surprised, for some reason, after saying this, Wang Chong felt rather relieved and didn’t feel forced into the situation at all.
He began to recall that clear and beautiful face, how she had stood alongside him in the City of Steel, how she had worked night and day in the Qixi Protectorate headquarters to send him supplies. He thought about her haggard appearance back then, and her look of deep concern when he awoke on the journey back east.
……
The spring breeze turned to rain that silently nourished the world.
At this moment, Wang Chong came to the sudden realization that Xu Qiqin had a rather significant place in his heart.
She had only silently given, never demanded, and even when she was in pain, she would endure it alone. It was time for him to properly repay her, creating the best and most beautiful end.
……
Boom!
The news of Wang Chong’s marriage to Xu Qiqin shook the entire capital. As the youthful King of Foreign Lands and the brilliant young War God, Wang Chong had rendered a series of dazzling achievements that would instill admiration in even Great Generals.
As for the Xu Clan, it controlled half of the logistics network of the Great Tang and was an extremely old clan wielding considerable influence.
The joining of these two clans and the outstanding quality of the groom and bride instantly attracted the entire empire’s attention.
When the auspicious day of the wedding arrived, the entire capital turned out. Even though the vast majority of the people stood on the side of the Confucian Sect in the conflict between Wang Chong and Li Junxian, Wang Chong’s status as the King of Foreign Lands and his past achievements meant that he still wielded significant influence amongst the people.
“King of Foreign Lands! King of Foreign Lands!”
“Fairy Xu! Fairy Xu!”
Outside the Wang Family Residence, the crowd was cheering Wang Chong and Xu Qiqin in equal measure.
The Xu Clan was an elite noble clan and Xu Qiqin was known as a fairy to the denizens of the capital, regarded highly by all its young men and women.
Moreover, in the Battle of Talas, she had remained behind in the Qixi Protectorate headquarters to manage the supply line, ensuring that the flow of supplies was constant and stable. This allowed her reputation to surpass that of all the other maidens of the capital.
Right after the Battle of Talas had ended, many noble houses had sent calling cards to the Xu Clan, hoping to form a good relationship with it by way of marriage.
But in the end, it was still Wang Chong who obtained the top position.
“The day is finally here!”
Wang Chong stood beneath a plum blossom tree in the courtyard, his heart at ease as the wind blew against his hair.
Ever since he had made the decision, Wang Chong felt like a great weight had been taken off his mind. He had been so busy running around for the sake of the people of the world that he had forgotten to take care of himself.
Now that he had been stripped of military authority and pushed out of the center of political power, he had a rare opportunity to concern himself with the affairs and people that he cared about, and more importantly… to concern himself with the person that he loved.
“How long will it be until Qiqin arrives?”
Wang Chong was dressed in a red ceremonial robe, his hands held behind his back.
In the gentle breeze and the light of the rising morning sun, Wang Chong’s eyes gleamed and his expression brimmed with energy. He began to exude an aura completely unlike the one he exuded on the battlefield: gentle, modest, generous. He seemed to be like a piece of beautiful jade.
“Your Highness, Lady Xu’s sedan chair is on its way. It should be here in about ten minutes.”
In front of Wang Chong, Xu Keyi, Chen Bin, and his other subordinates stood in a row. Xu Keyi had stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
“Reporting!”
Xu Keyi had barely spoken when a Wang Clan guard rushed in.
“Your Highness, the Xu Clan’s bridal procession will be here soon. The madam and master are already waiting at the gate.”
Everyone became excited at the guard’s words, and Wang Chong himself was no exception. His heart was brimming with joy and there was a sincere smile of contentment on his lips.
“Come—let’s go to the gate to welcome them!”
With a wave of his sleeve, Wang Chong strode forward, passing through the garden and stepping upon a path festooned with brightly-colored lanterns.
At the gate, servants and maids dressed in ceremonial red attire had gathered, and in front of them was an anxious-looking middle-aged woman, her hair decorated with pearls and jade hairpins.
“Mother!”
Wang Chong hastened his steps.
Seeing Wang Chong, the crowd began to turn around.
