The slender figure standing at the doors to the carriage appeared in their eyes to be taller than a mountain and more dazzling than the sun. At that moment, Wang Chong was the most brilliant and striking existence in the entire world.
“It’s over!”
The supervising official felt his heart turn cold and sink like a stone when he saw Wang Chong. He had never expected that just when Wang Chong was about to go through the gates, they would fail at the final moment, a pack of idiots from the City Guard and a father and son ruining their plans.
Gallop! A trail of dust rose up over the road as several City Guard experts rode up and obstructed Wang Chong’s path.
“Milord…”
Just when they were about to speak and try to stop Wang Chong, Wang Chong glared at them, causing them to shiver and instantly shut up.
The duty of the City Guard was to maintain order and safety in the capital. People of all trades and types gathered in the capital, and they had seen their fair share of high-ranking officials and noble dignitaries. However, none of them had eyes like Wang Chong’s. A single glare had been enough to leave them speechless.
“Withdraw!”
An indifferent voice spoke into their ears, neither loud nor soft. They instinctively wanted to retort, but before they could say anything, these City Guard experts suddenly felt like they had lost control of their bodies, which were seemingly backing up on their own.
“Yes! Milord!”
Familiar voices could be heard, and to the shock of the City Guard experts, they realized that it was their own voices. These voices were suffused with respect, far more respect than they even paid to their own superiors. For a moment, all the City Guard experts were utterly dumbstruck.
What… what frightening pressure!
The City Guard experts broke out in cold sweat, even their backs becoming drenched. They had served in the City Guard for so long, yet they had never encountered anyone with such profound majesty. They suddenly felt like gazelle that had run into a lion. Before they could even think, their bodies had taken instinctive countermeasures to preserve their lives.
Wang Chong ignored them as he stepped down from the carriage and toward the father and son.
Bzzz! In a flash of light, the falling boy fell into Wang Chong’s embrace. In the distance, the father got up off the ground, and when he saw what had happened, not only was he not worried, he was elated.
“Wonderful!”
He had never imagined that an accidental fall would result in his son having a meeting with the greatest legend of the empire.
The crowd was in an uproar, countless people straining their necks to get a look at the King of Foreign Lands and the child in his hands.
Wang Chong paid no attention to all this, his gaze completely focused on the boy of three or four years old. This boy was not afraid, instead staring at Wang Chong with eyes wide with curiosity.
“This is for you!”
Wang Chong took out a small dagger and placed it in the boy’s hand.
“Whether or not you understand, remember, no matter the time, never give up on your ideals, never give up hope!”
Wang Chong returned the boy to his father, then swiftly turned around and boarded his carriage. Rumble! The carriage began to move again and was soon through the gates. Behind it, the sea of people seemed to awaken from a dream and began to loudly cheer.
“The King of Foreign Lands!”
“The King of Foreign Lands!”
“The King of Foreign Lands!”
The crowd shouted with all their strength, cheering louder than they ever had before. Even the walls of the capital seemed to shudder and tremble at their cheers. At this moment, the crowds who had come out to welcome Wang Chong had reached the zenith of their emotions. Nothing had been more representative of their moods than the scene they had just witnessed mere moments ago.
The greatest hero of the empire, the legendary War God who had conquered and vanquished more than one million Arab soldiers, together with a weak and fragile child of the Great Tang. This image had been deeply branded into their minds, to be remembered for many years to come.
This sight and the deafening cheers made all the officials from the Bureau of Rites grimace nastily.
……
As the crowds cheered, Wang Chong, Xu Keyi, Chen Bin, and the others had gone through the gates and entered the capital, which was much quieter. In the distance, several hundred meters away, many carriages had parked along the road. Many figures were standing in front of these carriages, apparently having waited for a very long time.
Perhaps not every one of these figures possessed a powerful cultivation, but all of them without exception exuded the thick scent of authority. Some of them exuded even more authority than Wang Chong. Only the influential civil and military officials of the Great Tang Empire could possess such intense auras.
Rumble! The carriage came to a stop several dozen paces from these assembled officials.
“Lord Marquis, we can’t go any farther.”
Zhang Que’s voice came from outside, slightly trembling as he swallowed his saliva. Zhang Que had followed Wang Chong on his campaigns and experienced many trials and tribulations, but even he couldn’t help but pale at the sight of these figures, a hint of tension creeping into his voice.
At this moment, a deep, energetic, and elderly voice came from up ahead. “Young Marquis, this old man has been waiting a long time!”
Wang Chong’s brow slightly creased, but he quickly relaxed. He turned to Xu Qiqin and gently said, “Qiqin, I’ll go down and meet with them. In a little while, you should return to the residence first.”
“Mm.”
Xu Qiqin looked ahead and nodded, an understanding look on her face. Wang Chong’s return to the capital this time had mobilized various factions. In the space of a single night, all the sacrifices made on the front lines had been rendered naught. Wang Chong needed an explanation and an answer.
