Chapter 1207: Intimidating Bian Lingcheng I (1/2)
Chapter 1207: Intimidating Bian Lingcheng (I)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Back then, when Wang Chong had learned of what had happened to Gao Xianzhi, he had felt a complex mixture of emotions. In the history of the empire, Gao Xianzhi had definitely made his fair share of mistakes, but he was also a loyal servant of the Great Tang. Regardless, a Great General like this should not have died to such a petty man.
And Wang Chong only needed a glance to roughly understand the situation.
Not long ago, Wang Chong and Gao Xianzhi had obtained 1.2 billion taels of gold from the Caliph of Arabia. After the victory at Khorasan, they had demanded another seven hundred million taels of gold as compensation. The Great Tang army was currently in possession of an astronomical sum.
Someone of Bian Lingcheng's personality had definitely smelled the blood in the water and had requested some errand so that he could run off to Khorasan.
”Young Marquis!”
As Wang Chong was thinking, Bian Lingcheng was already all smiles, putting on a completely different face as he went up to welcome Wang Chong. He was no longer that arrogant and commanding figure. If he hadn't been listening in, Wang Chong would have thought them to be two different people.
Clap!
A palm suddenly gave Bian Lingcheng's beaming face a fierce slap. Wang Chong's strike left Bian Lingcheng dumbstruck, and Gao Xianzhi, Feng Changqing, and the others were even more alarmed. Bian Lingcheng was only a eunuch official, but he was a favorite of the Sage Emperor and had also come in the capacity of an inspector.
This was an authority the Sage Emperor granted to his subordinates so that he could understand the situation on the border. Gao Xianzhi was so subservient to Bian Lingcheng partially because of the events of the past, but it was more because of his official status and authority.
Bian Lingcheng was no ordinary eunuch.
”You, you hit me!”
Bian Lingcheng covered his swelling cheek as he stared in shock at Wang Chong. Even someone like Gao Xianzhi had to treat him politely and not dare treat him like this.
”Haha, I heard a fly buzzing from outside, so I simply helped Milord kill the fly. Is there a problem?”
Wang Chong smiled and pinched Bian Lingcheng's cheek.
Gao Xianzhi was a Hu and didn't have much backing in the capital, so he would always have to yield. Wang Chong was different, however. He was born from a clan of ministers and generals, was the Qixi Protector-General, had the protection of King Song and Duke Jiu, and was also the Young Marquis personally appointed by the Sage Emperor, the true 'Son of Heaven's Disciple'. And now, he had rendered yet another great service.
Frankly speaking, Wang Chong really wasn't afraid of this Bian Lingcheng.
The authority wielded by Bian Lingcheng was completely useless against Wang Chong.
Bian Lingcheng's face flashed green and red, but no matter how slow he was, he knew that Wang Chong was indirectly scolding him. It was clear that Wang Chong had heard what he had said to Gao Xianzhi.
While Bian Lingcheng was able to lord about in front of an important individual like Gao Xianzhi, he was unable to muster any sort of power in front of the Young Marquis.
”Hahaha, a good strike, a good strike!”
Just when everyone was worried that Bian Lingcheng was going to get angry, he suddenly began to laugh. Not only was Bian Lingcheng not angry, he even gave Wang Chong a deep bow.
”If that's the case, this one must thank the Young Marquis!”
Bian Lingcheng waved his sleeve with a carefree and relaxed look on his face, as if it had been someone else who had been viciously slapped.
Even though Wang Chong knew that this person was a devious minister who would smile while concealing a knife behind his back and put on a genial face while scheming one's ruin, he still felt a tinge of admiration. With this personality and his abilities, it was no wonder he was so capable and dared to make an enemy of Fumeng Lingcha, pushing the Anxi Protector-General Fumeng Lingcha to Qixi and making him sit there for ten-some years.
”Wang Chong…”
On the side, Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing were even further unsettled by this scene. They had worked with Bian Lingcheng for ten-some years and knew him well. The more respectful and subservient he was, the more troublesome he became.
”Lord Marquis, this sir is Bian Lingcheng, Eunuch Bian! He is a favorite of His Majesty and holds the Sage Emperor's token. His Divine Majesty granted him the titles of General of the Palace Gates and Imperial Director. Even Eunuch Gao treats him with high regard.” Cheng Qianli couldn't help but interject at this time.
The blood of generals had always run hot. These people were brash and stubborn, heedlessly pressing on despite obstacles. But one had to see who one's opponent was.
No one understood why Wang Chong was so hostile to Bian Lingcheng on their first meeting. Bian Lingcheng was not an ordinary eunuch, and the fact that the Sage Emperor had granted him the title of General of the Palace Gates indicated just how greatly favored he was.
It was exceedingly rare for a eunuch to be made a general. It was not without reason that the soldiers of the Anxi Protectorate army treated Bian Lingcheng with such reverence.
Whether it was Gao Xianzhi, Feng Changqing, or Cheng Qianli, they were all worried that Wang Chong had offended this important eunuch with little understanding of the situation.