Seeing that the cavalry were being sincere, the Hu finally began to panic and sober up, their bodies beginning to wriggle around.
After spending so much time in the capital, they basically ate and drank whatever they wanted, never worrying about paying. But these Tang horsemen seemed serious!
“I’m reporting you! I’ll definitely report you!”
The Hu began to shout in rough Han.
“Report whatever you want. I might as well mention that we’re not part of the City Guard. All of us belong to the Public Order Office.”
The officer coldly snorted. After saying this, he tied up the last Hu, and the group swiftly rode away.
Bang!
Not long after they were gone, the crowd on Azure Dragon Street finally realized what had happened and exploded into cheers.
“Good!”
“Those bastards were finally taken away! I was sick of seeing them around!”
“What Harmonious World? Those guys were nothing but rats and bugs!”
The crowd voiced their praises. These Hu had gathered together recently and had occupied the area for themselves, but the City Guard had chosen to ignore them. They had been forced to swallow their anger, but finally, someone had finally vented their anger for them.
“But who were those people?” a commoner muttered. He had lived in the capital for decades, but he had never heard of any Public Order Office.
“Seize them all!”
Similar incidents took place in all other parts of the capital. Groups of cavalry wearing red armor charged into the places where the Hu gathered. Any Hu that committed a crime, whether it was robbery, harassing women, or beating up others, was arrested.
“What?!”
The news was soon sent to the hidden room within Pipa Alley.
The man behind the curtain suddenly stood up.
“Our men have been arrested by the Public Order Office?”
Even through the curtain, the man’s shock was clearly communicated through his voice.
“Yes!
“They’ve arrested more than three thousand of our men, with more than fifty percent of the people on Hujia Street being arrested. We thought that if everyone was committing the crimes, the law couldn’t punish everyone, so they would at most only arrest twenty-some people. But to our surprise, they’ve captured more than three thousand and show no signs of stopping. Everyone feels in danger and have decided to shut themselves in their rooms and see how the situation develops. And it seems like the Public Order Office has strengthened its patrols and has even expanded its reach to the edges of the capital.”
The Hu who had delivered the news had a worried look on his face.
The situation had developed too quickly. It felt like they had been discussing the King of Foreign Lands only a second ago, and a moment later, the man himself had given all the Hu in the capital a most unpleasant surprise.
“Many Tibetans, Turks, Goguryeons, and people of the other countries have been captured, as have many of our spies. This situation does not bode well for us!” the scout said.
The man behind the curtain couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat. Even though that noble had been forced out of the Imperial Court and had been gone for a month, when he reappeared, he still made all the Hu feel like they had a dagger against their backs.
If not for the orders from above, he would have never taken his mission and gone to provoke that god of slaughter.
A deathly and oppressive stillness gripped the room. The man behind the curtain said nothing, but even this Hu spy could sense how grave his mood was.
But a few moments later, the man spoke once more.
“Don’t panic! Everything is still under our control. The King of Foreign Lands has killed so many of our people that it’s high time he paid a little price. This is the capital, not the battlefield, and it’s not some place he can mess around. Pass on my order. In the name of the Great Minister, gather together the various emissaries and submit a joint memorial to the court. Let’s see what Li Junxian and the First Prince have to say about this. Even if we can’t deal with him, there are naturally people that can. I’d like to see what explanation they come up with!” the man viciously said.
The mention of the Great Minister had the Hu spy trembling, a hint of respect appearing on his face. The Great Minister the man referred to was naturally the Imperial Minister of the Ü-Tsang Empire, Dalon Trinling.
The collaboration between Ü-Tsang and all the other countries was almost entirely under the guidance of the Imperial Minister, and the man behind the curtain was one of his disciples.
Everyone else had been caught off guard by Wang Chong’s sudden movements in the capital, but he had remained composed, and he had also been able to very quickly think about using the First Prince and Li Junxian, something that few of his peers could match.
“This subordinate will deliver this order!”
The Hu spy became much calmer now that he had clear orders to deliver.
The establishment of the Public Order Office had not only shocked the secret room in Pipa Alley. More than three thousand Hu had been arrested, and the entire capital trembled. And this incident’s association with Wang Chong’s name sent another massive tremor through the capital.
While the great clans of the Great Tang produced innumerable brilliant descendants, none of them could compare to Wang Chong.
Even though Wang Chong had eventually been defeated in the militarist-Confucian conflict, he had been the only one capable of shaking the world with two books, even alarming Master Zhu.
After disappearing for more than a month, he had suddenly established the Public Order Office. Although people still weren’t sure what this was, everyone knew that the situation in the capital had changed!
Because he had finally returned!
Storms were brewing all across the capital.
Bang!
As the Public Order Office was beginning its mass arrests, the gate of the Secretariat Advisor Residence slammed open, and an urgent message was delivered to Li Junxian.
“Wang Chong, you’re forcing my hand!”
Within the hall, Li Junxian only glanced at the letter before crumpling it into a ball. His young and handsome face was twisted in rage.
