Chapter 1288: Khorasan in Danger! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Li Junxian's expression was cold, his voice deafening. The news had also caught him off guard—the siege of Khorasan had happened too abruptly. But if the Great Tang sent soldiers now, all that he had worked so hard to achieve would be for nothing.
”…In addition, the relationship between Arabia and Khorasan is complicated. Khorasan was previously the territory of Arabia and ruled by it for thirty years. Your lowly subject advises to first consult with Arabia and make the standpoint of the Great Tang known, that they should do their utmost to resolve this matter peacefully.”
”Your Highness, this subject agrees!”
A major official stepped forward, his eyes coldly turning toward Wang Chong.
”King of Foreign Lands, the battles for Talas and Khorasan just barely concluded. Have not enough Tang soldiers died for you yet? Back then, it was for the sake of protecting the Western Regions, but now, for this war between Arabia and the Sassanid Dynasty, must the brave warriors of our Great Tang also spill their blood? King of Foreign Lands, it seems to me that you've taken leave of your senses!”
”You too have heard the cries of the people! Anyone who dares to deploy soldiers at this time will be offending the world! King of Foreign Lands, the world has only come to this current peace through great difficulty. Please remember that you are a King of the Great Tang, not of the Sassanid Dynasty!”
One civil official after another stepped forward, the voices of opposition getting louder and louder. Even without the current conflict between the civil and martial factions, they would have never allowed this proposal to pass. This was a war between Arabia and the Sassanid Dynasty, and yet the Great Tang was to send soldiers? Absurd!
Wang Chong said nothing, only turned to the generals in Taihe Palace. But this time, even the generals had withdrawn. At any other time, they would have not hesitated in the slightest, but now… they could still hear the anti-war protests in the capital ringing in their ears. Outside the gates of the Imperial City, countless people were marching in protest against any more wars. Not even these generals had the courage to have the Great Tang involve itself in an irrelevant war between the Sassanid Dynasty and Arabia.
The sight of these generals avoiding his gaze caused Wang Chong's heart to chill in understanding. The thing that he had most worried about had still ended up happening: the people were against war. The Confucian school had succeeded, and even the generals in the court had been influenced.
”Your Highness, if the lips wither, then the teeth will feel cold. If there is no skin, where will the fur attach to? Khorasan is a dam of the Great Tang, blocking out the floodwaters. If the dam falls and the floodwaters pour over, the Great Tang will not be able to survive on its own…” Wang Chong said in anguish. But before he could finish speaking, the First Prince cut him off.
”King of Foreign Lands! As you yourself said, military is a vital matter of state that must be carefully considered. Let us end this matter here for now. Once I report this matter to Imperial Father, I will make my decision!”
With these words, Wang Chong was forced to swallow back his speech.
”Gentlemen, court is dismissed!”
”Respectfully sending off Your Highness!”
When he saw the aloof First Prince rise from the throne, Wang Chong's mind went blank. He felt like he had accidentally stepped onto thin air and was now plunging into an endless abyss.
In his muddleheaded daze, Wang Chong didn't even know how he left Taihe Palace and the Imperial Palace.
Raising a tiger! This is raising a tiger to invite future calamity!
Does no one understand that when Khorasan falls, the next target for Arabia will be the Great Tang?
Khorasan has always been a source of powerful soldiers. If the Arabs reoccupy it, then if given enough time, those Khorasani who had resisted the Arabs will be used against the Great Tang. Arabia will be like a tiger given wings!
Countless thoughts flew through Wang Chong's mind, and he felt like something had stuffed up his chest, leaving him in excruciating misery. Not even in the southwest, when he had been facing hundreds of thousands of soldiers and had little chance of victory, had he felt so grief-stricken. But the evasive eyes of the generals in the court…
Prosperity and peace would cause the people to long for continued peace, but just when did the minds of the people crumble into such a state?
Rumble!
The carriage traveled forward for some time. Finally, Wang Chong heard a familiar voice at his ear.
”Your Highness, the Imperial Court didn't pass the proposal, right?”
Su Shixuan's voice came from outside, cautious and uneasy.
Hiss!
Wang Chong leaned against the carriage and closed his eyes. With a deep breath, he finally came back to his senses.
”The Imperial Court could never have passed it!” Wang Chong replied at last.
”Ah!”
Outside the carriage, Su Shixuan trembled, his face paling. Although his lord had appeared out of sorts when leaving the court, Su Shixuan had not expected the Imperial Court to directly refuse the proposal to send soldiers to Khorasan. If this happened, then wouldn't Bahram and Princess Adiya… Su Shixuan felt his heart sink.