Chapter 1305: The Sage Temple of the Confucian School! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
”Leave this matter to me!” Li Junxian declared, wearing his usual white robe. Compared to a few days ago, he had gotten much paler and his face seemed somewhat more haggard. It was clear that he had not slept well. He had never encountered Wang Chong's method of attack before, a method that no one else in the Great Tang would ever try.
But after all, this was the King of Foreign Lands.
Day by day, 'Might Makes Right' was spreading through the populace, and Li Junxian well understood where this trend would lead. But after several days of thought, he had not been able to find any good method of fighting back. Wang Chong's plan had been too exquisite. Not only had he spread his own ideas, he had sealed the mouths of his opponents.
Bamboo Mirror, the person responsible for the intelligence network, stepped forward and reported, ”Not only that, Ü-Tsang's Dalon Trinling, Wunu Shibi of the Western Turks, Ashina Tuozhen of the Eastern Turks, Yeon Gaesomun of the Goguryeo Empire, and Arabia have all sent us letters urging us to put a stop to this matter. From the reports of our spies in these countries, all of them are showing signs of backlash, and there are calls for all the treaties to be canceled. There are even some people discussing calling back the disbanded soldiers!”
Buzz!
Li Junxian and all the other Confucian Sect experts in the room tensed up at these words.
Li Junxian raised his head and said, ”When did this happen? Has the Imperial Court been informed?”
”These were private letters that arrived several days ago. I worried that the pressure on you was too great, so I did not report it at the time,” Bamboo Mirror replied.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. If they were private letters, this meant that there was still room to maneuver. The surrounding countries clearly did not want war with the Great Tang. But it was also obvious that Wang Chong's actions and the storm in the capital made them feel immensely threatened, so they had entrusted the Confucian Sect with their hopes of preventing the situation from worsening.
Elder Song sighed and gave his own report. ”In truth, it's not just the surrounding countries. The Prime Minister, the Grand Preceptor, and King Qi have also sent several letters asking us what they should do about this matter.”
The Confucian Sect wasn't just facing pressure from the surrounding countries, but the court as well. King Qi, the Grand Preceptor, and the Prime Minister were all vital allies of the Confucian Sect.
Wang Chong's 'Might Makes Right' had spread throughout the capital and the realm, and everyone could see what it was doing. It was clear that the First Prince, King Qi, and the Prime Minister were all hoping that the Confucian Sect could change this situation.
The white-clothed young woman moved her lips, but in the end, she managed to restrain herself. The young master had already racked his mind and was enduring enough pressure. There was no need to add to his troubles.
The hall fell silent and still. Everyone turned in one direction, their eyes exerting an invisible pressure.
Li Junxian was the leader of the Confucian Sect, and he was the only person left who could contend against a person of Wang Chong's level.
After a long while, Li Junxian finally said, ”I understand!” At that moment, countless thoughts flashed through his eyes, upon which he finally resolved himself.
”Every person is insignificant before the greatness of the Harmonious World. In front of this unprecedentedly rare opportunity, the thousand-year foundation of the Confucian Sect cannot be allowed to be destroyed in our hands, much less the hands of the King of Foreign Lands.
”Prepare a bath and change of clothes for me! I need to go to the Sage Temple!”
Buzz!
The words 'Sage Temple' took everyone in the hall by surprise, and expressions of respect appeared on their faces, showing even more respect than they usually showed to Li Junxian.
Elder Song stepped forward, bowed, and cautiously asked, ”Young Master, you are…”
”Mm!”
Li Junxian firmly nodded.
”This ideological war no longer concerns just our Confucian Sect. And it's about time I went to see him.”
Li Junxian sighed.
……
Four hours after the conference's end, a simple and inconspicuous carriage mixed into the crowd. After passing through many streets, it entered a plum forest next to the Imperial Palace, in the northwest corner of the capital.
Two golden dragon banners had been placed at the entrance to the plum forest, and at the side of these banners were the Imperial Guards and Golden Guards who would normally only appear in the Imperial Palace.
This was clearly not a place any normal person could enter.
Li Junxian revealed a token at his waist and was able to smoothly enter the depths of the forest.
Peaceful! Secluded!
It was difficult to imagine that there was such a remote and peaceful place in the capital. The carriage went along a small and winding road, eventually pulling up to a dazzling golden palace.