The Human Emperor c1-2382

by Huangfu Qi (皇甫奇)

  "Of course not, how could it be them?" Wang Gen chuckled as he raised his wine cup and sipped on it.

  "It's Fumeng Lingcha, Go Seonji, Geshu Han, and the other generals in the military. This is especially so for Eastern Protector-General Zhang Shougui, as well!"

  Upon hearing Wang Gen's answer, Zhangchou Jianqiong and his subordinates from Jiannan was taken aback. Even Wang Chong was slightly surprised by that answer.

  Wang Chong had only heard bits and pieces of the matter from the royal court, and he had never tried to analyze it, either. However, even he could tell that the matter regarding Zhangchou Jianqiong's promotion was stalling for a little too long.

  In his view, this was the doing of the various powers in the royal court in hopes of driving away the outsider' Zhangchou Jianqiong.

  But Big Uncle Wang Gen had given a very different explanation for the matter.

  Even though Wang Chong was taken aback by the words initially, he soon understood what his big uncle was driving at.

  "Think about it. As fellow generals and Protecter-Generals, Fumeng Lingcha, Go Seonji, Geshu Han, and Zhang Shougui have made great contributions to Great Tang, as well. If Brother Zhangchou could enter the royal court, wouldn't they harbor the same thoughts, as well?"

  Wang Gen stroked his beard. Due to the many implications of every single action, the matters of the royal court couldn't be understood that easily. Zhangchou Jianqiong might be a formidable force in the military, but he was lacking in experience in the royal court.

  The opposition to Zhangchou Jianqiong didn't just come from the various clans and nobility in the capital, but the generals and commanders in the military as well.

  "They dare!" Zhangchou Jianqiong's face immediately turned livid. In truth, he was just asking the question to test out Wang Gen, he didn't expect to receive a concrete answer.

  However, after hearing the answer that Wang Gen gave, his face immediately darkened entirely.

  If it was just opposition from the factions in the capital, he could just pay them a visit through utilizing his identity as the Southern Protector-General. No matter what, the others would still have to sell him this favor.

  Zhangchou Jianqiong was confident that even if he couldn't convince them to support him, he could at least convince them to retract their opposition.

  This was the advantage he possessed as the newcomer. As he hadn't come into much contact with any factions, he didn't have any grudges or hostility with anyone.

  But if the opposition came from the military instead, from the Western Protector-General, Western Regions Protector-General, Big Dipper General Geshu Han, and other generals of that tier, this matter would become troublesome.

  In terms of merit, they didn't pale to him at all.

  He could still pull out and preach about his contributions before Wang Gen, Yao Guang Yi, and the others; but before Fumeng Lingcha and the others, there was very little that he could say.

  Furthermore, due to the lack of major battles in Jiannan, Zhangchou Jianqiong might even yield to them on certain aspects.

  "Lord Wang, is there solution to this matter?" Yang Zhao spoke anxiously. Even he couldn't hold back his anxiety after hearing all of this. Even though these were just deductions on Wang Gen's part at the moment, Yang Zhao could tell that there was a high chance that this would be the case.

  After acquainting himself with quite a few influential officials in the time that he had been in the capital, he thought that he had gained a good grasp over the affairs of the royal court, and he felt smug about it, too.

  But at this moment, he realized that he had been too shallow. In the end, he was still an ignorant amateur.

  "Fumeng Lingcha and Go Seonji are established generals in Great Tang, and they have their connections in the royal court. But if it's just them, Brother Zhangchou need not worry too much. After all, they have a fatal flaw that prevents them from competing with you—in the centuries of history of Great Tang, there has never been a Hu Minister of War. Even if we were to go further back into the previous dynasties, there has never been such a precedent.

  "Thus, the person whom Brother Zhangchou has to be guarded against is Eastern Protector-General Zhang Shougui!" Wang Gen said.

  Weng!

  Before the others could react, astonishment appeared on the faces of Zhangchou Jianqiong and the middle-aged man strategist beside him.

  "Just like Brother Zhangchou, Zhang Shougui is a Han and a Protector-General of the empire. With his army, he suppresses the Goguryeon empire, Khitan, Kumo Xi, and the Eastern Turkic Khaganate. His means are similar to Brother Zhangchou, perhaps even slightly more domineering. If Brother Zhangchou hopes to get into the royal court, he's the person that you must be careful of!" Wang Gen spoke slowly.

