Chapter 1975 The Hero’s Twilight Years, Wang Chong’s Respect!

? He also adopted Zhang Shougui's recommendation and promoted An Yaluoshan, the former Youzhou general, to be the guardian of Andong, temporarily replacing him until the court found a suitable candidate, and then appointed and removed him.

…

When the news came out, it shocked the world, especially the high-ranking military officials of the entire Datang Dynasty, which had a huge impact.

Zhangchou Jianqiong, Gao Xianzhi, An Sishun... almost all of these empire's great protectors and generals rose up in the army step by step following Zhang Shougui's fame. For people of this generation, when Zhang Shougui became famous At that time, all the famous generals of the empire were just small captains or captains. Zhang Shougui's brilliant achievements at that time were enough for anyone to look up to.

It is precisely because of this that Zhang Shougui has great influence and a pivotal position in the army.

But now, this famous and victorious general, who once wanted to aspire to the supreme power of the empire and become prime minister, was deprived of his military power and demoted to the position of governor of Kuozhou because of a great war. For a man who has spent his life as a soldier. As a legend, this is an absolute shame!

Hearing this news, everyone was deeply touched.

"What's going on? Didn't you ask Zhang Shougui to come to Beijing to face the Holy Spirit and personally report on the Youzhou matter? How could such an order be issued suddenly?"

In the main hall of the foreign palace, Wang Chong felt heavy in his heart after receiving the news.

The governor of Kuozhou!

Among the news sent back by the intelligence team, nothing touched him more than these four words. Wang Chong certainly remembered that that was the place where Zhang Shougui died.

After being demoted to Kuozhou by the Holy Emperor, Zhang Shougui died in depression not long after.

History has gone round and round, and great changes have taken place compared to the previous life. Wang Chong did not expect that the first time he came into contact with the four words "Kuozhou Governor" would be in this way.

Wang Chong did not expect that in this life, Zhang Shougui would be demoted to the position of governor of Kuozhou.

And he also came into contact with his destiny in this way.

If he had been deprived of the official position of the Protector of Anton and had a chance to make a comeback and return to Youzhou with Zhang Shougui's qualifications, then now Zhang Shougui has completely lost all hope. 35xs

The governor of Kuozhou is an out-and-out civil servant!

As a military general, he was given a civilian title, which also meant that Zhang Shougui completely lost the chance to make a comeback.

"We don't know the specific situation. We only know that when we were in the Taiji Hall, the Holy Emperor issued an order for Mr. Zhang to come to Beijing to report on his duties. No one expected that not long ago, in the Taide Hall, the Holy Emperor suddenly changed The idea was that it made no difference whether Zhang Shougui came to the capital or not, and there was no need to report on his duties. Later, he was directly demoted to the position of governor of Kuozhou."

Zhang Que said, feeling terrified in his heart.

Zhang Shougui is an important and powerful figure in Dafang, a being like Mount Tai and Beidou. Who would have thought that the Holy Emperor could easily decide Zhang Shougui's fate in such a hasty way.

And this order did not even go through the Ministry of War and the court ministers.

"Where is Zhang Shougui now?"

Wang Chong said.

"Master Zhang has arrived at Zhaoling Town, there are still ten days' journey from the capital!"

Zhang Que bowed and said.

Wang Chong did not speak, but frowned slightly, with a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Zhang Shougui's current situation is very embarrassing. He originally returned to Beijing to report on his duties, but he was suddenly appointed as the governor of Kuozhou. I am afraid that Zhang Shougui is a little at a loss. He doesn't know whether to go to the emperor or report to the Ministry of Personnel.

Moreover, according to the usual practice, when a feudal official arrives in the capital, no matter whether he has something to do or not, he must first meet with the Holy Emperor. After the interview, he can then deal with other matters.

But in the current situation, the Holy Emperor made it clear that he did not want to see him, otherwise he would not have issued the imperial edict in advance.

Moreover, Zhang Shougui had an arrogant character and had offended many courtiers in the court. It would have been fine if Zhang Shougui still maintained his status as the Governor of Anton, but he has taken away his status and is now just the governor of Kuozhou. His status in the court is second to his. There are a lot of people above, and I am afraid that Zhang Shougui will have to bow and salute when he sees many old acquaintances. With his arrogance, how can he do it?

"Pass my order and release the news, saying that the king of the foreign land respectfully welcomes Zhang Dadu to return to the capital. On the day when Master Zhang returns to the capital, I will personally take care of him and celebrate the war god of the Tang Dynasty!"

Wang Chong's eyes flashed and he immediately spoke. 35xs

"Your Majesty!"

Everyone was greatly surprised when they heard Wang Chong's words.

Wang Chong and Zhang Shougui were definitely not close friends. In fact, even Zhang Que and others believed that the prince had done all he could to Zhang Shougui.

——If Zhang Shougui wasn't so arrogant and could listen to Wang Chong, he wouldn't be in this situation now.

Now that Zhang Shougui is in Pingyang, there are many civil servants in the court and China who are against him. Many people are unwilling to get involved in this matter and avoid it. No one thought that the prince would take the initiative to get involved.

And with Wang Chong's current status, once he utters such words and goes to greet Zhang Shougui in person, it is equivalent to using his status to praise him. In this way, no one in the capital will be able to take this opportunity to add insult to injury against Zhang Shougui. .

