Chapter 1683 - Crown Prince's Junior Guardian Wang Zhongsi!
Chapter 1683: Crown Prince’s Junior Guardian Wang Zhongsi!
Clap!
Suddenly, there was a crisp footstep from the stairs. At the same time, a waiter from the restaurant spoke into Wang Chong’s ear.
“Guest, the person you’re waiting for is here.”
“There’s no need. I’ll go over myself.” A deep and dignified voice came from the stairs, interrupting the waiter. The owner of this voice proceeded to make their way to Wang Chong.
A few moments later, a figure slowly began to walk over. From his erect posture and sharp eyes, one could still sense the immense majesty radiating from his body, even though he tried his best to restrain it.
Wang Chong had seen many kinds of people, including illustrious Great Generals like Gao Xianzhi and Zhangchou Jianqiong, but even men of their caliber would admit defeat in the face of such majesty.
An ordinary person would probably need just a glance to begin trembling in dread.
In the realm, there was only one man who possessed such majesty and yet was known so little by the common people: the Crown Prince’s Junior Guardian, the illustrious War God of the previous generation, Wang Zhongsi.
Wang Chong carefully inspected Wang Zhongsi. He had never really had a chance to interact with the Crown Prince’s Junior Guardian, and this could be considered their first real meeting.
Wang Zhongsi had chosen to wisely draw back in the face of overwhelming odds. At the height of his career, he chose to hand his military authority to Geshu Han and retreat into the palace, hiding his name and achievements.
When it came to achievements on the battlefield, Wang Zhongsi had reached the highest heights one could achieve in a lifetime. Excluding the Arabian Empire, which had simply been too far away for him to interact with, he had defeated almost all the other countries. He had once even reached the royal palace of Ü-Tsang, forcing the Tsenpo and his officials to flee in panic. Even now, the Tibetans regarded that incident as a major humiliation.
Even though Wang Chong also had his fair share of conquests and had defeated countless foes, he had not yet accomplished similar feats.
But because Wang Zhongsi had been unable to deal with altitude sickness, nor had he discovered the effects of roseroot, he had been forced to beat a hasty retreat.
In that entire generation, the only person who had been able to stand on par with Wang Zhongsi was that Imperial Minister of Ü-Tsang who was acclaimed for his intelligence and who had similarly taken a step back from the front line, Dalon Trinling.
High achievements alarm the sovereign!
Heroically retreating in the face of a rushing torrent!
Wang Chong was no stranger to the methods of this era’s renowned ministers and generals. Whether it was in the Great Qin one thousand years ago, the Great Han, or the current Great Tang, there were numerous renowned generals who became worried that their achievements were so great that they worried the emperor, and chose to give up their posts of their own volition.
A thousand years ago, Great General Wang Jian of Qin took up a great interest in agriculture and construction, in addition to buying thousands of beautiful slave girls, and his estate was far more luxurious than the rules allowed, causing him to almost be charged for a crime. He did all these things precisely so that he could leave flaws for the sovereign to exploit, thus allowing the sovereign to rest easy.
(TN: Wang Jian was a general of the Qin State who conquered the States of Zhao, Yan, and Chu. He is considered one of the four greatest generals of the Warring States Period. He initially retired after conquering Yan, but was called back from retirement to conquer Chu as well after Qin’s initial invasion failed.)
Wang Chong had also stepped onto this path, but unlike his seniors, Wang Chong had a soul from another world. He cared little about the sovereign’s suspicions.
All Wang Chong cared about was his ultimate mission!
Wang Chong quickly came back to his senses.
“The King of Foreign Lands is truly refined!” Wang Zhongsi suddenly commented as he glanced at the jade cup and golden jar placed in front of Wang Chong, as well as the magnificent view from the balcony.
“But Your Highness and I have not met in the past. Your Highness did not call me purely to enjoy the scenery, right?”
Wang Zhongsi chose to stand rather than take a seat.
Anyone who had stayed in the capital for long enough understood that the Crown Prince’s Junior Guardian was an extremely low-key person, and he had no relationships with the major officials of court. Even when people came to visit him, Wang Zhongsi would refuse them at the gate. In this aspect, he was rather similar to Su Zhengchen.
In truth, that Wang Zhongsi had appeared at today’s banquet after receiving Wang Chong’s invitation was already exceptional.
If this matter got out, it would probably be a conversation piece of the capital for ages. After all, this was a formal meeting between the old and new War Gods of the Great Tang.
“Heh, Lord Junior Guardian, it’s still early. Does Milord not even have time to sit down for a small chat?”
Wang Chong chuckled as he pointed at the seat across from him.
Wang Zhongsi hesitated for a moment, but he finally sat down across from Wang Chong.
Wang Chong smiled. In no rush, he lifted the wine jar and filled Wang Zhongsi’s cup.
Wang Chong raised his cup and respectfully said, “Wang Chong has always respected Milord. With this cup, Wang Chong gives a toast to Milord!”