  On the other hand, Wang Chong fell into deep thought by the side. This was the first time he was coming into contact with a matter like this.

  It could be said that the matter behind Zhangchou Jianqiong's promotion had displayed the intricacies of the royal court clearly.

  Politics had always been Wang Chong's weakness, so he chose to remain silent, watch the situation, and learn from it.

  "But this shouldn't be where Brother Shougui's ambitions lie?" Zhangchou Jianqiong said with a grim expression.

  The name of Eastern Protector-General Zhang Shougui weighed down on him heavily, like the shadow of a towering mountain. The both of them were heavyweights in the military, but one was stationed in the east while the other was stationed in the south, so there wasn't much interaction between them.

  But Zhangchou Jianqiong knew that Zhang Shougui's credentials were far deeper than his.

  Zhangchou Jianqiong's achievements were centered in the Annan region, whereas Zhang Shougui's accomplishment extended from Ü-Tsang to the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganate, and from Goguryeo all the way to Kumo Xi. From his youth, he had shown astounding talent and incredible achievements.

  And unlike him, Zhang Shougui once had a chance to enter the royal court to become the Prime Minister.

  Even old generals like Fumeng Lingcha and Go Seonji were filled with fear of him.

  If Zhang Shougui were to vie for the position of the Minister of War, the other party would surely prove to be an unprecedentedly powerful opponent. The only consolation he had was that Zhang Shougui's eye was on the seat of the Prime Minister, an end goal far higher than his.

  "There's no mistake that Zhang Shougui's eye is on the seat of the Prime Minister, but has Brother Zhangchou considered the consequences if you were to become the Minister of War?"

  In an instant, the entire tavern fell silent.

  The brows of the strategist by Zhangchou Jianqiong's side was slowly furrowing. He already understood what Wang Gen was driving at.

  Zhangchou Jianqiong's promotion didn't just affect the royal court, it affected the entire military, as well.

  If he were to become the Minister of War, it would mean that Zhang Shougui, Go Seonji, Fumeng Lingcha, Geshu Han, and the other generals would fall under his jurisdiction, and he could potentially curb them with his authority.

  Thus, even if their ambition didn't lie on becoming the Minister of War, they wouldn't allow Zhangchou Jianqiong to ascend to the position.

  On this aspect, all of them shared the same interest.

  Hearing those words, Zhangchou Jianqiong's forehead unknowingly creased into a horizontal -shape.

  Chapter 273: The Crux, Xianyu Zhongtong!

  Chapter 273: The Crux, Xianyu Zhongtong!

  He already had his hands full with the matters of the royal court. If there were to be severe objections from the military as well, the chances that he could become the new Minister of War would become extremely low.

  "May I know if Brother Jiexin has any plan in mind?" Zhangchou Jianqiong asked.

  "Even though it won't be easy, it isn't like there isn't any hope in this matter. Of the remaining sixty percent, ten percent lies with King Qi, ten percent with the current Prime Minister, and fo
rty percent with His Majesty. If Brother Zhangchou can convince His Majesty of this, nearly no one would be able to stop you anymore. But before that, it would be best for Brother Zhangchou to avoid agitating Fumeng Lingcha, Go Seonji, and Zhang Shougui so as to prevent any unnecessary problems."

  "Once the verdict is out, Brother Zhangchou can sleep easy," Wang Gen smiled. He could only offer these words of advice to Zhangchou Jianqiong. After all, the one who was after the promotion was him.

  If he couldn't even do this much, no one would be able to help him.

  "Hahaha, I understand. Brother Jiexin, thank you for your enlightenment!"

  Zhangchou Jianqiong's eyes lit up as the furrow on his forehead softened. There was no need for him to worry about the forty percent from the Sage Emperor at all.

  The forty percent from the Sage Emperor and the forty percent from his qualifications would give him an eighty percent chance at success. That was sufficient for him.

  Thinking so, Zhangchou Jianqiong glanced at Yang Zhao silently, and the duo exchanged meaningful gazes.

