Chapter 1672: The Retired Grand Commandant! II (1/2)

Chapter 1672: The Retired Grand Commandant! (II)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Although the Grand Commandant had not been in court for many years, he still possessed immense influence. Even when the Confucian Sect and Master Zhu were exerting their pressure, he was still able to have a portion of the court officials and Confucian scholars maintain their silence. Moreover, many of the officials forced out of the court recently had been the retired Grand Commandant's disciples. They had inherited the upright attitude of their master.

But for the Confucian Sect, who viewed the Harmonious World as their duty, this was simply unacceptable, and they even regarded these people as traitors. They naturally couldn't tolerate their presence in court.

For the members of the Grand Commandant's faction, who determined whether something was wrong or right by whether or not they felt shame in their hearts, they naturally didn't care too much about their expulsions.

Even so, the retired Grand Commandant still had his influence and prestige in society. Not even Master Zhu and Li Junxian dared to act too excessively. Wang Chong had come this time to gain his support.

A single tree would find it very hard to become a forest. In Wang Chong's plan, the retired Grand Commandant's support was necessary to stop internal strife and prevent immense sacrifices being made.

But the only problem was that the Grand Commandant had retired from public life a very long time ago. In one aspect, this was rather similar to Great Tang War God Su Zhengchen, but Su Zhengchen had been bound by Taizong's last will, while the Grand Commandant had himself made the decision to renounce court matters and live the life of an ordinary person.

This Zhiyi Restaurant was a place where the ordinary folk of the capital frequently gathered. From the retired Grand Commandant's expression, one could see that he enjoyed mixing with the common folk of the capital, experiencing how they lived for himself, and from his experiences, sensing whether the empire was prospering or declining.

Moreover, he had been an important official for a large part of his life, and even the Prime Minister had to be respectful to him. But in comparison to all this courtesy and reverence, the Grand Commandant clearly preferred to be treated as an ordinary old man by the passersby.

He had even refused the Sage Emperor's request, let alone anyone else's. Anyone who wanted his help and acknowledgment would have to make him break his rule to not interfere in court matters—no easy task.

”Young man, were you talking to me? Are you in the right state of mind? There's only this old man here. Where is this retired Grand Commandant you speak of?”

The azure-robed elder quickly came to his senses, his chopsticks seizing some more stir-fried vegetables as he took another sip of his wine. His expression was cold and inflexible, his tone incredibly unwelcoming.

These words would make even the most enthusiastic and ardent visitor have second thoughts and go back in frustration. This old man clearly didn't want to see Wang Chong, despite knowing his illustrious status.

”Besides, little fellow, you shouldn't be in a place like this. If you go out and take a left, you'll find Golden Sparrow Pavilion. That sort of luxurious place is where a noble like you should go,” the elder coldly said.

”Heh, Senior, this junior Wang Chong is the King of Foreign Lands and was previously the Qixi Protector-General. This junior comes to visit Senior naturally for an important matter of state!”

A normal person would have probably withdrawn in defeat, but Wang Chong faintly smiled and bowed, no impatience on his expression.

”Kid, you don't need to list your titles to me. This old man knows who you are.”

The mention of matters of state finally had the elder raising his head, his expression slightly relaxing. But his body still thickly exuded an aura of unfriendliness.

”If you want to discuss matters of state, you should go to Taihe Palace and talk with the martial and civil officials of the court, not run over here to talk with this rotten old man.”

”Thus, Senior is not denying your identity? If you were really not the retired Grand Commandant, you should have said that you knew nothing about me and not mentioned Taihe Palace.”

Wang Chong unexpectedly smiled at these worlds. The elder's reaction and his answer had exposed the truth.

The azure-robed elder, or to be more precise, the retired Grand Commandant, momentarily froze. He had clearly not expected this answer from Wang Chong.

”King of Foreign Lands, it's best to not waste your time. This old man knows that you are quick-witted, but that's pointless here. I retired from the court several decades ago and ceased to concern myself with politics. I have never made a single exception, and no matter what you ask of me, you will only go back in disappointment,” the Grand Commandant sternly said.

This young man had clearly come prepared and investigated everything thoroughly, so there was no point in denial. But Wang Chong's tricks were all useless to the retired Grand Commandant.

All those of advanced age in the court understood what kind of person he was. He had a straightforward personality; he liked what he liked and hated what he hated. If he was willing, he was willing, but when he was unwilling, no one could change his mind. The reason he hadn't driven Wang Chong away immediately like all the others and had even conversed with him was that he knew a little about Wang Chong, knew that this young man had many worries on his mind and wasn't concentrated on personal gain.

But that was the extent of his favor.

”It's best if you quickly leave!”