Wunu Shibi’s heart was aflame with anger.
Whoosh!
But a moment later, Wunu Shibi let out a long breath, releasing all of his anger and dissatisfaction and calming himself down.
“Pass on my order! Withdraw my previous order! While we are in the capital, no one is to get close to An Yaluoshan. Whenever he is seen, everyone should keep their distance!”
“Great General?!”
The kneeling guard was flabbergasted.
“No questions! Go!”
Wunu Shibi impatiently waved his hand.
When the roof was too low, one had no other choice but to lower their head.
Several years ago, no one would have dared to threaten Great General Wunu Shibi like this.
Not even Beiting Protector-General An Sishun!
But Wang Chong had vanquished the Arabian Empire and was at the height of his reputation, the noon sun shining over the continent and radiating fear into all the other countries.
Even Ishbara Khagan of the Western Turkic Khaganate feared him, accepting all the humiliation, let alone a Great General like him!
The inn quickly calmed down.
Wunu Shibi was far from the only person to receive this letter. Wang Chong had written to almost every one of the foreign countries.
How could he not understand what these countries might be thinking? With this one letter, he soothed many turbulent waves and quashed these plans.
Such was Wang Chong’s power.
Chapter 1995 - The Feast of All Countries!
Chapter 1995: The Feast of All Countries!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Time flew by, and soon the air over the capital was popping with the explosions of hundreds of thousands of fireworks.
Dazzling light engulfed the capital, turning night into day.
Amidst thunderous cheers, the grandiose feast of all countries finally began.
In his imperial robe, Wang Chong stood outside his estate and looked up at the night sky.
A gentle breeze ruffled his hair and robes, but his mind was at peace.
The Imperial Court had issued the schedule. According to the plan, the opening of the feast of all countries would be divided into three days. On the first day, a majestic military parade would be held involving two-hundred-thousand-some soldiers, the Imperial Army included. In neat formation, they would start their march down Azure Dragon Street, pass the Imperial Palace, and march all the way to Vermillion Bird Street.
The Sage Emperor would appear at the gates of the Imperial City to personally inspect the troops.
On the second day, the Imperial Court would hold a cuju competition with all the other countries. This was a competition which everyone could enter, not just the members of the court.
(TN: Cuju was an ancient Chinese football sport that involved kicking a ball into a net. Teams consisted of 12-16 people. Originating in the Han Dynasty, it grew popular amongst both the court and the people, and it was also very popular during the Tang Dynasty.)
The only requirement was that they needed to organize into a cuju team.
Wang Chong had learned that one hundred and sixty cuju teams had already been organized in the capital. All the common people of the capital were focused on this event, and it was certain to be a grand and unprecedented affair.
On the third day, the capital’s curfew was to be removed. Everyone was allowed to celebrate for the entire day, and there would be all kinds of fireworks shows that would last from nightfall to daybreak, with all sorts of foods and drinks available. Judging by past events, at least seven hundred thousand inhabitants of the capital would take part, partying until dawn.
After those three days, the main event would begin. At the scheduled time, the foreign emissaries would enter the Imperial Palace to feast with the Sage Emperor in front of the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal.
During the feast, the various countries were scheduled to present their tributes and carry out performances.
This feast of all countries was undoubtedly going to be the grandest event in the last several decades. In the past, the Imperial Court’s officials might have criticized or tried to stop it, but with the Great Tang’s current power and prosperity, this really didn’t amount to much. Deep in his heart, Wang Chong actually was not resistant to the feast of all countries, but…
The thought of the Sage Emperor in the Imperial Palace caused a dark cloud to flit across his brow.
“Is everything ready?” Wang Chong suddenly said.
“It is ready!” Zhang Que quickly said, his body concealed in the shadow of the eaves.
“。”
“Mm.”
Wang Chong nodded and said no more. The night quickly passed.
For the next three days, the capital was a place of raucous celebration.
Cuju games, flower fairs, lantern festivals, and various other splendid events took place, but Wang Chong took part in none of them. Finally, the fourth day of the feast of all countries began.
After three days, the festive mood had been pushed to the maximum. As the curtain of night fell, the crowds filling the capital’s streets only grew larger and louder.
Unlike what many people expected, nightfall was when the true fun began.
The Sage Emperor had willed that the feast of all countries be started at night!
Night had fallen, but the King of Foreign Lands Residence was brightly lit by festive red lanterns.
In the estate, the countless maids and servant girls were adorned in festive robes, and the estate guards were wearing shining armor that reflected the dazzling scenes outside.
The Great Tang had been peaceful and prosperous for nearly one hundred years, invincible and impregnable. Everyone used the Sage Emperor’s ‘feast of all countries’ to enthusiastically celebrate, and Wang Chong naturally did not stop them.
It was now the You Period (5-7pm).
An imperial carriage drove through the night and came to a stop in front of the gate. Under the light of the two large lanterns flanking the gate, the carriage door opened, and a neat minor eunuch exited, a small lantern in hand. He strode over to the gate, lowered his head, and courteously spoke a few words.
