The Human Emperor c1-2382

by Huangfu Qi (皇甫奇)

  “Your Highness, you’re finally here!”

  Within the restaurant, Zhao Fengchen relaxed the moment he saw Wang Chong, and he hastily went up to welcome his savior. Even though he had known Zhao Fengchen for some time now, Wang Chong had never before seen him so nervous.

  “Don’t panic. What happened?” Wang Chong said, his composed expression and terse words immediately calming Zhao Fengchen down.

  The two sat down, and Zhao Fengchen quickly began to explain what was going on.

  “The situation is bad. Four days ago, the First Prince suddenly summoned all the officers of the Imperial Army and said that he was extremely dissatisfied over our performance last time. Since the Imperial Army is responsible for guarding the Imperial City, he said that he could not permit fisheyes to be mixed in with the pearls and was going to reshuffle the Imperial Army and reselect Grand Marshals and Marshals. The Grand Marshals, as leaders of the Imperial Army, needed to possess ample actual combat experience, and this trait would be one of the first priorities in the selection!” Zhao Fengchen said.

  The room was quiet as Zhao Fengchen worriedly stared at Wang Chong. This was no ordinary shifting of the Imperial Army, and he had not come for himself. At any other time, Zhao Fengchen would have never held a surreptitious meeting with Wang Chong.

  But this period in time was unique. In the Setting Sun Villa incident, one hundred generals had been unseated and replaced by the First Prince’s men, and now Geshu Han was dead, Fumeng Lingcha replacing him. Gao Xianzhi had already been stripped of his military authority and dispatched to Mengshe Zhao, allowing the First Prince to take control of the Anxi Protectorate army. If the Imperial Army joined them, then the First Prince would control more than half of the empire’s armies.

  “One doesn’t move around soldiers in times of peace. It would be one thing if there was war and chaos on the borders, but the Great Tang is at peace right now. For the First Prince to try and interfere with the armies of the Great Tang at a time like this makes his intentions obvious. Even many of the great clans sense that something is wrong, all of them shutting their gates in fear!” Zhao Fengchen sternly said.

  Ever since the Setting Sun Villa incident, many people in the capital had sensed that something was not right, that things were developing in a frightening direction. And now, not even Zhao Fengchen could sit still. If the First Prince seized control of the Imperial Army, no one dared to imagine what would happen next.

  Wang Chong said nothing, but his eyes turned solemn.

  It’s finally begun! Wang Chong quietly said to himself, a profound look in his eyes. Zhao Fengchen would have undoubtedly been flabbergasted if he could hear Wang Chong’s internal voice, because Wang Chong didn’t seem surprised in the slightest.

  Anxi, Beiting, Big Dipper… now, he’s finally moved onto the Imperial Army!

  Wang Chong’s mind was seething, and everything was clear now. He already had his suspicions back in Big Dipper City, when Fumeng Lingcha had tried to provoke and delay him, that something might have happened in the capital. And in Wang Chong’s considerations, the First Prince’s target was most likely to be the Imperial Army.

  With control over the one hundred thousand soldiers of the Imperial Army, as well as the elites of Anxi, Beiting, and Big Dipper, the First Prince would have forces on both the inside and the outside, and there would be almost no one in the capital that could stop him. Not even Wang Chong and his half of the Commander Tally would be able to do much.

  As these thoughts passed through his mind, Wang Chong turned to Zhao Fengchen and spoke in an infectiously calm voice that made one want to believe in him. “When is the Imperial Army’s skill exhibition and inspection to take place?”

  “Tomorrow at noon!” Zhao Fengchen said.

  Wang Chong couldn’t help but widen his eyes at this. Although he knew just how meticulous the First Prince’s plans were—and that since Fumeng Lingcha had been ordered to delay him at Big Dipper City, there wouldn’t be much time left for him—Wang Chong had not expected that there would this little time.

  Starting from now, even if one took into account the night, Zhao Fengchen had only one day left. But the Imperial Army forbade drilling at night, so this limited his time even more.

  Hou Junji!

  Wang Chong’s heart sank as he once more thought about the master strategist at the First Prince’s side.

