Chapter 1916: Future Master of the Central Plains?! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
The treasure Wang Chong had noticed was unremarkable compared to all the other treasures in the treasury, but Wang Chong had noticed it because it was a treasure of the Central Plains, completely different in style from the others.
Whoosh!
Wang Chong reached out with his hand, summoning that treasure into it.
”What's wrong?”
The others noticed what Wang Chong was doing and gathered around him.
Wang Chong held a roller made of white jade. Wrapped around it was an ancient painting from the Western Han Dynasty.
This sort of painting was priceless, and it was impossible for an ordinary person to possess it. Moreover, given the difference in the cultures of the Arabian Empire and the Central Plains, Wang Chong would never believe that someone as proud as Mutasim III would have a hobby of collecting the art of the Central Plains.
Wang Zhongsi walked up from the back and slightly frowned when he spotted a teardrop symbol on the white jade roller.
”Why would something from Youzhou appear here?”
The collecting world of the Central Plains had regional divisions. Some major collectors had developed methods for establishing the authenticity and lineage of precious paintings and other articles, placing small marks on them.
At the same time, this method would also make them identifiable if they were stolen.
Before Wang Zhongsi's retirement, he had visited Youzhou and been the guest of several major and wealthy collectors, so he recognized the mark.
Everyone felt their hearts thump in dismay, and the mood in the treasury instantly turned strange.
Abusi walked up and asked, ”Is it Protector-General Zhang Shougui?”
Youzhou was Zhang Shougui's territory, and when a top-class painting from that region appeared here, it was very easy to link it with Zhang Shougui.
Zhang Shougui had a personality unlike the other Protector-Generals or Great Generals, and it was impossible to fathom his actions. Although the Great Tang had been at war with Arabia, no one would find it strange if Zhang Shougui was privately exchanging messages with Mutasim III.
”No, impossible!
”Youzhou is too far away from here. What could Zhang Shougui ever get from the Arabs?
”And the Arab army was pressing on our borders. No matter how unbridled Zhang Shougui is, even he would understand what exchanging messages with Mutasim III at a time like this meant. I don't believe he would ever do such a thing,” Gao Xianzhi gravely said.
The best case for Zhang Shougui's painting appearing in Mutasim III's treasury was that it had been gifted long ago, before the war between the Great Tang and Arabia had started.
But the worst case was unpardonable treason!
If the Sage Emperor learned of this, demotion and imprisonment were completely possible.
But Gao Xianzhi would never believe that Zhang Shougui would do such a thing. Although the two of them had rarely interacted, and their regions were separated by the Central Plains, Gao Xianzhi was confident that someone as important and influential as Zhang Shougui would not be so rash.
Treason was no small matter. For a moment, nobody spoke.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a small slip of paper about the width of two fingers slipped out of the jade roller.
This sudden change drew everyone's attention.
Swoosh!
Wang Chong immediately extended his finger, and before the slip of paper could fall to the ground, it flew up into his hands.
A string of characters had been written on the two-foot-long slip of paper. Surprisingly, it was written in Arabic, not the language of the Central Plains.
”What does it say?”
Zhangchou Jianqiong slightly frowned.
He had no idea how to read Arabic.
After a moment of silence, a frowning Gao Xianzhi read the words.
”The future master of the Central Plains greets the master of the Arabian Empire!”
It was like a boulder had slammed into the ground, and the others shuddered, their faces flashing with anger.
'Future master of the Central Plains'!
Just who was the master of the Central Plains of the east? Only the Sage Emperor!
”Bastard! What audacity!”
Zhangchou Jianqiong was ashen, his fists clenched in rage.
Everyone present was a Great General or Protector-General of the Central Plains, and here in front of them was a tribute offered in the name of 'the future master of the Central Plains' to Arabia! Such arrogance and boldness could not be forgiven!
This was rebellion!
”We must have this matter harshly investigated!” Zhangchou Jianqiong bellowed.
It had been many years since such a thing had last happened in the Central Plains. The Sage Emperor was the supreme sovereign revered by all its people. For someone to dare plot rebellion while he was still enthroned was utterly revolting!