Chapter 1226: The Capital Under a New Sky! (1/2)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Wang Gen shook his head.

”In this period of time, I've met His Highness King Song a total of two times, and we didn't have time to chat much on either occasion.”

Wang Chong instantly frowned at his big uncle's words.

From the moment he received the imperial decree at Khorasan, he had been pondering this matter. Even if someone had wanted him to be de facto demoted and stripped of military power, and his soldiers withdrawn from Khorasan, such a proposal logically should never have passed.

Wang Chong could usually rely on King Song, his big uncle Wang Gen, the Bureau of Military Personnel's Zhangchou Jianqiong, and also Yang Zhao and Consort Taizhen. This was combined with the enormous influence Duke Jiu wielded in the court and the support he had from the officials of his faction, as well as the Sage Emperor's favor. All these things formed an invisible barrier that would keep out all malicious intentions. This was precisely why Wang Chong could go out campaigning in peace.

But even with this sturdy barrier, this imperial decree had still been passed, stripping Wang Chong of his military authority and rendering all his efforts in Khorasan to nothing in a single blow. Wang Chong had never imagined this, and when he turned to review the incident, the strangest thing of all was King Song's stance.

When the incident happened, Wang Chong had believed that he would very quickly receive a letter from King Song informing him of the causes. This way, he would at least know what was going on. But in the more than half a month after the incident that he spent returning from Khorasan to the capital, King Song had not sent a single letter. This was simply too strange.

After a few moments of silence, Wang Chong finally voiced the burning question on his mind. ”Just what happened during that court session?”

In all of the Imperial Court, if King Song could not provide him the answer he wanted, the person with the second-greatest chance was his big uncle Wang Gen.

As a lower rank-one official of the Imperial Court, his big uncle was privy to a great deal of classified information, even if he wasn't on the same level as the Three Dukes.

Wang Chong had actually asked Wang Gen this question on his journey, but his big uncle had been exceptionally vague in his reply and had not revealed much information, saying that he would explain everything once Wang Chong returned. And now, the time was here.

”Haaah…”

To his surprise, Wang Gen suddenly creased his brow, a hint of deep concern appearing on his usually-composed face.

”Chong-er, right now, I also can't answer your question. Far too much has happened since then. In my twenty years in the court, I've experienced countless major trials, but none of them compare to this upheaval. There are many things which not even I can explain to you, not even the matter of how that imperial decree managed to get passed. In truth, I also dearly want to know what happened on that day's court session.”

Wang Gen's words were of great surprise to Wang Chong.

”Big Uncle, just what's going on here? How can not even you know?”

Wang Chong frowned. This was such a major event that Wang Chong had never imagined that someone of his big uncle's status would be left unaware.

”Chong-er, you'll understand once I finish.”

Wang Gen leaned against the back of the carriage, a bitter smile on his face.

”There was something fishy about this matter from the very start. You might not know, but on the day of the incident, I wasn't even present at the Imperial Court. During the entire process, from the initial debate to its final passing, I was never a participant!”

Buzz!

Wang Gen's words left Wang Chong utterly stunned. For a moment, countless thoughts flew from his mind.

His big uncle was a lower rank-one official, and to transfer him away from the capital was not something that any normal person could do. Moreover, his big uncle was an important representative of the Wang Clan in the Imperial Court. If one wanted to deal with Wang Chong, one had to first deal with his big uncle. And based on his big uncle's words, he wasn't even in the capital on the day of the incident. Wang Chong could not believe that this was a simple coincidence.

It appeared more like an advance preparation, a meticulous trap.

Wang Gen clearly understood this, indicated by the hint of concern on his brow. There were many things that could only be noticed when they happened, but it was too late to do anything about them by that time.

”Before the incident, I received word that there had been a disaster in the Jiangnan Circuit, that the people had revolted and many fields and homes had been destroyed. The local officials couldn't handle it, and there had also been a petition from the local people. Thus, the Imperial Court discussed and concluded that though the Great Tang was flourishing and there would not be much danger in the Jiangnan Circuit, any matter involving the common people was not a trivial affair. Thus, a major official would need to be dispatched to soothe the people and oversee the situation. After some discussion, it was ultimately decided to send me.”

Wang Gen raised his head, a look of recollection in his eyes.