Li Junxian rarely lost his composure, but Wang Chong had truly provoked him this time!
He had reached the end of his tolerance for Wang Chong!
In his quarrel with Wang Chong, he had almost always tried to focus on their difference in ideals instead of attacking the person himself, even trying to persuade Wang Chong several times after he was called back from Khorasan. Li Junxian had always attempted to maintain the path of the gentleman and made his arguments through reason, not force.
Even when Wang Chong was gone for more than a month, he had not taken the opportunity to directly attack the Wang Clan.
But Wang Chong’s actions had once more forced him into a corner.
The peace agreements between the Great Tang and all the other countries were firmly in place, with the armies disbanded and withdrawn. He had even disbanded the prefectural armies. It was now settled that the Great Tang would turn its swords into plowshares. Li Junxian had believed that no matter how unwilling Wang Chong was, he would no longer stir up any waves.
But after just a few days, he had gone and made this ‘Public Order Office’.
There were many more Hu in the capital than before, and these Hu could even manage one or two sentences of Tang language and wore the clothes of the Central Plains. This was basically unheard of in the past.
But now that Wang Chong was arresting so many people, the foreigners would no longer be willing to enter the capital.
Not only that, the Great Tang and all the other countries had only managed to reach this stage with great difficulty, with millions of soldiers being disarmed. However, Wang Chong had now arrested more than three thousand people, which would undoubtedly cause the other countries to believe that the Great Tang
was not worth trusting.
It was just a tiny Public Order Office, but it was enough for everything the Confucian Sect had worked for, all their patience and sacrifice, all that they cherished, to be made into nothing!
“Young Master, what do we do now?”
Elder Song, the white-clothed girl, Sword Ghost, and the powerful experts of the Confucian Sect all stared at Li Junxian. The oppressive air crackled with their flames of rage.
They were just as infuriated as Li Junxian.
The Harmonious World was their dream. From the moment they entered the Confucian Sect, they had agreed to offer up their lives to realize this dream, and they could not permit anyone to profane it.
“Prepare my court robes! I’m going to see the First Prince!”
Li Junxian’s eyes flashed as he made up his mind, and he stood up and strode out of the hall.
……
“How audacious!”
There was someone who was even angrier than Li Junxian at this time.
In the eastern palace of the inner court, a furious voice resounded off the walls. Boom! A large palm slammed down and instantly pulverized a golden armrest.
“Without this prince’s order, they dared to set up this Public Order Office and place it beyond the authority of the Imperial Court! Are they planning a rebellion?”
No court session had been held and the memorial for the Public Order Office had not been presented, but the First Prince had been keeping a close watch on Wang Chong, so he already knew about what he had been planning.
The Public Order Office was already going around arresting people before the Imperial Court had even passed the decree establishing it. Such impudence had the First Prince utterly enraged.
Chapter 1579 - The Furious First Prince!
Chapter 1579: The Furious First Prince!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
The Great Tang belonged to the subjects of the Great Tang, but more than that, it belonged to the House of Li, and the Great Tang of the House of Li was the First Prince’s Great Tang.
As the First Prince, he was the right and proper Crown Prince, and also the right and proper next Sage Emperor. All authority should have stemmed from the Imperial Court, and thus, stemmed from him. For this reason, the First Prince found the matter of the Public Order Office even more intolerable than Li Junxian.
“To set up another Imperial Court is a great taboo!” At this moment, a sharp and high-pitched voice resounded through the Eastern Palace. The white-haired eunuch at the First Prince’s side slowly spoke.
“Your Highness, although Wang Chong was the one who gave the order, the soldiers of the Public Order Squads were provided by the Bureau of Military Personnel. In other words, this was Zhangchou Jianqiong’s order. If Your Highness wishes to punish Wang Chong, it will not be easy!”
“Zhangchou Jianqiong, hm?”
The First Prince’s expression turned cold, his eyes gleaming.
“In the last militarist-Confucian conflict, I didn’t make trouble for him. Does he really think that Consort Taizhen’s protection means that I can’t do anything to him?
“Pass on my order to gather the officials for a meeting. In addition, take this prince’s token and take a trip to the Minister of War Residence. I would like to ask Zhangchou Jianqiong what he means by establishing this Public Order Office. What sort of head does he have on his shoulders that he dares to establish such an office without a decree from this prince and the Imperial Court?!” the First Prince coldly said, his eyes seething with killing intent.
“This old slave will deliver the order!”
……
The skies over the capital were dark and an undercurrent flowed beneath the surface. Countless messenger birds flew here and there as innumerable spies moved throughout the capital to gather information on the new Public Order Office.
But the Minister of War Residence was the nexus of all this information.
The initial members of the Public Order Squad had originated from here, and it was true that King of Foreign Lands Wang Chong had paid a visit to Zhangchou Jianqiong before this.
“Wang Chong, you’ve put me on the roasting rack.”
Within the Minister of War Residence, Zhangchou Jianqiong bitterly smiled at his guest.
