Chapter 1267: Incident at the Penal Court! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Deflecting Blade Manor was born of Wang Chong's sweat and blood, and he had poured so much time and energy into building it up. Many of his subordinate generals had arisen from that place. Moreover, during the Battle of Talas, these subordinates had swiftly revealed their incredible talent and capabilities.
One could say that the students of the Three Great Training Camps that Wang Chong had gathered at Deflecting Blade Manor were the foundation of Wang Chong's efforts to alter the Great Tang army.
Old Eagle and Zhang Que had originally believed that Wang Chong would immediately head to Deflecting Blade Manor to fight the proposal. They hadn't expected that Wang Chong would choose to give Deflecting Blade Manor to Kunwu Training Camp.
But the two of them had always firmly believed in Wang Chong and understood that he never made meaningless decisions.
”Ah!”
The first to gasp in realization was Old Eagle, while Zhang Que seemed to have some inkling but had not fully grasped the idea yet.
”Understand yet? The Confucian Sect is using the power of the First Prince, and the First Prince is using the power of the Sage Emperor. If we try and resist the attack of the Confucian Sect this time, we'll be resisting the Sage Emperor! This cannot be allowed to happen! Moreover, the Three Great Training Camps were established according to the Sage Emperor's decree. The Confucian Sect would have long ago prepared themselves for this before they started making trouble!” Wang Chong calmly said, the image of that handsome and elegant white-robed Confucian once more emerging in his mind.
The Confucian Sect leader calling himself Li Junxian appeared to be only twenty-six or twenty-seven, but his attacks were swift and fierce and came in endless waves that gave his opponents no time to breathe. More importantly, he calculated everything and made meticulous plans, predicting almost every counter his opponent would make, leaving his foes very little room to maneuver.
Although there was no direct confrontation and no sign of any swords or sabers, Wang Chong's opponent was far more ferocious than he had imagined. He had faced many opponents before, but none of them could compare to this Li Junxian.
”…Rather than waiting for them to dismantle Deflecting Blade Manor, it would be better to just give it to Kunwu Training Camp. Although we can't bring things back to the way they were before, at least the Confucians won't be able to continue messing around with it. This also allows us to preserve as much of Deflecting Blade Manor as possible,” Wang Chong said heavily.
”Your subordinate understands!” Old Eagle solemnly said.
When he saw Wang Chong's young and determined face, he felt sincere admiration. The Confucian Sect's attack was furious, but Wang Chong had chosen to actively respond rather than passively react. Not even the Confucian Sect could do anything about this, and their attack was thus nullified.
”Zhang Que, help me get in touch with the Protector-Generals and Great Generals on the border. Propose to them that the Bureau of Military Personnel should set up a 'commander base' entirely for the border protectorates to train generals. All the examinees expelled from the Three Great Training Camps due to the Halls of Righteousness should be recruited by the 'commander base', and it should be guaranteed to all students who meet the standards that they will be transferred to the border protectorates upon completion of their study through the Bureau of Military Personnel.”
Wang Chong had a wise and profound look in his eyes as he gazed into the distance.
”In addition, write personal letters for me to Geshu Han, An Sishun, Xianyu Zhongtong, Gao Xianzhi, and Zhang Shougui. Tell them that I will teach my art of war in this commander base. As long as they vigorously support this proposal and jointly sign on, at least ten percent of the officers produced will be transferred to their armies. After seeing what I did in Talas and Khorasan, I trust that they won't refuse!”
Once a decision had the approval of the five Protector-Generals, the Bureau of Military Personnel, and Minister of War Zhangchou Jianqiong, it could bypass the imperial household and still be formally approved. As long as Wang Chong was not establishing a personal army and all the soldiers were transferred to the border protectorates, not even the Confucian Sect could do anything.
As this string of orders left Wang Chong's lips, Old Eagle's and Zhang Que's worried and uneasy faces immediately relaxed. No matter who this Li Junxian was or where this Confucian Sect came from, they had truly picked the wrong opponent this time.
”Yes, your subordinate will do so!” the two of them replied in unison.
”In addition, where is Zhao Qianqiu imprisoned?” Wang Chong suddenly asked.
There was an appropriate countermeasure for every measure. No matter what sort of plans Li Junxian had, none of them could pose a threat to him. The only thing Wang Chong was concerned about now was Zhao Qianqiu's safety.
Zhao Qianqiu was Wang Chong's first and only instructor. Wang Chong had always had nothing but respect and admiration for him.
Zhang Que bowed and said, ”Milord, we've already found his location. After being arrested, Lord Zhao Qianqiu was transferred back to the capital and sent to the Penal Court.”
Wang Chong blinked at this news. According to the laws of the Imperial Court, officers who committed crimes were sent to the Bureau of Military Personnel, while commoners who committed crimes were sent to the Bureau of Punishments. When the Imperial Court or imperial household became involved, criminals were sent to the Court of Judicial Review. Criminals that fell outside of these three categories were sent to the Penal Court, a place used to deal with special criminals. And the one who presided over the Penal Court was none other than King Qi!
Upon mention of the Penal Court, some things immediately became obvious.
”Let's go, to the Penal Court!” Wang Chong sternly said.
……
The Penal Court was located by the northwest corner of the Imperial Palace.
This place was remote, located in the least populated part of the capital. Moreover, the land also belonged to the imperial household, and ordinary people were forbidden from entering.
Boom!
There was a thunderous explosion, shockwaves of energy, and countless screams as fully-armored guards of the Penal Court were sent flying through the air like ragdolls. While still in the air, their armor and weapons were already blasted to pieces by Stellar Energy. Wang Chong led Old Eagle and Zhang Que straight through the place with an unstoppable momentum.