Chapter 1674: A Tempest in the Court! I (1/2)

Chapter 1674: A Tempest in the Court! (I)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

In the war of the southwest, Geluofeng had been lured into a trap and had been heavily wounded by a joint strike from Wang Yan and Xianyu Zhongtong. He had been unconscious all this time, but recently, he had finally died.

Geluofeng had possessed immense influence in the Six Zhao of Erhai, and in reality, he had been the one to unite them and strengthen them. But the newly-enthroned Crown Prince Fengjiayi was still too young. While he had ascended to the throne and become the new sovereign of Mengshe Zhao in an ordinary fashion, there was a great deal of internal conflict within the Six Zhao, and his status was far from firm.

Moreover, after the war of the southwest, the entire Tang empire had become keenly aware that an 'ally' like Mengshe Zhao, if handled poorly, was even more dangerous than a foe.

This time, now that Geluofeng was dead, there were voices in the court saying that the Great Tang shouldn't miss this opportunity, and should use this chance of offering their sympathies to also beat down Mengshe Zhao.

At the very least, they needed to ensure that Mengshe Zhao could not start another war of the southwest, colluding with external enemies to betray the Great Tang.

Neither Wang Chong nor Zhangchou Jianqiong could take this post, but Gao Xianzhi, who had always been in the northwest and had no relationship with Mengshe Zhao, was the ideal choice. And in this way, he could be moved out of the capital so that he couldn't collude with Wang Chong.

With these ideas in mind, the First Prince quickly made up his mind.

”Okay, let's do that. Tomorrow, I'll have Li Linfu pass it!”

Meng Tu had never disappointed him, and one idea from him had thoroughly resolved the hidden danger of Gao Xianzhi. A court bereft of King Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong no longer had anyone who dared to oppose the First Prince, so even if Gao Xianzhi was unwilling, he would not be able to resist.

With this matter resolved, the First Prince visibly relaxed, his brow uncreasing.

”Come; notify the Palace Larder to send up some pastries. This prince is rather hungry. And call Kong Wu in,” the First Prince said.

”Yes!”

A stalwart guard quickly turned around and left the hall. A few moments later, a set of clanging and vigorous footsteps came from outside.

An upright figure with a raised head soon crossed over the threshold.

”The subject Kong Wu pays respects to His Highness!”

The man deeply bowed, his voice rumbling like thunder through the hall.

The First Prince inspected the man down below with the hardened visage. As expected, this man really did have the demeanor of an old official, but when his eyes opened, they gleamed with irrepressible delight and impatient ambition, and the First Prince immediately smiled.

Kong Wu was the seniormost Assistant Minister of the Bureau of Military Personnel!

As long as he still possessed that intense ambition, he would become one of the First Prince's most powerful aides.

”Kong Wu, come and accompany this prince in a meal!”

The First Prince pointed in front of him.

”In addition, Zhu Tong'en, arrange for the matter of Kong Wu being made temporary Minister of War to be decided in court tomorrow!”

The matter of the First Prince recommending Kong Wu to be temporary Minister of War was almost a done deal, and no one dared to oppose him now. But the court had its rules, and for something to be truly decided, one still had to go through all the processes and have the officials discuss the matter in court.

Nothing could be accomplished without norms and standards, and not even the First Prince was allowed to solely decide the position of Minister of War without going through the proper process.

”Yes, Your Highness!”

Zhu Tong'en bowed. Everything had already been arranged, and this minor matter would pose no problem.

”Many thanks, Your Highness!”

Kong Wu smiled and quickly walked up, and on the other side, the First Prince smiled in return. All that was left was the final step. Once Kong Wu attained the post of Minister of War, everything else would go smoothly. Even without the other half of the Commander Tally, he could order around the soldiers he needed through Kong Wu.

”Come; bring a chair!”

……