The Human Emperor c1-2382

by Huangfu Qi (皇甫奇)

  This war would reveal the weak side of the Great Tang to all the foreign powers. All of them would start itching to act, their covetous gazes fixed upon the Great Tang.

  The northwest, the northeast, the north, Longxi… the Great Tang would be embroiled in endless wars. A massive empire, the strongest culture in all the history of the Central Plains, would begin its decline and fall.

  This was the eternal pain of all of the Great Tang's people! The pain of the Central Plains!

  No matter what, Wang Chong had to change this.

  "…Big Uncle, I know that this matter will put you in a bad post! But I would like Big Uncle to consider, has your nephew ever deceived Big Uncle before? I know that this will cause trouble for Big Uncle, but your nephew has never requested anything from Big Uncle. This time, however, I request that Big Uncle promises your nephew that no matter how many people oppose you, how many people slander you, Big Uncle must stop this war! This is not only for the Wang Clan, but for the Great Tang! Time will eventually prove that your nephew is correct!"

  At the end, Wang Chong clenched his fists and pressed his forehead to the ground so hard that his veins were prominent on his body.

  He was foreordained to be alone on his journey of revenge, and only those who had personally experienced it could understand how difficult it was to change the destiny of an empire, of this world.

  There were far too many things on his mind that he couldn't speak of to others. Even someone as close to him as his big uncle was hard to convince, much less others.

  Wang Gen was deeply moved by the kneeling Wang Chong. Although Wang Chong had not said much, Wang Gen sensed that his mind was as steady as rock, that his will was unshakable.

  "Chong-er, let me think about it!"

  Wang Gen gave a long sigh and closed his eyes. The military affairs of a country were no trifle, and they could not be decided through emotion. It was certainly out of line for private feelings to outweigh public good. This was a principle that had upheld throughout his many years in the court.

  If this were any other descendant of the Wang Clan, even his own son Wang Li, Wang Gen wouldn't even consider the notion. But this was Wang Chong…

  Scenes from the past flitted through his mind. Wang Chong had already proved himself in the Regional Commanders incident and the Consort Taizhen incident. He had even been the first to find out about the battle in the southwest.

  And in every one of those incidents, Wang Chong had been proven correct!

  He seemed to possess some foresight that allowed him to find the correct path among the thousands of possibilities.

  "Chong-er, tell me that I won't regret my decision today!" Wang Gen suddenly said.

  "Big Uncle will not regret this."

  Wang Chong was elated.

  He could tell that his big uncle had agreed.

  Wang Gen let out another long sigh.

  "Chong-er, I can promise to help you with this one matter. This is the first time I will put my private thoughts over the public good and change my stance, and also the last time, do you understand?"

  Wang Gen opened his eyes.

  "Your nephew understands," Wang Chong sternly replied.

  During the Regional Commanders incident, it was because he knew of his big uncle's personality that he had worked around him and only attempted to persuade King Song.

  "Speak—what else do you need me to do?" Wang Gen asked, his expression actually much more relaxed.

  "Yes!"

  Wang Chong nodded and said, "Big Uncle, when you go back, please tell King Song that he has to personally step forward no matter what. In addition, I have a letter here. Big Uncle, please give it to Yang Zhao. In order to alter the decision of the Imperial Court, Big Uncle, King Song, and Consort Taizhen will all have to work together!

  "Also, Big Uncle, please inform King Song that we definitely aren't trying to help Mengshe Zhao. Geluofeng's ambitions are clear and he must be punished, but now is not the time. Please have him delay as long as possible. Preparations have to be made before moving out. So starting from now, Big Uncle and King Song should begin using the Bureau of Military Personnel to move troops to the southwest.

  "Just the 180,000-strong army in the southwest will be far from enough to deal with Geluofeng. Only 300,000 or more soldiers can be enough!"

  Wang Gen shook his head and replied, "Impossible! Troop mobilization is no minor matter, and not even King Song can arbitrarily move 100,000 soldiers. He can only do so with permission from the other ministers."