  “Don’t panic for now. Leave everything to me!” Wang Chong said, his words soothing Zhao Fengchen. “In addition, for this period of time, I will need you to remain in your barracks at all times. Do not consume any food or drink unless it was prepared by a close friend.”

  “Ah!”

  Zhao Fengchen was shaken by Wang Chong’s words.

  “You mean, could it be…”

  “Do not seek to do harm, but also do not let down your vigilance!”

  Wang Chong solemnly nodded.

  Zhao Fengchen trembled in understanding.

  The precedent of the carriage in front served as an example for those in the back. An Sishun had already been escorted to the imperial prison and Geshu Han’s death was still fresh on his mind. In every dynasty, the struggle for the throne had always been cruel and bloodstained. Since the First Prince had already made his move against the Imperial Army, who could say that he wouldn’t move against Zhao Fengchen?

  What did a puny Zhao Fengchen matter, compared to the throne?

  With Wang Chong’s assistance, Zhao Fengchen quickly took his leave. Not long after he left, a figure silently appeared behind Wang Chong.

  “Your Highness!” Zhang Que respectfully called out, his head lowered.

  Wang Chong nodded, his expression devoid of emotion.

  “Starting from now, increase our men watching the capital, particularly around the residences of King Qi and the Prime Minister!”

  There was no need to discuss the relationship between King Qi and the First Prince. Almost all the men who supported the First Prince in the court were part of King Qi’s faction. As for Li Linfu, this slick and smooth official was the number one treasonous minister in all of the Tang Dynasty. While he normally kept this hidden, causing people to forget, he was never someone that could be disregarded.

  According to the reports Wang Chong had received, he had already entered the palace many times to visit the Eastern Palace by himself.

  “This subordinate will go!” Zhang Que solemnly said, bowing.

  “In addition, get in touch with Yang Zhao and Li Jingzhong. Give these letters to them!”

  Wang Chong’s sleeve shook as several letters appeared between his fingers. Zhang Que was taken aback. When had Wang Chong had the time to write these letters?

  But he quickly came forward, took the letters, and left a few moments later.

  The room fell quiet now that Zhang Que was gone.

  Wang Chong stood next to the sandalwood table, his hands behind his back. Rather than leave, he looked up at the ceiling, his thoughts drifting off into the endless void.

  Beiting, Big Dipper, and now the Imperial Army… this was now the final threshold!

  That most significant of rebellions that had swept across the Great Tang, the Rebellion of the Three Princes, was finally close at hand. But for Wang Chong, his greatest concern was not the Imperial Army.

  “Your Majesty, I hope you are well!

  Clouds of worry flitted across Wang Chong’s brow. The First Prince truly was worrisome, but Wang Chong was far more worried about what all these events implied. The First Prince was a patient man, but the Setting Sun Villa incident, Big Dipper City incident, and the Imperial Army incident taking place now were the actions of a man who felt no fear.

  If something hadn’t happened to the Sage Emperor within Taiji Palace, the First Prince couldn’t be assured that such actions wouldn’t have consequences, and he would never have been so bold!

  But Wang Chong could not speak of this to anyone, not even Zhang Que.

  No one knew what sort of consequences su
ch words would provoke.

  Wang Chong remained motionless in the room by himself, no one aware of what he was up to. Around two hours later, Wang Chong finally walked out. No one knew where he went, and even Zhang Que lost his trail.

  Finally, at the Zi Period (11pm-1am), Wang Chong returned to his residence, but he said nothing about where he had gone.

  ……

  In the Eastern Palace, the lanterns had been lit.

  “How is it? Has Fumeng Lingcha taken control of the Big Dipper Army?” A resounding voice, soaked in ambition, echoed through the hall.

  A figure standing by the door bowed and reported, “Your Highness, Great General Fumeng has already demoted all the former Big Dipper Army officers and replaced them with his own men. In addition, the former subordinates of Qixi who the King of Foreign Lands once transferred to the Beiting Protectorate have already been transferred to Big Dipper City to assist Great General Fumeng in controlling the situation. While there are still dissenting voices amongst the soldiers, Great General Fumeng has been able to suppress them, and it should not affect the overall situation.”

