Chapter 1238: Infuriating the Grand Preceptor! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Grand Preceptor Zhan was already more than eighty years old and had once been schoolmates with Wang Chong's grandfather, Wang Jiuling, also known as Wang Bowu, studying under the same teacher. But even so, the Grand Preceptor had always had a fiery temper. Wang Chong was merely a grandson of Wang Jiuling, yet he dared to butt heads with him. This was absolutely ridiculous!
The entire Imperial Court quailed in the face of the Grand Preceptor's rage.
Solely by butting heads with the Grand Preceptor, Wang Chong would probably be criticized by all of society tomorrow. Everyone had originally believed that Wang Chong would act a little more restrained, but all of them had underestimated his rage. Ever since he had returned from Khorasan, Wang Chong's mind had been suppressing a wicked flame.
The Confucian school was completely disregarding the health of the country to suppress the militarists, completely enraging him.
And there was one thing that everyone was wrong on.
Wang Chong had never been a person who pursued noble titles!
Wang Chong was only doing his utmost so that he could put the Great Tang in the best possible situation before the descent of the calamity. Now that all his efforts had been made for naught, let alone the rank of King, if he had gotten an even higher noble title, what was the point?
When the calamity arrived, the Central Plains would collapse and crumble. There would be no difference between King or commoner, so what was the point?
Wang Chong looked up at the Grand Preceptor and harshly said, ”My grandfather taught me that the world was the people's, and that I should place the people and country at the forefront and protect the country, not that I should allow private feelings to outweigh the public good and bully around others with my age, being an elder yet knowing no respect!”
Boom!
The entire hall quaked at Wang Chong's words, striking everyone dumb. Ever since Grand Preceptor Zhan had taken up his prestigious position, no one had ever dared to talk back to him and say such words. And no one had ever been like Wang Chong, criticizing the Grand Preceptor in front of the Imperial Court for placing private wants over the public good and showing a lack of respect.
Even Gao Lishi next to the dragon throne was stunned.
Meanwhile, Wang Chong's big uncle Wang Gen felt his heart sink like a stone. If this continued, the Wang Clan would probably form a grudge with the Grand Preceptor.
”Foul brat! You, you're quite bold!”
Grand Preceptor Zhan was shaking in rage from Wang Chong's words, his beard quivering and his lips twitching. He had spent an entire life highly respected and admired, and he had never tasted such humiliation before. Someone of the Grand Preceptor's personality could not endure this. But because he had never encountered such a situation before, even though he was trembling in rage, he couldn't find a proper rebuke. A moment later, his face had gone purple with anger.
”Hmph, Grand Preceptor, I am the Great Tang's King of Foreign Lands, enjoying the same rank and status as you. And I am only a foul brat in your eyes? In this Imperial Court, there is only a sovereign and his subjects, so where did this 'foul brat' come from? I say that you allow personal feelings to outweigh the public good! What's your defense?”
Wang Chong coldly snorted, and not only did he not retreat, he took two threatening steps forward.
Perhaps because Wang Chong had always been rather mild, never retorting when others made comments about him, he had given the impression of a junior who was easy to talk with and bully, and didn't have much of a temper. But at this moment, when Wang Chong was enraged, his eyes were like dazzling and intimidating lightning bolts.
As an Imperial Great General, Wang Chong had commanded millions of soldiers on the battlefield, and the demeanor of fire and iron that he had tempered through his experiences was not something that anyone could compare to. Not only that, not even Wang Chong had realized that in his rage, he had begun to naturally exude the immense aura of the War Saint of the Central Plains, intimidating all those around him.
The court officials, cowed by Wang Chong's gaze, began to unconsciously take a few steps back.
”King of Foreign Lands…”
Gao Lishi almost imperceptibly creased his brow at this sight. By butting heads with the Grand Preceptor, Wang Chong was offending all the civil officials, which would not be good for Wang Chong in the future. The censures from the civil officials would be enough to drown him to death.
Gao Lishi subconsciously shot a glance at the Sage Emperor. The Sage Emperor had his eyes half-closed, his face emotionless. He clearly had no intention of stopping any of this.
The Grand Preceptor was currently so infuriated that he couldn't speak. He only thrust out a hand and pointed at Wang Chong, his finger trembling. But though the Grand Preceptor was enraged, Wang Chong was even more infuriated.
”The country above all, the people as the utmost priority. The military fights for the good of the common people. Do all of you know what will happen without the prefectural army system?!”