A few moments later, one of the guards turned and passed the message to a clever-looking maid. She carefully listened, marking the message on her heart, and then she picked up her own little lantern and headed inside.
Her footsteps rang out through the residence as she navigated the corridors and entered the study.
“Your Highness, there is a minor eunuch from the palace outside. He says that the feast will begin soon and that Your Highness should make your way to the palace now.”
The maid remained on the other side of the door and bowed as she respectfully spoke.
After a long while, a voice came out from the room.
“I see.”
The maid bowed and departed.
Candles flickered in the room.
Wang Chong was wearing a violet gold dragon robe, a crown of black jade, black boots, and a four-foot sword at his waist. This attire coupled with his young and dignified face imbued him with a transcendent aura.
At his side, a woman that was both beautiful and intelligent was helping him with his collar.
Xu Qiqin stared at Wang Chong and suddenly joked, “That was risky! We almost got found out!”
“What does it matter if we’re discovered? You’re my close woman companion. Would anyone dare to laugh?”
Wang Chong chuckled.
Xu Qiqin was about to retort when a domineering and familiar scent assailed her nose. As she met eyes with Wang Chong, a blush traveled from her cheeks all the way to the tips of her ears.
“How annoying! I’m not talking with you anymore!”
Wang Chong smiled and shook his head. A hint of affection flashed in his eyes as he watched Xu Qiqin shyly blush, but he quickly came back to his senses.
“It’s about time. Let’s go
.”
“Mm.”
Xu Qiqin nodded, warmth in her eyes as she raised her head.
Creeeeak!
The door opened, and when Wang Chong led Xu Qiqin out of the room by hand, all the servants and guards of the estate were struck, even Su Shixuan and Xu Keyi.
One was a heroic figure with matchless talent, and the other was a gorgeous beauty possessing outstanding intelligence and matchless elegance.
The two standing together were a match made in heaven, enchanting everyone present.
Wang Chong smiled as he led Xu Qiqin out. They soon boarded the estate’s ornate dragon carriage.
“Hyah!”
With a cry, the carriage made its way toward the Imperial Palace.
……
The moon hung serenely in the sky. Looking out from the window of the carriage, Wang Chong could see dazzling fireworks explode in the skies while lanterns and flowers festooned the streets. The political center of the Great Tang had been transformed into a sea of light.
Amidst the dazzling lights, carriages and pedestrians went here and there, people of all ages and genders laughing and smiling as they enjoyed the festivities.
Wang Chong saw a father carrying his three-year-old child on his back, standing next to a flower lantern, and the child was pointing at the pictures on the lantern. There was also an old bearded man who had lost half his teeth standing next to his similarly aged companion, laughing as they ate tanghulu. He also saw several energetic youngsters accompanying several blushing maidens as they picked out make-up at a store.
The smiles on their faces were all so pure, and they were completely immersed in this glorious peace!
Wang Chong had an indescribable feeling as he took in the sights.
Better to be a dog in peace than a man in a world of chaos!
In his last life, the war of the southwest, the Battle of Talas, and the Rebellion of the Three Princes had overturned the entire world. The people were panicked and the court was in disarray. Peaceful scenes like this were impossible.
Many events were taking place again, like the change in the Sage Emperor and An Yaluoshan’s rise… so much so that Wang Chong sometimes thought that his efforts were for nothing. But when he saw these simple and honest people partaking in the festivities, Wang Chong was enlightened.
Everything had changed, and the changes were taking place all around him. It was taking place not with the world, but with the people that lived in it.
Were not these unworried and passionate smiles exactly what he had always sought?
Did he not seek to protect these people who simply lived life as it came?
He could not permit the future disasters to repeat themselves. No matter what the price, he swore to protect the Great Tang and its common folk!
“What’s wrong?”
A pleasant voice at his ear shook Wang Chong from his stupor, and he quickly turned to see a pair of beautiful eyes set in an angelic face quietly staring at him.
“It’s nothing. I was just thinking about tonight’s feast of all countries!”
Wang Chong shook his head.
“Today is the last day of the feast of all countries. We’ve been watching for any movement in the capital over the last few days, but An Yaluoshan has remained silent and hasn’t done a thing. Today is the very last day. Regardless of what his goal in coming to the capital was, it will all be revealed tonight!”
Xu Qiqin looked at Wang Chong’s determined face and firmly said, “Mm, although I’ve never met him before, from the information you’ve provided, I can tell he’s an extremely shrewd and vicious man. But I’m sure that he’s no match for you!”
Wang Chong simply nodded. No matter what An Yaluoshan was thinking, he would never let him succeed. No, as the archcriminal of the world and the calamity’s direct instigator, An Yaluoshan could not be permitted to leave the capital alive!
The voice of the driver came from outside. “Your Highness, we’re at the palace gate!”
Chapter 1996 - The Pavilion of Petal and Sepal!
Chapter 1996: The Pavilion of Petal and Sepal!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Wang Chong slightly trembled, but he quickly got ahold of himself and grunted, sitting up straight.
