Chapter 1682: The Six-Armed Idol! (1/2)
”Your Highness, how did it go?”
The moment Wang Chong arrived at his residence, he was welcomed by an expectant Zhang Que and Xu Keyi.
Wang Chong gave a detailed account of what had happened.
When they heard that Kong Wu had been arrested, they all sighed in relief.
”Kong Wu was Assistant Minister for ten-some years. To think that he would even go after the compensation money for bereaved families… If not for Your Highness, no one would have ever been able to imagine it.”
”The account books of the Bureau of Military Personnel are incredibly complex and difficult to verify. Kong Wu probably never imagined that His Highness would be able to accurately determine that he had embezzled five million taels of gold.”
All of them emotionally sighed.
Kong Wu's conduct was unacceptable in the military, and let alone Minister of War, he wouldn't have even been able to keep his post as Assistant Minister.
A voice came from the side. ”Toppling Kong Wu is good, but what left me the most surprised was the First Prince's attitude, ordering Kong Wu to be arrested himself.”
The hall fell silent as everyone turned to the speaker. It was Gao Xianzhi, who had arrived with several of his followers.
”Lord Gao!”
Seeing him, Wang Chong smiled and bowed.
”Heh, your visit to the court this time was quite effective. The matter of Kong Wu has already spread throughout the capital. King Song is still down from the poison, and even if Zhangchou wants to return, the First Prince probably won't allow him. You're the only one we can rely on in the court at this time,” Gao Xianzhi said, an expectant look in his eyes.
”When are you leaving?”
Wang Chong glanced at Gao Xianzhi, seemingly understanding something.
”I have to set out before nightfall. The Imperial Court has already issued a decree. I must head for Mengshe Zhao immediately. From what I can see, His Highness plans to keep me out for one to two years!” Gao Xianzhi said with a bitter smile.
The mighty Anxi Protector-General who had ruled the Western Regions and had spent almost his entire life campaigning had fallen, becoming a mere civil official being sent as an envoy to Mengshe Zhao. He would have to spend each day interacting with the Six Zhao of Erhai, and it would probably be a very long time before he could return to the Central Plains. For a born general like Gao Xianzhi, this was nothing but torture.
”Time is short. I wanted to meet you one last time before setting out. But it seems that I can rest easy.”
Gao Xianzhi shot Wang Chong an admiring glance.
Wang Chong fell silent.
King Song was still gravely ill, while Zhangchou Jianqiong was threatened by assassination. Now, an illustrious Great General in Gao Xianzhi was being sent off to Mengshe Zhao. These pillars that had supported the peace and prosperity of the empire had been undermined, and the Great Tang was slowly immersing itself into a storm.
”Milord, take care of yourself!”
All the thousands of words he wanted to say eventually condensed into this simple farewell.
The kitchen was ordered to prepare a sumptuous feast, and Wang Chong dined with Gao Xianzhi. After the meal, Wang Chong personally sent Gao Xianzhi off.
At the same time, at nightfall, an Imperial Army soldier stealthily left the Imperial City, winding his way through the streets until he eventually reached the First Prince's Great Buddhist Temple beyond the walls.
Although the Great Buddhist Temple had been a battleground for Wang Chong and the First Prince, as a place consecrated to the Buddha, it was calm and peaceful.
Lanterns were scattered across the summit, and even at night, one could still hear the chanting of Buddhist sutras and the striking of wooden fish, something that the nearby common folk took much delight in. There were even some ordinary folk who had moved their homes here just so they could listen to the peaceful and calming chanting.
The main hall of the Great Buddhist Temple was so brightly lit that it seemed like daytime, but a nearby side hall was dimly lit by just a few lanterns. Worshiped here was a black, six-armed Guanyin.
(TN: Guanyin is the Bodhisattva of compassion and is one of the most popular Buddhist divinities. As Guanyin can assume any form, Guanyin can be depicted as either male or female, though in recent times, Guanyin is mostly depicted as female. Guanyin as a female started to become a trend in the Song Dynasty, but in the Tang Dynasty, Guanyin should still have been depicted as a male.)
Even though the monks of the Great Buddhist Temple were all virtuous high monks that the First Prince had invited, all of them well-versed in the sutras, none of them had ever heard of a black Guanyin statue. Even looking at it filled one's heart with dread.
Ever since the establishment of the Great Buddhist Temple, the side hall had been empty. None of the monks went to attend to it, except for a black-robed monk who would occasionally appear.
Amidst rustling leaves, the Imperial Army soldier entered the side hall.
”The Celestial God shines upon all. This subordinate comes on the Crown Prince's order to request the assistance of the High God.”
The Imperial Army soldier quickly got down on his knees, but his arms were raised up and his hands open as if there was something in them.
Time slowly passed, but there was only silence in the hall. The two lamps flanking the idol dimly flickered.
Time slowly passed and still there was nothing. But the Imperial Army soldier continued to kneel, his head lowered.
Clap!
Finally, there was a footstep. A monk in a black robe with a sinister and bizarre expression emerged from the shadows and into the dim lantern light.
”Let me see.”