A pot made of gold-colored ceramic had been placed on the table, and within it was top-quality tea from Longjing. The tea was still piping hot, and the two exquisitely-crafted cups next to the pot were brimming.
The guest sitting on the other side of the table had a calm and composed expression as they drank cup after cup. Meanwhile, Zhangchou Jianqiong had left his own cup idle for more than five minutes without even a sip.
“Just treat it as me owing you a favor!”
Wang Chong softly chuckled.
“Moreover, all the generals on the border are receiving promotions that are really demotions, and even Geshu Han’s subordinates have been transferred to Lingnan to repair bridges and roads, let alone others. The authority of the generals has weakened to the extreme, and it will probably be the Great Generals who are next. You’re the Minister of War and have lived more years than I have. If the Great Tang has no more Great Generals, your position as Minister of War probably won’t last for very long either,” Wang Chong indifferently said.
“There’s no need to talk like this. What favor? If you didn’t help me in the war of the southwest, I wouldn’t be sitting here. Besides, the Confucian Sect is constantly hounding us. My Bureau of Military Personnel still has enough authority to muster up some cavalry for your Public Order Squads, but if you had waited a little longer, I wouldn’t even be able to muster infantry.”
Zhangchou Jianqiong sorrowfully sighed.
He had already considered all the consequences that would come with setting up the Public Order Office, but he had still chosen to help Wang Chong. This was partially driven by the fact that he really did owe Wang Chong a big favor for the southwest, but it was also because the Minister of War… was on the verge of becoming a figurehead.
“The Imperial Court should be coming to find me soon, but given all my efforts over my twenty years in the southwest, not even the First Prince should be able to do much to me, even if he is the heir apparent. But what do you plan to do?” Zhangchou Jianqiong said.
When Zhangchou Jianqiong looked at that young and determined face, he was suddenly reminded of his younger self.
When he was young, he once had the same courageous, determined, and decisive eyes. No matter what kind of setback he endured or opponent he faced, he would have never backed down.
It was precisely this unyielding determination that had allowed him to reach his current point, the Tiger of the Empire, the conqueror of the southwest.
Once, he had dreamed about entering the capital, taking over the Bureau of Military Personnel, dominating the government, and then becoming Prime Minister just like Duke Jiu or Li Linfu. Now, after twenty-some years, with many of his hairs having gone white, he had finally fulfilled his wish. He now served at the feet of the Son of Heaven and commanded all the soldiers of the realm.
But after experiencing one political storm after another, he had gradually learned to be cautious and evasive, losing his original courage and determination.
Without realizing it, he had gotten old.
Zhangchou Jianqiong couldn’t help but sigh.
Now, the young man sitting across from him had become the hope of all the protectorates on the border, all the officers and soldiers in the army, and even the Minister of War. If they wanted to oppose the Confucian Sect and the First Prince, who were at the height of their power, Wang Chong was their only chance.
“There’s a proper countermeasure for everything. I have my own ideas on how to deal with it.”
Wang Chong did not give any details.
Zhangchou Jianqiong gave a slight nod. He was never worried about Wang Chong. While young, Wang Chong had a long list of achievements and conquests
, so there was no need for him to explain too much.
“Reporting!”
As the two were conversing, one of Zhangchou Jianqiong’s personal guards rushed inside.
“Milord, a eunuch from the palace has come. He has the First Prince’s token and says that Milord has been requested to enter the palace for a court session.”
Wang Chong and Zhangchou Jianqiong both widened their eyes and looked at the guard.
“Lord Zhangchou, His Highness has requested your presence. Please!” A sharp voice came from outside. The voice came from very far away, but its owner moved like a ghost, and just a few moments later, he was stepping over the threshold without making a sound.
Wang Chong and Zhangchou Jianqiong were both top-class experts, particularly Wang Chong, who had received an enormous boost in strength after his northwest adventure. But not even he was sure how this white-haired eunuch with claw-like hands had managed to get inside.
The man quietly stood there with a confident bearing, but Wang Chong couldn’t sense his aura. The man felt like an illusion.
A thought suddenly occurred to him, and he profoundly gazed at the eunuch. However, he remained silent and simply took a sip of his tea.
“So it was Lord Eunuch! Forgive me for not coming out to greet you!”
Zhangchou Jianqiong quickly got to his feet and bowed. He had spent some time in the palace and had seen the First Prince’s personal eunuch several times.
“So Lord Zhangchou was with the King of Foreign Lands. It was rather rude for me to show up like this.”
Surprisingly, the eunuch ignored Zhangchou Jianqiong and turned his eyes to the composed Wang Chong.
“Lord Eunuch knows of me?”
Wang Chong faintly smiled and looked up at the eunuch.
The white-haired eunuch stared at Wang Chong and unhurriedly said, “The mighty name of the King of Foreign Lands is known throughout the land, the first King of a different surname, personally granted the title by His Majesty. I accompany His Highness in the palace, so how could I not have heard of this?”
“Is that so?”
The Human Emperor c1-2382 Page 976