But Wang Chong failed to notice that Xu Qiqin was pensively staring at his face, a ripple in her eyes.
Xu Qiqin was able to sense that Wang Chong had far too many worries on his mind, far too many burdens on his shoulders. At times, she truly wished that Wang Chong could live like an ordinary person, that the two of them could be like ordinary people, participating in this wonderful holiday to watch the fireworks and appreciate the scenery. But Xu Qiqin knew that this was all impossible.
This empire needed Wang Chong too much. If he fell, the weight would be too much for the empire and its people. It was only because he was here that the people outside could enjoy the celebration without worries.
Although she was occasionally reluctant, when she thought about it, she realized that it was this sort of Wang Chong, the Wang Chong who placed the concerns of the realm above his own, that was the Wang Chong she adored.
As she thought about this, an enchanting smile slowly formed on her lips.
But she quickly shook out of her stupor and sat together with Wang Chong as the carriage drove toward the palace gates.
The carriage took them all the way up to the golden palace walls.
“Your Highness!”
The guards immediately recognized Wang Chong’s carriage and bowed their heads.
There was no one in the Imperial Army who did not know Wang Chong.
All of the foreign emissaries and major officials taking part in tonight’s feast could only ride their carriages up to here. Wang Chong took Xu Qiqin’s hand, pushed open the carriage door, and walked out.
Two men had been waiting for some time outside.
“Wang Chong, you’re finally here!”
King Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong, one dressed in imperial robes and the other in the robes of the Minister of War, stood side by side like two mountains. The moment Wang Chong came out, the two of them noticed the fairy-like Xu Qiqin at his side and teased, “So Lady Xu was with you! No wonder you kept us waiting!”
Wang Chong smiled and quickly said, “I’ve kept Milords waiting. Is everything ready?”
“Mm!”
The two turned stern as the conversation turned to more serious matters.
“Although I don’t know what big thing you’re planning tonight, Lord Zhangchou and I will do everything we can to assist you. The experts of my estate have already been scattered around and are waiting for my order.”
“No matter what you plan on doing, just like King Song, I give you my full support, and I don’t need an explanation from you on this night. I’ve already given my orders to the Bureau of Military Personnel. All the soldiers under its command are at your beck and call, including the soldiers that were on parade a few days ago,” Zhangchou Jianqiong said.
With the fall of King Qi, Zhangchou Jianqiong ruled the Bureau of Military Personnel without opposition. When he gave the word, all of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers under the command of this office were Wang Chong’s to mobilize.
It was a simply unimaginable level of authority.
Wang Chong nodded and sternly said, “Many thanks!”
Wang Chong had not given any details on what he planned to do tonight, but King Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong had not even asked.
On the night of the feast of all countries, the movement of any soldiers could easily attract attention and accusations of rebellion.
But these two were confident that Wang Chong would never have this problem.
Bong!
As they conversed, a crisp bell rang out from the Imperial Palace. All of them stopped and turned.
“This is the second bell. The feast has already begun. Let’s go in,” King Song said.
For tonig
ht’s feast, the bell would ring thrice. All of the officials taking part had to enter the palace for the feast before the third strike of the bell. Afterwards, the gates would close to newcomers, only allowing people to leave.
Wang Chong nodded, and the four of them went through the gates.
Past the gates, rows of eunuchs were respectfully waiting in welcome. Several of the older eunuchs became nervous upon seeing Wang Chong’s group and rebuked the minor eunuchs into standing aside. They bowed and swiftly came up to welcome him.
“Your Highnesses, Milord, Milady, please come this way. We lowly slaves have your seats ready!”
With four graying eunuchs leading the way, Wang Chong’s group headed toward the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal.
The Pavilion of Petal and Sepal, the number one pavilion of the Great Tang!
The name was taken from a line in the Classic of Poetry: ‘Do not the petals and sepals of the cherry tree shine splendidly together?’ It was the place used by the Great Tang for large-scale celebrations.
(TN: In the ‘Classic of Poetry’, the line is followed by ‘Of all the people in the world, none are equal to brothers’. The stanza compares the relationship of the petal and sepal to that of brothers, each exemplifying the brilliance of the other. The pavilion was built by Emperor Xuanzong for the sake of his brothers, hence the name.)
Though it was called a pavilion, it was actually a palace, and the building in the Great Tang Imperial Palace that could hold the greatest number of people.
In the seventh year of the Sage Emperor’s reign, the Tang army subjugated the kingdoms of the Western Regions. Moreover, it defeated Ü-Tsang, the Eastern and Western Turks, Mengshe Zhao, and Goguryeo. The Tang military reached unprecedented heights of power.
At the same time, the weather was fair, the people prospered, and trade flourished. With the entire empire growing wealthy, the capital reached one million inhabitants for the very first time.
At that time, the Sage Emperor held a grand celebration at the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal for the very first time. All the officials and foreign emissaries attended, participating in a most grandiose affair.
The Human Emperor c1-2382 Page 1209