Chapter 1739: Rotation of Garrisons! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
”Heh, this is why you were willing to come here and meet me? At this stage, you think I would agree?” Hou Junji coldly said. ”If you came with these hopes, I'm afraid you'll leave disappointed.”
”Senior, whether you agree or not, there are some things that I must do.”
Wang Chong shook his head. He had expected this response from Hou Junji, but even if there was only a sliver of hope, he still needed to try his best to stop him before the decisive confrontation.
”This empire is not as strong as you think it looks. Arabia, Ü-Tsang, the Eastern and Western Turks, Goguryeo—these are all ambitious countries. While they have temporarily stepped back for now, they still hungrily eye the Great Tang. Everything you do and everything we do has not escaped their notice. As long as they have a chance, they'll attack us together and break the Great Tang in a single blow, bringing calamity and disaster on the people. Is this what you want to see?
”Not only that, the Great Tang is facing many more dangers than we can see. Senior should understand more than anyone else what awaits the Central Plains if the Great Tang weakens!
”Senior is also a Tang. Do you really wish to see the country collapse?” Wang Chong sternly said.
Since ancient times, the strong eating the weak had always been the law of the land. The Youzhou Rebellion, the attack by the surrounding countries, the Great Ice Age, and that dreadful calamity… there were simply too many disasters waiting for this country. Even Hou Junji was probably unaware of all these hidden threats.
Alas, the Stone of Destiny's restrictions prevented Wang Chong from directly mentioning them, and he could only make subtle implications.
The restaurant was quiet. While Hou Junji's face had been cold and unmoved at first, there was a slight ripple of emotion on his face as he heard Wang Chong's last words.
”It's too late! Kid, if you had said these words to me several decades ago, I might have listened, but it's a pity. Anything you say is useless now. It doesn't matter if all the people of the empire are in peril and the earth is rendered barren. This old man already offered the first half of his life for this empire. Let fate deal with the rest.
”Since we cannot come to an agreement, this old man has no reason to stay!”
Hou Junji turned around and began to make for the stairs.
”In addition!”
Hou Junji stopped at the stairs, his back to Wang Chong.
”Since you said that our conflict is connected to the fate of the Great Tang, then let's add that to our bet as well! If you're really trying to change things, then do your best to try and stop me!
”…But I will show no mercy!”
His voice continued to echo through the restaurant, but the man himself was gone.
”The same for me!” Wang Chong softly muttered under his breath, though Hou Junji was no longer there to listen.
Wang Chong quickly left Blue Phoenix Pavilion.
Rumble!
Outside the restaurant, an ornate carriage slowly drew up next to Wang Chong.
Wang Chong boarded the carriage, where Xu Keyi was waiting.
”Your Highness, how was it?” Xu Keyi respectfully asked.
”Let's go! The First Prince has finished his preparations and will make his move soon!” Wang Chong calmly said.
Xu Keyi trembled in shock.
The carriage began to move, and a few moments later, a messenger bird descended from the skies. Wang Chong glanced at the letter it had delivered and instantly paled.
”Return to the residence!”
With this terse order, the carriage hastened toward the King of Foreign Lands Residence.
Several hours later, the capital was struck by earthshaking news.
The First Prince had ordered that ten thousand soldiers from the Beiting Protectorate were to move south, to Gold Bull Mountain, four hundred li to the northwest of the capital, under the excuse of a rotation of garrisons.
Garrison rotations were no minor matter. If the common folk had not sensed anything after all the previous incidents, including the Imperial Army competition and the seizing of the outer gates, then after this order, even the slowest of them began to notice something strange.
Garrison rotations at the capital were not unprecedented, but in the current prosperous state of the Great Tang, the last one had taken place several decades ago. Particularly in a time of peace, this order was extremely strange.
”The winds herald a coming storm!”