Because the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal was large and grandiose, and was located in the southwest corner of the Imperial Palace, adjacent to homes of the common folk, one could see the entire capital from the balconies of the pavilion. And outside the palace walls, the common folk could also see the grand celebration within the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal, see the Sage Emperor and the officials of the court, and soak in the festive mood.
The feast of the time caused such a sensation in the capital that it was famously said, ‘the birthday of the empire is in the eighth month, and all peoples and countries come to court to pay respects’.
Wang Chong knew that ‘Third Son Xuan’ had held this feast at the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal and called it the ‘feast of all countries’ precisely so that he could surpass the Sage Emperor’s celebration feast.
Wang Chong’s group followed the eunuchs, and they soon arrived at the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal.
From a distance, the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal appeared like a great Peng with its wings unfurled, the soaring eaves exuding a majestic aura.
Everyone who came here would feel an immense pressure, as if this great Peng soaring through the skies was headed straight for them.
Wang Chong saw that the ‘Sage Emperor’ had yet to arrive, but the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal was already soaked in a lively and intoxicated mood.
The floor of white jade was as glossy as a mirror, reflecting the dancing girls whose long sleeves floated and fluttered to the music of the palace musicians.
Chimes and bells rang out as court officials mingled with foreign emissaries, the faint smell of alcohol hanging in the air.
A little farther off, near the steps and around the pavilion, incense burners in the shapes of tigers, cranes, and turtles burned with sandalwood, filling the air of the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal with their refreshing scent.
And unlike other halls, the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal had a small pool inside its main hall, the green lotuses floating on its surface conferring an air of lush serenity.
As Wang Chong looked around, a booming voice resounded through the pavilion.
“King Song has arrived!
“Minister of War Zhangchou Jianqiong has arrived!
“King of Foreign Lands, Nine Provinces Protector-General, and Empire Guardian Great General Wang Chong has arrived!”
The mentions of King Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong caused only a small stir within the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal, but the news of Wang Chong’s arrival instantly cast a silence across the chattering crowd. Everyone put down their cups and chopsticks and turned toward the steps. Those imposing figures and that youthful figure standing between them were as dazzling as the sun or moon.
King of Foreign Lands!
Nine Provinces Protector-General!
Empire Guardian Great General!!
There was not one foreign country that did not know these titles, and all of these titles belonged to a single youth.
Wang Chong!
Everyone began to stand up, and all the foreign emissaries had expressions of awe and respect as they looked at Wang Chong.
This was the War God of the Great Tang, and purely through the feat of vanquishing the Arabian Empire, he had left a dazzling mark on history and earned the fear and reverence of all other countries.
“Let’s go!” Wang Chong casually said. The four of them walked up the steps into the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal.
“Hahaha, King of Foreign Lands, King Song, Lord Zhangchou, you’re finally here.”
As they made their way up the steps, loud laughter broke out, and a figure parted the crowd and swiftly strode over to Wang Chong’s group.
This was a man wearing the violet robe of a rank-one official, a golden fish pouch and a hooked jade belt on his waist, and a black scarf hat on his head. His every movement exuded a majesty that stood above all the other officials. It was none other than the Prime Minister of the Great Tang, Li Linfu.
As the Sage Emperor’s close aide, the Prime Minister held power over the government and had a status far above any other official.
As this feast of all countries was the grandest celebration in the Great Tang, this renowned minister of the Great Tang could not be left out.
To be personally welcomed by the Great Tang’s current Prime Minister was a great honor, but when Wang Chong saw him, his eyes twitched and his brow slightly creased.
“Heh, you’ve finally arrived. I’ve been waiting for ages. The feast of all countries cannot go on without all of you. The Pavilion of Petal and Sepal is dark and gloomy without your presence.”
Li Linfu was beaming, his entire person exuding warmth and enthusiasm.
But Wang Chong, King Song, and Zhangchou Jianqiong were all extremely cold and calm, a faint sense of suspicion coming off their bodies.
