Chapter 241: Phantom Steps! (1/2)
Chapter 241: Phantom Steps!
Wang Chong chuckled inwardly. Miyasame Ayaka was much smarter than he thought.
Since that’s the case, I need not say anything about it, Wang Chong thought.
Given that ten people had ‘vanished into thin air’, it was impossible that the Goguryeons hadn’t realized anything yet. Wang Chong’s ambushes would only grow harder and harder from this point on.
“Gongzi, what do we do next?” Miyasame Ayaka asked, kneeling on the ground.
“Hehe, since they’re on their guard now, we just have to change location. Miyasame, you have recalled the faces of all those Goguryeons, right?” Wang Chong asked.
“Yes. Our men are keeping an eye on the Goguryeon warriors, ” Miyasame Ayaka replied respectfully.
Even though Wang Chong’s activities had been mainly directed at this Goguryeon gathering point, his operation wasn’t just limited to here.
Every single Goguryeon that Wang Chong uncovered was being tracked, and the gathering points they headed to had been noted down.
Even though this was the first Goguryeon gathering point uncovered, there were many subsequent discoveries.
“A cunning hare has three burrows”. In a place like the capital, it was impossible for the Goguryeons to have just a single gathering point.
“Are we going to strike the other gathering points now?” Miyasame Ayaka raised her head and asked.
“Heh, there’s no rush to it.” Wang Chong chuckled as he waved his hands lightly. Having killed so many Goguryeons, he should let the matter die down for a time. Besides, there was something else he had to do.
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“Chong-er, come over.”
It was deep in the night, in the main hall of Big Uncle Wang Gen’s residence. Dressed in a loose robe with a pin holding his hair in place, Wang Gen gestured to Wang Chong from his seat, his expression kind.
Placed before him was a china plate, with two cups of fragrant tea on it. White steam rose from the cup and gradually faded into the surroundings. Placed on another wooden table were five plates of exquisitely-prepared light snacks.
From the preparations made, it seemed like Wang Gen knew that Wang Chong would be here.
“Big Uncle!” With a slight smile, Wang Chong bowed deeply. In the past month, Big Uncle’s complexion had improved greatly. It seemed as though he had been getting along well, and even the authority he exuded naturally had grown.
“Congratulations, Big Uncle. It seems like you’ve been promoted once more,” Wang Chong chuckled.
“You brat, what nonsense are you spouting? At my current position, taking even a step forward is as difficult as ascending the heavens. How can I possibly be promoted that easily?” Big Uncle Wang Gen reprimanded jokingly.
He would have never allowed Wang Chong to crack this kind of joke to his face in the past, but at the current moment, he was becoming more and more satisfied with this nephew of his.
It was impossible for him to be promoted, but it was the truth that his influence in the royal court was growing.
And this was linked to Wang Chong in every single way. While the regional commanders incident was full of bumps, it eventually brought the prestige of the Wang Clan to greater heights. At the same time, it won the support of many officials as well.
Also, considering the close relationship between the Wang and the Song, the reinstatement of King Song had benefited the Wang Clan greatly as well. Naturally, Wang Gen’s standing in the royal court would improve in step.
“You came for Yang Zhao’s matter?” Wang Gen asked.
“Un,” Wang Gen smiled. “Big Uncle, what’s the current situation in the royal court?”
“What else can happen? Zhangchou Jianqiong can only forcibly push his way through. After all, considering that a military official from the borders suddenly barged into the affairs of the royal court, there’s bound to be a lot of people who can’t accept it. Rather, it would be a wonder if he could enter the central circle of politics that easily.”
Wang Gen sipped on his tea before knocking on the seat beside him with his forefinger. Understanding his intentions, Wang Chong walked over to his side with a smile and sat down.
“Chong-er, let me ask you once more. Are you certain that Zhangchou Jianqiong would be able to enter the royal court?” Wang Gen put down his teacup and asked grimly. This was a matter with huge implications. He had to confirm it.
“Of course, that person is supporting him as well,” Wang Chong said, pointing to the roof.
Wang Gen frowned. A person as intelligent as him couldn’t possibly not understand what Wang Chong meant. Pointing to the heavens… naturally, this referred to the Sage Emperor.
Considering the Sage Emperor’s position, it should be impossible for there to be any interaction between him and Zhangchou Jianqiong.
While Zhangchou Jianqiong did guard Jiannan for several decades, he hadn’t achieved any merits. Given a portfolio such as his, it should be impossible for him to enter the Bureau of Military Personnel.
Since it wasn’t the intention of the Sage Emperor, that left only one person.
Consort Taizhen!
In the blink of an eye, many thoughts flashed across Wang Gen’s mind. Consort Taizhen and Yang Zhao were cousins, and Yang Zhao did have some past dealings with Zhangchou Jianqiong.
It wasn’t too hard to make the connection.
The Sage Emperor had never shown much interest in ladies, but for some reason, he was possessed of an exceptional fancy for Consort Taizhen. In fact, for her, he was willing to stand against nearly the entire court and demote King Song.
If Consort Taizhen was intent on pushing Zhangchou Jianqiong into the royal court, then this could indeed be considered to be the Sage Emperor’s intention as well. No matter how poor Zhangchou Jianqiong’s contributions were, or how strong the opposition against him was, with the backing of the Sage Emperor, he would still be able to get into the central court’s politics.
“Chong-er…” Wang Gen glanced at Wang Chong, and complicated emotions flashed across his eyes. Young though he might be, Wang Chong possessed a great talent for politics that even he had to acknowledge.
If it was in the past, Wang Gen might have still felt a little envious, but now… it was a huge fortune for the Wang Clan that they had found such a strong leader in Wang Chong!
“I know what I should do,” Wang Gen nodded. “I’ll step forward tomorrow and officially declare my support for Zhangchou Jianqiong. Those sly bastards of the royal court are probably just waiting for someone to stand at the forefront to take the brunt of the blow.”
Wang Chong chuckled inwardly at his Big Uncle’s words. The others were indeed harboring such thoughts, but the same could be said about Big Uncle as well.
“Right, Big Uncle, where has Cousin Zhuyan gone?” Wang Chong asked.