The moment their carriage arrived at the capital, an invisible storm had stirred, one that was certain to shake the entire empire. Wang Chong was telling her to leave clearly because he did not want to drag her down. As for Xu Qiqin, she knew that Wang Chong had many things that needed his attention, and she did not want Wang Chong to be dragged down because of her.
“Go. When the time comes, I’ll come and find you.”
Creeeak!
The soft sound of the carriage doors opening seemed particularly loud and sharp. Wang Chong emerged from the carriage and quickly stepped onto the ground. It was quiet outside, and when Wang Chong turned his head, he immediately saw what lay in front of his carriage. Hundreds of carriages were parked there, blocking the road, and all of them were decorated with the insignias of the illustrious clans of the capital.
In front of these carriages, countless figures were standing. Some were white-headed and old while others were young and strong. Some were wearing official robes and had stern and majestic auras while others were dressed in casual clothes and had carefree and natural demeanors. Some of them looked at Wang Chong with beaming faces, as refreshing as the spring breeze, while others wore cold sneers and treacherous expressions.
This one city gate had gathered countless noble dignitaries and high officials. Wang Chong’s return to the capital had brought all these people here, each with their own motive.
Wang Chong immediately took all this in, and his eyes flashed for a second before returning to normal.
“Hahaha, Wang Chong, my boy, this old man has been waiting for some time!”
As Wang Chong was thinking, a hearty laugh came from the front of the crowd, and an elderly figure swiftly began to walk toward Wang Chong.
Chapter 1222 - Officials Pack the Streets!
Chapter 1222: Officials Pack the Streets!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
“Old ancestor, wait a moment. Your body isn’t like it used to be. Let us support you!”
&n
bsp; The old man had just begun to move when two young men ran out, their faces caked with sweat. They wanted to support the old man, but they were quickly pushed away.
“Hahaha, who cares if my body isn’t what it used to be? Today, the hero of my Great Tang is returning in victory! Even if this old man were crippled in both legs, I would still be waiting for his return!”
The old man heartily laughed like a child, his beard trembling.
Wang Chong’s heart felt hot when he saw this figure, and the thick sheet of ice upon it immediately melted away. He hastily strode over to welcome the old man.
“Venerable Senior Duan, this junior does not deserve such words from you. Let me support Senior.”
Wang Chong walked over and quickly took the hand of the old man. There were few of such an extremely old age that could garner such respect from Wang Chong, and this was none other than the passionate, impartial, and incorruptible Imperial Censor Duan Cao.
After Wang Chong returned victorious from the war of the southwest, many people sought to attack and denounce Wang Chong because he did not have any sort of official position in the military. The leader of this faction had been the Duan Clan’s Duan Qian. At this time, no one had expected the Duan Clan’s aged Imperial Censor Duan Cao to personally appear and place righteousness before family, giving Duan Qian a vicious slap. Thus, he smoothed Wang Chong’s road to eventually gaining the title of Young Marquis.
Everyone had their opinions on right and wrong, straight and crooked. To the venerable Imperial Censor, right was right and wrong was wrong. Even if it was a member of his own clan who made a mistake, he would show no mercy. This was one of the reasons Wang Chong so deeply admired and respected him.
Wang Chong hadn’t expected that Imperial Censor Duan Cao would come out to welcome him at the city gate.
“Hahaha, Wang Chong, child, this is discrimination. This old man has just as many years as Old Man Duan. Come, support me as well.”
Another elderly voice came from the back, and Wang Chong turned his head to see that an elderly white-haired man was striding toward him.
“Venerable Senior Deng!”
Wang Chong bitterly smiled as he took another step forward to assist both Imperial Censor Duan Cao and Imperial Censor Deng Chang at the same time.
Deng Chang and Duan Cao were both extremely old, and they were both old officials who had served the previous Emperor. They had spent their entire lives being upright and outspoken, granting them incredible prestige in the court, and they had also been of great assistance to Wang Chong.
Wang Chong had nothing but deep respect for this pair.
As the two old imperial censors were forcing Wang Chong into a rather embarrassing situation, a voice came from the back.
“You two old men are both getting on in years, and yet you still make so much trouble for this young junior. On this western campaign, this child nearly died on the front lines. How can you still bear to make so much trouble for him?” The old Imperial Censor Lu Ji looked at the pair and shook his head.
In just a few moments, three illustrious and venerable imperial censors of the Great Tang Empire had gathered in this place. Only when they saw Imperial Censor Lu Ji did Duan Cao and Deng Chang put away their smiles and become serious.
“Wang Chong, we old men were just teasing you. In the Battle of Talas, you did not let down the daring and prestige of the Great Tang. No matter what others think of you, this old Duan Cao will remember you! For my Great Tang to have a child like you fills these old men with pride. If there is still any unfilial brat or junior who dares to provoke or oppose you, this Duan Cao will drive them away!” Duan Cao sternly said. Although he was speaking these words to Wang Chong, as he spoke, he shot a vicious glare to the crowd behind him.
“That’s right!” Deng Chang vigorously nodded. “Merit will be rewarded and mistakes will be punished. The Great Tang will never forget those who have rendered service for the people and country. No matter what others think of you, I, Deng Chang, share the same view as Old Man Duan, and will forever support you. Young man, never be discouraged!”