"Your Majesty, if this happens, the civil servants in the court may be dissatisfied with Your Majesty."

In the main hall, Xu Keyi hesitated for a moment before speaking out.

Wang Chong is a military general and a military strategist, and his relationship with the literary and Taoist lineage was not very good. Now that the Northwest War is over, the civil servants in the court have finally changed their impression of Wang Chong. Helping Zhang Shougui at this time is absolutely unacceptable in the eyes of everyone. Not a good time.

Moreover, Zhang Shougui did some despicable things in his position as the Protector of Anton. The most despicable thing among civil servants was that he exercised the right to mint coins without authorization in Youzhou.

Since ancient times, only the royal family has the real power to mint coins in the empire, and only the imperial court can mint coins that circulate throughout the empire. Zhang Shougui minted coins privately in Youzhou. To a certain extent, this was tantamount to treason.

This is the biggest taboo for ministers.

Because of this incident, there was a huge uproar in the court. All the imperial censors joined forces to impeach Zhang Shougui. All civil servants also stood up and wrote to the Holy Emperor about this matter, trying to remove Zhang Shougui. The location of the Eastern Protectorate.

At that time, the situation in the Northeast was complicated, and Xi, Khitan, and Goguryeo were constantly harassing him. The Holy Emperor forcibly suppressed this matter, but Zhang Shougui was deeply hated by the civil servants in the DPRK and China.

If Wang Chong sides with Zhang Shougui at this time, it is very likely that the current hard-won civil and military harmony will be torn apart.

"you are wrong!"

Wang Chong shook his head and said calmly.

"His faults are his faults, and his merits are his merits. Zhang Shougui made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty throughout his life as a soldier. His faults do not hide his faults. As a meritorious official, this is what he deserves."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Everyone in the hall was stunned, and soon understood what was happening. A feeling of respect arose in their hearts, and they quickly left.

Time flew by, and ten days passed in the blink of an eye. A guest was welcomed outside the east gate of the capital.

There were few people on the official road. The man was dressed in black plain clothes, wearing a turban on his head, riding a horse. He stood in the middle of the official road, looking at the tall and familiar east gate of the capital, with a sigh in his expression, and an indescribable feeling in his heart. Feeling.

Come back!

Once upon a time, when he came to the capital, he was so high-spirited that the civil and military officials in the dynasty would not be in awe and call him Zhang Gong. But now that he has suffered a huge defeat and is disabled and seriously ill, it is so desolate.

In the entire capital, there was no one to greet him. At this moment, Zhang Shougui felt an indescribable desolation in his heart.

The governor of Kuozhou!

This news has probably spread throughout the capital.

What a humiliation it is for a military general to serve as a civilian, and it is also a peaceful inland place like Kuozhou, which is far away from war. This is tantamount to ending Zhang Shougui's hope of making a comeback and returning to Youzhou.

And in the future, when he serves in Wendao, there are countless "officers" in the Wendao line waiting to poke Zhang Shougui's spine.

"Master Zhang!——"

Just when Zhang Shougui was filled with endless melancholy and emotion, suddenly, a majestic and handsome voice came from the direction of the city gate.

Boom, the next moment the city gate opened wide, flags fluttered, armor shone, and figures dressed in golden armor, riding tall horses, lined up in neat queues, galloped out of the open city gate.

The momentum is majestic and majestic, giving people an overwhelming, majestic and sacred feeling, enough to make anyone look at it.

In front of these knights and soldiers in bright armor, two figures in python uniforms stood out. They were Wang Chong and King Song, two extraordinary princes of the Tang Dynasty.

Beside them, Zhangchou Jianqiong, Minister of the Ministry of War, Yang Zhao, Minister of Taifu, Jiang Yuanrang, General of Beacon Smoke, Guo Guogong, Chai Guogong, and many civil and military officials from the court stood behind them, together with Wang Chong, Song Wang and others. They all stepped forward.

Wang Chong had not seen Zhang Shougui for at least two years since the last time they saw each other.

Wang Chong rushed forward and looked at the Anton Chief Protector carefully. Unlike the high-spirited, aloof and arrogant Zhang Shougui who had returned from the Youzhou War, he looked much older.

His face was pale, with many wrinkles on his face, and he looked haggard. It was completely difficult to imagine that this was the Anton who competed with the Tang War God Wang Zhongsi and vowed to become the Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty. The general protects Zhang Shougui.

"The Protector of the Nine Provinces, Wang Chong, the king of the foreign land, is here to welcome Protector Zhang!"

"The King of Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty is here to welcome Protector Zhang!"

"The Minister of War, Zhangchou Jianqiong, respectfully welcomes Protector Zhang Da!"

"The Protector-General of Anxi and General Gao Xianzhi of Yulin welcome the Protector-General Zhang!"

"Prince Yang Zhao, respectfully welcomes Protector Zhang!"

"Chi Xiong, the Duke of E State, respectfully welcomes Protector Zhang Da!"

"The Duke of Guo, Zhang Qiling, respectfully welcomes Protector Zhang!"

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Wave after wave of resounding names resounded throughout the capital. This time when welcoming Zhang Shougui, Wang Chong truly showed his great influence.