  King Song wielded great authority in the Bureau of Military Personnel, but not to the extent that he could hide his movements from whomever he wished. At the very least King Qi had just as much authority in the Bureau of Military Personnel.

  Moreover, the Great Tang had always fought wars with inferior numbers. The Great Tang emphasized elite troops, well equipped and supplied, the soldiers armed to the teeth and capable of crushing any opposition.

  If they truly did mobilize over 300,000 troops, the Great Tang would be completely capable of crushing Mengshe Zhao. It would be carrying out of a war of extermination.

  However, the Great Tang had only so many troops. If they transferred 300,000 soldiers, this would weaken the defense in other areas, creating even larger problems for the future.

  "Then use the reserves and prefectural armies! This is the best source of troops, bypassing the Bureau of Military Personnel and lessening any resistance!"

  Wang Chong's gaze was sharp, his voice decisive. As the War Saint of the Great Tang in his last life, the last Grand Marshal of the Central Plains, Wang Chong had a far more thorough understanding of the military than his big uncle.

  "The battlefield is the best forge. Three months is enough time to train a regular army that would usually take several years. These prefectural armies are the best place to find troops!"

  A complete military system had both a standing army and reserve troops. This was where the Mengshe Zhao, Ü-Tsang, Goguryeo, and the Turkic Khaganates were inferior.

  Although the Great Tang did not have many soldiers, it had always maintained a large reserve force. Though their numbers weren't that large, there were at least 200,000.

  Moreover, the Great Tang had rigorous training that surpassed that of other armies. It was systematic, and any soldier that went through this demanding training could go to the battlefield at any time.

  This was also why the Great Tang could maintain a stable number of soldiers despite fighting one against six and being engaged in endless battles that resulted in significant casualties.

  However, reserve troops were still reserve troops, severely lacking in battlefield experience. Sending them off to the battlefield could quickly produce many qualified and experienced warriors, but there would be many casualties.

  And mobilizing these reserve troops would lead to a flaw in the military 'pyramid' of the Great Tang. A severe lack of training among the reserve troops would have large consequences in the future.

  Wang Gen looked at Wang Chong with a strange expression in his eyes.

  Wang Chong understood more things than even he did, and the way Wang Chong spoke of them was not how a teenager would speak.

  "I'll do my best to convince King Song. The Imperial Court's war against Mengshe Zhao seems certain. If none of this can be avoided, perhaps your way really is the best."

  Wang Gen sighed.

  "…There's also one other matter that I need trouble Big Uncle with."

  "Speak."

  Wang Chong did not directly say it, instead leaning forward and whispering.

  "Ü-Tsang!!"

  Wang Gen immediately understood, his body trembling.

  "Big Uncle, no matter what, bring these words to Zhangchou Jianqiong. The southwest is not our territory. Only Zhangchou Jianqiong's words can order around Xianyu Zhongtong," Wang Chong said.

  Mengshe Zhao had never been a major trouble for the Great Tang. The true problem was Ü-Tsang. No matter what, Ü-Tsang's movement
s needed to be watched at all times.

  A lack of understanding on this point would lead to a repeat of the tragedy from his last life.

  "I understand. Leave this matter to me."

  Wang Gen finally left.

  The moment Wang Gen departed, the gloomy prison became extremely quiet.

  "Come out!" Wang Chong suddenly said, not even raising his head.

  After a few moments, a few figures emerged from the gloom. Zheng Chenzhou walked out from behind the experts of the Chamberlain of Dependencies.

  "Wang Chong, I don't care what sort of matters of state you were discussing with your big uncle. You won't be able to escape," Zheng Chenzhou said rudely.

  "There's no need for you to worry about that," Wang Chong said indifferently.

  Zheng Chenzhou only snorted, not attempting to retort. He talked to a subordinate before taking his leave.

  After everyone left, Wang Chong once more extended a figure and began to draw on the ground. The complicated map of the Great Tang around him had gotten even more complicated over the last few days.

  There were many symbols on this map that were completely unlike any found in this world. Only Wang Chong could understand them!

  Chapter 471: The War Begins!

  Chapter 471: The War Begins!

