Chapter 1208: Intimidating Bian Lingcheng II (1/2)
Chapter 1208: Intimidating Bian Lingcheng (II)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
”Lord Gao, congratulations! His Majesty is truly quite satisfied with you this time. The Great Tang has had so many Great Generals in the past decades, but you are the only one who has been made a Duke!”
Bian Lingcheng put away the imperial decree and strode forward with a beaming smile. ”In addition, assembled generals, the repeated victories have greatly raised the prestige of my Great Tang. The Bureau of Military Personnel and Bureau of Personnel have already prepared rewards for all of you. I am certain that it won't be long before all of you receive the reward letters from the Bureau of Military Personnel.”
The Imperial Court had its rules. Rewards for important subjects like Gao Xianzhi, Cheng Qianli, and Feng Changqing were directly decided by the Sage Emperor, determined via imperial decree, and promulgated to the world. As for the other generals, their rewards were decided by the Bureau of Military Personnel.
”Many thanks, Milord!”
Gao Xianzhi lowered his head and gave a respectful bow as he raised his hands to accept the decree from Bian Lingcheng. After these major battles, Gao Xianzhi had never expected to be made a Duke. However, he quickly calmed down.
Gao Xianzhi raised his head and asked, ”Lord Bian, please forgive Xianzhi for his audacity. Why is it that Protector-General Wang has still not been rewarded?”
Bzzz! Gao Xianzhi's question immediately caused the hall to fall silent. Everyone turned to Bian Lingcheng and Wang Chong.
In terms of merit, Wang Chong was truly the most meritorious subject. If not for him, Gao Xianzhi and the Anxi Protectorate army would have died long ago at Talas. And whether it was in Talas or in Khorasan, Wang Chong was the true commander, achieving far more than Gao Xianzhi had.
”Hahaha, I see that you are all anxious. The Young Marquis is the Great Tang's new youthful War God, and His Majesty also greatly trusts Lord Marquis. How could His Majesty and the Imperial Court not know of his great achievements in this war? It is just that the Young Marquis has rendered too great of a service. Killing Arab War God Qutaybah, slaying one million Arab elites—such achievements reach to the heavens. The ministers of the court, the Bureau of Military Personnel, the Bureau of Personnel, the Lord Prime Minister, and His Divine Majesty are all having headaches over how to reward Lord Marquis. The debate in court is quite intense, and so it will take some time to decide on Lord Marquis's reward. But it should be decided in about a month.”
Bian Lingcheng smiled as he spoke. This time, his words were not one bit feigned, spoken from the bottom of his heart.
He was truly afraid of Wang Chong, not merely because of his family background, but because he was greatly favored by the Sage Emperor and even his direct superior Eunuch Gao. He could lord over Gao Xianzhi and grasp his weak points, but he did not dare to do so in front of Wang Chong.
Bian Lingcheng's words caused everyone to breathe sighs of relief.
”Lord Marquis, congratulations.”
Feng Changqing stepped forward and bowed.
”Lord Marquis has rendered a great service. Even my lord was able to become the Duke of Qi. Since Lord Marquis rendered the most service in this war, I am confident that His Divine Majesty and the Imperial Court will reward Lord Marquis even more richly.”
The Anxi generals nodded in agreement. Feng Changqing was correct. If Gao Xianzhi's achievements were enough to gain him the title of Duke of Qi, the Imperial Court and the Sage Emperor would certainly award Wang Chong even more richly.
”Congratulations, Milord, congratulations! Lord Feng is correct. The Imperial Court is certain to richly reward Milord.”
People in the crowd began to speak up, each one feeling sincere happiness for Wang Chong. After sacrificing so much, Wang Chong was finally about to receive his proper reward.
Wang Chong only smiled. He did not care about additional titles or rewards. Defeating Arabia and gaining Talas and Khorasan were what he truly cared about.
”Lord Bian, you must be tired from your journey. Why don't you go and rest? Yuanqing, escort Lord Bian to his quarters, and take care of him well,” Gao Xianzhi ordered with a wave of his hand.
”Yes, Milord!”
Xi Yuanqing hurriedly stepped forward.
”Then I must trouble Milord,” Bian Lingcheng hastily said.
Wang Chong said nothing, so Bian Lingcheng had no idea what he was thinking. He couldn't help but shiver in fear at Wang Chong's indifferent smile, and he did not dare remain in this hall any longer.
Gao Xianzhi looked to Cheng Qianli and the other Anxi Protectorate army generals, and said, ”Qianli, you are dismissed as well.”
A few moments later, the reception hall was empty save for Gao Xianzhi, Feng Changqing, and Wang Chong. Only now did Gao Xianzhi turn to Wang Chong.
”Wang Chong, only the three of us remain. Do you have anything that you want to say?”
From the very start, Gao Xianzhi had noticed that Wang Chong seemed to have something that he wanted to talk about. This was why he had told everyone to leave. Pausing for a moment, Gao Xianzhi continued, ”Wang Chong, perhaps you don't know, but Eunuch Bian…”
”How much money did he want from you?” Wang Chong interrupted.
Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing were dumbstruck. Raising their heads, they saw that Wang Chong's profound eyes were fixed upon them as if seeing through all their secrets.
The hall fell into an eerie silence. Neither of them had expected that Wang Chong would start with a question like this. Gao Xianzhi had always kept his relationship with Bian Lingcheng a secret, and only a few people knew the truth.
”How did you know?” Gao Xianzhi sternly said.
”There is no wall in the world that is airtight. Anyone who puts their mind to investigating it will find clues eventually. Milord's promotions are inextricably tied to that Bian Lingcheng,” Wang Chong flatly said.
The other two in the hall were speechless for a long time.