Wang Chong was one thing, as he had long ago known of Li Linfu’s true nature and would not be fooled. As for King Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong, while they had initially been dazzled by his reputation, one incident after another had slowly made them understand that this man was not as warm-hearted and compassionate as he seemed.
Chapter 1997 - Wang Chong’s Status!
Chapter 1997: Wang Chong’s Status!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
“Heh, we are not the ones Lord Prime Minister wants to greet, yes?” Wang Chong suddenly said, a faint hint of derision in his eyes.
“I have long heard of Lord Prime Minister’s gregarious manner, but I did not think that Lord Prime Minister’s connections would even go so far as distant Youzhou in the northeast, and you would already be familiar with the new Andong Protector-General that few have met. As expected of the model for my generation! This one is full of admiration!”
Li Linfu’s smile instantly froze.
Li Linfu had clearly not expected Wang Chong to give him no face at all in front of so many people.
But it took only a second for Li Linfu to get ahold of himself, smiling as if he had heard none of the implication in Wang Chong’s words.
“A good joke, Your Highness. I’m afraid that Your Highness must have developed a misunderstanding over the incident at the gate. An Yaluoshan is a new honored subject of the court, one who has rendered great service for the empire. As the Prime Minister, I must naturally go to personally welcome him to express the courtesy of my court. I did not expect Your Highness and the new Andong Protector-General to have past quarrels. This truly left me surprised.”
‘Honey in mouth, sword in belly.’ Li Linfu had so quickly adjusted himself, treating everything as a misunderstanding, that even Wang Chong was forced to admire this conniving man.
The old fox had stood firm in the court for many years, experiencing all sorts of storms and maintaining an iron grip on the Prime Minister position while remaining unexposed. Great skill and ability could be found on this man. Considering that he was Prime Minister, it was incredible how he was able to endure it all, swallow all his pride, and make up an excuse for everything while remaining unperturbed the whole time.
Wang Chong leaned forward and coldly whispered, “Hmph, Lord Prime Minister, it is enough that you and I know. What’s the point in trying to deceive yourself by deceiving others?
“And besides, Milord does not think I don’t know what you’ve done, do you?” Wang Chong said through a message technique.
Whoosh!
Li Linfu instantly grimaced.
But after saying this, Wang Chong paid him no more mind.
“Your Highness, Lord Zhangchou, it’s about time. Let’s head in!”
Wang Chong waved his sleeve and walked around Li Linfu as if he had never met the man.
“Lord Prime Minister, we’ll be taking our leave. Excuse us!”
King Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong gave hand salutes before walking past, showing none of their past deference.
Sometimes, one was unable to see the truth of matters in the past because one had simply not considered
the possibility. But both of them had seen Li Linfu help An Yaluoshan at the gate deal with Wang Chong, and not even Li Linfu’s eloquent tongue could change this.
Li Linfu’s words were only able to deceive himself.
Those who walked different paths could not conspire together. As they no longer walked together, they naturally no longer needed to keep up the excessive courtesy. When they looked back at various incidents, including those involving Consort Taizhen, King Qi, and even the recent selection of women for the ‘Sage Emperor’, Li Linfu had probably played an inglorious role in all of them.
The group quickly departed.
Behind them, Li Linfu simply stood there, speechless, his face shifting between green and white.
This was the first time since he had reached this post that anyone had ever disrespected him this much!
“Hmph!”
Li Linfu quickly got ahold of himself. His eyes coldly flashed as he turned around and walked off, pretending nothing had happened.
Several quick-witted minor eunuchs spotted Wang Chong’s group and came forward.
“Your Highness, Lady Xu, everything is ready and waiting. Please, this way!”
Wang Chong nodded. After saying a few words to King Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong, he went to the right with Xu Qiqin.
The hierarchy of the Imperial Court was strict, and every official and general had his proper position. King Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong were not seated with Wang Chong.
