Chapter 469: Wang Chongs Request! (1/2)
Chapter 469: Wang Chong's Request!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
In the past, Wang Gen would have assuredly voiced his opinion. The Great Tang had sufficient strength to deal with any force, whether it was Mengshe Zhao, Ü-Tsang, the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganates, Goguryeo, or the Abbasid Caliphate.
If it didn't have this strength, the Great Tang would not have its current prosperity.
Every person of the Great Tang firmly believed this point.
But this time, Wang Gen was quiet. For some reason, Wang Gen heard the message from Wang Chong that Old Eagle had relayed to him.
”No matter what happens, please tell Big Uncle to not issue any opinions!”
This was a message from several days ago. It seemed like Wang Chong had already expected this to happen.
Chong-er, just what did you see? Just what reason has you so deeply concerned about this matter before the court?
Wang Gen's eyes were unfocused, his mind in turmoil.
Wang Chong had been acting too strangely as of late, but no one dared to say that he had gone crazy. At the very least, he had found out what happened in the southwest a long time ago, much earlier than the Imperial Court.
It was hard to say if his nephew had already anticipated all this.
After all that he had experienced, Wang Gen found himself more and more unwilling to disregard his nephew's advice.
”Lord Wang? Lord Wang…?”
Whispers could be heard as the gathered ministers looked curiously at Wang Gen. In the past, Lord Wang had always been wise and astute, bold and decisive. But today, he had twice been absentminded and slow to respond.
The hawkish officials found it even more strange.
Wang Gen and King Song were stalwart hawks. To be more precise, they were the banners under which the hawks gathered. Although Wang Gen himself was a civil official, the Wang Clan was an authentic clan of ministers and generals that wielded immense influence in the court.
There was no reason for Wang Gen to show any hesitation on this matter.
”On this matter…”
”Court is over!”
Wang Gen was interrupted by a sharp voice from above. Bzzzz!A massive pressure descended upon the officials, causing them all to lower their heads in panic.
But before they could react, this massive pressure retreated like the tide.
When they raised their heads, they discovered that the beaded curtain had been raised and that imposing figure had vanished.
”This is…”
”What's happened to His Majesty?”
……
The officials were all lost. Seldom did the Sage Emperor leave before the ministers had finished debating. For a moment, no one could understand the Emperor's intent and all were bewildered as to what to do next.
That's good. I managed to dodge this problem!
On the other hand, Wang Gen internally sighed. The Emperor's stance was unfathomable, but at least he did not need to make his own stance known.
I should go and see Chong-er!
Seeing the furrowed brows of a few of the hawkish ministers and thinking about where his own decision was trending, Wang Gen hurriedly left the hall.
This court session had been very uncomfortable. He had to find out as quickly as possible why Wang Chong didn't want him to express a stance.
……
The pressure exerted by the Court of Judicial Review and Chamberlain of Dependencies was unimaginable. Although Wang Chong knew that it wouldn't be easy for his big uncle to get in, it was quite a few days until Wang Chong was actually able to see him.
Candles guttered in the gloomy prison.
Wang Gen was dressed in black informal wear and appeared calm, but the anxiety on his face was impossible to conceal.
”Big Uncle!”
Wang Chong's eyes lit up at the sight of his big uncle and he hastily stood up. This was his first meeting with his big uncle in many days.
”Chong-er.”
Wang Gen nodded his head, his gaze taking in Wang Chong's emaciated look, a tinge of heartache manifesting on his brow.
Of the grandsons of the Wang Clan, the one Wang Gen regarded most highly was not his own son, nor was it Wang Chong's two older brothers, but Wang Chong, this nephew of his that once ranked least in his estimations.
Wang Gen truly found it hard to bear this haggard appearance. But by gritting his teeth and hardening his heart, Wang Gen quickly calmed down.
Wang Chong had killed many Hu in Drunken Sparrow restaurant, attacked the soldiers of Youzhou, and killed Zhang Shougui's subordinate in front of his face. This was far too serious an incident, one that had even dragged in An Sishun, Vice Protector-General of Beiting.
Although An Sishun was only Vice Protector-General, the Beiting Protector-General had always been a vacant post, as it was common practice for the members of the imperial clan to control it from afar. In other words, An Sishun was actually the most influential figure in the Beiting Protectorate.