Chapter 1811: Grand Tutor Pei Guangting (1/2)
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Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
”Your Highness is wise!”
Li Jingzhong suppressed his emotions and lowered his head.
”Haha, Uncle Jing, let's not waste all this time talking. Come on! This prince wants to see Wang Chong's victory with his own eyes!”
Li Heng had much less on his mind. Once he was properly dressed, he turned around and quickly stepped out of Jade Dragon Palace.
……
In the Grand Tutor Residence in the western part of the capital, one of the eminent Three Dukes of the Great Tang, Grand Tutor Pei Guangting, was also getting dressed so that he could head for the training ground. His face was stiff and inflexible.
As a civil official, Pei Guangting did not approve of the idea of resolving the militarist-Confucian conflict through martial combat, nor did he have much desire to preside over the match.
But the militarist-Confucian conflict had persisted for ages, and it wasn't like this quarrel had started with this dynasty. Not even Pei Guangting could think of a better way. He shared the understanding of the crowd that, no matter the outcome of this battle, it would be decided solely by Wang Chong and Li Junxian.
As Pei Guangting was putting on his jade belt and fish token, a voice timidly spoke up, the speaker clearly afraid that they might anger Pei Guangting. ”Grandfather, in today's match, you're going to support the Secretariat Advisor, right?”
Pei Guangting's hands froze, but a doting smile quickly appeared on his lips.
”Yu'er, do you not like the Secretariat Advisor?”
The person who had sneaked in was a girl of around sixteen years. She had charming eyebrows and a picturesque face. Although she was still young, she was already developing into a beauty. Moreover, under Pei Guangting's influence and tutelage, she had already begun to vaguely radiate the bearing of an influential figure.
Pei Xiaoyu was Grand Tutor Pei Guangting's most beloved granddaughter. The Pei Clan was harsh when it came to discipline and upbringing, and even Pei Guangting's sons and sons-in-law didn't dare to breathe too loudly in front of him, let alone mention court matters.
Pei Xiaoyu raised her head and cautiously said, ”No, it's not that. It's just that everyone in the capital is talking about how the King of Foreign Lands is a hero of our Great Tang, and Yu'er has heard that many people fiercely support him. Grandfather is Master Zhu's disciple… so you must support the Secretariat Advisor.”
Although she knew that her grandfather greatly favored her, Pei Xiaoyu also understood that the militarist-Confucian conflict was extremely important, far more significant than any other conflict. Her grandfather had even issued an order forbidding any member of the household from discussing the matter.
”Heh, it's true that your grandfather is Master Zhu's disciple, but even more so a trusted official of the Sage Emperor. What your grandfather thinks is not important. What is important is that I ensure the fairness of the match.”
Pei Guangting softly smiled.
”Ah! So Grandfather doesn't hate the King of Foreign Lands!”
Pei Xiaoyu's eyes brightened, and her entire body seemed to become much lighter and happier.
”Grandfather, you're still busy, so Xiaoyu won't bother you anymore.”
She swiftly left the room.
The girl was completely unaware that as she left, Pei Guangting's smile slowly faded, his expression turning grave.
”The King of Foreign Lands' prestige in the capital has already reached this level…”
Pei Guangting was troubled. His concern was not that his granddaughter liked the militarist Wang Chong despite being born in a civil official household. What he was more concerned about was that Pei Xiaoyu had said that 'everyone in the capital is talking about how the King of Foreign Lands is a hero of our Great Tang'.
His granddaughter interacted with only the children of high officials, nobles, and great clans. If even his own Xiaoyu was saying such things, it meant that Wang Chong's reputation amongst the younger generation had reached a transcendent level, or at least a level that Li Junxian could not possibly reach.
And what the youth represented was the future of the empire!
Their adoration for Wang Chong meant that many young people were watching this match.
This was not necessarily a good thing for the empire, but not even Pei Guangting, the Grand Tutor, could criticize Wang Chong. Much information about the Rebellion of the Three Princes had already leaked out, and this certainly wasn't the first time this youth had saved the empire from imminent collapse. Pei Guangting found it hard to say anything bad about him.
”Forget it! Let the two of them decide it amongst themselves!”
With this thought, Pei Guangting left his residence.
……
The great clans of the capital were also keeping a close eye on the match between Wang Chong and Li Junxian.
On Xuanwu Street, the four great sword-smithing clans, the Chengs, Huangs, Lus, and Zhangs, had gathered together.
”It's about time. Get ready to go, everyone. Today, we're all going to support His Highness!”
”His Highness is a superb individual who has been restraining himself all this time. But now, it's about time to end it all!”
”Hahaha, come on, let's all go and see how His Highness exhibits his divine might to defeat the Secretariat Advisor!”
With this said, everyone got onto their carriages and set off for the training ground. As close allies and collaborators of Wang Chong's, the four sword-smithing clans stood at his side without question.
And it was truly time for this matter to be brought to a close.