“Chong-er, you came at just the right time. That child Qiqin will be here soon. Hurry and get ready.”
Madam Wang had a ruddy expression and a smile hung about her eyes. This was the first time Wang Chong had ever seen his mother so happy.
“Heh, Chong-er, you’ve grown up. Finally, you’re going to be starting your own family. Your big uncle has prepared a gift for you in the hopes that you and Lady Qiqin contribute to our Wang Clan and help us continue to thrive.”
Speaking in his deep and mellow voice, Wang Chong’s big uncle Wang Gen stepped forward, stroking his beard and beaming.
As the Wang Clan’s Qilin son, Wang Chong was currently the most dazzling existence of the Wang Clan’s younger generation. Wang Gen also dearly loved his nephew, so he had come on his own in his capacity as an elder relative to await the bride.
“Many thanks, Big Uncle!”
Wang Chong smiled and bowed.
“She’s here, she’s here! The bride has arrived!”
A clamor came from up ahead and the crowd became restless. Inside the gate, Wang Chong, his mother, and his big uncle all turned to look.
With the popping of firecrackers, a long bridal procession appeared at the end of the street. At the very front of the bridal procession was a gilded sedan chair.
From a distance, Wang Chong could see at a glance the symbols and emblems of the Xu Clan.
“She’s coming! The bride is coming!”
The crowd inside the Wang Family Residence grew excited.
To the popping of firecrackers and the banging of gongs and drums, the maids and guards of the Wang Clan filed out of the estate. And when the sedan chair appeared, the crowds lining the street began to rumble.
“Fairy Xu! Fairy Xu!”
The deafening cheers soared to the heavens.
As Wang Chong watched that gilded sedan chair approach, the smile on his face grew wider and his eyes grew gentler.
“The bride has arrived!”
“Let the groom step forward to welcome her!”
Wang Chong shook his robes and stepped forward, descending the steps to make his way toward the gilded sedan chair.
“Open the curtains! Open the curtains!”
“Fairy Xu! Fairy Xu!”
“Groom, hurry and take the bride onto your back!”
The cheers and c
ries of the crowd only got louder and louder.
The King of Foreign Lands, crowned by the Sage Emperor himself, was getting married to the most talented and beautiful Xu Qiqin. Their marriage could be considered the marriage of the century. The people of the capital could not possibly pass up a chance to mess with the groom a little.
Wang Chong merely smiled at the cheers. As he looked at the curtain of the sedan chair, his eyes became even gentler, showing hints of tender affection.
A maid passed over a red bridal weighing rod1. Wang Chong took the rod, slightly bent down, inserted the rod into the space between the sedan wall and the curtains, and slightly raised it.
“Qiqin, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”
As Wang Chong raised the curtain higher and higher, he was able to see a figure garbed in red sitting within, her phoenix veil threaded with gold completely concealing her appearance.
But as Wang Chong extended the weighing rod to welcome the bride, he suddenly felt a razor-thin killing intent. Wang Chong grimaced, sensing something was wrong, and wanted to step back, but it was too late.
Rumble! A palm imbued with immense energy slammed into his chest. The seated bride had suddenly lunged forward and dealt Wang Chong a harsh blow.
Boom! This sudden assault had the entire crowd startled, shocked, and confused… all kinds of emotions flickered through their eyes.
No one had expected such a warm and festive scene to turn out like this.
To think that the bride of the Xu Clan would attack the groom upon her arrival!
“Not good! There’s been a problem!”
“The bride is trying to kill the groom!”
The joyous crowd fell into utter disarray, and the spectators began to scatter like frightened beasts.
Bang!
But even before the crowd had begun to run, Wang Chong had been sent flying out of the sedan chair like a cannonball. He slammed into the gate of the Wang Family Residence, causing the entire gate to collapse.
Madam Wang was struck dumb by the sight, her eyes going wide. It was only after a long while that she managed to call out in alarm, “Chong-eeeer!” Such a thing simply did not seem possible.
“Ma-Madam, Young Master!”
The Human Emperor c1-2382 Page 909