“Your Highness, please come this way!” a minor eunuch said, and Wang Chong followed.
The Pavilion of Petal and Sepal formed a gigantic ‘U’, with the officials and foreign emissaries arranged on the two sides. Behind them were palace maids holding water jars engraved with golden turtles. On each table covered in golden cloth was a golden goblet, studded with red jewels, and a few plates of food.
Wang Chong looked around and saw that the majority of seats were full. Those seated around him were almost all the most powerful of the emissaries sent by the foreign countries.
Wang Chong quickly focused and took his seat on the right side of the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal’s ‘U’, one of the seats closest to the Sage Emperor’s throne.
The right side was a position of respect, and Wang Chong’s seat could be considered the most eminent seat in the entire feast of all countries, even above Prime Minister Li Linfu and King Song. There was currently no disputing Wang Chong’s current status.
As for Xu Qiqin…
Their relationship was no longer much of a secret in the court. Moreover, during the Battle of Talas, Xu Qiqin had performed a great service as the logistics backbone for the war effort, transporting food and weapons onward to Talas. This number one beauty of the capital had also performed a great service in the Rebellion of the Three Princes.
Even the blind could see that the Xu Clan’s young lady loved the Great Tang’s King of Foreign Lands.
The Bureau of Rites official responsible for assigning seats had decided, from the moment he saw the name of the Xu Clan’s young lady, to put her next to Wang Chong.
The moment Wang Chong and Xu Qiqin sat down, several palace maids came forward and filled their cups with fragrant palace wine.
With Wang Chong’s entrance, a subtle shift took place in the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal. Many foreign emissaries began to take their cups, stand up, and walk over to Wang Chong.
“The emissary of the Samanid Dynasty pays respects to the King of Foreign Lands!”
“The emissary of the Buwayhid Dynasty pays respects to the King of Foreign Lands!”
“The emissary of the Ghazni Dynasty pays respects to the King of Foreign Lands!”
“The emissary of the Jushi Kingdom pays respects to the King of Foreign Lands!”
“The emissary of Greater Balur pays respects to the King of Foreign Lands!”
“The emissary of the Khmer Kingdom pays respects to the King of Foreign Lands!”
“The emissary of the Siam Kingdom pays respects to the King of Foreign Lands!”
The emissaries gathered around Wang Chong. Some of them were already vassals of the Great Tang, some were kingdoms from the far west, and others, like Khmer, were small kingdoms far from the continent that few people had heard about.
Wang Chong’s ships had discovered this small kingdom on the way to the Promised Land, so they had conquered it and made it into a vassal of the Great Tang.
The emissaries respectfully came forward, all of them representing their empires or royal households in paying respects to Wang Chong.
These emissaries wanted to use this chance to entertain Wang Chong, but Wang Chong refused them all.
The emissaries had gone above and beyond accepted etiquette when dealing with Wang Chong, attempting every method to get close to him. Bystanders could see that any emissary that received a few additional words from Wang Chong would become incredibly agitated, as if they had been endowed with some immense glory. They couldn’t help but feel conflicted about this.
“A subject is so respected in so many countries! In my Great Tang, there is only the King of Foreign Lands.”
One of the officials sighed.
In his heart was both admiration and envy.
Prime Minister Li Linfu was also greatly conflicted.
But all of them knew that envy could not gain them anything. Through arduous efforts and campaigns, Wang Chong had destroyed the most powerful empire of the continent, Arabia, thus gaining his current status. These countries were trying to get on Wang Chong’s good side because they feared that they would be Wang Chong’s next target. They feared the power of the Great Tang.
In a certain way, this was proof of the Great Tang’s power.
Wunu Shibi and Irbis Shiyun next to him exchanged a glance, and then they stood up and walked over to Wang Chong.
“Western Turkic Khaganate Great General Wunu Shibi pays respects to the King of Foreign Lands, the Nine Provinces Protector-General!”
