Chapter 653: The Son of Heavens Disciple! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
”Merit is rewarded and faults are punished. There is no need for you to be humble.”
The earth seemed to hum as the Sage Emperor's voice echoed through every corner of the palace.
”Wang Chong, you still do not have a courtesy name, correct?”
Buzz!
The officials instantly began to murmur, many of them raising their heads. As they looked at that god-like figure standing in front of Taiji Palace, they vaguely began to understand something.
”Yes, this lowly subject is only seventeen and has never taken the exams to receive a scholarly rank. Thus, this subject's elders have not conferred a courtesy name,” Wang Chong sternly said.
In the Great Tang, courtesy names could not be conferred by oneself. Only a virtuous and reputed elder could confer a courtesy name. These people would have to either be greatly talented or possess a sterling reputation. As a result, the vast majority of people only had a name, no courtesy name.
The Sage Emperor was of the same generation as Wang Chong's grandfather. Although he was not as old as Wang Chong's grandfather, he was still more than fifty, even older than Wang Chong's big uncle, Wang Gen.
In this aspect, he truly could be considered Wang Chong's elder.
The crowd grew more tumultuous, more and more people beginning to guess at what was about to occur, but still not daring to believe their own theories. However, these questions didn't last for long before they were answered.
”Very good. Since this is the case, We will confer upon you a courtesy name!”
The Sage Emperor's words struck everyone dumb. At the base of the Imperial Stairway, King Qi almost pulverized his teeth by how hard he clenched them.
A courtesy name!
The Sage Emperor wanted to confer a courtesy name on Wang Chong?
In the past, Emperors had bestowed surnames on important officials, but none of them had ever bestowed a courtesy name on an official.
”His Majesty wants to take Wang Chong as the Son of Heaven's disciple?”
On his observation platform, Yao Guangyi was lost in his disappointment and frustration. With his father serving as his model for decades, Yao Guangyi had always possessed a very composed and patient personality, but upon hearing that the Sage Emperor was going to confer upon Wang Chong a courtesy name, he almost lost control of himself.
A noble title, a fief, and a courtesy name…
Not even after all the Yao Clan's achievements had it received such favor from the Son of Heaven. Putting aside the fact that the Sage Emperor had specifically created the title of 'Young Marquis' to confer on Wang Chong, he was also conferring upon him a courtesy name, beginning a new tradition. Just how great of a favor was this?
This was a glory that Yao Guangyi wouldn't even dare to imagine!
Moreover…
”The Sage Emperor is basically giving him a golden medallion of pardon!”
Yao Guangyi's complexion was ghastly pale.
Wang Chong had struggled against the tides, fighting in an outnumbered situation to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and save the nearly one million civilians of the southwest. In the history of the Great Tang, while there weren't many such individuals, Wang Chong was not the sole example of such a character.
The Great Tang War God Wang Zhongsi, the famed generals of Taizong's era, and the War God Su Zhengchen had all performed such heroic feats, but none of them had ever received as weighty a reward as Wang Chong.
Yao Guangyi simply couldn't understand why the Sage Emperor regarded Wang Chong with such favor.
Clang!
There was a golden flash of light and the crisp cling of a sword. The Sage Emperor had unsheathed the golden sword of the Son of Heaven and held it over Wang Chong's head.
Rumble! The moment the Sage Emperor unsheathed his sword, the heavens seemed to respond. With the Taiji Palace as the center, a fissure was torn through the sky, splitting the dark clouds in two. Golden sunlight came down, shining upon the Sage Emperor, Wang Chong, and the imposing Taiji Palace.
The Sage Emperor's divine and august voice echoed through every corner of the palace.
”The southwestern war began in the Erhai. This was where you began. When the Kun swims in the water, it is a Kun, but when it takes to the skies, it is the Peng. We shall confer upon you the courtesy name of Kunpeng. We hope that you will not only swim in the waters but also soar into the skies like the Kun Peng that travels between the heavens and earth. We hope that you will become a subject who supports the country loyally to the end!”
No one here knew that the Sage Emperor's voice was not only resounding in the Imperial Palace, but also in the ears of every person within the capital.
At this moment, the bustling and lively capital was as silent as a grave.
Crack!
In a restaurant in the western part of the city, a man wearing a black cape, sitting in the corner and drinking wine, suddenly snapped the chopsticks in his hand upon hearing this voice.
”My deepest gratitude, Your Majesty!”
At this moment, Wang Chong had no idea what was happening outside. When he heard that the Sage Emperor was conferring on him the courtesy name of Kunpeng, he gave a deep bow.
As a person who had lived twice, Wang Chong had only met the Sage Emperor twice, and both had been during this life. Even so, Wang Chong felt only a heartfelt respect for this supreme existence of the Great Tang.
No matter what, this supreme sovereign of the ages who had offered his entire life to the Great Tang, sweeping away its enemies and stretching its influence and territory to their limits, was worthy of any person's respect and service.
Clang!
There was a flash of dazzling golden light as the Sage Emperor sheathed the golden sword. With this act, all phenomena vanished.