Chapter 1677: Temporary Minister of War! (1/2)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

”Reporting!”

As the officials were waiting for the First Prince to make his decision, another report arrived at the court.

”Jiangnan Circuit, Guannei Circuit, Henan Circuit, Qianzhong Circuit… sixteen governors and governor aides in total, and one hundred officials of various status, have jointly recommended the King of Foreign Lands for the post of temporary Minister of War!”

Bang!

This abrupt news threw the court into chaos once more. The recommendations of King Song, Zhangchou Jianqiong, Gao Xianzhi, and the other border generals were understandable, but this was truly unexpected. This was because all the officials mentioned in the letters were civil officials, and logically speaking, they should have stood on the side of the First Prince and the Confucian Sect. It should have been impossible for them to support Wang Chong.

The First Prince's face alternated between shades of green and white. A few moments ago, he could have pushed past the opposition and continued to recommend Kong Wu, but with these hundred officials, the support for Wang Chong had reached the maximum level. It was no longer his decision.

Whoooah!

Before anyone could react, the grim First Prince waved his sleeve and suddenly rose from the dragon throne.

He would never personally promote Wang Chong! Never!

”Court is dismissed!”

Spitting out these last words, the First Prince swiftly left the court, the flabbergasted officials watching him go.

With the departure of the First Prince, Taihe Palace erupted. Clearly, none of them had expected this result.

……

Crack!

An exquisite wine cup of azure porcelain crashed into a corner of the Eastern Palace and exploded into countless tiny shards.

”Bastard! Bastard!

”Wang Chong! This prince will tear you to pieces!”

Furious roars resounded within the Eastern Palace.

Now that he was out of Taihe Palace and away from the eyes of the officials, the First Prince no longer needed to repress his rage. He gave it free rein, his expression savage, his face red, his eyes streaked with blood. He was like a wild beast seeking someone to consume.

Bing! Crack! Clang!

The palace was in turmoil as everything that could be smashed was tossed about, from large tables, chairs, and vases, to porcelain cups and paperweights. The Eastern Palace was a scene of devastation.

All the maids and eunuchs of the Eastern Palace were trembling in fear, and the surrounding guards were also uneasy. Even though they had served the First Prince for many years, this was the first time they had ever seen him so angry.

Next to a pillar, the Ghost King sat on his armchair and calmly took everything in. In the entire Eastern Palace, the Ghost King was the only man who did not fear the First Prince, but those thick eyebrows of this wise strategist were deeply furrowed.

He was more concerned with the events in court than the First Prince's rage. The matter with Kong Wu was not merely about the post of temporary Minister of War, but was also related to their future plans. If they couldn't put their own man in that post, what came next would be extremely problematic.

”It seems like I underestimated him!” the Ghost King finally said.

Although Wang Chong's reputation in the Great Tang was as high as the noon sun, he was merely an insignificant junior to the Ghost King. His only true opponent was the man locked up in the Su Residence, Su Zhengchen. But Wang Chong's move this time had truly caught him by surprise.

”Bastard! King Song is ill in bed and can't even move! How could he have offered his support? This must be that bastard's plan! And there's also Gao Xianzhi and Geshu Han! This prince never acted against them, but now they dare to oppose this prince?!”

The First Prince's body seethed with anger.

The mood in the hall was oppressive. It was clear that no one wanted to speak up while the First Prince was raging. But regardless, the result of this court session had truly been surprising.

At this moment, Meng Tu suddenly spoke, his head tilted downward in thought. ”Your subordinate does not find it strange that Gao Xianzhi and Geshu Han would help him. After all, Wang Chong once held the post of Qixi Protector-General and was based very close to the other two. And with the strength of these Protector-Generals and Wang Chong's prestige in the military, it would be easy to get the joint recommendation of ten thousand officers. What your subordinate finds strange is the recommendations from the governors and governor aides. Does it make any sense for them to stand on the side of the Bureau of Military Personnel?”

The extremely furious First Prince suddenly froze and stopped, his eyes turning thoughtful. He shared the same suspicions as Meng Tu.

After a few moments of thought, the First Prince's expression calmed, and he declared, ”It's the retired Grand Commandant!”

The mention of the retired Grand Commandant left everyone else stunned.

”The retired Grand Commandant?”