  As the saying went, “the mind of an emperor is unfathomable”. Typically speaking, convincing the Sage Emperor should be the most difficult of all.

  However, to Zhangchou Jianqiong, it was instead his trump card.

  Consort Taizhen was currently in favor with the Sage Emperor, and for her, the Sage Emperor was even willing to make enemies with more than half of the entire royal court. As long as Consort Taizhen spoke up for him, the forty percent from the Sage Emperor was a done deal.

  "Since Brother Zhangchou intends to enter the royal court, how do you intend to deal with Annan? The promotion of a Protector-General is not a small matter. If the handover of the position isn't settled properly, it could possibly lead a gap in our defenses. While it's fine for Brother Zhangchou to step forward, you must ensure that no problems crop up behind you!" Wang Gen said.

  With his eyes set on the position of the Minister of War, it was very easy for him to neglect the handover of authority by the army at the border. A failure to ensure a smooth transition of authority could lead to many severe implications.

  Should any matter crop up right behind Zhangchou Jianqiong at this moment, his dream of becoming the Minister of War would be shattered instantly. No one, not even Consort Taizhen, would be able to reverse the situation then.

  Any matter regarding the military was no joke. As long as Zhangchou Jianqiong hadn't become the Minister of War yet, it would be his responsibility to ensure the security of the border.

  "Hahaha, I've brought my successor to the position of Southern Protector-General here. Zhongtong, stand up and greet Lord Wang," Zhangchou Jianqiong said as he turned to the brawny, tanned man to his left.

  "Yes, l-lord!" With his name being called, that brawny man quickly stood up in a near-panic. It seemed like he had never participated in this kind of gathering before.

  “"X-Xianyu Zhongtong pays respect to Lord Wang!"

  Weng!

  Wang Chong's body suddenly jolted violently, and he hurriedly turned his head over to take a look.

  So he's Xianyu Zhongtong!!, Many thoughts flashed across Wang Chong's mind as he looked at the brawny, tanned figure.

  Other than Zhangchou Jianqiong, the two people whom Wang Chong wanted to meet in this banquet were Xianyu Zhongtong and Zhang Wentuo.

  Initially, Wang Chong thought that Xianyu Zhongtong wasn't around, but to think that the wooden-faced, restrained man who had been drinking silently all this while was actually the future Southern Protector-General, Xianyu Zhongtong!

  Wang Chong assessed the future Protector-General before him. Darkly tanned and broad-shouldered, the other man carried the powerful and candid disposition of a military man. However, his wooden expression seemed to suggest his lack of adaptability. In Wang Chong's view, the other party didn't seem to be suited to serve as the highest commander.

  Is this the successor Zhangchou Jianqiong chose for himself? Wang Chong shook his head.

  Every single general and Protector-General in Great Tang was an outstanding individual who could command an army to stand their own ground against any enemy.

  But Wang Chong couldn't see such a quality in Xianyu Zhongtong.

  Putting aside established military commanders such as Fumeng Lingcha, Geshu Han, Go Seonji, and Zhang Shougui, Xianyu Zhongtong seemed to pale far in comparison even against Yao Guang Yi and his peers.

  At the very least, Yao Guang Yi did possess considerable talent in formations and scheming, a quality that the middle-aged man before him was unlikely to have.

  "Haha, Zhongtong's surname is Xiang, but we are all used to calling him Xianyu Zhongtong. He is a veteran general who has been with me for many years in Annan. While his capability isn't on par with other Protector-Generals such as Zhang Shougui and Fumeng Lingcha, he possesses aptitude in defense.

  "I once conducted a rehearsal with him, and even if I were to lead an army against him personally and go all out in offense, it would still be difficult for me to defeat him. He's more than suitable to take over my position.

  "Besides, it has been a decade since any major battle in Annan. What it needs at the moment is defense, not offense. Given Zhongtong's ability, even if Ü-Tsang and Erhai were to invade, he would surely be able to fend them off with ease."

  Zhangchou Jianqiong patted Xianyu Zhongtong's back with glee. With a defensive general like Xianyu Zhongtong and the army of 180,000 elites he had groomed, he was confident in Annan's defenses.

  Besides, given the current peace Annan was enjoying, it was better to stand their ground rather than to engage in offense. After all, the more one did, the more openings one would expose.