  This man was twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, a new face in this palace. He had the heroic and aloof bearing of a noble scion. As the First Prince gained more and more control over the court, more and more great clans came to serve the First Prince, and many of their outstanding descendants entered the Eastern Palace.

  “Hmph, it seems that this prince did not pardon him and let him out of the imperial prison in vain!”

  The First Prince nodded, his eyes domineering and vicious.

  After controlling the court for more than half a year, particularly after seizing control of Beiting, Big Dipper, and Anxi and finally reaching that most anticipated final step, the First Prince’s demeanor had transformed, and he was more and more seeming like a hegemon.

  Whoosh!

  A pigeon flew in the window. Kim U-Seok’s eyes flashed and he strode forward to receive it.

  “Your Highness, we’ve just received word that Wang Chong has returned to his residence. He was missing for a period of time, and no one knew where he went, but we judge that he probably went to meet Zhao Fengchen.”

  Kim U-Seok came forward and bowed.

  Chapter 1713 - The Three Grand Marshals of the Imperial Army!

  Chapter 1713: The Three Grand Marshals of the Imperial Army!

  Translated by: Hypersheep325

  Edited by: Michyrr

  In a flash, everyone turned to look at Kim U-Seok, including those young and brilliant scions from the great clans, and the mood instantly changed. They were at the most important juncture, and everyone knew that the First Prince’s most feared and greatest opponent was the eighteen-year-old King of Foreign Lands.

  But Kim U-Seok was composed and confident in the face of these gazes.

  Almost the entire capital was under his control, and with the support of the First Prince, he had more than one thousand scouts and spies under his command. He was no longer restricted to the capital, and even had men in the surrounding countries. Even Wang Chong would find it hard to completely escape his eyes and ears.

  Although he was a Goguryeon, Kim U-Seok had used his abilities to occupy an extremely important place at the First Prince’s side.

  “Hmph, just as this prince expected!”

  The First Prince broke the silence, slowly rising from his seat and walking down the steps. Given that Zhao Fengchen was on good terms with Wang Chong, it would have been far stranger if he hadn’t gone to find Wang Chong.

  “A meager Zhao Fengchen isn’t even worth thinking about. It’s just unfortunate what happened with Fumeng Lingcha. I thought that he could hold Wang Chong for a few days, but he still failed.”

  The First Prince had a hint of regret in his voice.

  Besides taking control of the Big Dipper Army, Fumeng Lingcha had one other important mission, which was to try every method possible to delay Wang Chong. But Wang Chong had been too wary and had only spent a few hours in Big Dipper City before returning. There was nothing the First Prince could do about that.

  Meng Tu took a few steps forward and declared, “Your Highness, there is no need to be concerned. The King of Foreign Lands won’t be able to stir up any big waves!”

  “Concerned? Hmph, at this stage, what does this prince need to be concerned about?”

  Surprisingly, the First Prince chuckled at Meng Tu’s words, but he quickly regained his composure.

  He turned to the Ghost King and said, “Ghost King, I leave tomorrow’s martial exhibition to you.”

  The Ghost King merely smiled, and the entire hall fell silent.

  ……

  Deep in the night, a red candle as thick as a child’s arm burned on its holder. Next to the red candle was a model six feet long on each side. The resplendent buildings depicted on this model were clearly those of the inner court of the Imperial Palace.

  A red mark had been stamped on the edge of the model: ‘Only For Use by the Emperor’s Servants’.

  Creating a model of the Imperial Palace was a major taboo, but things were different for the Imperial Army. Each division of the Imperial Army within the inner court possessed this kind of model so that they could better defend the palace.

  At this time, Wang Chong, his uncle-in-law Li Lin, his little uncle Wang Mi, and Xu Keyi were gathered here.

  “What has the reaction of the three Grand Marshals been to this martial exhibition?”

  Wang Chong’s voice resounded in the candlelit room.

