Chapter 1712: Meeting Again with Zhao Fengchen (1/2)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Dark clouds hung low over the tense capital, and within an out-of-the-way restaurant, Wang Chong finally met with Imperial Army Marshal Zhao Fengchen.

”Your Highness, you're finally here!”

Within the restaurant, Zhao Fengchen relaxed the moment he saw Wang Chong, and he hastily went up to welcome his savior. Even though he had known Zhao Fengchen for some time now, Wang Chong had never before seen him so nervous.

”Don't panic. What happened?” Wang Chong said, his composed expression and terse words immediately calming Zhao Fengchen down.

The two sat down, and Zhao Fengchen quickly began to explain what was going on.

”The situation is bad. Four days ago, the First Prince suddenly summoned all the officers of the Imperial Army and said that he was extremely dissatisfied over our performance last time. Since the Imperial Army is responsible for guarding the Imperial City, he said that he could not permit fisheyes to be mixed in with the pearls and was going to reshuffle the Imperial Army and reselect Grand Marshals and Marshals. The Grand Marshals, as leaders of the Imperial Army, needed to possess ample actual combat experience, and this trait would be one of the first priorities in the selection!” Zhao Fengchen said.

The room was quiet as Zhao Fengchen worriedly stared at Wang Chong. This was no ordinary shifting of the Imperial Army, and he had not come for himself. At any other time, Zhao Fengchen would have never held a surreptitious meeting with Wang Chong.

But this period in time was unique. In the Setting Sun Villa incident, one hundred generals had been unseated and replaced by the First Prince's men, and now Geshu Han was dead, Fumeng Lingcha replacing him. Gao Xianzhi had already been stripped of his military authority and dispatched to Mengshe Zhao, allowing the First Prince to take control of the Anxi Protectorate army. If the Imperial Army joined them, then the First Prince would control more than half of the empire's armies.

”One doesn't move around soldiers in times of peace. It would be one thing if there was war and chaos on the borders, but the Great Tang is at peace right now. For the First Prince to try and interfere with the armies of the Great Tang at a time like this makes his intentions obvious. Even many of the great clans sense that something is wrong, all of them shutting their gates in fear!” Zhao Fengchen sternly said.

Ever since the Setting Sun Villa incident, many people in the capital had sensed that something was not right, that things were developing in a frightening direction. And now, not even Zhao Fengchen could sit still. If the First Prince seized control of the Imperial Army, no one dared to imagine what would happen next.

Wang Chong said nothing, but his eyes turned solemn.

It's finally begun! Wang Chong quietly said to himself, a profound look in his eyes. Zhao Fengchen would have undoubtedly been flabbergasted if he could hear Wang Chong's internal voice, because Wang Chong didn't seem surprised in the slightest.

Anxi, Beiting, Big Dipper… now, he's finally moved onto the Imperial Army!

Wang Chong's mind was seething, and everything was clear now. He already had his suspicions back in Big Dipper City, when Fumeng Lingcha had tried to provoke and delay him, that something might have happened in the capital. And in Wang Chong's considerations, the First Prince's target was most likely to be the Imperial Army.

With control over the one hundred thousand soldiers of the Imperial Army, as well as the elites of Anxi, Beiting, and Big Dipper, the First Prince would have forces on both the inside and the outside, and there would be almost no one in the capital that could stop him. Not even Wang Chong and his half of the Commander Tally would be able to do much.

As these thoughts passed through his mind, Wang Chong turned to Zhao Fengchen and spoke in an infectiously calm voice that made one want to believe in him. ”When is the Imperial Army's skill exhibition and inspection to take place?”

”Tomorrow at noon!” Zhao Fengchen said.

Wang Chong couldn't help but widen his eyes at this. Although he knew just how meticulous the First Prince's plans were—and that since Fumeng Lingcha had been ordered to delay him at Big Dipper City, there wouldn't be much time left for him—Wang Chong had not expected that there would this little time.

Starting from now, even if one took into account the night, Zhao Fengchen had only one day left. But the Imperial Army forbade drilling at night, so this limited his time even more.

Hou Junji!

Wang Chong's heart sank as he once more thought about the master strategist at the First Prince's side.

”Don't panic for now. Leave everything to me!” Wang Chong said, his words soothing Zhao Fengchen. ”In addition, for this period of time, I will need you to remain in your barracks at all times. Do not consume any food or drink unless it was prepared by a close friend.”

”Ah!”

Zhao Fengchen was shaken by Wang Chong's words.

”You mean, could it be…”

”Do not seek to do harm, but also do not let down your vigilance!”

Wang Chong solemnly nodded.

Zhao Fengchen trembled in understanding.

The precedent of the carriage in front served as an example for those in the back. An Sishun had already been escorted to the imperial prison and Geshu Han's death was still fresh on his mind. In every dynasty, the struggle for the throne had always been cruel and bloodstained. Since the First Prince had already made his move against the Imperial Army, who could say that he wouldn't move against Zhao Fengchen?

What did a puny Zhao Fengchen matter, compared to the throne?

With Wang Chong's assistance, Zhao Fengchen quickly took his leave. Not long after he left, a figure silently appeared behind Wang Chong.