  Not to mention, an offensive general would also be likely to be filled with ambition, and thus be more difficult to keep reined-in.

  Thus, Zhangchou Jianqiong was rather satisfied with his arrangements.

  Through a loyal defense general like Xianyu Zhongtong, Zhangchou Jianqiong would be able to guard his “establishment” and solidify his power.

  While looking at this from the side, Wang Chong's worry intensified.

  As a capable general of the capital, the Southern Protector-General, Zhangchou Jianqiong did possess a sharp eye in matters relating to the military. He definitely didn't choose Xianyu Zhongtong out of recklessness.

  But this did little to alleviate Wang Chong's fears.

  Zhangchou Jianqiong only chose Xianyu Zhongtong because he was an excellent defense general who could guard his power base. Never in his dreams would he expect that Xianyu Zhongtong would one day leave the territory which he was well aware of to take the offense.

  Just imagine what would happen if a general specializing in defense were to go on the offense, something he had no expertise in whatsoever.

  "General Xianyu need not stand on ceremony. Since Brother Zhangchou believes that you have the capability to become the Southern Protector-General, there should be no problem regarding this matter," Wang Gen nodded.

  He was a governmental official, not a military official. As such, he didn't think too much into Zhangchou Jianqiong's selection of Xianyu Zhongtong as his successor.

  The previous Protector-General did possess the right to recommend their successor. For example, the current imperial tutor of the crown prince, Wang Zhongsi, recommended Geshu Han, and Fumeng Lingcha also recommended Go Seonji. This was the usual practice.

  Naturally, Zhangchou Jianqiong also wielded this privilege.

  "Also, this is Wang Chong, Wang gongzi. Don't underestimate Wang gongzi just because he's young. With his prestige and fame, there's no one in the capital that doesn't know his name. Despite his young age, he has already met the Sage Emperor. There is less than a handful of those in his generation that can rival him. Hehe, there will only be benefits to getting along with Wang gongzi."

  Unexpectedly, Zhangchou Jianqiong started to introduce Wang Chong as well.

  "Lord, I am unworthy of your compliments. I'm just a recruit studying in K
unwu Training Camp at the moment, and I am without any military rank yet. I don't live up to lord's excessive praises," Wang Chong hurriedly replied.

  Zhangchou Jianqiong and Xianyu Zhongtong were both influential figures in the military; one of them was the future Minister of War, whereas the other was the future Southern Protector-General. Given Wang Chong's current standing, how could he possibly accept such compliments from the other party?

  "Wang gongzi, pleased to meet you."

  Opposite him, Xianyu Zhongtong turned around and bowed to Wang Chong respectfully after hearing Zhangchou Jianqiong's words. He was so polite that Wang Chong was starting to feel embarrassed.

  "Lord Xianyu is too polite." Wang Chong hurriedly stood up and bowed back.

  "Zhongtong, Wang gongzi possesses incredible means in the capital. It's your first time coming into contact with politics, so it's natural for you to be unaware of many things. Should you find yourself in a bind, you should consult Wang gongzi," Zhangchou Jianqiong gestured to Wang Chong as he spoke.

  "Hahaha, Brother Xianyu, Lord Zhangchou is right. Wang gongzi is a person who can even move King Song. There's no mistake in getting close to him," Yang Zhao chirped in as well.

  He was Wang Chong's sworn brother. Even though they couldn't make this relationship known on the surface, Zhangchou Jianqiong was aware of it.

  Given that Zhangchou Jianqiong thought so highly of his brother, Yang Zhao also felt proud as well. In a sense, it was indeed his accomplishment in convincing Wang Chong to ally with them.

  "Wang gongzi, I'll be counting on you in the future," Xianyu Zhongtong hurriedly said as he glanced at Wang Chong.

  As a purebred military man, this was the first time Xianyu Zhongtong was in the capital, as well as his first time coming into contact with high-ranking officials and nobility.

  Even though he was introverted and reticent, he was definitely no fool.

  The young man before him was the favored scion of a prestigious clan of generals and ministers. Just the very birthright of the other party placed him a far higher position than many others. It was likely that he would become a high-ranking official or be conferred as a noble in the future.