  Translated by: Hypersheep325

  Edited by: Michyrr

  The incident in the southwest had entranced the entire empire. Even Wang Chong in his cell could feel the change in the atmosphere.

  The people from the Court of Judicial Review and Chamberlain of Dependencies had originally come to visit him every day, but now they rarely appeared. The prison guards who occasionally came in to deliver food also seemed distracted.

  A somber air pervaded the capital.

  It seems like the decision is about to be made! Wang Chong silently said to himself. Although he was worried, the imprisoned Wang Chong could do nothing but quietly wait.

  "Chong-er!"

  It was ten days later that he next met Wang Gen. His big uncle was dressed in his court robes, his face hard and grave.

  Upon seeing his big uncle, Wang Chong felt his eyes begin to twitch while a terrible foreboding suddenly rose from his heart.

  "The Imperial Court has already made a decision! Xianyu Zhongtong has been ordered to lead the 180,000 elites of the Annan Protectorate and immediately attack Mengshe Zhao to punish Geluofeng for his offense against the Great Tang!"

  "What?!"

  Wang Chong's heart went cold at this news, sending a shiver running throughout his body. Suddenly thinking of something, he lunged to the bars and asked, "Big Uncle, how could this be? Didn't you, King Song, and Consort Taizhen all oppose? Were you three not enough?"

  King Song, the Wang Clan, and Yang Zhao's backer Consort Taizhen were three mighty powers of the Great Tang Imperial Court, three figureheads. The united strength of those three should have wielded enough influence to alter the court's decision.

  Wang Gen sighed and began to give a detailed recount.

  After meeting Wang Chong, Wang Gen almost immediately went to see King Song. Together with Wang Chong's sworn brother Yang Zhao, the three were completely capable of changing the court's decision.

  But both Wang Gen and Wang Chong had underestimated someone.

  Wang Chong's eyes flashed with cold light as he suddenly asked, "The Yao Clan?"

  "If it was just the Yao Clan and King Qi, it would have been fine!" Wang Gen said with a shake of his head. Only those present would understand the intensity of that court debate. When the perennial hawks Wang Gen and King Song suddenly opposed the war with Mengshe Zhao, the entire court was stunned.

  The hall had been silent for a very long time, no one able to speak. But the Yao Clan and King Qi were even more surprising.

  These two had seemingly been keeping a watch on the Wang Clan and King Song this entire time. However, when those two opposed the war, King Qi and the Yao Clan, who had always been in favor of disarmament, suddenly took the opposite stance and loudly criticized King Song and the Wang Clan.

  They said that these two were colluding with Geluofeng, had been paid off by him, and they also strenuously pushed for war with Mengshe Zhao. But everything would have been fine if that was all.

  After all, the Yao Clan and King Qi were still inferior to the combined might of the Wang Clan, King Song, and Consort Taizhen. But in the end, someone completely unexpected, a most eminent yet also most inconspicuous person suddenly stepped forward and completely altered the result of this court debate.

  "Who?"

  Wang Chong's heart tightened.

  Wang Gen gave a long sigh before giving the answer.

  "The Prime Minister!"

  Zing!

  Silence reigned. Wang Chong gaped, and his pupils constricted. He found himself unable to say a single word.

  "Li Genu1…"

  This name was like a bolt of lightning. As it seared through Wang Chong's mind, it conjured countless memories.

  In that moment, thousands of thoughts flew like lightning through his mind.

  In the Great Tang Dynasty, there was no position higher than the Prime Minister. He was truly beneath only one and above the rest.

  Both the Wang Clan and Yao Clan were closely related to this position. It was the primary reason for the Wang Clan's reputation as a clan of ministers and generals.

  However, both the Wang Clan's Old Master, the revered Duke Jiu, and the Yao Clan's Old Master, Yao Chong, had already retired from the position of Prime Minister.

  Someone new now held the post of Prime Minister.

  Li Genu really was that man's courtesy name!

  In the Great Tang Imperial Court, this person was abnormally low-key. Never before had the holder of such an illustrious position as Prime Minister stood out so little. Many people had even forgotten who he was.