“Ü-Tsang Empire Great General Namri Songtian pays respects to the King of Foreign Lands, the Nine Provinces Protector-General!”
“Mengshe Zhao Great General Duan Gequan pays respects to the King of Foreign Lands, the Nine Provinces Protector-General!”
Several voices sounded out at once, each coming from a different direction, and the hall fell silent. Everyone turned to the speakers.
The crowd parted, allowing Wunu Shibi, Namri Songtian, and Duan Gequan to walk over to Wang Chong.
The emissaries had all instinctively backed away at the sight of these men. When it came to national power, other than the now-vanquished Arabia, Ü-Tsang, the Eastern and Western Turks, and Mengshe Zhao were the strongest countries present at this feast of all countries.
The strong ate the weak. The stronger the country, the greater its weight.
“What business do you have?” Wang Chong grunted, his face turning cold. His attitude was completely different from how he treated the other emissaries.
The Great Generals stiffened when they heard Wang Chong’s cold tone.
“Your Highness, Wunu Shibi has no ill intentions. This one brought the First Prince with him simply to explain to Your Highness that we Western Turks are sincere in our desire to establish good relations with the Great Tang. In participating in this feast of all countries, we wish to express to the Great Tang that the Western Turks are willing to be friends with the Great Tang for all time!”
Despite Wang Chong’s cold treatment, Wunu Shibi was not angered. He bowed and spoke so meekly and deferentially that he was like a subject speaking to a sovereign.
Ü-Tsang Great General Namri Songtian came over with Prince Mangri Rinda and said, “Your Highness, Ü-Tsang also has no ill intentions. At the city gate, Namri Songtian had merely heard that Your Highness was going to appear and went to pay a visit. Namri Songtian had no intention of getting in touch with An Yaluoshan. If Your Highness is not happy, Ü-Tsang will naturally not dare to get involved with them.”
Mengshe Zhao
Great General Duan Gequan also lowered his head and respectfully said, “Your Highness, Mengshe Zhao has learned its lesson and is willing to be friends with the Great Tang for all time!”
Chapter 1998 - An Yaluoshan Arrives!
Chapter 1998: An Yaluoshan Arrives!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Wunu Shibi, Namri Songtian, Duan Gequan—any one of them was a commander of several hundred thousand soldiers who could conquer a kingdom, but in front of Wang Chong, they were all incredibly meek. It was hard to see the image of a domineering Great General in them.
This sight left a deep impression on all the surrounding foreign emissaries.
But even so, no one believed there to be anything wrong with their attitude.
Wunu Shibi, Namri Songtian, and Duan Gequan might have been Great Generals whose names shook the world, but Wang Chong was acknowledged as the supreme War God of the continent. In front of the War Saint, anyone would appear dim and insignificant.
If Wunu Shibi and the others were the most dazzling stars in the night sky, making all the other general stars appear dim in contrast, Wang Chong was the most dazzling sun. Not even the brightest of the stars could compare to the blazing sun.
“Hmph, friends for all time, never to fight again? Do you lot have the right to say such things?”
Wang Chong coldly sneered at the Great Generals.
“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. Wunu Shibi, if you don’t restrain yourself, there will come a day when I go hunting with your Khagan on Mount Sanmi!”
Whoosh!
The proud Wunu Shibi instantly broke out in a cold sweat, his face going white.
If anyone else had said this, he would have just treated it as bluster, perhaps even slapped the speaker, but Wang Chong was probably not blustering. And if he did not fear Wang Chong, he probably would not have come over at this time to explain himself.
Wang Chong quickly swept past Wunu Shibi and settled his gaze on Namri Songtian.
“Namri Songtian, go back and tell your Imperial Minister that I know everything that he’s thinking. Don’t think that the Tibetan Plateau can protect you. I have never faced a barrier I couldn’t overcome. If the Imperial Minister does not restrain himself, then I must look forward to a day when we clash!”
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