Chapter 1225: The Furious Old Imperial Censor! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
There had been far too many changes in the Imperial Court recently, and all the members of the military were under immense pressure. Moreover, Wang Chong, as the newly-promoted Young Marquis and the victor of several major battles to the west of the Cong Mountains, was the number one target for suppression. The military faction was on the extreme decline, with the favored Son of Heaven's disciple even being stripped of his military authority.
The Confucian school now wanted to add an avalanche atop the blizzard, and disgrace and beat down Wang Chong. No member of the military faction could accept this.
With everyone watching, Zhou Taiqin and Zheng Chengli instantly turned red in the face, but they were unable to manage a response.
In this awkward atmosphere, the elderly voice of Grand Scribe Yan Wenzhang rang out, ”Lord Zhou, Lord Zheng, the Young Marquis has just returned from a long journey. Let him rest!”
After all, as a fellow official and member of the civil faction, Yan Wenzhang could no longer watch as his two colleagues were left speechless by Wang Chong's arguments, and offered them a pretext to leave.
”Young Marquis, this old man is getting on in years and cannot compare to young men like you. Since we have already paid respects to the Young Marquis, this old man will go and rest. Many of the Young Marquis's ideas truly are rather interesting. In the future, this old man will certainly come to pay a visit.”
”Let us escort Lord Yan.”
Wang Chong did not care and bowed in return.
On the other side, Zhou Taiqin and Zheng Chengli felt like they had been granted an amnesty, and breathed sighs of relief. The capital was astir with Wang Chong's return from Khorasan, and Zhou Taiqin and Zheng Chengli had wanted to use this occasion to meet with Wang Chong and diminish his prestige, dull his sharpness. However…
Grand Scribe Yan Wenzhang quickly took his leave, with Zhou Taiqin and Zheng Chengli following him.
With the departure of this trio, the mood around the city gates returned to normal. The majority of the people who had come to the city gates had good intentions, and Wang Chong did not reject them. He had Zhang Que take down their names so that he could reciprocate their gifts in the future.
”Lord Wang!”
As Zhang Que was recording names, a young official he had never seen before appeared in front of Wang Chong and bowed. He appeared very courteous and respectful.
”Might I ask which clan you are from? So that I can note it down,” Zhang Que said.
However, this young minor official pretended not to hear him, his eyes staring straight at Wang Chong. He slowly raised his head, an eerie smile on his face.
”This lowly person has been entrusted by another to convey a question to Milord. Milord, what does it feel like to kill more than ten thousand people?”
Boom!
Wang Chong's eyes narrowed and his face was startled as he stared at this young official.
The buzzing crowd around him almost immediately fell silent. Hiss! They gasped as they stared at the pair.
Zhang Que had originally been planning to note down the young official's name, but these words instantly infuriated him, his eyes turning ice-cold.
”You're seeking death!”
Zhang Que's rage was on full display, and he raised his hand to give the official a vicious slap.
Wang Chong was a true god in the hearts of Zhang Que and all the soldiers of Qixi and Anxi. He had led them to glory after glory, and Zhang Que would not permit anyone to humiliate Wang Chong like this.
Even if he had to put his life on the line, Zhang Que would make them pay with their life.
Slap! The sound of palm against cheek was clear and crisp. The young official's cheek immediately began to swell.
”Venerable Imperial Censor!”
The young official covered his swollen cheek and stared in shock at the person who had slapped him.
The one who had slapped him was not Wang Chong's subordinate Zhang Que, but the aged Imperial Censor Deng Chang.
The imperial censor had been several steps away at the beginning, but when the young official had asked that question, he had immediately rushed over, moving with a speed at odds with his age, and slapped the official.
”Bastard—an insignificant official like you who has made no achievements whatsoever in the court dares to disgrace the benefactor of the Great Tang! Such audacity! Just who gave you this boldness! This old man will rip off your mouth today!”
Deng Chang's beard was trembling in rage, and his entire body seethed with anger.
There was a limit to everything. While he and the other censors had been watching from the back, they had immediately noticed something strange when this minor official appeared. They had spent many years in court, an entire lifetime observing people. They could pick out troublemakers at a glance.
Zhou Taiqin and Zheng Chengli were just vigorously arguing with Wang Chong, and whether or not they were right, they were at least being reasonable. But this young official's words were simply a challenge, a humiliation.
Wang Chong's return to the capital had attracted all sorts, and there were factions with their own motives mixed into this crowd. The three of them would not permit anyone to use this opportunity to make trouble.
The young official, gripping his swollen face, quickly came back to his senses. His bowed body slowly began to straighten until it was like a spear thrust into the ground. Even in front of the venerable imperial censor, he was fearless.
”Hah, Young Marquis, you have these three imperial censors to assist you, but even if you kill me, I'll still say the same thing: those who kill will be killed themselves! Lord Marquis, Young Marquis, your era is already over!”
Buzz!
Wang Chong's eyes narrowed and his expression turned ice-cold. As for the young official, after he said these words, he immediately turned around and began to leave.
”This bastard!”
Zhang Que furiously raised his clenched fist, but just when he was about to lash out at the official, Wang Chong reached out and pulled his hand back.