Chapter 1244: Revealed, the Instigator Behind the Curtain! I (1/2)
Chapter 1244: Revealed, the Instigator Behind the Curtain! (I)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
”King of Foreign Lands, do not blame me for not warning you! Zhang Chaoshu is Assistant Minister of Revenue. His assignment to this position was only after many verifications by the Bureau of Personnel and Bureau of Revenue, and the Imperial Court investigated and confirmed that he truly did have outstanding achievements. Civil officials are different from generals. Do you know what the result will be if you slander an important official and disgrace his reputation? Now that you have made this accusation before the Sage Emperor, if the investigation turns up nothing, this old man will not let you go!” the Grand Preceptor said, his face ashen.
Wang Chong had even produced evidence, leaving the Grand Preceptor with no other option. Whether or not the accusations were true, Zhang Chaoshu would have to submit to an investigation.
”Something that's half true and half false can't be considered false, and something that's half false and half true can't be considered true. Does Grand Preceptor not understand this principle?”
Wang Chong grinned at the Grand Preceptor. He naturally understood what tricks these people were up to, but they were all petty trifles before him.
”Moreover, Grand Preceptor, be at ease; I have even more evidence at my place… and in a few days, I will send it all to the Imperial Court!!”
Buzz!
The Grand Preceptor trembled in shock, immediately left speechless. Meanwhile, Zhang Chaoshu's face had turned ghastly pale.
”Your Majesty! This subject has nothing more to say. In order to prove this one's innocence, this subject is willing to submit to the Imperial Court's investigation.”
Zhang Chaoshu finally walked out and bowed to the figure seated in the upper reaches of the hall.
With the situation at this point, this was his only choice.
……
When the court session concluded, Wang Chong was the first to emerge from the Imperial Court, his expression aloof and his hands held behind his back.
Unlike his first day at court, the civil officials were all glum and silent today, all of them fearfully staring at Wang Chong's back.
It had only been two days, two court sessions in which Wang Chong had served as Advisor-in-Waiting. But on the first day, he had savagely denounced the Grand Preceptor, King Qi, and Li Linfu, leaving no part of their body unbruised. On the second day, he had caused the Assistant Minister of Revenue, Zhang Chaoshu, who had made the proposal for dissolving the prefectural armies, to be imprisoned. Wang Chong's conduct could be described as swift as the wind, harsh as lightning.
At this moment, no one dared to treat him as an eighteen-year-old youth. Even King Qi had a rather grave expression when he emerged from the court. King Qi had come to the sudden realization that Wang Chong had become even more difficult to deal with after only a year.
The Tiger of the Empire, Zhangchou Jianqiong, rushed to catch up to Wang Chong and said, ”Wang Chong, it really was as you predicted. With Zhang Chaoshu being seized, the rest of the civil officials have been cowed. Although we still can't escape the suppression of the civil officials just yet, nor can we alter the proposal to reduce the number of soldiers, at least we won't have a further intensifying with policies like 'dissolving the prefectural armies'.”
He now felt sincere admiration for Wang Chong. Ever since that incident more than half a month ago, Zhangchou Jianqiong's brow had been constantly furrowed with worry. As the Minister of War, he had not only been unable to protect the Bureau of Military Personnel, but had also failed to mount an effective counterattack. On the contrary, even he had found himself muzzled. Wang Chong's appearance was like a ray of hope, and he was probably the only person capable of breaking the current stalemate.
”However, is this incident really enough to get at them?” Zhangchou Jianqiong asked. ”The Confucians won't let this matter go so easily!”
Zhangchou Jianqiong was much older and had much more seniority than Wang Chong, but with regards to this matter, not even he had realized that he was valuing Wang Chong's opinions more and more.
”This is why I wished to speak with Lord Zhangchou. The Bureau of Military Personnel shares a very close relationship with the Bureau of Punishments. I hope that Lord Zhangchou can use this connection to increase the number of men assigned to this case!”
Buzz!
Zhangchou Jianqiong's eyes narrowed and he suddenly grimaced.
”Wang Chong, you mean…”
”In normal circumstances, this wouldn't be necessary, but there's no harm in being safe. They can even have old officials who served in court for ten-some years retire, so who knows how far they can go?” Wang Chong sternly said.
”I understand!”
Zhangchou Jianqiong took in a deep breath, a profound look in his eyes.
……
Wang Chong quickly put the matters of court to the back of his mind. Exiting the Imperial Palace, he soon boarded his carriage.
What he had to do next was far more important than the matter of Zhang Chaoshu.
After setting off from the Imperial Palace, he did not return straight to the Wang Family Residence, but instead had his carriage turn onto a street it had never taken before.
Wang Chong hadn't been sitting in the carriage for long before Zhang Que's voice came from outside, anxious and curious. 'Your Highness, did we really get Zhang Chaoshu?”
”How did you know?”