As the old imperial censor spoke, he fiercely patted Wang Chong on the shoulder.
“Haha, you can count me in as well!”
Imperial Censor Lu Ji stroke his beard and smiled.
Wang Chong was deeply moved as he gazed at these white-haired elders. He now understood why these three had appeared here.
“Venerable Seniors, thank you!” Wang Chong said with heartfelt sincerity. “Wang Chong does not believe that he rendered any great service, but Wang Chong will forever remember the words said by Venerable Seniors today. No matter what, I will never be discouraged, never lose hope.”
“Haha, good! These words from you are enough! It was worth it for us three old men to disgrace ourselves at the city gate by flaunting our age!”
The three imperial censors stroked their beards, relieved expressions on their faces.
In the reign of the previous Emperor, these three venerable imperial censors had been renowned throughout the empire for being upright, fearless, and righteous! In that tempestuous era, the three had remained unbowed, using their own bodies to prop up the sky and raise the spirits of the Great Tang. Their influence could be felt even now.
Almost nobody in the world could satisfy the harsh eyes of this trio, not in the last era or this one. At present… there was only Wang Chong!
It was precisely because of this that the trio could not permit anyone to disadvantage Wang Chong.
They had appeared here and played out this scene before the crowd despite their extreme age precisely so that they could protect Wang Chong.
The words of these three aged imperial censors caused many people to pale and grimace.
At this moment, a clear and bright voice captured everyone’s attention.
“Venerable Imperial Censors, although I do not object to you taking up so much of the Young Marquis’s time, please take a look behind you. The Young Marquis has finally returned victorious, and almost all the high officials and noble dignitaries have come out to welcome him. Will you not even let them convey their respects?”
Wang Chong looked over and saw that this was a scholarly and refined old man dressed in an azure robe. He gripped a brush in one hand and a sheet of paper in the other. As he walked out from the crowd, he used his thin brush to write on the paper.
This old man was not as old as Duan Cao, Deng Chang, or Lu Ji, but he was at least in his seventies. Wang Chong did not think that he had ever met him before, but his clothes, bearing, and the brush and paper he held made Wang Chong think of only one person.
Grand Scribe Yan Wenzhang!
The Yan Clan had been responsible for writing the history books for generations, and no matter how the era changed, they had kept the same position. The Yan Clan rarely produced any major officials, but there was rarely a more qualified candidate to be found for the post of the Grand Scribe than those of the Yan Clan. It was for this reason that after the establishment of a new dynasty, the new sovereign would seek out the Yan Clan and make them Grand Scribes.
“Little Yan, even if we take up his entire day, what will you do about it?”
The mighty Grand Scribe Yan Wenzhang wielded book and brush as his weapons, and all the officials viewed him with some apprehension. After all, a scholar did not need to use a sword to kill. However, to Duan Cao, Deng Chang, and Lu Ji, he was just ‘Little Yan’. But despite what they said, the three of them still retreated to the side.
They had completed their mission, so there was no need to keep holding back the crowd.
“Young Marquis!”
Yan Wenzhang walked forward, his eyes gleaming as he stared at Wang Chong.
“Although this old man has always opposed war, you have truly rendered enormous service this time. Be at ease. I will record your deeds in the annals so that they might be passed on to future generations!”
Cries of surprise came from the crowd. To receive the Grand
Scribe’s praise and be recorded in the annals of history was something that countless ministers and generals dreamed of for their entire lives. These words alone meant that all Wang Chong had sacrificed on his western expedition had not been completely in vain.
“Sir Yan, there is one thing that you might have gotten wrong!”
Wang Chong gazed at Yan Wenzhang and said something completely unexpected.
“Wang Chong did not journey to the distant Talas, battle with the Arabs, advance to Khorasan, and threaten the Arabian capital of Baghdad just so that he could leave a good name on the history books, nor was it to leave a dazzling mark in history.”
Buzz!
The Grand Scribe was stunned by these words, and everything became still. Even Duan Cao, Deng Chang, and Lu Ji were surprised. As for the vast crowd of officials, generals, and nobles, all of them were speechless.
Even the most formidable general could not oppose a scholar’s brush and mouth. Other than glory and duty, a general fought with their life on the line in the hopes of leaving their name on the history books to be admired by generations to come. This exceeded any other merit they could possibly achieve.
The Grand Scribe had a unique status and was respected by both officials and generals precisely because of this. But in front of so many important subjects, Wang Chong had declared that he did not care, leaving everyone stunned.
“Young Marquis, forgive this old man for this question, but what is it that Young Marquis desires?” Yan Wenzhang sternly said, curiosity in his eyes.
“To make every effort, leave behind no regrets!”
Wang Chong said these eight words as though they weighed nothing.
Yan Wenzhang was dumbfounded, his brows slightly creasing, a thoughtful look in his eyes. Wang Chong’s simple words had caused the crowd to think, and even Deng Chang and the other censors appeared pensive.
The Human Emperor c1-2382 Page 769