  However, Wang Chong had never dared to underestimate him.

  "I didn't think that it would actually be him…"

  A sharp light glimmered in Wang Chong's eyes.

  In all of the Great Tang Dynasty, the one Wang Chong feared the most was not the Yao Clan or King Qi, but this Prime Minister who was often forgotten despite the prestige of his post.

  In all of the Great Tang Empire, probably not even his big uncle knew just how terrifying this normally genial Prime Minister was.

  Everyone was deeply underestimating the 'Lord Prime Minister'.

  Wang Chong had never expected the Prime Minister to break custom and support the war in the southwest.

  The combined might of the Yao Clan, King Qi, and the Prime Minister was enough to balance the might of the Wang Clan, King Song, and Consort Taizhen.

  "…And there was one other thing. At the crucial moment, Zhangchou Jianqiong stood with King Qi and the Yao Clan!"

  "Ah!"

  Wang Chong was completely flabbergasted.

  Zhangchou Jianqiong was part of Consort Taizhen's faction and they had a very close relationship. In fact, it had been Zhangchou Jianqiong who had helped Yang Zhao travel to the capital.

  Consort Taizhen and Yang Zhao opposed this war, yet Zhangchou Jianqiong, the Minister of War, had stood with King Qi. No one could have expected this.

  One Prime Minister could still be dealt with, but with Minister of War Zhangchou Jianqiong… the court debate was decided.

  Wang Chong fell quiet.

  "There was nothing to be done about that. His position as Minister of War still isn't stable, and he is also from the Annan Protectorate. There was a problem in his own territory, so it's easy to imagine how much pressure Zhangchou Jianqiong was under! Almost all the generals in the Bureau of Military Personnel under his command were in support of the war with Mengshe Zhao. If Zhangchou Jianqiong flinched here, he would face a great deal of opposition as Minister of War in the future," Wang Gen said helplessly.

  Zhangchou Jianqiong had lusted too badly for power. After holding the border for decades, he desired authority and status more than any
one else.

  Wang Gen had originally thought that he could delay this court debate for twenty days, but with the Minister of War in the fray, the situation was no longer in his control.

  And there was nothing Wang Gen could do about it.

  The dark prison was quiet. Both Wang Chong and Wang Gen were silent. The only sound was the guttering of the torches on the wall.

  "Chong-er, what do you plan to do next?" Wang Gen asked his nephew.

  Wang Chong had been behind all the plans, and Wang Gen had told him what had happened in the court. What would happen next would be for Wang Chong to decide.

  "I didn't think that it would still be impossible to avoid…"

  Wang Chong gave a long and bitter sigh.

  Geluofeng had attacked the Great Tang, and the Imperial Court had decided to have Xianyu Zhongtong lead the 180,000 elites of the Great Tang in attacking the southwest… If it were Zhangchou Jianqiong leading the troops, if Zhangchou Jianqiong were still in the southwest, perhaps the final result would have been better.

  But Zhangchou Jianqiong had already been tempted by power, and the position of Minister of War had now become the fetters around his neck. Leaving the southwest had been easy, but going back was not so!

  The Minister of War could not leave the capital and lead the 180,000 elites of a border protectorate. There was no precedent for such a thing in the history of the Great Tang!

  The plans of man were no match for the plans of heaven. Wang Chong had done all he could to avoid this war, but he had ultimately failed.

  At this time, the last sliver of hope in Wang Chong's heart was extinguished.

  Since it was impossible to avoid, he had to confront it head-on.

  "Big Uncle, when did Xianyu Zhongtong set out?"

  Wang Chong raised his head and closed his eyes.

  "Four days ago. The news was sent by the fastest golden eagle of the palace. It should have only needed two more days to arrive. And with Xianyu Zhongtong's reaction speed, it should be another two days for him to mobilize his army and attack Mengshe Zhao," Wang Gen said.

  "…It's already too late!"

  Wang Chong gave a long sigh. Even the fastest bird would need six days to cover the vast distance between the capital and the Annan Protectorate.