Chapter 1968: Audience with the Emperor! (2/2)
This sort of situation could not be permitted.
King Song was silent. He understood what Wang Chong was saying, but by doing this, Wang Chong was placing himself in the center of the vortex.
”Reporting!”
As the two were speaking, rapid footsteps came from outside. Soon, a member of Wang Chong's Wind Team came in.
”Your Highness, King Song, we've just received word that Zhao Changfu has left the Imperial Palace after having an audience with the 'Sage Emperor' at Taiji Palace!”
The Wind Team member cupped his fist and got down on one knee.
Wang Chong and King Song shared a glance, strange looks on their faces.
”It's begun. Zhao Changfu has reported your cutting of the trees in Lingnan to the 'Sage Emperor'. I'm sure the 'Sage Emperor' will be calling you into the palace soon,” King Song said.
”Heh, Your Highness, there's no need to worry. I have a plan.”
Wang Chong casually chuckled.
”In addition, there's no taking back a loosed arrow. Now that we've begun, there's no going back. Get in touch with the Bureau of Personnel and have them delay the demotion documents and promotion documents. The entire bureaucratic apparatus should be halted for three months, and it would be best if it could be delayed for an entire year.
”I've already gotten in touch with the officials of the court. Whether it's the Peace Pavilion, the selection of talented women, the promotion of those flattering courtiers into officials, or the demotion of loyal officials, all of it should be changed and delayed. If something happens, they should just blame me and claim to know nothing of the truth.”
”Haaah…”
King Song raised his head and gave a long and complicated sigh.
Personally, he would have opposed this decision with all his might, but objectively speaking, he knew that Wang Chong was the only one who could bear this burden.
”We can only do as you say.”
Wang Chong stood up and quickly departed.
Not long after he was gone, a messenger bird carried the 'Sage Emperor''s furious missive into the King of Foreign Lands Residence.
Bang!
And soon after that, the news that Wang Chong had cut down the trees in Lingnan, depriving the Peace Pavilion of its building materials and infuriating the 'Sage Emperor', spread across the capital and caused a great stir.
……
Regardless of what outsiders thought, the next morning, Wang Chong was completely unperturbed.
In the main hall, Wang Chong, adorned in his golden-threaded imperial robe and a thin jade belt, energetically asked, ”Red Sleeve, help me look at the collar. Is it properly fixed?”
”Yes.”
A beautiful maid hastily walked behind Wang Chong and began to attend on him.
”Your Highness, it's chaos outside, but here you are, so calm and relaxed.”
This maid was a servant girl who had been hired when Wang Chong first opened his estate. She had worked here for more than half a year, and because she was nimble, intelligent, and a good conversation partner, Wang Chong often had her help him with his clothes.
In addition, Wang Chong had also given her a nickname, calling her 'Red Sleeve'.
Red Sleeve looked at this man who supported the heavens, and while she knew that this incident was no minor matter, she knew that someone of her liege's intelligence was certain to have a plan.
”The tenser the moment, the more composed one must be. Worry has never helped in solving a problem,” Wang Chong breezily said, his entire body exuding self-confidence that made him a dazzling existence.
The young maid stared in a daze at him for a moment, but she quickly lowered her head, her cheeks blushing, and busied herself with Wang Chong's clothes.
Wang Chong paid little attention. A little while later, he emerged from his estate, boarded his bronze carriage, and headed toward the Imperial Palace.
Even though there was still time before the morning court session started, the streets were packed with commoners who had heard that Wang Chong was heading in. They were worried, anxious, and concerned.
Whether man, woman, old, or young, there was one thing for certain. Wang Chong had the support of the entire capital.
The carriage entered the palace and quickly arrived at Taihe Palace.
”Your Highness!”
”Your Highness!”
”Your Highness, you've arrived!”
Unlike before, all of the officials were gathered outside of Taihe Palace rather than heading in.
When Wang Chong appeared, all of them rushed up to welcome him, their eyes brimming with respect and tinged with hope.