These were words spoken from the heart. Although Wang Chong didn’t much agree with Wang Zhongsi’s decision to retire at the height of his career to protect himself, Wang Zhongsi had, through his many conquests and achievements on the battlefield, made an indelible contribution to the current peace of the Great Tang. There was no disputing that.
This alone had made Wang Chong always respect Wang Zhongsi, and it was why the two of them were meeting today.
“Your Highness is too polite.”
Wang Zhongsi hesitated before taking up the cup. He lightly clinked it with Wang Chong’s cup and then drained the liquor.
With this toast, the mood warmed.
“Your Highness is a talented youth who has rendered great service for the Great Tang. Wang Zhongsi is filled with admiration. If all the youth of the Great Tang could be like Your Highness, the common people would be able to sleep safe and sound for generations to come!” Wang Zhongsi returned with his own compliment.
Although Wang Zhongsi usually refused guests and intentionally distanced himself from the powerful nobles, this did not mean that he did not pay attention to the political scene. On the contrary, this War God cared more about the safety of the empire than anyone else. Otherwise, during the war of the southwest, he would have never put his armor back on and ridden off to Longxi to fend off the White Lion Great General of Ü-Tsang, We Tadra Khonglo.
Frankly speaking, the only person in the empire that Wang Zhongsi had any regard for was Wang Chong.
Ever since the emergence of Gao Xianzhi and Geshu Han, ten-some years had passed without such a dazzling military talent in the Great Tang. Although the deceased Li Zhengyi had been called the most brilliant commander of the younger generation, he had still not earned Wang Zhongsi’s attention.
Wang Chong had appeared out of nowhere, and his existence, his illustrious feats, and his brilliant strategies were enough to make any general of this era seem dim by comparison. In just a couple of years, Wang Chong had suddenly risen from obscurity to become the first King of a different surname in the Sage Emperor’s reign, surpassing Gao Xianzhi and Geshu Han in a single move.
Even in the palace, Wang Zhongsi had been paying close attention to Wang Chong’s achievements and growth. But unlike what others might have imagined, Wang Zhongsi felt no envy, only admiration for this junior of his.
It was for this reason that he had made an exception and come to meet Wang Chong.
“But if Your Highness has something to say, please speak frankly,” Wang Zhongsi added.
Those without problems did not visit the temple, and he didn’t believe that Wang Chong had invited him just so that they could drink tea and liquor. What he cared most about was Wang Chong’s goal.
“Heh, in truth, besides meeting with Lord Junior Guardian, I have nothing else in mind. I just wanted to meet and ask a question. Lord Junior Guardian, how long has it been since you’ve seen the First Prince?” Wang Chong casually asked as he put down the wine jar.
Buzz!
The mention of the First Prince immediately made Wang Zhongsi raise an eyebrow. Although he had been inconspicuous in the last few years, remaining deep within the palace, becoming so unknown that one would hardly notice him on the street, this did not mean that Wang Zhongsi was a fool.
Wang Chong’s question was incredibly abrupt. Wang Zhongsi immediately knew what Wang Chong meant when he mentioned the First Prince, and he could see that today’s meeting would center on this figure.
Countless thoughts ran through his mind, but Wang Zhongsi quickly calmed down.
He stared at Wang Chong and sternly said, “For what reason does the King of Foreign Lands ask this question?”
Everyone knew that Wang Zhongsi was the Crown Prince’s Junior Guardian, who was the First Prince’s teacher. In other words, Wang Zhongsi and the First Prince should have been frequently meeting. Wang Chong’s question was a very strange one.
“Heh, in other words, Lord Junior Guardian truly hasn’t seen the First Prince in some time.”
Wang Chong chuckled, his sharp senses immediately picking out the truth.
Wang Zhongsi trembled. Wang Chong’s intuition was truly too frightening. But Wang Zhongsi did not attempt to deny it.
“It is true that I have not seen the First Prince in several months. With the Sage Emperor withdrawn, the First Prince is serving as the regent and is so busy with government affairs that we have no time to meet. This is normal,” Wang Zhongsi coldly said.
Ah! As expected!
Wang Zhongsi failed to notice Wang Chong mentally sighing in relief. His greatest concern was that Wang Zhongsi would get caught up in the Rebellion of the Three Princes because of his relationship with the First Prince.
That had probably been the most regrettable thing about that entire incident.
In the Rebellion of the Three Princes, three of the Sage Emperor’s own sons had started a rebellion to seize the throne. This was a grave violation of the ethical and moral code.
This incident would lead to countless tragedies and deaths, Wang Zhongsi amongst them. In Wang Chong’s heart, this man was the most unfortunate and most pitiful loss.
The First Prince had tried to kill his father and led the army in killing numerous major officials. As the First Prince’s teacher, the Crown Prince’s Junior Guardian could not escape responsibility.
The illustrious War God of the Central Plains was banished, and not long afterward, he died of depression.
This was the greatest loss the Great Tang had ever suffered.
The deaths of some people were as light as a feather, while others were as heavy as Mount Tai. When Wang Zhongsi died, everyone felt immense regret!