  “They’re also rather surprised by this. Being a Grand Marshal of the Imperial Army already requires extraordinary martial arts, so this requirement won’t do much to shake the three Grand Marshals from their current position. Thus, the First Prince also added the requirement of the art of war. The Imperial Army guards the capital throughout the year, and when it comes to battle experience, all of the divisions except Zhao Fengchen’s Xuanwu Army are lacking. This is probably the Imperial Army’s greatest shortcoming!” Li Lin said.

  The mood in the room turned grave. Time was short, and the Eastern Palace had already seized the time Wang Chong took to go to Big Dipper City to make the windows as small as possible. Everyone understood at this time that this martial exhibition had the fate of the empire on the line and could not be taken lightly.

  Li Lin paused a moment before continuing.

  “The Eastern Palace also recognized this, so they had the martial exhibition include a competition of military strategy. Chong-er, if what you say is correct and the mysterious man at the First Prince’s side really is the Army-Shattering War God Hou Junji of Taizong’s era, then the art of war is his field of expertise!

  “The one hundred thousand soldiers of the Imperial Army are divided into the Feather Forest, Imperial Forest, Soaring Dragon, Sea Dragon, Black Turtle, and Xuanwu Armies, all of them under the command of Grand Marshals Li, Bai, and Huang. These three men have been in charge for ten-some years, and all of them have been tempered on the battlefield and have extremely refined and steady battle styles.

  “Of them, Great General Li Xuanyi is the most loyal to the Sage Emperor. It’s said that when the Sage Emperor was still campaigning, Li Xuanyi was one of his personal guards, so there is no questioning his loyalty!

  “Huang Tianzhao has the most seniority amongst the three Grand Marshals and has held the post for the longest. Almost all the descendants of the Huang clan in the capital have been under his care. In normal circumstances, he shouldn’t be thinking about rebellion, but the Sage Emperor right now… Of the three Grand Marshals, he’s the only one that the First Prince has a chance of recruiting.

  “But Huang Tianzhao is extremely shrewd, and he would never pledge his fealty unless he was absolutely confident.

  “As for the last one, that would be the Bai Clan’s Bai Hanzhou. Bai Hanzhou is very young, only twenty-nine this year, but he possesses the most astonishing talent. When he was only sixteen, he obtained the Sage Emperor’s favor and
was recruited into the Imperial Army, and only half a year later, he challenged the Marshal of the Feather Forest Army, defeated him, and took his spot.

  “At the age of eighteen, he was promoted to Grand Marshal and became the youngest Grand Marshal in history. He was at the height of his fame back then and had been recognized as the number one expert of the younger generation.”

  There was a slight pause, and then Wang Chong’s little uncle, Wang Mi, commented.

  “But amongst the three Grand Marshals, Bai Hanzhou is the one we need to worry about the least!”

  Wang Mi smiled at Wang Chong, and everyone understood and chuckled. Everyone in the residence knew about Wang Chong’s relationship with Bai Siling. That young miss had a very deep affection for their young master, and while she tried to hide it, just how couldn’t people see it?

  Almost everyone in the capital now knew that the young lady had once declared from her chambers, “Other than Wang Chong, I can’t take any of the young men in the capital seriously!”

  No one noticed Wang Chong’s brow slightly creasing at these words. But he quickly returned to normal.

  “None of the three Grand Marshals is any easy person to control, so everyone probably understands why the First Prince is putting on this martial exhibition!”

  Li Lin changed the topic and offered his conclusion.

  “We can see from the last few incidents that the First Prince doesn’t do anything unless he’s confident, so we can’t be careless! Failure cannot be tolerated in this martial exhibition!”

  The mood in the hall turned grim.

  Wang Chong closed his eyes and said, “Zhang Que, give your report!”

  “Yes, Your Highness!”

  Zhang Que bowed and quickly turned to the others.

  “The Imperial Army has three Grand Marshals and six Marshals, each one commanding a division. Only the six Marshals have the right to vie for the seat of Grand Marshal and alter the structure of the Imperial Army.

  “According to the information we’ve gathered, two new faces have appeared amongst the six Marshals. When we investigated them, we found that the truth was different from what was publicly announced, and their credentials show strong signs of being forged!” Zhang Que said.